2/5/25 Madison-Park News by C & G Newspapers

Eastbound I-696 to close between I-75 and Lahser for 2 years

BY KATHRYN PENTIUK AND ANDY KOZLOWSKI kpentiuk@candgnews.com, akozlowski@candgnews.com

OAKLAND COUNTY — On March 1, the third and final phase of the “Restore the Reuther” project will commence, as eastbound and westbound Interstate 696 between Lahser Road and Interstate 75 will be rebuilt in 2025-2026.

In 2027, I-696 between I-75 and Dequindre Road will see improvements such as the rebuilding of the roadway, bridge work and drainage structures.

Additionally, 60 bridges will be repaired, including the rebuilding of the Church Street Plaza bridge that contains Victoria Park. During that construction, a walkway detour will be available.

The project is expected to be completed by fall 2027.

Diane Cross, spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Transportation, clarified that westbound traffic will be maintained while eastbound and westbound I-696 will be rebuilt between Lahser Road and I-75.

“We’re reconstructing all of the freeway, but one year we will reconstruct the eastbound side and one year the westbound side, but we’re going to always let westbound traffic use the freeway, and we’ll just move them around. We’ll either keep them on the original west while we rebuild east, or we’ll move them to the eastbound side while we rebuild west. West will always have two lanes open,” she explained.

Eastbound traffic will be detoured via southbound M-10 (Lodge Freeway/Northwestern Highway), eastbound M-8 (Davi-

See ROADWORK on page 4A

In this render of the planned redesign of Red Oaks Park, one can see the north end of the park with its large gathering plaza, playscape, winding paths, tot garden, front porch, restroom facilities and new parking lot.

BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com

Oakland County Parks ready for renovations at Red Oaks Park

MADISON HEIGHTS — Following an extensive public feedback process last year, officials at Oakland County Parks have unveiled the renovations planned for Red Oaks Park — the space once known as Ambassador Park, leased from the city of Madison Heights.

“I think it’s great,” said Madison Heights Mayor Roslyn Grafstein. “The more good parks that we have, the better it will be for our community.”

The 7-acre property is located on 13 Mile Road just west of the Red Oaks

Image provided by Jess Whatley

English classes starting soon at Metro Detroit Chinese Alliance Church

BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com

MADISON HEIGHTS — The English language can be difficult for non-native speakers to learn. A program starting soon at a local church aims to ease that process, meeting each student where they’re at in their languagelearning journey.

The classes begin Feb. 11 and run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday evening through the end of May, spanning two 16-week semesters per school year. Classes will be held inside the Metro Detroit Chinese Alliance Church, 31329 John R Road in Madison Heights. The program is open to people of all faith backgrounds or lack thereof.

The only cost to students is $15 per semester to purchase a textbook. The church will also offer free childcare services during the classes.

Lisa Burns is a minister and director of the church’s English as a Second Language program, while her husband Rob Burns is the church’s English pastor. Rob Burns explained that the church itself has three language congregations: Mandarin, Cantonese, and English. The Mandarin congregation is the largest, with about 250 members, while the Cantonese and English ones have about 50 and 40 members, respectively. The church recently celebrated its 40th anniversary.

The Burns’ are native English speakers, but they have served as international workers for their denomination before, including four years in Eastern Europe.

“We have experienced adjusting to life in a new country, especially the challenges of learning a new language and having to use that language in everyday life,” Lisa Burns said. “I found those challenges to be especially difficult, but I trust that the experience has made me a more understand-

See ENGLISH on page 7A

tion

ABOVE: The grand prize winner for the 2025 Kids’ Clean Water Calendar Contest was “Ban Plastics!” by Vipra Parilesh Jain, a fifth grader from Hampton Elementary School in Rochester Hills. To see a gallery of all the winners, visit oakgov.com/government/water-resources-commssioner, click the “Education” tab under “Quick Links,” and then click “Kid’s Clean Water Calendar Contest” n the left, and “2025 Contest Artwork Gallery.”

County board recognizes winners in eco-friendly calendar contest

WATER RESOURCES COMMISSIONER JIM NASH ALSO RECOGNIZED

BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com

OAKLAND COUNTY — The Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office is teaching young people about environmental stewardship through the Kids’ Clean Water Calendar Contest, now in its 20th year.

At its meeting Jan. 23, members of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners recognized the winners of the contest, as well as the water resources commissioner himself, Jim Nash, a Democrat.

More than 17,000 students from public, private, and home school systems in Oakland County have participated throughout the history of the program. During his tenure, Nash’s nonprofit group Pure Oakland Water has funded 5,500 printed calendars featuring the winning art, as well as prizes for the winners each year.

“This is a wonderful program. It really helps get kids involved in thinking about how we can we keep our watersheds clean,” said Oakland County Commissioner Ann Erickson Gault, D-Troy. “And I am especially pleased with the work that Commissioner Nash has done over the years — not only in protecting our environment but also raising people’s awareness for the issues we face.”

This year’s contest featured exceptional art by fourth and fifth graders. The theme: “We can all help to keep Oakland County’s lakes, rivers, streams and watersheds clean.”

TOP: At the Jan. 23 meeting of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, Vipra Parilesh Jain received a proclama-

for her grand prize-winning entry in the Kids’ Clean Water Calendar Contest.

Photo by Erin Sanchez

Photo provided by Julia Ruffin

Roadwork

from page 1A

son Highway) and northbound I-75 back to eastbound I-696.

“But of course, not everybody’s going to use that detour. So therefore, a side effect, unfortunately, for the project, is we’re going to have a lot of eastbound, heavier traffic on the mile roads,” Cross said. “If somebody’s only going to Royal Oak, they are not going to take that detour, they’re going to just jump on a mile road, whether it’s Eight Mile, anywhere up to M-59, depending on where they’re going. Eastbound is going to be the one that’s going to see heavier traffic on local roads for two years and will be detoured for two years,” Cross said.

She added that this is the first time since the highway was constructed nearly 40 years ago that it has seen a total rehab, and with the exception of Interstate 94, it will be another 20 years before this part of the state has another major freeway reconstruction project.

“It’s a huge investment for Oakland County,” Cross said. “Yeah, it’s a pain in the neck; we totally get that. We all drive the same roads. We drive them, our families drive them, and we hear about it all the time,

but what an investment to Oakland County — another $250 million into the local economy of jobs and services, and that kind of thing says what we value, I think, as a state.”

The total investment for I-696’s three phases of construction is $655 million, with this last phase totaling $250 million, which MDOT is funding through the “Rebuilding Michigan” bond program and the federal “Reconnecting Communities” grant program.

This last stretch of the project supports 2,385 jobs, directly or indirectly, according to an MDOT press release.

The effect on local communities

The communities of Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Lathrup Village, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Southfield and Warren will be directly impacted by the project.

Mark Bliss, the mayor pro tem of Madison Heights, said it “boggles my mind” that the state doesn’t do more to compensate communities impacted by detours from the road work. He said Madison Heights has been heavily impacted by MDOT’s project because the city is right at the crossroads of I-696 and I-75.

“As you will see with the I-696 construction project, some of the roads they’re detouring onto are in worse shape than

I-696 — they’re barely hanging on by a thread. Now, these roads aren’t in the city of Madison Heights, thankfully, but it still takes a toll adding heavy trucks onto roads that are not used to them. Our roads will need to be repaired sooner than planned, yet the state has no planned funding in place for that,” Bliss said. “And these projects often happen at the same time as local construction projects, because those local projects are planned out years in advance, sometimes with grants that are ‘use it or lose it.’ So they have to be done now, but it creates congestion unbearable to our residents. And our taxpayers are left holding the bag for the extra repair expenses.

“There should be a funding mechanism in place at the state since they’re diverting all this traffic onto our roads,” Bliss concluded. “I don’t think it’s an oversight by MDOT. I think that if you truly factored in all the aftercosts, it would make the total project cost unpalatable, adding hundreds of millions of dollars to do these projects the right way. Instead, they simply ignore those long-term costs.”

Southfield drew roughly 150,000 commuters to the city before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the city’s mayor, Kenson Siver.

“It’s going to be a major inconvenience for our businesspeople and our residents, but

it’s beyond our control and some needed repairs are necessary for the highway,” Silver said. “Road construction is always inconvenient, but we have to live with the reality of it because we need safe roads, and we need roads that are in good repair.”

Pleasant Ridge City Manager James Breuckman said the closure is going to “definitely” change the regional travel patterns for the city’s residents.

“We’re going to wait and see how travel patterns change because, beforehand, we can predict but we don’t know what the actual impact on traffic is going to be. And if we find that we have problems, we’ll address them and we’ll react and do all those as best we can,” he said.

Ryan Ringold, the chief marketing officer at Bionicc Body Screening, said that the two-year closure is going to be an inconvenience to the clients visiting the MRI clinic, which is located at the northeast corner of Northwestern Highway and Lahser Road in Southfield.

“The thought for a lot of people of going into an MRI machine is already overwhelming and can make them feel anxious, some a lot more than others. But when they’re coming and already feeling a little anxious about having the service done, add-

See ROADWORK on page 12A

CRIME WATCH

Credit card fraud

MADISON HEIGHTS — According to a police report, a credit card belonging to a 31-year-old Hazel Park resident appears to have been used fraudulently at a business in the 32000 block of John R Road sometime between Jan. 17 and Jan. 18, purchasing assorting merchandise.

Police are investigating.

Items stolen from vehicle

MADISON HEIGHTS — According to a police report, an unknown suspect entered a 2013 Lincoln belonging to a 26-year-old Madison Heights resident while the vehicle was parked in the 31000 block of Concord Drive between 4 p.m. Jan. 17 and 10:15 a.m. Jan. 18, and stole photography equipment. There was no damage to the vehicle.

Investigations were ongoing.

Telephone fraud

MADISON HEIGHTS — According

to a police report, a 38-year-old resident in the 27000 block of Brush Street received a telephone call from an unknown suspect sometime between Jan. 16 and Jan. 17, in which the caller represented themselves as a bank representative and convinced the victim to send them money via bitcoin.

Police were investigating.

Truck and trailer disappear

MADISON HEIGHTS — According to a police report, two unknown suspects stole a 2024 GMC truck and attached trailer containing assorted tools and lawn equipment from where the vehicle was parked in the 400 block of West 12 Mile Road around 10 a.m. Jan. 17. The victim is a resident of Cottrellville Township, age 55. Investigations were ongoing.

If you know more about these crimes or others, call Madison Heights Police at (248) 585-2100.

MSGCU ACCEPTING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM APPLICATIONS

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union is accepting applications for its annual scholarship program. The credit union will award over $130,000 in scholarships. Scholarship applications can be submitted online at msgcu.org/ scholarships. The deadline to apply is Feb. 25.

MSGCU will award scholarships in various categories to teachers and administrators. Nonmembers are welcome to apply for an MSGCU scholarship and must become a member if selected as a scholarship recipient.

The MSGCU High School Excellence Scholarship, formerly the Educational Solutions Scholarship, helps high school seniors who attend college. There are 18 scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each.

The Rudolph Heino People Helping People Scholarship supports college-bound high school seniors with a commitment to helping others. A total of 15 scholarships of $2,500 are being offered.

With four $2,500 scholarships, the Larry Swantek Educational Studies Scholarship benefits high school seniors and current college students planning to become teachers. The Milo Perreault Educator Advancement Scholarship helps certified teachers and administrators continue their education. Four $2,500 scholarships will be offered.

William Cayen Skilled Trades Scholarship supports students pursuing certification in electrical, heating/air conditioning, automotive, or other industrial and advanced technologies or skilled trades programs. Two $2,500 awards are offered to current skilled trades students or graduating high school seniors pursuing a skilled trades certificate.

The credit union also funds the Stephen Thomas First Responder Scholarship, which supports first responders enrolled in police and/or fire academies at local colleges with 14 scholarships of $2,000 each. Applications occur directly with Macomb Community College, Oakland Community College, Washtenaw Community College, and Schoolcraft College.

COFFEE CONCERTS

MADISON HEIGHTS — The Madison Heights Public Library, Madison Heights Recreation and Madison Heights Active Adult Center are once again collaborating on the 2025 Coffee Concerts, taking place Wednesday evenings in February starting at 6 p.m., with doors open at 5:45 p.m., at the Active Adult Center, 260 W. 13 Mile Road, between City Hall and the library.

The cost is $5 per person, at the door. Steve Floyd performs Feb. 5; the Jimmy Auquier Duo performs Feb. 12; Matt Watroba performs Feb. 19; and the Balduck Mountain Ramblers perform on Feb. 26. Refreshments, including coffee, will also be served. For more information, contact the Active Adult Center at (248) 545-3464.

CELEBRATE PRESIDENTS’ DAY

MADISON HEIGHTS — The Madison Heights Public Library, located at 240 W. 13 Mile Road next to the Active Adult Center and City Hall, will host a Presidents’ Day celebration at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18. According to the event description, attendees are invited to “prepare yourself for your own future presence with activities and crafts.” For more information, call the library at (248) 588-7763.

Superintendent put on administrative leave

HAZEL PARK — Shortly before press time, the Hazel Park Public Schools announced that Superintendent Amy Kruppe is being placed on non-disciplinary, paid administrative leave pending an investigation into potential policy violations of the Hazel Park Public Schools Board of Education.

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.

The school board has appointed Tammy McHenry to serve as acting superintendent, and the Oakland intermediate School District will assist with finding an interim superintendent.

“While the district is undergoing some change, the Board remains optimistic and will be guided by our fiduciary duty to protect and educate our students as they pursue their goals,” said Hazel Park Schools Board President Beverly Hinton, in a statement. “The Board appreciates all feedback from the school community and the families that we serve. We understand this news may raise questions, and we want to assure you that the Board is committed to transparency, and will provide updates as the investigation progresses.”

For more information, contact Hinton at beverly.hinton@myhpsd.org.

LEARN ABOUT OWLS

MADISON HEIGHTS — The Red Oaks Nature Center at Suarez Friendship Woods, located at 30300 Hales Street in Madison Heights, will host an event called “Owl Prowl” from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, where attendees will learn about the nocturnal bird, dissect its diets and discover its specialized adaptations. The cost is $5 per person. Preregistration with payment is required by calling (248) 858-0916 weekdays or (248) 585-100 during nature center hours.

ing and informed ESL teacher.”

Lisa Burns currently serves as a volunteer ESL teacher with the Oakland Literacy Council, while Rob Burns has a master’s degree in linguistics with a concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). The couple first started teaching ESL classes at a church in Chicago nearly 30 years ago, and have since started programs in Eastern Europe, Detroit and Madison Heights.

This year’s classes feature 16 volunteer teachers that completed a training program through Alliance ESL, an organization within the church’s denomination that has helped more than 100 churches around the country start their own ESL programs. The teachers are trained to use a curriculum published by an organization called Intercambio.

Some of the teachers are native English speakers, while others learned English after immigrating to the country. Many of them speak Mandarin and Vietnamese, but people with other first languages are welcome, as well.

“We will do our best to help each person who comes to feel comfortable and to

improve their English proficiency,” Lisa Burns said.

She said that when she was growing up, she learned French in high school, but didn’t fully appreciate the challenges of being a non-native speaker until she traveled abroad.

“It’s just a whole new level of challenge, that experience of moving to another country and learning a language, and then needing to use it to buy groceries or take a child to the doctor, or to have a conversation with someone and understand things. I found it very stressful. So we feel very compassionate for those struggling,” Lisa Burns said.

“Some people may have learned English to a very high level academically, but speaking to others can still be difficult. We also have older people who retired to our country to be with family members already here, but they know little English, so their world becomes very small,” she added. “So in a sense, this program is also a way to show care for elderly people.”

Rob Burns said the program begins by finding the right starting point for each student.

“We’re using assessment tools, and people will be placed at the levels appropriate to them,” Rob Burns said. “It’s a very good system, and we’ll be careful with it so people don’t get too far ahead of themselves. And

wherever people are at, we can work with them. We also welcome students who want to focus more on speaking and listening, which is really the benefit of an in-person ESL class. … Madison Heights and the communities close to it are homes to tens of thousands of recent immigrants, so we know there’s a real need to learn English.”

But it’s not the only way that his church has been striving to help the community.

“During the pandemic, we had a drivethrough food pantry where we gave families donated food and prayed for them, if

they wished,” Rob Burns said. “Currently, though, our efforts are focused on supporting local organizations who are meeting the physical needs of community members.”

The church is also open to those interested in volunteering or making donations to help support the program. Those interested can email mdcacenglish@gmail. com. For more information about the Metro Detroit Chinese Alliance Church, call (248) 588-0642.

Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.

Renovations

Nature Center between Interstate 75 and Dequindre Road. It represents the latest addition to the Red Oaks Parks maintained by the county. Other facilities in the system include the Red Oaks Waterpark, Red Oaks Golf Course, Red Oaks Dog Park, and Suarez Friendship Woods, home of the nature center.

The public feedback process included three public events and an online survey. The results identified four top community priorities, such as restrooms that are clean and functional; native plants including trees, flowers and pollinators; paths and walking trails; and open spaces for play.

Those priorities informed the design of the reimagined Red Oaks Park, which residents were able to evaluate during an open house event at the park last August.

“Community feedback regarding the design was very positive,” said Jess Whatley, associate planner for Oakland County Parks, in an email.

Construction is expected to begin in early spring, with major elements expected to be finished by this fall, and a grand reopening planned for the spring or summer of 2026.

Whatley explained that the design prioritizes universal accessibility throughout the park, including accessible walking paths that access new areas of the park and pass a variety of stops along the way. Some of these spaces will be for play, while others will be for rest or quiet reflection.

The northernmost portion will see its parking lot revamped to increase capacity and improve traffic flow. To its south will be the McGillivray Play Garden — named in honor of Gary McGillivray, the late Oakland County commissioner and Madison Heights resident.

The McGillivray Play Garden will be an accessible space with a new restroom building and an oversized “front porch” overlooking the lawn area, as well as a sprawling playground with natural elements alongside a “tot garden” for the park’s youngest visitors.

The entire undertaking will cost $7 million, which includes $2.75 million in federal funds through the American Rescue Plan Act. The Red Oaks Park project is part of a larger county initiative called the Healthy Communities Park and Outdoor Recreation Investment Plan. While the project was originally planned to span two consecutive phases, the work will now be done simultaneously thanks to the passage

of the recent park millage, fast-tracking its completion.

The construction management company is DeMaria, following a design by Wade Trim and Living Lab. The county’s involvement in Red Oaks Park began in 2023, when the county began operating the space in an interlocal partnership with Madison Heights. The city of Madison Heights remains the owner of the park.

“The vision for (Red Oaks Park) was intergenerational play, meaning folks of different ages can find ways to spend time together and engage with each other in meaningful ways,” Whatley said. “The park is walkable from many surrounding neighborhoods, and will continue to be free for anyone to enter, with amenities for all ages and abilities.”

Madison Heights Mayor Pro Tem Mark Bliss said that the revamped park will greatly benefit residents in the area.

“(Red Oaks Park) is right across the street from Meijer, so there are two major neighborhoods that would be accessing that park,” Bliss said. “I think residents will be pretty excited by the plan here. This is decades of hard work paying off. And all the credit in the world goes to Gary McGillivray for his work in kicking that off, because it wouldn’t have happened without him.”

Melissa Marsh, the city manager of Madison Heights, said in an email that she is thrilled to see the project getting underway.

“I’m a passionate advocate for parks and green spaces, as I believe that nature, physical activity and connecting with our environment can significantly enhance everyone’s life,” Marsh said. “If I had to choose one feature I’m most excited about, it would be the porch garden, which will include front porch swings, Adirondack chairs, bike racks, charging stations, and even a bathroom.”

The mayor also said the wellness component cannot be overstated.

“Just straight up the mental health aspect of being able to enjoy yourself outside in a safe sound environment, for kids as well as adults, and also the physical element, being able to run around, play or work out,” Grafstein said. “And when you have good parks, it’s going to increase the property values around us, attract good businesses, and draw in visitors for events and such that then visit our businesses afterward, which is also important. And the trees and plants they’re putting in will help the environment, the diversity of all that. This project is all those things coming together.”

Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.

Winners

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The grand prize winner was Vipra Parilesh Jain, a fifth grader from Hampton Elementary School in Rochester Hills. Her piece is titled “Ban Plastics!” and shows the merits of reusing bags, sorting waste and planting trees, as well as the dangers of discarding single-use plastics, with fish and other animals entangled in them.

“I’m looking at the calendar right now, and I notice a lot of kids were talking about the problem of single-use plastics,” Gault said. “They’ve become endemic in our culture. I was just at an event where water was served in little plastic bottles, and the alternative was coffee or lemonade served in plastic cups, with plastic spoons to stir your coffee. So it’s important to raise awareness about plastic waste and how to reduce it and recycle it.”

To view the list of winners, and to see their submissions, visit oakgov.com/govern-

ment/water-resources-commissioner, click the “Education” tab under “Quick Links,” and then click “Kid’s Clean Water Calendar Contest” on the left, and then “2025 Contest Artwork Gallery.”

‘Clean water is a human right’

In the early 1900s, state lawmakers established the office of county drain commissioner to deal with drainage issues. In 2009, it was rebranded the Water Resources Commission, reflecting a wider array of responsibilities. Today, the commission oversees water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, stormwater drainage, lake level controls and more.

In Oakland County, Nash has held the elected position since 2013. A long-time advocate for environmental protections, he is concerned about the use of fossil fuels feeding into climate change. He believes regional collaboration is needed to future-proof infrastructure against the more intense rainfall that falls as a result.

To this end, Nash’s administration has

been introducing “green” stormwater infrastructure, native plant landscaping, and constructing drainage systems that manage rainwater naturally while reducing the risks of pollution and basement flooding after heavy storms.

He has also been leading educational efforts such as expanding watershed festivals for about 3,000 fourth and fifth graders who learn about environmental protection at Oakland University and the Cranbrook Institute of Science. Nash also launched Blue Planet Jobs, which introduces ninth and 11th grade students to careers in the water, sewer and stormwater industry.

The Water Resources Commission has also been studying the issue of water affordability, developing proposals for programs that would assist families across the state struggling to pay their water and sewer bills.

Locally, the commission has partnered with United Way for Southeastern Michigan on the creation of the Hardship Assistance Program, which assists Oakland County households that may need help with their

water and sewer bills but may not qualify for existing assistance programs. The program is See WINNERS on page 12A

Roadwork

from page 4A

ing to that by taking longer, fighting traffic, I mean, that itself can be overwhelming for people, so I think it’s kind of a double whammy for them,” Ringold said.

Huntington Woods City Manager Chris Wilson has seen the closure and detour map, and he thinks it’s a “bit unrealistic.”

“I don’t think people are going to go that far out of their way,” he said. “We anticipate it will increase traffic a little bit on surface streets like 11 Mile, and we’re prepared for that.”

Wilson also stated that the city has spoken with Rackham Golf Course and the Detroit Zoo to make them aware of the closures and the impacts it might have on them, though he hasn’t been able to speak with more of the businesses within Huntington Woods yet.

“Once the warmer weather gets here,

Winners

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people are out more, we’ll have a better feel of people going to destinations like the zoo and Rackham,” he said. “I think we’ll get a better idea of how that’s going to impact local traffic patterns.”

Ferndale is home to one of the bigger downtowns in the metro Detroit area. In the heart of downtown is The Rust Belt Market, home to many small businesses that operate within. One of the owners, Chris Best, was bummed to hear the highway would be closed for two years, though he agrees the improvements in infrastructure are good.

Best stated that The Rust Belt is lucky that it’s more of a destination business in Ferndale that people would make the trip to, as opposed to smaller retail shops that might be more affected.

“I do feel for the other retailers in the area that don’t have the dynamic aspect of their business models like we do,” he said. “However, I’m sure we’ll feel it in our bottom line over the course of two years. How much we’ll be able to discern if the traffic closures

open to Oakland County residents who get their water from a municipal water system, not a private well.

More information about the program is available under “Water Affordability” at the Water Resources Commission’s website at oakgov.com/wrchardship. Those who wish to support the program can also make tax-deductible donations at the website.

“Having access to clean water is a human right, not a privilege,” Gault said. “It shouldn’t be based on your ability to pay. There are far too many people in metro Detroit who are struggling to pay their water bills.”

Protecting our water

The Water Resources Commission currently operates and maintains more than $18.4 billion worth of water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure serving Oakland County and regional systems.

More than 156,000 local water customers are serviced

affected us? I don’t know if we’ll be able to pull that out, but who knows what happens with the economy in the meantime.

“We persevered through the Woodward bike lane/repaving road diet that went on, and it wasn’t as bad as everyone made it out to be,” he continued. “So that was painful, but we got through it. So, this will be the same thing.”

Best believes it will be around six months before they’ll be able to tell the effects of the freeway construction.

“Next winter will be a really big one, because the slowdowns we have are seasonal,” he said. “It’s like every other retail establishment has these seasonal slowdowns. … This last holiday season, most shops were up over the last year, which is great, because I thought it would be a break-even or even just a slight loss because of inflation and loss of discretionary spending, but we bucked what my prediction would be, so that’s good. So, we’ll just have to maybe get creative and do more interesting events and try to counteract this

across multiple communities, via nearly 1,500 miles of water mains, 27 well houses and water treatment facilities, and a dozen water storage tanks with a combined capacity of 12 million gallons.

The commission also operates and maintains more than 1,200 miles of sanitary sewers, along with 18 life stations to manage gravity flow. To top it off, there are also 74 dams across Oakland County that fall under the jurisdiction of the Water Resources Commission.

In an email interview, Nash said the top priorities have always been protecting the health and safety of residents by ensuring clean water and reliable sewage systems.

“Replacing lead service lines is important to maintain that goal. After all, removing the lead pipes can promote public health for our most vulnerable residents, such as young children,” he said. “Ensuring all residents can afford their water services is vitally important for their wellbeing and the sustainable systems they pay for.”

He said residents can also do their part to protect the environment by taking advantage of programs such as RainSmart, now in its second year. Residents in the George W. Kuhn Drain District can receive a rebate of up to $2,000

traffic congestion issue and make people want to take the detour.”

Construction zone safety Cross highlighted the importance of drivers staying alert to ensure the safety of construction workers.

“We are working on the side of the road in a hard hat, a vest, a cone, a barrel, maybe a barrier wall, trying to get home to our families the same way you’re trying to get home to your family,” she said. “You got to slow down. You can’t be distracted. Whatever it is that you think is more important is not more important than killing someone or killing yourself in order to get somewhere or read a text or something.”

MDOT is planning a public meeting for early February, with the date expected to be announced soon. To stay updated on MDOT’s Oakland County projects, visit drivingoakland.com.

Staff Writer Mike Koury contributed to this report.

for green infrastructure such as rain barrels, rain gardens or trees that were installed to help retain stormwater on their properties.

“By doing this, less water enters storm drains, limiting potential pollution or flooding in the area. Last year’s green infrastructure installations are estimated to reduce flow into nearby storm drains by over 600,000 gallons a year,” Nash said. “This program, and the educational outreach we do across the county, helps our citizens understand how they can help protect our waters and environment for a sustainable future for their kids and future generations.”

Gault said it’s vital work.

“Everything that runs off our properties and goes down our sewers ends up in our watershed. There is a drain in Madison Heights where it’s filtered and cleaned, but we still need to do our part to keep motor oil and other contaminants from getting into our surface water, because not all of it goes directly into the drain,” Gault said. “I have nothing but praise for Commissioner Nash and his team — he has excellent taste in his staff, and they all do a phenomenal job protecting our water.”

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February Consignment Auction. Register now! Over 300 lots. Antique bicycle collection, antique typewriter collection, coin collections, Morgan dollars, jewelry, collectables, tools, & more. Visit NarhiAuctions.com for information, to bid. Call 810-266-6474.

Fenton Meat Market online auction! Bid now on quality restaurant equipment, printing scales, freezers, meat slicers, tables, meat cooler, bread slicer, meat grinder and more! Visit www. MichiganAuctionCompany.com Questions? Call 734-223-3277.

BUILDINGS

POLE BARNS We build ALL year long! BUILT BEST BARNS IN A RUSH? CALL US!!!! Best Quality, Best Service, Now In

February 5, 2025

BUSINESS SERVICES

METAL ROOFING regular and shingle style, HALF OFF SPECIAL COLORS! Lifetime hail asphalt shingles. Vinyl siding. Licensed and insured builders for 40 years. AMISH CREW. 517-575-3695.

MATTRESSES

Adjustable Bed Brand New with mattress. Made in U.S.A, in plastic, with warranty. Retail Cost $3,995.00 sacrifice for $875.00 Call for showing or delivery: DanDanTheMattressMan. com. 989-923-1278.

MISCELLANEOUS

Amish-built mini-cabins starting at $5,295. Made in Michigan! We deliver statewide. Call 989-8321866. MyNextBarn.com.

AMISH-built storage sheds starting at $2,500. We deliver anywhere in Michigan! Call 989-832-1866. DanDanTheMattressMan.com

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase* Call 1-855922-0420 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY

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JOB

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INTERESTED CANDIDATE SHOULD CONTACT THIS EMAIL ADDRESS DIRECTLY (religeninfo@gmail.com)

Help Wanted General STAFFINGAGENCY inFarmingtonHills NeedsaOfficeAssistant, Full/Part-Time, $18.00/hr.Health Insurance,401K,Must HaveComputerSkills. 734-637-8143 248-471-9168

AskforTina

Brick Work

MOUTON'S MASONRY

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Carpet Cleaning CARPET WAVY-n-LOOSE? WePower Re-stretch and Steam-clean ForOneLowPrice MultipleRoomDiscount CallNow 586-754-9222

Cleaning Service

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Electrical

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586-755-3636 Dr.Electric AffordablePrices! Father&Son MasterElectricians Same-Day-Service! All-Residential-Wiring, ChangeFuseBoxto CircuitBreakerPanel, Troubleshooting,Backup GeneratorTransfer Switch,License#6109094 SenDisc.V/MC/Lic./Ins.

CASTLEELECTRIC

586-634-1152 (directcellphone#) Panelupgrades, generators,hottubs, 220lines.ALLSERVICE Licensed&Insured Dependable,quality work! License#-6111359

PREPARE forpower outagestodaywithaGeneracHomeStandbyGenerator.Actnowtoreceive aFREE7-Yearwarranty withqualifyingpurchase. Call1-855-773-8191 todaytoscheduleafree quote.Itʼsnotjustagenerator.Itʼsapowermove.

Fence Service

PLATINUMSERVICES

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Gutters GUTTERS &WINDOW CLEANING INSURED TOMMICOLI 313-656-9402

Handyman Services

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Hauling & Waste Removal

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Home Improvement

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Home Repairs

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Kitchens/ Cabinets/ Countertops

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Painting

586-792-3117

PETE'SPAINTING

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PEAKPAINTING

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ANDERSON

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Professional Services

ACROSS

1. Past participle of spit

5. King Kong, e.g.

8. Greek portico

12. Not to be mentioned

13. Congeal

14. ____ cell carcinoma

15. Top of Kilimanjaro, e.g.

16. Periods of time

17. D-Day beach

18. *Holiday the day before Valentine’s Day 20. Shade of beige

VALENTINE’S DAY

Painting

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Plumbing MASTER PLUMBER

Sewer&DrainService. Remodeling,Repairs, NewInstallations. FreeEstimates SeniorRates.

35+yrsexp.CallPaul 248-904-5822 Lic.#8109852

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ANDY'SPLUMBING

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PLUMBERSCORP 586-210-0903

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WATERWORK Plumbing.com •DrainCleaning •SewerCamera •WaterHeaters •SumpPumps •BackflowTesting 248-542-8022 SameDayEmergency ServiceAvailable Reliable/Experienced License#8003885

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