NEWSPAPERS Special Edition
Explore fall flavors during downtown Rochester’s
‘Taste of Fall’
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER — Food-lovers are invited to embark on a culinary journey through the flavors of fall through Oct. 14 in downtown Rochester.
The Rochester Downtown Development Authority’s annual Taste of Fall event is back, captivating the hearts and palates of food enthusiasts of all ages with autumn-themed appetizers and entrees, delicious drinks and sweet treats.
This year, over 25 restaurants, bakeries and
bars are showcasing their unique fall-inspired dishes. There are many menu items to choose from, including octopus santorini at Ernie’s on the Creek, a fall salmon quinoa bowl from Chomp Deli, or cinnamon roll pancakes from Rochester Brunch House, to name a few. Guests can enjoy a drunken apple bread pudding from O’Connor’s Public House, a warm pumpkin chai latte from The Spice & Tea Exchange, cinnamon churros from The Backdoor, and a deconstructed caramel apple cake from The Home Bakery. There are also plenty of
Former Kmart headquarters could see multiple development projects
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
TROY — The site that previously housed the international headquarters of Kmart Corp. could see multiple land uses in addition to the initial plans for University of Michigan Health’s potential medical facility.
The former Kmart headquarters has been vacant since 2006, and the 40-acre property at 3100 W. Big Beaver Road was purchased by Forbes/ Frankel Troy Ventures LLC, which also owns Somerset Collection, in 2009.
Demolition of the property began in November 2023 and finished this July. In March 2024, University of Michigan Health purchased 7.28 acres of the property for $4.42 million to build a health care center that would focus on specialty and diagnostic services.
“I have been talking to the University of Michigan for over six years,” Nathan Forbes, a managing partner of Southfield-based Forbes Co., said during a Sept. 10 Troy Planning Commission meeting. “They see over 200,000 people in from Oakland County up in Ann Arbor every year, somewhere between 150,000 and 200,000 a year, yet they don’t have a facility east of (Interstate) 275, and I used to always tell them that you do all the hard work, you make the investment in research, you make the investment in your brick and mortar up in Ann Arbor, you do all the hard diagnosis and then you’re giving away the medical practices, medical clinics, the treatment centers, the rehabilitation centers, the outpatient surgery centers to the likes of the hospital network systems that service the peripheral of Oakland County. You need to have a brand in the center of Oakland County.”
During the Troy Planning Commission meeting Sept. 10, a representative with Forbes Frankel Troy Ventures LLC presented potential plans
File photo by Patricia O’Blenes
After sitting idle since 2006, the former Kmart property on Big Beaver Road in Troy has been demolished to make room for future development at the site.
TOP LEFT: A cappuccino cassata cake is Holy Cannoli’s Taste of Fall creation. BOTTOM LEFT: Kruse’s Paint Creek Tavern is offering a chocolate old fashioned for Taste of Fall. ABOVE RIGHT: Bologna Via Cucina’s Piedmontese burger is on the menu for Taste of Fall.
RIGHT: The Taste of fall Menu at Park 600 includes a brioche bread pudding and a bourbon and cider cocktail. Photos provided by Downtown Rochester
SECOND FRONT PAGE
Mural to breathe new life into exterior of Hazel Park library
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
HAZEL PARK — The Hazel Park District Library is receiving a fresh new look.
At press time Sept. 18, work was underway on a massive mural on the building at 123 E. Nine Mile Road. The painting, estimated to measure about 60 feet by 25 feet, occupies the angled side of the library closest to John R Road, making it also visible from Nine Mile Road.
The artist, Zach Curtis of White Lake, started painting the week of Sept. 6. He specializes in aerosol and acrylic painting and has gained recognition across the U.S. and Mexico for his large-scale building murals and canvas paintings, describing his style as “painterly realism.”
The work is funded by $25,000 from the Detroit Institute of Art’s Partners in Public Art program, with subject matter determined by community feedback surveys.
The Hazel Park Arts Council led the search for an artist in Oakland County. Any required maintenance in the future will be the responsibility of the library. The building is owned by the city, so the Hazel Park City Council had to sign off on it, which they did at a meeting Aug. 13.
“The great thing is that at each level, approval has been unanimous from everyone,” said Alissa Sullivan, the mayor pro tem of Hazel Park. Among the most cited words and phrases in the
See MURAL on page 10A
Michigan Supreme Court clarifies decision on wages
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — The Michigan Supreme Court, following a request for clarification by the state of Michigan, provided a more definitive ruling Sept. 18 on the changing minimum wage and earned sick time in Michigan.
The court confirmed that the Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act and the Earned Sick Time Act will both go into effect on Feb. 21, 2025. Changes to the wage rates will occur each year on Feb. 21 after this point. Rates for the upcoming year’s increase will be published by the state’s treasurer Nov. 1.
The minimum wage this coming February will be $10 plus the state treasurer’s
adjustment for inflation, which according to information in the motion for clarification will bring it to $12.48. The additional adjustment will be made using July 31, 2024, as an endpoint. Tipped workers must make at least 48% of this.
These wages will continue to incrementally rise. In 2028, the minimum wage will be $12 plus the treasurer’s adjustment for inflation, which the motion indicated will be $14.97. The tipped workers minimum hourly wage rate must be at least 80% of minimum wage in 2028. From this point forward, the treasurer will need to determine the wage. By 2030, the minimum wage gap between tipped and nontipped workers should be closed.
The rate of inflation was also questioned by Nessel. The court clarified that the
treasurer would bring the minimum wages in the Wage Act current to July 31, 2024, through an inflationary catch-up beginning Jan. 1, 2019.
Justice Brian K. Zahra wrote the dissenting opinion Sept. 18 and adhered to his reasoning for initially dissenting to the July 31 opinion. He was joined by Justice David F. Viviano.
“A majority of this Court has no authority to rewrite unambiguous statutory provisions in pursuit of its subjective understanding of ‘equity.’ Such power is vested with the Legislature, not the judicial branch, and no case available to the Court in Michigan or any other jurisdiction in this nation has adopted or condoned the extraordinary remedial actions taken in this case by the Court, both in the initial opinion and in the
instant order,” Zahra states.
“I respectfully note that the time to relitigate the opinion’s merits has passed,” Justice Elizabeth M. Welch said in part in her concurring opinion.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel set Sept. 15 as a deadline for the Michigan Supreme Court to clarify aspects of its initial ruling on the Wage Act. This deadline came and went, but the court had the ability to provide clarity prior to the state treasurer publishing the final wage calculations on Nov. 1. This all comes after the court made a 4-3 bombshell ruling on the Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act and the Earned Sick Time Act on July 31, affecting the state’s laws governing minimum wage and sick time.
A mural on the facade of the Hazel Park District Library was on the cusp of completion Sept. 17. The artist is Zach Curtis, and the project was made possible with funding from the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
for a development project that could include 750 residential units, 500,000 square feet of office space, 300,000 square feet of retail space, and a 250-room hotel, as well as associated amenities and open space.
“Obviously, this is a transformative project on Big Beaver and one that many of us here in the city have been waiting a number of years to see and come to fruition,” Ben Carlisle, of Carlisle/Wortman Associates Inc., said.
Forbes presented the plans in order to receive feedback before submitting a formal conceptual development plan application. The plan could include the medical facility building, two retail/restaurant buildings fronting on Big Beaver, a hotel/restaurant building, two residential buildings, a retail mixed-use building, two retail/office/hotel/ residential/parking mixed-use buildings, atgrade parking lots, two parking decks, plazas and sitting areas, and internal sidewalks among other amenities.
“This will be great for the local residential market in this area, and we’re going to tie it all together,” Forbes said. “We want it to be a place people come, they either get dropped off, they can walk, they can sit outside. There’ll be places to sit, have drinks, be entertained, and then the residences will also have those food and beverage options and a gourmet market by which to shop on a daily basis.”
As a part of these development plans, the applicant would seek to amend the concept development plan and the planned unit development agreement as the site, located at the northwest corner of Big Beaver and Coolidge Highway, is currently zoned under The Pavilions PUD.
A consent judgment originally entered in May 1973 between Sheffield Development and the city of Troy includes four contiguous parcels that total around 140 acres, states information included in the meeting packet in relation to the proposed Somerset West Concept Development Plan. “A portion of the 140 acres includes the 12-acre portion of the site north of Cunningham, but does not include the northwest corner parcel at Big Beaver and Coolidge of approx-
imately … 28 acres,” the information states.
According to city information, while the 40 acres is controlled by the PUD, the 12 acres north of Cunningham Drive are part of a larger consent judgment. The development of the former Kmart HQ site, south of Cunningham, will not be affected by the consent judgment but will require amendment to the existing PUD. The development of the 12 acres north of Cunningham Drive will require an amendment to the consent judgment.
For this project to come to fruition, the applicants will need approval of a conceptual development plan, a preliminary development plan, and a final development plan.
While members of the Planning Commission questioned Forbes on the residential unit, and parking lot sizes and placements, as well as potential connections to Somerset North, among other concerns, overall they mainly expressed positive reactions to this potential plan.
“I’m blessed to be from this area,” Planning Commission member Toby Buechner said. “I grew up at Somerset. My kids grew up at Somerset. My grandkids are going to grow up at this place. Great speech, nice presentation. … You said everything right. Love that you’re taking your time to do it right. I live nearby. I love what you’re doing here. I like where you’re coming from. I can’t say anything remotely even the middle of negative, because it’s good stuff.”
“Just the mixed use, the residential, the amenities, the walkability,” Planning Commission member Tyler Fox said. “I mean, it’s all absolutely fantastic. … You guys did your homework, and you did a great job of, like, hitting those points that we really are interested in and look for as a commission.”
The Planning Commission didn’t vote on anything related to this issue as the presentation was meant to serve as an introduction and opportunity to receive feedback on the plan. Once the applicants submit the proper paperwork, groundwork for this project could begin next summer, and it would be open around three years from now.
At this time there are no current updates to the University of Michigan medical center project.
For more information, visit www.uofm health.org or troymi.gov.
CANDGNEWS.COM
Southfield Native awarded Army Leadership Award
BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com
SOUTHFIELD — Almost a decade ago, Capt. Anna Jones traded her blazers and button-ups for camouflage and combat boots when she left her corporate marketing job to join the army.
Jones is a Southfield native currently based in Fort Knox, Kentucky, where she works as a career manager at the Army Human Resources Command.
“I am a proud native of Southfield, Michigan. So, I grew up in Southfield my whole life. Started at Southfield Christian School and then graduated from Southfield High School. It’s not called that anymore,” she joked. “But we still are celebrating our 20th high school reunion next summer, so I will be back in town for that. But I’ve always been called and drawn to service. My father was a veteran, and it’s always been a part of my life, so to speak.”
Earlier this month, Jones was one of the 28 company-grade and junior warrant officers who received the General Douglas MacArthur Award for Exceptional Leadership. This award was established in 1987 to acknowledge 28 individuals annually who display values of duty, honor and country and have shown exceptional performance, leadership and accomplishments.
Jim Heffelfinger, the executive officer of the armor branch in the Talent Alignment Development Directorate at the U.S. Human Resources Command, nominated Jones. Heffelfinger described Jones as a “rockstar” and explained that Jones was the first female career manager for the armor branch. “She’s breaking glass ceilings, and she’s the one we have really been fighting at our level to get someone of her caliber up here. And when we got her, it was an absolute win.”
Jones added, “I was very honored, very surprised, but very honored and blessed that the army said, ‘Hey, you know what? We recognize that time that you spent in your company grade years and we think that you should continue with that leadership approach.’”
Jones attended college at the University of Notre Dame, where she double majored in political science and Arabic. She added that service is a pillar of Notre Dame’s values. After years of working in marketing, Jones felt that she was being called to serve the country.
“After graduating, I did start in cor-
porate America, where I worked for, like, a Fortune 50 company for the first seven years of my professional career, but that itch, that call to serve, was still there, and I just didn’t feel like I was a part of something bigger than myself. So I made that decision; even though I really loved my job, I had to go and take the leap to join the army, and I am so glad I did. It’s so easy to just get up and go to work every day, when you’re just a part of something that’s a little bit bigger than yourself and you’re surrounded by so many great people.”
On Jan. 6, 2025, it’ll be 10 years since Jones made the life-changing decision to change career paths and join the army.
During her time serving, she has been stationed in Fort Cavazos in Texas, Fort Moore in Georgia and is currently at Fort Knox in Kentucky. “I miss my seasons. I miss my Michigan seasons, and we’re planning a trip trying to get up there to go applepicking, because they just don’t do that in Texas. God bless them, but they don’t have apple orchards.”
Jones said that the best part of being stationed Down South is the warm weather, but she misses the fall up north. “Every Sunday, my texts are flooded with info on the Lions games, which is great, and being a Lions fan is better than being a Cowboys fan.”
In her current position at the Army Human Resources Command, she helps manage the assignments, promotions and careers of soldiers.
“It’s very different than my last job, where we were training. I was on Bradley Fighting Vehicles, where we would train, we would operate those vehicles, and it was a very tactical environment. I was on tanks in another unit. That’s what I love about the army. And when I tell you, these 10 years have flown by, because one of the goals is that they want us all to be well-rounded. So they try and give you different experiences to learn something different. So that’s the most fun.”
Jones shared that she has been able to travel, continue to train and challenge herself physically and mentally.
“The army will challenge you, and it’ll push you to continue to get better. You cannot be stagnant. You have to continue to improve your organization and improve yourself physically with your own leadership skills. There’s always something new to learn. And I think that’s my favorite part of the job.”
Gen. Douglas MacArthur Award winner Capt. Anna Jones (then a 1st Lt.) on a M1A2 SEP V2 Abrams tank while attending the Armor Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Benning, Georgia. Photo provided by Erin Sherwood
SECOND FRONT PAGE
Birmingham activist
crowned Mrs. Worldwide
BIRMINGHAM — Birmingham resident Laura Valentina Gatny, a psychotherapist and life coach, was recently crowned the world title of Mrs. Worldwide at the The Mrs. Worldwide Pageant in Omaha, Nebraska. Gatny is also the former Mrs. Michigan and Mrs. Serbia.
Through her service platform, Together Rising, Gatny supports people with mental health challenges by raising awareness, dismantling stigma and more. She also partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and National Alliance on Mental Illness. Gatny is a human rights activist, published author and researcher. She has received the Health Hero Award from the State of Michigan for her contributions in psychology.
STAGE NATURE CENTER WILL HOST PHOTO WALKS
The Stage Nature Center, located at 6685 Coolidge Highway, will be the site of the Troy Nature Society Photo Club’s guided hikes for photography enthusiasts.
The walks will be held 8-10 a.m. Saturdays Oct. 5 and Nov. 2. All ages are welcome to participate. The walks are free for Troy Nature Society members and cost $2 for nonmembers.
Organizers say to bring a camera and dress for the weather. Visit https://troynaturesociety.org/programs-allages to register.
SOUTHFIELD PARKS AND RECREATION TO HOST BOO BASH OCT 19
SOUTHFIELD — The Parks and Recreation Department will host the Boo Bash 1-4 p.m. Oct. 19 in the Southfield Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen Road.
The Boo Bash will feature Halloween crafts, games, trick-or-treating for children ages 2-12 and music by DJ Lutalo throughout the event. There will also be hayrides departing from the Southfield Parks and Recreation building until 3:30 p.m. Costumes are encouraged.
Tickets cost $10 per person for Southfield residents and $15 per person for non-residents. One adult must be present per family during the event, and each person attending must purchase a ticket.
Tickets are available at https://bit.ly/SfldBooBash24 or at the Parks and Recreation information window in the Southfield Pavilion
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. For more information, call the Parks and Recreation Department at (248) 796-4620.
FERNDALE FALL FESTIVAL
FERNDALE — The Ferndale Fall Festival is back this weekend at Martin Road Park. The festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at the park, located at 1615 E. Lewiston Ave. Attendees can look forward to fall-themed activities such as hayrides, pony rides, roller skating, carnival games, prizes, crafts, face painting, pumpkin painting, a trick-or-treat trail and more. Wristbands cost $8 through Sept. 27 and $10 until Oct. 5. Children ages 1 and younger will get in for free. To register for the festival, visit bit.ly/ferndalefallfestival.
The public voted for its favorite name, and “Motema” came out on top. “Motema” means “heart” in Lingala.
Each vote included a $10 donation, and the donations went to help support gorilla conservation efforts all around the world.
Motema was welcomed into the world Aug. 8 to 26-year-old Bandia, a first-time mother. Motema’s father is 36-year-old Mshindi.
Motema is the first gorilla to be born at the Detroit Zoo in its 96-year history, and is continuing to flourish in her new life. For more information, visit detroitzoo.org.
Once I get the right diagnosis for the cause of your heel pain, I will provide you with a tailored treatment plan, which outlines exactly how we can fix your heel pain and keep you free from future foot pain. If you are ready, call me for an appointment to start your journey back to normal life, free from heel pain.
File photo by Erin Sanchez
Photo provided by Laura Gatny
Decision
from page 3A
The ruling was years in the making. It’s the result of wrangling to keep the issue off the ballot in Michigan by legislators against the changes.
It started with two petitions in 2018 that received the required number of signatures to potentially appear on the ballot.
One petition would have given workers gradual wage increases until the minimum wage became $12 in 2022. After 2022, the wage would be increased each year, as determined by the state, according to inflation. The minimum-wage gap between tipped workers and all other workers, 38% in 2018, would be eventually closed by 2024.
The other petition required employers to give employees one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked per week.
The Legislature adopted the unaltered initiatives in September 2018. This kept them off the ballot and allowed lawmakers to alter them.
They did this in two bills. One caused the minimum wage increases to not exceed $12 until 2030 and removed the increases for tipped workers. It also removed increases
to the wage based on inflation. The second made changes to sick time. It exempted employers with under 50 employees from providing paid sick time. It reduced the amount of paid sick time hours for larger businesses from 72 hours to 40.
The changes, led by Republicans, were approved along party lines by margins of 6048 in the Michigan House of Representatives and 26-12 in the state Senate in a lame duck session in December 2018. They were signed by then-Gov. Rick Snyder and went into effect March 29, 2019.
In the Michigan Court of Claims, it was determined that the Amended Wage Act and the Amended Earned Sick Time Act were unconstitutional on July 19, 2022. This was reversed by the Michigan Court of Appeals, but was ultimately upheld by the Michigan Supreme Court’s July 31, 2024, ruling.
After the July 31 ruling, Nessel made a motion to clarify the ruling on Aug. 21.
“Respectfully, the Michigan Department of Treasury has read this Court’s opinion in earnest and believes there exist ambiguities as to how to interpret and implement this Court’s directives in accounting for inflation for the graduated wages for the 2025 through 2028 time period,” the motion states.
CONSTRUCTION LOANS
• New home construction or renovation
• Borrow up to 90% of the home’s “tobe-completed” value
• Interest-only payments during the construction phase
• Single, one-time closing
Full Body MRI Scans: Is This Hottest Health Trend Right for YOU?
(Southfield, MI) The Silent Killer Within. You feel fine. No aches, no pains. But what if something sinister lurks beneath the surface, silently growing, waiting to strike? The truth is, traditional checkups often miss the early warning signs. Cancer. Aneurysms. Blocked carotid arteries. These silent killers can progress undetected for years, only revealing themselves when it’s too late.
The Full-Body MRI Revolution
That’s where the full-body MRI comes in. Screenings evaluate the brain, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, shoulders, hips and spine. It’s like a high-definition movie of your insides, revealing hidden threats that other tests miss. Full body MRI screenings can catch them early, before symptoms and when they’re easiest to treat.
We all know someone who woke up one day with an unexplained symptom, only to be told they have stage four cancer. The
pancreas, liver, brain and all other major organs get evaluated during a full body MRI screening. Tumors can be detected in stage one – before symptoms develop. Early detection can be the difference between life and death.
Bionicc
Body
Screening:
Your Early Warning System
Bionicc Body Screening in Southfield is Michigan’s first MRI full body screening center. We’re not just scanning your body; we’re safeguarding your future. Our stateof-the-art facility and expert team provide a comfortable, reassuring experience. Our advanced MRI technology can detect tumors as small as a pencil eraser. Screenings can detect aneurysms; risk of stroke and hundreds of conditions that could be lurking undetected.
Is it Right for You?
If you’re serious about your health, if you
want the ultimate peace of mind, then YES, a full-body MRI could be the most important decision you make this year. It’s not just for the privileged few; it’s a health resource available to those willing to make a proactive investment in their well-being, offering peace of mind and early detection opportunities.
MRI full body screenings are safe,
and emit NO radiation. Scans are not only for cancer, but are capable of detecting hundreds of abnormalities.
Don’t Gamble with Your Health
Every day you wait is a risk. A small tumor today could be a major problem tomorrow. Take control. Get the screening. Get the answers.
Robert B., age 50, did just that. He opted for a full-body scan from Bionicc Body Screening, and a very small kidney tumor was detected that had been missed by a recent CT scan. “It saved my life,” he said. “I cannot recommend this service more.”
Oakland County Parks proposes millage hike on November ballot
BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com
OAKLAND COUNTY — Oakland County voters will see an Oakland County Parks millage proposal on the ballot this Nov. 5.
In a bipartisan vote at the July 18 meeting, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners voted 16-3 to approve a resolution to place a millage proposal on the general election ballot.
“My reservations are raising the tax 70% and making it a 20-year tax instead of 10 year. I’m absolutely outraged that they would do that. It’s not good government. It’s irresponsible, and if they want to promote that to the public, they need to put in the headline, ‘this is 70% tax increase,’” Oakland County Commissioner Bob Hoffman said of his no vote. Commissioners Michael Spisz and Karen Joliat also voted no. “I support the parks,” Hoffman said. “I’ve always voted for every Oakland County Parks and Rec millage, but this one I will not vote for. This is outrageous and an insult to the taxpayers.”
The new millage would replace Oakland County Parks’ current 0.35-mill levy set to expire in 2029 with a new tax rate of 0.65 mills that would expire in 2043. If approved, the 0.3-mill increased rate would generate $24 million annually for investment in parks, trails, recreation programs and conservation. For a home with a taxable value of $133,000 — taxable value being generally half of a home’s market value — the 0.3-mill increase would equal around an additional $40 per year on top of the current cost for
the same home of around $30 annually. The 0.65 mill is equal to 65 cents per $1,000 of taxable value. According to Oakland County Parks, if the millage is approved, it would generate around $52 million in 2024.
“I think everyone in Oakland County has a great appreciation for our county park system. It’s one of the most robust park systems in the entire state, and I would even go as far as across the country. This millage proposal really puts us on a course to make the needed investments today to maintain and preserve the enjoyment for folks today and long into the future,” Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairman David Woodward, D-Royal Oak, said. “For me, it really comes down to three things. This millage is going to allow for better access for everyone to our county parks. It’s going to create new recreation opportunities for all, and it’s also going to lead to more nature preservation for today and future generations.”
Woodward added that if the millage passes in November, Oakland County residents will have free entry into Oakland County parks and dog parks, excluding payto-play attractions, such as golf courses, waterparks, campgrounds and off-road vehicle activities.
There will also be more opportunities for recreational use of major rivers, support for larger participation in school field trips to nature and farm education centers, expanded enrichment programs for park-goers of all ages, investment in equipment and facilities designed to be accessible for all regardless of age and ability, new and expanded regional trails and improved maintenance of existing
trails, and the preservation and protection of natural habitats, wetlands and green spaces.
Oakland County Parks Director Chris Ward said that the current millage was approved for renewal in 2020 to address ongoing budget constraints that led to disinvestment in the county park system.
“Things were getting older and deteriorating,” he said. “In some cases, we had to remove certain amenities. So we were in a bit of a downward spiral there that as we disinvested in things, they were less attractive for people to come to. We had less sales, which then led to greater budget constraints. We had more than $20 million in deferred maintenance projects or existing park facilities and infrastructure.”
Ward said that the increase and renewal in 2020 allowed the department to “climb out of that hole” and more than double the amount of money spent per year on maintaining existing assets.
Ward said that Oakland County received $244 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan. Oakland County Parks put together a proposal for $15 million that the Board of Commissioners approved that was centered on urban recreation and the revitalization of urban recreation spaces, which included agreements with local governments where OCP took over operating and managing existing city parklands that were underutilized because of lack of investment, as well as providing grants to Oakland County governments.
“For instance, we built a playground for Royal Oak Township,” he said. “Built a playground in Hazel Park as well. Southfield’s
using some of the money to create some improvements at Beech Woods Park. Oak Park’s building a farmer’s market. So it was a combination of things, but it was all pretty much centered in the urban population centers of the county.”
The potential $100 million investment from the new millage would bring major capital improvements to improve the recreational use of all 15 parks, trails, recreational attractions and the Oakland County Farmers Market, officials said.
“What we’ve looked at here is a combination of not only maintenance but creating a system-wide update to our park system, which is going to be 60 years old in two years. We do have some major projects that need to be done to refresh those spaces to create amenities and features that are more responsive to the current needs of the public and make those spaces more attractive for people to come and enjoy.” Ward added.
He explained that the goal is to continue to partner with local governments. The Oakland County parks system will expand from 15 parks to 19 in the next two or three years with the addition of the Southfield Woods Nature Preserve at the existing Beech Woods Park; Oak Park Woods, which will take a portion of Shepherd Park; Turtle Woods in Troy; and the 100 acres south of the courthouse in Pontiac that Oakland County transferred to the park system.
“About 55% of the county right now lives within a 10-minute drive of one of our parks,” Ward said. “This partnership model, where we work together with local govern-
See MILLAGE on page 9A
Taste of Fall
fall cocktails to try, including drinks like a Campfire Light from The Backdoor, an Apple Jack cider at D’Marcos Italian Restaurant, and Oktoberfest Celebration Lager from Rochester Mills Beer Co.
“We have a lot of different options available, and they all have a fall-inspired theme,” DDA Events Coordinator Jenna O’Dell said. “We encourage our shoppers to dine with our merchants and try a new dish that maybe they haven’t yet.”
Longtime downtown Rochester restaurant Georgio’s Pizza & Pasta is participating in the promotion for the first time this year — and it won’t be their last, according to owners Rosanna and George Gjekaj.
“We thought it would be a great opportunity to expand our menu for our customers and give a little twist to one of our pizzas,” Rosanna Gjekaj said.
George Gjekaj created a sweet and savory Harvest Maple Delight pizza — which features bacon, caramelized red onions, fresh ricotta, butternut squash and creamy maple syrup — specially for Taste of Fall.
“We wanted to provide a fresh, tasty fall
feeling with fresh ingredients,” Rosanna said. “We like to give our locals something different to experience with us.”
O’Dell said the pizza was one of her favorites.
“Normally I wouldn’t think maple syrup would work on a pizza, but it was actually really tasty,” she said. “I was thinking about ordering it again, as a pizza.”
Another of O’Dell’s favorites is the Piedmontese burger from Bologna Via Cucina — an 8 oz. burger topped with provolone, crispy prosciutto, arugula, caramelized balsamic onions, and homemade sun-dried tomato basil aioli, on a St. Pierre brioche bun — served with truffle fries.
Adding an extra layer of fun to the Taste of Fall is “Foodie Fridays.” On each Friday of the promotion, diners have the chance to win a $50 downtown Rochester gift certificate by sending the keyword “FOODIEFRIDAY” to (866) 603-4005 and uploading a picture of their receipt from any participating Taste of Fall restaurant.
A complete list of participating businesses and fall menu offerings can be found in the Taste of Fall brochure available at the Downtown Collaboration Studio, 431 S. Main St., or online at downtownrocheste mi.com. For more information, call (248) 656-0060.
Millage
from page 8A
ments, we think has tremendous potential for us to move the dial on that from 55% to 90% in a few years by acquiring and developing new properties together.”
He added that if the millage is approved, OCP plans to enter into a partnership with Rochester Hills to develop Nowicki Park and a partnership with West Bloomfield Township to collaborate on the development of Pine Lake Park. Ward mentioned Turtle Woods in Troy as an example of the challenges the county park system faces when acquiring new properties for nature preserves and parks. He said that currently, OCP is in the process of reapplying for a grant from the Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund, and if denied again, the millage would allow them to move forward with work at the site regardless of whether that grant is obtained. Ward also mentioned that the unpaved parking lot at Catalpa Oaks in Southfield is another great example of a major improvement needed at an existing park. Red Oaks Waterpark in Madison Heights needs more than $10 million in investments to update outdated and deteriorating facilities. He explained that the cost of public water supply for the irrigation of the Red Oaks Golf Course is more than $100,000 annually. Oakland County Parks is working to address this issue by developing a system to utilize and recycle stormwater for irrigation and aims to address the lack of sufficient parking at the park.
Since its inception in 1966 with one park of 190 acres, the Oakland County parks system has expanded to 15 parks, with more on the way. The department has more than 7,000 acres, 80 miles of trails and nearly 2 million visitors annually.
“We are always looking for new opportunities, new things that we could do to reach more people and provide a chance for people to have fun, get active and enjoy the outdoors,” Ward said.
For more information about the proposed millage, visit OaklandCountyParks.com and select the tab labeled “2024 Millage.” Residents can share their feedback by emailing info@OaklandCountyParks.com.
survey were “past, present and future,” “colorful,” “diversity,” “children” and “library.”
These ideas informed the design, which will feature an image of a boy and a girl sitting closely together reading a book with a sense of wonder on their faces. A horse appears to be springing forth from the pages of the book — a nod to Hazel Park’s history with harness racing. The children are said to reflect the diversity of the community.
But according to the artist, there are many ways to appreciate the piece.
“I wanted to insinuate that the children were reading about a piece of history from Hazel Park. Since the horse racing tracks were here in the city, I thought it was the perfect story to tell while keeping the mural fun and exciting,” Curtis said in an email. “For me, that is the main concept of the painting. However, I always leave my work up to interpretation, so if somebody walks away with another perspective, that’s great, as well.”
The PIPA program started in 2018, with a focus on bringing art to public buildings such as libraries, town halls and fire stations. PIPA murals have been painted across Southeast Michigan in communities including Berkley, Rochester, Mount Clemens, New Haven and Wyandotte.
Corrine Stocker, the library director, said that Sullivan and the Hazel Park Arts Council were instrumental in arranging the
project, as was Ani Garabedian, the DIA’s manager of community engagement programs. She thanked the City Council and City Manager Ed Klobucher as well.
“I also need to mention our (library board) trustee, Barbara Winter, who tenaciously applied for this project over the course of years,” Stocker said in an email. “Without her passion and persistence, we would not have this opportunity.”
Since the library’s facade is brick, the mural is being spray-painted onto the surface.
“I created my design before painting, so far as covering the space, I use my sketch as my guide while remaining adaptive and tweaking this as I go to ensure the painting is as visible as possible from the main road and through the trees,” Curtis said. “Every mural I get to create is a privilege. I’m very honored to have been chosen for this project. Working with the DIA has always been on my creative bucket list and will definitely be one to remember.”
Sullivan said she looks forward to the finished product.
“I really advocated for this artist. His work is beautiful. He’s done murals all around the state,” Sullivan said. “I think that we are trying to be cognizant of the city’s past, and respectful of that with this mural. Just because we’re moving forward doesn’t make the past irrelevant. But in addition to commemorating the past, this is also about the future, children, expectations, imagination, diversity. All of those elements are incorporated into the art.”
ASK DR. LO
Is there a safe way to reduce my appetite?
Dear Dr. Lo, I keep hearing about semaglutide for appetite suppression. How does semaglutide work? What makes it safer than its prescription weight loss predecessors?
Semaglutide: It’s a great question because diet drugs have a checkered history. In the past, the most effective weight loss drugs were amphetamine-like drugs (“speed,” phentermine, etc.). They dramatically suppressed appetite and gave people a very energetic, euphoric feeling (as you would expect with amphetamines).
So what’s the problem? Almost nobody keeps weight off after they stop taking those drugs, and they can’t be used long-term due to pretty severe side effects and high risk of abuse/addiction. They’re still legal, but almost no reputable physician uses them anymore.
Fen-phen (combined fenfluramine and phentermine) was another craze. You may remember in the early 2000s. It was taken off the market when heart problems surfaced after its public release.
Semaglutide is different. It’s in the GLP-1 family, which was originally designed to treat diabetes, so it’s unrelated to any other weight loss medication. The GLP-1s have been around since 2008 — with no new warnings from the FDA during that time — so most doctors consider them to be very safe, even for long-term use.
Unlike those old-fashioned diet pills, Semaglutide slows down food absorption, making you feel full longer. You end up absorbing your food calories more slowly too, so your body has a better chance to use them instead of storing more fat.
To make an appointment with Dr. Lo’s team, call or text 248-855-1004.
Gustav Lo, MD
