Winter weather brings unique birds 5A
Mount Clemens seeks $91.8 million school bond
TAX REDUCTION TIED TO MAY VOTE
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
MOUNT CLEMENS — Capital improvements and a tax reduction? It is what the leadership of Mount Clemens
Community Schools believes is possible.
The school district is hoping voters approve a nearly $92 million bond and millage reduction proposal, based on language approved by the district’s school board on Jan. 22. Voters in the district will decide whether it shall borrow up to $91.82 million for renovations, improvements and expansions to the secondary school campus including security im-
BOAT SHOW SAILS INTO DETROIT
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — This year, the Progressive Detroit Boat Show is back with magnificent boats and activities for the whole family.
Ron Wilson, the owner of Wilson Marine, which has multiple locations, including Harrison Township, said he’s been going to the boat show since 1975.
“And we’ve grown from a pretty small little display to the largest exhibitor in Cobo Hall,” Wilson said.
Wilson Marine will have around 75 boats down at the show, which runs Feb. 1-8. It will be open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, and 2-8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. Wilson said
See BOAT SHOW on page 13A
provements, technology upgrades and the creation of a new middle-school-focused building on the campus.
“One of the things that, in addition to revitalizing and restoring the historical side of the (secondary) building — it’s over 100 years old now — one of the pieces of feedback that we’ve gotten from the community is that it has been a
Wilson Marine will be at the Progressive Detroit Boat Show this February. The show itself offers a wide array of boats for eventgoers to browse and buy.
Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
Legislators work to alter wage and sick leave changes
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Drastic changes to Michigan’s paid sick leave and minimum wage will go into effect Feb. 21. Both of Michigan’s major political parties are currently trying to rein in these efforts in the Legislature.
Republicans hold a majority in the state House of Representatives, and Democrats hold a majority in the state Senate. This month Republicans passed a pair of bills in the House, and Democrats in the Senate have an alternate plan in its early stages.
The whole issue began in 2018, when two petitions for increased wages and paid sick time received enough signatures to get on the ballot. To block this, the petitions were adopted and amended by Republicans in the state Legislature, dramatically changing what would’ve appeared on the ballot.
In the Michigan Court of Claims, it was determined on July 19, 2022, that the adopted and altered acts were unconstitutional. This was reversed by the Michigan Court of Appeals but was ultimately upheld by a 4-3 Michigan Supreme Court ruling July 31, 2024.
The current minimum wage is $10.33, or $3.93 for tipped workers.
If nothing happens
If the revisions by Republicans or Democrats are not made, the court’s ruling will go into effect as planned in February.
All workers will receive a pay bump to $12.48 an hour this year, with tipped workers gradually reaching $12 in 2029. The final amounts will be determined by the state’s treasurer.
All employees, including part-time and temporary workers, are entitled to paid sick leave. Every 30 hours an employee works generates one hour of paid sick leave. Employees get 72 hours paid sick time per year at larger companies. However, employers with fewer than 10 employees need to only pay for 40 hours of sick leave a year.
Proposed Republican changes
Two Republican-led bills have passed through the Michigan House of Representatives that would augment the court’s ruling.
“These bills are now bound for the Senate where they will face another vote,” Rep. Ron Robinson, R-Utica, said in a press release. “I urge each senator to consider the needs of the small business in their
See WORKERS on page 13A
Residents, community groups vie for grant money
RESIDENTS COMPLAIN OF PARKING PROBLEM NEAR POST OFFICE
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
MOUNT CLEMENS — On the frigid evening of Jan. 21, the Mount Clemens City Commission held one of its most conversational meetings of recent years as public comments and public hearings dominated the agenda.
Most unique to the late-January meeting was the public hearing for the allocation of the city’s Community Development Block Grant funding for 2025. The funds, which come from the federal government and are distributed by the county, can be allocated to support public service organizations in the city. Mount Clemens was allotted $13,700, and nine organizations, including the city’s recreation department, vied for some portion of the funds.
Of the eight nonmunicipal organizations to ask for funds, the following had representatives to speak on behalf of their bids:
• Care House: $4,500 to support child victims of physical and sexual assault.
• Hearts 4 Homes: $3,000 to help up to two homeless families make security deposits or rent payments for apartments.
• Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers: $1,590 to support its Safe at Home program, which assists income-limited and physically challenged adults with home upkeep.
• Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan: $1,200 to create and provide maintenance kits for wigs for children with medical-related hair loss.
• Turning Point Macomb: $3,000 to fund motel stays for survivors and families of domestic abuse.
• Wave Project: $4,000 to support the Warren-based Macomb County Winter Shelter.
Photo by Dean Vaglia
Charnita Johnson, shelter director at Turning Point, speaks during the Community Development Block Grant public hearing at the Jan. 21 Mount Clemens City Commission meeting.
OUR NEXT EDITION WILL DELIVER TO HOMES FEB. 19
MACOMB HOME IMPROVEMENT SHOW FEB. 15-16
WARREN — Homeowners thinking about updating their kitchens, redecorating their bathrooms or adding new landscaping should check out the Macomb Home Improvement Show.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 15 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Macomb Community College Sports & Expo Center, located at 14500 12 Mile Road. Homeowners can take advantage of incredible “show only” discounts and enjoy savings on everything for their home. Local home improvement professionals will be on site to discuss the latest in kitchen and bath designs, room additions, roofing options, swimming pools, spas, siding, decks, landscaping, pavers and patio furniture. Attendees also can look at floor coverings, windows, doors and more. There will be a number of artisans offering unique handmade items for the home as well. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit yourhomeshows.com.
Advancing Macomb opens accelerator applications
MOUNT CLEMENS — Small to medium-sized nonprofits seeking to improve their performance are encouraged to apply for Advancing Macomb’s Nonprofit Accelerator.
Open to 501(c)(3) organizations based in or serving Macomb County, the accelerator is a four-month program that will teach 10 nonprofits about subjects including financial planning, communications, grant seeking, strategic planning and more. Applications are accepted at advancingmacomb.com and are due by Saturday, Feb. 15.
Anchor Bay High School students and Macomb County officials pose for a photo with the snowplow “Blizzard Wizard.”
THE ART OF HEALTHY EATING
Courtney Kerr, food services director of Clintondale Community Schools, leads a stir fry cooking demonstration to sixth graders as part of Southwest Foodservice Excellence’s Roving Chef program at Clintondale Middle School on Jan. 29.
The Roving Chef program aims to teach students in participating schools about the importance of healthy eating by demonstrating how to prepare meals with fresh ingredients. Kerr’s demonstration was preceded by a talk by Stephen Ritz, New York-based educator and founder of Bronx Green Machine, about how they could grow their own fruits and vegetables using urban and indoor farming techniques.
Former judge promoted to convention committee
MOUNT CLEMENS — David Viviano, former justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, was appointed to the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority on Jan. 21.
Viviano fills the seat previously held by Marilyn Lane, who served as vice chair of the DRCFA.
“Dave has a proven track record of leadership and public service, making him an exceptional addition for the DRCFA board,” Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said in a press release. “His deep understanding of the law and commitment to our community will strengthen the Authority’s mission to drive economic growth and collaboration across the region.”
A lifelong Macomb County resident, Viviano served as a justice on the Michigan Supreme Court from 2014-2024, first being appointed by then-governor Rick Snyder before winning election in 2016. Prior to his tenure on the Supreme Court, Viviano served as chief judge of the Macomb County Circuit Court and Probate Court as well as a lawyer in private legal practice.
The DRCFA oversees management and operations at Huntington Place.
MACOMB COUNTY STUDENTS PAINT PLOW
ANCHOR BAY — The handiwork of students from Anchor Bay High School will be seen throughout the county.
On Jan. 17, Macomb County officials and Anchor Bay students unveiled “Blizzard Wizard,” a snowplow painted by the students that will enter the Macomb County Department of Roads’ fleet this winter.
“Thanks to the talented students at Anchor Bay High School, we’ll be putting ‘Blizzard Wizard’ to work this winter to help keep the roads clear,” Macomb County Department of Roads Director Bryan Santo said in a press release. “The paint the plow program serves as a friendly reminder to the motoring public to drive safely and steer clear of snowplows during winter weather operations.”
The plow is the most recent entry in the Paint the Plow program. Prior plows have been painted by students from Switzer Elementary School and Collins Elementary School.
“This was such a cool opportunity for our students to see their work come to life in a real-world project,” Liz VanNuck, Anchor Bay High School graphic design teacher, said via press release. “They started with designs in Photoshop and Illustrator, which were voted on by the Department of Roads and their maintenance service center personnel. Watching Mr. Stump’s traditional art students bring the design to life was amazing. This is an experience our students will never forget. We enjoyed the opportunity to be part of this!”
Schools and teachers that are interested in participating in the county’s annual paint the plow program can contact the Department of Roads at (586) 463-8671 or geninfo@rcmcweb.org for additional information.
Entries open for State of the State program design contest
LANSING — Michigan K-12 students are called upon to submit entries for a State of the State Address program design contest.
Set to take place on Wednesday, Feb. 26, students are asked to develop a design around the concept of “Think Michigan” using crayons, markers, paint or any other material. Submissions are accepted through the website somgovweb.state.mi.us/ArtContest and are due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14.
Euchre tournament
MOUNT CLEMENS — St. Peter Catholic Church is hosting an adults euchre tournament on Friday, Feb. 14 at 6:30 p.m. Participation costs $15 at the door and a 6 p.m. dinner costs $10. The tournament is a 50/50 format with half of the pot supporting the community garden. It is limited to 100 players. To register or for more information, call (586) 468-4579 by Friday, Feb. 7.
Photo by Dean Vaglia
Photo provided by Macomb County Department of Roads
Winter weather brings unique birds — if you can find them
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — As the air chills and days get shorter, it’s common for snowbirds to take their flights south.
But while our senior set heads for the Florida coast, some of nature’s feathered fellows find their way to Michigan from the Arctic.
These seasonal guests from the high north, along with being interesting company, make the winter a fascinating time for dedicated birders.
“A lot of people don’t necessarily think of a lot of birds being around in the winter,” said Stephanie Beilke, senior manager of conservation science at Audubon Great Lakes. “You hear more birds singing in the spring and summer and there’s more obviously around, but in the winter there’s still a lot of bird activity in Michigan.”
Winter birders keep their eyes out for a number of unique birds. Raptors, notably the snowy owl and various hawks, are some of the most famous winter birds. Another unique winter sight is the arrival of “weird ducks” with striking feather and beak patterns. Notable winter ducks include the bufflehead, northern pintail, common goldeneye and the ruddy duck.
“They’re looking for anywhere that just has open water because that’s all they need to find food,” Beilke said. “They’re looking for fish or plants that are underwater.”
Small birds, too, make southerly journeys for the warmer weather of frigid Michigan. Those birds, like the dark-eyed junco, can be best spotted at properly-equipped bird feeders — one of the least chilly ways of winter birding. Finches also may make an irruptive migration south due to what
See BIRDS on page 9A
TOP LEFT: A snowy owl, spotted in St. Clair County, is a raptor that migrates to Michigan during the winter.
Photo by Barb Baldinger
BOTTOM LEFT: Female, left, and male redhead ducks are one species of waterfowl that migrates to Michigan during the winter.
Photo by Lynette Spence, provided by Audubon Great Lakes
ABOVE RIGHT: A dark-eyed junco, spotted around 26 Mile Road, is a songbird that migrates to Michigan during the winter.
Photo by Barb Baldinger
Buzzed and confused
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On Jan. 21 at around 10:40 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to westbound Interstate 94 near North River Road to investigate a damaged Honda Accord on the right shoulder.
Upon reaching the driver, deputies learned the 26-year-old Warren man was confused about where he was and the situation he was in. He denied being under the influence, though deputies noted signs of intoxication and asked him to perform field sobriety tests.
After stepping out of the car, the driver told deputies he had cocaine in his pants pocket. His breath test registered a 0.239 blood alcohol content, and deputies took the man to a hospital for a blood test before finally placing him in the Macomb County Jail.
Unwanted surprise
MOUNT CLEMENS — On Jan. 21, a 37-year-old Macomb Township man parked along Main Street in Mount Clemens for a court appearance. When he left court at around 4:20 p.m., the man noticed a white paint scrape along the side of his car where a white car was parked next to him.
No information from the other car’s owner was left behind and Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were unable to find security camera footage to review the incident.
Stolen car
MOUNT CLEMENS — At around noon on Jan. 19, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to a home in the 50 block of Englewood Street for a stolen vehicle report.
The resident, a 40-year-old man, parked his Kia Optima outside of his home the prior afternoon and last saw it before going to bed. When he went outside on the morning of Jan. 19, the Kia was nowhere to be seen.
CRIME WATCH CANDGNEWS.COM
The man had both keys to the Kia but did not remember if the car was locked that night.
Fraudulent investing
MOUNT CLEMENS — On Jan. 15, a 69-year-old Mount Clemens man deposited $100 into a cryptocurrency investment account after an ad on Facebook promised high returns in a short amount of time. The ad connected him with an “investment agent” who helped him set up and manage the account via Facebook Messenger.
Several days passed and he noticed around $4,500 in the account. He attempted to withdraw the funds but was told by the agent he needed to pay them a $450 fee. After paying the fee, he was redirected to another site where he was required to pay an additional $700 to withdraw the funds.
He finally realized the scam and reported it to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.
Stoop swindler
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On Jan. 15, a package containing $265 of Verizon Wireless equipment was delivered to a home in the 39000 block of Whitewater Drive.
At around 12:15 p.m., a gray Toyota Camry pulled into the driveway and, after sitting around for a few minutes, a man reportedly exited the car and took the package.
Wrong number
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On Jan. 15, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were sent to an apartment complex in the 26000 block of South River Road after a 911 caller disconnected.
Deputies located the caller, a 51-yearold Cheboygan man, who denied calling 911 and sent the deputies away. Deputies then learned the man had an outstanding narcotics warrant and arrested him, discovering a bag of what appeared to be meth while searching him.
Mount Clemens
The city’s recreation department requested $13,700 for senior programming. The Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team requested $3,740 for its emergency homeless shelters, and Single Family Living requested $10,000 to provide emergency rental assistance.
City commissioners thanked representatives for speaking at the meeting, with Commissioner Erik Rick urging residents to support the organizations and Mayor Laura Kropp explaining the difficulties of allocating the limited funding.
“CDGB funding is unfair,” Kropp said. “I hate to use that word because it sounds weak, but it is. A community that is considered a non-entitlement community has some of the greatest needs in the county. We have 27% of the low-income housing of the county, yet we receive one of the smallest allocations you can have of CDBG funding. It’s so counterintuitive. It makes no sense. Call your congressman, because it is a federal formula that I don’t think even a mathematician could solve. … It’s not fair, but it is, unfortunately, the $13,700 we do receive.”
Along with the $13,700 the city is allowed to allocate, it can apply for up to two capital project grants, each in an amount no greater than $150,000. In 2024 commissioners applied to use the capital project funds on a new fire truck and fire hose. Commissioners will vote on their allocations at the Feb. 3 meeting.
Public comments
Several residents spoke during the meeting’s public comment periods about issues they were having regarding the city’s post office.
Ruthie Stevenson raised the issue of post office vehicles being parked along neighborhood streets.
“I’ve been coming up here for a number of years concerning the parking in the neighborhood of the post office, and it’s gotten really out of hand,” Stevenson said. “Some days it’s as much as 50 cars, and it goes all the way from midway-north Beyene Street around Rhone (Street) from northbound Gratiot and on Clinton River Drive down to Meadle (Street). And if there is a special event at church or something like that, or a funeral, there’s no place to park. … It’s really gotten totally out of hand. Something has to be done. This is a neighborhood, not an all-day parking lot.”
Curtis Harrington told commissioners that the post office had stopped delivering
mail to his street due to a dog attack. A dog attack last year did not see the dog removed, and an attack last December has led to delays in deliveries.
“I understand some of you have been in contact with the postmaster,” Harrington said. “I understood he was supposed to be here today, but of course he’s not. I would like to know what’s going to be done, what can be done.”
Complaints about the post office have been a regular feature of public comments at City Commission meetings, but the biggest difference on Jan. 21 was that the mayor had news to share regarding the matter.
“I’ve been serving as an elected official in Mount Clemens for nine years, and I can tell you that I have been complaining about the post office for nine years,” Kropp said. “I have done a lot of things to try to work cooperatively with the post office. One of the issues has been that they have a new postmaster about every six months, and that has been an ongoing issue for at least nine years. I will say that this last week, we finally made a phone call and actually got to the postmaster. It was just one phone call, and that is the first time in nine years.”
Kropp said the current postmaster was “very receptive” and that she was glad to finally have a contact at the office. Kropp is also speaking with federal elected officials to see what improvements can be made through that angle.
With Harrington’s comments being based around a nuisance dog, commissioners expressed frustration with the situation, and Kropp said the city “would work to solve that.” Kropp’s son was attacked by a dog in 2020.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
Photo by Dean Vaglia
Mayor Laura Kropp speaks during the Jan. 21 Mount Clemens City Commission meeting.
Township acquires burnt property
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — A firedamaged structure has entered the ownership of Clinton Township after a unanimous vote at the Jan. 27 township board meeting.
Trustees approved the acquisition of 21229 Vermander Ave. from the estate of John Brune, the homeowner who died inside after a fire broke out on the evening of Dec. 11, 2023. The home will come to the township after the estate abandoning it, through a petition in Macomb County Probate Court.
“If we waited for the county to foreclose on this property … it will take two to three years before the county will do the foreclosure,” Clinton Township Building Department Superintendent Barry Miller said. “In the meantime, we have a fire-damaged house with the gentleman who passed away in it. He’s gone, no heirs to it. The township … worked to force an estate. That estate has been forced and now they’re offering to basically give that property back to us.”
By acquiring the property through this manner, the township will take on the responsibility of paying the outstanding taxes tied to it. The ultimate goal of the purchase is to demolish the home and eventually get the land back on the market.
“That’s the whole idea here; it’s the revitalization of that area of town, of that lot (and) reuse of the property,” Miller said.
Miller expects the property will be a loss to the township due to the need to abate asbestos during the demolition.
Bathroom buildout
Trustees also awarded Fairview Construction Services LLC of Wixom the contract to remodel bathrooms and locker rooms at Fire Station No. 2 and Fire Station No. 3 for $203,382 after the waiving of permits fees and factoring in asbestos wrap abatement work.
The bathroom remodels update the facilities to reflect changes in the Clinton Township Fire Department’s personnel makeup since the stations were originally constructed.
“We have female firefighters that, at this current time, have no dedicated locker nor restroom facilities at fire stations No. 2 or 3,” Clinton Township Fire Chief John Gallagher said. “We have a process of locked doors, knocking, seeing who’s there, sliding doors, things of that nature, and just the appropriateness of a 21st century fire station is having those amenities available for all of our personnel.”
The remodel was first included in the 2023-2024 budget with a cost of $140,000. A total of seven contractors bid on the project.
Parliamentary procedures
An attempt to establish a set of board rules failed on a partly-line vote of 4-3 on Jan. 27.
The vote was a more decisive — though equal outcome — rejection of board rules than the 3-3 rejection-by-deadlock vote on the matter around the same time last year.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
Photo provided by Clinton Township
The home at 21229 Vermander, damaged by a fire in December 2023, is set to become the property of Clinton Township. Plans for the site include demolishing the burnt structure to prepare the site for redevelopment.
Birds
from page 5A
kind of seed crops have grown over the year.
“True sparrows … like the dark-eyed junco like to feed on platforms, so getting a tray feeder or a larger hopper feeder where you’ve got an edge to it that they feel comfortable sitting on,” said Rosann Kovalcik, owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited in Grosse Pointe Woods.
Some bird feeders are enjoyed by being directly watched, while others use technology to catch visiting birds with camera feeders.
“What’s good about them is that you can be in your house, you can have the camera set to be transmitting to your laptop or your phone and you can take pictures from that to help identify (birds),” Kovalcik said. “The camera feeder that we sell actually has identification built in it. There’s a huge surge of that going on. There’s still probably a much larger group of people that go out and they just want to look with their binoculars and they’re just getting into the hobby.”
For those looking to get more outdoors but still close to heat, car caravans organized by Audubon and Bird Alliance groups are a great way to seek birds out.
“What’s fun is just the discovery,” Kovalcik said. “What could I possibly see as I’m driving through this area of Macomb County near Algonac, and that day (Dec. 20, 2024) my partner and I had a screech owl, we had a bald eagle, we had a red-shouldered hawk, red-tailed hawk, northern harrier. We had so many raptors that we could see that were out during the day or you could play tapes of and they’d call back. It’s such a treat to come across that and to see it and to know that I’m only going to get this (experience) this time of year.”
Locations close to water — such as Lake St. Clair Metropark, Belle Isle and almost anywhere along the Detroit River/ Lake St. Clair coast — offer a wide variety of
bird-sighting opportunities due to optimal plants and prey. Wooded areas like the noncoastal Metroparks offer great opportunities to view birds. Kovalcik says not to discount open fields, such as in northern Macomb County, when planning your winter bird watch; songbirds like snow buntings will take to open fields to scour about for seeds and insects.
“And flying over them would be shortreared owls, which are also out because they are looking for voles and mice in the same fields,” Kovalcik said.
Those with technology on their side can stay up to date on the latest bird sightings throughout the region.
“(The website) eBird is a great resource for finding birding locations called eBird Hotspots, which provide up-to-the-minute information on the very best locations and what has been seen there,” Barb Baldinger, long-time birder and former vice-president of the Macomb Audubon Society, said via email. “Another place to check is the St. Clair-Macomb Birding Trail website, which has information about 38 bird viewing sites in St. Clair and Macomb counties.”
While coming across an exotic bird can be a cool experience, it is best for the birds to keep your distance.
“One of the best things to remember is to use good birding ethics to keep your distance from any owl or other sensitive species,” Baldinger said via email. “Using your vehicle as a photo blind, if possible, is much less intrusive than walking too close to an owl and perhaps causing it to fly, when it needs to conserve energy.”
The largest birding event of the winter is the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, which runs from Dec. 14-Jan. 5 every year. Groups like the Detroit Bird Alliance, the Oakland Bird Alliance and the Macomb Audubon Society organize field trips throughout the season.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE CARE, THERAPY FOR HOSPICE PATIENTS
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — A loved one’s decision to enter hospice care can begin a daunting and scary time for families, but volunteers providing supporting care for their loved ones can make it a little bit easier.
Ruth Moore-Lilly, Hospice of Michigan’s volunteer program coordinator, said volunteers give additional support to patients and families during hospice care.
“Providing companionship, caregiver relief — just a more personal side where the patient doesn’t really feel like a patient,” Moore-Lilly said.
Hospice is end-of-life care, or palliative care. The volunteers provide a wide range of services, including caregiver relief, pet therapy, music therapy and much more.
“It’s really just providing that extra special support at a very sacred time,” MooreLilly said.
Hospice patients range in age from infants to the elderly. Their diagnoses range as well, but all are terminal.
Families can request hospice through
referrals by the patient or through a doctor.
“Once a patient’s on our service, the clinical team — the nurses, the social workers, the spiritual care advisors — they’re always assessing patients to see if they would desire something from a volunteer,” MooreLilly said. “And they make those referrals to the volunteer coordinator, who then starts the process to match a volunteer with a patient.”
Volunteers can meet a patient at their care facility or at their home. Usually, only one volunteer visits at a time, but MooreLilly said they may have more than one volunteer visit each week.
Crystal Hickerson, the volunteer coordinator at Brighton Hospice, said it’s the job of the volunteer to provide companionship for the patient.
“It’s a nonclinical way to bring support to the hospice patient and to provide for the caregiver a little bit of relief,” Hickerson said. “Just knowing someone else is visiting with their loved one without it not necessarily being just someone coming to do a test or something like that.”
Hickerson said that hospice started as a
Kevin the Newfoundland is a therapy dog who provides comfort for hospice patients. Kevin volunteers with his handler, Tom Kallas. Photo provided by Hospice of Michigan
volunteer service. Around the 1980s, regulations were put in place in the United States to require hospice organizations to provide volunteer support and services.
She said Medicare makes sure volunteers are utilized and requires that 5% of the organization’s staff hours are volunteered across its teams, including administration.
Some volunteers are students in premed or other medical-related fields of study. Hickerson said these students get firsthand experience in the end-of-life process.
“We want them as they go in their role as a physician to know about what the endof-life services are and that hospice is available and what it’s really about,” Hickerson said.
She said that even though they might not go into a field dealing with the end of life, it gives them knowledge about the process and when to refer someone to hospice.
“And that’s crucial, because again, like I said, in America, it’s only been here since the ‘80s, so it takes a while for some physicians to understand, even though they’re in the medical field,” Hickerson said.
She said she always asks any volunteer why they chose hospice, because it is so specific.
“There’s so many regulations around it; it’s almost like a job,” Hickerson said.
She said volunteers stay because they learn a lot from their patients.
“Just being there for someone and the humanity of it all,” Hickerson said. “It’s really great when we have younger volunteers who go out and see our patients.”
Tom Kallas and his dog, a Newfoundland named Kevin, provide pet therapy to the patients they visit.
He started volunteering two years ago, after his wife found an article about pet volunteering.
“And she showed it to me. I was recently retired, and I contacted them, and I’ve been involved with them now for the last couple years,” Kallas said.
Kallas volunteers at other places with Kevin in addition to Hospice of Michigan. He said that after 40 years of working, he was in a place mentally to want to give back.
“I spent 40 years trying to accumulate enough wealth to be able to retire, and after I retired, I just had an inner urge to do some volunteering, to do some giveback,” Kallas said.
Kallas’ training prepared him for patient deaths. He said that over long periods of time, he’s created relationships with them and their families.
“When you lose that person that you’ve seen every single week for a year, you know, it’s tough. It’s really, really tough,” Kallas said. “At the same time, you have to have in your mind the fact that you know what you were doing is doing good for that patient, and you knew going into it what the outcome was most likely going to be.”
Kallas said visits are memorable when families get together with the patient and take part in the services. He said families are very appreciative of his company.
“You’ve never seen anybody appreciate something like the families that have hospice involved,” Kallas said.
He said some of the work his fellow volunteers do is incredible.
“It’s selfless,” Kallas said.
Moore-Lilly said she thinks volunteers provide their time and companionship unconditionally.
“Volunteers aren’t expecting anything in return. They just have a heart to be with somebody,” Moore-Lilly said.
While she has worked in health care all her life, Moore-Lilly said it was not always with hospice. She started volunteering before she was employed by the organization. Hospice of Michigan and Brighton Hospice are just two of many hospice care providers in the state offering an array of services.
She reiterated that at the end of a person’s life, everything revolves around a patient’s diagnosis, and the volunteers allow them to be a regular person outside of their diagnosis.
“Volunteers always say that they take a piece of every person that they have visited with them in their own life,” Moore-Lilly said. “And it really, you know, for me, and I do speak for other staff members and volunteers, it changes our lives.”
She said it gives her a new appreciation for what she has.
Moore-Lilly said the whole experience has been rewarding.
“I can’t imagine doing anything else,” Moore-Lilly said. “This is where I’ll stay for the rest of my career.”
Volunteers must be 18 to participate, and training is provided. Future volunteers also must go through a background check, fingerprinting and a tuberculosis test. They can visit the Hospice of Michigan website at hom.org or Brighton Hospice at brightonhospice.com.
“If you have a heart for other people, then you can be a hospice volunteer,” MooreLilly said. “You don’t have to have any special talents.”
Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.
Workers
communities and vote yes. It would be a massive win for Michigan if the Senate followed the example of the House and sent these bills to (the) governor’s desk.”
House Bill 4001, introduced by Rep. John Roth, R-Interlochen, would tweak the minimum wage changes. It was passed Jan. 23 with a 63-41 vote. Six House members sat out for the vote.
The bill would set the new minimum wage to $12, which is 48 cents less than what would go into effect automatically Feb. 21. The wage would increase by 50 cents in 2026, and then increase by $1 each Jan. 1 until 2029. Starting in 2030, the state treasurer would calculate the annual increase.
Tipped workers would receive 38% of whatever the minimum wage is for all other workers.
House Bill 4002, introduced by Rep. Jay DeBoyer, R-Clay Township, would alter the paid sick time changes. It passed the same day as HB 4001 with a 67-38 vote. Five members abstained from the vote.
The bill excises the earned sick time for businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Workers at larger companies would earn one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked, not including hours used as paid leave. Sick leave accrued can carry over from year to
Boat show
from page 1A
it used to go nine days, but it was shortened because of the Super Bowl on that Sunday.
A press release from the Progressive Detroit Boat Show stated hundreds of boats will be available for viewing and purchasing.
“Like the Auto Show, new models and features debut making the show a must-see for current and new boaters alike,” the release states. “Unlike the Auto Show, the boat show is one stop shopping with financing and purchasing happening right on the show floor. Many dealers attribute up to half of their annual sales from sales and leads gained from this show.”
Other activities and events that will be available are a tiki bar, Twiggy the Waterskiing Squirrel, a kids zone, free boater safety courses and more.
Rob Kotowski, owner of Lake Shore Boat Top Company in St. Clair Shores, said they’ve been participating in the boat show for the last 25 years. He said the show is fun to do and helps kick off the boating season.
year, or an employer can pay the employee the value of the time. Employers do not have to allow more than 72 hours of accrued sick time in a year. They also don’t have to carry over more than 72 hours from one year to the next.
“We have heard again and again from thousands and thousands of restaurant workers whose jobs are at risk,” Sen. Michael Webber, R-Rochester Hills, said in a press release. “The Legislature has both the duty and ability to protect this vital industry and its employees. But the clock is ticking; we need Senate Democrats to do the right thing and join us in the fight to save Michigan’s threatened hospitality industry.”
The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association supported the changes in HB 4001.
“The House has acted to protect 1,000 independent restaurants from closing permanently,” Justin Winslow, president and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association, said in a press release. “Now it’s critical for the Senate to follow suit and pass House Bill 4001 immediately. Every day of inaction puts more Michigan restaurant jobs and businesses at risk.”
While some Democrats joined GOP members in approving the votes, some cast a vote against them. Rep. Joe Tate, D-Detroit, said in a release following the vote that the bills could have been better.
“We need to support workers receiving
“It’s a good opportunity for people if they need any type of maintenance,” Kotowski said. “You know, if they’re looking to keep what they currently have and kind of refresh it. It’s a good spot to find different types of services that are available.”
Kotowski said eventgoers should bring photos of what they have.
“You’d be surprised how many people come by and they don’t even know the year of their boat and you’re trying to help them out as much as you can,” Kotowski said. “But, you know, simple things like that, just having the knowledge of what they have.”
He said they should also bring a good pair of walking shoes and recommended that his customers come during the week because it gives them time to talk about what they need and what they’re looking for.
“During the weekends, there’s a lot of traffic coming through, so we try to do our best to help and cater to everybody,” Kotowski said.
Wilson said it’s the best place to buy a boat.
“Because it’s so well attended by dealers, and of course, the more dealers, the more
wages and benefits they deserve — along with creating a positive climate for employers to thrive,” Tate said in a press release.
Senate Democrats weigh in Michigan Democratic senators have their own proposed legislation to counter Republican efforts. Sens. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, and Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, have introduced bills that would adjust the changes set to take effect in February. The bills are currently being discussed in their respective committees.
Senate Bill 8, introduced by Hertel, changes the schedule of the wage increases. The initial change in February would remain at $12.48. Each subsequent increase would happen Jan. 1. Next year it would be $13.73, and in 2027 it would rise to $15. After that, the treasurer would update the rate each year.
Unlike the Republican legislation, SB 8 would increase the wages of tipped workers. The first year tipped workers would receive 38% of the $12.48 minimum wage. The wage would rise in 2%-3% increments each Jan. 1 until hitting 60% in 2035.
SB 15, introduced by Singh, deals with paid sick time. This bill attempts to keep some of the court ruling’s original intent, while sanding down some of its edges.
Earned sick time would stay relatively the same as the Supreme Court ruling, though the threshold for a small business would change from fewer than 10 employees
competition,” Wilson said.
He said consumers benefit from the show because they don’t have to travel everywhere to find a boat.
“They come here and they can see everything that’s manufactured,” Wilson said. “But there is one thing that’s not well represented anymore, and that’s sail boats.”
He said patrons can find jet skis, cruisers, pontoons and much more at the show this year.
to fewer than 25.
Too much meddling?
The passage of the two Republican bills wasn’t met with enthusiasm everywhere.
“Today, in a bipartisan fashion, the Michigan House of Representatives caved to corporate lobbyists and betrayed Michigan workers by voting to gut the state’s minimum wage and paid sick leave laws,” Sam Inglot, the executive director of Progress Michigan, said in a press release.
He said that the majority of Michigan residents supported the original changes as laid out by the Michigan Supreme Court’s decision. He urged the Senate to not make the two pieces of legislation into law.
“HB 4001 and HB 4002 strips workers of a well-deserved and overdue raise and strips too many workers of paid sick leave they need to take care of themselves and their loved ones,” Inglot said.
Michigan AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber accused the GOP of “unconstitutional tricks” when adopting and amending the original petition. Bieber advocated for keeping the court’s decision in place.
“Now, less than a month before workers are about to finally get the pay and benefits they deserve, the new Republican majority is trying to pull the rug out from under working families,” he said in a press release. “Every legislator, regardless of their party, should be held accountable for their vote to cut the pay and benefits for workers most in need.”
Wilson said the show is fun and that the entire family can enjoy it. A boat based on the Disney movie “Moana” and a “Barbie” boat are going to be available for viewing.
“It’ll get kids out of their bedroom and off the video games (to) just see really, really cool stuff,” Wilson said.
The boat show will take place at the Huntington Place, formerly known as Cobo Hall, at 1 Washington Blvd., on the riverfront in Detroit.
Bond
from page 1A
challenge for some people to send their kids here had been the merging of high school and middle school in the same building,” Mount Clemens Community Schools Superintendent Julian Roper said. “One of the things we want to do is have a separate instructional academic side to this campus for middle school; a separate entrance than the high school, really identifying those specific environments.”
According to Roper, the plan calls for building the middle school on the southern part of the secondary school campus. The middle school will inherit the complex’s existing gymnasium, while a new gym will be built for the high school.
Upgrades to classroom technology aim to support the further development of career-technical education classes.
“One of the things that this community is really vested in is making sure we have those career opportunities for kids in addition to college,” Roper said. “Just making sure we have spaces that are conducive to adding CTE programs and making sure they’re flexible to adding programs that we don’t even know exist yet.”
Current CTE and CTE-adjacent programs include HVAC, broadcasting and culinary arts classes. What Roper and Rickman envision adding are courses focusing on more technical subjects, such as cybersecurity, but that vision requires building and outfitting spaces that can support those programs and keep up with the industry.
“There’s so many things out there that we can look into providing, but we have to have buildings that can accommodate those types of learning environments,” said Earl Rickman, president of the Mount Clemens Community Schools Board of Education.
The high school’s planetarium, a domed structure located around the middle of the campus, is targeted for refurbishment as well.
Tied to the bond vote is a millage reduction, which would see the district’s tax rate of 11.8 mills reduced to 10.8 mill.
One mill is equal to $1,000 of a taxed property’s value.
District officials worked with Plante Moran Realpoint and Partners in Architecture to develop the bond amount, while the millage reduction speaks to what Roper describes as a history of overtaxing in Mount Clemens.
“This community historically feels overtaxed, so we knew that asking for more money would probably not be supported as a tax burden,” Roper said. “(After) the con-
versations that we have been having with the community and the stakeholders in the community around a decrease, I knew that had to be one of the stipulations.”
District officials say this millage reduction will not affect the ability to pay for operations and debts.
The decision to pursue a bond vote was made not long after Roper began his role as superintendent in June 2023, though the idea had been bounced around the district for years before then.
“It’s been kicked around for years but the climate wasn’t right,” Rickman said. “We just weren’t in a good place to believe that we had a product that the community would support. One of the assignments Mr. Roper made when he first came in was to do some things, and one of them was to look at the feasibility of having a bond.”
The move comes on the heels of two surrounding districts, L’Anse Creuse Public Schools and Chippewa Valley Schools, respectively having a $188.7 million bond approved and a non-homestead operating millage renewed by voters. The last time the L’Anse Creuse district went for a bond was in 2005. Mount Clemens has not attempted a bond vote since 2001, when voters approved $71.5 million.
With only so much time between now and May 6, district officials expect to put in “a lot of work” promoting the bond to district residents and stakeholders through meetings and conversations.
“We have to build (trust), which we have been doing,” Roper said. “Building trust by being out and being transparent with them. There’s going to be a lot of work. A lot of getting out in front of people at community meetings, being at different places to have those conversations and just being transparent with folks.”
Though Roper feels confident the community’s trust can be earned by May 6 — jokingly asserting “there is no plan B” — it is in those conversations where the district will find its answer if voters do not approve the bond.
“We will listen to them and make an informed decision,” Roper said. “If they say ‘no’ then we’ll find out why and come back to the table and try to do it again. This community, these kids and the taxpayers of this community deserve to have quality facilities, quality structure in the community that our kids can go to, to be able to compete with our local surrounding school districts.”
The idea of the bond failing on debut is not entirely out of the question. The bond approved in the L’Anse Creuse district in 2024 only came after an initial $330 million bond failed. Revisions to that bond resulted in the final $188.7 million proposal.
BOND LANGUAGE
The planetarium at Mount Clemens Secondary Complex is one part of the campus targeted for improvements should a $91.8 million bond proposal and millage reduction be approved by voters on May 6. Other projects funded by the bond include building a middle school at the complex and upgrading career-technical education classrooms.
Shall the Mount Clemens Community School District, Macomb County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Ninety One Million Eight Hundred and Twenty Thousand Dollars ($91,820,000) and issue its unlimited tax general obligation bonds therefor, for the purpose of defraying all or part of the cost of:
Erecting additions to the secondary complex; remodeling, equipping and reequipping school buildings, including structures and athletic fields, or parts of or additions to those facilities, including renovations to restore and revitalize the historical high school building and to create separate high school and junior high school learning environments with secure entrance vestibules; furnishing or refurnishing new or remodeled school buildings; preparing, developing, and improving sites, or parts of sites, for school buildings, including structures, athletic fields, and parking lots; and acquiring, installing, and equipping or reequipping school buildings for technology.
NOTICE
To the residents of the Charter Township of Harrison, County of Macomb, Michigan.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Clerk’s Offce for the Charter Township of Harrison will post, for public inspection, the Agenda for Township Board Meetings and a Synopsis of the approved Meeting Minutes at the Clerk’s Offce located at 38151 L’Anse Creuse Road, and to the Rosso Hall bulletin board located at 38255 L’Anse Creuse Rd. The Agenda and a full text of the Minutes will be available on the Township Website, www.harrisontownshipmi.gov and, upon request from the Clerk’s Offce.
Adam Wit, MMC, MiPMC, Clerk Charter Township of Harrison
Published: Journal 02/05/2025
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF HARRISON NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS
2025 MARCH BOARD OF REVIEW
0005-2506
The Board of Review will be holding an organizational meeting at the Harrison Township Assessor’s Offce, 38144 Townhall, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM, for the purpose of receiving the 2025 Assessment Roll of the Charter Township of Harrison, Macomb County, Michigan.
Matters pertaining to the assessment of property may be brought before the Board of Review BY APPOINTMENT on the following dates:
Monday, March 10, 2025 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM & 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM & 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Appointments will be taken until 12:00 PM on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, by calling (586) 466-1410. Appeals will also be accepted by letter. All letter appeals must be RECEIVED by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, addressed to: Harrison Township Board of Review 38151 L’Anse Creuse Harrison Township, MI 48045
The 2025 tentative assessment ratios and county equalization factors for the Township of Harrison, as recommended by the Macomb County Equalization Department, are as follows:
0035-2506
Published: Journal 02/05/2025
Photo by Dean Vaglia
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Suspects threaten delivery person
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Two unknown male suspects are facing possible strong-armed robbery charges after stealing a package from a Federal Express delivery person when the victim was trying to deliver said package to a home in the 200 block of McKinley Road at around 12:12 p.m. Jan. 7.
The victim told police that one of the suspects claimed to be the homeowner as he stepped out of the passenger side of a vehicle. When the delivery person asked the suspect for identification before handing him the package, he said the suspect wouldn’t provide any. The victim said the suspect tried to rip the package out of his hands.
The driver of the suspect then yelled, “Just give us the package and walk away.” When the victim didn’t comply, he said both suspects became enraged. The suspect who had emerged from the passenger side of the vehicle is said by the victim to have gone back to his vehicle and started rummaging through the back seat, asking the victim, “Is that package worth your life?”
The victim, fearing that the passenger was looking for a gun, finally left the package on the porch so that the suspect could take it.
Thefts reported at senior facility
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — An unknown suspect is said to be getting into American House apartments and stealing valuables from the senior residents there. In the most recent incident, a 90-year-old woman reported that between Jan. 8 and Jan. 10, someone had apparently entered her unit and stole $16 from her purse. Other residents on the same floor have reported similar thefts. In other recent incidents, $40 was taken from a resident’s purse between Jan. 8 and Jan. 10, and an iPad was stolen around Jan. 3 from someone else’s apartment.
The thefts are being classified as home invasions by police because they involve someone entering the apartments rented by the victims.
Prowler arrested
GROSSE POINTE CITY — A 28-year-old Toledo man was arrested after he was seen on surveillance cameras peering into vehicles and trying door handles in the area of University Place and Maumee Avenue at 9:35 a.m. Jan. 19. The suspect was facing a possible charge for prowling.
Retail fraud suspects hit Lululemon again
GROSSE
one of the suspects tried to distract store employees while the second suspect pulled out a trash bag and filled it with items. The suspects were last seen heading westbound on Kercheval Avenue. Police said the case was under investigation.
Package thief steals resident’s identity
GROSSE POINTE PARK — A resident in the 700 block of Westchester Road learned that an unknown suspect was using her credit card to rack up unauthorized purchases and collect those purchases from her front porch. The victim, who filed a report with police Jan. 14, discovered the criminal activity by watching her Ring doorbell camera footage, which showed the suspect going up to her porch and taking the packages at around 4:16 p.m. Jan. 14. The victim then found unauthorized charges on her credit card. The suspect is said to have driven away from the scene in a gray Ford Escape. The case was under investigation.
Larceny suspects arrested
GROSSE POINTE PARK — Two 22-year-old Detroit men were arrested after they were reportedly seen on the surveillance cameras of several Grosse Pointe Park homes entering vehicles and removing valuables at around 5 a.m. Jan. 12. The suspects are said to have targeted vehicles on Pemberton, Berkshire and Balfour roads and Beaconsfield Avenue. According to a police report, after they were arrested, the suspects confessed to the larcenies. Police said they recovered stolen property from the suspects.
Fox trapped
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Jan. 12, a resident in the 21000 block of John Drive called the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office about a fox caught in a fence. Upon arrival, deputies saw several residents assisting the fox and noticed a trap around one of the fox’s legs. Deputies called the Detroit Animal Wildlife Group to free the fox for treatment and rehabilitation. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources was contacted about a possible poaching operation due to the trap.
Hit-and-run
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — At around 8 a.m. on Jan. 6, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the corner of Garfield and 22 Mile roads for a hit-and-run collision.
At a red light, a 63-year-old Macomb Township woman apparently reversed her Ford Fusion into a Ram pickup truck. After stepping out of the car and interacting with the Ram’s occupants but not giving them any information, the woman drove off.
reportedly claimed that she did not see any damage on her car and assumed there was no damage to the Ram.
Gas station disturbance
MOUNT CLEMENS — At around 11:15 a.m. on Jan. 8, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the Marathon gas station on West Gratiot to deal with a disturbance.
According to a clerk, a 49-year-old Detroit man was asking people at the station for money and yelling at them. While the man was no longer at the station when deputies arrived, they were able to locate him on Park Street and informed him he was no longer welcome at the station.
Confused driver
MOUNT CLEMENS — On Jan. 6 at around 2:40 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the corner of South Gratiot and Church Street to perform a welfare check on the driver of a Chevy Equinox parked in the area.
The driver, later identified as a 66-year-old Westland man, was confused upon waking up and did not know where he was. He initially identified himself with a credit card and refused a field sobriety test. He agreed to a breath test and registered a 0.168 blood alcohol content, leading to his arrest.
Larceny reported
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 4:47 p.m. on Jan. 6, an act of larceny was reported in the 22000 block of Harper Avenue.
Dispatch told officers a purse had been stolen by a suspect who returned to a restaurant after going to their car. Officers arrived at the scene and spoke to an employee of the restaurant, a 49-year-old woman. The employee saw the silver vehicle the suspect drove and stated the purse on the driver’s seat was hers. She stated she placed it on the hostess stand as she was getting ready to leave when the suspect came in and asked her to seat her children while she went back to her car to get something. The employee and her coworker sat the kids and when they returned, the purse was missing.
Video surveillance shows the suspect leaving the restaurant with the purse and going to her vehicle before returning to the restaurant without it. Officers spoke to the suspect, and she claimed she thought it was left behind by someone and intended to take it to the police department. The woman denied taking anything from the purse and a search only showed personal items. The victim and fellow employees stated the suspect tried to flee out the back door when
physically saw a verbal confrontation break out while the suspect tried to leave out the back door. The victim got her purse back and found $250 missing out of the front pouch. The suspect denied taking it when asked by officers. The suspect was placed under arrest, handcuffed and placed in the back of a scout car. She was then transported to the police station. Two other officers tried to question the adult children, but they fled out the back door before officers could question them.
Fraud reported ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 3:01 p.m. on Jan. 2, a case of fraud was reported in the 24000 block of Harper Avenue. Dispatch informed the officer a suspect had tried to cash a fraudulent check at a bank. Upon arrival, an officer made contact with the branch manager, a 57-year-old woman. She stated the suspect tried to cash a check for $1,972. Any checks over $1,500 need an ID check which she asked for. The check was from a company in Clinton Township. The suspect then ran out of the bank and got in the passenger seat of a gray vehicle before driving off. The manager called the company, and they advised that the check was fraudulent. The manager stated something like this has happened before at another bank on Nine Mile Road and Gratiot Avenue. The woman stated she would send photos of the ID used
