Clerks share tips, info to help voters prep for election
BY MARK VEST mvest@candgnews.com
BY MARK VEST mvest@candgnews.com
FARMINGTON HILLS/SYLVAN LAKE/WEST BLOOMFIELD — Local clerks may be among the busiest people around these days, as preparations for the general election Nov. 5 are in high gear.
According to Farmington Hills Clerk Carly Lindahl, the preparations start months in advance and involve a lot of extra hours, extra training, keeping staff abreast of new election rules and laws, and educating voters.
See ELECTION on page 11A
Although she said that heart checks are not part of a standard physical, her doctor encouraged her to have one.
Edvardsson went to see her doctor in order to have a physical prior to the start of the volleyball season.
WEST BLOOMFIELD — When West Bloomfield High School junior Matilda Edvardsson paid a visit to her doctor last summer, little did she know that it would change the course of her life and potentially help save the lives of others.
Edvardsson helped recruit two of her junior classmates, Sophia Zholob and Amarina
See CARDIAC on page 12A
That conversation helped encourage Edvardsson to launch a community initiative to help raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest in students and to “help save lives through education, prevention and preparedness,” she said.
Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
Centropolis C3 Summit features mobility startups
BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com
SOUTHFIELD — The Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University’s C3 Summit featured cleantech, climate and circular economy companies that drew in a crowd of 400 attendees.
The event, held on Oct. 1 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, featured participation from more than 50 investors and resulted in 150 confirmed investor matchmaking meetings.
Centropolis connects small manufacturers and hardware entrepreneurs and pro-
vides access to resources such as mentors, workshops, cutting-edge technologies, corporate connections, student and faculty engagement, events, workspace, and a collaborative community, according to the program.
“Getting from the back of the napkin to the front of the market is no easy feat, and that makes incubators like Centropolis essential to our success, and the numbers really speak for themselves, because 40% of small businesses fail in a year, but the companies that Centropolis invests directly have a 100% commercialization success rate. One hundred percent. And there’s a reason why
See C3 SUMMIT on page 14A
Find your happy place at Waltonwood
move to waltonwood now and enjoy :
• Chef-prepared dining experiences with desserts created by our Pastry Chef.
• A variety of Life Enrichment programs providing social and wellness opportunities.
• Personal care services available when needed - age in place as your needs change!
• Housekeeping services and home maintenance.
• A variety of apartment styles to fit every lifestyle - pet friendly!
• Scheduled transportation.
Waltonwood supports residents’ active and independent lifestyles and removes the worry and stress that seniors — and their family members — often experience when they’re living on their own.
Move to Waltonwood and spend time doing the things that make you happy. We’ll take care of the rest.
Photo provided by Frank Noppel
Blueflite is an advanced cargo drone platform that addresses challenges in the logistics industry and aims to offer faster deliveries at a lower cost compared to conventional transport.
The Beacon is one of 21 bi-weekly publications produced by C & G Newspapers, a family-owned company serving residents in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties since 1981. We deliver our papers to more than 571,000 homes in 45 communities via direct mail.
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SECOND FRONT PAGE
3A/ WEST BLOOMFIELD BEACON • OCTOBER 16, 2024
Antisemitic material reportedly distributed across Oakland County neighborhoods
BY MARK VEST AND MARY BETH ALMOND
mvest@candgnews.com
malmond@candgnews.com
OAKLAND COUNTY — Neighborhoods across Oakland County were reportedly peppered with antisemitic material and a building was vandalized between Oct. 5 and 7, according to the
Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments.
A statement released by the Sheriff’s Office said deputies are investigating multiple instances of antisemitic flyers being distributed around the county, which the Sheriff’s Office called “completely unacceptable,” adding that it stands firmly against “this disturbing and disgusting behavior.”
“It happened in a number of communities all across the county — Rochester Hills, Commerce, Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield, and I believe Waterford and White Lake as well,” Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said. “I would say close to 1,000 flyers were distributed.” Officials are investigating whether it could be
Local chefs, Wildlife Council, DNR serve Harvest to Table Gala
BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com
SOUTHFIELD — The Michigan Wildlife Council hosted its first-ever Harvest to Table Gala Oct. 1 at the Great Lakes Culinary Center, 24101 West Nine Mile Road, showcasing the hunting, fishing and foraging heritage in Michigan and the role these natural resources play in addressing hunger statewide.
“The mission of the Wildlife Council is to promote all the benefits of hunting and fishing, that it’s a management tool to ensure that we have sustainable wildlife populations now and in the future, that hunters and anglers provide conservation funding, not only for game species like turkey and deer, but also nongame species like butterflies and salamanders, and it’s something that generates a lot of money and jobs around
Photo by Kathryn Pentiuk
Paul Grosz, the owner and executive chef of Cuisine Restaurant and a Schoolcraft College Culinary Arts instructor, prepares a roasted venison loin for the third course of the Harvest to Table Gala Oct. 1 at the Great Lakes Culinary Center. See HARVEST on page 6A See ANTISEMITIC on page 19A
NEWS & NOTES
Public notice issued about watercraft controls on Scotch Lake
WEST BLOOMFIELD — A public hearing has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 17 at West Bloomfield Town Hall, located at 4550 Walnut Lake Road.
At the hearing, the Department of Natural Resources is set to gather information from the public concerning watercraft controls on Scotch Lake.
Attendees can offer comments at the meeting.
Group hayrides offered
WEST BLOOMFIELD — Group hayrides are being offered at Marshbank Park on Oct. 17 and 18. Residents can choose from 1/2 hour time slots ranging from 5-7:30 p.m. The rides feature an approximately 20-minute tractor-drawn hayride. Residents can take a picnic blanket and enjoy cider and a seasonal treat. The cost is $135 for residents and $140 for nonresidents, with the cost covering a group of up to 30 people.
The hayrides are private and reserved for specific groups.
For more information, call (248) 451-1900.
Kirk Gibson Foundation announces new Parkinson’s Center
WB announces hazardous waste drop-off options
WEST BLOOMFIELD — West Bloomfield Township residents now have the option to take their hazardous materials and electronic waste to ERG Environmental Services, which is located at 13040 Merriman Road in Livonia, according to information posted on the township’s website.
There are also two annual hazardous materials and electronic waste collection events that take place on Civic Center campus.
For more information, visit ergenvironmental.com/environmental-services/ household-hazardous-waste-drop-off.
Those interested in dropping anything off at ERG Environmental Services can visit Town Hall to obtain a necessary voucher from the supervisor’s office.
For more information, call (248) 451-4845.
BIRMINGHAM — The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s, a Birmingham-based foundation, has announced that they will be building The Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness at 31440 Northwestern Highway, Farmington Hills. This 30,000-square-foot center will offer 70 hours of free, activity-
T-shirt sales support food pantry
WATERFORD — On Sept. 21, Open Door Outreach Center hosted the 29th Julie Run to End Hunger at the Highland Lakes campus of Oakland Community College.
Another opportunity for community members to donate to the nonprofit, which provides food, clothing and referral information to local residents, is being offered, as Julie Run T-shirts can be purchased for a donation price of $25.
According to an email, the shirts are available while supplies last.
The email also states that “All proceeds from our Julie Run to End Hunger help to serve our neighbors in need.”
For more information, call (248) 360-2931, ext. 108.
The Open Door Outreach Center food pantry is located at 7124 Cooley Lake Road in Waterford, with scheduled hours being 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and 1-7 p.m. Thursdays.
For more information, call (248) 360-2930.
The Open Door Outreach Center thrift store is open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays.
Donation hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays.
To learn more or call ahead to make a donation, call (248) 360-4977.
based programs for people impacted by Parkinson’s.
This center was made possible by fundraising by The Kirk Gibson Foundation and a lead gift from Marian Ilitch.
“Opening this Parkinson’s Center is more than just a building, it’s a center of hope for everyone fighting this battle with
Parkinson’s. Every step forward, every breakthrough we make together, reflects the strength we find in each other. This journey is personal, but it’s also for all those who need to know they’re not alone,” Gibson said in a press release.
For more information, visit KirkGibsonFoundation.org.
COWABUNGA!
BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com
The Motor City Comic Con, which is set to take over the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi Nov. 8-10, has a reputation for bringing in phenomenal celebrity guests, and the lineup for the third annual fall convention does not cease to amaze.
This year’s lineup includes: Freddy Krueger himself, Robert Englund; Wayne Knight, better known as Newman from the TV sitcom “Seinfeld”; Priscilla Presley; the voice actors behind the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Cam Clarke, Townsend Coleman, Barry Gordon and Rob Paulsen; Star Trek’s George Takei; and Alan Ruck, who is known for his role as Cameron Frye in the cult classic “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”
“A lot of the times we will try and look at anniversaries that are happening,” Sam Yankee, show manager of MC3, said of the guest selection process. “We have Ray Park, and it’s the 25th anniversary, I believe, of
(‘Star Wars: Episode I — The) Phantom Menace’ coming up, and then, I believe, we also have the anniversary of the Ninja Turtles. But that is a really good indicator. … Yeah, people like to celebrate those big events.”
Yankee said that original actors for the various fandoms are always going to be popular because they started it all.
“I also think that with some of the original actors and the original voice actors from movies, you are hitting different generations,” said Beth Burland, MC3 show manager. “So, maybe you watched it with your parents and now you’re showing that to your children. So it just carries on.”
Yankee said they also like to ‘gear a little bit more towards horror” for the fall show and bring in guests who are known for their roles in horror films, such as Englund.
“Horror icons are what we try to get as well,” she said.
This year the show will be presenting two off-site movie events at the Emagine Theatre in Novi with celebrity guest Q&A sessions. Knight will host a screening of “Jurassic Park” on Nov. 8, and Englund will host
See MC3 on page 8A
fre.” -St. Ignatius Loyola
Harvest
the state,” said Nick Buggia, the chairman for the Michigan Wildlife Council. “This is the first time we’ve done an event like this, where we’ve invited people to come in. We tried to get a group of hunters and anglers and nonhunters and anglers to bring those two groups together over food and highlight all the natural resources that Michigan has to offer from things like wild game, like venison and fish. A lot of the sides and things today were foraged within an hour and a half of here. So they’re all things that are local. We wanted to highlight that and then educate everybody on the Wildlife Council and everything that hunters and anglers do as far as funding conservation.”
The gala’s menu featured a four-course meal inspired by Michigan’s natural resources and created by local chefs.
Chef de partie Danny Pesja, of Sylvan Table, located in Keego Harbor, prepared a wild mushroom salad for the first course, which displayed his love of foraging for wild mushrooms. He said he got into mushroom foraging around six years ago while he was working in the restaurant industry.
“Learning more about wild food and how it was what we originally had to eat back in the day was really exciting for me, on top of the flavors,” he said. “The flavors are unmatched compared to anything you can cultivate or farm. Not to mention that the nutrient value being so high makes that flavor come through so much more and so
better for you, too — on top of getting outside a little more, which we don’t often do in today’s society.”
The second course was a kombu steamed walleye prepared by Mike Ransom, the owner and chef of Ima Noodles in Detroit and Madison Heights.
“This event resonated with me because I grew up fishing, and it’s one of my hobbies,” Ransom said of the enjoyment he found combining his love of fishing and outdoor recreation with cuisine. “I think it’s kind of getting back to us understanding where our food comes from and how the nutrient base can be much richer for us, and definitely getting away from too much processed foods. And I think if we get kids into hunting and fishing and foraging, then kids will probably understand how they can base their diets on things that are going to be more nourishing for themselves and also find themselves more connected to the world around us.”
Paul Grosz, the owner and executive chef of Cuisine Restaurant, a Schoolcraft College Culinary Arts instructor and the honorary “meat cutter” of the night, prepared a roasted venison loin.
The fourth and final course was an apple crostada prepared by Abigail Tull, a pastry chef at Walnut Creek Country Club in South Lyon.
“Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger is supported by the DNR. It is a collaborative effort of Michigan hunters, processors and charities aimed at reducing hunger across our state,” Joe Presgrove, a Michigan DNR Sportsmen Against Hunger represen-
0234-2442
Photo by Kathryn Pentiuk
Schoolcraft College Culinary Arts students Barley Guadagnini, left, and Lainey Woodman plate the roasted venison loin with a potato cake, maple butternut squash and wild blueberry sauce.
Easy Halloween decorating tips can help you stick to your budget
BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Whether your idea of decorating for Halloween is putting a pumpkin on the porch or having an elaborate electronic light show with props taller than the houses in the neighborhood, here are some decorating tips for any budget.
Plants and flowers brighten the space of any location. Putting them in a decorative planter makes them transitory in a couple of ways. The plants can be moved easily from one place to another, and the plants can transition from one season to another.
“What you really want to do is have (the plants and flowers) last past Halloween,” said Matthew Colonius, the owner of Piechnik’s Greenhouse & Garden Gate in Oakland Township. “The goal is to have it look good for Halloween, but when you make your choices, consider having it look nice all the way through Thanksgiving.”
Colonius suggests using purple and white colors in plants such as ornamental kale or hardy mums as opposed to the burnt colors such as yellow, orange and red. The hardy mums will still be around after Halloween and the colors mix well with the late fall colors even when it starts to snow.
“The ornamental grasses like purple fountain grass are a really great one; even when it starts to turn brown, it is still pretty in the pot with your other flowers,” Colonius said.
Decorating with pumpkins and gourds sets the stage for an autumnal or Halloween scene. Heirloom gourds come in a variety of shapes and blend with a variety of hues.
The biggest mistake people make with their fall plants is not watering them enough.
“With the dry weather we’ve had this fall, plants should be watered at least two or three
times a week. It also keeps them from blowing away in a strong wind,” Colonius said.
To elevate one’s plant display and give it that designer custom touch, Colonius suggests adding items that everybody does not have.
“The kale and the ornamental grasses and purple fountain grass can give it that custom look that sets it apart from other people’s planters,” he said.
Straw bales and regular cornstalks can be added to broom cornstalks, which are very ornamental because of their fancy tassels with red, burgundy and brown.
After Halloween and Thanksgiving, adding birch logs or birch sticks with evergreens will give the planters a winter or Christmas look.
Lights
Whether you hang a single strand of lights around the doorframe or blanket the house with lights on every side, lights add illumination and cheer to any environment.
The Bostick Family Light Show Inc uses thousands of lights in their light show incorporating Christmas lights, strobe lights and spotlights that flash on their home in Garden City to the delight of their neighbors and all who come to see it.
“If people are doing normal decorations, then outlining your house (with lights) is a nice way to decorate without spending a lot of money,” said Kyle Bostick, of the Bostick Family Light Show Inc. “But if you are trying to do a synchronized show like ours, you can start off with some basic props like the tombstones, bats, spiders and grow the show from there.”
Skeletons
Starting small and growing from there is what Holly Hayter did at her house, which is now known as “the skeleton house” in Madison Heights. See DECORATING on page 9A
MC3
from page 5A
a presentation of “Nightmare on Elm Street” on Nov. 9. Tickets for Englund’s presentation have already sold out, but there are still some seats available for Knight’s. Tickets run $40, which is in addition to the cost of MC3 admission. Both tickets must be purchased to attend the screening.
There is also a lot of crossover between the various fandoms and other fields, such as with the multiplatinum rapper Logic, who will also be a celebrity guest this fall. The rapper’s music has been featured in several comic movies and he has recently worked on a movie with cult favorite director Kevin Smith.
“I don’t think we want to limit ourselves in any way,” said Burland. “If we can get a different or interesting celebrity in, then we’re going to do it.”
“A lot of people think comic cons are just comics, and while that is definitely where we started and where the heart of our show is, our slogan is, ‘Pop culture, it’s what we do!’ and we really cover anything that falls into pop culture,” said Yankee.
Aside from the celebrities there are numerous other activities for guests to partake in.
“One of the things we are doing different this year is that we are having a tabletop gaming room,” Burland said. “Throughout the whole entire show, every hour you can go and learn how to play a different game, or you and your friends can just go in and pick a different game. There are over 75 different games to choose from.”
A schedule for the games, and slots to sign up is posted on the show’s website. The games include Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, Catan and more.
There will also be a Magic: The Gathering tournament from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The cost to participate in the tournament is $5, and prizes will be given to the winners. Guests will also have the opportunity to paint figurines from games and make friendship bracelets for no additional cost.
There will also be traditions such as adult and kids cosplay contests, numerous celebrity panels, an escape room, and iCon tournaments featuring Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Cosplay groups Ghostbusters Detroit and the 501st Legion from “Star Wars” will once again be in attendance, along with many other activities. “When people come, they don’t just stay for an hour or two. They come and they stay the whole day,” said Burland. “A lot of people buy a whole weekend pass because it’s just a fun place to be.”
MC3 will be held from noon to 7 pm. Nov. 8, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 9, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 10.
Tickets for the event, movie screenings and celebrity autographs can be purchased online at motorcitycomiccon.com. Admission prices range depending on where and when tickets are purchased, as well as the day of the event, and the age of the person. Adult tickets cost $30-$45 or $90 for a weekend pass. Tickets for kids ages 6-12 cost $10 per day or $20 for the weekend pass. Children 5 and under are free. All kids 12 and under are free on Sunday.
Call Staff Writer Charity Meier at (586) 498-1092.
Photo provided by Holly Hayter
Decorating
from page 8A
“Currently I have seven skeletons and four (skeleton) dogs,” Hayter said.
Skeletons are not just for Halloween. The Hayters’ house displays skeletons year-round. Hayter has dressed her skeletons up as the Easter Bunny and carrots, a giant leprechaun, and other characters. Her current display is ready for Halloween, which she changes every few days.
For those who don’t want to spend a lot
of money on Halloween decorations, timing is important.
“My suggestion is to buy it when it goes on clearance for the next year. You always have to look for the deals, so you’ve got to shop around,” Hayter said. “I know some of the major retailers like Spirit will do it after Halloween. One of the big retailers that’s in the game now is Home Depot, and they have already marked their stuff down.”
If your tastes gravitate to the big and bold or the sweet and small, there is a Halloween decoration for you.
Spotlight on business...
Celebrating 25 years in business, G&S Property Services has solidifed its reputation as a trusted provider of “Exceptional Service from an Exceptional Team” in Metro Detroit.
With its headquarters in Troy and a second location in Brighton, G&S Property Services ofers a wide range of essential cleaning services, including window washing, gutter cleaning, soft pressure washing, roof washing, solar panel washing and underground drain cleaning. G&S proudly serves homes and businesses across Oakland, Washtenaw and Livingston counties, plus surrounding areas.
“Te journey began 25 years ago with a simple mission: to ofer top-quality window cleaning services with a focus on customer satisfaction,” says Geof Shaule, founder and president of G&S Property Services. “As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we refect on our commitment to excellence and our passion for our customers.”
G&S Property Services stands out for its meticulous attention to detail and professional, courteous staf. Te company uses eco-friendly cleaning products and stateof-the-art technology to achieve streak-free, crystal-clear results. Te team is not only highly skilled but also deeply committed to treating each property with the utmost respect and care, with exceptional consideration.
What truly sets G&S Property Services apart is its dedication to customer service. Te company prioritizes clear communication and prompt responses, with a commitment to answering every call with friendly, in-ofce
staf. Tis ensures that questions are addressed quickly and efciently, and scheduling needs are met without delay.
G&S Property Services also ofers scheduled maintenance plans, ensuring windows remain spotless, gutters stay clear and properties look their best all year-round. With free estimates, customers can make informed decisions about their property maintenance needs without any pressure.
“Te purpose, ‘Exceptional Service from an Exceptional Team,’ truly refects our ethos,” Shaule said. “We are committed to delivering exceptional service and ensuring our customers are completely satisfed.”
Join G&S Property Services in celebrating 25 years of service excellence. Whether you’re a long-time customer or new to their services, they’re here to make your property shine. Contact them at (248 )593-8277 or visit gswindowwashing.com for quotes, scheduling, questions and more.
Known as the Skeleton House in Madison Heights, Holly Hayter displays skeletons all year by changing the props and the outfits they wear.
BEHIND THE WHEEL
HEARSE COLLECTION ADDS MEANING FOR FAMILIES AS IT SERVES THE DEPARTED
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
As a licensed funeral director, Jeff Mandziuk’s intent is to always treat the departed with the utmost respect and dignity.
It is one of the many aspects he learned from his father, Eugene Mandziuk, who in 1956 built his first funeral home, which became Mandziuk & Son Funeral Directors Inc. Currently, there are two locations: one in Sterling Heights and a second funeral home in Warren.
Eugene Mandziuk, who died in 2017 at age 91, not only passed down the business to the younger Mandziuk, but also his love for antique automobiles, particularly the Packard. Over the years, the father and son purchased seven antique Packards, most of them hearses.
The fleet includes a 1921 Henney hearse; hearses from 1939, ’40, ’42 and ’48; an 1851 horse-drawn carriage hearse and a 1949 Packard limousine. The first hearse Eugene Mandziuk owned was the horse-drawn model, which he purchased at an auction in Texas.
“A funeral home donated a hearse to a Catholic church to auction off to remodel the church,” Mandziuk said.
Eugene Mandziuk, a military veteran who lost part of his hearing during World War II, misheard the highest bid of $1,000. When he mistook it for $2,000, he bid $2,100 to outbid the highest bidder. He got the horse-drawn hearse, and grew his classic car collection from there. Some of the best times Mandziuk and his dad had were taking vacations to the East Coast. They’d attend car shows or hunt through junkyards “looking for other hearses to restore.”
By the mid-1980s, the Mandziuks began offering to drive the vintage hearses during funeral processions. However, families weren’t interested and usually declined the offer.
“When we had the hearse, nobody wanted to use it,” Mandziuk said. “Everyone wanted a modern-day car.”
That all changed in the mid-1990s when the Woodward Dream Cruise
ABOVE: Mandziuk & Son Funeral Directors Inc. uses vintage Packard hearses during funeral processions as one way to provide comfort to grieving families.
Photo by John Cicotte
LEFT: Jeff Mandziuk, owner of Mandziuk & Son Funeral Directors Inc., left, and his son, Mitchell, have continued taking care of the Packard hearse collection that Eugene Mandziuk started in the 1980s.
Photo by Julian Orlikowski
page 1A
“A lot goes into each election, this one in particular,” Lindahl said. “There’s so many different options for voters with this election.”
Although voting via an absentee ballot and in-person were options for voters during the general election in 2020, what’s new this time around is early voting.
For nine days prior to the general election Nov. 5, residents in Oakland County have the option of voting early.
The early voting dates are Oct. 26-Nov. 3.
Oakland County residents can cast their votes 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on those scheduled dates, with the exception of Oct. 31, when the hours change to noon-8 p.m.
All Oakland County residents can vote early at the Waterford Oaks Activity Center, located at 2800 Watkins Lake Road in Waterford.
Residents in Farmington and Farmington Hills can also vote early at the Costick Activities Center, located at 28600 W. 11 Mile Road. People in West Bloomfield, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake and Sylvan Lake can vote early at the West Bloomfield Township Public Library, located at 4600 Walnut Lake Road.
“That’s nine days of doing the election over and over,” said Sylvan Lake Clerk/Treasurer Dennise Dryden. “It’s Election Day for nine days in a row.”
Although Dryden acknowledged that early voting is a lot of work for clerks, she understands the overall benefit it offers to voters.
“I think it does probably help people to get out and vote (and) make it a little bit more convenient for them,” she said. “Each election is so different. This one’s a big one, so this one will really give us an outlook, if people really like this early voting.”
Lindahl has gotten some positive feedback from residents about having it as an option.
“It’s not like Election Day when there’s a long line and it’s hectic to try to get there before or after work, or something like that,” she said. “They love the options. Our phones are kinda ringing off the hook right now. A lot of the questions we’re getting is, ‘When (will) early voting be available?’”
West Bloomfield Clerk Debbie Binder also weighed in on early voting.
“Early voting is a great option for voters who will be out of town on Election Day and those who work a long shift,” Binder stated via email. “The other benefit of Early Voting is that you get to spoil your ballot and request a new one if you make a mistake
Clerk contacts
• Sylvan Lake Clerk’s Office: (248) 682-1440 or sylvanlake.org.
• West Bloomfield Clerk’s Office: (248) 4514848 or wbtownship.org/elections.
• Orchard Lake Clerk’s Office: (248) 682-2400 or cityoforchardlake.com.
• Keego Harbor Clerk’s Office: (248) 682-1930 or keegoharbor.org/elections.
since you are feeding your ballot through a tabulator.”
The option to vote via an absentee ballot is another way of helping to make life a little bit easier for voters who may not want to go to the polls or who have a difficult time doing so.
According to the state’s website, online and mail requests for an absentee ballot must be received by a city or township clerk no later than 5 p.m. Nov. 1. Registered voters who are living at their current address can request an absentee ballot at their respective clerk’s office in-person up until 4 p.m. Nov. 4.
Those who request an absentee ballot the day before the election or on Election Day must vote the ballot in the clerk’s office, according to the site. Completed absentee ballots must be received by clerks by 8 p.m. Nov. 5.
“Within two weeks of election day, to avoid possible postal delays, we recommend making your request in person at your local city or township clerk office,” the state’s website states.
Polling locations will be open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 5.
For voters who like the idea of having their ballots completed early but also going to a polling location, that is also an option, as residents can now go to their local precincts and run their absentee ballots through a machine.
A proposal that passed in 2022 has also made voting more convenient and easy for some, as residents can choose to be placed on a permanent absentee ballot list so that their local clerk can mail an absentee ballot for every local, state and federal election.
Although it is too early to know what the most popular way of voting will be this year, in particular with early voting now being offered as an option, stats from the 2020 general election for Sylvan Lake and Farmington Hills show absentee voting being the most popular.
In Farmington Hills, of the 50,107 votes that were cast, 37,083 were via absentee ballot, with a 76% turnout reported.
In Sylvan Lake, of the 1,329 votes that were cast, 790 were via an absentee ballot, with 539 residents voting in-person.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Cardiac
from page 1A
Kriko, to be part of her mission.
The initiative that was launched is called “WB Has Heart,” and its objectives include for students to get heart checks, for West Bloomfield High to become an official MIHEARTSafe school and to raise funds to accomplish the mission.
The group has been making steady progress since launching the initiative.
On Oct. 16, in partnership with the West Bloomfield Fire Department, free CPR training is being offered for students at West Bloomfield High.
On Feb. 1, in partnership with Corewell Health, a student heart check will be offered at West Bloomfield High.
Edvardsson was awarded a $1,000 Rachel Ekezian Changemaker scholarship from West Bloomfield Youth Assistance to help launch the initiative, and she said the goal is to make it not just a high school project, but something that can help the entire community.
“It’s a big issue,” she said. “So, 300 Michigan children and young adults die every year of sudden cardiac arrest.”
A website has been launched to help the group spread awareness. According to the site, which is wbhasheart.com, sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death for student-athletes.
The physician that Edvardsson met with is Dr. Ilana Kutinsky, who is a cardiologist and electrophysiologist at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hos-
pital. She said the most common cause for sudden cardiac death in kids is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a thickening of the muscle of the heart that leads to abnormal heart rhythms, which can be life-threatening.
“It can frequently happen during exercise, which is why we see it during high school athletics,” Kutinsky said.
According to Kutinsky, the most significant risk factor is family history.
“Otherwise, a lot of times it’s silent,” she said. “That’s why it’s so important to screen for these diseases.”
The group’s initiative has been met with support from other students. Recently, on World Heart Day, they gave away stickers and prizes and encouraged students to wear red.
“It went really well,” Zholob said. “We told everyone to get in red and we passed out stickers just to kind of inform everybody about it. Things are going good so far.”
Kriko acknowledged the support that the group has received from other students.
“A lot of people came to school with red on,” she said. “I felt accomplished. … People are asking me, ‘What is this initiative?’ and how they can get involved.”
According to Edvardsson, the criteria for becoming a MIHEARTSafe school includes having some coaches and staff members at the school who are trained in CPR, having automated external defibrillators at the school, which can be used to treat someone who has experienced sudden cardiac arrest, and having a drill to prepare for an emergency.
In order to officially be recognized as
West Bloomfield High School student Matilda Edvardsson, center, helped launch an initiative at the school to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest among students. Juniors Amarina Kriko, left, and Sophia Zholob, joined in on the initiative.
Hearse
from page 10A
in Oakland County started. Soon, people became nostalgic for classic cars. Grieving families saying goodbye to their loved ones began asking if the antique Packards could be utilized during funeral processions. The vintage models provided some comfort, reminding them of their moms and dads.
“It just took off from there. I credit everything to the Woodward Cruise for starting it. All of a sudden people wanted to use the old cars,” Mandziuk said. “They are not just a hobby, but a labor of love to provide extra meaning for families. Sometimes the Packard hearse will go on two, three runs in one day. People have come in making arrangements. They’ll see the old hearse out there and say, ‘Is that just for show or do you actually use it?’”
From Mandziuk’s viewpoint, the Packards were built to last.
“I use them year-round. If it’s raining out-
Harvest
from page 6A
tative, said. “Our mission is simple but impactful: to connect hunters and anglers with local processors and food banks to ensure that our wild game harvests can benefit those most in need.”
He said that this effort is a sustainable way to address food insecurity throughout the state, noting that of the 1.3 million Michigan residents experiencing hun-
Cardiac
from page 12A
a MIHEARTSafe school, according to Edvardsson, “We just need a drill to happen.”
Edvardsson said that although a lot of people don’t think that they need to have a heart check, cardiac arrest can happen “anytime, anywhere.”
“There has been cases where it’s hap-
side, it don’t bother me. They were built back in those days for that type of service. They never get stuck in the snow,” Mandziuk said.
Whether it’s rebuilding the engine or conducting maintenance, Mandziuk doesn’t shy away from working on the cars when needed. He learned by watching his dad.
“He would always talk about the class the hearse used to have,” Mandziuk said. “As the years went by, they just got boxy looking.”
During an interment, the Packards can be en route to a number of cemeteries, including Guardian Angel in Rochester, Resurrection in Clinton Township and White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery in Troy. Veterans buried at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly are often transported by a Mandziuk hearse. Since funeral assistant Larry Pokrywka is the only member on staff who knows how to maneuver a stickshift, he drives the hearses during processions.
Keeping it in the family, Mandziuk’s niece, Ashley J. Cicotte, wrote a history on the hearses. One recollection that stands out was when
ger, 300,000 are children. He added that through Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger, Michigan hunters can donate all of their legally hunted game or just part of it, which will then be processed before being delivered to local food banks and shelters.
For more information on the Michigan Wildlife Council, visit hereformioutdoors. org.
To learn more about Sportsmen Against Hunger, visit sportsmenagainsthunger.org.
Call Staff Writer Kathryn Pentiuk at (586) 498-1070.
pened in classrooms,” she said. “Around 15,000 children in Michigan have been screened, and out of those 15,000, almost 2,000 needed to follow up with a doctor, so it’s pretty common, and among those, I believe, seven were diagnosed with the most serious detectable heart issue. So I believe everyone should get their heart checked just so they can be safe.”
Call Staff Writer Mark Vest at (586) 498-1052.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC ACCURACY TEST
CITY OF KEEGO HARBOR
CITY OF ORCHARD LAKE VILLAGE
CITY OF SYLVAN LAKE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Public Accuracy Test for the November 5, 2024, General Election has been scheduled for Monday, October 21, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. in the following location:
Keego Harbor City Hall Orchard Lake City Hall Sylvan Lake City Hall 2025 Beechmont Keego 3955 Orchard Lake Road 1820 Inverness St. Harbor, Ml Orchard Lake, Ml Sylvan Lake, Ml
The Public Accuracy Test is conducted to demonstrate that the program and computer that will be used to tabulate the results of the election counts the votes in the manner prescribed by law. The meeting is open to the public.
Tammy Neeb, Clerk Rhonda McClellan, Clerk Dennise Dryden, Clerk City of Keego Harbor City of Orchard Lake Village City of Sylvan Lake
Published: West Bloomfeld Beacon 10/16/2024
a local family laid their son to rest. He loved the color purple, so the family went to several funeral homes “searching for the perfect element for the service,” according to Cicotte’s essay. When they came upon a black hearse with purple interior in the Mandziuks’ fleet, they made the proper arrangements with the funeral home to honor their son.
Another highlight was the time a 102-year-old World War II veteran went to his final resting place in a Packard. When his
daughter found out, she “was driven to the point of grateful tears” during her time of grief, Cicotte wrote, because her dad had once owned a Packard.
There also was the time in which Mandziuk got himself in a bit of trouble with the Packards. He “bought” his first 1941 Packard Sedan in exchange for one family’s funeral expenses. Dad wasn’t too happy with the method of payment, but eventually got over it. Mandziuk still has that Packard and drives it around at times.
NOTICE TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WEST BLOOMFIELD
Notice is hereby given that the Public Accuracy Test for the November 5, 2024 General Election has been scheduled for Friday, October 18, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. in the Township Hall at 4550 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfeld, Michigan. The Public Accuracy Test is conducted to demonstrate that the computer program used to record and count the votes cast at the election meets the requirements of law.
DEBBIE BINDER
TOWNSHIP CLERK West Bloomfeld Township 248-451-4848
Published: West Bloomfeld Beacon 10/16/2024
NOTICE OF GENERAL ELECTION
NOVEMBER 5, 2024
CITY OF KEEGO HARBOR
CITY OF ORCHARD LAKE VILLAGE
CITY OF SYLVAN LAKE
To the Qualifed Electors:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a General Election will be held in:
City of Keego Harbor
City of Orchard Lake Village
City of Sylvan Lake
County of Oakland, State of Michigan
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024
THE POLLS will be open 7 o’ clock a.m. until 8 o’ clock p.m.
THE POLLING PLACE IS HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE
BRAILLE AND AUDIO VERSIONS OF VOTING INSTRUCTIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE POLLING PLACE LISTED BELOW:
PCT 1 - Keego Harbor City Hall, 2025 Beechmont, Keego Harbor, MI 48320
PCT 1 - Orchard Lake City Hall, 3955 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard Lake, MI 48323
PCT 1 - Sylvan Lake Community Center, 2456 Pontiac Dr., Sylvan Lake, MI 48320
FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING CANDIDATES FOR THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
PRESIDENTIAL President & Vice President
CONGRESSIONAL US Senator &Representative in Congress
LEGISLATIVE Representative in State Legislature
STATE BOARDS State Board of Education, Regent of the University of Michigan, Trustee of Michigan State University, Governor of Wayne State University
COUNTY County Executive, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, Clerk and Register of Deeds, Treasurer, Water Resources Commissioner & County Commissioner
JUDICIAL Justice of Supreme Court, Judge of Court of Appeals, Judge of Circuit Court, Judge of Probate Court & Judge of District Court
COMMUNITY COLLEGE Trustee Member Oakland Community College
CITY Council Members
LOCAL SCHOOL Board Members Bloomfeld Hills Schools, Pontiac Schools, Walled Lake Consolidated Schools & West Bloomfeld Schools
Also, for the following Proposals:
COUNTY – Oakland County Parks and Recreation Millage
0072-2442
Millage replacement and increase to improve, operate and maintain Parks, Open space areas, Trails and Recreation Activities in Oakland County, Michigan.
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools Proposal – Operating Millage Replacement Proposal
Keego Harbor – Charter Amendment to Extend the Annual Tax Levy for Police Purposes Section 11.5 allows the city to levy up to 4.0 mills per year for police purposes to 2026.
Orchard Lake- Change Name and Responsibilities of Director of City Services to City Manager.
Persons with special needs as defned by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the Clerk offce. Full text of the proposals may be obtained from
Tammy Neeb, Clerk City of Keego Harbor 2025 Beechmont Keego Harbor, MI 248 682-1390
Rhonda McClellan, City Clerk of City of Orchard Lake Village, 3955 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard Lake, MI 248 682-2400
Dennise Dryden, City Clerk of Sylvan Lake, 1820 Inverness, Sylvan Lake, MI 248 682-1440
Published: West Bloomfeld Beacon 10/16/2024
0013-2442
0015-2442
CRIME WATCH
Several areas near homes spray-painted
WEST BLOOMFIELD — At around 10:30 a.m. Oct. 7, the West Bloomfield Police Dispatch Center received a phone call about a resident in a neighborhood in the area of Walnut Lake Road and Halsted Road discovering several areas around their home that were defaced with spray-paint sometime overnight, according to a press release from the West Bloomfield Police Department.
According to the release, the incident appears to have been a targeted attack.
The release states that it is an active, ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information can call (248) 975-8905.
Anyone who has information about this crime or others is asked to call the West Bloomfield Police Department at (248) 975-9200.
— Mark Vest
C3 Summit
incubators like this one are becoming so popular. It’s because they work and because we believe so strongly in this model,” U.S. Secretary of Energy and former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm remarked. “DOE (the Department of Energy) has delivered over $18 million to incubators nationwide to our Office of Technology Transitions EPIC prize competition, including $200,000 to date for Centropolis. A number of Centropolis companies have benefited directly from DOE funding, like RevX Technologies, which is a critical mineral recycling company, and they just received a $145 million grant through our battery materials processing program.”
vens of Polaris, Chris Thomas of Assembly Ventures, and Charlie Tyson of the Michigan Economic Development Corp.’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification.
The following day, Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, in partnership with Centropolis, announced the 17 recipients of the Michigan Mobility Prototyping Grant Program. In this announcement, it was revealed that all of the startups that participated in the Mobility Pitches at the C3 Summit received funding.
The Michigan Mobility Prototyping Grant Program was launched earlier this year to provide funding and technical assistance to accelerate the development of innovative mobility and electrification technologies.
During the C3 Company Pitches on Mobility, startups Bedestrian, BlueFlite, Civilized Cycles, LIVAQ and SeaLandAire presented before judges Kurt Baumgarten of GM Ventures, Joey Mullick of Skara Ventures, Josh Ste-
NOTICE OF ELECTION WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN NOVEMBER 5, 2024 GENERAL ELECTION
To the qualifed electors of West Bloomfeld Township:
Notice is hereby given that the General Election will be held in West Bloomfeld Township on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
At the following locations:
Precinct 1 West Bloomfeld Middle School, 6000 Orchard Lake Rd
Precinct 2 Walnut Creek Middle School, 7602 Walnut Lake Road
Precinct 3 Spirit of Grace Church, 2399 Figa Ave
Precinct 4 Scotch Elementary School, 5959 Commerce Road
Precinct 5 Gretchko Elementary School, 5300 Greer Road
Precinct 6 Drake Community Sports Park, 6801 Drake Road
Precinct 7 Doherty Elementary School, 3575 Walnut Lake Road
Precinct 8 Scotch Elementary School, 5959 Commerce Road
Precinct 9 Covenant Baptist Church, 5800 Maple Road
Precinct 10 Lone Pine Elementary School, 2601 Lone Pine Road
Precinct 11 Shepherd King Lutheran Church, 5300 Maple Road
Precinct 12 Temple Israel, 5725 Walnut Lake Road
Precinct 13 Lone Pine Elementary School, 2601 Lone Pine Road
Precinct 14 Marshbank Park, 2805 Hiller Road
Precinct 15 West Bloomfeld Main Library, 4600 Walnut Lake Road
Precinct 16 Lone Pine Elementary School, 2601 Lone Pine Road
Precinct 17 Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 4800 Orchard Lake Road
Precinct 18 Pleasant Lake Elementary School, 4900 Halsted
Precinct 19 Covenant Baptist Church, 5800 Maple Road
Precinct 20 Temple Israel, 5725 Walnut Lake Road
Precinct 21 WB Parks and Rec Admin Bldg, 4640 Walnut Lake Road
Precinct 22 B’Nai Moshe Synagogue, 6800 Drake Road
Precinct 23 Walnut Creek Middle School, 7602 Walnut Lake Road
Precinct 24 B’Nai Moshe Synagogue, 6800 Drake Road
Precinct 25 Gretchko Elementary School, 5300 Greer Road
Precinct 26 Walnut Creek Middle School, 7602 Walnut Lake Road
Counting Center Oakland County Elections Division AVCB
Mini AVCB for ballots received after 4pm November 4 until 8pm November 5 – West Bloomfeld Town Hall 4550 Walnut Lake Rd
The November 5, 2024 General Election will be conducted in all voting precincts of West Bloomfeld Township for the purpose of electing candidates for the following offces:
PRESIDENTIAL President and Vice President of the United States
CONGRESSIONAL United States Senator Representative in Congress - 11th District
LEGISLATIVE Representative in State Legislature - 20th District
STATE BOARDS State Board of Education, University of Michigan Regents, Michigan State University Trustees, Wayne State University Governors
COUNTY County Executive, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, Clerk and Register of Deeds, Treasurer, Water Resources Commissioner, County Commissioner - 10th and 11th Districts
TOWNSHIP Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurer, Trustee, Park Commissioner, Library Board
JUDICIAL Justice of the Supreme Court
Judge of Court of Appeals – 2nd District
Judge of Circuit Court – 6th Circuit
Judge of Probate Court
Judge of the District Court – 48th District
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD Oakland Community College Board of Trustees Members
LOCAL SCHOOL
DISTRICTS Birmingham Public Schools Board Members
Bloomfeld Hills Schools Board Members
Farmington Public Schools Board Members
School District of the City of Pontiac Board Members
Walled Lake Consolidated School District Board Members
Waterford School District Board Members
West Bloomfeld School District Board Members
The funding focuses on key areas such as product development, prototyping, product testing and manufacturing readiness. With a total of $813,000 in funding, $525,000 comes from the MEDC and $288,000 from Centrepolis Accelerator.
Ann Arbor-based Bedestrian develops autonomous
from page 2A See C3 SUMMIT on page 15A
And for the purpose of voting on the following proposals as presented and listed below:
ALL Voters – Oakland County Parks and Recreation Millage
This proposal would replace and increase the current millage, which has been reduced by the required rollback, to .65 mills (.65 cents per $1000 of taxable value) for 20 years from 2024 to 2043. The purpose of the millage is to expand, improve, operate, maintain, and acquire parks, recreational facilities, open spaces, lakes, rivers, water areas, and trailways; to support nature education, recreational, and outdoor educational and health programming; to support partnerships for access to and awareness of recreational lands and facilities; to provide the conservation and restoration of high-quality natural and wildlife habitats; and to allow free general park admission to all county parks for residents.
ALL Voters – West Bloomfeld Township Library Millage Repeal and Replace Proposal
The proposal would repeal the previous library millage authorization of 0.6586 mills approved in 2010 for tax years 2012–2026; authorize the West Bloomfeld Township Public Library to levy a new additional millage for library purposes permitted by law, including maintenance and operations of the Main Library and Westacres Branch and future capital improvements; authorize the new additional millage to be levied at the rate of 0.7000 mills ($0.700 for each $1000 of taxable value) beginning with the December 1, 2024 levy; for a period of 10 years beginning in 2024 through 2033; that may not be increased, renewed, or used for other purposes without voter approval; An estimated $3,376817 will be collected in the frst year that the millage is levied.
Voters in Farmington Public School District ONLY – Operating Millage Renewal Proposal
This proposal would renew the authority of the School District, which expires with the 2025 tax levy, to levy up to 18.00 mills ($18.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) to the extent such property is no statutorily exempt, and of which not more than 12.595 mills may be imposed on principal residences, for ten (10) years, the years 2026 to 2035, inclusive, to provide funds for operating expenses of the School District for general school district operating purposes on taxable property. An estimated $49,196,277 will be collected during the 2026 calendar year if the millage is approved and levied.
Voters in Walled Lake Consolidated School District ONLY – Operating Millage Replacement Proposal
This proposal would replace, restore and extend the authority of the School District, which expires with the 2025 tax levy, to levy up to 18.00 mills ($18.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) for general operating purposes on taxable property in the School District to the extent such property is not exempt from such levy, restrict the levy on principal residences (owner-occupied homes) to no more than 3.6297mills ($3.6297 per $1,000 of taxable value) for fourteen (14) years, the years 2024 to 2037, inclusive. An estimated $3,232,239 will be collected during the 2024 calendar year if the millage is approved and levied.
Full text of the ballot proposals may be obtained at the West Bloomfeld Township Clerk’s offce, 4550 Walnut Lake Rd, West Bloomfeld, MI 48323. Sample ballots can also be found at www.mi.gov/vote.
Persons with special needs as defned by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the clerk’s offce.
Early Voting Schedule:
• Early voting is open nine (9) consecutive days beginning on the second Saturday before the election and ending on the Sunday before the election. Hours for early voting is 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Thursday when hours are noon to 8:00 p.m.
Your early voting site options:
• West Bloomfeld Township Public Library, 4600 Walnut Lake Rd, West Bloomfeld MI 48323
• Waterford Oaks Activity Center, 2800 Watkins Lake Rd, Waterford, MI 48328
Debbie Binder
West Bloomfeld Township Clerk 248-451-4848
C3 Summit
delivery vehicles for urban settings. BlueFlite is a Brighton-based company that designs and manufactures an advanced cargo drone platform to address “the modern-day challenges in the logistics industry.”
“Blueflite’s drones offer faster deliveries at a lower cost compared to conventional transport. The unique and patented design features vectored thrust and machine learning software, giving it unrivaled maneuverability and the ability to reliably operate in any weather. The platform allows for complete digital integration through blueDigital, the company’s drone operations software. It facilitates an all-automated supply chain for high-speed deliveries at scale,” stated BlueFlite CEO Frank Noppel.
Detroit-based electric vehicle manufacturer Civilized Cycles specializes in ultralightweight transportation. Civilized Cycles was recognized later in the day by Centropolis in the mobility category for its presentation on its latest development, the SemiTrike, which offers the cargo capacity of a van with the capability to carry a 750-pound cargo load at 15 mph for a price of $13,000. This electric trike and trailer system is ideal
for both personal and commercial use, attracting customers from shared mobility providers to universities.
“Today, I’m going to talk to you about how our technology is going to help fleet operators reduce emissions and operate costs by 80%,” Marc Liu, chief revenue officer of Civilized Cycles, said. “Every day in the United States, thousands of fleet operators move very large amounts of cargo relatively short distances, and say, 5 miles or less. These could include universities, campuses, hospital systems. There are many different types, but they all have roughly the same core challenge, which is to move as much power as possible, as cheaply as possible. Safety and emissions are increasingly important because this is often done in areas where there’s very heavy pedestrian traffic.”
Liu explained that for a transit van, over the course of 48 months, the total cost of ownership is about $80,000. He added, “On top of that, they’re incredibly unsafe in pedestrian areas and produce large amounts of emissions because most of them are not electric.”
LIVAQ was founded in June of 2022 in Detroit and produces electric off-road vehicles with a focus on high-performance, eco-friendly ATVS.
“Our flagship product, the EQUAD,
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delivers superior performance with a top speed of 87 mph and a range of 230 miles, addressing the increasing demand for sustainable alternatives in the recreational and eco-tourism industries,” commented David Medina Álvarez, the founder and CEO of LIVAQ.
SeaLandAire Technologies Inc., based
in Jackson, focuses on innovating unmanned systems for environmental monitoring and defense.
For more information on the Centropolis Accelerator, visit www.centrepolisaccelerator.com.
Call Staff Writer Kathryn Pentiuk at (586) 498-1070.
Photo by Kathryn Pentiuk
Civilized Cycles’s latest design, the Semi-Trike, is pictured at the C3 Summit. The Semi-Trike offers the cargo capacity of a van at a fraction of the cost.
SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH
Clearing the air on vaping risks
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
While vaping was originally marketed to replace cigarettes and some teens say it helps them with stress, health officials say the opposite is true.
Alliance for Coalitions for Community Health Prevention Outreach Specialist Justen Daniels said a lot of health complications come with vaping, including damage to the lungs, heart problems, gastrointestinal issues and more.
He said vape cartridges are filled with hundreds of cancer-causing chemicals.
“The majority of vape pens or vape products are going to contain nicotine, and they’re going to contain a lot of it — a lot of potency,” Daniels said.
He said Stanford’s Reach Lab shared a study that one type of vape pen, which has around 5,000 puffs, has the nicotine equivalent of around 590 cigarettes.
“I don’t think folks are realizing how much nicotine is in there and how addictive that nicotine is,” Daniels said.
Youth are more susceptible to nicotine or THC — a cannabinoid found in marijuana — dependence because their bodies and brains are still developing,
Daniels said. The youngest he’s seen or heard of a person having a vape pen is around 8-years-old.
He said that though he doesn’t have a definitive answer of whether cigarettes or vape pens are more harmful, they are both very addictive.
Megan Phillips, Oakland Community Health Network’s director of substance use and disorder services, gathered information about the dangers of vaping.
A document from the organization states that nicotine addiction can cause harm to a person’s mental health, but more research is needed to understand the connection between vaping and mental health. It also states that studies show those who quit smoking experience lower anxiety, stress and depression, and experience a better mood and quality of life.
“Oakland Community Health Network, alongside our prevention partners, The Alliance, and Oakland County Health Division, work tirelessly to educate community members on the dangers of vaping,” Phillips said in email.
Vaping products can affect brain development, memory, attention, learning, mood and mental health, the Health Division states.
“Additionally, vaping devices may produce vapor
See VAPING on page 18A
Veterans Ride Free
Frank Withers’ world has opened up a bit with the help of a transportation program for veterans ofered by Oakland County in partnership with the state and local public transit providers.
“I use this for all my traveling,” Withers, a retired Army Sergeant from Waterford, said during a recent trip to the Waterford Senior Center. “It brings me to places like this here and makes my problems non-existent for a little while.”
Te “Tis Ride’s on Us” program, which ofers Oakland County military veterans and their caregivers free, doorto-door public transportation rides for medical appointments, chores like grocery shopping and visits to senior centers, began in June and has provided more than 2,750 rides.
Tey can get out and socialize. Tey can go to a senior center and interact with other seniors,” said Garth Wooten, Division Manager of the county Veterans Services ofce. “Tis is a quality-of-life program not only for the veteran but also for their family, who may have had to take time of from work to take their loved one to appointments.”
vices ofce through a grant from the Michigan Veterans Afairs Agency, the free ride service was supposed to end on Sept. 30, but a $530,000 additional grant from the state will allow the program to continue through September of 2025.
“Tis has already helped so many Oakland County veterans and I’m thrilled that we can continue this vital service,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “Our goal is to eliminate any barriers to transportation for our veterans who have sacrifced so much in service to us all.”
Te Veterans ofce had ofered free rides to county ofces for several years so that former service members could meet with counselors about the benefts they earned through their active duty. However, they consistently heard that transportation for day-to-day tasks was a challenge for many of the 53,000 veterans in the county, more than half of whom are older than 65 and many of them with disabilities.
All the local public transit providers in Oakland County – North Oakland Transportation and Western Oakland Transportation authorities, People’s Express and OPC Social and Activity Center along with the SMART system – participate in the Veterans Ride Free initiative.
Administered by the Oakland County Veterans Ser-
Tat was the genesis of the “Veterans Ride Free” concept and the pilot project was of the ground.
“Tey’re not so stuckin their house anymore.”
“Our veterans don’t have to rely on other individuals to get them around anymore,” Wooten said. “It allows them to be more independent.”
And that’s priceless, said Withers.
“I can come here and relax with my friends,” he said. “And that’s good for my mental health.”
To book a ride, veterans can call 248-419-7984 and provide proof of their military service through their DD214 discharge papers.
Frank Withers (retired veteran)
“This Ride’s on Us” program
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Vaping
from page 16A
containing lead, which can cause brain damage,” the Health Division states.
The age to purchase vape products is 21 years old in both Michigan and nationally, though kids still manage to get these products by employees not age checking IDs, connections with older friends and sharing or by fake IDs Daniels said.
“Because technology has gotten so sophisticated, so a lot of times it’s easy to pick up on a fake ID, so a lot of times they will take an older sibling’s ID,” Daniels said.
“The most common reason middle and high school students give for currently using e-cigarettes is, ‘I am feeling anxious, stressed, or depressed,’” the document from OCHN said.
The document went on to say, though, that vaping can actually increase these feelings.
Daniels said that if an underage person looks enough like their older sibling, a quick glance will not give away that they are underage. These IDs will not trip the scanners because they are legal IDs.
Underage people who are caught with vaping can face consequences.
Daniels said in the worst case scenario underage people could face a misdemeanor. They can also face detention, suspension and expulsion at school.
“We are seeing so many of our schools take an interest in restorative programming and alternatives to
suspension programming,” Daniels said. He went on to say that if a child is kicked out of school for vaping, they are going to go home and vape.
“It defeats the purpose,” Daniels said. “And so we have a lot of folks who are doing friends of the court programs.”
Vaping products like Juul became popular around the late 2010s, and Daniels said he still considers it very new.
“Especially within the grand scheme of, you know, how long it took the cigarette and everything to come out,” Daneils said. “It took around 100 years for a lot of that information about cigarettes and some of its potential impacts, some of its potential harmful health implications to come out.”
Vape products were originally marketed as a product to help adults stop smoking tobacco, and they were marketed for adults. Daniels said now it’s really hard to identify vape products due to their evolution and how they are made to blend in as electronic cigarettes. Daniels said there are vapes that look like smart watches, key fobs, straws and more.
Parents should educate themselves through education programs and presentations so they can recognize vape products.
“Sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know,” Daniels said. “And that’s one of the good things about our organizations with the alliance.”
He went on to say they have programs to educate parents and community members about what vapes look like, the health implications and much more.
Election
from page 11A
A turnout of 84.65% was reported.
According to Dryden, who said that she has been the clerk in Sylvan Lake for 34 years, things are “very, very different” from when she first started.
“Law changes happen constantly now, so just a lot more work to do, (a) lot more pressure. It’s a lot now,” she said.
Lindahl shared what she considers the most important things for residents to know this voting season.
“I would say know where you vote on Election Day,” she said. “If you’re going to the polls on Election Day, make sure that you’re registered and know where you vote, especially for those folks that maybe moved recently – make sure you’re registered in your new location and know where you go to vote on Election Day.”
Dryden also shared some tips.
“Do your research on all the candidates,” she said. “There’s a lot (of) candidates on this ballot. It’s a huge ballot. Also, know your options of how to vote.”
From Binder’s perspective, there is a way for citizens to feel more at ease with the voting process.
“The best way to understand elections is to work an election and see the protocols and procedures in place,” she stated. “Election Inspectors are our best ambassadors to recruit new election workers. It’s a rewarding day and a great resume and/or college app experience.”
Lindahl discussed what this time of year is like for her.
“It’s very exciting, especially implementing all these new election laws and all these options for voters,” she said. “It’s exhausting, but it is exciting.”
Lindahl also noted that in Farmington Hills, City Hall will be closed to the public for anything other than election-related business on Nov. 4 and 5.
To learn more, visit michigan.gov/sos/elections.
Antisemitic
connected to Monday, Oct. 7 marking the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ attack in Israel.
“I don’t think it was a coincidence,” Bouchard said. “It’s the first time we’ve seen such a large number of things distributed almost simultaneously.”
The first instances were reported in West Bloomfield and Farmington Hills, followed by Rochester Hills and Commerce Township.
According to a press release, at around 8 a.m. Oct. 5, the West Bloomfield Police Dispatch Center received a phone call about residents in the 4800 block of Pelican Way finding anti-Jewish rhetoric flyers in a plastic bag.
According to the release, after officers were sent to investigate, it was revealed that over 100 households in the neighborhood had received similar material on their driveways overnight.
A resident in the neighborhood reportedly captured security camera footage of an unknown dark-colored pickup truck driving in the neighborhood around 11:45 p.m. Oct. 4, although the release states that “it is currently unclear if the truck is connected to this incident.”
No suspects have been reported.
The West Bloomfield Police Department is treating the situation as a case of ethnic intimidation, according to the release. Anyone with information is urged to call the West Bloomfield Police Department at (248) 975-8934.
The Farmington Hills Police Department responded to the area of 14 Mile and Farmington Road Oct. 5, where several residents reportedly found plastic bags containing “virulent” antisemitic material on their front lawns.
The neighbors opened the bags to find that they contained an antisemitic flyer that had been thrown onto their front lawns and driveways overnight.
“The timing of this detestable activity exacerbates the chilling effect on our community,” Farmington Hills Police Chief Jeff King, stated via a press release. “This type of hateful activity will not be tolerated in Farmington Hills and our agency will use all available resources to prevent, investigate, and prosecute those responsible for this incident.”
Investigators and officers eventually recovered over 100 bags containing the antisemitic materials.
The bags were found to be weighed down with various non-hazardous materials for ease in hurling onto the residential lawns and driveways, according to the release.
A team of detectives and command officers reportedly went door-to-door, collected
evidence and conducted interviews with witnesses.
“This is a very active investigation, with investigators coordinating with our State and Federal Law Enforcement partners, the AntiDefamation League, and other jurisdictions who experienced matching incidents.”
In Rochester Hills, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said, many of the same baggies of flyers, around 200, were reportedly found in the lawns and driveways of homes in the 900 block of Majestic the morning of Oct. 7, as well as many other homes in the neighborhood and nearby subdivisions.
In Commerce Township, a baggie was discovered in the driveway of a home in the 2500 block of Northtrail Road. Detectives are investigating.
Bouchard the incidents are being “aggressively investigated” by detectives and the Sheriff’s Office is working closely with others that have similar cases.
“We suspect much of this is coming from outsiders,” Bouchard said in a statement. “I have been very clear on this topic, but it bears repeating: If you come at our Jewish community, or for that matter anyone in our Oakland County community, we will stand in front of them to protect them, and we will come for you.”
In Bloomfield Township, the Jewish Federation of Detroit, on Telegraph Road, was vandalized in the early morning hours Oct. 7.
In a statement released Oct. 7 by Jewish Federation of Detroit, CEO Steven Igber and Federation President Gary Torgow said, “We are deeply disturbed and saddened to report that early this morning, the offices of the Jewish Federation of Detroit were the target of antisemitic vandalism. This attack, occurring on the anniversary of the October 7 massacre in Israel, was not only an assault on our physical space but also on the heart of our community. It is a stark reminder of the rising tide of hate affecting the Jewish people, here and around the world.
“We unequivocally condemn this cowardly act of vandalism and stand firm in our resolve. It will not deter us from our vital mission to support the people of Israel, combat antisemitism, and foster a strong Jewish future. In the face of these challenges, we remain united and resilient, committed to defending our values and protecting our community.
“We are grateful for the support of our local community, partners, and allies during this difficult time, and we thank local, state, and federal law enforcement for their efforts.”
Nick Soley, of the Bloomfield Township Police Department, said police were notified at 4 a.m. of the spray-painted antisemitic graffiti and are currently investigating.
“It seems like most of the ground-level windows and sidewalks facing Telegraph were vandalized,” Soley said.
Soley said police are in contact with the Attorney General’s Office, the FBI and the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.
“The federation handed over some evidence to us, and we’re still working through it,” he said.
The building has video surveillance, which is under review by police.
“It’s very unfortunate and disturbing that people would do these things,” Bouchard said.
Detectives are currently canvassing neighborhoods looking for homes that have cameras and asking to review footage.
“They have seen some footage, and that’s an ongoing process. If someone has camera footage that they think would be helpful, it would be great if they give us a call or their local police department, if it’s not us,” Bouchard added.
Anyone who has information is asked to contact their police department.
Photo by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office
A photo of an antisemitic flyer left on a front lawn in metro Detroit was posted on the Oakland County Sheriff’s Offices Facebook page.
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to random assault
TROY — Officers were dispatched to Crooks Road for a report of an assault that just occurred at 11:01 a.m. Sept. 27.
Upon arrival, officers spoke to a man who said he was walking his dog when an unknown male suspect came up to him, yelled in his face, punched the top of his head, and ripped his shirt.
Officers located the suspect in the area of Crooks and Wattles, and he was taken into custody. The suspect stated he had just quit his job and had gotten into an argument with his family, so he walked up to the first person he saw and assaulted them.
The suspect, a 27-year-old man from Troy, was arrested and was issued a citation for assault and battery and a petition for a mental health evaluation.
Break-in occurs at cleaners
TROY — Officers were dispatched to Golden Gate Cleaners, at 2997 E. Big Beaver Road, for a possible break-in Sept. 23.
Upon arrival, officers saw heavy damage to the front of the business caused by a vehicle driving through the front entry to gain access. Officers contacted the business owner, who said the only thing stolen was the cash register.
Child left in vehicle
HAZEL PARK — According to a police report, Hazel Park police officers were dispatched to the 22000 block of South Chrysler Drive on Sept. 19 to investigate a report about a child left unattended in a vehicle.
Officers found a 3-year-old child in the back of a gold Buick. The windows were rolled down and the vehicle was left running. The temperature exceeded 81 degrees.
Officers located the child’s father inside the business. He allegedly admitted he had been in the business for 10 minutes in order to purchase marijuana.
The father reportedly stated that the car’s air conditioner did not work, and he believed it was a safe area to leave the child in the car alone.
The child’s grandmother was contacted, and she was given custody of the child. The father was issued a violation: abandonment of children — failure to supervise, a 90-day misdemeanor.
Child Protective Services was also notified.
Police arrest cellphone theft suspect
FARMINGTON — On Sept. 24 at approximately 5 a.m., Farmington Public Safety officers were dispatched to the area of Grand River and Drake for a man in his mid 20s who stole a cellphone from a convenience
they saw the man walking on Drake Road. The subject ran from the officers but was ultimately apprehended and taken into custody. The case was presented to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office for warrant consideration.
Woman loses more than $9K to scammer
FARMINGTON — A 74-year-old woman told police Sept. 20 that she had been contacted by a suspect who claimed to work for her bank. The suspect was able to convince the woman to withdraw $9,500 from her bank account and place it onto a credit card provided by the suspect. The woman was working with her bank, and the case was forwarded to the detective bureau for investigation.
Cash register taken from cleaners
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that between 5:30 and 6 p.m. Sept. 19, an unknown person stole a cash register from the Best Cleaners at 32974 Woodward Ave.
Bar fight suspect arrested after fleeing
BIRMINGHAM — On Sept. 28 at approximately 11 p.m., officers were dispatched to a bar near the 200 block of South Old Woodward Avenue for a report of assault. The bar’s security staff stated that multiple individuals involved in the incident had fled the scene on foot.
Officers were able to identify one of the suspects, a 25-year-old Washington Township man. While fleeing, the suspect repeatedly ignored the officer’s request to stop, and upon being caught he was placed under arrest for obstruction of police.
A 32-year-old Clarkston man and a 33-year-old Birmingham man stated that while at the bar, they got into a physical altercation with the suspect and that they were both punched multiple times in the face by the suspect. An investigation was ongoing.
Former family friend attempts to light empty gasoline cans on porch
BIRMINGHAM — At approximately 7 p.m. Sept. 25, officers were dispatched to Oak Street after a 56-year-old woman and a 57-year-old man reported that a man was attempting to light two gasoline cans on fire on their porch. Shortly after, it was discovered that the gasoline cans were empty and that the suspect, a 27-year-old Troy man, is a former family friend. Charges against the suspect were being sought. An investigation was ongoing.
Speeding motorcyclist arrested BERKLEY — A 20-year-old Waterford man was
11:29 p.m. Sept. 21 near Woodward and West Lincoln avenues.
According to the report, police observed two motorcycles, one red and one black, moving at speeds of around 100 miles per hour on Woodward. Police attempted a traffic stop, but both bikes sped off, leaving the officer to terminate the pursuit. Police did keep following the motorcyclists at a safe distance.
An officer was able to follow the black motorcycle, overtake the driver and position the patrol car to force the motorcyclist to slow down.
Police were able to get the driver to stop and handcuffed him.
Wanted man arrested by police
ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies responded to the area of Adams Road and Auburn Road for a Flock camera hit that identified a gray Ford Edge wanted by the Fraser Police Department for fleeing and eluding at 6:23 a.m. Sept. 3.
The vehicle was in the Walmart parking lot and was unoccupied. Deputies established a perimeter, and the man was observed loading items into the vehicle. Deputies conducted a felony stop, and the vehicle and the suspect, a 43-year-old man from Lexington, was taken into custody without incident. The man had several felony warrants from Macomb County.
During the inventory search of the vehicle, a Glock 19 BB gun and drug paraphernalia were located inside the vehicle.
The man was transported and lodged at the Oakland County Jail, to be picked up by Macomb County on the outstanding warrants. While at the jail, possible drugs were located on him during a search.
Police investigate incident at school
ROCHESTER HILLS — A female student at Avondale Middle School reportedly had a previous incident involving a male student texting her late at night. The school resource officer spoke to the male student during a follow-up interview and advised him not to have contact with her. Both students were in the same class Sept. 10, and she said he kept looking at her.
She told her mother about the incident, and her mother later filed a complaint with the school. The female student wrote out a statement and mentioned a text message that was concerning, which was a previous text that he’d sent late at night. He reportedly stated he thinks about killing people. The male student’s parents were requested to come to the school for an interview along with their child. The father advised there is a firearm in the home due to his occupation, adding that it’s locked in a safe when he returns home. Both parents were aware of their son’s
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
OCT. 16
Pretty ‘n’ Pink Bubbly Brunch: Fundraiser for Sisters HOPE with money supporting local women attending breast cancer survivors retreat, includes fashionable shopping, raffle baskets, HOPE boxes, brunch and cash bar, also Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist Lila Lazarus interviewing WDIV-TV meteorologist and breast cancer survivor Kim Adams, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Knollwood Country Club, 5050 W. Maple Road in West Bloomfield, sistershope.org
‘Bottled Goodbyes’: Presentation based on book about famous messages found in oceans, 7 p.m., West Bloomfield Township Public Library - Main Branch, 4600 Walnut Lake Road, (248) 682-2120, wblib.org
OCT. 17
Scams prevention: Presentation by assistant vice president of treasury at Huron Valley State Bank, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Life Skills Resource Center, 7170 Cooley Lake Road in Waterford Township, RSVP and get free gift, (248) 3602931 (ext. 108), ddanhausen@opendooroutreachcenter.com
OCT. 17-18
Private group hayrides: Maximum of 30 people can ride for 20 minutes (includes “nature-knowledge stops”), plus cider, doughnuts and four roll-up picnic blankets, slots available 5-8 p.m., Marshbank Park, 2805 Hiller Road in West Bloomfield, (248) 451-1917, lazoury@wbparks.org
OCT. 20
Nature walk: Take in autumn beauty over rolling terrain with naturalist, 2-3 p.m., Orchard Lake Nature Sanctuary, 4700 Pontiac Trail, gwbhs.org/events
OCT. 22
‘Mysterious Michigan’: Learn about ghosts, legends, monsters and more with author and paranormal researcher, 7 p.m., West Bloomfield Township Public Library - Main Branch, 4600 Walnut Lake Road, (248) 682-2120, wblib.org
OCT. 31
Free medicare help: Hosted by Michigan Medicare Assistance Program and AgeWays, meet with trained counselor by appointment, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., The J (formerly Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit), 6600 W. Maple Road in West Bloomfield, (800) 803-7174
NOV. 2
Storied: The Grunge Era: Concert experience exploring popular ’90s alternative rock genre/subculture and its Jewish contributions, 8 p.m., The Berman Center for the Performing Arts in The J (formerly Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit), 6600 W. Maple Road in West Bloomfield, (248) 406-6677, tickets.thejdetroit.org/storied-grunge
Heroes Appreciation Breakfast: Also presentation by West Bloomfield Honor Guard, guest speaker Brig. Gen. Ravindra Wagh and live entertainment by HarmonyTown Chorus, open to veterans and community, 9-10:30 a.m., West Bloomfield Middle School, 6000 Orchard Lake Road, register at wbparks.org
ONGOING
Farmers markets: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays through October, Ambrose Public Safety Campus, 1499 E. West Maple Road in Walled Lake, walledlake. us
• 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays through end of December, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford, ocmarket@oakgov.com, (248) 858-5495, oakgov.com
• 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through early November, Riley Park, 33113 Grand River Ave. in Farmington, facebook.com/FarmingtonMarket
Enchanted: Immersive and illuminated forest walks, 1-mile tours take approximately one hour to complete and start around dusk with final entries around 10:15 p.m., held Thursdays-Sundays until Nov. 3 (except Halloween) with special event programming on select nights, Glenlore Trails, 3860 Newtown Road in Commerce Township, glenloretrails.com
should appear online within 2 hours, and will appear in print as space permits. There’s no limit as to how many you can submit.
school threat assessment was completed.
Business footage catches package thief
SOUTHFIELD — At 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16, a
reviewing footage from that day, the business observed the woman dropping
Orchard Lake Museum open houses: Tour home of Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society, 1-4 p.m. Oct. 18, Nov. 10 and 15, and Dec. 8 and 20, also view military collection Nov. 10 and vintage wooden toys Dec. 8, 3951 Orchard Lake Road, free but donations encouraged, gwbhs.org/events
Music at the Hawk: Hear Detroit Sound Conservancy (jazz) at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 and Detroit Concert Choiur (vocal) at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26, The Hawk - Farmington Hills Community Center, 29995 W. 12 Mile Road, (248) 6996700, thehawktheatre.com
Game nights: For Sylan Lake residents only, 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Sylvan Lake Community Center, 2456 Pontiac Drive, (248) 682-1440, sylvanlake. org/community_center
• 5-6:30 p.m. every first and third Wednesday of month, Commerce Township Community Library, 180 E. Commerce Road, (248) 669-8108, commercetwp.com/library
Veterans peer support group: For men, hosted by Oakland Community Health Network, 5:30-7 p.m. every third Tuesday of month through November, CNS Healthcare, 279 Summit Drive in Waterford, RSVP to (248) 294-0063
Hayride Central: Traverse trails of Heritage Park, then stick around for cider and s’mores, half-hour slots available 5:30-7:30 p.m. Fridays until Nov. 1, 24915 Farmington Road in Farmington Hills, specialservices@fhgov.com, (248) 699-6700, facebook.com/fhspecialservices
‘Sweet Home Sweet:’ Exhibit featuring photographs of family and friends taken by Holcaust survivor before and during time in Kraków Ghetto and German concentration camps, on display 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
