4/17/24 Fraser-Clinton Chronicle

Cannon talks retirement after decades-long career

BY NICK POWERS

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Township Supervisor Bob Cannon, who has served on the Clinton Township Board of Trustees for 40 years, is not seeking reelection this fall.

Cannon was first elected to the board in 1984 as a Democrat. He switched his party affiliation to Republican when he ran for supervisor in 2000.

“Party politics then and now are not my concern,” Cannon is quoted as saying in a press release. “I just want to do what’s best for the community and

the people of Clinton Township. I was a trustee for 16 years and the supervisor for 24, both records in terms of time, but I’ll be 76 years old at the time of the next election, and it’s time for me to spend more time with my family.”

Cannon holds the record for longest-serving member on the Clinton

Township Board of Trustees. He beat out Otto Duckwitz, who was on the board from 1898 to 1917.

“I think my success in being here so long is the fact that I’ve had a good staff working with me,” Cannon said in an interview following the announcement.

FRASER HISTORIANS DIGITIZING PHOTOS

Historical Commission also prepares to mark 150th anniversary of Baumgartner House

BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com

Preserving the past sometimes means looking to the future.

The Fraser Historical Commission is looking to preserve its photos and make them more widely available to the public by digitizing them. Commission member Tom Iwanicki volunteered to take on the project, which started in February. The Library of Michigan, under the direction of Biz Gallo, loaned the commission equipment to start the undertaking.

“The goal is to digitize all the photos and documents in the three buildings, the barn, the depot, as well as the house,” Iwanicki said. See

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Tensions boil over at Clinton Twp. board meeting

Trustees debate elections, compensation

BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Things got heated at a Clinton Township Board of Trustees special meeting at noon on April 8, the day of the eclipse, culminating in supervisor Bob Cannon breaking his gavel.

“It was Kim (Meltzer) trying to do her thing and Mike Keys trying to do his thing,” Cannon said following the meeting.

Cannon said he understood Keys’ passion. He said he had the same drive when he

Fraser Schools gets music award, will honor Pascaretti with concert

BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com

FRASER — Fraser Public Schools are on a high note.

The district has received recognition for its music department. It’s also gearing up for a concert to coincide with a dedication for one of its longtime teachers.

NAMM Award

The district received recognition for its music program for the 13th year in a row. The Best Community for Music Education designation comes from The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). This year, NAMM recognized 975 school districts throughout the nation.

“It’s nice to be acknowledged for the hard work we do, for the 13th year in a row,”

said Nic Charland, who heads up the vocal department for Fraser. “Fraser has always prided itself on its performing arts department. Most of the teachers of the performing arts department are products of the Fraser performing arts department.”

According to its website, NAMM started in 1901. The organization works to promote music education and the musical instrument industry. This spans from trade shows to advocacy.

Honoring Pat

Fraser will also be paying tribute to Pasquale “Pat” Pascaretti. The former teacher and band director for 43 years died last June. On April 26, a concert will be held to honor his memory and to commemorate a new wing named after him at the high school.

See MUSIC on page 8A See

Screenshots taken from Clinton Township Board of Trustees meeting broadcast Clinton Township Trustee Mike Keys, left, and Township Clerk Kim Meltzer, right, traded barbs throughout the Clinton Township Board of Trustees April 8 special meeting.

Photo provided by Fraser Public Schools Fraser Schools will pay tribute to Pasquale “Pat” Pascaretti on April 26 with a concert in his memory and to commemorate a new wing named after him at the high school. The former teacher and band director for 43 years died last June.

MACOMB BALLET TO PERFORM ‘PETER PAN’

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Macomb Ballet Company will perform an original production of “Peter Pan” at the Macomb Center for Performing Arts from April 26-28. Based on the book by J.M. Barrie, the MBC’s production was created for the stage by Artistic Director Amber Megna Michalik and Associate Directors Hannah Carden, Brandon Koepsell and Mary Sherman.

“Peter Pan has been a decade-long dream for MBC and we are thrilled to bring the magic of Neverland to our home stage,” Michalik said in a press release.

The MBC is a pre-professional ballet company for performers ages 8-18. The company aims to provide

Gieleghem announces eclipse glasses reuse donation program

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Don’t throw out those eclipse glasses just yet. They might still have a purpose.

Clinton Township Treasurer Paul Gieleghem has announced a program, called Spectacles for the Next Solar Spectacle, that will put those otherwise unwearable glasses to use. According to a press release from the township, the glasses will be sent to students in Latin America for an eclipse known as “the ring of fire.” This is through Eclipse Glasses USA, a program dedicated to protective eyewear. The eclipse will not be viewable from North America.

The next eclipse in our neck of the woods will take place in 2044.

“Imagine a classroom in a remote village, where students have only read about solar eclipses in their textbooks,” Gieleghem said in a press release. “This program gives these students the opportunity to actually witness the next eclipse firsthand, with their own eyes, safely shielded by glasses provided by generous donors who live thousands of miles away. It’s not just about viewing an eclipse; it’s about bridging gaps, connecting people through a shared experience, and igniting a passion for the cosmos in young minds.”

According to space.com, the ring of fire annular eclipse will be visible on Oct. 2 over parts of the Pacific Ocean, southern Chile and southern

Argentina. In an annular eclipse, the moon covers all but the outer ring of the sun.

If you can’t turn the glasses in at normal business hours, no sweat. You can ship them directly to Eclipse Glasses USA. Otherwise, you can drop them off at the Clinton Township Civic Center.

“For those in the area, bring your eclipse glasses

here, drop them into our Eclipse Glasses donation box, and let your Treasurer save you a few bucks on shipping,” Gieleghem stated in the release.

The Clinton Township Civic Center is located at 40700 Romeo Plank Road. To ship the glasses directly to Eclipse Glasses USA, send them to Eclipse Glasses USA, LLC, P.O. Box 50571, Provo, UT 84605.

experience to its performers while “reaching, educating and enriching the audiences of Macomb County and beyond through special performances and formal concerts.” Tickets to “Peter Pan” are $25 and can be purchased by visiting macombcenter.com or calling (586) 286-2222.

Adopt-A-Highway volunteers take to state roads

STATEWIDE — Thousands of volunteers across Michigan will flock to state highways, cleaning them up during the first Adopt-A-Highway week of the year from April 13-21.

“Our Adopt-A-Highway volunteers come back year after year to keep roadsides in their communities clean,” Brad Wieferich, state transportation director, said in a press release from the Michigan Department of Transportation. “Some of these groups have been with the program since it started more than 30 years ago. We want to thank them for their hard work and remind everyone to help them stay safe. Please drive cautiously during the pickup periods and watch out for them on the roadside.”

The Michigan Adopt-A-Highway program began in 1990 and since then more than 2,900 organizations have signed up to clean over 6,000 miles of state highways. MDOT assists the groups by providing gloves and bags and arranging trash pickup, while all crew members are required to wear high visibility vests.

The first Adopt-A-Highway week coincides with National Work Zone Awareness Week, which begins on April 15. The week aims to make motorists aware of workers in roadside and traffic construction projects. In 2023, there were 7,237 work zone crashes in Michigan — 17 of the crashes were fatal.

Photo by Brian Louwers

Speakers call for cease-fire resolution during Fraser meeting

BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com

FRASER — During Fraser’s April 11 City Council meeting, residents recommended the city make a resolution for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Seven speakers made their case before the City Council. One speaker spoke in opposition to the cease-fire supporters. While passionate, the debate remained respectful.

Former Fraser resident Sherin Shkoukani shared her personal experience, growing up in a Palestinian-American home and having family members currently in the Gaza Strip.

“This is a reminder that there are many people in the city of Fraser directly impacted from this occupation,” Shkoukani said. “There’s no need to look at it from a religious or political or racist standpoint. It should be looked at from a human rights standpoint.”

Kai Taylorelms, a Troy resident, said what’s currently happening should not be classified as a war, but a genocide. Taylorelms outlined what he called the support of local governments for Israel and explained why a resolution from a city like Fraser matters.

“By passing a cease-fire resolution, this council would be standing for world peace, diversity and justice for those oppressed,” Taylorelms said. “A cease-fire resolution would send a message to Michigan’s leaders that people stand for these exact things: peace, diversity and liberation.”

One speaker pushed back, bringing up the Oct. 7,

2023, attack on Israel. She spoke to her background as a Lebanese American and said she stood for “America first.”

“If what happened on Oct. 7 happened in the U.S., we would be doing the same thing as Israel would be doing,” the Fraser resident, who would not confirm the spelling of her name, said. “To protect our people and protect our kids in this nation.”

Ahmad Shkoukani, a junior at Fraser High School, called for a cease-fire and empathized with the children killed in Palestine. He also pushed back on the previous speaker’s assertions when he got up to the microphone.

“This did not start on Oct.7, this started 75 years ago,” Shkoukani said.

While most speakers stuck to Palestine, resident Luxio Lyone Onyx tied Palestine to larger global issues. These ranged from economic to social issues.

“Palestine is severely interconnected with all of these struggles,” Onyx said. “We are just like them, wanting to be free from corporate greed, wanting to make our own choices with our bodies and wanting world peace and the dismantling of white supremacy.”

Some Michigan cities have made cease-fire resolutions, including Detroit, Dearborn, Ann Arbor and Lansing.

Following the meeting, Fraser Mayor Michael Lesich said he welcomed the speakers to give their views during public comment.

“People have a right to address their public body,” Lesich said in an interview following the meeting. “I thought they were all respectful and had their say.”

According to Lesich, there is no current plan to add a cease-fire resolution to the city’s next regularly scheduled meeting.

“I don’t really see that as a role for the city of Fraser,” he said.

Screenshot taken from the city of Fraser’s meeting broadcast Sherin Shkoukani shared personal stories about her Palestinian American family and the importance of Fraser making a cease-fire resolution at the April 11 City Council meeting.

‘Miscommunication’ leaves alert system unengaged after fire

BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Nixle, the emergency alert system the township uses to alert residents who sign up, was not engaged following the explosive fire at the Goo Smoke Shop on March 4.

“I was a little surprised and dismayed that an emergency alert did not go out on the night of the explosion,” resident Flora Marie Cusumano said at the township board’s March 18 meeting.

“There was a miscommunication as to who was going to turn it on,” Clinton Township Supervisor Robert Cannon said. “We’re very sorry. We’ve taken steps to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

“Nixle should have been an option used along with social media channels,” Community Relations Director Jim Perpich stated in an email. “It was not.”

The alerts don’t engage when a fire occurs, according to outgoing Clinton Township Fire Chief Tim Duncan. Cannon said this contributed to miscommunication about who was going to send the alert out.

“That’s the only thing we did not use to communicate to our residents,” Cannon said. “We used every

other medium that we have.”

Perpich said the criteria for the alert system will change following the March 4 explosion.

“Prior to March 4, the Township’s Emergency Management Department used Nixle mostly for what the county uses IPAWS for—weather and flood advisories,” he said. “It’s also used for power outages and traffic conditions. However, an emergency on the scale of the explosion and fire meets the criteria to use any and all communication channels, including Nixle.”

According to Perpich, the township’s Emergency Management Department and Community Relations & Media Services handle the Nixle alerts. While the Nixle system wasn’t utilized, residents were informed through outlets like the Clinton Township Police Department’s Facebook page.

“The township primarily informs the public through Nextdoor (22,012 members), Civic Center Facebook page (3,908 followers), and website (1,791 subscribers)” Perpich said in the email. “Currently, the Township has 4,313 email and text subscribers through Nixle.”

Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.

Photos from page 1A

Iwanicki said while the project isn’t as big as some cities, it’ll take a bit of time. For now, they’re starting with the photos and seeing where the process takes them. The Fraser photos vary including subjects like people, schools, government buildings and churches. The commission recently received photos of McKinley Airport, which was located where the Meijer at 15 Mile Road and Utica Road currently sits.

“The original project with the Library of Michigan, we wanted to try to get 50 photos done,” Iwanicki said. “Well, we’ve got 300.”

One surprise for Iwanicki during the process was finding out that there was a large fire in downtown Fraser, then a village, in 1905.

“It had a very large fire which wiped out a lot of buildings in there,” Iwanicki said. “It’s been reinvented several times but that fire, early on because things were built of wood, claimed a large part of the village.”

Iwanicki said the photos will be stored at the Library of Michigan and in a cloud account. This is to ensure they’re safe and the digitizing doesn’t need to be redone. He’s looking into potentially making the digitized collection available to those who want to buy a digitized copy for a fee.

“People have asked before,” Fraser Historical Commission Chairwoman Marilyn Wright said at the meeting.

The hope is to make the information more easily accessible.

“That’s pretty much the goal,” Iwanicki said. “Being able to share the history of the city to a bigger audience.”

Music

from page 3A

Charland said Pascaretti had been with the school district since the ’70s and was a fixture of the community. He lived in Fraser, bumping into old students all the time who he’d still remember years after they were in his class.

“He had an uncanny memory for all of his students throughout his years,” Charland said. “Most of us were products of him in some way.”

“Very, very professional,” said Jackie Cole, who accompanied Pascaretti on piano for choir classes for 39 years. “He was very well read. He knew a lot about all kinds of music, composers and history.”

Cathy Rorai teamed up with Pascaretti to teach a humanities class at the high school. She would handle the art and literature side, while he would handle the musical component. The duo did this for over 20 years.

“He was one of a kind,” Rorai said. “One of his favorite expressions was, ‘Music is the universal language.’ Literally every student who walked through those doors, he found a place for them in the choir. For many students that was their place to shine.”

The ceremony will feature performances by Metropolitan Detroit Chorale, Fraser Piano Studies Students, performances from the high school musicals, Fraser Jazz Band and the Fraser Singers. The concert is free of charge to attend.

Following Pascaretti’s death, Rorai said the students talked about how the performing arts wing was a welcoming space.

“High school is a tough time for some kids,” Rorai said. “Particularly if you’re any way out of the norm. But they always felt like in the performing arts wing they were accepted. That was a good, safe place for them. I think he was a large part of that.”

“This wing stands as a lasting tribute to the legacy of Pat, embodying the values and passions that meant so much to him throughout his life,” a press release from the district states. “We believe that this dedication will not only celebrate his memory but also serve as a symbol of the love and strength that unites us as a Performing Arts family.”

The dedication ceremony will take place at the high school at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 26.

Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.

HOMES

9A/ FRASER-CLINTON CHRONICLE • APRIL 17, 2024

Customers show interest in buying pansies April 6 at the Oakland County Farmers Market.

FLOWER SEASON APPROACHES AS WEATHER IMPROVES

TBY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com

he weather has been slowly getting warmer in Michigan, which means homeowners can start planning their flower beds for their properties.

The first thing people should think about when getting their flower beds ready, said Brad Wethy, manager for the Oakland County Farmers Market, is how to prepare the beds, what needs to be removed, what needs to be deadheaded and cut down, and what can last through the wintertime.

“It’s gonna be cleaning up that flower bed, making sure that when things do want to actually sprout through the ground, that they’re not having any extra obstacles such as branches, piles of leaves from the previous fall, things of that nature,” he said.

Wethy also recommended adding things to the soil that will help with plant growth, such as compost.

Matt Colonius, co-owner of Piechnik’s Greenhouse & Garden Gate in Oakland Township, said that people moving into newly built homes have to mend the soil.

“You buy a new house and it’s just an empty lot. The foundation that they dig, they bring up the old soil from the job,” he said. “They usually don’t replenish the topsoil. So you’re stuck with this topsoil. It’s just not got any nutrients or anything in it. So it takes time the first year to establish your plants when you’re buying a new house. You have to add topsoil and nutrients.”

The best way to clean the flower beds, Wethy said, is to use simple gardening tools.

“You don’t need to go too in depth with it,” he said. “You don’t need power tools, nothing of that nature. A simple trowel, a simple … rake and just knowing what to remove and what not to remove can do leaps and bounds for your garden.”

Colonius said that if homeowners are cleaning up the yard, they should do a walkthrough to see if anything was damaged over the winter.

Items for homeowners to search for include broken branches caused by the weather and rodent damage.

“Be careful, if you have any perennials, not to disturb the perennials. Leave the mulch around them until the danger of frost is over, which is usually the beginning of May, but it can be as late as Memorial Day,” he said.

Photo by Erin Sanchez

first got involved in government, but strongly disagreed with Keys’ methods.

Keys said he was surprised by the tone of the meeting.

“Bob Cannon’s aggression and unprofessionalism is something I’ve become accustomed to,” he said.

Clinton Township Clerk Meltzer said she was disappointed about the division on the board and surprised the meeting took the turn it did. She said she’s not able to be the clerk she was voted in to be.

“It’s unfortunate that this board is not more understanding,” Meltzer said.

Early voting

The conflict at the April 8 meeting started over early voting, which was OK’d last year with the passage of Proposition 2 in Michigan. Trustee Mike Keys was opposed to having extended voting take place at churches.

Early voting in Clinton Township will take place at Kensington Church and Faith Baptist Church. The Clinton Township Civic Center will also be utilized as a polling location. Meltzer said places like Partridge Creek Mall were considered, but a nonprofit location seemed like the best option.

“The issue with a private sector location would be that at any given time they might not want us there because it’s not financially a benefit to them,” Meltzer said.

In neighboring communities, voting in churches occurs. For example, Shelby Township uses four churches as polling places and Roseville uses two.

Meltzer said other nonprofits were considered but that they didn’t work as well as the churches. She said Macomb Community College was an option but didn’t work because classes would have to be halted for the 9-day duration of early voting.

“We think that’s a really good display of democratic consideration,” Meltzer said about selecting the churches.

Keys said that people who may have a bias one way or the other about churches may be influenced to vote a certain way. He cited a 2008 Stanford study that supported his view.

“By being in a room full of crucifixes and walking into a polling location that implies some of these issues, it can create a bias,” Keys said.

“What our research suggests is that it might be useful to further investigate influences such as polling location to better understand how such factors affect different types of voting situations. From a policy per-

spective, the hope is that a voting location assignment could be less arbitrary and more determined in order to avoid undue biases in the future,” wrote S. Christian Wheeler, one the study’s researchers, as part of the published study.

Following the meeting, Treasurer Paul Gieleghem explained that coordinating with schools for early voting could be possible. Gieleghem said that he helps coordinate the Clinton Township Community Blood Drive with schools throughout the township without a hitch. He said, in theory, the schools could accommodate early voting during the 9-day period.

“Both Clintondale and Chippewa Valley schools have opened up their buildings as blood donor sites,” Gieleghem said. “They know how to build in the necessary protections to keep students safe and make sure the buildings are accessible to donors.”

During public comment, resident Sam Buschell agreed, saying he and other residents were not in favor of using the churches as polling places.

“We don’t want this in churches,” Buschell said. “I went to Catholic school, and I’ve got a sister who’s been a nun for 60 years. I’m not against churches, but it’s not the place. We have a bunch of public buildings.”

Meltzer took issue with Keys’ claim that she hadn’t examined the potential bias for voters resulting from the use of churches as early voting sites.

“Those are things I definitely have considered,” Meltzer said.

Meltzer said other places could influence voters, such as schools. She said if a millage is on the ballot for school funding, it could sway voters one way or another to vote there. The Stanford study examined schools and concluded they could also hold a bias. However, she said she did look for potential conflicts in the churches when they were selected. Faith Baptist didn’t have a conflict and Kensington Church agreed to remove a large crucifix on display.

“They agreed, they were not at all bothered by that,” Meltzer said.

Meltzer said in the past, other elections have been held in churches without incident.

During public comment, members of the community agreed that allowing early voting to take place at churches was no big deal.

“If we’re going to ask churches to remove any references to God, Jesus, the cross, any of that, let’s make sure that we have any other secular objects removed that may be offensive to anyone,” Dana Dugger said. “That we have rooms that are sterile and vacant.”

Cannon said, while he disagreed with those against using the churches, he wel-

Photos

from page 6A

The original photos are currently available to look at for visitors to the museum, but aren’t available online just yet. Iwanicki is hoping to potentially start that by the end of the summer.

Residents are encouraged to submit photos to the commission if they feel they have historical value. They’re also encouraged to reach out if they’re up for assisting with the digitization. The best way to reach out is to call (586) 294-6633.

“It’s going to be a long project,” Iwanicki said.

Baumgartner House sesquicentennial planned

In addition to updating the old photos, the commission is working on updating the Baumgartner House’s curtains and giving the parlor a new rug. Commissioners also want to get signage for the Hemme Barn, detailing the structure’s history. Proceeds from the museum’s shop have gone toward new fencing around the parking lot and garden. This is all leading up to the Baumgartner House’s 150th anniversary next year.

“It’s going to be a big celebration,” Wright said. “We’re working on it a year ahead of time in order to make plans to make it into something big.”

Wright said there would be crafts for the kids, and visitors are encouraged to dress up in period clothing from the time the house was built.

Preparations for the anniversary haven’t been easy. In late 2022, the Baumgartner House experienced flooding when multiple radiator pipes burst.

“It was a cold, cold day,” Wright said. “The pipes just burst inside of the radiators and it was just from the top floor to the main floor. … It was just like a sprinkler.”

This ruined the rug in the parlor. Recently, when the commission tried to wash the curtains, they fell apart.

“It’s just one thing after another being that the house is so old,” Wright said.

She said unpaid volunteers have helped the house endure.

“It feels great that the house is standing that long,” Wright said. “We’re not paid doing

this. We’re volunteers keeping up the museum.”

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Hemme Barn being moved near the house. Iwanicki said the barn was moved to the property in late June. He said parts of the barn may be as old or even older than the house itself.

Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.

Photo provided by the Fraser Historical Commission This photo shows the Hemme Barn at its original location at 33523 Mulvey. The barn is currently located at 18577 Masonic in Fraser near the Baumgartner House. Commission member Tom Iwanicki said the barn was built around 1869, six years before the house. The photo was taken in 1982, 12 years before the barn was moved.

Meeting

from page 11A

comed the debate about the sites.

“I can tell you this, I know Mrs. Meltzer has worked very hard, not only on this election but others, to make sure there are polling sites that are fair for all who live in the community,” Cannon said. “If you’re offended, vote on voting day or vote absentee. There are a lot of options.”

The motion to hold the election at the sites ultimately passed. Cannon, Meltzer and Trustee Dan Kress voted yes. Gieleghem and Keys voted no.

Compensation Commission

Keys introduced an item on the agenda to dissolve the township’s Compensation Commission. He said he’s been opposed to the commission since its inception due to the lack of transparency of the board.

“Compensation commissions are inherently less transparent and less accountable,” Keys said. “The commissions’ recommendations for pay raises are never required to come and be voted on by this board. Instead, the commission’s determinations are automatic unless a two-thirds majority of this board rejects the commission’s decision.”

Meltzer disagreed with Keys, saying that having an independent commission that handles the pay increases is the best way to do it. She encouraged the public to attend the meetings.

“That’s what these people were really assigned to do,”

Meltzer said. “To do the research on whether or not this board has served the public. I like that scenario. I think that is transparent.”

“I think (it’s) a good idea to get rid of this (commission),” said resident John Grossenbacher during public comment. “Have your open meetings. A lot of stuff in the township is done administratively, out of sight of the citizens. I think it’s really time to stop that.”

Dugger said during public comment that the public needed more information about this commission to decide. Cannon agreed. Kress tried to put a finer point on the issues with the commission.

“Do you object to the makeup of it? Do we need more people?” Kress asked Keys. “From my understanding compensation commission members are residents of Clinton Township. In premise, I love that they have a say-so in pay increases and that sort of thing.”

“My issue with the compensation commission is not the makeup or the individual members,” Keys responded. “It is the idea that we should be passing the buck on the decision of how much elected officials make. We are the fiduciary responsibility for this township.”

Compensation commissions aren’t unusual. Warren and Sterling Heights both utilize them. The state of Michigan also has one. These commissions, like the Clinton Township commission, meet every few years. Clinton Township’s commission, which was established in 2017, includes Robert Hogan, Fate Carson, Darra Slanec and John Stroh. Members are appointed by the supervisor and are residents of the township.

At one point Meltzer discussed how there may be per-

sonal conflicts with the trustees if the commission were dissolved. She implied Keys wanted to dissolve the commission so, when he ran for an unnamed office, he would be compensated better.

“I was planning on running for trustee after the Monday meeting and, with everything that happened, I just needed a break,” Keys said after the meeting. “I have all intentions of filing for trustee in the next few days or so.”

During a heated exchange between Keys and Meltzer, one of many that took place during the meeting, Cannon tried to intervene as the two talked over one another. As he tried to let Meltzer finish her time, he used the gavel. The top half of the gavel flew off when struck, bouncing off a pole in the audience.

“Would you stop it?!” Cannon yelled after. “You are so doggone immature…Let her finish. You will have your opportunity to say what you want.”

Commission meetings take a little digging to find but are available on the township’s website. You can find them by clicking on “government” at the top of the page and clicking on “agendas and minutes.” Then, follow the link to the archived agendas. The easiest way to access the commission’s minutes is by clicking on the link “Text Search All Board and Commission Minutes.” Use the dropdown for “Board of Commission” and you can access the minutes.

The item would have been put to a vote at the board’s next meeting if it was agreed upon. The motion was not approved with Cannon, Meltzer and Kress voting no. Gieleghem and Keys voted yes.

Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.

Flowers

from page 9A

As for what to plant right now, Colonius said flowers including pansies, daffodils and tulips would grow well.

“You might want to consider whether you have deer in your yard or not,” he said. “When you make the choices, you want some deer-tolerant, cold-tolerant plants. So you know pansies are wonderful. They can take the cold but … there’s a lot of problems with the way the deer have cohabitated with

Cannon

from page 1A

One of five children, he grew up in St. Clair Shores and graduated from Lakeview High School. A four-sport athlete, he was on the track, baseball, basketball and football teams for the Huskies. He went on to earn a master’s degree in business administration from Wayne State University where he also played baseball.

While playing baseball at Wayne State, he shattered his left arm. Repairing it took several surgeries over a 13-month span. This sidelined him from serving in Vietnam, but it didn’t prevent him from being an advocate for veterans.

“I see friends from high school and new friends from the VVA 154 (Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154) struggling with issues because of their time in the service, so I have a big soft spot in my heart for them, which has influenced my enthusiasm to help retired veterans wherever I can,” Cannon said in a press release.

When Nick and Karen Straffon advocated to have a memorial for Gold Star families, Cannon jumped at the opportunity. The memorial honoring families who have lost a loved one serving on active duty in the United States military is one of two in Michigan. The issue was personal for him.

“I grew up in a Gold Star family,” Cannon said. “My uncle, who I was named after, was killed. He was (in) a bomber over Germany and was shot down. I know what it’s like to have the pain of losing someone and having the families grieve.”

It’s difficult to sum up 40 years, but Cannon highlighted bringing Partridge Creek Mall to Clinton Township, forming the Clinton-Macomb Public Library and the widening of Cass Avenue from Groesbeck Highway to Hall Road.

“That was a project I was told would never be accomplished,” Cannon said of the widening. “Thanks to Sandy Levin and many others, that was accomplished.”

One accomplishment in particular Cannon highlighted, which took over 24

us and it’s causing a lot of issues with landscapes in the area.”

Besides sun and water, Wethy said the best way to keep the flowers healthy is to keep an eye out for pest and fungi issues, and issues with overcrowding.

“I even had issues with overcrowding. … As I removed certain things from the garden or gave them more space, they were actually able to flourish better,” he said.

He said it’s important to know the space and light requirements for plants — what needs more space, what grows in shade and what grows in direct sunlight.

years, was making sure sewer water was not discharged into the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair. This led to a state-issued administrative consent order to end the discharges during heavy rains.

“(Public Services Director) Mary Bednar was the architect behind that,” Cannon said. “After $33 million plus, we now have a system that is in compliance with the state. We are very proud of it.”

In addition to his work in government, Cannon was a teacher for 25 years for Utica Community Schools.

Since 1988, he’s been married to Cheryl (Vecchio). The two have four children and four grandchildren.

In retirement, Cannon plans to spend time with his grandchildren. He intends to travel with his wife, but still wants to be involved in Clinton Township. This includes continuing to serve on several other boards and through volunteer work.

“This is a community I worked hard in, that many people have worked hard to help me in,” Cannon said. “I will continue to make sure we do the best we possibly can with our limited resources. I am not going away.”

hourly (32 Hours per week) includes benefit package. Successful completion of Civil Service Examination(s) is required, and applicant must meet all requirements set forth in the Employees Civil Service Ordinance, as well as possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license and a good driving record. Pre-employment background investigation and substance abuse testing is required. Interested, applicants must submit application to the Clinton Township Employees Civil Service Commission, 40700 Romeo Plank Rd., Clinton Twp., MI 48038 on or before the close of business, Friday, April 26, 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.

entertainment, stand-up, silent auction and more, prizes for best-dressed couple, hat, bowtie and outfit, 5:30 p.m. doors, 6:30 p.m. dinner and 7:15 p.m. laughs, Mirage Banquet & Event Center, 16980 18 Mile Road in Clinton Township, proceeds benefit Right to Life Northwest Macomb, registration required, nwmacomb4life.org, info@nwmacomb4life.org, (586) 306-7718

MAY 8

Preplanning seminar with Resurrection Cemetery: 6 p.m., Fern Hill Golf Club, 17600 Clinton River Road in Clinton Township, registration required, mtelliott.com/res-seminar

ONGOING

Baumgartner House Museum open houses: Free tours on first Sundays of each month (except January and July), 18577 Masonic Blvd. in Fraser, see times at facebook.com/BaumgartnerHouse

APRIL 24

Spaghetti dinner: 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. (or until gone), continues every fourth Wednesday of month through October, Lt. Wood-Cpl. Reid VFW Post No. 6691, 17075 Anita Ave., (586) 294-1450

Monthly book clubs: Presidential Book Club (every first Monday) and Mysteries & Munchies (every second Thursday), both 6:30-7:30 p.m., Fraser Public Library’s temporary location, 15260 15 Mile Road,