4/18/24 Rochester Post

start planning flower beds for the season 12A

SMART Route 492 serves Auburn Hills, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Troy, Clawson, Royal Oak and Ferndale.

Nicholas Russo named new RCS superintendent

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

ROCHESTER — The Rochester Community Schools district has a new leader.

The RCS Board of Education voted April 8 to approve the superintendent contract for Nicholas Russo, which passed with a majority vote of 5-1.

SMART adds new bus route through Rochester, Rochester Hills

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

ROCHESTER/ROCHESTER HILLS — Public transit is coming to the Rochester area this month.

On April 22, the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation will unveil its latest addition to the region’s network, Route 492 — a fixed

bus route serving Auburn Hills, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Troy, Clawson, Royal Oak and Ferndale.

Dwight Ferrell, the general manager of SMART, said the introduction of Route 492 marks “a significant milestone” in SMART’s ongoing efforts to expand transportation options and foster community connections.

See SMART on page 16A

Trustee Carol Beth Litkouhi abstained from the vote, saying she wanted more time to review the specifics of the contract, while Trustee Andrew Weaver voted against the motion.

“I think there are too many unanswered questions for a situation as big as this,” Weaver said.

Russo will begin his term as superintendent July 1. His two-year contract includes an annual salary of $235,000, a $10,000 annuity, a reassignment clause and just-cause termination. The board will also need to vote each year to approve an extension of the agreement, if they so desire.

“I am deeply honored and excited to lead a teaching and learning community that values tradition, student achievement and excellence. Working alongside dedicated Rochester Community School District teachers, administrators, staff, parents, caregivers and community partners is an incredible opportunity,” Russo said in a statement. “Together, we can build strong relationships that lay the foundation for student success.”

Russo brings over 26 years of leadership in education, most recently serving as assistant superintendent of human resources for

See RUSSO on page 18A

Photo provided by SMART

Russo

A LETTER FROM YOUR Rochester

With 25 years of marketing experience, I aim to raise the bar in our local real estate industry.

Prior to my real estate career, I was Vice President, Director of Marketing for Northern Trust’s division that serviced their wealthiest clients. After 10 years, I went to work directly for a real estate billionaire whose rm is often featured on the television show Million Dollar Listing. I am a formerly licensed investment advisor who has sat on the board of two non-pro ts including one belonging to President John F. Kennedy’s nephew.

Having negotiated for local families, a multi trillion-dollar rm, and real estate multi billionaire, I know the meaning of duciary duty and would enjoy discussing your real estate success! Using my extensive marketing background to market my client’s homes, my goal is to net you the most money with your desired terms. Whether I’m selling a $200,000 or a $2,000,000 home, I create a curated lifestyle video to utilize within a targeted advertising campaign. I’d love to get started on yours!

My family volunteers at the Woodside Bible Pontiac Dream Center and Grace Centers of Hope. Isaiah 40:28-31

Rochester postal worker recognized for 56 years on the job before passing away

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

ROCHESTER — The city of Rochester recently recognized a Rochester postal worker for his retirement after 56 years of serving the community.

Rochester resident Ed Kane started working for the United States Postal Service on Dec. 7, 1967. Kane, 84, passed away March 28 after a battle with cancer. He will be laid to rest at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 20, in Mount Avon Cemetery in Rochester. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

“The group that I started with, I consider them the old ones, they were more concerned with the sanctity of the mail, which we maintained,” Ed Kane said during a Feb. 26 Rochester City Council meeting, where he was recognized for his service.

Kane began his postal career waiting in an alley outside the post office for a mail bus to drop the day’s mail for delivery. Four to five employees would sort mail in a mail bus daily as it would drive round-trip from northern Michigan to the Detroit area, distributing mail to the smaller towns.

It was on his way to work at the post office that Kane’s future wife, Patricia, saw him from her desk at a business across the street.

“I took one look at him and said to myself, ‘I’m gon-

Acclaimed authors to visit Rochester for Authors in April

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

ROCHESTER — Four authors and illustrators will come to town this month for the Authors in April program.

The public is invited to kick off this year’s program by participating in a free community scavenger hunt April 20-27 in downtown Rochester. The scavenger hunt sheets — which are available at www.authorsinapril.org or by scanning the QR codes at participating businesses — will lead people to various businesses downtown, where they will find an Author’s In April book. Families will then “collect’ letters highlighted on the books and unscramble them to decode a secret message that will lead to the final stop. Organizers said clues don’t have to be collected in any particular order, or even on the same day. Upon completion of the hunt, kids will be given a prize.

“We have 30 businesses participating, and all the clues will be Authors In April books from the past 41 years,” Authors in April board President Jenny DeCuir said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Even

and Megan and crew helped me through a difficult time with the sale of my brother’s home. They do a first-class job from start to finish, and know the area really well. I have used them before, and will use them again in the future. I highly recommend.”

~Matthew C.

“Debbie

Ed Kane holds up a cake during a celebration of his 50 years at the post office.

Photo provided by Pat Kane

Photo provided by Authors in April Kelly Starling Lyons shares her journey to become an author with students during last year’s Authors in April.

Rochester police bust prostitution operation at local ‘health studio’

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

ROCHESTER — Three people were recently arrested in connection to a new business that Rochester police are saying was being used as a prostitution operation.

Police first received complaints in September about suspected prostitution activities at Green Rose Health Studio, on Oakwood Drive in Rochester. The business was incorporated in October 2023, according to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

“We had a couple of complaints from business owners that noticed a bit of high pedestrian activity at the business during long hours of the day,” Rouhib said. “Usually, businesses are closed by 6 p.m., but there was a lot of pedestrian activity at that building late at night and throughout the day — predominantly males going inside the business, staying for short periods of time.”

After conducting surveillance, including the use of an undercover Rochester police officer, Rochester Police Chief George Rouhib said, police determined that the location was in fact being used for prostitution.

“We sent an undercover officer in there and we knew for a fact, based on the activity that was going on, that it was a prostitution place. … They offered him sexual services for different prices, and he declined, saying he just wanted a massage, and they basically asked him to leave,” Rouhib explained.

Police returned to Green Rose Health Studio with a search warrant April 2 and arrested two women in their 40s and a man in his 60s.

“These women wouldn’t really say anything to us. They were in their 40s and there was a language barrier. The refrigerator was loaded with food, and we believe they may have been living there at some point … but based on running their names and things like that, there was no indication that they were being forced to do anything,” said Rouhib.

All three arrestees were cited and released. Police said there is no indication that human trafficking was involved and noted there were no immigration violations.

Green Rose Health Studio, which is within an office complex, was evicted by the building owner.

Rouhib said Livonia police shut down

a similar business in their community — owned by the same business owner as Green Rose Health Studio — that was also being used for prostitution.

“The same owner had a business in Livonia, and they executed a search warrant on that business last year in September of 2023, and there was prostitution going on at that business. The thing is, they keep switching names on the ownership, so you never really know who owns the place,” Rouhib said. “The unfortunate thing is they are just going to find another place. They are probably back in business somewhere else … but they moved out of Rochester. That was the goal — to shut it down.”

Photo by Mary Beth Almond

Green Rose Health Studio in Rochester was recently busted for alleged prostitution.

Calling all Patriots! You are invited to participate in the 2nd Annual VTOT Sporting Clays Classic. Join us for a day of fun, camaraderie, prizes, food and drink on Friday, May 17th, 2024 from noon till 6PM.

Bring your own gun and gear. Shells (50) are included in the registration cost. Ear and eye pro will be provided if needed.

Individual Shooter

$400

Dinner Only

$150

We have room for 8 Sponsors & 160 shooters.

Signup is first come, first served.

All proceeds will go for use in fnishing construction and maintaining the most beautiful Tribute to our Armed Forces in all of Michigan.

SPONSORSHIPS*

PRESENTING $10,000 (incl 3 FREE Teams)

DINNER $ 5,000 (Claimed)

LUNCH $ 3,500 (Claimed)

CART #1 $ 3,500 (Claimed)

CART #2 $ 3,500 (Claimed)

BEVERAGE $ 3,000 (incl 1 FREE Team)

AMMO $ 1,000 (Claimed)

4-PERSON TEAM $ 1,500 ($100 discount)

WHITE CLAY $ 1,000 (Event recogniton)

*Sponsorships include FREE Team registratons, event advertsing & other benefits. See website for details.

FRIENDS GROUP HOSTS LIBRARY USED BOOK SALE

ROCHESTER — The Friends of the Rochester Hills Public Library’s seasonal used book sale runs April 18-21 in the upstairs used book sale room of the library, 500 Olde Towne Road in downtown Rochester. Chairperson Ann Gruenewald there is a large selection of history books, especially about World War II, along with lots of religion and children’s books.

Beside thousands of gently used books on many other topics, there will be DVDs, CDs, audio books, puzzles and games.

The general public access runs 10 a.m.-8 p.m. April 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 19 and 20, and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. April 21, which is bag day, a standard grocery bagful is $5.

For more information, visit rhpl.org and click on “Visit the Friends of the RHPL” at the bottom of the page.

LIBRARY PRESENTS POET ROGRAM WITH OPEN MIC

ROCHESTER — Rochester Hills Public Library will host the Rochester Poet Society for a program at 7 p.m. April 23.

April is National Poetry Month, so the Rochester Poet Society is offering a poetry recital. People can enjoy the art of poetry and stay for the opportunity to recite their own poetry during an open mic session. The event is open to the public. Registration is required. To register, visit calendar.rhpl.org or call (248) 656-2900.

Neighborhood House looks for leaders for Youth Ambassador Program

ROCHESTER HILLS — Neighborhood House invites young leaders to apply for its Youth Ambassador Program, previously known as the Executive Youth Board. The program is designed to “empower young leaders and aimed at cultivating a diverse cohort of passionate high school students committed to serving their community.” Ambassadors will participate in service projects, leadership workshops and community events.

Applications will be accepted until May 8. Apply by visiting ranh.org/youthambassadors and completing the online application form.

For more information, visit www.ranh.org, contact Ana Ramaci at ana@ ranh.org, or call (248) 651-5836, ext. 36.

Take a trip on ‘Route 66’ at Meadow Brook Theatre

ROCHESTER — The musical revue “Route 66,” by Roger Bean, runs April 24-May 19 at Meadow Brook Theatre, on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester.

“People are going to know a bunch of the songs and be bopping along,” Travis Walter, MBT artistic director, said in a press release.

Tickets range from $37 to $46 and are available by calling the Meadow Brook Theatre box office at (248) 377-3300 or at www.ticketmaster.com. Student discounts are available at the box office. Groups of eight or more should call (248) 370-3316 for group pricing.

“Route 66” is suggested for audience members middle school and up.

For more information, visit www.mbtheatre.com or call (248) 377-3300.

Barclay Circle construction alert

ROCHESTER HILLS — Road construction crews began a rehabilitation project on Barclay Circle April 15. The project, city officials said, calls for the rehabilitation of the surface of Barclay Circle between Auburn and Rochester roads, as well as the reduction in travel lanes from two lanes in each direction to one lane in each direction, maintaining the center turn lane and adding two bike lanes, one on each side of the road. During construction, traffic on Barclay Circle will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Access to all businesses will be maintained at all times. City officials said they hope to have the entire area open to traffic in late September.

For more information, call Rochester Hills Project Engineer Keith Depp at (248) 656-4640.

MUSEUM HOSTS ‘DIGGING THROUGH DIARIES’ EVENT

ROCHESTER HILLS — Since the 1800s, local people have kept records of their lives through diaries. These personal time capsules offer a peek into the past, revealing the everyday adventures and happenings in the greater Rochester community. People can dive into the treasure trove of diaries found in the archives of the Rochester Hills Museum during Digging through Diaries 10-11 a.m. April 30. The museum is located at 1005 Van Hoosen Road. For more information, call (248) 656-4663 or visit www.rochesterhills. org/museum.

Kane

from page 3A

na marry that man,’” she said.

Over the years, Kane held various positions, including working in the retail lobby of the Rochester post office, where, officials say, he became a customer favorite.

“He did a beautiful job there. He took pride in that,” Pat Kane said.

After over five decades of service, Kane retired from the U.S. Postal Service on Feb. 29, 2024.

“The people of Rochester always thought they were working for a government agency, which they were, but really, they were working for me,” Kane said, with a chuckle during the council meeting. “My job over the years — and I hope I did it —

was to take care of it all.”

Pat Kane said her husband became “the face of the Rochester post office.” Everyone knew the guy with the white hair and mustache at the counter.

“He was known for his kindness, his sense of humor, and was always pleasant and helpful. He never forgot anyone and never failed to ask about a kid in college, an ailing grandparent or a vacation. People liked him, and he so enjoyed his years, the people, the community — his home,” Pat Kane said.

Upon hearing of his retirement, over 352 people sent Kane cards of prayers, good wishes and congratulations. Some were from people who moved away from Rochester years ago.

“He has letters and cards from New Mexico, New York, Florida, Arizona, New Jersey, Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as

some other states as people have heard,” Pat Kane said. “It is more than touching that he touched so many lives.”

Councilmember Marilyn Trent said she “really appreciated his service all these years.”

“When I first moved to Rochester in 1990, Ed and Pat Kane were my neighbors, and it was nice to see a friendly face at the post office that lived down the block from me,” she said.

“Ed has been an absolute institution at the post office. He IS the Rochester post office, and he always will be,” resident Dave Zemens said in a statement.

During the Feb. 26 meeting, Ed Kane thanked community members for filling council chambers to support him.

“It’s much appreciated. Very kind,” he said.

Rochester City Manager Nik Ban-

da said the city made Ed Kane a plaque to take home and gave another plaque honoring him to the post office, which is currently on display.

“I’m sure they will keep that in the lobby forever,” Banda said.

Rochester resident Marlene Stieve, who retired from the Rochester post office in 2022, worked with Ed Kane for many years.

“We hired in together, six months apart, and we worked together for over 50 years. It was just great,” she said. “I couldn’t have found any better person to work with.”

Pat Kane said her husband was known for his kindness and compassion.

“He was a quiet man of grace, dignity and strength wanting little and never asking for anything,” she said.

Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.

Greg Kampe, Grizz bobbleheads hit online shelves of National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum

BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com

ROCHESTER — Oakland University fans are still on cloud nine after a thrilling 80-76 win over the University of Kentucky that left Golden Grizzlies fans ecstatic and most March Madness bracket competitors furious, and the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum is acknowledging the hype.

Spearheaded by an unforgettable performance by Oakland guard Jack Gohlke, who scored 32 points on 10 three-pointers, No. 14 seed Oakland held a lead against No. 3 seed Kentucky throughout the majority of the first round matchup March 21 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Alongside Gohlke, Oakland forward Trey Townsend added 17 points and 12 rebounds, while guard DQ Cole added 12 points in the win.

While Oakland’s March Madness journey ended in an overtime loss to NC State University in the round of 32, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, located in Milwaukee, is commemorating Oakland’s incredible season, which included their first Horizon League regular season title since

2017, with a bobblehead of Oakland head coach Greg Kampe and the team’s mascot, Grizz.

“We’re excited to be teaming up with Oakland and Coach Kampe to release these bobbleheads featuring one of the winningest coaches in college basketball,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said in a press release. “The Golden Grizzlies made their fans very proud during March Madness and gained a lot of new fans across the country. These bobbleheads are the perfect way for alumni, students, faculty, staff, and fans to show off their support for Coach Kampe and the Golden Grizzlies.”

Kampe’s bobbleheads, which are $30 each, feature the legendary coach, who’s led Oakland for 40 seasons to the tune of a 699-537 record, in either a black or white Oakland pullover, while Grizz’s bobblehead, $35 each, sports an Oakland jersey. Each bobblehead will be numbered to 2,024, commemorating the year of Oakland’s success in the tournament.

The bobbleheads are available now for preorder at store.bobbleheadhall.com and are expected to ship in September.

Photo provided by Phil Sklar

The Golden Grizzlies’ legendary coach Greg Kampe and the team’s mascot, Grizz, were morphed into bobblehead form after Oakland University’s unforgettable basketball season. Pictured are mockups of what the bobbleheads are expected to look like.

FLOWER SEASON APPROACHES AS WEATHER IMPROVES

BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT— The 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

Photo by Erin Sanchez

The Exterior Painters Celebrate 20 Years of Transforming Properties, Neighborhoods

Nothing transforms a property and makes it shine brighter than a fresh coat of paint. It’s simply the best and most cost-effective investment you can make for your home draped in the colors of yesterday.

The Exterior Painters have been revitalizing properties for 20 years.

“We specialize in just exterior painting, and the reason why we do that is we believe that repetition is the mother of all skill,” said owner Brian Scott. “For 20 years, that’s all we’ve been doing is outside work. When it comes to that, we do wood replacement and siding replacement. It makes us the perfect fit for homeowners who don’t want to re-side their whole house.”

The Exterior Painters replace damaged siding and boards as needed, but they’re not looking to push for a full siding replacement.

“It gets people by another 10 years and transforms the look of the house, bringing it to the next color trends of today,” Scott said.

“Another thing we do that makes us unique, we have a full-time color consultant,” Scott added. “For most people, that’s the hardest, most stressful part, choosing what color they want. Our consultant comes out and

meets with the homeowners and gives them an idea of what the new color trends are so they can make a good color choice that complements their landscaping, brickwork and architectural features.”

The Exterior Painters also specialize in brick staining.

“A lot of younger people are buying houses. We’re taking it from grandma’s house of the ’50s, ’60s or ’70s and bringing it to that HGTV look,” Scott said.

Power washing the siding — and for an additional charge, soft washing the roof if needed — can also make a big difference in terms of curb appeal.

charge, soft washing the roof if needed — can also transformed through fresh paint,

Scott said his crews often see their work spread from house to house in a neighborhood as the properties are transformed through fresh paint, siding repairs and much-needed washing.

“It’s the cheapest home improvement you can do without breaking the bank,” Scott said.

you’re getting a bigger bang for your buck.”

It’s a win for everyone, from the crews The Exterior Painters employ and pay well to the homeowners who see their neighborhoods transformed. The company paints 30 houses a week on average in Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Livingston counties, and boasts a five-star Google review average.

“With us you’re buying certainty. We don’t ask for a large deposit, and you don’t have to worry about anyone running off with your deposit,” Scott said. “We stand by our work. We provide a warranty and proven results by taking care of everybody in the community. We’re Nextdoor’s No. 1 preferred contractor in Rochester two years in a row. It’s that certainty factor. You know what you’re going

“It’s the cheapest home anyone running off with your deposit,” Scott said. and proven results by taking care of everybody in to get.”

“Compared to other home improvements,

The Exterior Painters are located at 2365 Avon Industrial Drive in Rochester Hills. To request a quote or for more information, call (248) 844-8888.

Flowers

from page 12A

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.

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 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.

Call Staff Writer Mike Koury at (586) 498-1077.

In Memory of Russell James Zahodnik

Russell James Zahodnik died peacefully on Wednesday, March 27th, 2024 at the age of 78.  He was born December 10, 1945 in Neepawa, Manitoba, Canada.  Russ truly lived “the American dream”.  A farm boy from Manitoba, Canada-he found the love of his life, immigrated to the US, started and ran a single travel business for 40+ years, raised a family, became a US Citizen; all on his terms.  He was a devoted family man, and a loving husband for 54 years.  He had a passion for golf. Russ was a member of Great Oaks Country Club for 34 years. Russ was an active member in the Rochester Rotary.  He was a proud donor of the Flight 93 National Memorial.  He is survived by his beloved wife Sandra Lee (nee Kennedy) of 54 years.  Sisters Jayne Picott (Murray Meisner), and Shirley Zahodnik.  Son Jefrey (Amy) Zahodnik, daughter Heather (Guy) Harris.  Grandchildren:  Creighton Harris, Delia Harris, Aidan Zahodnik, Teagan Zahodnik and Landon Zahodnik.  Brother In-Law:  Bob (Myrna) Kennedy. Sister In-Law:  Debra Engster.  He is predeceased by his father Peter Zahodnik and his mother Victoria Zahodnik (nee Purcha) as well as his Sister InLaw Nancy Tyler (nee Kennedy) and brother In-Laws Roger Tyler, William Kennedy,

SMART

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“Not only will this new route offer convenience and accessibility to riders of all generations, but it will also bring tangible benefits to the communities it serves,” Ferrell said in a statement.

From educational hubs like Oakland University to popular shopping centers like the Village of Rochester Hills and Oakland Mall, and vibrant downtown districts like Rochester, Royal Oak and Ferndale, officials say the route will provide convenient access to community hubs, hotspots, amenities and attractions.

SMART has long wanted to serve the residents of Rochester and Rochester Hills, according to Bernard Parker III, the vice president of external affairs for SMART.

“With the passage of the millage in 2022, it opened the door for transit in all Oakland County communities, so SMART moved forward to develop this new route,” he said.

Before the millage passed in November 2022, Rochester and Rochester Hills were “opt-out” communities, meaning they elected not to have public transit and therefore did not pay the public transit tax.

Now that all of Oakland County is “opted-in” to the transit system, Parker III said, SMART is “thoughtfully and strategically ex-

panding services to communities across the county,” and all county residents now pay 0.95 mill for bus service — about $95 per year for a home with a taxable value of $100,000 — plus bus fare.

In the Rochester area, Route 492 primarily runs on Squirrel, University/Walton, and Rochester Road, with bus stops approximately every quarter- to half-mile.

“The new route is ideal for Oakland University students who want to get to shopping or restaurants in Rochester or Rochester Hills,” Parker III said. “It also provides a convenient connection to Troy, Auburn Hills, Royal Oak, Ferndale and other communities across metro Detroit.”

The new route, he added, allows employers to expand their pool of employees by attracting them with public transit as a way to and from their job.

Rochester Mayor Stuart Bikson said the city is excited that public transportation is coming to Rochester.

“This new bus system will allow people to visit our city and also make it easier to work in our community and in our downtown,” he said.

The bus service, Bikson added, will benefit both residents and businesses, and will allow Oakland University students to visit the community, as well as shop and dine in downtown Rochester.

“This new service should help our city continue to be a destination city in our region,” he added.

Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett said he has appreciated the communication with SMART leading up to implementation.

“We are eager to see the ridership numbers over the next few months so we can advocate for the most impactful deployment of transportation dollars moving forward,” he said in an email.

SMART, which serves all three counties in metro Detroit, currently has 44 routes and provides about 8 million trips per year.

In the future, SMART plans to add a new route along the western M-59 corridor that will serve Waterford and Wixom and will also connect to Oakland University, officials said.

Residents can download the Transit app to get real-time information on route schedules and directions. Information for the Rochester route will be available on the Transit app April 22.

For more information about Route 492 and SMART’s transit services, visit www. smartbus.org or call SMART directly at (866) 962-5155.

In the Rochester area, Route 492 will primarily traverse Squirrel, University/Walton and Rochester Road.

Photo provided by SMART

Waltonwood supports residents’ active and independent lifestyles and removes the stress that seniors — and their family members — often experience when they’re living on their own. Move to Waltonwood and spend time doing the things you like most. We’ll take care of the rest.

Russo

from page 1A

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools. Prior to that, he served as a principal in the Bloomfield Hills and Utica Community Schools districts. Russo holds an educational specialist degree in executive leadership from the University of Michigan, a Master of Arts in educational leadership from Wayne State University and a bachelor’s degree in education from Michigan State University. He is a graduate of the Michigan Leadership Institute’s SUPES Academy and holds a Michigan Central Office certificate, among others.

Russo said his leadership approach “prioritizes collaboration, inclusivity and responsiveness to the needs of students and the community,” and he is committed to “fostering environments where both students and staff can thrive, advocating strongly for inclusion and equal access for all.”

Russo was selected from a pool of 20 candidates, which was eventually narrowed down to three finalists — including Russo, Bay City Public Schools Superintendent Stephen Bigelow and Fraser Public Schools Superintendent Carrie Wozniak.

The RCS Board of Education first voted 4-3 to offer the superintendent position to Russo April 3. Board members Jayson Blake, Carol Beth Litkouhi and Andrew Weaver voted against the motion, all citing concerns with Russo’s lack of experience as a superintendent.

Later, in a separate motion, the board voted unanimously to put its full support behind the selection of Russo as its next superintendent, conveying “a willingness to come together as a board and commit to the success of the district’s future leader,” according to RCS officials.

RCS Board of Education Vice President Barb Anness said hiring a superintendent is one of the most important jobs of the school board.

“As an individual member, I have my personal opinion and perspective regarding what is important when hiring one; however, our board tonight speaks as one, and that voice should always be focused on a positive direction with a future focused on all the students, educators and community we serve,” Anness said during the meeting.

Anness said she appreciated Russo’s philosophical outlook, approach to building relationships, preparedness to use the strategic plan to address individual learning needs, experience in various educational settings, human resource experience and candid demeanor while interacting with students.

“I feel Mr. Russo is the one to provide the leadership and stability needed at this time,” said Anness.

Board Secretary Jessica Gupta said Russo offers a “dynamic combination of leadership,” having been a teacher, a principal and now an assistant superintendent of human resources, bringing a diversity of relevant experience to the superintendent position.

“He has a demonstrated track record of improving literacy outcomes in lower elementary, experience in an (International Baccalaureate) environment, an interest in non-traditional secondary and post-secondary pathways, and a passion to build strong relationships to work together productively as a team, all of which would be great assets to our district in the future,” said Gupta.

President Michelle Bueltel said she found Russo to be “the most personable and relatable,” adding that he was “genuine,” had “a sense of humor” and a “desire to positively impact the district.”

“I liked that he has worked in larger districts, has been a building administrator at an IB school and has worked with and been successful with interest-based bargaining. As he visited buildings, it was surprising to see how many of the staff he already knew and how well he interacted with those he did not. Mr. Russo has a broad network that I believe would serve him well as he moves into the

role of superintendent,” Bueltel said.

Former RCS Superintendent Robert Shaner resigned in August of 2023 after serving as the district’s superintendent since 2013. Since then, John Silveri, a retired superintendent from Waterford Public Schools, who did not pursue the Rochester superintendent position, has assumed the superintendent role on an interim basis.

The formal search for the district’s new superintendent began in November of 2023 and was conducted by Ray & Associates. During the search process, the salary range for the position was posted to be in the range of $225,000-$275,000, plus a comprehensive benefits package, although the district noted the final salary would be “based upon proven experience, qualifications and meeting Board of Education criteria.”

Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.

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Authors

from page 3A

The Authors in April Board selects the authors to participate in the program each year.

This year’s authors will come to town April 29-May 3 to visit schools, give presentations to students and sign books. Author Mika Song will visit kindergarten and first grade students, Kevin Sherry will meet with second and third grade students, Jessica Khoury will visit fourth and fifth grade students, and Steve Sheinkin will meet with middle school students in Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township. This year, local high school students have the opportunity to meet Khoury and Sheinkin during a “Career Cafe” at their schools.

“We really love to see when an author connects with a student — whether it’s an illustration, a book or what they say about their career,” DeCuir said.

To help subsidize program costs, there is an online auction April 23-29 and a banquet April 29 at The Palazzo Grande in Shelby Township, which the authors will attend. Adults and students in ninth grade and above can purchase tickets to the banquet in three levels — $55 for general admission, $75 with their name in the program, or $100 with their name in the program and seating at an author table. For more ticket information, visit www.authorsinapril.org.

“It’s a great opportunity for people in the community to come and hear the authors,” said Jamie Rawcliffe, an Authors in April board member. “Coming to the banquet or participating in the auction helps us to continue this program and supports us continuing to bring kids and authors and illustrators together.”

There will be an Authors in April Autograph Party 4-6 p.m. May 1 at the Rochester Hills Public Library for the public to meet the authors, purchase books on-site and have books autographed. The autograph

party is free, and registration is not needed.

Founded in 1984 by a small group of local community leaders, Authors in April Inc. coordinates the Rochester-area Authors in April program — which is now a yearlong effort on the part of Rochester Community Schools, private school parents and educators, and the Rochester Hills Public Library to bring highly regarded children’s authors to the community’s elementary and middle school students.

In the early years, three authors were invited to visit elementary school students over a period of three days. The program has since expanded to include middle schools, the authors’ stay was lengthened to five days, and just last year, the authors were also invited to connect with local high school students.

“It is a fabulous opportunity for students to get to meet the people behind the books,” said Rawcliffe. “They read books all the time, they listen to books in class, but to see that these are the people who created these things and learn how they got involved (is special). So often they share stories about how they started writing stories when they were kids, and they realized this was something they could do as a career.”

Organizers say the Rochester-based Authors in April program is now the only one of its size and scope in the country.

“This is a unique program to Rochester. I don’t think a lot of people realize that we’re a local group and we’re only doing this here. … We’re bringing these people in to spend a whole week here meeting with our students,” Rawcliffe said.

The goal, according to DeCuir, is to promote literacy by encouraging students to become lifelong readers, improve their own creative writing ability, and develop greater appreciation, understanding and discernment for quality literature and art.

“It’s our way to give back to the community,” she said.

To learn more about Authors in April, visit www.authorsinapril.org.

CRIME WATCH

Home invasion reported

ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies were dispatched to the 1800 block of Village Green for a possible breaking and entering that occurred sometime overnight March 6. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with the victim, a 21-year-old man. Police said the apartment appeared to be in disarray. The victim told police that someone possibly entered through the front door that was supposedly locked, but the front door knob was not attached to the front door. Another possible entry was the patio screen door, which was unlocked. According to the victim, the missing items included, but were not limited to, snowboards, a PlayStation4, and computer monitors. Police are investigating.

Cash stolen from locker at gym

ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies were dispatched to a fitness facility in the 1000 block of South Rochester Road for a report that $600 in cash had been stolen from a locker.

A 29-year-old man from Shelby Town-

ship said he arrived at the gym around 10 p.m. March 7 and locked his belongings in a locker. Upon returning shortly before midnight, he noticed the lock was missing from the locker and that some of the things inside were slightly disturbed, but not in total disarray.

Upon checking closer, he found that $600 cash was missing from one of the pockets of the pants he had worn into the gym and stored in the locker.

While the victim was still in the locker room, he was approached by a janitor doing his maintenance duties in the locker room. The janitor, a 52-year-old man from Auburn Hills, witnessed and described a man going through a pair of pants and taking out an unknown sum of cash. The victim reported the activity to the front desk, and based upon the description from the janitor, the front desk employee was able to identify a suspect whose membership had expired but who continued to use the fitness gym and was in the locker room at that time. Police continue to investigate.

$50K in cash, diamond ring stolen from apartment

ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies were dispatched to 100 block of Woodview

Court for a report of a home invasion at 10:30 p.m. March 7. Dispatchers advised police that the homeowners had already gone through the residence, and no one was located.

Upon arrival, deputies met with the victims. Their daughter told police that her parent’s apartment had been broken into. The owners of the apartment, a 63-yearold woman and a 66-year-old man, had left around 9:30 a.m. to go to work and returned home the same day around 10:30 p.m. The victims went upstairs and noticed their bedroom had been ransacked and noticed the back door wall was open. The victim did not notice anything else out of place and began looking in the bedroom for missing items.

The daughter told police approximately $50,000 in cash that was in a navy backpack was missing, along with a silver and diamond ring. Detectives are investigating.

Driver caught on the road with suspended license

ROCHESTER — A Rochester officer performing radar enforcement in the area of University and Madison observed a red vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed at approximately 7:40 p.m. March 30. A traffic

stop was conducted, and the officer determined the driver was suspended. The driver was placed under arrest, was transported to the police station and was released with a citation.

Drivers cited for racing on Main Street

ROCHESTER — A Rochester officer on patrol in the area of Main and Second streets observed two vehicles traveling southbound on Main Street at a high rate of speed at approximately 12:30 a.m. April 1.

The officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicles. The drivers admitted to racing on Main Street. Both drivers received citations and were released.

— Mary Beth Almond

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