5/22/24 Fraser-Clinton Chronicle

Cannon leaves lasting legacy in government and community

BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Township Supervisor Bob Cannon, the longest-serving member on the Clinton Township Board of Trustees, will not be running in August.

Cannon spent 16 years as a trustee and 24 years

FRASER TRACK AND FIELD GOES BACK-TO-BACK, CAPTURES MAC WHITE

Donovan readies for state finals

BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK

jszczepaniak@candgnews.com

FRASER — Fraser senior Tyler Donovan has been everything a coach would want as a runner and as a person in the program.

The Oakland University commit has been a Michigan High School Athletic Association twotime state qualifier in both track and field and cross-country for Fraser, earning all-county honors and Male Athlete of the Year at Fraser.

But this year, the cross-country season was nothing short of a nightmare for the 100-meter and 1-mile school record holder as physical therapy became a mainstay instead of running.

Donovan battled patellar tendonitis, an inflammation of the patellar tendon, throughout the entirety of his freshman year, growing 7 inches in height from the beginning of summer to the end of the year.

In and out of chiropractic offices and physical therapy, Donovan returned as a completely healthy runner for his sophomore and junior years, but the

ABOVE: Fraser junior Jeremiah Williams competes in the 100-meter prelim at the Michigan High School Athletic Association regional meet on May 17 at Romeo High School.

Photo by Nick Powers

Clinton Township Supervisor Bob Cannon is not seeking reelection this fall. Cannon holds the record for longest-serving member on the Board of Trustees at 40 years.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

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3A/ FRASER-CLINTON CHRONICLE • MAY 22, 2024

BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com

FRASER — Fraser community members and businesses were recognized by the Eastpointe-Roseville Chamber of Commerce on May 13 at Vintage House.

The chamber has included Fraser since 2017. The first F.A.M.E. Awards ceremony was held in 2018. F.A.M.E. stands for Fraser Academy Member of Excellence.

Jacob Rice received the Citizen of the

Fallen GIs

Year award for his mental health work in the community, especially suicide prevention. Rice organized a fundraiser called Mental Matters to assist nonprofit KnowResolve last October.

“This issue is very important to him,” Fraser Mayor Micheal Lesich said. “Jake sees the need for someone to talk to, someone to listen to, to raise awareness that help is available.”

Lisa Pettyes received the You’ve Made a Difference award for her work with Differ-

remembered an ocean away Detroit soldier’s remains still missing

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

Each time Bart van der Sterren visits the Netherlands American Cemetery, he places a bouquet of fresh flowers at the Wall of the Missing.

The heartfelt gesture honors the memory of U.S. soldier Cliffe Hamilton Wolfe, a Detroit native who went missing in November 1944 during World War II. His remains have never been found.

Van der Sterren, a resident of Schinveld, Netherlands, is among many volunteers who have adopted

FRIDAY 5/24

F.A.M.E. Awards honors community members, businesses

ence Makers 2.0, which helps at-risk kids in Fraser Schools.

“Lisa works tirelessly with kids to meet them where they are and build them up and incur small wins and victories in school and in life,” Lesich said.

The Fraser Public Safety Officer of the Year award went to officer Cameron Rieper. Rieper was recognized for his response to a vehicle fire last December. According to a previous story in the Fraser-Clinton Township Chronicle, the officer pulled the woman

from the driver’s seat of a truck as the vehicle was engulfed in flames after entering a ditch on Hayes Road south of 15 Mile Road.

“Officer Rieper is very humble. He’d claim he didn’t do anything any other officer wouldn’t do,” Fraser Public Safety Director Samantha Kretzschmar said. “He may be right, but he did it that day.”

The Fraser Student of the Year was senior Noah Tonn, who is valedictorian for his class. Carrie Wozniak said Tonn has the

ABOVE: The Netherlands American Cemetery was built on land where the U.S. 30th Infantry Division liberated the Dutch citizens in September 1944. LEFT: Detroit native Cliffe Hamilton Wolfe, who has been missing in action since November 1944, is among the U.S. soldiers remembered at the Netherlands American Cemetery.

Photo by Brian Louwers

Photo provided by Susan Miller See SOLDIERS on page 8A

See AWARDS on page 12A

Macomb County officials call for tick precautions

MACOMB COUNTY — As summer draws ever closer, the Macomb County Health Department is cautioning residents about ticks and tick-borne Lyme disease.

“Because we have had a relatively mild winter and spring season, there is an elevated probability of the presence of ticks,” Tom Barnes, division director of the Macomb County Health Department’s Environmental Health Division, said in a press release. “So as we start to spend more and more time outdoors in the spring and summer, we all need to be mindful of the presence of ticks and some of the strategies to avoid tick bites, and potentially, Lyme disease.”

According to the 2022 Michigan Emerging and Zoonotic Disease Surveillance Study, Lyme disease cases have been rising in the state. In 2018 there were 262 cases of Lyme disease, rising to 862 cases in 2022. Macomb County’s case numbers have risen over the past decade from three in 2016 to 15 in 2023. Lyme disease is carried by ticks, which attach to the body and feed on blood. Ticks can be attached for up to 48 hours before Lyme is transmitted.

Full-body checks for ticks should be done after spending a prolonged time outdoors. If a tick is found, use tweezers to remove the tick and make sure the tick’s head is removed. A bullseye wound may surround the tick bite.

To avoid tick bites, wear clothing that covers the skin. Insect repellent is effective, both when applied to the body and by treating clothes with products containing 0.5% permethrin.

Countywide road adoption taking place

Aurora borealis comes in view

METRO DETROIT — In a quarter-second exposure on the night of May 10, auroras turn the skies over Rochester Hills and much of Michigan red, purple and green. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center, the lights were caused by a severe geomagnetic storm as coronal mass ejections from the sun collided with the Earth’s atmosphere. It was the third severe solar storm since the current solar cycle began in 2019.

MACOMB COUNTY — Drivers throughout Macomb County should keep their eyes open for their neighbors this May as volunteers will be out cleaning their adopted county roads.

Supported by 330 registered groups, the Macomb County Adopt-a-Road program’s cleanup period runs from May 1 to Sept. 2.

“Whether people are visiting Macomb County for the first time or driving on our roads daily, the appearance of our roadways matters,” Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said in a press release. “The Adopt-A-County Road program is a great opportunity for individuals and groups to take an active role in our community while making a positive environmental change.”

Participation in the program is free and materials to facilitate the two required annual cleanups — high-visibility vests, garbage bags and safety information — are provided by the county roads department. Road adopters are recognized with a sign along the adopted road. For more information or to request an adoption application, contact the Macomb County Department of Roads at adopt@rcmcweb.org or (586) 463-8671.

Clinton Township man who allegedly shot wife pleads not guilty

MOUNT CLEMENS — A Clinton Township man who allegedly shot his wife pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Macomb County Circuit Court on May 13.

Steven Wheeler, 30, allegedly got into a fight with his wife on Oct. 19, 2023. She called 911, telling police she was being assaulted and asking them to respond. While on the phone, she was shot multiple times and killed.

Wheeler is charged with first-degree murder, punishable by mandatory life in prison. He was arraigned by Circuit Court Judge Julie Gatti and remains in custody at the Macomb County Jail.

“The brutality of domestic violence has once again shattered lives,” Macomb CountyProsecutor Peter Lucido is quoted as saying in a press release. “This incident not only extinguished a precious life but underscores the urgent need to confront and eradicate domestic abuse from our communities.”

Wheeler’s attorney, public defender Noel Erinjeri, had “no comment” on the case.

On July 11, Wheeler is scheduled to appear before Gatti in Circuit Court for a pretrial conference.

FRASER POLICE DEPARTMENT GETS 15 MORE TASERS

FRASER — The Fraser City Council unanimously approved funding for the Police Department to purchase new Tasers at its May 9 meeting.

The department asked for 15 new Tasers, 15 cartridges for the Tasers and 15 battery packs. The total cost was $22,897. The department currently utilizes 12 Tasers, which officers have to share. The purchase would allow each officer to have his or her own Taser.

“It’s less wear and tear if everyone has their own,” Fraser Director of Public Safety Samantha Kretzschmar said at the meeting.

Axon X26P Tasers were purchased, which is the type the department currently uses. The funding for the purchase comes from the city’s public safety drug forfeiture account.

“Many foot problems in people with diabetes occur when injuries and infections go unnoticed and untreated. Healing can be delayed due to decreased feeling in the feet (neuropathy) and poor circulation. I will evaluate your feet regularly to detect any changes early, before they become a problem. Call me for an appointment and I will work with you to keep your feet healthy.”

Photo by Dean Vaglia

Inclusive playground expected to finish construction in fall

BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Clinton Township is moving closer to getting a park with greater accessibility for disabled children.

The Clinton Township Board of Trustees approved a presentation by Department of Public Services Supervisor Mary Bednar and Inclusive Playground Committee Chair AnnMarie Ottoy outlining features, costs and a timeline for the park.

The project is expected to begin in late summer 2024 and finish in the fall. The Clinton Township Board of Trustees approved the playground in 2019. A committee was formed to build the playground and plays an advisory role about inclusivity and other township spaces.

The equipment has a nature theme with the appearance of a river. There are frogs, mushrooms and logs incorporated around the green and brown playscapes. Special attention was given to aspects of the design like making the slides metal.

“If you have a cochlear implant you can use a metal slide more than you can a plastic slide because of the static electricity and so

forth,” Bednar said. “That way everyone can slide.”

The main playscape is for children ages 5 to 12. It is accessible to children with mobility limitations and allows participants to move through most of the main structure, with space to turn around. There are swings that cater to different kinds of abilities.

There’s a smaller playscape for children ages 2 to 5 and different structures nearby like a small cave, chimes and a seesaw.

A unique feature of the inclusive playground is the sensory and quiet area. It provides kids with a place to take a break from play if they get overwhelmed. Bednar said the space, which features sitting areas and a stage, can help bring out a kid’s imagination.

“This is probably what makes this playground different from almost any other playground,” Bednar said.

“I think this will be a well-loved feature of this playground,” said Ottoy, who chairs the Inclusive Playground Committee.

The playground isn’t just for kids. Adults and older kids also have a separate space for physical conditioning and therapy.

More than $1.46 million has been fundraised for the project so far. The township raised $130,790 from different charitable

5-12 years old.

organizations, such as the Kiwanis and Lions clubs. A resident, who was not named, donated $25,000 to the project. The project received a $1 million grant from the state. The township, at a previous meeting, allocated $300,000 for the playground if needed.

The total cost of the project is $1,467,944, according to Bednar. The cost of the equipment, from GameTime through

the MiDeal program, is $1,399,998. There will be approximately $10,946 in additional costs to the Department of Public Services. She said design firm Anderson, Eckstein & Westrick was willing to do $20,000 in work for $6,000. There is a $51,000 contingency for construction costs.

“This has been a great passion of mine.

Image provided by Clinton Township

Clinton Township is set to get an inclusive playground this fall. This rendering shows a playscape for children

Supervisor attempts to switch Clinton Township’s attorney

BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — At the Clinton Township Board of Trustees meeting on April 29, Supervisor Bob Cannon attempted to bring an end to the use of attorney Jack Dolan as the township’s legal counsel.

All board members, except for Cannon, voted to table the change in the legal services contract. Dolan forcefully pushed back on all of Cannon’s accusations at the meeting, calling them “completely and totally inaccurate.”

In a statement to the board, read at the meeting by Township Clerk Kim Meltzer, Cannon outlines several areas where he feels Dolan has fallen short. He cites Dolan’s parttime residence in Florida; a high retainer for services provided; issues in “arrangement and access” between the firm and the township; and the depth of the firm compared to others. He also alleges that Dolan worked with former Clinton Township Trustee Dean Reynolds’ defense. Cannon recommended the services of The Kelly Firm.

Dolan’s firm, York, Dolan & Tomlinson, represents other municipalities includ-

ing New Baltimore, Roseville, Macomb Township and Grosse Pointe Woods. There are three attorneys at the firm: Dolan, Linda McGrail and Tim Tomlinson. Fred York died in 1989.

Dolan, a lawyer who has worked with the township for 47 years, said he believes Cannon has a personal grudge toward him. He said Cannon also led the charge to get rid of him in the early ’90s and again in 2022.

“Each time it happens there’s never anything, that I think, that he can point to that warrants getting rid of an attorney,” Dolan said.

Cannon said the first attempt to discontinue Dolan’s services was brought forward by then-Supervisor Mark Kohl at the board’s meeting on May 13, 1991.

“Mr. Kohl at the time, who was supervisor, felt it was time to take a look at other alternatives and I did, too,” Cannon said in an interview following the meeting.

Robert Steiner, Dennis Tomlinson, Nancy Dedenbach, Kay Howard and James Sinnamon voted to keep Dolan on; Kohl and Cannon voted against it.

For Cannon’s part, he said he doesn’t have anything against Dolan.

“I like Mr. Dolan as a person, as a fa-

ther,” Cannon said. “He’s done a great job, but I disagree about how much money we pay him, and I disagree with the fact that he’s running the business out of Florida and that he’s got a really small firm. I believe we can do much better and pay less money.”

Dean Reynolds connection?

At the crux of Cannon’s request for change is Dolan’s alleged involvement in Reynolds’ criminal defense. Cannon, in the statement, said he was “deeply disturbed” by Dolan’s alleged actions.

“Mr. Dolan provided Reynolds’ attorney the lengthy document in order to allow the defense attorney to argue before the federal judge overseeing the Dean Reynolds corruption trial that Mr. Reynolds’ sentence should be set aside,” Cannon said in the statement.

In 2019, the former Clinton Township trustee was sentenced to 17 years in prison and ordered to pay $15,000 on four counts of bribery conspiracy and ten counts of accepting bribes. The charges stemmed from bribes Reynolds allegedly took as a trustee to award township contracts.

Dolan, who is the township’s Freedom of Information Act coordinator, said he was

providing Reynolds’ attorney Barry Powers with information he asked for via a FOIA request. Dolan said Powers wanted an explanation about the documents he received.

“My intention there was to present factual information, so that the court had before it what I thought were accurate facts,” Dolan said.

Dolan said he never personally represented Reynolds. He said, if he did, it was when Reynolds was still a member of the Board of Trustees.

Reynolds’ attorney, Barry Powers, agreed that Dolan didn’t directly assist him with his defense. He said Dolan authenticated documents having to do with the bid process for the township in a declaration to the court.

“Mr. Dolan by implication or some vicarious principle should not be associated with that in any way,” Powers said.

Deputy Supervisor Dan O’Leary disputes this characterization of Dolan’s assistance.

“This was hardly a simple FOIA response,” O’Leary said in an email sent to Meltzer. “A FOIA is a release of previously existing documents, not the authoring of a defense strategy.”

See ATTORNEY on page 9A

struggles returned again this season during cross-country.

“I started to hate racing at the end of cross-country,” Donovan said. “Right now, my plan is to not even run crosscountry in college because I just have bad memories with it.”

Going through the physical therapy again from September to February of this year, Donovan readied himself for the indoor track season to gauge where he was at physically, but also mentally.

It didn’t take long for the veteran runner to show exactly what he can do on the track when he’s at full strength, opening with his fastest mile ever (4:27) and a personal record in the 800-meter in his first race.

“Right away, indoor track comes and I start hitting some good times,” Donovan said. “I got my spark back, I guess.”

Donovan’s spark has ignited the entirety of the Fraser boys track and field team, helping the Ramblers win its second straight Macomb Area Conference White title. Fraser earned the clean sweep over second-place Utica, winning both the dual meet and divisional meet titles.

Fraser secured the dual meet championship on May 6 in a league-deciding matchup against Utica, and Fraser head coach Kevin Storai’s guys came prepared.

Senior Christian Wesley, an Oakland University commit, earned first in the 200- and 400-meter while Donovan took first in the 800- and 1600-meter.

Fraser, like they’ve done all season in the MAC White,

dominated the field events as senior Trevor LeMaigre (shot put), junior Jackson Sines (discus), senior Keonte Riley (high jump and long jump), and senior Jacob Mead (pole vault) all earned first place.

Storai credits his coaching staff for the field events success.

“We have really good field events in particular, which, quite frankly, I have nothing to deal with,” Storai said. “Ryan (Tilney) is my field event coach, and Myles (Cleverley) does pole vault for me, and we have a regional champ in pole vault returning, a state qualifier in high jump returning, and we’ve got the deepest throws crew in the White, if not the county, alongside Dakota in terms of depth. My throws coach Ryan (Tilney) went to Dakota and learned under that coach, so it’s no surprise that we’re doing as well as we are.”

Fraser doubled down at the MAC White championship on May 10 with another narrow victory over secondplace Utica as Wesley (400), Donovan (1600), junior Emilio Ramirez-Alacron (discus), Riley (high jump), and Mead (pole vault) all earned first.

Fraser’s 4x400 relay consisting of sophomore Brady Slone, junior William Minor, senior Donovan Davis, and junior Corshaun Williams also earned first. Other contributors for Fraser this season have been senior Benjamin Daniels, senior Lucas Shemansky, and junior Jeremiah Williams.

Riley has been a Swiss Army knife of sorts for Fraser, effectively competing in the 110-meter hurdles, and both long jump and high jump throughout the year.

Riley said it’s a process to prepare for the different events, but said he prides himself on being able to do so.

“When it comes to having to take on my events, I know

what has to be done and what is expected of me with all three of my events,” Riley said. “Starting at the same time with my preparation is really important for me, making sure I get warmed up for all three of my events. This can be very stressful at times, but I manage. I start by taking on high hurdles, which gives me a good stretch to take on my high jump and long jump.”

While Fraser as a team finished its season at the MH-

See TRACK on page 12A

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Fraser senior Benjamin Daniels competes in the 100-meter prelim.

Clinton Township board approves several proclamations, resolutions

BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP —

The Clinton Township Board of trustees approved a flurry of resolutions and proclamations at its May 13 meeting.

The board was unanimous in approving three resolutions in the township. The resolutions include making May 14 Apraxia Awareness Day, making May Military Appreciation Month and designating June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

A separate motion to put a pride flag in the board’s chambers for June came with some debate. This was the same flag that was displayed last year.

Trustee Dan Kress questioned whether the displayed flag would include all members of the LGBTQ+ community. He mentioned some members might prefer the older flag.

“Obviously, there are quite a lot of different opinions, quite a lot of different viewpoints, quite a lot of different lifestyles,” Kress said. “I’m only hesitant to put a flag in our board room that might offend some people because it doesn’t encompass their particular way of living.”

Trustee Tammy Patton, who submitted the observance, explained to Kress why the flag was picked

over the older versions. She said this flag was updated to include people of color.

“All those letters represent those entities and the progression of those entities,” she said. “We’re further than we have ever been. So how we’re leaving people out on that particular flag, I’m really not sure. But this is the most progressive flag that chapters around the nation have.”

All board members voted to have the flag in the chambers except Township Clerk Kim Meltzer.

The township’s proclamation to recognize June 7 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day and for those participating to wear orange drew some discussion.

Resident Dana Dugger questioned the specifics of the proclamation, emphasizing that it should focus on people who misuse guns and not the weapons themselves. Dugger advocated for mental health treatment, education and punishment for misuse. He also questioned the accuracy of the stats in the proclamation.

“Unlike a lithium battery that can explode without being touched, a firearm must have the interaction of a human to create a violent act,” Dugger said. “A better focus would be to call this firearm accident and

See BOARD on page 10A

Soldiers

American GIs buried at the cemetery, located in the European town of Margraten, Netherlands.

Approximately 8,300 U.S. military service members killed in combat during Operation Market Garden and the Allied push into Nazi Germany are laid to rest there. Also remembered are the 1,700 soldiers whose names are listed on the Wall of the Missing, including Wolfe’s. The cemetery was built on land where the U.S. Army’s 30th Infantry Division liberated Dutch citizens in September 1944.

Rows of crosses — each etched with a deceased soldier’s name, rank, unit, hometown and date of death — line the cemetery’s open fields. Each headstone, along with displayed flags of America and the Netherlands, pay tribute to the U.S. service members who made the ultimate sacrifice. The Dutch people constructed the cemetery to show their gratitude to the U.S. troops who liberated their country during wartime. The cemetery officially opened July 7, 1960.

“It is important that people around the world, especially America, read that these young heroes did not die in vain, but for our freedom more than over 78 years ago,” van der Sterren, a World War II buff, said via email.

Through the Margraten Adoption Graves Foundation, volunteers can adopt an American soldier. Currently, all the graves and names of the Wall of the Missing have been adopted. Because so many people want to pay tribute to the soldiers, sometimes there is a waiting list to adopt. Volunteers bring flowers to remember the service members and also conduct research on their own to learn more about their lives. Van der Sterren said a visitors center was built recently, which he described as “beautiful” and “worth a visit.”

cemetery. He visits it four times a year. Each year, a ceremony in honor of the U.S. Memorial Day is held. This year’s event is scheduled for May 26, one day before the official holiday.

This past winter, van der Sterren contacted C & G Newspapers after an article appeared in the Eastsider about someone with a last name that is similar to a soldier buried at the cemetery. He wanted to know if there was a connection, but there wasn’t.

However, there was a local tie from across the Atlantic Ocean because one of the soldiers van der Sterren adopted — Cliffe Hamilton Wolfe — hailed from Detroit. In an email interview, van der Sterren shared details about the service member and the efforts to find his remains, which so far have been unsuccessful.

Wolfe, born in 1913, was a technical sergeant with the 28th Infantry Division, 109th Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion Company A. He was last seen Nov. 17, 1944, in a forest near the town of Hürtgen, Germany. He is still listed as missing in action.

Going through the proper procedures, van der Sterren obtained Wolfe’s Individual Deceased Personnel File. Inside the file was a map the captain of Wolfe’s troop drew, indicating his last known whereabouts. It is highly suspected that Wolfe lost his life near the village of Hürtgen, southeast of Aachen, Germany.

Wolfe, 31, “died in his own foxhole during combat. Due to the rapid advance of the Germans, Wolfe and others were buried quickly on the spot,” according to van der Sterren’s research. “At the end of the Second World War, there was heavy fighting here, a battle that was given the name ‘death factory.’ The conditions in this period were extremely miserable due to violent enemy artillery fire that sowed death and destruction.”

Van der Sterren, 58, who speaks Dutch, German and English, lives about 40 minutes from the

With the help of various organizations, including the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, van

from page 3A See SOLDIERS on page 14A

In O’Leary’s email, he states that he and Cannon had a meeting with Dolan to discuss his involvement with Reynold’s case. In the meeting, O’Leary alleges that Dolan said, “Was I supposed to ignore an injustice? I have the right to correct an injustice if I see one,” with regard to assisting Reynolds’ case.

Availability

Dolan said he has two residences: one in Fort Myers, Florida, and one in Birmingham, Michigan. He said he’s been splitting his time at the residence in Florida since 2018 due to his son’s health issues.

“I’m there because I have a son, who’s the absolute light of my life, who suffers from some medical conditions that make it difficult for him to be comfortable in winter conditions in Michigan,” Dolan said at the meeting.

Dolan said working remotely doesn’t impact how available he is for the township. He said a lot of communications with attorneys are done electronically these days.

“This is what I consider to be an inexplicable red herring,” Dolan said of Cannon’s accusation that he isn’t available.

Price

Dolan explained that while the $900-aday retainer sounds like a lot, it’s less costly than what neighboring townships spend annually on legal aid. He said, on the year, this adds up to about $334,000 for the township. Canton Township spent $810,617 on legal services in 2022 and Sterling Heights spent $960,270 in the same year.

“What matters is what’s actually being paid,” Dolan said.

In 2022, bids were sent out to see if competitors would offer better services for a better price. Clinton Township Treasurer Paul Gieleghem, who was a member of the committee tasked with selecting a legal firm, said he was looking for a firm that would work on retainer instead of hourly. This would allow departments to call the attorney when necessary without wondering what the legal fees would do to their budget. He said questioning whether or not to use an attorney can lead to problems.

“I think that’s when mistakes happen and, oftentimes in local government, mistakes turn into lawsuits and increased cost exposure for the township,” Gieleghem said.

Cannon said in his statement that The Kelly Firm is highly qualified, offers the best value, is recommended by the township’s peers, offers greater bench strength and is growing but is not too big to keep the township from being a priority. The firm is located in Michigan.

Unlike York, Dolan & Tomlinson, The Kelly Firm would not be on a retainer. The firm charges $170 per hour (plus cost-ofliving adjustments) and has eight lawyers, according to a document Cannon produced at the meeting.

McGrail said in an interview following the meeting that York, Dolan & Tomlinson has three experienced municipal attorneys. This makes the firm unique compared to competitors.

“When you look at some of these other bigger firms you might have one experienced attorney, but then you’ve got a bunch of attorneys who only have a year or so of experience,” she said. “They take longer to get things done. They’re still learning, they’re still cutting their teeth.”

Following the 2022 attempt to end Dolan’s legal services, the board unanimous-

page 6A See ATTORNEY on page 11A

Cannon

from page 1A

as supervisor for the township. He surpassed Otto Duckwitz, who was on the board from 1898 to 1917, as the board’s longest-serving member. In 40 years, it’s hard to not leave some kind of lasting impression on a community.

In government

One accomplishment for Cannon, 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.”

Bednar was hired by Cannon in 2001 as a township engineer. In 2011, she moved into her current position as director of public services. Bednar was hired initially, in part, to help address the issue. She said Cannon was an advocate for making sure the river was clean.

“His role was always to make sure we

Board

from page 8A

felonious use awareness day.”

Pamela Leidlein, who submitted the proclamation to the board, agreed with Dugger about the importance of awareness and education in the community. Leiden shared her story of losing a daughter to a stray bullet at a fireworks display. She clarified the proclamation’s importance and stood by the statistics from everystat.org.

“That’s part of what the awareness is: to

were on track and doing what was right,” Bednar said. “He is a big fan of the river and always doing the right thing for the river.”

Barry Miller was hired by Cannon as a building inspector for the township in 2003. Since, Miller has worked his way to superintendent for the Building Department.

“In the polarizing political climate we’re in today, Bob’s always been pretty straight forward with being able to do what’s right for the people of the community,” Miller said.

Miller said Cannon has been supportive of his department heads.

“Not the type of person who throws people under the bus,” Miller said. “He backs his department heads. He cares about what he does, he’s been great to work for.”

“He was always willing to listen, but he also challenged us,” Bednar said.

Current Clinton Township Treasurer

Paul Gieleghem has been working with Cannon since his time on the Macomb County Board of Commissioners. The two go back 20 years. He said he respects what Cannon has done for the township.

“While Bob and I haven’t always agreed on issues, there’s been a lot of attention paid to when we’ve disagreed, we’ve agreed more than we’ve disagreed,” he said.

Trustee Mike Keys and Cannon have locked horns a few times over the years.

get some programs started in the community that make people aware of the need for training, securing weapons, teaching children how not to handle them; if they’re hunting, how to properly use and store them,” Leidlein said.

The board unanimously approved the proclamation. It also unanimously approved the observance of Juneteenth by displaying “Happy Juneteenth” on the township’s website, social media sites and its marquee from June 17-19.

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

While he’s interested to see a “reinvigoration” of the supervisor position, he commended Cannon’s commitment to the township.

“I am appreciative of his efforts to improve the lives of Clinton Township residents and wish him well as he enters a new phase of life,” Keys said in a statement.

Impact beyond government

Cannon was a business teacher at Stevenson High School for 25 years while he was a trustee. He said he wouldn’t rule out returning to the profession.

“I loved teaching,” Cannon said. “I’m not discounting going back into teaching after I retire from this job.”

He also coached a variety of sports ranging from girls softball to boys track. Cannon had a background in this area, playing multiple sports at Lakeview High School and going on to play baseball at Wayne State University. Rick Bye, who was Stevenson’s football coach at the time, said Cannon was dependable and personable.

“He was really well liked and very supportive of the programs at Stevenson,” Bye said.

“As a coach with us he did a nice job,” said Robin Dilday, who was the athletic director for Utica Community Schools at the time.

Gold Star memorial

While playing baseball at Wayne State, Cannon shattered his left arm. This sidelined him from serving in Vietnam, but it didn’t prevent him from being an advocate for veterans. As supervisor, he helped bring Clinton Township a memorial for Gold Star families in 2021. The memorial is one of two in Michigan (the other is in Bay City). Karen Straffon, who works with Wreaths Across America, helped advocate to get it put in the township.

“He was very, very instrumental,” Straffon said about Cannon’s involvement. “He’s got a bench out there for his uncle who was killed in World War II. He was there from Day 1 with us. There’s no other place I could imagine it being.”

“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.”

‘He’ll still be active’

Though he won’t be the supervisor, Cannon said that he plans to still be involved in Clinton Township.

“Honestly, even when he retires from

See CANNON on page 12A

ly voted for York, Dolan & Tomlinson to provide hourly breakdowns of its services to the township. McGrail provided a summary of these reports to the Fraser-Clinton Township Chronicle with comparison pricing for The Kelly Firm. A summary shows a projected savings to the township each month. For example, in August 2023, Dolan’s firm logged 177.1 hours for the township, making it a slower month, according to the report. If converted to an hourly cost, the rate would have been $157.54. The Kelly Firm would have reportedly cost the township $30,107 for the month. Dolan’s firm charged $27,900.

Following the meeting, Kim Meltzer said she was concerned about the legal services the firm could provide while balancing contracts with other municipalities. She said she didn’t want the township to discontinue services with York, Dolan & Tomlinson, just maybe reassess them. She also said the attorney’s services are needed less these days since officials are veterans at their jobs.

“We should pay for what we use, not for what we don’t,” Meltzer said.

A secret meeting?

Cannon said that during a 2022 reassessment of the township’s legal services, a more qualified and less-expensive firm should’ve been picked. He alleges that there were behind the scenes meetings that went against the agreement of the bid process. These meetings were between Gieleghem, Dolan and McGrail. At the time, McGrail was an attorney with the firm O’Reilly Rancilio. She now works for York, Dolan & Tomlinson.

“The hijacking in the process resulted in a higher cost, lower impact firm being selected to the detriment of taxpayers,” Cannon said.

Dolan said this part of the bid agreement was to ensure there was no collusion among the attorneys in the process. He said

this didn’t happen prior to the bids becoming public.

“I never spoke to anybody at O’Reilly or Ms. McGrail prior to the proposal being submitted,” Dolan said following the meeting.

Gieleghem said, as a member of the committee, he met with all the firms competing for the bids. Other members on the committee included Meltzer, Cannon, Finance Director Mary Hein, Human Resources Director William Smith and O’Leary.

“Bob’s suggesting there was some kind of nefarious intent,” Gieleghem said. “My intent was to make sure we got the best possible service at the best possible price.”

The attempt to change attorneys failed at a meeting on Feb. 28, 2022. Cannon, Trustee Tammy Patton and Meltzer voted to go with O’Reilly Rancilio. Trustees Mike Keys and Joie West voted no, along with Gieleghem. Trustee Laura Cardamone was absent.

According to previous reporting by the Fraser-Clinton Township Chronicle about the meeting, Cannon accused McGrail of a switch in firms at the last minute. Thentrustee Joie West pushed back on this assertion.

It failed again at a meeting on March 14, 2022, and York, Dolan & Tomlinson was kept as the township’s firm. The board also unanimously voted to get the hourly breakdown about how York, Dolan & Tomlinson spent its time doing legal work for the township.

Looking back, McGrail said it was difficult hearing the accusation of collusion.

“Obviously, it’s hard hearing anyone saying anything about yourself when you try to do good work for a client,” McGrail said.

Back in 2022, she said she read the collusion agreement that was part of the bidding process to make sure she wasn’t breaking it by switching firms. She said her decision at the time came from knowing half the board wanted her to be the township attorney and the other half wanted Dolan. Dolan reached out to McGrail, once the bids were public, to see if she wanted to join his firm.

“To me, it just seemed like a win-win,” McGrail said.

Awards

from page 3A

highest GPA, 4.365, in the history of Fraser Public Schools. Wozniak mentioned Tonn’s achievements in extracurricular activities like robotics, and that he helped found the Be Nice Club at the high school.

“It’s made a remarkable impact on this school,” Wozniak said of the club, which aims to promote mental health.

Hannah LaBlanc, who received the Youth of the Year award, was recognized for her volunteer work in the community. State Rep. Alicia St. Germaine, R-Harrison Township, recognized LaBlanc for her work with Blessing Bags Brigade of Michigan and the Friends of Fraser Library.

“She is dependable, mature and able to work with a wide range of people,” St. Germaine said of the latter. “She is exceptional at helping the senior population understand and work with technology.”

Educator of the Year awards went to Fraser teachers Robin Jenkins (elementary), Sheldon Santamaria (middle) and Tyler Westerhof (high school).

Businesses were also recognized. Schott’s Market was named Business of the Year. Winkler Iron and Metal and Big Boy each received the Capital Improvement award. Faulmann & Walsh Golden Rule Funeral Home received the Pioneer award.

Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 4981059.

Cannon

from page 10A

here, he’ll still be active,” Miller said. “He cares about the community. He cares about what’s going on.”

“I think this is a good time to reflect back,” Gieleghem said. “Bob has been with the township for a long time. That’s a huge commitment he’s made to Clinton Township. He steered the township through a few rough patches. I very much respect his long-standing service to this community.”

Former Clinton Township Treasurer Bill Sowerby worked with Cannon for 20 years and has known him longer.

“He served the Clinton Township community very well,” Sowerby said. “He was committed to keeping the Clinton Township community a great place to live. For all of his years of service he now deserves a happy retirement from public life.”

“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.

Track

from page 7A

SAA Region 10 championship on May 17 at Romeo High School, Riley (high jump), Donovan (800), Wesley (400), Mead (pole vault), LeMaigre (shot put), and the 4x400 relay consisting of Donovan, Wesley, Slone, and Davis all qualified for the MHSAA Division 1 state finals on June 1 at East Kentwood High School.

On the girls side, junior Grace Grupido and sophomore Katelyn Frazier both qualified in the 800-meter while the 4x800 team consisting of Grupido, Frazier, senior Remi Flanz, and sophomore Olivia Cereska also qualified for states. Grupido was the regional champ in the 800-meter while the 4x800 team broke the school record, which was set by the group last year, with their time by nearly 15 seconds.

School officials believe it is the largest collective group of boys and girls athletes to attend the state finals in Fraser High School history.

Call Staff Writer Jonathan Szczepaniak at (586) 498-1090.

Playground

from page 5A

I’m glad to see it come to fruition,” Clinton Township Treasurer Paul Gieleghem said.

“With our inclusive ball fields, we have a lot more than any other community in the state of Michigan,” Supervisor Bob Cannon said.

Ottoy said that families who have a child with disabilities have to fight for many opportunities. The playground serves as a way to connect.

“This playground is an opportunity for people to have that respite, to have peace of mind with some recreation with their family members,” Ottoy said.

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

Soldiersfrom page 8A

der Sterren tried to find the missing soldier through aerial photographs, metal detectors and ground-penetrating radar.

“After a week of digging in Hürtgen (in 2018) and finding several hidden foxholes containing ammunition, bullets, mortars, hand grenades and personal military items, we were unable to find Cliffe H. Wolfe,” van der Sterren said.

‘I think it’s so nice to have Cliffe’s memory being honored.’

Wolfe’s family members, including nieces Susan (Wolfe) Miller and Nancy (Wolfe) Jordan, found out about the cemetery through van der Sterren. Their dad (Wolfe’s older brother) was Charles Wolfe, who served in the Navy during World War II. After the war, Charles, his wife Margaret and their daughters lived in Detroit for many years. At one time, Charles served as Detroit Public Schools superintendent. He died in 1990.

Nancy was a toddler when Wolfe went missing and Miller was born in 1947, after the war. When Miller found out about the Netherlands American Cemetery, she put together a book of photos and essays about her uncle for van der Sterren. Although Miller has not visited the cemetery, she stays in touch with van der Sterren.

“I think it’s absolutely wonderful the Dutch people have honored the soldiers all these years. I think it’s so nice to have Cliffe’s memory being honored,” said Miller, who now resides in Rochester, New York. “It was such a lovely thing to know the Dutch country was taking care of our uncle who has never been found, but are honoring his sacrifice.”

Although Miller never knew her uncle, she felt his presence through the many stories her father and grandparents told. He was an educator at the Merrill-Palmer Institute in Detroit when he joined the Army in early 1942.

“Cliffe sounded like a lovely person,” she said. “I had a lot of pictures of my dad and Cliffe growing up. He was tall and lanky and very handsome.”

Before the Wolfe brothers left for combat, their parents — Miller’s grandparents — moved to a cottage in Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. At Wolfe’s request, his parents lit a lamp every evening at the cottage in the front window until the boys came home.

Wolfe attended Northwestern High School in Detroit and after graduation enrolled at Wayne State University, when it was

called Wayne University. According to information Miller obtained from her sister, who lives in Maryland, Wolfe was in a long-term relationship with a young woman in Detroit when he left for the military.

Miller said her uncle had an interest in the Appalachian Mountains and its people. He even built a cabin nestled in Berea, Kentucky. Miller, too, sensed the pain his loss brought to the family.

“The sadness of Cliffe’s death really hung over my childhood,” she said.

‘Now it’s war time.’

As a keepsake, Miller still has the letters Wolfe wrote to his parents while overseas.

“He was a beautiful writer,” Miller said. “His expressiveness was beautiful.”

In one written correspondence dated Dec. 7, 1942 — exactly one year after the Pearl Harbor attack — Wolfe wrote to his parents about the memories he had of opening presents on Christmas Day, including the year the family got its first-ever Victrola.

“Playing that grand music, we were so thrilled,” he wrote, according to Miller. “Now it’s war time. It’s hard to look into the immediate future.”

In another letter entrusted to the keeping of his chaplain, Wolfe wrote, “Dear Mother and Pop: This may reach you if anything happens to me. I hope and pray that when all of this horrible war is over, I’ll be coming home to you. But ahead of me lies a great deal of danger and life is not very highly valued.

“We will be going into a tremendous battle soon and we all know that many will not live through it. If this should reach you because I’ll not be home, you’ll know, my dears, that my love for you continues eternally in whatever place in the universal realm our Lord has chosen to lead me. I do love

you so, Cliffe. “

After Wolfe went missing, the family connected with a liaison officer in an attempt to locate his remains.

“My grandmother wrote 75 to 100 letters from 1945-52,” Miller said. “The military looked so hard for Cliffe and the other soldiers. We know they searched and searched and searched.”

After speaking with the DPAA, there could be another attempt next year to locate Wolfe.

“Hopefully in 2025 another search for his remains will take place together with the DPAA and he will be found,” van der Sterren

Editor: Brian Louwers | (586) 498-1089 | brianlouwers@candgnews.com

Reporter: Nick Powers | (586) 498-1059 | npowers@candgnews.com Dean Vaglia | (586) 498-1043 | dvaglia@candgnews.com

Sports: Jonathan Szczepaniak | (586) 498-1090 | sports@candgnews.com

said. “In letters to his mother during the war, he wrote that if he died during the war, he would like to be buried in his hometown.”

Along with Wolfe, van der Sterren, who is married and has two grown sons, adopted another soldier named Hans Bermayr, who was killed in action Feb. 26, 1945. His hometown was Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Van der Sterren does not want the members of the U.S. armed forces at the Netherlands American Cemetery to ever be forgotten.

For more information on the Netherlands American Cemetery, visit abmc.gov/ Netherlands.

Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com For retail ad rates: Paula Stelzer | (586) 498-1076 | pstelzer@candgnews.com Karen Bozimowski | (586) 498-1032 | kboz@candgnews.com

Classifieds: For ad rates (586) 498-8100 Legals and Obits: (586) 498-1099

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2. Complete the application and return to the Pipefitting Industry Training Center with:

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b. High School diploma or high school equivalency (GED) certificate.

c. There is a $45.00 OR $100.00 testing fee that will be collected when turning in application.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

MAY 22

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 6691, 17075 Anita Ave. in Fraser, (586) 294-1450

MAY 26

Remember & Honor: Car, truck and motorcycle show, plus food, music, raffles, door prizes and awards, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 33320 Kelly Road in Clinton Township, call Kim at (586) 610-2990 or Mike at (586) 823-9338

MAY 31

PRISM Men’s Chorus: 8 p.m., Macomb Center for the Perfoming Arts on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (586) 286-2222, macombarts@macomb. edu, macombcenter.com

JUNE 4

Breakfast of Nations: Hear from Macomb County residents who immigrated and became successful in community, registration and food at 8 a.m., panel discussion at 8:30-10 a.m., Macomb Intermediate School District, 44001 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, (586) 7315400, info@connectmacomb.com, connectmacomb.com

JUNE 5

Preplanning seminar with Resurrection Cemetery: 9:30 a.m., Fern Hill Golf Club, 17600 Clinton River Road in Clinton Township, registration required, mtelliott.com/res-seminar

JUNE 8-9

Selfridge Open House and Air Show: Featuring U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbirds flight team, U.S. Army’s Golden Knights parachute team, Royal Canadian Air Force’s CF-18 demonstration team, Misty Blues all-female parachute team, and Selfridge’s A-10 Thunderbolt II and KC-135 Stratotanker planes, plus historic and modern military vehicles on display, STEAM Expo, NASA trailer, Air Force’s mobile lab and more, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., 29080 Wilbur Wright Blvd. in Harrison Township, teamselfridge.com

Public Schools, for boys and girls

Township, register by May 24, ellulni@lc-ps.org, schoolpay.com/pay/ for/3v3-Basketball-Tournament/SFnfXH

JUNE 9

Euchre tournament: Also dinner and desserts, 1

p.m.), Fraser Lions Club, 34540 Utica Road, call Randy

202-7858

JUNE 30

Run Drugs Out of Town 5K Run/Walk: Fundraiser hosted by Families Against Narcotics, also vendors, music, ceremony and more, 10 a.m., starts at new location at Jimmy John’s Field, 7171 Auburn Road in Utica, discount before May 30, familiesagainst narcotics.org/rundrugsoutoftown, (586) 438-8500

ONGOING

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

Farmers market: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 8, July 13, Aug. 10 and Sept. 14, John F. Kennedy Knights of Columbus Council #5460, 33320 Kelly Road in Clinton Township, (586) 610-2990

Monthly book clubs:

Suspect vanishes after overpayment

GROSSE POINTE CITY — A 21-year-old Detroit man is being sought for the crime of larceny by conversion after he reportedly refused to return overpayment after he was accidentally overpaid by a business in the 600 block of St. Clair Avenue. According to a police report, the suspect was hired to work for $15 an hour at the business, but the payroll company administering the paychecks is said to have paid him $1,500 an hour instead, resulting in him receiving $16,000 for his first paycheck. The business owners called him to fix the error, but they said he stopped returning their calls and didn’t show up for work again. Police said the investigation was ongoing.

Suspects arrested in armed robbery

GROSSE POINTE CITY/PARK — A 22-year-old Detroit man and a 25-year-old Detroit man were arrested in Grosse Pointe Park May 3 after they were reportedly involved in the theft of multiple pieces of lawn equipment from landscaping trailers, including an armed robbery May 1 in Grosse Pointe City that resulted when a worker confronted one of the suspects in the act and the worker said the suspect pulled a gun on him. Police said the suspects committed several larcenies in Grosse Pointe City and Grosse Pointe Park before they were apprehended.

Cat held hostage

GROSSE POINTE PARK — A 62-year-old Grosse Pointe Park man was arrested April 30 after he reportedly found a cat that his neighbor owned and had reported missing, but he refused to return the cat. The suspect reportedly showed the victim that he had the missing feline but wouldn’t give it back. Police went to the suspect’s home but said he wouldn’t turn the cat over to them, either. The suspect was eventually persuaded to turn the cat over to an animal clinic, after which it was reunited with its owner. Police said the suspect was cited for larceny and disorderly conduct.

Sunglasses stolen GROSSE POINTE WOODS — A woman in her late 20s to early 30s is accused of stealing a $405 pair of Prada sunglasses from a business in the 19000 block of Mack Avenue at around noon April 26. Employees told police the suspect has stolen from the store on three previous occasions.

Fraud reported

ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 3:22 p.m. on April 26, a report was made about an alleged case of fraud that occurred on April 23 in the 22000 block of Revere Street. The victim, a 69-year-old woman, came into the

police station and stated she was defrauded out of $4,000 dollars. She contacted a number on her TV screen who she thought was Hulu. She was reportedly instructed to buy gift cards worth approximately $4,000.

Once the woman had the gift cards, the suspect stated they needed to prove who she was and the woman allowed them to access her phone via an app they told her to download. They helped the woman to create an Apple Pay account where more money was transferred through Zelle.

Police subdue blade wielder outside Fuddruckers

STERLING HEIGHTS — Police said they went to Fuddruckers, 40955 Van Dyke Ave., April 19 after hearing that someone with a hatchet or ax was acting disorderly.

Police said they found the man outside and confronted him, but he allegedly did not follow multiple orders to drop his weapon. The suspect also threatened to harm others and himself, police said.

Police said they subdued the man with a “lessthan-lethal weapon” and then apprehended him.

The Sterling Heights Police Department praised the officers’ performance in a Facebook post.

“The individual who was clearly suffering from mental illness was transported to the hospital for a mental petition,” the department said.

Man evicted from market for insulting, swearing at woman

STERLING HEIGHTS — Police went to a supermarket in the 43000 block of Schoenherr Road April 19 upon hearing that a man allegedly swore at a woman without cause. The man then reportedly followed the woman down an aisle and insulted her and called her an evil woman.

Police said they found the man after he left the store, and he allegedly confirmed that he had used bad language and had a temper. Police said they told the man he couldn’t come back to the store, upon the manager’s request.

Assault reported

STERLING HEIGHTS — A witness told police that a “grown man” punched a female victim and grabbed her by her hair April 20 at a gas station in the 36000 block of Van Dyke Avenue, near Metropolitan Parkway.

Police said the witness thought the female victim didn’t appear to need medical treatment, and she left in a vehicle onto Van Dyke Avenue. The witness reportedly added that she didn’t know whether the suspect had entered a vehicle.

Police said they couldn’t find the suspect when they arrived.