4/17/24 Journal

City, SMART enter bus leasing agreement/3A

Cannon talks retirement after decades-long career

BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com

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

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

See CANNON on page 11A

METRO DETROIT — The spirit of independent record stores will make music on Record Store Day, set for April 20 this year.

Record Store Day, held internationally, was launched in 2007 to give employees and customers the chance to gather and celebrate the culture of the

Music fans tune in to Record Store Day

indie record store, including those that sell used and new titles.

The event can trigger feelings of nostalgia for anyone who grew up listening to vinyl on their parents’ turntables or met up with friends at the neighborhood shop in their youth.

It’s also a day on which artists release new music or re-release albums and CDs that have been out of

See RECORDS on page 10A

Village Vinyl owner John Lehl, left, and manager Adam Davey will be on hand to welcome customers on Record Store Day April 20. Pictured with them are posters from past Record Store Day events. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Tensions boil over at Clinton Township 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 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 pas-

City, SMART enter bus leasing agreement

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

MOUNT CLEMENS — Savvy seniors and other riders can rest easy about the Mount Clemens dial-a-ride program. The city commission approved a bus leasing agreement with SMART at the commission’s meeting on April Fool’s Day.

“Its small passenger bus(es),” said Jeff Wood, public services director for the city of Mount Clemens. “We offer dial-a-ride services here. Specifically, we offer a lot of transportation services to seniors and disabled folks to get around within the city limits of Mount Clemens.”

Two of SMART’s buses come to the city under the agreement, the terms of which bear no cost to the city for operating the buses and are similar to prior contracts that have allowed Mount Clemens to use SMART resources.

Dial-a-ride buses operate within Mount Clemens and to select

INDIVIDUAL GAME TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Mount Clemens has agreed to lease two small buses from SMART for us in its dial-a-ride program.

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.

Mount Clemens hosting spring cleanup

MOUNT CLEMENS — The Mount Clemens Beautification Committee is seeking volunteers to help with its first-ever City-Wide Clean Up on Saturday, May 4.

Taking place from 10 a.m. to noon, volunteers will meet at the Roskopp Parking Lot in downtown Mount Clemens. Lunch will be provided but volunteers are asked to bring water, gloves, tools and sunscreen. Email curatolo@ comcast.net to register.

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.

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 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.

“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.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS TO HOST FIRST FARMERS MARKET

BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Need something fresh for Mother’s Day? The Knights of Columbus farmers market might have you covered.

The new farmers market will operate on the second Saturday of each month from May until September, running from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The first day of the market is May 11, which might be perfect for that last minute Mother’s Day gift. There is no charge for admission.

“I want to bring growth to our community,” said Kim Weston, auxiliary president for Clinton Township’s branch of the Knights of Columbus. “I want to support our local businesses and let people know there are more options than grocery stores. Healthier choices, not as expensive.”

According to a press release, the event will feature food trucks; locally grown produce and plants; jams and jellies; locally raised meats; baked goods; fresh honey;

pickles; and local crafters. Heat Street Detroit will offer sauces and Goodfellas Catering will serve up Polish food.

Weston hopes to provide some educational opportunities for those interested in honey production and, at a future market, have the farmer providing meat give insight into farming.

The Lt. Wood – Cpl. Reid Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6691 in Fraser will also have a tent to raise awareness about veterans issues.

Weston said she got the idea when going to a Fraser farmers market. She realized the John F. Kennedy Council 5460 Knights of Columbus had ample space for a market.

“We have this beautiful piece of property, it would be perfect,” Weston said. “We just decided, ‘Yeah, we’re going to go for it.’”

The market will be held at 33320 Kelly Road in Clinton Township. For applications to become a vendor or crafter, contact Kim Weston at jfk5460.ladies@gmail.com.

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

Harrison trustees authorize tax collection, transfer liquor license

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — It was a quiet and quick meeting of the Harrison Township Board of Trustees on April 8, with last-minute agenda changes and a few procedural votes.

Taxes took up much of the final agenda as trustees approved contracts to collect summer taxes on behalf of L’Anse Creuse Public Schools, the Macomb Intermediate School District and Macomb Community College. A $4 collection fee will be paid to the treasurer’s office for each parcel taxes are collected from, with the township expected to bring in $48,000 of payment from the schools.

The $4 collection fee was established last year, alongside the creation of an interest-bearing bank account set up for the schools by the township.

“All the interest from that account over the year, less all of the fees, will be going back to the schools,” Harrison Township Treasurer Larry Tomenello said. Trustees then awarded the contract to

print the summer and winter tax bills to Kent Communications, Inc. of Grand Rapids at an amount not to exceed $10,500.

Windjammer liquor licenses

Trustees gave the township board’s approval for the transfer of The Windjammer’s Class C and specially designated merchant liquor licenses from Edward J. Delekta II to new owners Terra and Michael Ettel. The transfer of the liquor licenses is a step in the ownership transfer process for the bar located at 39693 Jefferson Ave.

No action on SAD

Early drafts of the meeting agenda included items that would have advanced the creation of the Archer & Lakeshore and Riverdale & Powers canals sediment and aquatic weeds removal special assessment district, but the lack of action from district supporters led to the items being removed.

Discussion about the district took up much of the time at the March 25 meeting as residents from Riverdale and Powers streets opposed the cost and usefulness of

the district. Township trustees agreed with those residents in opposition and denied to move the district’s approval further at the late March meeting, sending it back to supporters for revision.

“It was discussed that items D1 and D2 were added, as I understand it, just in case they were able to modify that in time so that it would be noticed,” Harrison Township Su-

pervisor Ken Verkest said. “But that didn’t happen, so we discussed removing items D1 and D2.”

The motion to remove the items and to add an item to the closed session was unanimously approved. Trustee Paula Rose was excused from the meeting.

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

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‘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.

Records

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print or previously weren’t available. That could include music from current bands and also from groups no longer together. Some titles are limited releases.

From the mainstream to the obscure, Record Store Day will have artists from all genres: classic rock, rap, blues, jazz, punk and country. Each individual record store owner decides what titles to order.

Several metro Detroit stores will participate in Record Store Day. It has become a tradition for record collectors to wait in line before the stores open for the day in hopes of getting that one special title they have been patiently waiting for.

“People make a day of it,” said Todd Fundaro, owner of Flipside Records in Berkley, which will be open from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on April 20. “It’s the busiest day of the year by far.”

Flipside Records will offer discounts on used merchandise. Customers may even get a chance to see their favorite bands live this year as Fundaro will have ticket giveaways to 14 different upcoming concerts, including Santana, Green Day and Incubus.

The alternative rock group Paramore was crowned as the Record Store Day 2024 ambassadors. The musicians will pay tribute to the Talking Heads with their version of “Burning Down the House” on 12-inch vinyl; on the B-side will be Paramore’s song “Hard Times,” performed by David Byrne.

“That’s been getting some buzz,” Fundaro said.

As Record Store Day approaches, pop music’s biggest star right now — Taylor Swift — will drop her new album the day before. Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department” is set for release April 19, and Fundaro expects “a bunch of Swifties” to go record store shopping to pick up the new release. “Dark Matter” from Pearl Jam is due out April 19, which could prompt fans of the Seattle rockers to hit the stores on Saturday.

Music from many other artists will come out on April 20 including selections from the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, The Doors, Linda Ronstadt, Willie Nelson, Mavis Staples, The Offspring, Public Enemy, Queen Latifah, The Sisters of Mercy and many, many more. There are singles, full albums and picture discs. A list of new releases also can be found on recordstoreday.com.

‘There are a lot of good releases this year’

“We always have a great turnout,” said John Lehl, who owns Village Vinyl in Sterling Heights, which will open at 8 a.m. April

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

According to the website recordstoreday.com, the following stores in the C & G Newspapers coverage area are participating in Record Store Day:

• Dearborn Music-Farmington, 33025 Grand River Ave., Farmington.

• Found Sound, 234 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale.

• Ripe Records Detroit, 15212 Charlevoix St., Grosse Pointe Park.

• Weirdsville Records, 61 Macomb Place, Mount Clemens.

• Blast in the Past, 28071 Gratiot Ave., Roseville.

• Solo Records, 30148 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak.

• The Detroit Record Club, 28834 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak.

• UHF Music, 512 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak.

• Media Reload, 13285 Hall Road, Utica.

20. “There are 300 releases, and we should have most of them.”

For Lehl, the Mudhoney box set “Suck You Dry: The Reprise Years”’ is the title he’s most interested in. Village Vinyl recently moved from its digs on Chicago Road in Warren to its new spot at 34230 Van Dyke Ave., between 14 Mile and 15 Mile roads. Something Lehl always notices about Record Store Day is the camaraderie between customers.

“It’s a lot of people talking music and having a good time,” he said. “I think people are on the move all day bouncing from store to store. Every store has different sales.”

One piece of music people have been asking about is the release from folk-pop performer Noah Kahan.

“There’s a regular release and a split with Olivia Rodrigo, which is going to be pretty big,” Lehl said.

Village Vinyl has been in business for seven years.

“I enjoy everything about music,” Lehl said. “It’s always exciting to see what people will buy and what people will bring in. We see a little bit of everything.”

Melodies & Memories, located at 23013 Gratiot Ave., in Eastpointe, will get into the vibe of the occasion by offering a 20% discount on used merchandise all day. The store will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“We do Record Store Day every year. A lot of the people are our regular customers,” said Dan Zieja, who owns the business with his wife, Denise. “There are a lot of good releases this year.”

Over the years, vinyl records have been the biggest seller for the Ziejas. They’ve also witnessed a recent resurgence of 45 RPM sales, and plans are underway to start stocking vintage T-shirts. Melodies & Memories recently celebrated 36 years in business.

“We’re like an old slipper,” Zieja said. “We’ve been here a long time. People know

Participating record stores are subject to change.

our store from all over the world.”

According to Zieja, past shoppers have included rappers Eminem and Kanye West, and Motown great Martha Reeves.

“Aretha Franklin used to shop here,” he said. “Questlove (from) Jimmy Fallon’s show was just in here.”

Record Store Day is held twice a year, in April and every November on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

Photo by: Lori Hannon

Photos by Patricia O’Blenes Village Vinyl, which recently moved from Warren to Sterling Heights, will participate again in Record Store Day April 20. On Record Store Day, artists release new music or rerelease albums and CDs that have been out of print or previously weren’t available.

Cannon

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I’ve had a good staff working with me,” Cannon said in an interview following the announcement.

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 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 in-

volved 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.”

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

Gieleghem announces eclipse glasses reuse donation program

BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com

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

SMART

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surrounding portions of Clinton Township. Schedules, fares and other information can be found online at mountclemens.gov/dialaride.

Audit engagement

On April 1, city commissioners approved an audit engagement contract with Lansing-based firm Maner Costerisan to examine the city’s financial records for the next two fiscal years, ending on June 30, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The city previously hired Maner Costerisan as its auditor of its 2022-2023 financial records. The 2024 and 2025 audits will cost the city $66,500 and $70,000 respectively, which City Manager Gregg Shipman told commissioners was a $4,000 reduction from the prior audit cost while having the same scope of work.

“Everything is the same,” Shipman said to commissioners. “I asked them how the audit went — it was their first year working — and they said, ‘It went great. Everything was prepared well.’ So when they came back this year I said, ‘Well, if it went so great you can probably do it for less.’ And so they did. Be careful what you say, I guess.”

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.

Maner Costerisan was recommended to the city by auditing firm Plante Moran, which was hired to manage the city’s finances beginning in 2023. Records for the 20222023 fiscal year were given an “unmodified” opinion, which is the best rating given by auditors.

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

Photo by Brian Louwers

To ship the glasses directly to Eclipse Glasses USA, send them to Eclipse Glasses USA, LLC, P.O. Box 50571, Provo, UT 84605.

Peek Inside Your Health: Full Body MRI Screenings Unveil Silent Issues Before Symptoms Arise

SOUTHFIELD- Full body MRI clinics have gained national attention lately, as TV personalities publicly share their personal full body scan experiences. One actress credits the scan for saving her life after doctors dismissed her unexplained pain for months. After various tests, including a CT scan, had “unremarkable” results, the pregnant actress became her own advocate, searched out a full body MRI clinic and discovered she had pancreatic cancer. Tanks to early detection the tumor was removed successfully.

As a general rule, when symptoms occur related to cancer, it usually has progressed to stage three or four. Even with annual physicals, there are limitations. Most screenings only

cover about 29% of cancers with 71% occurring outside of where doctors are able to screen. However, full body MRI scans can detect cancer in every organ from the top of the head through the genitals and can detect it very early.

For a long time, full body MRI scans were available only in select areas outside of Michigan, requiring expensive fights like in Vancouver or California. However, this changed when a clinic opened in Southfeld, making these scans available to Metro Detroit residents.

“Our advanced MRI screening can detect cancers very early when they are as small as a pencil eraser and are more easily treatable. If cancer goes undetected, however, it can grow into stage three or stage four with difcult

*Some

treatments. We can also identify conditions such as brain, abdominal, chest, and groin aneurysms,” stated the founder of the Southfeld clinic called Bionicc Body Screening.

Te primary focus of Bionicc Body Screening is to deliver peace of mind, ofering a comprehensive and detailed imaging of the body’s internal structures. Te ultimate hope is for excellent health. However, in the event that something is detected, the advanced screening aims to catch any potential issues at their earliest stages. Tis approach ofers the best opportunity for successful treatment outcomes, should the need arise.

Robert B., age 50, opted for a full body scan from Bionicc Body Screening and a very small tumor

was detected. He said, “It saved my life. Teir MRI found a kidney tumor that had been missed by a recent CT scan. I cannot recommend this service more.”

Take the first step to learn more about full body scans by visiting www.BioniccBodyScreening.com and request a free, no obligation Information Kit. Request it today and you’re also guaranteed a copy of their FREE eBook, Catching Cancer Before It’s Too Late! (Tis is a limited time ofer.) Schedule today at 1-833-BIONICC

MRI machines use magnets and emit no radiation.

Meeting

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sage 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 perspective, 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 welcomed 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 personal conflicts with the trustees if the commission were dissolved. She implied Keys wanted to dissolve the commission so, when he ran for an unnamed

Meeting

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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.

Notice is hereby given that the PUBLIC ACCURACY TEST for the DS200 Optical Scan Voting System, including computer programs, to be used at the May 7, 2024 Special Election will be conducted on: Monday, April 22, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. at the Township Clerk’s Offce, 38151 L’Anse Creuse Road. The Public Accuracy Test is conducted to determine that the computer program used to record and count the votes cast at the election meets the requirements of law. All interested persons are invited to attend.

ADAM WIT, MMC, MiPMC, CLERK TERI SALGOT, MiPMC, DEPUTY CLERK CHARTER

Permanent part-time Custodian position, $18.01 - $22.92 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.

248.566.6460(Office) (586)229-4267 American Painting •Residential/Commercial •Interior/25YearsExp. •PowerWashing •Insurance•Drywall •PlasterRepair •Clean-outs •HomeRepairs •SeniorDiscounts •Guaranteed-Work. PEAKPAINTING Custom-Painting, Commercial/Residential, Interior/Exterior. Drywall-Repair,Paper Removal,Carpentry. 30-yr.-exp.*WillBeat AnyOtherReasonable Estimate! Senior-Disc. Insured.Credit-Cards Accepted.References. 586-722-8381

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APRIL 26

Crime survivors assistance: Learn about criminal justice system and support services available, also meet other survivors, hosted by Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office Crime Victim Rights Unit, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Velocity Center, 6633 18 Mile Road in Sterling Heights, (586) 469-5675

APRIL 26-28

‘Peter Pan’: Presented by Macomb Ballet Company, 7 p.m. April 26, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 27, and 2 p.m. April 28, meet-and-greet follows each performance, Macomb Center for the Perfoming Arts on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, macombcenter. com, (586) 286-2222

APRIL 28

APRIL 27

Claude Monet:

L’Anse Creuse Classic 5K: Run/walk at 9:30 a.m. (check-in at 8:30 a.m.), begins at Tucker Senior Center, 26980 Ballard Road in Harrison Township, lcpsfoundation.com

APRIL 29

Create Mad Lib poems: Part of National Poetry Month, for ages 7 and older, 4:30 p.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - South Branch, 35679 S. Gratiot Ave. in Clinton Township, registration required, (586) 226-5073, cmpl.org

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

Macomb County Biennial Primary Student Show: Works by grades K-6, opening ceremony and awards 1-3 p.m. April 27, on display until June 1, Anton Art Center, 125 Macomb Place in Mount Clemens, (586) 469-8666, theartcenter.org

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

ONGOING

‘Freedom Confirmed’: Exhibits and presentations include “Michigan Men in the Civil War” (April 20), “Lincoln, the Emancipation Proclamation & the Cause of Freedom” (April 24), and “President Abraham Lincoln’s Courage to Create Change” and performance by 5th Michigan Regiment Band (April 27), Lorenzo Cultural Center on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, lorenzoculturalcenter.com

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

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

children

Officers said they found a 6-year-old, a 2-yearold and a 3-month-old alone in the vehicle, which was running and had the heater on. An officer found the mother — a 27-year-old Detroit woman — inside the store. She told police she had only been in the store for 10 minutes, but police said she had a cart full of groceries. The mother reportedly told police she had a license to carry a concealed weapon and her gun was under the front passenger seat, which meant the children had access to an unsecured firearm while she was shopping. Police said they ran a check on the woman and found an active felony warrant against her out of Novi for fraud. They said she also had no license plate on her vehicle. The woman was arrested and is facing possible child neglect charges. Her vehicle was impounded and the children were turned over to the woman’s brother.

Bus driver assaulted

POINTE PARK — An unknown female as-

is said to have punched a Detroit Department of Transportation bus driver several times in the face when the driver told the suspect that she needed to exit the bus because it was at the last stop on its route in the area of Jefferson Avenue and Lakepointe Street at 9:14 p.m. March 28.

The driver told police the suspect became angry when informed she needed to leave, which is when the attack occurred. Police said she’s facing possible assault charges.

Liquor thieves sought

POINTE CITY — Two unknown

and stolen a cash register drawer containing $600. Before breaking and entering, police said the suspects pulled up to the stolen Chevrolet in a gray Nissan Sentra.

Package snatched GROSSE POINTE FARMS — An unknown suspect is said to have stolen a FedEx package containing nearly $90 worth of vitamins and supplements from the front porch of a home in the 400 block of Moross Road between the hours of 5:54 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. March 27. The victim told police she received a notification that her package had been delivered, but when she checked her porch, it wasn’t there.

Intoxicated driver arrested

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Police pulled over a 24-year-old Grosse Pointe Woods man in the area of Mack Avenue and LaBelle Circle at 11:43 p.m. March 19 after spotting him traveling 50 mph in a 35 mph zone, swerving on the road and nearly hitting a legally parked scout car.

Although the driver smelled of alcohol and had slightly slurred speech, police said he denied having been drinking. The driver was asked to recite the letters of the alphabet from D to Q, and he reportedly said, “D, E, F, G, Q.” According to a police report, the driver then told police he was “never very good at mathematics.”

After failing field sobriety tests and having a blood alcohol content of 0.17% in a preliminary breath test, the driver was arrested for operating while intoxicated. When police inventoried the contents of the driver’s vehicle before it was impounded, they said they found an open bottle of Coastal Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, which they confiscated.

Juveniles throw rocks at cars

STERLING HEIGHTS

— Police were alerted that three juveniles allegedly were throwing rocks at vehicles from a bridge at the M-59 and Ryan Road intersection the afternoon of March 16.

Pair accused of stealing

Legos from Kohl’s

STERLING HEIGHTS

— Police said a male suspect and a female suspect left Kohl’s, 44200 Schoenherr Road, after allegedly stealing a $19.99 Lego set March 17. According to store staff, the suspects have previously stolen from the store.

Lakeside Circle and arrested them on suspicion of third-degree retail fraud, though the suspects reportedly didn’t have the Lego set on them, and they allegedly wouldn’t say what happened to it.

Police settle dispute over cutting in line

STERLING HEIGHTS — Police reportedly went to a business in the 35000 block of Dodge Park Road March 16 upon hearing that someone was being aggressive and causing disorder over their placement in a line. Police said the argument involved an allegation of cutting in line and included a statement about being able to beat up one of the parties.

Police said they separated the parties and advised one of them to leave and refrain from contacting the other side. Once the parties split, police took no further action.

Women panhandle at restaurant

STERLING HEIGHTS — Police said they heard that two women and two girls were sitting by a restaurant’s front door along 15 Mile Road, allegedly begging for money and disturbing customers March 16. Police said the individuals were gone by the time police arrived.

Vehicle vandalized with spray paint

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — At 3:52 p.m. March 9, officers were dispatched to a residence in the area of 23 Mile and Ryan roads for a vandalism report. Upon arrival, officers spoke to the caller, who stated that his vehicle had bright spray-painted writing on the windows about being owed a debt. A steering wheel lock had been placed on the steering wheel. The caller stated that he believes a known business associate might have done this to his vehicle, according to the police report. Police were investigating.

Solar lights ripped out of