LOCAL FOOTBALL TEAMS PREPARE TO KICK OFF THE SEASON 3A
Mother, boyfriend charged in ‘horrific’ death of child
6YEAROLD BOY ALLEGEDLY BEATEN, STAPLED TO WALL AND SHOT WITH BB GUN
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
MADISON HEIGHTS — Following a lengthy investigation, authorities now believe that a young boy who died in Madison Heights was abused and killed by his mother and her boyfriend.
The victim is Giovanni “Chulo” Jennings, age 6. He was found unresponsive around 2:30 p.m. July 30 when first responders arrived at the mobile home community in the 25000 block of Dequindre Road where he lived. His mother — Elaina Rose Jennings, 25 — had called 911, telling dispatchers that her son wasn’t breathing. Upon arrival, police officers and paramed-
ics noted that Giovanni had suffered multiple injuries. He was taken immediately to Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital, and then to Children’s Hospital. He died the following day. Shortly after the incident, both Elaina Jennings and her live-in boyfriend — Daniel John Giacchina, 32 — were arrested and charged
Court’s ruling on wages, sick time reverberates across region
WORKERS, BUSINESSES AND ASSOCIATIONS REACT TO DIVIDED MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT DECISION
BY NICK POWERS AND ANDY KOZLOWSKI npowers@candgnews.com, akozlowski@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — A recent 4-3 ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court affecting the state’s laws governing minimum wage and sick time is sending shockwaves through many businesses, including the restaurant industry.
All workers will receive a pay bump to more than $12 an hour in 2025 with tipped workers gradually reaching $12 in 2029. The final amounts will be determined by the state’s treasurer. The current minimum wage is $10.33 and $3.93 for tipped workers.
All employees, including part-time and temporary
workers, are entitled to paid sick leave. Every 30 hours an employee works generates one hour of paid sick leave. Employees get 72 hours paid sick time a year at large companies. However, employers with fewer than 10 employees need to only pay for 40 hours of sick leave a year.
These sweeping changes will go into effect Feb. 21, 2025. For some, it’s a step toward a living wage for workers. For others, it’s a hit to businesses across the state and possibly tipped workers.
How this happened
This ruling was years in the making. It’s the result of
Jennings Giacchina See CHARGES on page 11A
Molly Mackler, bartender at Eastern Palace Club in Hazel Park, prepares a “painkiller” cocktail. Legislation that will go into effect next year will change how workers are compensated in Michigan, including tipped workers in the service industry.
Photo by
Erin Sanchez
BOND RENOVATIONS NEARLY COMPLETE AT MADISON SCHOOLS
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
MADISON HEIGHTS — Officials with the Madison District Public Schools say that more than 90% of the bond funds approved by voters in November 2021 have now been allocated.
In fewer than three years, the district has fully replaced the roof at Madison High School, installed air conditioning throughout the building, replaced its boiler, increased lighting throughout to enhance security, and upgraded the bells, surveillance cameras and public announcement system.
In addition, the district has also been replacing roofing at the Madison Early Childhood Center, Madison Elementary School and Wilkinson Middle School.
The result, officials say, is increased efficiency, comfort and safety for students and staff.
“The work that was done with this bond is vital,” said Mark Kimble, a trustee with the Madison District Public
Schools Board of Education. “It’s just like if the average homeowner had their roof leaking or furnace not working properly, they would get it replaced. The same thing needed to be done here to provide a good environment for our students and staff.
“One key thing we added was central air conditioning at the high school, something that it wasn’t originally designed to have,” Kimble noted. “That took a lot of work to implement, but it was important because global climate change was making it too hot to hold class during multiple months of the year. It’s another example of modernizing our buildings to keep up with changing times.”
The district currently has about $850,000 remaining to spend in bond funds, plus an additional $600,000 in interest, totaling more than $1 million. The district is working with Plante Moran Realpoint to prepare for its next project, which will include replacing flooring at Madison High School and larger sections of roofing at Wilkinson Middle School.
See RENOVATIONS on page 11A
Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
TOP: The entire roof has been replaced at Madison High School, one of many upgrades funded by a bond voters approved in the fall of 2021. Twenty heating and cooling units were added, including ones that service the gymnasium. BOTTOM: New boilers and pumps were another upgrade funded by the bond. A wide range of enhancements to comfort, efficiency and safety have been made at sites across the district.
Madison Heights to reduce lanes on 11 Mile
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
MADISON HEIGHTS — As Hazel Park wraps its “road diet,” Madison Heights is planning one that will shrink a stretch of 11 Mile Road from four lanes to three.
The council approved the plan, 6-1, at its meeting Aug. 12. The “no” vote was Mark Bliss, the city’s mayor pro tem, who expressed concern about the project’s impact on Madison High School and that the board for the Madison District Public Schools wasn’t consulted.
“I’m a big believer that our citizens should have a chance to weigh in, particularly those who are most affected,” Bliss said.
The City Council majority approved the plan because a study said it will reduce congestion and accidents. The project is backed by a nearly $314,000 placemaking grant from Oakland County that is a 60/40 split between the city and county.
FOOTBALL PREVIEW
HAZEL PARK
Last season’s record: 4-5. League: Macomb Area Conference Bronze Division. First game: vs. Imlay City, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
Hazel Park suffered two brutal losses to open its 2023 campaign (outscored 90-0), but quickly rebounded with back-to-back wins and a 4-3 finish to the year.
The Vikings play their league tough and were right there with Warren Lincoln and Clawson, but graduating all five of its all-league players leaves Hazel Park looking toward new players to step up.
MADISON HEIGHTS BISHOP FOLEY
Last season’s record: 1-8. League: Catholic High School League
Intersectional #2. First game: vs. Madison Heights Madison, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
Everything about last season was out of character for Bishop Foley, who had made the state playoffs and carried a winning record for five straight seasons.
Now under first-year coach Mike Cuddeback, the Ventures hope to return to their winning ways.
“We’ve been trying to get things together as quickly as we can and trying to get to know the kids, and the kids have been doing a great job,” Cuddeback said. “It’s been a pleasant
See FOOTBALL on page 10A
A view of Lorenz Street at 11 Mile Road looking west toward John R, where an upcoming “road diet” slated to begin this spring in Madison Heights will shrink part of the road from four lanes to three.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Madison Heights Lamphere sophomore WR/DB Devin Gardner Jr. carries the ball during a team practice this year.
Photo provided by Ray Ostrowski
Roadwork
The council voted to accept the grant and increase the Downtown Development Authority’s funds to match. An application for the Community Development Block Grant also includes $66,756 for sidewalk improvements.
Work is expected to begin this spring.
How the project started
The larger project runs from Stephenson Highway to Lorenz Street. The first phase is between John R and Lorenz, called the “focus area.”
Plans started with an open house at Woodpile BBQ in October 2023. In April 2024, a plan was completed with a design for four lanes with a median, plus a 6-footwide sidewalk on the south side of 11 Mile, and a multiuse path on the north.
The city wanted to fund sidewalks with a state grant through the Transportation Alternative Program. However, TAP wouldn’t cover on-street parking. The sidewalks would also need to be increased to 10-footwide multiuse paths to be eligible.
Realizing a four-lane road limited options for TAP funding and that there would be high costs for constructing on-street parking in the right of way, the DDA board requested a plan for three lanes.
This included a traffic study and cost comparison, which was completed June 3.
What the study found
The “road diet” study by Fleis & VandenBrink looked at traffic on 11 Mile from Stephenson Highway to Dequindre Road.
The study found that four lanes without landscaped medians have acceptable operations at all six intersections studied, except for the crossing at 11 Mile and Dequindre where a 180-second signal cycle causes delays at peak periods.
The study also found that if the lanes were reduced from four to three, traffic flow would remain the same at each intersection, except 11 Mile and Dequindre, which at three lanes could experience a three-minute delay in the westbound right-turn lane at peak hours.
The study also projected how three lanes would operate in 20 years, noting there could be delays during peak hours at 11 Mile and Dequindre, and up to four minutes of delay during peak hours at 11 Mile and John R. But it’s expected that travel time won’t change much elsewhere.
To improve flow at 11 Mile and Dequindre, the study recommended reducing the signal time from 180 seconds to 120 and
re-striping the westbound approach for a left-turn lane, through lane, and right-turn lane.
Ultimately, the study endorsed three lanes, noting it could reduce crash rates by 15% annually.
Cost comparison
Three lanes for the focus area, with landscaping, would cost about $849,700. By comparison, four lanes would cost nearly $1.14 million.
The benefit of four lanes was beautifying the DDA with landscaped medians while minimizing changes to the existing road. However, modifications for on-street parking and new crosswalks with elaborate signal structures would be necessary.
Three lanes, meanwhile, require less modification for on-street parking, and leave room for amenities like bike racks and benches.
It’s also anticipated that three lanes will improve pedestrian safety because of bumped-out intersections with fewer lanes to cross.
Officials say that three lanes will also have more costs covered by TAP, including items such as curb and gutter costs.
Officials weigh in
Sean Fleming, a member of the council, was optimistic about the plan.
“I actually live in the downtown district, so I travel that way every single day. I feel that this change to three lanes, which includes a left-turn lane, will make it easier to join traffic without waiting so long on the side streets. And that, in turn, should cut down on traffic congestion, and also hopefully reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents,” Fleming said.
“Many of the safety concerns that have been voiced by parents at Madison High School have historically been about the speed of traffic, and drivers having to make dangerous left-hand turns,” Fleming added. “So, having this dedicated left-turn lane should help mitigate the issue.”
Mayor Roslyn Grafstein said progress toward creating a downtown feel has been slow. She said the plan is a step in that direction.
“Personally, I’d rather wait an extra few minutes for safety than have to slow down because of an accident,” Grafstein said. “This safety improvement is especially valuable during busy school hours when more students are crossing the street.”
Mark Kimble, a trustee with the Madison District Public Schools Board of Education, said the board would’ve liked to share input.
CRIME WATCH
Attempted breaking and entering investigated
MADISON HEIGHTS — According to a police report, an unknown suspect attempted to break into the shed at a business in the 500 block of East 13 Mile Road sometime between 8:30 p.m. Aug. 17 and 7:30 a.m. Aug. 18.
No property was taken. Police were investigating.
Larceny from auto reported
MADISON HEIGHTS — According to a police report, an unknown suspect entered a 2021 Ford Bronco via unknown means and stole a wallet while the vehicle was parked in the 27000 block of Delton Street sometime between 1:30 a.m. Aug. 16 and 3:30 a.m. Aug. 18.
The victim is a resident of Madison Heights, age 30. An investigation was ongoing.
Identity theft investigated
MADISON HEIGHTS — According to a police report, a 66-year-old Madison Heights resident in the 1000 block of Elliott Avenue received notification from a credit monitoring company that his Social Security number had been used by an unknown
Roadwork
from page 4A
“If the City Council thinks that this is a matter of safety for our students, I think the bigger issue is jaywalking. To that end, I think everyone would’ve gotten more bang for their buck with a traffic light near the entry to the high school, rather than shrinking the roads,” Kimble said. “People who jaywalk don’t want to walk down to either corner because it’s a half-mile out of their way. If they had another crosswalk along the way, they would be more likely to use it, and less likely to end up in an accident. The accidents usually happen around Tawas or Wolverine, so a much closer walkway around there could help a lot. I wish the city had consulted us.”
Cindy Holder, the board’s president,
suspect.
The information was reportedly used in Las Vegas sometime between 7 a.m. June 8 and 1:30 p.m. Aug. 16. Police were investigating.
Larceny of trailer reported
MADISON HEIGHTS — According to a police report, two unknown suspects stole an empty enclosed utility trailer from the parking lot of a business in the 32000 block of Dequindre Road sometime between 5:50 p.m. Aug. 11 and 7 a.m. Aug. 12.
An investigation was ongoing.
If you know more about these incidents or others, call Madison Heights Police at (248) 585-2100.
Juveniles apprehended
HAZEL PARK — According to a police report, police were dispatched to the area of East Harry Avenue and Merrill Avenue at around 1 a.m. Aug. 16 to investigate a report about three male subjects walking in the street wearing masks.
When police arrived, the three subjects started running. Police were able to apprehend two of them — both were 14-year-old juveniles from Hamtramck and Detroit. There were no reported thefts, and the two juveniles were turned over to their parents.
Also on Aug. 16, at 2:30 p.m., a resident in the 1700 block of East Harry reported that sometime between 6 p.m. Aug. 15 and 7 a.m. Aug. 16, someone entered his
said they will review the plan.
“The changes might make the traffic flow a bit more congested in front of the high school heading west, but I’m not sure yet,” Holder said. “The benefit is we have businesses, especially on the north side of 11 Mile, where the parking is kind of obscure between the street and the sidewalk, so I think that’s a safety issue it will address. But as far as the school goes, even a designated left-turn lane to go into the school would’ve been appreciated, but that’s not part of this — everything in this project is going west of the school on 11 Mile to John R. So I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what kind of congestion may be caused by going to three lanes. If it increases the safety of our students and pedestrians, then it will be worth it.”
Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.
unlocked vehicle and stole a 9mm handgun, along with some cash. The vehicle had been parked in front of the victim’s home.
Around 2:30 p.m. the next day, Aug. 17, a postal worker walking his route observed a gun on the front lawn of a home on East Jarvis. The gun was loaded with ammunition and next to its holster. The postal worker called the police. The gun was verified as the one that had been reported stolen.
At press time, the case was being investigated to determine the identity of the third juvenile who ran from police and whether
any of the subjects were involved with the theft of the gun.
“I want to remind all gun owners that it is their responsibility to ensure their firearms are properly stored and secured,” said Hazel Park Police Chief William Hamel, in an email. “Guns left unattended and unsecured in a vehicle are a threat to public safety.”
If you know more about this case or others, call Hazel Park police at (248) 542-6161.
— Andy Kozlowski
Madison Heights continues upgrading public safety facilities
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
MADISON HEIGHTS — Work is underway at the Madison Heights Police Department to overhaul its heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, and officials say it’s just the latest in a series of upgrades to the city’s police and fire stations.
The police station, located at 280 W. 13 Mile Road, was originally constructed in 1991, and its HVAC system dates back to that time. According to Sean Ballantine, director of the Madison Heights Department of Public Services, the aging system has been experiencing skyrocketing maintenance costs and downtime. The system wasn’t designed properly to manage the building’s heat needs, he said, which has resulted in its electric heating components running near constantly.
The second phase will involve the installation of a boiler system and related piping, and the replacement of the failing electric zone reheat boxes with new hot water reheat boxes. Ballantine said this will greatly increase energy efficiency and overall comfort at the station.
The project is supported in part by $500,000 in state funding that was secured by state Rep. Mike McFall, D-Hazel Park, as part of the final state budget for fiscal year 2025.
“I want to give Rep. McFall some props,” said Mark Bliss, mayor pro tem of Madison Heights. “I’m very thankful for his commitment to improving the lives of the residents of our city. He’s very active with our council and administration, and he really listens.
“Investments that we’re able to make today are always going to be cheaper for the city in the long haul than having to pay for catastrophic repairs in the future if the work
The bid to replace it came in significantly higher than the city anticipated, so the decision was made to split the project into two phases. At press time, the first phase was nearly complete, including the replacement of the station’s four rooftop air handlers, the air unit for its gun range, the security garage’s heating system, a full duct cleaning, and the integration of digital building controls on new and existing components.
is deferred,” Bliss said. “There are times to defer, when we’re faced with our next recession as a city and won’t be able to modernize anything. But for now, taking advantage of grant dollars and making small but reasonably substantial investments into our buildings and infrastructure — particularly those around public safety — will make a huge difference 10, 20, 30 years from now. And it’s a huge benefit to our taxpayers when we
get government grants, since that’s more of their money coming back to the city.”
Brent LeMerise, the police chief of Madison Heights, echoed the sentiment.
“We’re thankful that Rep. McFall was able to secure those funds to keep our building in the condition it operates,” LeMerise said.
Madison Heights City Manager Me-
CAR SHOW AND BARBECUE
MADISON HEIGHTS — The Madison Heights Human Relations and Equity Commission will host Revin’ in the Heights featuring a car show and barbecue cook-off from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14. The event will be held in the parking lot at Madison Heights City Hall, 300 W. 13 Mile Road. It is appropriate for all ages and will feature both a selection of unique classic and modern cars exhibited by local enthusiasts, and a cooking competition where chefs will grill a variety of meats. Attendees can look forward to food trucks with plenty to eat and drink, as well as live music, raffles, family-friendly activities, an awards presentation and more. There will also be an open house at nearby Fire Station No. 1, located at 31313 Brush St., where guests can meet the firefighters and see the fire apparatus and facilities up close. There are still opportunities for participants to join the car show and the cook-off. To do so, email quinnwright@madison-heights.org for more information.
HOMETOWN HUDDLE
HAZEL PARK — The Hazel Park Public Schools Community Engagement Team will hold its 2024 Hometown Huddle from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29 at Hazel Park High School, 23400 Hughes Ave., right before the season’s first home football game against Imlay City.
The event will be hosted outside the school, weather permitting, but if needed, the festivities will be moved indoors. Guests can look forward to more than 50 tables with exhibits and resources by local businesses and community services. There will also be free food, games and prizes. The free event typically draws around 200 people each year and aims to create a sense of community.
For more information, call the front office at Hazel Park High School at (248) 658-5100.
COMPOSTING PROGRAM
MADISON HEIGHTS — The city of Madison Heights is partnering with MyGreen Michigan to launch a new food waste composting program that begins Sept. 1.
Residents are encouraged to bring their food scraps and waste to the Department of Public Services, 801 Ajax Drive, where they will find a 24-hour drop-off site.
The industrial food composting program accepts items including fruit and vegetables, coffee grounds and filters, cooking grease, bread, eggshells, flowers, dairy products, meat and bones, napkins and paper towels free from cleaning products, and BPI-certified products such as restaurant takeout containers.
Keeping food waste out of landfills means limiting the production of harmful greenhouse gases, a major contributor to global climate change. The composting process converts organic waste into nutrient-rich soil that nourishes local gardens and green spaces. For more information, including a detailed list of accepted materials and guidelines, visit the city’s webpage at madison-heights.org, or call DPS at (248) 589-2294.
LIBRARY SALE
HAZEL PARK — Members of the Hazel Park Library Friends will hold their semiannual used book sale during normal hours Monday, Sept. 16 through Saturday, Sept. 21 at the library, located at 123 E. Nine Mile Road. There will be thousands of gently used items available for sale, and proceeds will help support programming and materials at the library. To learn more, call the library at (248) 546-4095.
Battle of the Bands at Trail Tunes
MADISON HEIGHTS — The fifth annual Trail Tunes will take place from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21 at Civic Center Park, 360 W. 13 Mile Road in Madison Heights.
The strolling outdoor music festival is presented by the Madison Heights Arts Board and will feature a climactic Battle of the Bands on the city’s brand-new bandshell. The audience will vote for their favorite act, which will take home a $1,000 prize. The runner-up will get $500.
The festival, which began during the COVID pandemic as a safe way to enjoy concert music, features dozens of musicians playing along the park trail, as well as food trucks with eats and drinks, a Family Fun Zone with games and activities, and a small business vendor section. The musicians span an array of genres.
Admission is free and the event is appropriate for all ages. Guests can support musicians by tipping them or purchasing merchandise. Donations at the Arts Board’s tent also help support the event and future initiatives. Guests are also encouraged to bring a blanket or chairs to sit on.
GETTING CHILDREN TO SLEEP
HAZEL PARK — Starting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16 at the Hazel Park District Library, located at 123 E. Nine Mile Road, Dr. Abigail Peskin will discuss how to establish healthy sleep routines for children beginning at birth. How to “sleep train” a child whose sleep is irregular, how to set healthy boundaries around sleep and other related topics will be discussed. Admission is free. To learn more, call the library at (248) 546-4095.
File photo by Donna Dalziel
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Ruling
wrangling to keep the issue off the ballot in Michigan by legislators against the changes.
It started with two petitions in 2018 that received the required number of signatures to potentially appear on the ballot.
One petition would have given workers gradual wage increases until the minimum wage became $12 in 2022. After 2022, the wage would be increased each year, as determined by the state, according to inflation. The minimum-wage gap between tipped workers and all other workers, 38% in 2018, would be eventually closed by 2024.
The other petition required employers to give employees one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked per week.
The Legislature adopted the unaltered initiatives in September 2018. This kept them off the ballot and allowed lawmakers to alter them.
They did this in two bills. One caused the minimum wage increases to not exceed $12 until 2030 and removed the increases for tipped workers. It also removed increases to the wage based on inflation. The second made changes to sick time. It exempted employers with under 50 employees from providing paid sick time. It reduced the amount of paid sick time hours for larger businesses from 72 hours to 40.
The changes, led by Republicans, were approved along party lines by margins of 6048 in the Michigan House of Representatives and 26-12 in the state Senate in a lame duck session in December 2018. They were signed by then-Gov. Rick Snyder and went into effect March 29, 2019.
In the Michigan Court of Claims, it was determined that the Amended Wage Act and the Amended Earned Sick Time Act were unconstitutional on July 19, 2022. This was reversed by the Michigan Court of Appeals, but was ultimately upheld by Michigan Supreme Court’s July 31, 2024, ruling.
“We hold that this decision to adopt the initiatives and then later amend them in the same legislative session (what has been referred to as ‘adopt-and-amend’) violated the people’s constitutionally guaranteed right to propose and enact laws through the initiative process,” the majority opinion states.
Business owners, associations react
Many business owners and associations have decried the decision.
The Michigan Retailers Association released a statement in the wake of the news.
“Bedrock principles of capitalism and a competitive labor market are thwarted by extending the paid leave law to employers with
only one employee, dramatically altering the paid leave requirements for those with 50 or more employees, and mandating substantial changes to the minimum wage,” the association stated in a press release.
Other organizations including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Association of Michigan struck a similar tone in press releases.
Joe Vicari, founder and CEO of the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group, spoke out against the changes. The Vicari Group, which includes mostly Michigan businesses under the Andiamo brand, has over 20 restaurants.
“This ruling will devastate the restaurant industry,” Vicari said in an emailed statement. “Many hard-working people will lose their jobs. Eighty-three percent of the restaurant industry did not want this law to pass!”
Adam O’Connor is one of the co-owners of Eastern Palace Club in Hazel Park. He said he understands the concerns, but he’s also relatively optimistic about the policy.
“I think (the new policy) may be difficult for small business owners, especially in the hospitality industry where margins are already razor thin. I think that it will unfortunately cause most businesses to raise their prices — we may see that in the future. Especially in times of inflation like we’re going through right now, it will put more strain on that margin,” O’Connor said.
“But we definitely welcome it here,” he said, referring to the new law. “We have always paid our employees above minimum wage, whether they’re tipped or not. We set out to do that from the very beginning. And here, we’re very fortunate to have a wonderful guest base who are very giving in terms of tips. Our staff does very well for themselves, but I understand that in other places that may not be the case. So I think this (law) is great for tipped workers.”
O’Connor emphasized the importance of ensuring employees are well-paid.
“We have a beach-themed bar — you don’t want staff to go in there and be grumpy because they’re not making money. So it’s important they’re paid adequately and that they have time off, so they can have a positive attitude while they’re working. And I think the guests feel that here at Eastern Palace Club.
“I know business coalitions worked with the state on this new policy. I believe that small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities,” he said. “We’ll just have to wait and see in a few years if this puts people out of business, if prices go up, or if businesses can adapt.”
Andy French is a Hazel Park resident who works as a bartender at Howe’s Bayou
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that the Planning Commission for the City of Madison Heights will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, September 17th, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall at 300 W. 13 Mile Road, Madison Heights, Michigan 48071 to consider the following zoning text amendments:
Zoning Text Amendment 24-01
An ordinance to amend Appendix A of Ordinance 2198, being an ordinance codifying and adopting a new Zoning Ordinance for the City of Madison Heights, by amending Section 8.03 – Accessory Buildings, Structures, and Uses –pertaining to gazebos, pergolas, unenclosed detached structure, and utility structures.
Zoning Text Amendment 24-02
An ordinance to amend Appendix A of Ordinance 2198, being an ordinance codifying and adopting a new Zoning Ordinance for the City of Madison Heights, by amending Section 7.03.10 – Use-Specifc Standards [Detached OneFamily Dwellings] – pertaining to driveway width and location.
Zoning Text Amendment 24-03
An ordinance to amend Appendix A of Ordinance 2198, being an ordinance codifying and adopting a new Zoning Ordinance for the City of Madison Heights, by amending Section 7.03.43 – Use-Specifc Standards [Temporary Uses] –pertaining to recurring special events.
Zoning Text Amendment 24-04
An ordinance to amend Appendix A of Ordinance 2198, being an ordinance codifying and adopting a new Zoning Ordinance for the City of Madison Heights, by amending Section 12.06 – Measurement of Sign Area and Height – and Section 12.07 – Regulations for Permitted Signs – pertaining to the measurement and maximum permitted sizes of wall signs.
For further information, please contact the Community & Economic Development Department at (248) 583-0831. Please refer to the Agenda Center at https://madisonheights-mi.municodemeetings.com/ for the posted agenda and any meeting updates.
Public Comment:
Send your public comment through email at: MaryDaley@Madison-Heights.org and your comment will be read at the meeting. Written comments may also be mailed prior to the meeting to 300 West Thirteen Mile Road, Madison Heights, Michigan, 48071. All comments will be heard at the public hearing.
City of Madison Heights
Mary Daley, Business Services Coordinator
Published: Madison-Park News 08/28/2024
0311-2435
Ruling
“I honestly think it’s long overdue,” French said of the new state law. “But people are also going to realize that the model may have to change more than just paying workers more.”
French said that he has run bars for about 15 years. A prior bar where he worked was in New Orleans. He said at that location, the lowest paid worker was already at $12 per hour. The staff pooled their tips and divided them by the number of hours worked. Everyone except management received a share — even “backend” staff such as dishwashers and cooks.
While there was at least one top-performing bartender who left the place feeling she’d make more on her own, the policy generally worked well for staff, French said, and fostered an environment where servers worked cooperatively rather than competing for tables.
In addition, the New Orleans bar introduced an automatic 20% tip applied to all meals that was explained upfront on the menu as an investment in staff.
“We were worried we’d get some backlash when we announced it on social media, but there was a flood of support,” French said. “We occasionally had customers who came in who didn’t fully read the menu, even though it was written right there in front of them, and they would sometimes get upset. But then we had tons of people who saw the 20% tip on there, and still threw in another 20% on top of it.
“To us, it was the fairest way to educate the customer on what a living wage is, and how we can deal with food costs increasing but also still pay our employees well,” French said. “We could’ve just raised our prices significantly, but then people would have complained about the cost and tipped less because of the expensive bill. It’s about helping customers understand that they’re supporting people.”
He said the state’s increase in the minimum wage could help raise awareness for the fact that tipped workers in the service industry often have much lower base wages. But he cautioned that it will also affect different businesses in drastically different ways.
“Let’s say you’re a smaller mom-andpop shop and you have a dedicated clientele with your regulars — I don’t think their tips will change that much, and I don’t think
they’ll be like, ‘We heard you’re making more per hour, so we’re going to tip you less.’ I highly doubt that would happen,” French said. “But the new base wage will affect the small mom-and-pop shop in other ways, more than a chain bar would be affected, because those big businesses have been enjoying record profits since COVID happened, and they’re far more capable of paying their employees a living wage.”
A ‘landmark victory’
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel praised the ruling.
“This is a landmark victory for Michigan voters and a resounding affirmation of the power of direct democracy,” Nessel is quoted as saying in a press release. “The Legislature cannot manipulate its power to undermine the will of the people. This ruling sends a clear message that elected officials cannot disregard the voices of their constituents. I am glad to see the Court recognize and respect that the people reserved for themselves the power of initiative, a crucial tool meant to shape the laws that govern them.”
The Restaurant Opportunities Center called the day of the ruling “an important day to remember,” calling the decision a win
for working families and democracy.
“This ruling is the answer to economic opportunities and job protections that every worker, every voter and every person — Black, white, Latino, Asian, gay and straight, binary and non-binary, Democrat and Republican, immigrants and Native Americans, young and senior — deserves,” Chris White, director, ROC Michigan, is quoted as saying in a statement. “Together with our coalition partners and allies, I am proud of what we have accomplished!”
The Michigan AFL-CIO also commended the ruling.
“We commend the Court for ruling what we all clearly witnessed back in 2018,” Michigan AFL-CIO President Ron Bieber said in a press release. “The Republicancontrolled legislature’s flagrant disregard for the citizen initiative process has robbed Michigan workers of wages and sick leave for the past five years. Republicans in the legislature quite literally stole out of the pockets of Michigan workers and today’s ruling by the Supreme Court is the first step in righting this wrong and making workers whole.”
Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059. Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at 498-1046.
Joseph Podgorski
Football
from page 3A
surprise with the numbers we’ve been getting of kids coming out. We can’t complain. The kids are working hard.”
Senior quarterback Tad Dobek will command the huddle with senior Kolbe Martino (WR/RB) and senior running back Mason Kanar as his primary skill weapons.Veteran mainstay Mitchell Brewer (OL/DL) will anchor the offensive and defensive line while senior David Malinowski (DB) and Martino headline the secondary.
Madison Heights Lamphere
Last season’s record: 7-3.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
AUG. 29-SEPT. 2
League: Macomb Area Conference Gold.
First game: at Ferndale, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
Madison Heights Lamphere has been a model for consistency the past four seasons, winning seven or more games and reaching the playoffs each year, but it hasn’t been up to the expectation of head coach Ray Ostrowski.
“My theme for the year is ‘consistency,’” Ostrowski said. “I think that’s been our biggest weakness in the past. For whatever reason, we’ve been inconsistent. I think it’s just harping on that, and make what we identify as a weakness (into) a strength.”
With senior quarterback and three-year starter Aidan Grzesikowski leading the offense alongside three-year starter Amaleki Harris-Ward at running back, Lamphere is poised for another successful year in its jump to the MAC Gold.
Seniors Quincy Twymon Jr. and Julius Gerald, who broke the school track record in the 200-meter, lead the wideout position. The Rams defense will be loaded with talent.
Senior Deandre Verge is the frontman for the defensive line with senior Brennan Zink and junior Mason Maczuga anchoring the linebacker spot.
Sophomore Devin Gardner Jr., Twymon and Grzesikowski keep the secondary steady.
Madison Heights Madison Last season’s record: 0-9.
League: Macomb Area Conference Bronze.
First game: at Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 7 p.m. Aug. 29.
Things just haven’t been going in the right direction for Madison Heights Madison football, but hopefully a new season brings some success the Eagles’ way. In the past four seasons, Madison has tallied only three wins, including two winless seasons in 2020 and 2023.
—
Jonathan Szczepaniak
Michigan State Fair: Activities include live music and entertainment, midway rides and games, agriculture and livestock showcases, Shrine Circus, Beginning of Life exhibit, competitions for giant pumpkins, home brewing, baking, singing and more, 5K, racing pigs and Rock-N-Roll K-9’s, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 29-30, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 31-Sept. 1 and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 2, Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave. in Novi, michiganstatefairllc.com
AUG. 30-SEPT. 2
Arts, Beats & Eats: Featuring 125-plus artists, hundreds of musical acts on nine stages including Cheap Trick, Tesla, Keith Sweat, Gin Blossoms and Detroit’s “Queen of the Blues” Thornetta Davis, and more than 50 restaurants, caterers and food trucks, 11 a.m.11 p.m. Aug. 30-Sept. 1 and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 2, downtown Royal Oak, artsbeatseats.com
AUG. 31-SEPT. 2
Vikings Invasion at Michigan Renaissance Festival: 9 a.m.-7 p.m., 12600 Dixie Highway in Holly, other themed weekends include Wonders of the World Sept. 7-8, Shamrocks & Shenanigans Sept. 14-15, Harvest Huzzah Sept. 21-22, and Festival Friday and Sweet Endings Sept. 27-29, michrenfest.com
SEPT. 6
Veterans & Community Resource Event: Free lunch, gun safes, gift cards, suicide prevention discussion, veterans affairs connectivity and mental health resources, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Madison Heights Active Adult Center, 260 W. 13 Mile Road, registration required, (248) 858-1210, oaklandchn.org
SEPT. 14
Rev’n in the Heights: Car show, awards, raffles, live music, food trucks, BBQ competition and family activities, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Madison Heights City Hall, 300 W. 13 Mile Road, madison-heights.org
SEPT. 21
K-9 demonstration: See Madison Heights Police Department lead Harko in basic obedience, agility, article search, simulated criminal aprehension and mock narcotics search, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Rosie’s Park, 1111 E. Farnum Ave., facebook.com/cityofmadison heights
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Photo provided
ABOVE: First-year Madison Heights Bishop Foley head coach Mike Cuddeback takes part in his first Catholic High School League media day on July 31 at Farmington Hills Mercy High School. BELOW: Madison Heights Lamphere senior quarterback Aidan Grzesikowski releases a pass during a team practice this year.
Charges
with lying to a police officer, a two-year felony. Giacchina was also charged with felony weapons offenses.
On Aug. 9, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald and Madison Heights Police Chief Brent LeMerise held a joint press conference announcing the case had been upgraded to also include murder and first-degree child abuse charges against both Elaina and Giacchina.
Murder is punishable by life imprisonment and requires DNA to be taken upon arrest, while first-degree child abuse is punishable by any number of years up to life in prison.
Both suspects are being held in Oakland County Jail. They were arraigned on their charges before Magistrate Michael Mitchell in the Madison Heights 43rd District Court on Aug. 9. They were both denied bond.
“This is a devastating and complex case. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy,” said Jordan Zuppke, the attorney for Elaina Jennings, in an email. “At this
Renovations
from page 2A
After voters approved the bond issue in November 2021, funding was secured in 2022 when the district completed the sale of its school building and site bonds, the net proceeds of which amounted to about $11.31 million. This allowed the project to proceed.
“We are incredibly thankful to the community for providing these funds, enabling us to make these important improvements,” Superintendent Patricia Perry said in an email.
The bond itself was structured so that taxpayers wouldn’t see an increase to their school taxes. During the November 2021 election, nearly 900 votes were cast in favor of the bond, while nearly 600 votes were cast against. The millage levied in the first year was estimated at 1.8 mills — $1.80 on each $1,000 of taxable value. The bond represented a zero increase over the prior debt millage rate.
The groundwork for the proposal dates back to 2019, when a facility condition assessment was completed on behalf of the district by Performance Services and Byce & Associates, and then updated in 2021. That same year, SetSeg School Insurance Specialists conducted a facility and hazard assessment. Both studies identified critical facility needs at Madison High School, as well as
time, we remind the public that Elaina Jennings is presumed innocent, unless proven guilty in a court of law. We trust the legal process to thoroughly examine all the evidence, and we ask that people allow the facts to be fully reviewed before drawing any conclusion.
“Out of respect for the investigation and privacy of those involved, we will not be making further comments at this time,” Zuppke added.
Leonard Ballard, the attorney representing Giacchina, did not answer a request for comment by press time.
Police say that at first, the suspects claimed they left the child in the care of another person, who they said was to blame for the boy’s injuries. However, police soon determined that the couple were lying, and that the boy had in fact last been with Giacchina.
McDonald described an investigation spanning hundreds of hours sifting through evidence that painted a picture she said could only be described as “horrific.” The boy had allegedly been confined, beaten and stapled to a wall using a staple gun. When his injuries became life-threatening, he was
roofing needs at the Early Childhood Center.
Previously, the district’s limited budget had only allowed for short-term repairs, but aging infrastructure had reached the point where more extensive repairs were needed. For example, the majority of HVAC equipment at Madison High School dates back to 1963 — well beyond its recommended lifespan.
“Unfortunately, this work was neglected by past administrations,” Kimble said, referring to the administration of Albert Morrison, the former board president now in prison for accepting bribes from a school contractor and not paying federal taxes. “The funds that would’ve been available back then were misspent, and not put toward these critical needs. I think it’s crucial for residents to understand that this work was pent up and long overdue. We’re now taking care of it.
“And for those who don’t have kids in the school district, which includes myself, I would remind them that supporting schools is still a vital investment in society,” he said. “Having an educated populace is very important to society’s overall well-being.”
Cindy Holder, the current Board of Education president, added, “I think the taxpayers will be really happy with the end result of this work.”
Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.
reportedly not taken to a hospital because his mom feared a medical exam would expose her crimes.
“Every child deserves safety and security, not terror and abuse,” McDonald stated. “I commend the diligent work of the Madison Heights Police Department. Together, we will continue to seek justice for Chulo, and will use every resource available to hold those responsible for his death accountable.”
LeMerise added, “I am proud of the first responders who responded swiftly to the scene along with the investigators who worked around the clock alongside the (Oakland County) Prosecutor’s Office to quickly obtain and review the evidence in this case. We remain focused on the victim and his family and loved ones.”
After the press conference, LeMerise
said that a witness told police that the boy had also been shot by a BB gun. The chief said there was evidence to corroborate the claim.
“The situation that was discovered by our police on July 30 was absolutely tragic. No one, let alone an innocent child, should have to endure that type of affliction,” LeMerise said in an email. “(The Madison Heights Police Department) will continue to work with the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office to build a strong case against the defendants and provide justice for Giovanni ‘Chulo’ Jennings.”
Anyone with more information on this case can call the Madison Heights Police Department at (248) 585-2100.
Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.
Facilities
from page 6A
lissa Marsh noted that in recent years, the city of Madison Heights has been making a concerted effort to hire a more diverse workforce, including more women. To this end, there has been a “significant uptick in the amount of female police candidates applying,” Marsh said. And so, with cost savings from the renovation project at Civic Center Plaza, the city has updated and expanded the women’s locker room at the police station, representing no additional cost to taxpayers.
“This update aims to show new officers and recruits that their needs are prioritized, and that management values their contributions as essential team members,” Marsh said via email.
The police station underwent another major project in 2019 — costing just shy of $600,000 — when a new roof was installed. The project necessitated a loan from the city’s water and sewer fund to the general fund to pay for it at the time. Officials say the need was clear: the original roof also dated back to the building’s construction in 1991, and at the time the roof was eight years out of its 20-year warranty, requiring more mainte-
nance and repairs.
“Besides keeping rain out of the building, the new roof has significantly improved (the station’s) insulation rating, which has resulted in greatly increased building comfort, and lower HVAC operating costs in the winter and summer months,” Ballantine said in an email.
“One of the interesting things about facilities and capital management is how quickly time goes by,” he added. “Our ‘new’ police station is 33 years old. Our ‘brand new’ fire station is 20 years old. The major renovations to our library happened 17 years ago. This makes long-term planning and budgeting essential, since the original components on these ‘new’ buildings are no longer new by any stretch of the imagination.”
A police cruiser waits outside the Madison Heights Police Department. The city has been investing in upgrades at the police station and two fire stations that should improve operability and costs.
Fire Station No. 1, located at 31313 Brush St., is beginning its own HVAC upgrade, with phase funding to replace units and controls, and a full engineering study planned to identify and alleviate other problems that should lead to improved comfort and operational costs.
The city is also seeking grant funding to replace Fire Station No. 1’s roof, which is a single-membrane system original to the building and out of warranty, showing signs of being near the end of its operational lifespan. The goal is to replace the system with a full built-up roof system that greatly enhances the building’s insulation, and that will last at least another 30 years.
In August 2023, city officials cut the ribbon on renovations at the other fire sta-
tion, aptly named Fire Station No. 2 and located at 26339 John R Road. The $2.8 million project was part of the larger $14.2 million project that also downsized City Hall, renovated the library next door, and built the new Active Adult Center between them, all part of the Civic Center Plaza renovations.
The renovated Fire Station No. 2 features more space for fire apparatus, private showers and living quarters with accommodations for both male and female firefighters, and a new gym to keep personnel fit and healthy.
Mayor Roslyn Grafstein said safety remains a top priority for the City Council. She said that a long-term priority-based budgeting plan has allowed the city to tackle maintenance and infrastructure needs by using grants and partnerships to lower costs and offset expenses.
“Our dedication to fiscal responsibility and environmental awareness has enabled us to pursue projects that offer significant cost savings while reducing our carbon footprint,” she said via email. “As many other older cities also struggle with aging infrastructure, our proactive planning keeps us ahead of the curve, ensuring our city’s resilience and sustainability for the future.”
Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
CAMPING TRAILS FROM THE DUSTY ROADS OF THE SOUTHWEST TO THE ATLANTIC CITY BOARDWALK
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — It was my first road trip, but I was a baby and don’t remember it.
At 6:15 a.m. on July 26, 1970, my family left our Warren home for a camping trip. The odometer read 40,313 miles and my parents had $497 in cash, plus a credit card. Destination: the California coast.
Every summer my parents, two older brothers and I camped. We’d load up, pile into our Plymouth station wagon and head for the open road with an atlas and state maps guiding us. This was before GPS. Altogether, we camped in 48 states — never made it to Alaska or Hawaii — and parts of Canada.
My dad would have lived in a campground all year if he could. Me, ugh, I hated camping. It was torture: the bugs, no room for my bike, and I missed my friends back home. But the worst part was no TV. That would be equivalent to being without an iPad or cellphone in today’s world.
TOP: One of our stops on our way to California. ABOVE LEFT: The 1972 Apache pop-up trailer was how we saw the country many times.
ABOVE RIGHT: I believe this is Newport Beach, California. I loved the beach and still do.
LEFT: My family spent a day in Tijuana, Mexico. We drove from our camping site in southern California. Photos provided by Maria Allard
Camping
Each vacation was planned out. We’d go out West, down South or just eastbound and down. We’d drive everywhere: big cities, the country, back roads, major highways. To pass the time, I read Mad Magazine and stayed on the lookout for Volkswagen Beetles.
I might have liked camping if we traveled in a cozy motorhome or shiny Airstream trailer. The first family trailer was basically a box on wheels. By the mid-1970s, my parents purchased a 1972 Apache pop-up trailer. It wasn’t one of those easy ones you crank and all the work is done. This trailer required all five of us to put it up and take it down. We’d all hold different poles and pieces of canvas until it was up. It always took forever.
My least favorite campgrounds were the primitive ones. But there were plenty of campgrounds we stayed at that had it all: a pool, game room, movie night, snack bar, laundromat, and gift shop. The KOA’s were always nice. Sometimes we’d end up at a state park.
With each camping trip — from the mid-1960s through the late 1980s — my parents kept a journal, which I still have. They jotted down the date, mileage, which city and state we were in, the weather, what time we awoke, and people we met. My parents also wrote brief paragraphs about the places we visited. For instance, during our 1974 trip to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon, we ran into boxing legend Joe Louis at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.
“He said ‘I want to shake hands with these little ones,’” Mom wrote. “When we told him we were from Detroit, he said, ‘Say hello to Detroit for me.’ He looks good.”
Even though camping wasn’t my thing, I loved traveling. The trips that really came alive for me were California in ’77 and ’79, Virginia Beach in ’78, and our 1980 journey through Toronto, Montreal, upstate New York, New York City and Atlantic City.
On off-road days we’d go somewhere: a museum, a tour, a hall of fame, a historic site, a landmark or a ballpark. My parents made sure to have one amusement park on the itinerary.
Another great thing was meeting kids from all over. We’d visit each other’s camp-
Fall Showcase
This September at council re|sale
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September 15, 2024**
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sites, swim or play pool in the game room. If I had to pick a favorite spot or two, it would be the eastern and western shorelines. There was nothing like being on a Pacific Ocean or Atlantic Ocean beach. I still long for swimming with the waves while smelling saltwater in the air.
The Virginia Beach, Virginia, campground stands out. It was huge with so much activity. Every morning a man drove through yelling “Doughnuts, fresh doughnuts!” from a truck, and every time I went into the game room, Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler would belt out “It’s a Heartache” on the jukebox.
When we experienced car trouble in a small West Virginia town, the only mechanic was out for the day. Stuck, we set up camp somewhere. As dusk fell, the mechanic found out about us and invited my brothers and me back to his house to stay overnight with his wife and kids. His large family reminded me of “The Waltons.” They were so kind. We sat around the kitchen table, had snacks and talked. It was the first time I ever had Country Time lemonade.
I always remember where I was Aug. 16, 1977, when news broke that Elvis Presley died at his Graceland mansion in Memphis. We were getting ready to go to the San
$25 VIP Early Entry Fee 11AM-12:30PM
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Other Ways to Shop Pre-Showcase
Monday & Tuesday, 9/9 & 9/10:
90% O Entire Store in celebration of our 90th Anniversary Wednesday, 9/11: $25 Fill-A-Bag Sale*
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Diego Zoo while Dad sat at the picnic table listening to his handheld Panasonic radio. “Elvis died,” he said, looking up at us.
On our way home, we stopped in Memphis. Fans mourning the singer’s death gathered on Elvis Presley Boulevard. Dad picked me up so I could see Graceland. This was before it was open to the public. The house looked big and so far away in the distance.
My parents are no longer living. I am so glad they took us on all those trips. We saw so much: the Liberty Bell, Mount Rushmore, Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Redwood National Parks, Dealey Plaza in Dallas where John F. Kennedy was assassinated, the prairie dogs in Montana, Fisherman’s Wharf, Dollywood, Bob Evans’ original farm in Ohio and more.
A neighbor with two kids bought the trailer at my parents’ estate sale. I hope they got out of it as much as I did. I would not trade the experience for anything. I wish I could do it all over again.
Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.
13650 E. Eleven Mile Rd. Warren, MI 48089
Council Re|Sale in Berkley celebrates 90
years with expansion, continued programs
The National Council of Jewish Women Michigan does great things through the generosity of its patrons at the Council Re|Sale store in Berkley. The proceeds from all sales there enable the historic grassroots nonprofit organization to help families, women and children in need across the region.
Now celebrating the 90th anniversary of the resale shop, the NCJW|MI will be able to o er even more thanks to a 4,400-square-foot expansion in adjacent space, set to open sometime in October.
In the meantime, the store, located at 3297 12 Mile Road in Berkley, will host its Fall Showcase from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 15.
“We’ll have lots of designer wear, home decor, men’s wear and women’s wear. All the items have been generously donated by the community,” said Amy Zeskind, president of the NCJW|MI. “There’s also jewelry and shoes as well.”
Funds raised at the store make a variety of programs possible. The NCJW|MI hosts
an annual back-to-school event benefiting children from Detroit who get to pick out items free of charge. They also provide backpacks filled with age-appropriate school supplies for 1,500 children in Oakland County each year. A kosher meals on wheels program, and a nonpartisan advocacy e ort aimed at inspiring fellow citizens to vote are also paid for through resale shop proceeds.
“Our mission to improve the lives of women, children and families is largely helped by what we make in profits at the store. All of that money that we make goes directly into our community impact projects,” Zeskind said.
On Sept. 26, the NCJW|MI will welcome Boston Marathon bombing survivor Rebekah Gregory as the keynote speaker at the 2024 Women of Vision Benefit Luncheon at Adat Shalom.
For more information about the luncheon, the Council Re|Sale store or the NCJW|MI, go to ncjwmi.org
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Drywall
LAKESHORE DRYWALL &PAINTING Over30Years
Experience InteriorPainting Wall/CeilingRepairs DrywallFinishing Shon- 586-801-6190
Electrical
BEST-Price-Period
Licensed/Insured. Additions,Remodels, Basements,Kitchens, CarChargerInstalled, 30-yrs.-experience. Callforfree-estimates. Open7-daysaweek 24/hrs-day. HotchkissElectric 586-291-3143 Lic.#6211028
Electrical
586-755-3636
Dr.Electric AffordablePrices! Father&Son MasterElectricians Same-Day-Service! All-Residential-Wiring, ChangeFuseBoxto CircuitBreakerPanel, Troubleshooting,Backup GeneratorTransfer Switch, License#6109094 Senior/Discounts! Visa/MC/Lic./Insured
CASTLEELECTRIC
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Gutters
*”STEVE'S SEAMLESSGUTTERS” Made&installedonthe spot.5”&6”Gutter Cleaning.Treetrimming, exteriorpainting, powerwashing. 586-778-3393 586-531-2111
Gutters
A.M.G. Gutters&Downspouts.Owneroperated. Seamlessgutter installationandrepair specialist.Builders License#2101202369 www.amgapplied services.com FullyInsured 248-828-7998
ELIMINATE gutter cleaningforever!LeafFilter,themostadvanced debris-blockinggutter protection.Schedulea FREELeafFilterestimate today.20%offEntire Purchase.Plus10%Senior&MilitaryDiscounts. Call1-866-495-1709
Gutters GUTTERS &WINDOW CLEANING INSURED TOMMICOLI 313-656-9402
Handyman Services
AA4DABLE HANDYMAN
HomeImprovement, Tile,Hardwood-Floors, Kitchen/Bath-Remodeling, Plumbing,Electrical, Painting,Hauling,Cleanouts,AnyHomeRepairs, FreeEst.30%Disc. AllMajorCredit CardsAccepted 586-822-5100
Hauling & Waste Removal
***AAA HAULING*** JUNKREMOVAL Wehaulitall! DemolitionBig&Small Residential/Commercial RubberWheelDumpsters-10,15,20-Yards, Clean-outs,Construction Material,Small-Moving, Appliances,Furniture& More!LowestRates!!! Free-Estimates Senior/MilitaryDiscounts 586-360-0681 ucallwehauljunk.com
Hauling & Waste Removal
ABLEJUNK REMOVALAND DUMPSTERS Since1991. 5-starGooglereviews. Driveway-safedumpster trailers.Fullyinsured. Junkremovalexperts. 248-333-3933 ablejunk.com
BURLYGUYS JUNKREMOVAL removesANYTHING! Appliances,furniture, basementcleanouts, hoardersallwelcome! CallorText 248-224-2188
**CLUTTERGUY'S** Removal-Experts
Residential/Commercial Houses/Offices
Garage/Storage-Areas EfficientCourteous Workers
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Heating & Cooling AFFORDABLE
HeatingandCooling
Greg'sHeatingLLC Familyowned company
$89servicecall
$79A/Ctuneup SeniorDiscounts 586-422-8528
Home Repairs
EXTERIOR REPAIRSLLC. Since1999 Roofing,Siding, GuttersandMore! Reliable
Ask,WeMightDoIt! FREEESTIMATES 248-242-1511
Kitchens/ Cabinets/ Countertops
MR.BACKSPLASH ·CUSTOM BACKSPLASHES
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·TILEREPAIRS
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mrbacksplash.com
Landscaping & Water Gardens
ALLTIMATE OUTDOOR SERVICES
DrainageSystem Professionals
New-Construction, Yard-Drainage,Grading, Sod/Seed,Retaining Walls/Walkways/Patios, Senior/Military-Discounts Credit-Cards-Accepted Free-Estimates 586-719-1202
DOLL'S LANDSCAPING SPRINGCLEAN-UPS!
Shrub&Tree-Trimming, Planting,Removal.Mulch, SodInstallation,Pavers, Garden/RetainerWalls, PorchSteps,Raise Backyards/DrainTiles, Powerwashing/Sealing, Powerrake,Aeration, Seeding,DebrisRemoval 586-634-0033
SUPREMEOUTDOOR SPECIALISTS
Lawncare,Landscaping, Pavers,Walls,Shrub/Tree Trimming/Removal, Mulching,Power-washing, CementWork,Sprinklers. 35YearsExperience FreeEstimates Christmaslight install/leasing. 586-727-3924 supremeoutdoor@ gmail.com
TOTALBRICKPAVING LANDSCAPINGPROS
586-420-3531
Brickpaving,Patio, Walkways,Driveways, Porches,Repairs, Powerwash,Rock Installation,Mulch,Sod, CompleteLandscape Design.
Lawn Maintenance
2024SPRING 586-260-5218
Commercial/Residential *Landscaping *Decks *SpringClean-Ups *LawnCutting *LicensedFertilization
*Aerating&Thatching VisitFacebook: BrightHorizonServicesInc.
Painting
PAINTINGby-GPC MASTER Plaster/Drywall
CompleteRestoration &InsuranceProjects Wallpaper Removal/Hanging PAINTING!PAINTING! A+BBB-Rating/20yrs 30-yrs,BuilderLicense SeniorDisc/FreeEst. 586.899.3555(Cell) 248.566.6460(Office)
(586)229-4267
American Painting •Residential/Commercial •Interior/25YearsExp. •PowerWashing •Insurance•Drywall •PlasterRepair •Clean-outs •HomeRepairs •SeniorDiscounts •Guaranteed-Work.
PEAKPAINTING
Custom-Painting, Commercial/Residential, Interior/Exterior. Drywall-Repair,Paper Removal,Carpentry. 30-yr.-exp.*WillBeat AnyOtherReasonable Estimate! Senior-Disc. Insured.Credit-Cards Accepted.References. 586-722-8381
2BROTHERS
PAINTING
CompleteInterior/Exterior WoodRepair, Powerwash, Free-Estimates CallFrank 248-303-5897 ReferencesAvailable
ANDERSON Painting&Carpentry CompleteInterior/Exterior Services.Plaster/Drywall &WaterDamageRepairs. Wood-Staining.Wallpaper Removal.Kitchen/Cabinet Refinishing,Insured/References.Free-Estimates 586-354-3032 248-974-4012
FARR'SPAINTING
Interior/Exterior Wood&DrywallRepairs MoldRemediation FreeEstimates CertifiedMoldInspector 248-345-3308 farrsmoldremoval.com
Painting
WOWPAINTING
Residential/Commercial
Interior/Exterior QualityPainting DrywallRepairs, RemoveWallpaper, ExteriorWood Replacement, EpoxyFlooring, Insured Free-Estimates 248-990-5388 wowpaintingmi.com
586.421.5520
586.524.6752 ANDY'S PLUMBING 25-YearsExperience Licensed/Insured CallUsToday ForAllYour PlumbingNeeds!! ServingThe Tri-County-Area 10%/Senior/Military/ Discounts Lic#-8004254
Plumbing MASTER PLUMBER
Sewer&DrainService. Remodeling,Repairs, NewInstallations. FreeEstimates SeniorRates. 35+yrsexp.CallPaul 248-904-5822 Lic.#8109852
APEX
PLUMBERSCORP
586-210-0903 35-YearsExperience Seniors/Military/ Multi-TaskDiscounts Free-Estimates •DrainCleaning •PlumbingRepairs/ Fixtures •SumpPumps/ WaterHeaters Licensed/Insured apexplumbers corporation.com Lic#8111771
Plumbing
EAPLUMBING ANDDRAIN FullServicePlumbing. DrainCleaning,Sump Pumps,WaterHeaters, Leaks,Disposals, CameraInspections, BackflowTesting andMore. 586-477-7777 License#803020312
WATERWORK Plumbing.com •DrainCleaning •SewerCamera •WaterHeaters •SumpPumps •BackflowTesting 248-542-8022 SameDayEmergency ServiceAvailable Reliable/Experienced License#8003885
Roofng
PREFERRED
BROTHERSROOFING
•FullTear-off•Recover •ShingleRepair •Leak's•AllRepair •Flat-Roof•TourchDown •SeamlessGutters& GutterGuards Senior/Military-Discount Upto20%Off 586-944-8898
Roofng
SILVERSMITHROOF MAINTENANCE $225•MinorShingle ReplacementSpecial $88*GutterCleaning Residential/Commercial WeAcceptAll MajorCreditCards 30-yrsexp. FamilyOwned 248-707-4851
MICHAELNORTON BUILDERSINC.
BuildingValueEveryday 586-436-9600 Licensed/Insured Since1965 Servicing-Roofing, Siding,Basement, Bathroom,Kitchen Remodeling,Decks& AllYourHome ImprovementNeeds.
Tree Service
BERGBROS.LLC. “Fullyinsured, highlyreferred.” Seniordiscounts. Tree-removal,stump grinding,tree-trimming, hedging,shaping, Emergency-Service Residential/Commercial Freeestimates! (586)262-3060
DAVE'S TREE&SHRUB
20%-SpringDisc.Insured, EmergencyStorm Damage,Large-Tree Removals,Trimming, Stump-Grinding,Gutters, Season-Firewood (100acord)Free-Estimates/10%Senior-Disc. (586)216-0904 davestreeandshrub.com
ELITETREE SERVICE
"Bringing30yearsof experiencetoyourdoor!" Treetrimming, removals&stump grinding.Insured&FREE estimateswithfairprices! FirewoodForSale 586-756-0757
PROLINES
TREESERVICE
ANYONE'S PAINTER
Interior/ExteriorPainting
Commerical/Residential PressureWashing, DrywallRepairs, DeckStaining, FreeEstimates Call586-921-3654
NEBOPAINTING
ServiceAllYearRound
Interior/Exterior 15YearsExperience WeMakeIt EasierForYou, AllNeedsAreMet! Call 248-953-7807
AA4DABLE ROOFING Hurry&SaveBig-$$$! SPRING-SPECIALS Upto30%-Off!!! Roofing/Siding/Gutters, All-Leaks/Repairs, Residential/Shingles/ Commercial-FlatRoofs/Torch-downs 30yrs-exp.Allmajor creditcardsaccepted. 586-822-5100
TreeRemoval/Trimming, Pruning,StumpRemoval, SpecializeinLargeTrees, Licensed/Insured 20%SeniorDiscounts 313-293-1337
EXTRA
EXTRA CHEESE EXTRA CHARGE • WITH COUPON • EXPIRES 9-30-24 • ZINO’S