3/6/24 Journal

Students shine in art show 6A

BOARD SHORTS BILL FOR STATE OF THE TOWNSHIP

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The last meeting of a politically deadlocked group brought one final flash-up on Feb. 26 as the Clinton Township Board of Trustees voted 3-3 on paying the bills for the State of Clinton Township address.

Originally part of the procedural payment of bills, Trustee Mike Keys had the bills for the annual event removed from the consent agenda for a separate vote. Keys’ dispute with the bills is the use of township funds for the event, which is a fundraiser for the Macomb County Chamber.

“I was just shocked and appalled to see again the number of tickets bought by each

department, but then even our own cable and community relations and media services department — the department that promotes the event and then records the event, is working at the event — each of their staff members have to pay a $30 ticket to attend that same event,” Keys said. “I think that it’s wrong that we’re using township resources and staff time to host a fundraiser for a

nonprofit or an organization. I don’t know any other organization that gets that type of treatment from Clinton Township, but I also think it’s wrong to funnel township taxpayer money from our departments directly to the chamber.”

Keys voiced opposition to this use of township funds to the Fraser-Clinton

See BILL on page 5A

ROADS DEPARTMENT TRIALS NEW TRAFFIC LIGHT TECHNOLOGY

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

MACOMB COUNTY — Despite some odd winter weather, cold-weather traffic safety concerns have not melted away.

The Macomb County Department of Roads has teamed up with Sterling Heights-based manufacturer JVIS USA to pilot a new piece of technology to keep road users safely moving in snowy weather. Three intersections along Jefferson Avenue have had half their traffic signal lights outfitted with JVIS CoreHeat heaters around the lights, which aim to keep snow and ice from blocking the signals.

“Unlike the incandescent light bulbs that were in traffic signal lights predominantly up until a few years back, the new lighting systems are all LED-based,” said Bryan Santo, director of the Macomb County Department of Roads. “The incandescents previously generated heat when they were plugged in and working. The LED lights that we’re using now are more energy efficient, more reliable, but they do not produce any heat source.”

Primarily a builder of heating components for cars, JVIS came across the problem for the LED traffic lights and found a new way to apply its technology. Development on the traffic light heaters brought the company’s electronic engineering groups together to design temperature and moisture sen-

See LIGHTS on page 7A

A Macomb County Department of Roads worker installs JVISmade heaters on a traffic signal light in November 2023.

Photo provided by JVIS USA

CHIEF DUNCAN HANGS UP HIS HELMET THIS MAY

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — After 25 with the department, Clinton Township’s fire chief is calling it quits.

“It seems like it’s been a long time coming, but now that it’s approaching in another 13 weeks or so, it’s starting to become real,” said Tim Duncan. “Things get so busy that you cruise along and don’t really anticipate that it’s happening, and now you start seeing the motions get in place for the replacement of my position and it starts to become real. It’s exciting and a little melancholy at times, leaving a lot of my life behind here.”

Originally from Fraser, Duncan did not start out as a firefighter. He attended Michigan State University and spent around a decade in the business world with GMAC (now Ally Bank), but began to have a change of heart about halfway through.

“I wanted to change. I wanted to do something that I felt was more beneficial to the communities that I

PANELISTS DISCUSS MACOMB COUNTY’S ECONOMIC FUTURE

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

WARREN — Although inflation has decreased in recent months, “I don’t know if we’re out of the woods,” said Thomas Alongi, a partner with the UHY accounting firm, in Sterling Heights.

“Everything you touch, everywhere you go, prices are up 10% or 20% on everything,” Alongi said. “It’s come down, but maybe the damage has been done. We’ll see if we are able to keep that in check with fiscal spending.”

According to the website usinflationcalculator.com, inflation was at 6.5% in 2022 and 3.4% in 2023.

Alongi was among the panelists who spoke to business leaders, manufacturing employees and school officials at the 2024 Macomb County Economic Forecast, held Feb. 23 on the South Campus of Macomb Community College.

The panel also included Ahmad Ezzeddine, vice president for Academic Student Affairs and Global Engagement at Wayne State University; Brian Parthum, an economist with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments; and Vicky Rowinski, director of Macomb County’s Department of Planning & Economic Development.

lived in and decided to start pursuing some of the public service type things,” Duncan said. “Initially, I thought I wanted to go the police officer route and ended up deciding against that pretty much in my mid-to-late 20s. Then, I decided to pursue the firefighting side of things. A little more difficult at that time in my life because I was working a 40-hour job with two children, so luckily there was an ability to go (to classes) at night and on the weekends.”

After completing firefighting, EMT and paramedic courses, Duncan was able to get his first firefighting job with the Fraser Fire Department. But even at that early point Duncan knew he wanted to be a Clinton Township firefighter.

“They just seemed to be one of the departments on the upswing,” Duncan said. “I don’t know if, at the time I hired in, they were the most populated township in the state, but certainly now they are. I just felt they had the tools in place to promote a really good career.”

Tim Duncan will retire from his position as chief of the Clinton Township Fire Department this spring.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

From left, Vicky Rowinski, director of Macomb County’s Department of Planning & Economic Development; Brian Parthum, an economist with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments; Thomas Alongi, a partner with the UHY accounting firm; and Ahmad Ezzeddine, vice president for Academic Student Affairs and Global Engagement at Wayne State University, discuss the current state of the economy.

4A/

Kress wins partial-term trustee seat

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Republican Dan Kress won the Feb. 27 election for the open Clinton Township Board of Trustees seat for a partial term which will be up for election again this November.

Kress won with a 51.9% majority and 9,906 votes, besting Democratic candidate Iona Means’ 8,267 votes and Libertarian candidate Mike Saliba’s 913 votes.

Kress’ term lasts until Nov. 20, meaning he will have to run again in order to serve a full term on the board.

The trustee seat Kress won was originally held by Democrat Joie West, whose resignation in August 2023 kicked off a six-month political battle. Board Democrats were able to pass a rules amendment outlining the process to appoint a replacement board member, but a failure to reach a quorum among the remaining trustees before the appointment deadline left it to be decided by special election.

GREEN MACOMB PLANT SALE COMES TO CLINTON TOWNSHIP, ARMADA

MACOMB COUNTY — Macomb County residents looking to add a tree can find a variety available at the Green Macomb tree and plant sale.

Running until April 5 in partnership with the Blue Water Conservation District, residents are able to order shrubs and trees including arbor vitae, Douglas fir, Norway spruce, paper birch, redbud and red osier through bluewatercd.org while supplies last. Items can be picked up at the Armada Fairgrounds on April 22-23 and the Clinton Township Civic Center on April 25-26. A limited number of trees can be purchased on site.

“Our goal is to increase the tree canopy in Macomb County and the Green Macomb Tree and Plant sale helps us do just that,” said Gerard Santoro, program director for Macomb County Parks and Natural Resources, in a press release. “We created the sale seven years ago and so far the response from residents has been amazing. It’s a privilege to be able to provide homeowners the affordable means to spruce up their gardens this year, as well.”

CMPL March events travel the world

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Pack some bags this March, because the Clinton-Macomb Public Library is taking guests all around with its events next month.

On Thursday, March 13, guests can visit the Main Branch for a 6:30 p.m. talk about Afghanistan. Subjects to be discussed include Afghan culture, context on the conflict in Afghanistan, how Afghans are resettling in Michigan and an exploration of Afghan food, language and traditions.

Moving from one country to another will be the subject of a talk at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19, at the Main Branch, as Kawkab (Kay) Elmoussaoui and Jaimie Lerner from the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center will present an overview of immigration law and policy.

For more information about events, visit cmpl.org/events.

MOUNT CLEMENS APPROVES OPIOID SETTLEMENT RECIPIENT

MOUNT CLEMENS — Families Against Narcotics was chosen by the Mount Clemens City Commission on Feb. 20 as the recipient of opioid settlement funds.

Commissioners approved giving the organization $2,283.37 to support its HARM:LESS street outreach program, which aims to provide homeless people in the city with medical care and refer them to clinics for further treatment. The city approved providing Families Against Narcotics with over $17,000 from a prior opioid settlement in 2023. That settlement came from drug distributors which required a higher first payment as part of the settlement. The city expects additional funds coming from the manufacturer settlement each year for the next 15 years.

COME FLY WITH ‘PETER PAN’

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Grab a little pixie dust: It’s time for the Macomb Ballet Company’s premiere of “Peter Pan.” The talented group of dancers will perform the fan favorite at 7 p.m. April 26, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 27, and 2 p.m. April 28 at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts Center, 44575 Garfield Road.

The show is for all ages. The cast will have a meet and greet after all four performances. The show is approximately two hours with one 15-minute intermission. Tickets are available online at macombcenter.com, in person at the box office or by phone at (586) 286-2222.

The Macomb Ballet Company is a nonprofit and is subsidized through fundraising, grants, ticket sales, sponsors and donations. Those interested in being a sponsor or making a donation can email info@macombballet.org.

Submissions sought for Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship program STATEWIDE

— Applications are being accepted for the 2024 Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship. Michigan Auto Law created the scholarship in honor of Kelsey Raffaele, 17, who died in a cellphone-related automobile crash in 2010.

Michigan students are invited to submit compelling videos, graphics or tweets that resonate with their peers and influence safe driving behavior. Driving distractions are more than just using a cellphone and/or texting, but also eating and drinking, reading, using navigational systems and changing radio stations.

The scholarship program is open to juniors and seniors attending any public or private Michigan high school. Entries will be judged on

PROM CLOSET TOUR OFFERS FREE DRESSES

the student’s ability to persuade others to stop texting while driving, as well as showcase their personal creativity and ingenuity.

There are four scholarships: $2,000 for the overall best submission; $1,500 for the best video submission; $1,000 for the best graphic submission; and $500 for the best tweet submission. Each student is limited to one type of submission.

The scholarship funds will be applied towards tuition at any university, college, or technical school in the U.S. Applicants must be Michigan residents with a valid driver’s license. Finalists will be required to provide proof of enrollment, and if under 18 years old by April 15, 2024, a parental consent form must be signed.

Submissions will be accepted until March 31 at MichiganAu toLaw.com/Scholarships. Winners will be announced in April 2024, coinciding with National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

ROSEVILLE — The nonprofit charity Sparkle Network is holding its ninth annual Prom Closet Tour for 2024. The organization offers a chance for high school students to receive a free dress and accessories for prom night. The Prom Closet Tour is open for seniors graduating in 2024 and for juniors graduating in 2025. All participants must make an appointment ahead of time. To request an appointment, send an email to sparkle.network3@gmail.com. Students will receive a form, which must be completed. The Prom Closet will be at Macomb Mall from 3 p.m. to 8

Bill

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Township Chronicle after the 2024 address, criticizing the chamber’s use of a political action committee and comparing funding the chamber to former Warren Mayor Jim Fouts using the State of the City address to do PAC fundraising in 2016. Keys skipped the Jan. 26 address at the Clinton-Macomb Public Library’s main branch and hosted a food drive at the CMPL’s South Branch.

Keys was joined by two more board Democrats, Trustee Julie Matuzak and Treasurer Paul Gieleghem. Fellow Democrat Tammy Patton joined the board Republicans, Township Supervisor Bob Cannon and Township Clerk Kim Meltzer, in voting to pay the chamber. A tied vote means the motion failed, leaving at least $1,230 unpaid to the chamber based on the bills schedule.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Cannon said to Gieleghem after the vote finished. “You have got to be kidding me. I’m laughing because you are such a con artist. I’m laughing, and I’m trying to be nice. You get to vote no, the chamber doesn’t get their money, so let’s see where we go from here.”

Cannon continued voicing his disbelief

and opposition to vote into the next item, questioning Keys on whether he attends St. Thecla Catholic Church’s fall festival. The supervisor spoke further toward the end of the meeting.

“Are we going to cut out the Red Cross?” Cannon said. “Are we going to cut out the inclusive playground? Mr. Gieleghem, I’m throwing that out to you because we spent a lot of money on the Red Cross, which I like. … But we spent a lot of money and you’re a part of that, and you voted against (the chamber).”

Keys attempted to give Gieleghem a chance to respond to Cannon during the open meeting, voting against a motion to enter closed session. Gieleghem voted to enter the closed session.

2024-2025 budget

Trustees approved the budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year on Feb. 26. Originally presented at the Feb. 12 meeting, changes made included adding the inclusive playground to the budget and updating the Bonior Trail and Spillway Trail Rehabilitation Project line items to show expected grant funding.

Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.

Macomb County students shine in art show

DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

MOUNT CLEMENS — Nearly 200 art students across Macomb County will feel the joy of success as their work adorns the walls of the 2024 Macomb County Annual Secondary Student Show.

Hosted by the Anton Art Center, the exhibit will showcase the works of 196 Macomb County students from March 9 through April 14.

“The Secondary Student Show is a show that’s been going on for almost as long as the Art Center has been an organization,” said Stephanie Hazard, Anton Art Center exhibition director. “It started in its very early years and has continued to the present day. Where our early records are not quite clear how many years we’re on, it’s estimated that we’re near the 50th year.”

Over 600 pieces of art were nominated

TOP: “Butterfly” by Katia Denha, a Bemis Junior High School eighth grader, is in the 2024 Macomb County Annual Secondary Student Show. ABOVE: “Dancing on the Waves” by Janae Miotke, a Regina High School 10th grader, is in the 2024 Macomb County Annual Secondary Student Show.

Photos provided by the Anton Art Center

Nearly 200 pieces of artwork from Macomb County students will be featured at the Anton Art Center during the 2024 Macomb County Annual Secondary Student Show.

Lights

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sors to control when the heater is active in order to preserve the energy-saving benefits of LEDs.

“As you can imagine, they don’t want to have their cost savings, their energy savings with the new LED lights they just installed taken away by a heater that is wasting energy,” said Bill Parnis, electrical business unit manager for JVIS. “This thing only turns on when there’s snow present in the visor, so it’s only using power when it’s really needed so they still have these huge energy savings with the LEDs.”

JVIS reached out to the county, having established relations with its leadership after meeting officials at the 2022 auto show, and arranged to have heaters tested in Macomb County. Department of roads workers installed the heaters in November with JVIS representatives on-site, placing them in signals at intersections in Harrison and Chesterfield townships.

“We’ve enjoyed the partnership and the collaboration,” Santo said. “I think it’s a great thing that they’re looking at and we’re looking at. We always continue to explore

the latest technologies to make our roads as safe as possible for both the resident motorists and the visitors traveling through our county.”

As both parties wait to find out how the heaters perform, JVIS is working on different applications for the heaters. The Michigan Department of Transportation has taken interest in the technology and is working with JVIS on a louvered signalcompatible heater, while other versions of technology are being tested in Illinois and Pennsylvania. If the trials prove effective, JVIS believes the heating technology can be incorporated into new signals and eventually become an industry standard.

“This is a safety issue that we’re trying to resolve, and if the solution can be standardized, then now it can be implemented in a widespread fashion and at a low cost,” Parnis said. “That’s really the goal here. There really has been no solution to date that has worked well or worked well enough. This is the exception. This works very well, and our goal is to get it as a written standard and can be used on a national level.”

Santo says the pilot program is occurring at no cost to the county.

Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.

Future

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Through PowerPoint presentations displayed on two large screens, the panelists shared their knowledge and research. Much of the discussion centered on Macomb County. The Macomb County Chamber Alliance hosted the event.

“Despite all the news we get every year, some of it is not that rosy, there are always great things happening. Things are happening in the county, in the region, they’re happening in the state,” Ezzeddine said. “This is an opportunity for us to see how we can all work together and move on.”

Ezzeddine, who moderated the event, would like to see WSU and MCC collaborate more with local businesses.

“We have great programs that start at Macomb Community College and finish with us,” Ezzeddine said. “Both institutions are very open and interested in partnering with all of you in the room here.”

As a member of UHY’s audit and assurance department, Alongi advises public and private clients regarding their finances and operations. Alongi specified the economy’s success rests on growing and attracting knowledge. Last year, Alongi predicted the economy would be like a rollercoaster, but it ended up more like a merry-go-round.

“The data that we presented showed a mixed bag,” he said. “It shows how resilient our economy is. We’re really excited we were able to drive through that. How did we make our way through that? The reality is that consumers were resilient. Demand could not be broken. It ties into a strong fiscal spending.

“We have some excess inventories to work off. When I look at ’24 and from what

I have seen with our clients, backlogs are strong, releases are strong. We have more job openings than we have individuals,” Alongi said. “The data is showing a kind of return to normalcy this year. Manufacturing, every report I see is that employment is up and opportunities are up.”

Alongi indicated colleges and businesses owners need to come together.

“I want to see more collaboration of industry with the schools and you’re seeing some of it,” Alongi said. “The skills that are needed today will be different than the skills of tomorrow. When I look at 2024, we have more job openings than individuals.”

Parthum, who has studied economic trends in southeast Michigan since 1999, talked about electric vehicles. He said auto manufacturing is “critically important” and advised a dual growth strategy.

“It’s important that we, as economic developers, continue to help the automotive manufacturing in our region. It’s critically important to help them to continue the rapid change that is happening in the industry,” Parthum said. “At the same time, continue to diversify your economy and leverage those knowledge-based jobs. Professional and technical services, financial activities, management of companies and information. These are jobs that mostly require a bachelor degree or more.”

He also said the county gained 24,000 jobs in the last three years.

“I’m not saying that’s going to continue three years into the future, but it’s really encouraging,” Parthum said. “When I looked at those numbers, what was actually growing were the knowledge-based jobs, information, financial activities, professional services and management of companies all combined added 15,000 to 16,000 jobs of those

“I

24,000 jobs.”

With “some funding through the state of Michigan,” Rowinski said she and her team have been conducting a “talent attraction” campaign in an effort to attract people from out of state to Macomb County.

“We’ve looked at top engineering colleges throughout the country and which of those colleges are actually producing more engineers, more professional severe degree individuals than there are jobs available in that area,” Rowinski said. “We also pulled together a roundtable with some of our business leaders that represent the aerospace industry.”

Macomb County Executive Mark

Hackel, who provided the welcoming remarks, shared his thoughts on Macomb County’s manufacturing future. He said there are 1,600 manufacturing facilities in the county.

“I think our biggest challenge is making sure that we’re providing the talent for these facilities,” Hackel said. “That seems to be the void right now. How do we find people for the jobs that are available in manufacturing.”

“We knew the ‘silver tsunami’ was happening. This is looking at the number of seniors that are hitting retirement age,” Rowinski said. “Our youth, our Gen Xs, our millennials do not meet the number of retirees that are hitting 55 and up age.”

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

FURNITURE BANK PUTS

NONPROFIT REPORTS SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF FURNISHINGS

BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — Spring — the season of renewal — is a popular time for people to remodel or redecorate their homes.

But what many may not realize is the old dresser or couch they no longer want could make life substantially better for a local family in need.

The nonprofit Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan, which provides household basics like beds, dining tables and chairs to vulnerable metro Detroiters who are rebuilding their lives, is facing a serious shortage of furnishings at a time when demand for these items is spiking.

“Donations are down,” said Furniture Bank Board President Wanda Van Haitsma, of Redford. “We have about 180 families waiting for beds and other furniture, and that’s a big number.”

Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan Executive Director Robert Boyle, of Grosse Pointe Woods, said that’s three times the number of families waiting for furniture at this time in 2021. At the same time, furniture donations have dropped; Boyle said that in 2022, they went on 4,600 pickups, but in 2023, there were only 3,800 pickups.

“At a time of high inflation, it would seem people would rather sit on their current couch than buy a new one,” Boyle said.

That same high inflation disproportionately hurts people on the lower end of the income spectrum. More than 80% of the people the Furniture Bank serves have incomes of $20,000 or less, and most are families with children.

“Now it’s even more difficult to cover basics like a bed for a child or a dining table to share a meal at,” Boyle said.

The Furniture Bank will collect essential items in good condition from homes across

See FURNITURE BANK on page 11A

ABOVE: Families served by the Furniture Bank are happier and healthier because they have a comfortable place to sleep and have a meal together.

LEFT: Over the last year, the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan has supplied more than 800 children in metro Detroit with beds, including Nehemiah, of Pontiac, who’s thrilled with his. Photos provided by the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan

Furniture Bank

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metro Detroit at no charge, if these items can be placed in a garage or on a porch, or they’ll charge a flat fee of $75 to collect any number of essentials from inside the home. Essential items include mattresses, box springs, dressers, end tables, nightstands, coffee tables, sofas/loveseats (excluding reclining sofas and sofa beds), dining/kitchen tables (excluding glass or heavy marble), dining/kitchen chairs (in sets of at least two) and living room chairs. The Furniture Bank will also collect as essentials up to five bags or boxes of smaller housewares, such as towels, pots, pans, silverware, lamps, bedding and other basics; they cannot accept clothing.

Because there’s such a serious need for mattresses and box springs in good condition, the Furniture Bank is currently offering to pick up these items for free, whether they’re inside or outside the house.

For essential items that are structurally damaged, stained, torn or badly worn, they will haul these items away for $100 per item, whether they’re inside or outside of the home.

For fees ranging from $100 to $125 per item, the Furniture Bank will also pick up nonessential items from inside or outside of homes, including desks, bookshelves, armoires, china cabinets, buffets, sofa beds, reclining sofas, entertainment centers and

treadmills. Proceeds from fees support the work of the Furniture Bank and enable them to hire professional movers to safely remove furniture.

“It’s such a great nonprofit,” Van Haitsma said. “We’re providing furniture and beds for people who are trying to get back on their feet.”

In some cases, the people helped by the Furniture Bank are individuals who are moving from a homeless shelter into their own apartment or home. In other cases, they’re people starting over after escaping from an abusive relationship.

Boyle said their clients are excited to leave shelters for their own dwelling — until they realize they were more comfortable in the shelter because, at least there, they had a bed.

“It’s stressful,” Boyle said of sleeping on the floor. “It’s not comfortable. It’s not good for your mental or physical health.”

Boyle said they’re trying to provide people with a stable, dignified life. Studies show there are higher rates of attention deficit disorder and obesity in children who don’t get adequate sleep.

“It’s really important that families get what they need when they need it and they don’t go through any more distress,” Boyle said.

To donate or for more information, visit www.furniture-bank.org or call (248) 332-1300.

Call Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at (586) 498-1047.

Photo provided by the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan Janith Bryson — one of the 2,000 local individuals and families helped last year by the Furniture Bank — can now have visitors because she has furniture.

Art

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for the show by art teachers at public, private and charter schools across the county. Entries and awards are divided between the grade levels ranging from seventh to 12th, each work being judged by a panel in order to determine if it would make the show.

“Portfolios are for seniors only and they are allowed between five and 10 individual submissions in a portfolio,” Hazard said.

Each work has to have been completed in class under the supervision of the submission instructor, leading to a wide variety in the kinds of art on display.

“I think that the countywide student art exhibit is a meaningful experience for students, but also the teachers, their families and the visitors,” Hazard said. “It really brings a different energy to the space and transforms the space into a whole different experience from what we have going on at different times of the year. It becomes a very impressive presentation of the emerging talent across Macomb County.”

Every step of getting into the show presents the student artists with learning opportunities.

“It’s a really great chance for them to understand what it takes to take proper pho-

tos of artwork and the proper steps you need in order to enter an art show like this,” said Lauren May, a Utica Community Schools art teacher who has nominated students for the show for the past three years. “It doesn’t just happen automatically.”

Students learn how to evaluate the craftsmanship of their work and how to ensure they’ve used their materials to the fullest. Staging photographs of the art involves lessons in lighting, perspective and shot composition, with photography being one aspect of documenting and submitting work. Being able to sell their work as part of the show means students learn how to appraise their work, too.

Of course, nothing beats the feeling of getting your work put on public display.

“It’s exciting,” said Leen Al Sharak, a Stevenson High School senior with two pieces of three-dimensional art in the show. “It’s nice to see that my art has developed so much and that all my practice has been paying off, and also that my art is getting into competitions and my art is being seen. I feel really happy.”

Along with the recognition and bragging rights of getting into the show, 39 awards with $1,200 in cash, gift certificates and art supplies are up for grabs. These include the $500 DIA-supported Ken Hoover Best of Show Founder’s Award, the $250

award for best senior portfolio and the topthree and merit awards for outstanding work in each grade level. The Macomb County Annual Secondary Student Show runs from March 9 through April 14 on the first and second floors of the Anton Art Center. Admission is

ABOVE: “True Family” by Mya Skidmore, a Mohegan High School 11th grader, is in the 2024 Macomb County Annual Secondary Student Show.

RIGHT: “Sugar Skull” by Natalia Rogowski, a Malow Junior High School seventh grader, is in the 2024 Macomb County Annual Secondary Student Show. Photos provided by the Anton Art Center

free and the center is open Tuesdays through Saturdays and select Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center is closed on Mondays.

For more information, visit theartcen ter.org or call (586) 469-8666.

Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.

Duncan

from page 3A

His dream became a reality in May 1999 as he was hired by the Clinton Township Fire Department, entering at the same time as fellow outgoing Deputy Chief Aaron Schmid. Duncan spent 18 years with the department before becoming chief. Of those pre-chief years, 16 were spent working with the union, giving Duncan experience with the political aspect of fire leadership.

Duncan’s time with the department began at the start of the very upswing he predicted for it. The department was a lowrated “firefighting medical first response department” — the lowest medical provider tier — but quickly ramped up to become an EMT department and, within a few years, a top-level paramedic department. This sudden improvement in medical capabilities paired with the department’s “aggressive” firefighting approach to build the department into a solid system for the 2000s and 2010s. The department’s demands grew in that time as well, going from handing 2,000 runs a year to over 15,000 runs while maintaining a similar level of staff.

“It speaks testament to the people on the street that are able to do this job and do it in a proper fashion, in a professional fashion,” Duncan said.

Duncan’s tenure as chief began in 2018. Just over a year later he and his department faced its biggest challenge yet: COVID-19.

“A very much trying time period for a couple years trying to get through that here with the department,” Duncan said. “A lot of decisions had to be made; you’re always looking to make them from a safety standpoint. Not everyone agrees with them all the time, but you’ve got to be quick to make decisions and stand by them.”

Duncan’s time as the chief saw a number of positive changes as well. Dispatching was switched over from the township to the county’s COMTEC center, integrating the department’s communication network with the township. He also noticed a large shift in the way emergency professions handle their mental health and well-being.

“We’ve always seen bad things, traumatic things and we react to them in a different way sometimes,” Duncan said. “Some people may have a challenge sometimes, but it’s really just a defense mechanism to handle some of the horror that you see.”

Working with the Clinton Township Board of Trustees, contentious as it has been, was largely positive in Duncan’s eyes.

“They’re pretty good and aggressive,” Duncan said. “They ask the tough questions but usually we’ve gotten overwhelming support for them for things we wanted to do in the areas of apparatus purchases, (and) building improvements. Our big goal here was to basically take care of all of the infrastructure issues that face the fire department, and I think we’ve achieved 90-plus percent of that in the last six years to put our department in the best state going forward for the next administration to come on and be able to focus on the personnel side, the running of the department.”

After having worked in the fire service for the better part of his life, Duncan has noticed that the service redefines itself about every five years and that the next fire administration will be the one handling that shift.

“We’re at the cusp right now of what is the service model that each individual community is looking for,” Duncan said. “I think it’s going to take the powers that be to sit at the table and ask, ‘Where is the fire service going to go in the future?’ We’re supposed to be an emergency service provider, but the world has changed to where we’re providing a lot more than just emergency services. We’re (providing) nonemergency services, basic services (and) health and well-being services right now. There’s a tipping point of how much can any particular department handle at times because 15,000 runs is kind of putting us towards our max. You’re exhausting your personnel, you’re exhausting your apparatus. You start getting things breaking down when you’re running as much as we do.”

As Clinton Township assembles a committee to find a new chief, Duncan has his sights set for his post-department life starting mid-May. The Harrison Township resident serves on the township’s Planning Commission and was recently appointed to serve on its Civil Service Commission, and Duncan plans to maintain his connections to the fire world by getting involved with a fire department promotions agency and possibly getting into fire education.

“I just look at it as I’m retiring from this portion of my career and we’re looking to move on to whatever opportunities present themselves down the line,” Duncan said.

Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.

MCC TUITION RATES TO INCREASE NEXT YEAR

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

MACOMB COUNTY — Macomb

Community College students will see a tuition increase next year.

At its regular monthly meeting Feb. 21, the Macomb Community College Board of Trustees authorized a 1.8% increase in tuition rates for the upcoming academic year, which is fall 2024 through spring/summer 2025.

The rate for residents will increase slightly from $111 per billable contact hour to $113. Even with the increase, college officials maintained that Macomb’s tuition rates are lower than average.

Board members Roseanne DiMaria, Joan Flynn, Katherine Lorenzo, Shelley Vi-

tale and Vincent Viviano voted in favor of the increase, while Frank Cusumano voted against it. When the roll call for the vote was taken, Kristi Dean voted “present.”

Macomb President James O. Sawyer IV weighed in on the board’s decision.

“Providing accessible, affordable and high-quality educational opportunities that connect to meaningful career pathways is one of our highest priorities,” he said in a prepared statement. “This modest increase in tuition upholds our commitment to affordability while ensuring we have the resources to support our students’ success, to innovate and invest in emerging opportunities and to preserve the fiscal viability of the college.”

Tuition is one of the three primary sources of revenue for the college, compris-

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 03/06/2024

NOTICE OF HEARING ON SPECIAL ASSESSMENT BY CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF HARRISON BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO THE OWNERS OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY:

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ing 35% of Macomb’s revenue, with local property taxes at 33% and state appropriations at 27%.

Here is the scope of increase per billable contact hour of the 2024-2025 rates:

• Resident rates increase from $111 to $113.

• Out-of-district rates increase from $208 to $212.

• Out-of-state/foreign rates increase from $265 to $270.

• Affiliate rates, which are students living in areas not served by a community college district, increase from $143 to $146.

• Early college/dual enrollment rates increase from $106 to $108.

According to college officials, 76% of the college’s students are Macomb County residents.

Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.

Detect to Protect: Full-body MRI scans now available in South eld

Early detection is crucial when it comes to cancer because screening for early signs of disease not only creates opportunities for e ective treatment but also signi cantly improves survival odds. Yet many individuals only discover they have cancer after symptoms develop, and that often means it has already progressed to Stage 3 or 4, or possibly metastasized to other parts of the body.

at’s exactly what unfolded for the late Warren Ringold, M.D., founder of Bionicc Body Screening — and the reason why he became passionate about helping others avoid the su ering he faced due to his own late-stage cancer diagnosis.

“Full-body MRIs screen from the top of the head to about mid-thigh,” Ryan explained. “ e technology is capable of detecting tumors as small as a pea, or from 1 to 1.5 centimeters. It also detects early signs of multiple sclerosis, aneurysms, kidney stones, degenerative disc disease of the spine, liver disease — literally hundreds of di erent abnormalities. e hope is to detect early so that the prognosis is better.”

It is crucial, however, to understand that MRIs are

Parcels 12-15-377-001 through 12-15-377-010, 12-15-377-015 through 12-15-377-032, 12-15-377-034, 12-15-377-036 and 12-15-377-037, 12-15-378-001 through 12-15-378-016, 12-15-378-019 through 12-15-378-023, 12-15-378-026 through 12-15-378-037, 12-15-378-041 through 12-15-378-045, 12-22-102-035, 12-22-103-001 through 12-22-103-003, 12-22-103-006 through 12-22-103-016, 12-22-103-019 through 12-22-103-021, 12-22-103-024 through 12-22-103036, 12-22-126-001 through 12-22-126-003, 12-22-126-006 through 12-22-126-029, 12-22-126-031 and 12-22-126032, 12-22-152-002, 12-22-152-005 through 12-22-152-007, 12-22-153-002 through 12-22-153-004, 12-22-153-010 through 12-22-153-014, 12-22-176-005, 12-22-176-009 and 12-22-176-010 of the St. Clair Haven Subdivision, Harrison Township, Macomb County, Michigan, according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plats, Macomb County Records.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Township Board of the Charter Township of Harrison has tentatively declared its intention to make the following described improvement:

The proposed project consists of removing an average of 2 to 3-feet of organic sediment from lake canals that measures 4,860 linear feet long or 233,217 square feet which is 5.35 surface acres located at the above address. The removal of an average of 2 to 3-feet of soft organic biomass from this canal will result in the removal of approximately 2,020 cubic yards of fully de-watered organic biomass. Lots that host sediment bags will not be charged for the cost of the work.

Estimated total project cost to residents is $611,534.00 or the cost per lot $4,246.71 per lot (144) and annual estimated payment $961.68.

Final assessed cost is based on actual construction and miscellaneous costs. An estimation of assessed cost will be available at the frst public hearing. and has tentatively designated the special assessment district against which the cost of said improvement is to be assessed, as consisting of all the lots and parcels of land set forth above.

Plans and estimates of cost have been prepared and are on fle with the Township Clerk for public examination.

TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board shall meet on, Monday, March 25, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at Rosso Hall, 38255 L’Anse Creuse, Harrison Township, MI 48045 for the purpose of determining the necessity of the project, and for hearing of objections to the petition, to the proposed improvement and/or to the establishment of a special assessment district

TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that appearance and protest at this hearing is required in order to appeal the amount of the special assessment to the State Tax Tribunal if an appeal should be desired. A property owner or party in interest, or his or her agent, may appear in person at the hearing to protest the special assessment or may fle his or her appearance by letter delivered to the Clerk by Monday, March 25, 2024, by the close of business at 4:30 p.m. and his or her personal appearance shall not be required. The property owner or any person having an interest in the property subject to the proposed special assessments may fle a written appeal of the special assessment with the State Tax Tribunal within thirty days after confrmation of the special assessment roll if that special assessment was protested at this hearing.

Adam Wit, MMC, MiPMC, Clerk

Charter Township of Harrison

Published: Journal 03/06/2024

“My father was a family physician for over 40 years, and he started a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) clinic that focused on imaging for sports and auto accident injuries,” said Ryan Ringold, who joined the company as director last September with a mission to carry on his father’s legacy. “He became short of breath while he was at work one day in 2018, left for the hospital, and was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. It required aggressive treatment, which led to cruel side e ects but, thankfully, put the disease in remission for a year. en it resurfaced as a brain tumor, and he faced another brutal battle that resulted in a second remission. My father was a ghter, and we were blessed to have had a lot of extra moments to cherish with him, but he contracted pneumonia and passed away last summer.”

Back around the time of his cancer treatment, Dr. Ringold started hearing about companies in Canada that were performing full-body MRI screenings. Ryan recalled that this piqued his father’s interest, and he wondered what his outcome might have been had he gotten into his own MRI machine a year earlier and discovered his cancer in the early stages when it was much more treatable.

at realization compelled Dr. Ringold to convert his MRI clinic into a place where people could get preventive full-body MRI screenings.

MRI machines use magnets and emit no radiation.

an additional tool and not a replacement for routine screenings like colonoscopies and mammograms. Even with the advancements in full-body scans, the screenings ordered annually by a patient’s physician remain irreplaceable for comprehensive health monitoring.

“People tell us they’ve been waiting for something like this and cannot believe full-body MRIs are nally available right here in Michigan,” Ryan said. “My father was determined to make this service available to anyone who wants it. He was a very beloved man, and his spirit is de nitely still with us.”

Call before March 31 and get a $200 discount on a full-body MRI screening.

Bionicc Body Screening is located at 26550 Northwestern Hwy. in South eld. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call (833) 246-6422 or visit bioniccbodyscreening.com.

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Seasonal general laborer positions, $15.00 - $16.00 hourly, no benefits. Successful completion of Civil Service Examination is required, and applicants must meet all requirements set forth in the Employees Civil Service Ordinance. Pre-employment background investigation is required. Interested, applicants must submit application to the Clinton Township Employees Civil Service Commission, 40700 Romeo Plank Rd., Clinton Township, MI 48038 on or before the close of business, Friday, April 12, 2024. The Charter Township of Clinton is an Equal Opportunity Employer, applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or disability. For further information pertaining to this position or to download employment application please refer to www.clintontownship. com, click on employment.

SUPREMEOUTDOOR

Kitchens/

• 10 a.m. every third Friday of month, The Pantry, 44945 Morley Drive in Clinton Township, RSVP to Liz at (586) 801-4536

Knitting and crochet circle: 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays, Harrison Township Public Library, 38255 L’Anse Creuse, Suite A, projects donated to charitable organizations, group in need of yarn, fleece craft store gift cards, (586) 329-1261

Men overcoming loss of partner/spouse: Meetings 6-7:30 p.m. every third Tuesday of month, virtual and in person, Hospice of Michigan, 39531 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, wlawton@hom. org, (586) 263-8514

Health workshops: For chronic pain, high blood pressure and more, hosted by Corewell Health, free and virtual, beaumonthealth. digitalsignup.com

Fridays until March 22, St. Hubert Catholic Church, 38775 Prentiss in Harrison Township, also bake sales to support nonprofits, (586) 463-5877

Widowed Friends breakfasts: 10:30 a.m. every second Monday of month, Big Boy, 16880 Hall Road in Clinton Township, RSVP to Gerry at (586) 556-9471

• For high blood pressure (6-7:30 p.m. Mondays until March 11), diabetes (6-8 p.m. Mondays until March 11) and kidney disease (1-3 p.m. Wednesdays until March 20), free and virtual, nkfm.org/PATH, mihealthyprograms.org

Lupus support groups: 10 a.m. every second Tuesday of month and 7 p.m. every last Wednesday, Zoom, (248) 901-7299, milupus.org/ support-groups

men were identified as scam artists known to law enforcement in the metro Detroit area. Shelby Township police said that typically while one distracts a homeowner, another suspect enters the home and steals money and valuables. Shelby Township police said that they often target senior citizens.

reporting that a car hit a sign near the freeway at that location. The caller stated that when they were about to exit onto 11 Mile Road, the vehicle lost a tire. There was also a report that Eastpointe had similar circumstances with a recent stolen vehicle in that city.

The Eastpointe Special Investigations Unit then conducted a search warrant and arrested one person for the manufacturing of psilocybin mushrooms, with about 1 pound of mushrooms seized. Investigations were ongoing

Cars stolen from repair shop

EASTPOINTE — According to a police report, a vehicle repair shop in the area of Eight Mile and Kelly roads was broken into overnight Feb. 10. Two vehicles that were left for service were driven through repair doors and stolen. Surveillance video was obtained. The stolen vehicles are a gray 2018 Dodge Durango and a gray 2017 Chrysler 300. Police were investigating.

Police say they stopped

2 scams at the same time

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — While investigating a possible scam in progress Jan. 21, officers with the Shelby Township Police Department believe they prevented a second scam from also being successful.

Police said they were aware of a suspected scam in which a person planned to come to an 88-year-old Shelby Township resident’s home to pick up $8,400 in cash. Detectives set up surveillance of the resident’s home and soon observed a woman driving for the ridesharing company Lyft pull into the resident’s driveway. Police detained the woman and then released her when they were sure that an unknown person was using the woman, who had no knowledge of the scam, to pick up the money.

Police said that they were continuing to investigate who was responsible for the attempted scam against the resident.

While the detectives were guarding against the $8,400 scam, they saw a suspicious Ram pickup truck slowly driving in the area. Police said that they saw the truck park in a driveway down the street and a man in his 30s talk to the homeowner, 84, in the driveway.

The two talked for a half-hour before they went in the home. Detectives went to the home and spoke to the homeowner to ask what was going on. The homeowner reportedly said that the man in his 30s randomly approached him and talked about doing cement repairs. Police said two more men were in the pickup truck.

Police arrested two of the suspects, one for a valid felony warrant and the other for soliciting without a permit, police said. One of the suspects, police said, had recently pleaded guilty to defrauding a senior citizen of more than $50,000, but the suspect was not sentenced to jail time.

Break-in reported ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 3:18 a.m. on Feb. 4, a report was made about a forced entry of a dealership that occurred at 2:50 a.m. on the same day in the 22000 block of Nine Mile Road.

Upon arrival, an officer observed a red vehicle in the middle of Lakeview Street. The garage door at the north entrance of the business was damaged.

The red vehicle was reported stolen out of Detroit, per dispatch. The officer then made contact with a 66-year-old man who stated he received a call from an alarm company. He initially thought it was just related to staff cleaning the location but checked out the scene anyway. The man observed the red vehicle blocking Lakeview Street with the engine still on once he arrived. The brother of the man arrived at the dealership and provided the officers with security footage showing the red vehicle traveling eastbound toward the north entrance garage. It then reversed and four suspects exited the vehicle.

They reportedly made entry into the business and attempted to steal one of the showroom vehicles. One of the suspects reportedly ripped the alarm system off the wall. The suspects then allegedly ran through the business rummaging through the offices before gaining entry to three vehicles that already had keys inside near the service entrance/exit. All three vehicles were driven toward the north entrance of the garage as one of the suspects held up the damaged garage door to let the others out of the business.

Inside the red vehicle were 34 stolen key fobs that were taken for evidence. An evidence technician processed the scene and the investigation was ongoing.

Police investigate fleeing and eluding, stolen vehicle ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 1:18 a.m. on Feb. 3, a report was made about a fleeing and eluding case and a stolen vehicle investigation near 11 Mile Road and Interstate 94.

Once on scene, officers didn’t see any property damage, but they did find a loose tire near the flower bed by the “Welcome to St. Clair Shores” sign. When they headed westbound on 11 Mile from Little Mack, they found a vehicle with its hazard lights on driving eastbound.

The vehicle was gold in color and was missing a tire. As the officers got closer, the vehicle proceeded to turn to enter an eastbound entrance ramp. The officers checked the license plate and it was indeed the stolen vehicle from Eastpointe. An officer activated the lights and aired the location on the radio. The vehicle initially pulled to the shoulder but when the two officers stepped out of their vehicle, the driver took off.

After a pursuit on the highway, the vehicle crashed behind a business at 12 Mile and Congress Street. The driver, a 22-year-old man, and two passengers, a 22-year-old man and a 28-year-old man, exited the vehicle and fled the scene. After a pursuit on foot, two of the men were found in two different backyards and one was found in a truck bed with the help of residents. There were two other passengers in the vehicle who stated they didn’t know the vehicle was stolen.

Leaf raker is possible suspect in breaking and entering GROSSE POINTE WOODS — Jewelry and other items were reported stolen from a home in the 500 block of North Brys Drive at around 2:15 p.m. Feb. 8. The victim discovered that someone had broken into the home through a back door and made off with the items. According to a police report, an unknown male was seen at the home raking leaves the afternoon of this incident, but no one at the home had hired anyone to do any yardwork.

Home invasion under investigation

GROSSE POINTE PARK — An unknown suspect is said to have tried to break into a home in the 600 block of Middlesex Road at around 8:55 p.m. Feb. 6. The victim, who discovered damage to the back door, told police that nothing appeared to have been stolen. Police said the homeowner might have startled the intruder upon returning to the residence. Police said a surveillance camera caught what might be the suspect lurking around the back of the house

ongoing.

Woman sought for using counterfeit cash

GROSSE POINTE CITY — An unknown woman is being sought by police after she reportedly used counterfeit money to make three separate purchases from a Village store in the 17000 block of Kercheval Avenue at around 11:10 a.m. Feb. 9. A police report states that the suspect made her purchases with fake $100 bills.

Driver found with gun, crack

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Police pulled over a 54-year-old Grosse Pointe Park man in the area of Mack Avenue and Broadstone Road at around 12:03 p.m. Feb. 10 after a check of his license plate showed that his registration was expired. Police asked the driver if there was anything in the vehicle they should be aware of and the driver said no, and when asked if there were any weapons in the vehicle, he also said no.

However, when police inventoried the contents of his vehicle before impounding it, they found what appeared to be crack cocaine, a burnt glass pipe, a handgun and ammunition. The driver was arrested and is facing possible charges including possession of crack and driving a vehicle without registration or insurance. Police said the driver’s gun was registered to him, but he didn’t have a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

Tequila swiped from liquor store STERLING HEIGHTS — Police said they investigated a potential shoplifting case at a liquor store in the