Rochester/Rochester Hills

PLACES TO EAT: 200 RESTAURANTS • GERAK: SOCIAL LIGHTS 48

DOWNTOWN R O C H E S T E R

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R O C H E S T E R

H I L L S

MAY 2017

PLUS

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP

UP AND AWAY: HOT AIR BALLOON SAFETY CONCERNS THE ICE MISSION: CHANGING EMPHASIS ON IMMIGRANTS ENDNOTE: BROWNFIELD GOOD FOR DEVELOPMENT ECRWSS Postal Customer EDDM

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DOWNTOWN05.17

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Up, Up and Away – but with cautionary notes Some safety officials are concerned there is not the same level of oversight applied to the commercial hot air balloon industry as there is to airplane and helicopter tour companies, with most accidents attributed to pilot error.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

10

Protection of your personal browsing information while spending time on the internet has taken a beating in recent weeks, but there are other concerns beyond just what advertiser buys your data.

CRIME LOCATOR

15

A recap of select categories of crime occurring in the past month in Rochester and Rochester Hills, presented in map format.

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL

16

Township trustee considering run for Michigan House; Democrats who may challenge Trott in 2018; more possible bad news for local mass transit; Mike Bishop opposition for next election; gadfly crowd creates a tax cut target list.

MUNICIPAL

35

Tax abatement for A. Raymond; candidates file for city councils; updating VanHoosen Museum; downtown business districts redrawn; water main improvements; new voting equipment; plus more.

THE COVER The Rochester Farmer’s Market, now in its 18th year, will open Saturday, May 6, for the 2017 season. Located at East Third and Water streets, one block east of Main Street, the market runs each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through the fall season.

Downtown photo: Laurie Tennent.

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WALKOUT BSMT. & PRIVATE LOT FIN. DAYLIGHT BSMT. & 3 CAR GAR. Roch. Hills, $439,900. Desirable location & pristine condition. 4 bdrms., 3.5 baths. Gorgeous 2-story great rm. filled with windows & natural light. Updated kit. w/granite, stainless appls., hdwd. fl., tile backsplash and walk-in pantry. Library w/built-ins.

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Roch. Hills, $237,500. 3 bdrms., 2 baths, att. 2 car garage. Kit. & baths with granite counters. All new carpet on 2nd fl. Freshly painted. New hdwd. fl. in great rm. New roof. Mtn. free exterior with brick and vinyl siding with aluminum wrapped trim. Fenced yard and front porch.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS

48

Society reporter Sally Gerak provides the latest news from the society and non-profit circuit as she covers recent major events.

ENDNOTE

54

The brownfield redevelopment money is an asset Rochester can benefit from; leave immigration tasks to ICE officers.

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DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER • ROCHESTER HILLS PUBLISHER David Hohendorf NEWS EDITOR Lisa Brody NEWS STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Allison Batdorff | Rachel Bechard | Hillary Brody Kevin Elliott | Sally Gerak | Austen Hohendorf Kathleen Meisner | Bill Seklar | Aileen Wingblad PHOTOGRAPHY/CONTRIBUTORS Jean Lannen | Laurie Tennent Laurie Tennent Studio VIDEO PRODUCTION/CONTRIBUTOR Garrett Hohendorf Giant Slayer ADVERTISING DIRECTOR David Hohendorf ADVERTISING SALES Mark Grablowski Carol Barr GRAPHICS/IT MANAGER Chris Grammer OFFICE 124 W. Maple Birmingham MI 48009 248.792.6464 DISTRIBUTION/SUBSCRIPTIONS Mailed monthly at no charge to homes in Rochester, Rochester Hills and parts of Oakland Township. Additional free copies distributed at high foot-traffic locations in Rochester and Rochester Hills.

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FROM THE PUBLISHER rivacy protection on the internet has taken a beating in recent weeks. That much most people by now have heard. The short version taken from a spattering of news coverage and headlines – Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate have rolled back browsing information protection rules on internet service providers (ISP) enacted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) during the Obama Administration. Not getting much mention – members of Congress have now basically usurped some of the control over the internet out from under the FCC. Not good. And there are other concerns.

P

Let’s get one thing straight coming out of the gate on this issue. None of us ever had any new privacy protection from internet service providers – i.e.

Comcast, AT&T, and others – who supply us with internet access and have the ability to track and resell information about our online information (with the exception of our social security numbers), including history of our browsing activity. The nowdefunct rules did not apply to social networks, like Facebook.

The rules that are now at the center of debate were adopted by the FCC during the Obama presidency, but were not scheduled to take effect until April of this year, if at all. The FCC chairman at the time was Tom Wheeler, who left shortly after adoption of the new regulations, and then the panel quickly put the protective rules on hold and some say would have continued with delayed implementation or rolled back the regulations themselves had Congress not entered the fray.

Basically the now defunct privacy protection rules would have forced ISP companies to get our permission before they could sell our browsing history to advertisers, although players in the ISP realm were quick in recent weeks to announce that they won’t sell private browsing history. Right.

From the outside, many of us – myself included – probably have this view of the FCC as some distant Washington D.C. panel that generates rules when in reality it is a sizable independent agency of the federal government with nearly 1,800 employees and an annual budget of close to $400 million, funded by regulation fees. The panel itself comprises five positions appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate; with no political party having over three members represented on the commission.

During the Obama years there had been a push to maintain net or internet neutrality, where no one service provider could sell faster access to content providers. All users of the internet were guaranteed equal access and speed.

A good thing. And the FCC, prodded by the administration, was working toward stronger rules to protect our privacy when we went online.

Long before Donald Trump arrived on the scene, Republicans in Washington complained about government “overreach,” which has become codeword for minimal or no regulation of business on this and many other issues. So emboldened by the new administration, ISP rules to protect your internet privacy are out the window.

But what’s worse, as the rules of the game are written, once Congress has rolled back a regulation promulgated by the FCC, they can never be enacted by the so-called independent agency again. So as long as the nation’s capitol is completely controlled by the GOP, don’t look for any move to revive these privacy protections. In fact, watch for the next battle over net neutrality, where higher speed access for content delivery goes to those with the most

money to spend and be made in the process, thanks to the push by internet providers to become more dominant in the content creation side of the industry.

Remember that politics and money influence everything in Washington D.C. Not much moves without one or both of these factors. That might explain why Representatives Mike Bishop (RRochester, Rochester Hills) and Dave Trott (RBirmingham, Bloomfield Hills and a small southwest corner of Rochester Hills) – both of whom have basically just arrived in Congress – were among state Republicans jumping on the rollback bandwagon when it came to internet browsing privacy rules. From Comcast alone, Bishop has receive $40,500 in political contributions and Trott, $12,500. Then there is Representative Fred Upton, from the 6th district of Michigan, who has raked in over $108,000 from Comcast.

But enough about the sordid side of writing laws in the nation’s Congress. Let’s look at what is at stake with these rule changes.

The internet has become an indispensable part of both personal and business life. Much like the other means of communication, it should remain open to everyone on an equal basis and our activity on the internet should be free of monitoring, whether by ISP firms, social media outlets and the government.

But any hope of that has been dashed by the latest rules rollback. So while ISP concerns may say they won’t resell our browsing history to advertisers, one has to question whether we feel safe with that unregulated assurance. I certainly don’t.

After the rules were rolled back by Congress, we had a conversation with our long-time consultant on all things computer/internet/digital-related about the rollback of the internet browsing rules. While I would not place him in the category with the tin-foil hat crowd, he has even less faith or trust in big business and the government than this writer. His position is that there are a few options out there like the Virtual Private Network (VPN) or a TOR browser that could help shield our internet browsing activity – a major concern at a news organization – but there is no failsafe way of protecting our internet use. That makes the government regulations protecting our internet activity even more essential, and not just from annoying advertisements that invade our online space.

My greatest concern is the eventual violation of our online information privacy by the government. Don’t think for a moment that is too farfetched.

Right now social media firms like Facebook, for example, sell your social media posting information to third party firms who then broker that information to advertisers so they can target you. Some firms in particular have been selling this social media monitoring information to hundreds of law enforcement firms around the country. Shades of something akin to the state police and Detroit police department Red Squad files (dossiers on anyone considered anti-government during the Vietnam War period) from the 1960’s here in Michigan.

A true cause for concern – more than most people realize.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com

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Biosolids article I just read your article about biosolids (April/Downtown). Nicely done.

A fair portrayal is a nice surprise for people in this line of work.

Greg Merricle Biosolids Coordinator Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Water Resources Division

Part of resistance I really enjoyed David Hohendorf’s March column ( From The Publisher).

Great read. I wholeheartedly agree with all of it. As a matter of fact, it would be nearly exactly what I would have written.

Yes, we are in deep trouble with this (Trump) scoundrel, his fascist regime/cabinet, and the complying, disgraceful GOP. I've urged everyone to contact their congresspersons, join the DNC, ACLU, etc., attend demonstrations/rallies, sign petitions, and donate spare dollars.

It's very depressing seeing the tyranny that's actually happening.

And thanks to Soviet thug buddy Putin, the buffoon sits in the Oval Office.

This revolution will affect generations to come – a future that is based in fear, bigotry, intolerance, hate, xenophobia, etc. if left unchecked.

I'm proud to say I'm part of the resistance.

David Nowak Rochester Hills

Bigotry 101 (From Facebook and our website) "Downtown's Oakland Confidential"... translation: "Downtown's Oakland Opposition Confidential."

Charlie Smith I'm a Republican/Independent/ Conservative and I like to think I'm a compassionate and free thinking adult, so I find this 'chant' behavior disgusting, despicable and the realm of the ignorant cretins. They do not represent me or my values and beliefs.

Karen Hampton

Shame on the bigots at the GOP convention. Thanks for the report.

Ralph Deeds Bloomfield Hills downtownpublications.com

SPEAK OUT We welcome your opinion on issues facing the Rochester/Rochester Hills communities.

Opinions can be sent via e-mail to news@downtownpublications.com or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 West Maple Road, Birmingham MI 48009.

Who writes all of this? What sources? Legitimate news and opinion papers require names when posting.

As you can see, I am not afraid to use my own name.

Darlene Littlejohn Charlotte Darlene, you can go right to the paper and ask who the writer is on this column. Obviously the Bloomfield Township Republican and local state legislator she cites above did not want to be named, which is often the case when people contribute to editorial. I'm not sure what a news and opinion paper is, but any newspaper cites sources or leaves sources unnamed if the source requests it. That is how journalism is and has always been conducted. I am a writer and have conducted hundreds of interviews; I know.

Cindi Cook Detroit As a Republican and reporter/blogger myself, I agree sources do want to remain anonymous. In this case Wolkinson did speak with the reporter. I had many tell the same story to me. These few sub-humans that chanted the anti-semitic remarks need to be removed from the party, especially since they are not true Republicans but Libertarians who have been following Peter Schiff's schooling.

Ron Dwyer

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Sounds like crybaby liberal Dems gaslighting. Give it up. You lost. You wear masks when violently protesting.

Seems you wear masks when you write propaganda, too.

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13

Art Market The Art Market at Paint Creek Center for the Arts is more than just a gift shop.

Centrally located on the first floor of the PCCA building, the Art Market offers a variety of workall created by Michigan artists! With an ever-changing inventory, there is something new to see everytime you shop. Stop in today to find something special!

Workshops Grab a friend and get ready for a fun night out!

Our Workshops focus on providing artists of all levels and ages an interactive session of creative exploration. Offered in a number of subjects and mediums, there is something for everyone.

Check out our upcoming Workshop schedule below!

Wednesday Nights 5/03 DIY Stamp Making 5/10 Shibori Scarf Dying 5/17 Paper Marbling 5/24 Animal Portraits 5/31 Gesture Drawing

Friday Nights 5/12 Couples Hand Building Mug Party (For Two) 5/26 Kid’s Illustration Night: Where the Wild Things Are

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CRIME LOCATOR

Map key

NORTH

Sexual assault

Robbery

Larceny from vehicle

Drug offenses

Assault

Breaking/entering

Vehicle theft

Arson

Murder

Larceny

Vandalism

These are the crimes reported under select categories by police officials in Rochester and Rochester Hills through April 25, 2017.

Placement of codes is approximate.

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL Oakland Confidential is a periodic column of political/government news and gossip, gathered both on and off-the-record by staff members at Downtown newsmagazine. We welcome possible items for this column (all sources are kept strictly confidential) which can be emailed to: OaklandConfidential@DowntownPublications.com.

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16

MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO NOWHERE: A budget proposal by the Trump administration may be the final blow to plans for a regional mass transit system for southeast Michigan. A proposed Regional Transit Authority (RTA) millage failed in November 2016, when voters in Oakland and Macomb counties rejected the four-county millage, while passing in Wayne and Washtenaw counties. Deal was, it had to win in three of the four. The RTA announced in March that it had released CEO Michael Ford, who was recruited in October 2014 to develop a regional transportation plan that would win voter approval. Meanwhile, Trump’s budget proposal calls for slashing future transit funding from the Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts program for transportation projects that don’t already have a funding agreement in place. The budget proposal means transit plans not already moving forward aren’t likely to receive federal funding in the future, which could include future proposals by the RTA. Despite the new roadblock, Tiffany Gunter, interim CEO for the RTA, said the wheels haven’t fallen off the authority’s plans for bringing mass transit to the region. “It’s a good opportunity to know how those programs will be dealt with going forward,” she said. “In terms of timing and knowing what we are dealing with and being able to address reality, it is good for us to know that now.” For what the RTA lacks in funds, it may make up for in optimism, as more than 20 failed attempts at a regional transit system continue to go round and round, all through the towns. “The good news was, in our planning, we didn’t rely heavily on the federal share in some of our programs,” Gunter said. “Knowing that New Starts was highly competitive already, we were pretty conservative in our estimates. We would have had to scale back, but not stop the plans from moving forward.”

YOU KEEP ME RUNNING: It’s been six whole months since he was elected to his first position in office, and Bloomfield Township Trustee Michael Schostak must figure he has this government thing figured out, because word is he’s already looking for his next gig. Schostak is said to have spent a half-day visiting the state House with state Rep. Mike McCready, who is term limited for the 40th District, which encompasses Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, and the eastern half of West Bloomfield, and he liked it. Schostak is strongly considering a run for the seat, which tends to stay in Republican hands. While a political novice – SCHOSTAK besides being a township trustee, he’s a lecturer at the Ilitch Business School at Wayne State and a business consultant – he shares a last name with his cousin Bobby Schostak, who is a former Michigan Republican Party chair, which he believes will give him a leg up in a Republican primary.

Michael Schostak was thinking about taking on U.S. Rep. Sander Levin (D-Royal Oak, Bloomfield Township, Warren), but when told it would probably cost a few million dollars to run against the longtime congressman in a district that still runs 60 percent to 40 percent Democratic, Schostak’s eyes turned back to the 40th. The Republican primary isn’t until August of 2018, where the only announced Republican candidate is currently POTTS Melissa Bossadart, but other names are being bandied about, including former Oakland County commissioner Dave Potts, who ran against McCready in the 2012 primary.

LONG DAY’S NIGHT: She grew up in both Rochester Hills and Birmingham, graduated from Seaholm High School, and campaigned for both Hillary and Obama, watching the returns election night at the Javits Convention Center in New York City, earning her bonafide Democratic stripes. Now, Haley Stevens has returned home, angered by the recent election and emboldened by a summit in Nashville in December to become STEVENS part of the solution by exploring a run against U.S. Representative David Trott (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester Hills)

DOWNTOWN

05.17

for the 11th District. Recently featured in a Time magazine spotlight on “new generation Democratic candidates to watch,” Stevens has stepped away from her day job at a national workforce development company for a national research lab to explore the run, which she believes “is going to take a lot of hard work, commitment, ingenuity, and willingness to listen to people from all sides.” It’s also going to take a lot of big bucks – in his first race, in 2014, Trott prevailed over incumbent Republican Kerry Bentovolio (The Accidental Congressman) in the Republican primary, 201,000 votes to 182,000 votes, and then over Democratic opponent Bobby McKenzie, 140,435 votes to 101,681, by raising a total of $5 million, of which $3.6 million came from his own pocket.

Currently, Stevens has raised just shy of $29,000 on Crowdrise.

HAPPY MOM.

HAPPY LIFE.

EYES WIDE OPEN: Rep. David Trott (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, part of Rochester Hills), infamous of late for skirting local town halls, and when he did have one, he left hundreds of locals out in the snow, has galvanized another Birmingham resident into considering a possible run.

Attorney and entrepreneur Daniel Haberman, who co-founded Ferndale’s Bosco lounge with his late brother Jeremy (who owned the famed Magic Bag) and launched a flexible workplace business for startups called Byte & Mortar Offices, went to Trott’s town hall, and since then, has been taking a look at that seat, a source said. “He is a very attractive candidate, and could HABERMAN do very well against Trott,” the source said, noting Haberman had reached out to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Dan has characteristics the D-Triple C really values.”

RISE UP: It seems U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop (R-Rochester, Rochester Hills) of the 8th District doesn’t want his fellow congressman, David Trott, to get all the attention – at an April 13 town hall in Genoa Township in nearby Livingston County, Bishop failed to show, so organizers created a “Flat Mike” – like school kids’ favorite “Flat Stanley” – to represent him. Bishop has held a few town halls, cherry picking a few dozen or so constituents to speak with. A proposed Democratic challenger, Darlene Domanik of Brighton, spoke at a town hall in Brighton on April 11, which Bishop did DOMANIK not attend, asserting that the district needs “rise up” economics rather than “trickle down” economics. She’s an attorney who has specialized in child care facility law and child care providers, as well as environmental issues. Her key issues, she says at this point, are the environment, health care, education and the economy. That about covers everything.

TAX DEBATE: Rep. Mike McCready (R-Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, West Bloomfield), along with 11 other moderate Republican legislators, like Rep. Kathy Crawford (R-Novi) and Rep. Julie Calley (R-Portland), the lieutenant governor’s wife, have been targeted by a Republican grassroots organization called Michigan Conservative Coalition.

The group is particularly angry at the 12 –“The Dirty Dozen” – who they assert “crossed party lines” to vote against a bill House Speaker Tom Leonard proposed to lower the state’s income tax. “It doesn’t bother me – they’re just obnoxious. These anti-tax guys don’t listen. You have to do what they tell you to do,” McCready said. The coalition held a “Dirty Dozen” tax protest event on April 18 at the Birmingham Post Office – but only four people showed up, all coalition stalwarts. In response, McCready said he’s proud of having helped pass tax reform in 2015-2016, “the first big one under (former House Speaker Jase) Bolger on lowering personal property taxes.

That’s taking $336 million out of our general fund – that’s a huge tax savings.” He also points to $206 million in homestead property tax savings to help middle income families, and $600 million that is now coming out of the general fund to pay for roads, part of the Michigan Transportation Fund package in 2015 to offset the increase in the gas tax. “These guys were so mad about this road funding package – but look at the roads these days, you see reports on potholes, and the money is now going to fix roads.” McCready said that without the road funding package, by 2019, there would have been a $2.1 billion – yes folks, that’s billion – shortfall in the general fund. “I don’t like being targeted, but I’m not worried, because I’m doing the right thing for residents,” he said, asserting these gadflies don’t understand fiscal prudence and responsibility. downtownpublications.com

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FACES Taro Yamasaki or more than four decades, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Taro Yamasaki has focused on telling the personal stories of the subjects he meets and shoots in hopes of improving the lives of the people he meets and those who read about them.

Yamasaki's in-depth human interest assignments have taken him to nearly every state in the country, as well as several countries, where he has raised awareness about human trafficking, migrant workers, refugees and victims of wars in Bosnia, Nicaragua, Rwanda and the Middle East, AIDS, orphanages and other topics.

Yamasaki, a former Rochester resident and son of architect Minoru Yamasaki, Taro first got interested in photography when his brother made a darkroom in his mother's home while he was attending Cranbrook Schools. He later studied photojournalism at the University of Michigan, but left in his senior year to live in New York City to pursue work in photography.

"It was April of my senior year when I decided, ‘I don't need a degree to be a photographer,’" he said. "I packed everything in my car in Ann Arbor and moved to New York. I had everything in my car, and when I got there, I parked below my sister's loft in Manhattan."

When he came out of his sister's loft 10 minutes later, Yamasaki discovered all his belongings had been stolen from his car. He later used $2,000 from his mother's homeowner's insurance to find an apartment and get set up in the city. To get by, Yamasaki took different part-time jobs, including work as a kindergarten teacher's assistant on the Lower East Side, and later a taxi driver after moving to Denver.

"I had many part-time jobs back then... I had so many different jobs dealing with so many different kinds of people, that helps with the kind of photojournalism I've done," he said. "It's a very personal photojournalism."

A few years after moving back to Michigan, Yamasaki was hired as a staff photographer by the Detroit Free Press. In 1981, he produced a photo series for the paper documenting life inside Jackson Prison, spending several days talking with and photographing prisoners without the direct supervision of guards. The series earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography. Offers for freelance work soon followed, and Yamasaki decided to leave the paper in 1984 in favor of a freelance career.

Among Yamasaki's work were three cover stories about 13-year-old Ryan White, who was ostracized from Kokomo, Indiana, after contracting AIDS. The stories reached 35 million people, and are credited with helping improve White's quality of life and raising awareness of people living with AIDS. Previously living in Birmingham since 1990, Yamasaki and his wife left the city in 2005 for more majestic views and a slower work pace on the Leelanau Peninsula, where he now spends more time with family and personal projects.

Recently, Yamasaki has volunteered his talents to raise awareness and stop modern slavery in the form of sex, debt and labor trafficking. The project stems from his pro bono work with a New York City attorney he began working with in 2011 to help save families of undocumented World Trade Center workers killed on 9/11 from deportation.

"When you do the stories that I've done, you want to effect change. It's always in a minor way," he said. "It's a matter of opening people's eyes and making them feel something for someone they never even thought about before."

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Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Seth Yamasaki

UP, UP & AWAY SAFETY CONCERNS FOR HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES

BY LISA BRODY here may be few things more beautiful on a clear summer evening, just before sunset, than the vision of a hot air balloon gliding through the air, high above the trees, seeming to skim the clouds. For many people, it’s an ultimate bucket list item – something they dream of experiencing once in a lifetime. And southeast Michigan, with its magnificent topography of inland lakes, rolling hills, natural wooded areas, and plentiful wildlife offers a premier location to float through the air overhead, forgetting about the travails of everyday life for an hour or two.

Few people think about how safe their balloon is, or the qualifications of their hot air balloon pilot when they’re booking that coveted balloon flight.

While serenity doesn’t come cheap, with many local balloon operators charging $200 a person for a multi-passenger basket to $700 for a couple for a private flight ending with a glass of champagne, most people don’t think to ask if their pilot is certified, how many hours they’ve flown, if their balloon has been regularly inspected or if they’ve had any previous accidents. Yet those may be far more important questions for potential passengers to ask than where the pilot plans to fly, and what fauna and flora they will have the opportunity to see during their ride.

The majority of hot air balloon rides are safe, with riders coming away with nothing but memories. But some safety officials have been concerned that there is not the same level of oversight applied to the commercial hot air balloon industry as there is to airplane and helicopter tour companies, with some balloon pilots nationwide seeing economic incentives as the reason to take risks in non-optimal weather, or by pilots with less than necessary experience or questionable medical backgrounds. The National Transportation Safety Bureau (NTSB) was concerned enough that they made recommendations in 2014, to apply greater oversight to the industry, warning there could be a high fatality crash at some point. Sadly, that fear came to fruition on July 30, 2016, near Lockhart, Texas, when 16 people, including the pilot, had their morning hot air balloon flight end in a fiery crash after the pilot made a series of poor choices, including taking off in poor weather, with a drug cocktail in his system that would have barred him from flying – if there had been a federal regulation preventing and monitoring his medical records and his medical state.

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While manned hot air balloons must be inspected annually, according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, hot air balloon pilots have minimal rules they must follow, few hours in the air in order to receive certification, and are not subject to medical exams nor little FAA oversight in comparison to other aviation pilots. An FAA report noted it is “exceptionally easy to obtain a commercial pilot certificate” to fly hot air balloons, including “eleven-story-tall behemoths” that can carry more than a dozen passengers and can be challenging to steer. The report noted that federal training rules do not differentiate between smaller, more intimate balloons and these larger balloons, which are subject to less FAA oversight than banner-towing airplanes that have a single pilot aboard. hile those in the sport contend that flying a hot air balloon is much safer than flying any other aircraft as there are only a halfdozen parts in a balloon, versus dozens in even the simplest glider, there still are accidents, with most caused by pilot error. That was evidenced when FAA Chief Michael Huerta replied in 2015 to the NTSB in a letter that “since the number of balloon flights nationwide is so low, the agency believes the risk posed to all pilots and participants is also low.” The FAA maintains a registry of complaints on pilots and poor performing balloon companies, but it is unclear how often it is updated.

Since 1964, NTSB has conducted investigations into about 775 hot air balloon accidents in the United States, in which there were 70 fatalities. By contrast, there were 138 plane crashes just in 2013, according to International Business Times, with 462 fatalities in just that year. Between 2002 and 2012, 16 people died in hot air balloon accidents; in just the United States, since 2005, there were over 140 reported hot air ballon accidents. And on one horrendous day last July 30, another 16 people died in what is considered one of the worst hot air balloon accidents in modern history, when balloon pilot Alfred “Skip” Nichols took off near Austin, Texas, in fog and low-level clouds, on a day when other pilots refused to fly, stating the weather made it too dangerous to fly. The balloon hit a power line Nichols couldn’t see due to the weather when rain began, igniting the balloon.

The accident killed Nichols and all 15 passengers. It was the deadliest hot air balloon crash in U.S. history.

Even more concerning, after the accident, it was discovered that Nichols was a recovering alcoholic who had served time in prison and was prohibited to drive a car because of numerous DWI convictions, and had a whole medicine cabinet of medications in his system, including Valium, Prozac and the painkiller oxycodone, when he was piloting the balloon – all of which were technically “permitted” because the FAA does not have a regulation that mandates medical testing of hot air balloon pilots, instead preferring a system of self-monitoring.

And while FAA safety inspector Wayne Phillips of the Detroit district office had warned of the possibility of a deadly crash in an 18-page FAA report in 2012 because oversight of the balloon industry is “minimal or non-existent,” many others, from the head of the Balloon Federation of America to commercial hot air balloon pilots believe the Texas accident was a one-off, an anomaly, and that the industry is safe.

Phillips, who said he is prohibited by the FAA from speaking about ballooning safety, wrote in a

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SINCE 1964, NTSB HAS CONDUCTED INVESTIGATIONS INTO ABOUT 775 HOT AIR BALLOON ACCIDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES, IN WHICH THERE WERE 70 FATALITIES. November 2012 FAA safety white paper report that he “strongly urged agency officials to impose the same level of oversight to the commercial balloon industry as is applied to airplane and helicopter tour companies,” citing a high balloon tour accident rate and significant economic incentives for balloon companies to take safety risks. The report also stated that commercial operators, whose balloons are supposed to be flown by professionally licensed balloon pilots, accounted for more than half of all U.S. ballooning accidents between 2010 and 2012.

“This data provides ample justification for enhanced FAA oversight,” the report contended.

Included in his proposals for oversight, Phillips recommended drug tests for balloon pilots – the only aeronautical pilots who do not have to be drug tested or have a medical exam at any point, a regulation going back to the 1930s. The FAA did not adopt any of his proposals, although since reviewing the Texas accidents, there are some efforts to reform the medical exam requirement for balloon pilots.

The first hot air balloons date back to 1783, in Paris, France, when brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier flew an unmanned hot air balloon for a 10-minute flight. A few weeks later, a free passenger flight was held, and shortly thereafter, in 1794, a hot air balloon was used in France for military use, for observation during a battle.

Today’s hot air balloons were revolutionized, so to speak, or reinvented for a contemporary world, in the 1950s, with an onboard heat source added. Hot air balloons which carry a pilot and passengers have a gondola, or a basket, a singlelayered fabric gas bag, or envelope, similar to a parachute with an opening at the bottom that balloonists refer to as the mouth, or throat.

Mounted above the basket and centered in the mouth is the “burner,” which injects a flame into the envelope, heating the air inside of it. As the air heats, the balloon rises, with the wind carrying it aloft. Many hot air balloons currently

in use are still referred to as “Montgolfier” balloons.

“I have flown all over the country, and have had flights over the Swiss and Austrian Alps because they’re so spectacular, as well as over Niagara Falls,” said Gordon Boring, owner of Wicker Basket Balloon Center out of Wixom, who is beginning his 41st season. “Every flight there is something special. But Michigan is kinda unique. In the southwest, the desert is all the same from every direction. Michigan’s got rolling hills, lakes, trees – everything.”

Boring is one of about a half-dozen commercial balloon operators in southeast Michigan, all of whom have been operating for decades. He and Scott Lorenz of Westwind Balloon Company in Plymouth, both said they watch out for one another, and know each other.

“If we suspected anyone had an issue (like the Texas pilot), he would be booted, calls would be made to the insurance company and to the FAA,” Lorenz said. “We’re up in the air. We know who everyone else is who is up in the air. From my basket, I can look out and see all different directions.”

They, and their colleagues, each take up commercial hot air balloon flights – ones where there is a FAA-licensed pilot along with two, four, six, or more passengers in the basket for an approximately one-hour flight, either just after sunrise or just before sunset. Each southeast Michigan company has several licensed commercial pilots working for them.

“We fly one to two hours after sunrise, and one to two hours before sunset, when the weather is calmest and there is the least heat in the atmosphere,” explained Ted Garthier of FlyBalloon.Net of Pontiac, who began flying in the early 1970s, after visiting an older brother who was racing motorcycles in Iowa, and looked to get into another sport that wasn’t nearly as dangerous. “In midday, puffy clouds are good for gliders, but not for balloonists.

And we don’t fly in winds more than 10 mph.

Evenings are the nicest because the winds settle down.”

“Flying balloons isn’t hard – there are just three instruments,” Boring said. “It’s pretty primitive, and probably the easiest thing you could fly. It is, though, colorful, enjoyable, and a completely unique way to fly.” he three instruments needed are a temperature gauge, to monitor the envelope temperature; an altimeter, to monitor the altitude above the ground; and a variometer, which indicates how fast the balloon is going up and coming back down.

“That’s it. It’s pretty simple,” Boring said.

“A hot air balloon I fly is regulated by the FAA and regulated by the same regulations as airplanes and any other aircraft,” said Garthier.

“Every kind (of aircraft) has a specific license, but the rules and regulations are the same. But there are specifics to hot air balloons. If you’re flying a balloon, every year, you have to take your balloons to a FAA-certified repair station and they have to check it and certify that it is safe to fly.”

The rules and regulations are not exactly the same, noted Randy Coller, chief airport inspector, Michigan Aeronautics Commission, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), with the state standing back and letting the federal government provide the rules and regulations for hot air balloons and their pilots. “There’s not a lot of regulations that the state has (for hot air

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balloons). The federal government regulates everything above the earth,” he said. However, he said, “I think there’s quite a few regulations for balloons – for their airworthiness, construction, and maintenance. There’s not a lot of regulations compared to airplanes.”

The Code of Federal Regulations stated that the FAA is empowered to promote aviation safety by establishing safety standards for civil aviation, whether a hot air balloon, a glider, single engine plane, or a commercial jetliner. They also keep track of all registered aircraft, which includes hot air balloons, but unless a balloon is deregistered, the list may not be accurate and up to date, cautions Dean Carlton of the Balloon Federation of America.

“All balloons have a limited lifespan. The only part that is registered is the envelope, and new ones last between 15 and 20 years before needing to be replaced. Compare that to a Cessna, which can last 80 years,” Carlton noted.

Michigan has not seen the kinds, or volume, of accidents that some other parts of the country has seen relative to hot air balloons, FAAcertified balloon repair specialist Greg Garthier noted. “There are more accidents in the south and southwest, in Texas, Arizona, because there’s more activity. You lose six months of the year (in Michigan),” he said. He said there is also more use of larger baskets, which can hold a dozen to 18 or 20 people in them in the southwest part of the U.S. “The area is more conducive to flying them because of wide open large spaces.” He said larger basket balloons are not more dangerous, “but when you have an accident, there are more casualties because they’re larger.”

Garthier, formerly with a balloon manufacturer in Flint, Michigan, but now located to Longview, Texas, said the cause of hot air balloon accidents always come down to one cause.

“I have never heard of a balloon accident caused by anything but pilot error,” he said.

“There has rarely been an accident due to equipment failure, to my knowledge. There has been equipment error – but that is because the pilot hasn’t done the proper maintenance, so it comes back down to pilot error.” ther local balloon operators concur, as does MDOT’s Coller. “Here, in Michigan, they’re all using smaller balloons and they have good safety records. Out west and in the south, they use much larger balloons. And the thing with balloons, they go slow – typically the speed of whatever the wind blows. They’re just not going that fast. They’re like a big parachute, so if you crash, you’re likely going to survive. The biggest hazard is hitting a power line.”

“There are 4,000 balloons flying everyday in the summer, and maybe one hits a power line,” said Ted Garthier, Greg’s brother. “Normally it’s the pilot that’s the bad apple – taking chances, taking off in fog, or flying low. If you are scheduling a flight with a reputable company, it’s a very safe activity.”

According to the NTSB aviation accident final report, the last major accident in Michigan was on July 2, 2007 in Battle Creek, when a balloon caught fire after landing during the Battle Creek Field of Flight Hot Air Balloon Festival. One person was injured, following an hour-long flight in the air, when the pilot said, “the balloon landed safely in a yard.” When he looked inside the top of the balloon envelope, the “parachute top did not reseat.” He attempted to reseat the top by using a blast of

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UNLIKE THE REST OF THE AVIATION COMMUNITY, BALLOONING HAS NO CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS – THAT ROLE IS FILLED BY OTHER BALLOON PILOTS. heat from the burners, but that didn’t work.

The pilot said that he “knew the balloon would quickly sink down on top of the basket,” so he turned the burners and prepared to push the fabric away, and as the balloon envelope began to descend towards the ground, the pilot reported, “we suddenly had a fire in the basket,” which the pilot determined was coming from the burners. The pilot and his passenger were able to get out of the basket, and the passenger and bystanders were able to extinguish the fire.

The NTSB report said an examination of the balloon after the accident revealed the fuel valve for the whisper burners had been in the ‘on’ position.

An accident in Highland, Michigan, on July 23, 2003, left two people seriously injured, and eight with minor injuries, while two others escaped uninjured, after a hard landing by a pilot for Balloon Quest in Fenton. The NTSB reported that the pilot reported that surface winds were light when the 11 passengers and the pilot departed at 6:30 a.m., but about 30 minutes into the flight, lower level winds started to increase, and he began looking for “larger potential landing spots. Winds on approach to a large open field increased very rapidly. The trees just prior to my landing field began to move violently as I crossed just over them and into the field.”

Upon landing, the impact dragged the basket approximately 170 feet, with one passenger falling out of the basket. Once the balloon was secured, the pilot, who sustained minor injuries, attended to the injured passengers. He reported there had been no malfunction with the balloon prior to the incident.

A sightseeing balloon trip out of Howell on July 14, 1998, resulted in one serious injury after the weather suddenly changed, and the pilot had to land suddenly. The pilot said he had obtained two weather briefings before leaving at 7:30 p.m., with light winds coming from the west. As the flight progressed, “the pilot noticed dark clouds moving south towards his position.

Approximately 15 minutes into the flight, he decided to find a place to land. The pilot then noticed power lines in his new flight direction and elected to land in a soybean field rather than attempt to fly over them.” He landed hard, and was dragged about 100 feet. The NTSB determined the probable cause of the accident was the pilot’s failure to visually recognize hazards associated the meteorological phenomenon.

In the FAA’s regulations, it noted that “precipitation is often visible on chase vehicles long before it compromises a balloon’s inflight performance or gains a pilot’s attention. The crew can warn a pilot who is contour flying into the sun of power lines downwind or of livestock behind trees or buildings.” It continues, emphasizing that the environment a pilot flies in is a factor, “Weather is an element that can change over time and distance.” orenz, who has been flying for 36 years all over the world, including for the 1988 Olympics in Calgary, said that balloon pilots have become micrometeorologists. “We now have greater technology, from Doppler radar, VAD wind profiles, which tells us about different winds all the way up. We send helium balloons up to track winds. It’s how we plan our flights, so we don’t end up over a lake or over the woods. It’s also why we don’t launch from the same site every time. We have our favorites, but because of different conditions, we launch from different places.

“It doesn’t have to be blue skies to have a good time, but you need 1000-foot minimum cloud deck,” Lorenz said in order to launch. “We fly within certain parameters – with winds that are less than 10 miles per hour, no thunderstorms within 50 miles, and no rain in our area that will hit our flight path. We don’t want the balloon to get wet. We can avoid serious weather.”

According to the FAA, unlike the rest of the aviation community, ballooning has no certified flight instructors – that role is filled by other balloon pilots, who teach one another how to fly.

Pilots are only required to have 10 hours of flight time in the air in order to receive their license, along with both a written test and an oral test on basic aeronautic knowledge. “The FAA does the testing to determine if you have basic aeronautic knowledge, if you have the basic ability to fly the balloon, or aircraft, whether it’s a single-engine aircraft, helicopter or planes, or gliders. The FAA does the testing to make sure you have the basic knowledge to fly and then you’re allowed to take passengers up with a private license,” said Boring.

“It’s probably one of the easiest pilot certifications to get, because it’s a pretty benign aircraft,” MDOT’s Coller said. “That’s because it doesn’t go fast. Airplanes are fast – which is why they are fatal so much more often.”

Unlike the rest of the aviation community, according to FAA regulations, ballooning has no certified flight instructors; rather that position is filled by other balloon pilots who have obtained their commercial license. It also notes that there are a “limited number of part-time balloon training programs in the United States.

Application for certification is voluntary...Balloons differ from general aviation aircraft in balloon pilots’ reliance on diverse human resources for flight. A safe balloon flight includes, but is not limited to, crew chief and ground crew, weather briefers, volunteers, spectators, ‘locals’ with current and unpublished

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information on roads and landing sites, landowners, and others who contribute assistance and information. Balloons differ from planes in their reliance on unlicensed, non-FAAcertified/recognized, and even first-time volunteers to assemble and support ground handling of a balloon. Crew action, or inaction, at any stage, can contribute as much to flight safety than pilot input. It often relies on many people beyond those onboard.”

To make money at the endeavor, Boring said, a commercial license is needed, with a few more hours at the helm, and “you’re tested for that, too.” A commercial pilot requires 20 hours of flight time by the FAA to receive a license. At that point, a pilot can teach others.

Boring, and several other local commercial balloon operators, acknowledge that a minimum of 10 hours in the air is not enough to become a private pilot, despite what the FAA requires.

“I think more is needed. I think the average person is not ready before about 15 hours (of flight experience),” Boring said. “It’s not hard, it’s just there’s a lot to learn. Once you get your license, there’s still a lot to learn.” ean Carlton, president of the Balloon Federation of America, agrees. “I’ve trained a lot of pilots, and in my opinion, you need more hours than the minimum requirements. In my experience, most balloon pilots need 20 to 25 hours to get their pilot’s license, and 40 to 45 hours, or more, to get their commercial license.”

A key thing, Carlton said, is that commercial pilots have the ability to teach other pilots how to fly balloons. “It adds to the complexity of knowledge,” he said. “It adds another component of their education, because to teach someone you have to know it even better.” He added that it is not always the newest pilots being involved in hot air balloon accidents, but often more experienced pilots. “It could be complacency, or not going through the full check list,” he said.

“But every person you put in your basket is precious cargo.

“It’s not fun if it’s not safe – and since we do it for fun, that’s the goal.”

“I can’t say which are more dangerous – after all, cars are dangerous, and most people would say cars aren’t dangerous,” Coller continued. “But if they’re not handled properly, they’re dangerous. It’s the same thing. In our area, the balloon operators aren’t big operators, and we haven’t had a lot of the problems with them like in Texas – and in that situation, a lot of things went wrong.”

“Regulations are already there – you just have to follow them. Ballooning is a very simple form of aviation. We don’t have a lot of moving parts.

We don’t make long flights – most are one-hour flights,” asserted Carlton. “There is quite a bit of legislation regulating balloons, it’s just that the regulations are very old.”

As to whether there should be more pilot regulation and training, Carlton responded, “It’s a challenge for the FAA, because regulations can only do so much. We do believe training needs to continue. And in NTSB report after NTSB report, it shows it’s pilot error after pilot error.”

Following a lengthy FAA and NTSB investigation into the deadly Texas crash last summer, it was determined that the accident was caused by poor pilot decision making, Carlton said. “There was poor weather, and he shouldn’t have flown in that weather.”

Back to that universal problem, pilot error.

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THE BALLOON FEDERATION IS WORKING WITH THE FAA TO DEVELOP A SAFETY ACCREDITATION PROGRAM THAT WOULD INCLUDE STANDARDS FOR PILOTS. But Skip Nichols had a further issue that the FAA has not addressed – after the accident, a toxicology report showed that he had a pharmaceutical cornucopia in his bloodstream while he was piloting. But because medical tests are not required of balloon pilots, as they are of other aircraft pilots, he was still permitted to fly. He was on a variety of 10 different drugs for everything from depression, chronic pain and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – all of which would have disqualified him from flying if balloon pilots were regulated by the FAA like other aeronautical pilots.

One expert witness at the NTSB hearing after the accident, Dr. Charles Chesanow, the FAA’s chief psychiatrist, noting that Nichol’s had taken everything from Tylenol to the painkiller oxycodone, the antidepressant Wellbutrin, the sedative Valium, a muscle relaxant, and the ADHD medication Ritalin, said he was on a “witches’ brew of prescription drugs,” stating it was difficult to measure how Nichols might have been impaired.

In the white paper the FAA’s Phillips wrote in 2012, he recommended that balloon pilots have mandated drug tests. When asked while writing this article, he said he stands by his white paper.

Carlton doesn’t think that’s necessary, even after Nichol’s crash, although he did put together a safety webinar that was widely watched by over 500 balloon pilots in March 2017. “It was poor decision making (by Nichols).

As for medication, it’s always been selfreporting,” of health conditions and medications, he said.

Most local pilots agree. “It’s a self-policing sport,” Lorenz said, although acknowledging that some insurance policies require medical exams. “I’m fine with it. I’d take a medical exam today. We don’t need any bad actors or anyone in bad health.”

Coller of the Michigan Aeronautics Commission said they are relooking at the

medical exam, and instead of beefing up the requirements for balloon and glider pilots, they’re looking at dropping the medical requirement for private pilots who only fly for personal use. “They’re looking at making it the same as getting a driver’s license in the state,” he said. “I mean, if you have a history of seizures, or you pass out, or have high blood pressure, that’s a disqualifier. Every time you fly, you’re self-certifying. Technically, if I know I’ve got a known medical condition, I shouldn’t fly, and most pilots won’t. I’m not on my game.

That’s the thing with the FAA medical.”

Carlton said the Balloon Federation is in the midst of working with the FAA to develop a safety accreditation program that would include a set of standards for professional pilots that they would have to meet. “That information would be shared with the public so they can make good choices on who to go up with for a ride,” he said. urprisingly, the FAA does not require a balloon pilot to carry insurance, which even Carlton acknowledges is surprising. However, all of the local metro Detroit operators are insured by one of three major balloon insurance operators, which they are able to obtain through the Balloon Federation.

“The FAA doesn’t require a pilot to carry insurance. It’s not part of their deal, and they don’t do that for any kind of aviation. It’s a horrible idea,” Carlton said. “We have our Professional Ride Operations Division, and to be a part of it, your insurance has to be verified every year. You have to show that you have have it. We encourage passengers to ask to see it. And any pilot that refuses to show you – just don’t go. That’s going to be the first of their problems. Insurance isn’t unaffordable.

Everybody should have it, and you’re well within your right to ask for it. That’s a good indicator of quality.”

Carlton also said a passenger can ask to see that the balloon has had regular inspections in the proper time frame. “If they don’t show it to you, it would indicate a problem,” he noted.

Lorenz of Westwind Balloon, likens the ability of a pilot to obtain a license and their experience level with being able to get and drive with a driver’s license – to drive a car a driver’s license is needed, and while there are certain minimum standards that are required, to become a good driver, continued practice is what it takes.

“We know of nobody in this area who hasn’t taken an oral exam, a written exam and a flight test with a FAA-certified examiner to certify their competency,” he said, as well as anyone who has worked to become a commercial pilot.

“The fact is, there are 30 airplane accidents every week, from fighter planes to commercial planes to small planes. Yet, whenever there’s a hot air balloon accident, they show a smoldering balloon from eight years ago,” said Dennis Kollin, owner of Sky Adventures in Oxford.

“Whether it’s a lesson or a pleasure flight in a balloon, you have to make careful decision before you even get in. You have to evaluate all the risks, and most of the guys and gals flying are doing that,” said Carlton.

Kollin, who first started flying a hot air balloon in 1972, said he has a healthy fear of ballooning. “Every time I go up. Which means, if the conditions of the day are not right, I don’t go up.”

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FACES

Heather Smith Meloche uthor Heather Smith Meloche recently released “Ripple,” a provocative young-adult novel loosely based on her, and her husband’s, challenging experiences as teenagers.

“My husband and I grew up in alcoholic homes,” she said. “It’s difficult growing up in a home where you don’t know what to expect when you go home. We both developed some very dangerous habits.”

The story is told from the perspectives of Tessa and Jack, two teens who act out as a reaction to the dysfunction they endure at home.

“I had a biological father who I didn’t talk to very much, and an alcoholic stepfather who I had a difficult time with at home,” she said.

“There was a void inside. Being a teenager, I would misconstrue intimacy for love. Tessa really exemplifies that. I take it to an extreme with her.”

Jack, the troublemaking character inspired by Meloche’s husband, deals with a mother who suffers from mental illness. “My husband was the kid who would go out on weekends and get a thrill out of getting into trouble and getting away with it.”

Meloche started “Ripple” in 2007. Agents and critics commended the book, but the market was not ready for the grit and candor the book offered young readers.

“There is some language and sexual situations to make it realistic to what teens go through,” she said. “You could walk up to the door, but you had to close that door. But, what goes on behind that door is really important.”

The popularity of books like “Twilight” and “The Hunger Games”

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illustrated the acceptance of more mature themes in young adult literature, opening the door for “Ripple.” “Ripple” was published in September 2016. It is available online and in bookstores everywhere, including Barnes & Noble and Target.

Today, Meloche is a content, confident mother of two. She has won the Katherine Paterson Prize and the Writer's Digest National Competition for her children's/Young Adult writing. She is fully committed to her writing.

She also volunteers in Rochester schools. She calls her stepfather, a recovering alcoholic, an “amazing man”.

“He is really proud of me,” she said.

She credits her mother for fostering her love of literature. “We would go to the Rochester (Hills Public) Library every week,” she said. “I literally would shove books in her arms. We’d go home and read them all. Then we’d come back the next weekend and get new ones.”

Meloche and her husband of 20 years live in Rochester Hills and she is currently working on another contemporary, young-adult novel set in Detroit.

“Ripple” has captured the interest of audiences of all ages and is resonating with readers who have experienced similar hardships. “I’ve met a lot of girls who were following the same pattern,” she said. “I write from a place that is genuine and sincere and I felt this story was important, for girls especially.”

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IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT NEW MARCHING ORDERS FOR ICE OFFICERS

BY KEVIN ELLIOTT

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hirty-seven years after fleeing a humanitarian crisis in his homeland of Cambodia, Rochester resident and business owner David Lee is struggling to keep his family together as his wife, Ky, faces possible deportation after being in the country and married to David for more than a decade.

"I'm not sure what will happen," Lee said about his wife's hearing this May before a federal immigration judge in Detroit. "I'm hearing that they will go after all people they can deport, so now people can be living in fear.

"She didn't enter illegally. The situation is that her previous marriage didn't work, so the government is alleging it was a sham. Now we are trying to prove it wasn't. It's a defining moment."

Both David and Ky are regular fixtures in downtown Rochester, where they own and have operated Knapp's Donuts together since they were married in 2005.

On Monday, April 10, the Rochester City Council passed a resolution supporting the Lees in their ongoing immigration matter regarding Ky.

"The City of Rochester views Knapp's Donuts as an integral part of our community, and the Lees have shown good moral character and outstanding service for the City of Rochester," the resolution states. "And, if the Lee family were to no longer operate Knapp's Donuts, the impact to the city would be negative and there would be a void on our Main Street... the City of Rochester considers the Lees valued members of our community, both because of their contributions to downtown Rochester and as residents in neighboring Rochester Hills, Michigan."

David has owned the longstanding donut shop since 1996, but it wasn't until about 2000 that Ky came to the United States from Cambodia on a temporary visa. Ky and David married five years later, after her first marriage ended.

Lee said the couple submitted their first application in 2005 for Ky to stay in America. However, about three years later, they were informed the initial application was rejected. David said they appealed the decision to a federal immigration judge, but the case has been stalled for nearly nine years, as the immigration court cancelled or failed to reschedule hearings.

"During President Obama's administration, it kept getting delayed. It didn't seem like they were spending a lot effort on the case. They didn't dismiss it, but at the same time, there wasn't a hearing scheduled either," Lee said. "We have just law-abiding people who pay taxes. To be honest, I don't know what is going to happen.

"How they could split up my family – you read about it happening, and then you realize it's happening to you. I don't believe they would. I'm hoping and trying to keep a positive attitude." he uncertainty and fear the Lees face has become a new way of life for many immigrants, as well as their families, if anyone may be in the country unlawfully. At the root of that fear, immigrant rights groups and attorneys say, is a change in immigration policy recently instituted by the Trump administration, which has indicated it will take a zero tolerance approach to enforcement and deportation actions. The change is a significant shift in policy from the former administration, which focused resources on detaining and deporting foreign nationals with serious criminal records or those in the country illegally after already being ordered removed.

Ruby Robinson, supervising attorney for the Michigan Immigration Rights Center (MIRC), said case tracking at the Center shows enforcement actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Michigan are up in recent months.

"We are seeing an uptick in the level of enforcement activity around the state. (ICE) doesn't release numbers about their enforcement activity and how many they have in custody. The only way to really track that is to speak with individuals and families who have had direct involvement with enforcement. We have been doing that this year," Robinson said. "Most of those who have been targeted have prior criminal records, but not all. That's the difference with what is happening now. Prior, if they didn't have criminal convictions, ICE may have looked the other way. They may have said, ‘you’re not a priority.’ Now, if ICE happens to encounter a person, the default is to detain them. That's very different."

Robinson said MIRC, which has offices in Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo, has had about a 50 percent increase in cases from people seeking assistance with obtaining legal status in the United States, helping more than 70 people become citizens since January.

"People are worried. Third and second generation immigrants are worried that they will have their citizenship taken away," he said. "Having an 8-yearold kid in Dearborn worried that he will be deported – the fear is very real."

To help the situation, MIRC, the ACLU and others have launched "know your rights" campaigns for undocumented immigrants and others with questions.

Former state representative Steve Tobocman, who founded Global Detroit, a regional economic strategy that focuses on utilizing the area's immigrant potential, said the fear in immigrant communities also has an impact on business.

"Anecdotally, as a resident of southwest Detroit, I have lived there for almost 20 years and still live there, there seems like there's not as much traffic in retail and public stores because of the fear," he said, adding recent reports indicate a slump in the drop in business in the area after January. "I certainly have that sense as a resident. That's what happens when there is a crackdown. People are unsure who exactly is subject to enforcement action."

The new approach to immigration enforcement was put forth in a

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January 25 executive order entitled "Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States," and implemented in a February 20 memo from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary John Kelly to administrators with ICE, as well as U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Secretary for International Affairs.

"Many aliens who illegally enter the United States and those who overstay or otherwise violate the terms of their visas present a significant threat to national security and public safety. This is particularly so for aliens who engage in criminal conduct in the United States," the executive order states. ome measures included in the executive order includes the hiring of 10,000 additional immigration enforcement officers with ICE; assessing fines to unlawful foreign nationals; encouraging local law enforcement agencies to partner with ICE by having public safety officers certified as immigration agents; the removal of personal privacy protections for non-citizens and unlawful permanent residents; and the withdrawal of federal grant dollars to law enforcement agencies, correction facilities and cities that fail to cooperate with enforcement requests.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement office, which falls under the purview of the Department of Homeland Security, was created in 2003 through the merger of the investigative and interior enforcement divisions of the former U.S. Customs Service and Immigration and Naturalization Service.

The majority of ICE's $6 billion annual budget is focused on Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations. The ICE division of Enforcement and Removal Operations is responsible for apprehending and detaining illegal immigrants.

In total, ICE has more than 20,000 employees in more than 400 offices in 46 foreign countries and the United States, including a field office in Detroit, which is responsible for operations in Michigan and Ohio. While the president has called for the addition of 10,000 immigration officers, how many will be dedicated to the Detroit office isn't clear, as ICE doesn't release specific staffing numbers to the public for operational security reasons, said Khaalid Walls, spokesman for ICE's Detroit office.

"ICE regularly conducts targeted enforcement operations during which additional resources and personnel are dedicated to apprehending deportable foreign nationals," Walls said. "All enforcement activities are conducted with the same level of professionalism and respect that ICE officers exhibit every day. The focus of these targeted enforcement operations is consistent with routine, targeted arrests carried out by ICE's Fugitive Operations Teams on a daily basis.

"ICE's enforcement actions are targeted and lead-driven. ICE does not conduct sweeps or raids that target aliens indiscriminately."

In terms of the agency's enforcement general efforts, Walls said Secretary Kelly has been clear on the focus of the actions, referring to Kelly's February 13 statement.

"President Trump has been clear in affirming the critical mission of DHS in protecting the nation and directed our department to focus on removing illegal aliens who have violated our immigration laws, with a specific focus on those who pose a threat to public safety, have been charged with criminal offenses, have committed immigration violations or have been deported and re-entered the country illegally," Kelly said in a February 13 statement.

Policy specifics of the president's executive order were spelled out in DHS Secretary Kelly's February 20 memo, which makes clear the policies not only apply to enforcement efforts by ICE, but all aspects of immigration, including removal activities, detention decisions, administrative litigation, budget requests for execution, and strategic planning.

In terms of enforcement priorities, Kelly's memo states that "regardless of removability, department personnel should prioritize removable aliens who (1) have been convicted of any criminal offense; (2) have been charged with any criminal offense that has not been resolved; (3) have committed acts which constitute a chargeable criminal offense; (4) have engaged in fraud or willful misrepresentation in connection with any official matter before a government agency; (5) have abused any program related to the receipt of public benefits; (6) are subject to a final order of removal but have not complied with their legal obligation to depart the United States; or (7) in the judgement of an immigration officer, otherwise pose a risk to public safety or national security."

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Additionally, Kelly states in the memo that "the Department no longer will exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement." That statement is a reference to previous immigration enforcement policy, which categorized enforcement actions into three priority classes.

Under the previous immigration enforcement policy, the highest priority was placed on threats to national security, border security and public safety, with specific focus on potential terrorists; those apprehended while attempting to unlawfully enter the United States; those convicted of gang crimes and felony crimes. The second highest priority was placed on removing aliens who have been convicted of three or more misdemeanors, other than minor traffic offenses; significant misdemeanors, including domestic violence, sex crimes, burglary, unlawful possession of a firearm; drug trafficking or distribution; and DUIs. The lowest priority was placed on aliens not meeting descriptions in the first two priorities but who have been issued a final order of removal.

While most recent removal statistics for ICE's Detroit field office weren't available, the agency provided removal numbers for the three previous fiscal years, under the Obama administration. The numbers indicate that while focus was placed on criminal aliens, there were non-criminals removed from the country, as well.

In fiscal year 2014, which begins on October 1 each year, plain-clothed special agents removed 3,930 aliens in Michigan and Ohio, with 2,739 criminal removals and 1,191 non-criminal. Figures for the same area in fiscal year 2015 were 2,431 total, including 1,966 criminal and 465 noncriminal removals. Agents conducted 2,056 removals in fiscal year 2016, including 1,331 criminal and 725 non-criminal removals. hile the previous policy didn't expressly exempt any unlawful foreign nationals, the policy stated "resources should be dedicated, to the greatest degree possible, to the removal of aliens described in the priorities set forth above, commensurate with the level of prioritization identified. Immigration officers and attorneys may pursue removal of an alien not identified as a priority herein, provided, in the judgement of an ICE Field Office Director, removing an alien would serve an important federal interest."

While ICE said it doesn't target aliens indiscriminately, the shift in policy, along with observations from local immigrant rights groups, indicate a wider net is being cast to pick up additional detainees whom may not be the target of enforcement operations.

Mani Khavajian, an immigration attorney with offices in Birmingham and Dearborn, said the shift in policy appears to him to be more of a way for the administration to pump up deportation numbers, rather than a strategic approach to enforcement.

"Obama was going after people with major criminal records. We only have a limited amount of resources for immigration and customs enforcement, and he used that limited money to get the worst of the worst.

Trump, with the new executive order, he's going after everybody. He's going after grandma and he's going after mom," Khavajian said. "Just being in the U.S. without permission, they are categorizing that under a criminal act, but immigration is under civil law, not criminal.

"They are going after everyone, and in my opinion, they are going after the weakest of the weak who don't have the resources to defend themselves... Trump is spending it on everyone. If you're not here with proper documents, you're out. They aren't targeting the worst of the worst."

In addition to new enforcement priorities, the new policy has called into question whether ICE will continue to follow policies that ensured enforcement actions don't take place at sensitive locations, such as churches, schools, hospitals, funerals, weddings, marches or parades and other locations.

On March 31, Michigan Department of Education Superintendent Brian Whiston and Agustin Arbulu, Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, issued a joint letter to school districts across the state regarding immigration enforcement activities at schools.

"In the past 30 days, the federal government has taken increased actions aimed at finding, detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants. Both reports and rumors are circulating that federal officers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are enlisting the help of local law enforcement agencies and schools in this work," the letter states. "As school administrators, it is important that you consider how this could affect you

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and our school, and plan now for the possibility that law enforcement might one day seek your school's assistance in their efforts."

In the letter, Whiston and Arbulu state that attempts to use schools and students to locate or access undocumented immigrants may violate the civil rights of students and parents.

"All children, regardless of citizenship and immigration status, have the right to equal access to a free public education in our K-12 system... In fact, Michigan law requires that undocumented students attend school until they reach a mandated age," the letter continued. obinson, with the Michigan Immigration Rights Center, said an Oakland County father, who was also an undocumented alien, appeared in March for a custody hearing at the Oakland County Circuit Court. "He went in for the hearing and was asked to go in back to the referee's office, and he was detained there," he said.

"That creates a chilling effect. ICE has, and as we see, continued to do its enforcement activity in court.

ICE spokesman Khaalid Walls didn't confirm the alleged incident at the Oakland County Circuit Court, but said it's possible for such actions to occur in some cases.

"While there have been no recent court arrests in Michigan, ICE does arrest targets at courthouses, but generally only after investigating officers have exhausted other options," he said. "Many of the arrests targets ICE has sought out at or near courthouses are foreign nationals who have prior criminal convictions in the U.S." Additionally, Walls said rumors of ICE conducting indiscriminate sweeps and raids to roundup as many undocumented immigrants as possible are false. “Recent reports of ICE checkpoints and sweeps are false, dangerous and irresponsible," Walls said. "These reports create panic and put communities and law enforcement personnel in unnecessary danger. Any groups falsely reporting such activities are doing a disservice to those they claim to support."

Locally, rumors of such raids haven't taken root in general. However, the bust in March of an illegal gambling and cockfighting ring in southwest Detroit by ICE resulted in deportation proceedings against about 50 undocumented immigrants. However, Walls said at the time that the operation was the result of a ongoing criminal investigation.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard also said any rumors of raids or sweeps by ICE at the local level are false.

"They are looking for individuals who are wanted," he said of ICE. "That's a false rumor that has been spread across the country. They aren't looking for status only, they are looking for specific individuals."

Bouchard said while his office communicates with ICE on a regular basis, some of the administrations policy on immigration enforcement isn't realistic, in terms of partnerships with local law enforcement agencies.

"As it's related to (immigrant) status only, locally we can never take someone into custody on status only, unless there is a request by the federal government, and that usually goes beyond status," Bouchard said about whether local police officers may detain illegal immigrants. "We do data checks when we bring someone into custody... deputies aren't running status checks. They aren't checking status on routine calls. Even if it comes back to us that they are illegally in the country, unless there is an arrest warrant or a federal enforcement charge, we don't have the legal authority (to detain them)."

Bouchard said Oakland County Jail officials are, however, in contact with ICE on a regular basis to check whether inmates in their custody are wanted by the agency. Bouchard said the jail receives about $26,000 each year from the Department of Justice for housing criminal aliens.

"We bring in around 25,000 people a year through the jail, and we have to contact all the databases, including ICE, to see who we have and what they might be wanted for. In some cases, you have to make a phone call and read a list of names. We don't have that seamless database," Bouchard said about the jail's contact with ICE. The reimbursement funds are part of the Bureau of Justice Assistance's State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, which provides funds to jails for the cost of housing deportable alien criminals. According to Department of Justice records, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office received $26,283 for housing 26 ICE-eligible inmates.

Livingston County Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt. Eric Sanborn said the office doesn't conduct any special operations in regard to immigration, other than making contact with ICE to see if an inmate has a wanted status.

"They are very few and far between," he said. "Most of those are people

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Tom Zibkowski Realty Executives Midwest

586-532-6700 Ex 114

Tom@TomZibkowski.com www.TomZibkowski.com

When Experience Counts. Over 4,000 Closed Home Sales Since 1982 A RARE FIND 12 ACRE PRIVATE ESTATE - OAKLAND TWP

BEAUTIFUL COLONIAL W/FINISHED WALKOUT ON THE EAST SHORE OF 90 ACRE SPRING LAKE

Private 12 Acre French Country Manor featuring 12,000 sq. ft. of finely appointed living area.

Featuring terraced patios leading to parterre gardens adjoining built-in swimming pool.

Helipad provides convenience to land helicopter in backyard and store in state-of-the-art hangar, entertainers gourmet kitchen, finished walkout features lap pool & gaming areas.

5350 Brewster, Rochester Hills $5,725,000.

Fantastic lake views from the wall of windows in this beautiful colonial w/finished walkout basement on the east shore of 90 acre Spring Lake. Large island kitchen w/ maple cabinets, granite counter tops & stainless steel appliances, finished basement is wide open w/2nd half, huge maintenance-free composite deck overlooking lake, large owners suite w/gorgeous views and beautiful wide plank flooring in great room. Lawn sprinklers run off lake, no gas powered motors allowed, and great for fishing. 51424 Merry Lane, Shelby Twp $679,900.

ONCE IN A LIFETIME LAKE ORION LOCATION

LAKEFRONT COLONIAL ON A 200' LOT ON LAKE ST. CLAIR

Over 7,200 sq. ft. of finely appointed living area. Custom built 3 level home located at the end of peninsula on Lake Orion. 660’ of lake-frontage offering a water view from every room in the house. Features a 4-car heated attached garage +2000 sq. ft. motor coach garage with covered enclosed boat well, 3 fireplaces, huge owner’s suite with balcony overlooking lake, extensive landscaping with 2 waterfalls, and large beach area. 220 S. Andrews, Lake Orion $1,649,000.

Lakefront colonial on a 200' deep lot on Lake St Clair, spectacular waterfront views, , steel sea wall, boat hoist & davit, gourmet island kitchen w/ built-in appliances, large bar area between kitchen & great room, awesome owners suite with his & hers large walk-in closets, luxurious white marble bath & walks out to private balcony overlooking lake, 4 balconies, large brick paver patio with built in gas fireplace, 3 car oversized garage, extensive landscaping, and fenced yard. 37600 Lakeshore Drive, Harrison Twp $1,190,000.

STATELY COLONIAL WITH FINISHED WALKOUT

PRIVATE 10 ACRE ESTATE WITH 2100 SQUARE FOOT POLE BARN

Colonial with finished walkout. Home features over 8,500 sq. ft. Exquisite marble and granite floors throughout the entire 1st two floors. Exterior features include extensive landscaping and terraced patios backing to waterfall. Very private lot backing to golf course.

2831 Cranbrook Ridge Court, Oakland Twp $1,690,000.

2,500 sq.ft. Ranch with walkout basement set back through the trees on a 10 acre parcel, attached 3 car garage plus over 2,100 sq.ft. pole barn with 4 large doors, cement floor and electricity, large island kitchen, 4 bedrooms upstairs, with 2 more bedrooms in mostly finished basement. 71455 Fisher Road, Washington Twp $649,900.

1 1/2 STORY ON 3/4 ACRE WOODED LOT + 3/4 ACRE POND LOT

THE WHITE HOUSE OF HARSENS ISLAND

1 1/2 story home on 3/4 acre wooded lot. Has a newer kitchen with granite counter tops & stainless steel appliances. 2 bedrooms upstairs share jack and jill bathroom, huge composite deck overlooking large private pie-shaped treed yard, and nicely landscaped. This is truly a one of a kind setting. 5941 Hunter's Ridge Drive, Washington Twp $429,900

Once in a lifetime opportunity! The White House of Harsens Island!! Spectacular cottage-chic renovated fully furnished 5,100 sq. ft. home on the North Channel. Elevator services all 3 floors, 2 full bath attached carriage house apartment, home was originally built in 1887 and complete renovation done in 2008. 100' of water frontage with dock and sandy beach for swimming, very private back yard, screened in gazebo, this is a great family retreat that is ready for immediate possession. 1250 Circuit, Harsens Island $1,849,000.

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Tom Zibkowski Realty Executives Midwest

586-532-6700 Ex 114

When Experience Counts. Over 4,000 Closed Home Sales Since 1982 4 ACRE PRIVATE ESTATE ON STONEY CREEK PARK

4-BEDROOM BEDROOM GREAT ROOM RANCH ON 2.09 ACRES

Private 4-acre French Estate, 6,500 sq. ft. of finely appointed living area, entertainer's gourmet kitchen w/dual islands, hearth room w/fireplace, walkout lower level is studded & ready for Buyer's personal finishes, 4.5-car attached, side entrance, heated garage, GEO Thermal heating and cooling, spacious owners suite overlooking water, very private setting.

58955 Mound Road, Washington Twp $2,350,000

4-Bedroom great room ranch on 2.09 acres. Hardwood floors throughout most of first floor, 3 1/2 baths, nice large entertainer's style kitchen open to great room, maintenance free exterior, large cement patio overlooking yard, beautiful elevation, extra deep basement w/daylight windows, backyard lot line extends into large tree line, over-sized 2.5-car garage.

75632 Portabella Lane, Bruce Twp $449,900.

1 1/2 STORY W/ FINISHED BASEMENT & BUILT-IN GUNITE SALT WATER SWIMMING POOL

5,200 SQ. FT. COLONIAL W/ WALKOUT BASEMENT TO WOODED RAVINE

1 1/2 story w/finished basement & built-in gunite salt water swimming pool in the exclusive gated community of Manchester Estates. Home features all high end finishes throughout, large 1st floor owners suite w/ luxury digital steam bath, gourmet kitchen w/built-in commercial grade appliances, finished lower level features entertainer's night club style wet bar, home theatre area w/state-of-the-art surroundsound, awesome salt water swimming pool and hot tub. 19910 Westchester Drive, Clinton Twp $949,900.

Stunning Model Show Condition 5,200 sq. ft. colonial w/walkout basement to wooded ravine, 4.5-car garage, granite counters throughout, custom trim & moldings, 2-way fireplace between library and family room, dual staircases, pub room with wet bar between great room and dining room, large owners suite with huge walk-in closet and luxurious bath, large cedar deck backing to a wooded ravine. 877 Quarry, Rochester Hills $899,900.

1 1/2 STORY W/ FINISHED WALK-OUT BASEMENT ON PRIVATE LOT

1 1/2 STORY DECORATOR SHOWCASE HOME WITH 4.5 CAR GARAGE ON 1 ACRE LOT

Stunning model show condition 1 1/2 story w/finished walk-out basement. Recently remodeled island gourmet kitchen w/built-in appliances, huge great room w/walls of windows overlooking private yard, finished walk-out features large kitchen bar combo, huge deck plus lower patio, bridge overlooks 2-story foyer & great room, newer furnaces, central air, hot water tank and roof, extensive landscaping, very clean well maintained home in move-in condition! 4964 Deer Creek Circle North, Washington Twp $699,900.

1 1/2 Story home with 4.5 car garage on 1 acre lot. Home features, gourmet island kitchen with large breakfast nook and built in commercial grade stainless steel appliances, fireplace in large great room and kitchen, wrought iron staircase with bridge overlooking foyer, finished bonus room offers additional office/study, craft room, or bedroom space, large cement patio that is overlooking over 1 acre lot. 61614 Cotswold, Washington Twp $969,900.

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Approximately 6,000 sq. ft. of finely appointed living area, updated colonial with finished walkout basement, granite counters throughout, large island kitchen with stainless steel appliances open to great room with 2-story ceilings, finished walkout has a media area, huge wet bar, 4th full bath, 2nd fireplace and workshop, master suite has attached infant suite, and huge composite deck walks down to lower patios. 54655 Salem Drive, Shelby Twp $489,900.

Private, wooded, 16 acre gated estate. European style villa, featuring over 10,000 square feet, indoor swimming pool & sauna, elevator servicing all 3 levels, oversized heated garage with huge work shop, waterfall at entrance, 2 laundry rooms, partial kitchen in lower level, and second laundry rooms/ main floor and lower level. The list of amenities is incredible.

1700 Schilling Lane, Oakland Twp $1,499,900.

who are already housed in our jail and it becomes known that their immigration status is in question."

Department of Justice records show the Livingston County Sheriff's Office received $1,812 in 2016 for housing six ICE inmates.

Wayne County received $99,345 in 2016 for housing 55 ICE inmates.

However, sheriff's office spokeswoman Kelly Miner said in an email that the office doesn't house any detainees for ICE. "We do not handle undocumented immigrants," she said, indicating that there is no specific policy in place for such encounters. "We enforce criminal activity, period. We do not house detainees for ICE." Macomb County Sheriff's Office Lt. John Michalke said the office doesn't have a formal policy regarding illegal immigrants.

"If during the normal course of our law enforcement activity we encounter persons whose immigration status is unclear, we routinely contact Customs and Border Protection and have them assist our agency," he said. We have found them to be helpful and responsive."

The Macomb County Sheriff's Office received $20,175 in 2016 for housing 30 ICE inmates, according to the Department of Justice.

In terms of conducting immigration enforcement on behalf of ICE, the federal 287(g) Program allows local law enforcement agencies to have officers undergo immigration enforcement training, granting them most of the same powers of an enforcement agent. However, none of the some 37 agencies that have participated in the program are located in Michigan.

"We have enough to do without having to do the federal government's job, as well," Bouchard said.

Qualifications and training for federal ICE agents involves extensive background checks, classroom, field and physical training. Basic requirements don't necessarily exclude applicants without college degrees or former training in law enforcement. However, some published reports in the past have suggested that nearly two out of three applicants fail the final exam required for agent certification.

ICE applicants selected for training must complete a five-week Spanish Language Training Program, as well the agency's ICE-D training program, or the Detention and Removal Operations Training Division's Basic Immigration Law Enforcement Training Program before they graduate from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Academy. The ICE-D program is a 13-week integrated basic program that consists of both federal law enforcement training and immigration and customs enforcement training.

The training program requires applicants to maintain a 70 percent cumulative average score on written exams during training. The federal law enforcement training program includes three written exams, and the ICE training includes four written exams.

In order to graduate from the training academy, recruits must pass a physical abilities assessment, which requires recruits to pass a Criterion Task Testing element that consists of completing an obstacle course within 1 minute and 45 seconds; and a 1.5-mile run. Recruits must also pass practical exercises in physical techniques, first aid, firearms, and the driver training portions of the program. gents for ICE must be U.S. citizens and never been convicted of a certain crimes, including misdemeanor domestic violence. ICE agents must also be willing to work in any location in the country, including remote areas along the border. All candidates must have resided in the United States for three of the last five years prior to applying, or worked as a U.S. government employee overseas. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, and under 37 to be considered being hired as a criminal investigator. Agents are also required to carry a gun. ICE Special Agents not only enforce immigration law, but other federal laws, including federal drug enforcement, child sexual exploitation, human smuggling, trafficking and intellectual property rights laws. Further, agents are required to be available/on-call for duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays, and work long hours and spend extended periods away from their assigned duty location. All agents must also have a valid driver's license prior to entrance on duty.

Power granted to ICE agents are spelled out in the Immigration and Nationality Act, or INA: ACT 287, which grant powers beyond immigration issues, but fall within ICE's purview. Agents are typically assigned to either the agency's Enforcement and Removal Operations division or the Homeland Security Investigations division. However, the INA: ACT 287 allows enforcement and removal operations officers to make arrests for any felonies committed in the immigration officer's presence, and may serve any

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warrant, subpoena, summons or other process issued under the authority of the United States.

Immigration officers and agents are also granted the power to interrogate any alien who they believe is attempting to enter the country illegally; board or search any vessel, railway car, aircraft, vehicle or private land within 25 miles of a border, but not private dwellings for the purpose of patrolling the border to prevent illegal entry of aliens. Therefore, immigration officers can't legally enter a home without a warrant. Further, anyone interrogated by an ICE agent has the right to remain silent, and the right to an attorney if taken into custody. hile detained by ICE, individuals are held at any one of dozens of detention centers in the country, many which use dedicated space at county jail facilities. In Michigan, ICE detention centers include the Calhoun County Correction Center, the Monroe County Jail and the St. Clair County Jail. Inmates aren't allowed to receive phone calls, so they must contact attorneys or others themselves. While detainees are typically held in locations close to where they had been living in the country, that's not always the case. A backlog of cases at federal immigration courts and limited space means detainees may be moved thousands of miles away while they await a decision or hearing.

While federal immigration officers are granted a board array of powers, including the authority to interrogate any person believed to be an alien as to their right to remain in the United States, Khavajian said the new Trump policies have appeared to embolden some local law enforcement officers to overstep their authority.

"If someone is here without permission and is a victim of a crime, if they can help law enforcement they may be able to get a visa and green card through that process. I sent out a request and application to an officer saying that my client was helping that officer. The officer, on the application wrote 'He needs to learn English,' and underlined it," he said. "The last time I checked, we don't have a national language in the United States. We have officers who are criticizing victims of crimes for not being able to speak English."

Alex Vernon, assistant law professor and director of the University of Detroit Mercy Law School's Immigration Law Clinic, said there has been a longstanding policy that victims of crimes aren't to be removed from the country.

"I don't expect that to change," he said. "If they don't have serious issues, it would be a public relations disaster, and frankly the people who work for Immigration and Customs wouldn't be in favor of it."

In his work with the university's law clinic, Vernon and his students work to assist immigrants who are already on their way to obtaining legal status.

Vernon did say there have been instances where indirect victims of crimes have been subject to deportation orders. In one case, he said, the mother of a girl who was the victim of sexual abuse was seeking status as an indirect victim of the crime in order to remain in the country and assist her daughter.

However, before such status could be granted, the mother was caught driving without a license, and a removal order was issued for her. She later came back into the country and was again apprehended by ICE, and sentenced to a year in jail.

"We were trying to get her a visa, but ICE was refusing to cooperate in order to process the case. Eventually, she gave up and accepted her removal from the country," he said. "That is the kind of issue we might see more of, and that happened under the outgoing administration."

Under the nation's immigration laws, undocumented immigrants in the country for less than two years may be subject to an expedited removal process. During that process, an immigration officer basically has the authority to decide the case, said Khavajian.

"They don't get any kind of hearing," he said. "They have less due process than criminals."

Undocumented immigrants who have been in the country for at least 10 years, and who have the ability to prove their time in the country, as well as a standing of "good moral character," and have a U.S. citizen as a sponsor who would suffer a hardship if they were departed, may also qualify for a green card.

Robinson, with MIRC, said while many undocumented immigrants wish to seek a means to obtaining legal status, the fact is that such a pathway may not be available to many.

"For 11 million to 12 million people, there's not really a pathway to fix their immigration status," Robinson said. "There is no such mechanism for many of these individuals. Our advice is to consult with an attorney and talk about options in certain situations. Most, if they could fix their status, they would."

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FACES

Hillary Sawchuk he key to a good interview is to get the subject as comfortable as possible, choosing a setting where they feel most at home. The idea was part of the concept that Rochester native Hillary Sawchuk had in mind when she launched her successful web series, "Have A Drink With," in Chicago in 2011.

"Some people, maybe they aren't used to doing press, or maybe they are nervous," she said. "I try to make them feel as comfortable as possible. I try to gain their trust and build that relationship over 15 minutes."

Whether it's tea, coffee, a cocktail or soda, Sawchuk asks the question: If you could have a drink with anyone, who would it be? Then, after answering that question, she does it. Since launching the series, the Rochester Adams High School graduate has interviewed artists, actors, musicians and entrepreneurs, ranging from Richard Branson, Chelsea Handler, Adrian Grenier, John Legend and Dan Gilbert.

"It's about having this real, open conversation, almost like the cameras aren't there, but they are," she said. "People really open up and relax in a different way over a drink – they are so present. They look you in your eyes and they ask you questions back. It really says a lot when someone takes the time to get to know you a little bit. It's really something when someone like Richard Branson says your name back to you. They are just really present and thoughtful."

Sawchuk's own story began before she graduated from Oakland University, when she began working for Turner Broadcasting as a department runner. After earning a degree in broadcast journalism, she set out to be a sports reporter, working at first as a stage manager for

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five months with ESPN. In 2009, she took a job as a sales coordinator in Chicago while looking for work as a reporter. With little work in the field on her resume, Sawchuk created her own dream job when she came up with the idea for "Have a Drink With."

"Along the way, I never had a plan until that lightbulb moment that Have A Drink With was up, and I thought I had something here," she said. "I figured I wouldn't get hired, so I started my own thing three years in."

In the summer of 2011, Sawchuk began conducting interviews for what she thought would be a local Chicago web series focusing on locations around the city. Her first interview was published that November.

"It's interesting to see how things evolve. It started kind of local. I wanted it to be a Chicago resource, getting to know people in Chicago, but quickly realized it would work anywhere."

By creating custom branding for her sponsors, which include national brands, Sawchuk is able to avoid banner ads and traditional web advertising on her site, and most recently has partnered with Virgin Hotels. Expanding the series, Sawchuk has covered the Sundance Film Festival and is currently looking to expand the series to other cities.

Among those in consideration are Los Angeles and Detroit.

"I'm still deciding on the near future. I don't see why we can't do three cities at once," she said. "There are a lot of people in Detroit, which I hope will happen in the future. Eminem doesn't do much press. He would be really interesting."

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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MUNICIPAL Contaminated site may get cleanup

By Kevin Elliott

Plans to develop a four-story office building on the east side of Water Street, near downtown Rochester, could provide funding for the cleanup of a 100-year-old manufacturing site along the Paint Creek.

Developer Frank Rewold, of Frank Rewold and Son, is proposing the construction of a 47,885-square-foot building that would include first-floor parking and three floors of office space. Rewold, who owns the Royal Park Hotel and the Mills buildings in the area, said the project would link the two projects and serve as the third part of a multi-phase plan for developing the area. The project, if approved, would also help the city qualify for about $2 million in brownfield redevelopment funds from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for the cleanup of longstanding contamination in the area.

Rewold went before the Rochester Planning Commission on Monday, April 3, with preliminary site plans to determine whether the city would be receptive of the office building plan, which would require a special project approval to move forward.

Under the property's current zoning, office uses aren't permitted.

However, the city allows for special project approval in the area for mixeduse projects. While the office building wouldn't contain a mix of uses, the commission said there is a need for office space in the city, and that the overall plans for the area include a mix of uses, which include office space, retail and residential developments.

"The city has told me, I think, we need office and we want office space," Rewold said. "We are bringing in two good companies that aren't in the area now that will bring in people as employees. It won't be hard to find a third. We are looking for the right company."

The project, if approved, would utilize significant window space to provide views of the Paint Creek area, as well as the surrounding downtown area. Plans would include first-floor parking, as well as surrounding lots, along with shared-use parking with the hotel and the neighboring Mills building.

While the preliminary site plan left several unanswered questions for planning commissioners, including some about parking, architecture and building height, Rochester Economic downtownpublications.com

Rochester Hills Museum project approved lans to update a portion of the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm will move forward this fall, as the Rochester Hills City Council on Monday, April 17, approved a $75,000 design and installation budget for projects at the museum.

Museum supervisor Pat McKay said the funds for the project come from donations raised by the museum's community foundation, meaning none of the work will be funded by taxpayer money. The project is intended to update the 17-year-old dairy barn to allow for better utilization of the museum's space.

"Over the last 17 years, since the dairy barn opened up, our exhibits have pretty much remained the same. What we would like to do at this point is to rethink some of our spaces," McKay said. "After 17 years, you start seeing what works and what doesn't work, and we would like to resize some of our museum store."

McKay said the update stems from new interest in the museum since last year's PBS documentary, "Pioneer Family: On Van Hoosen Farm," which focused on the rich history of the Van Hoosen family and museum's presence in Rochester Hills.

"That increased interest, and we would like to improve the way we use the building," he said.

The project, which is expected to be done this fall, will include a reconfiguration of the museum's store space to address the creation of new exhibits on the Taylor/Van Hoosen families; new store displays that create a mobile system to free up floor space at the barn; a downsizing and repurposing of the barn's reception desk; use of the museum's silo exhibit for store or other exhibit space; opening the museum's bull barn and milk house to the public, after a new equipment barn is built in 2018; and other exhibit spaces.

City council approved 6-0, with councilman Thomas Wiggins absent, to award design, fabrication and installation services to Flutter and Wow Museum Projects, of Ann Arbor, in an amount not to exceed $75,000.

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Development Director Nik Banda said the DEQ required a project to be identified by April 30 in order to qualify for associated brownfield funds at the site. Those funds include about $1 million in applied brownfield redevelopment loans, which would be repaid through a tax increment finance (TIF) district, which would include the proposed office building.

"This is kind of a lead in to the big project, if that were ultimately to happen," Banda said about overall development of the potential TIF district. "But if that didn't happen, and this is all we get, are you good with it?"

Longtime industrial operations at the site have contaminated soils with lead and trichloroethylene, which have migrated off the site and are close to the Paint Creek, according to the DEQ. The site was first used in the 1800s as a knitting mill, until it was purchased by McAleer Manufacturing in 1942 for producing phosphorous and magnesium flares for the military. The property was used for producing automotive push rods and tubing about 1950, and went through a series of different owners, ending with ITT Automotive, which discontinued production in

1994. Rewold purchased the property in 1997.

Planning commissioners voted unanimously to approve the preliminary site plan, with member Matthew Stone abstaining from the vote.

The project will return before council at a later date for a full site plan review.

Barnett addresses Rochester Hills

By Kevin Elliott

Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett on Monday, April 10, gave his 11th annual State of the City address to a packed auditorium at Rochester Adams High School.

The address serves as an annual event in which the mayor highlights achievements and the character of the city in a way that goes beyond standard talking points delivered from a podium. This year's event featured a "Local Roots, Global Reach" theme, and focused on the diversity of the city's population, businesses and industry.

The address started with a video entitled "One Nation" that played

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while children on stage dressed in costumes depicting different countries sang along with lyrics, such as, "We are one nation, we are one land together in freedom, united we stand." Other entertainment included performances by African Drum Dancers Nanou Djiapo, the Motor City Irish Dancers, Jazba Indian Dance Group and the St. Paul's Catholic Community Albanian Dance Group.

The event ended with an on-stage fireworks show.

Barnett took time between performances to highlight some of the achievements of the city, including its designation as the safest city in Michigan, based on FBI data; a 61percent increase in new housing, as well as increases in property values; the city's high business occupancy rates; the city's recycling program; and ongoing and future development in the city.

"The city of Rochester Hills has had another exceptional year, perhaps our most accomplished as we continue to be one of the hottest places in southeast Michigan for innovation and investment," he said.

"Our residents, businesses and employees, non-profits, they've innovated, influenced, blessed, worked, achieved and delivered in immeasurable ways to the people we serve."

In addition to highlighting the city's achievements, Barnett used the address to announce the renaming of the city's Riverbend Park, which is the first it has developed in two decades.

Due to the number of other parks in the area with similar names, the city held a contest to rename the park, with the selected winner being "Innovation Park."

Barnett also touted the city's new interactive project map, which can be found on the city's website and is intended to let residents and others know what construction and development projects are going on in the city.

Focusing on the diversity of its businesses, the mayor recognized international companies, such as Jenoptik, Bader and Molex, who have recently relocated to Rochester Hills.

The event also took time to recognize the diverse residents of the city, including Luiz and Mayara Malu, who recently immigrated to the United States to move to Rochester Hills.

The mayor also recognized two people with Community Excellence Awards. Lori Blaker, president/CEO of TTi Global, was given the award for her work with empowering women in Kabul, Afghanistan. Bill Clark, of the 35

Hope Water Project, was also awarded for his efforts in Africa where he is helping to build wells for people to have access to water.

In an effort to provide a "unique, fun and unpredictable way" of highlighting the city, Barnett infused the address with several entertaining videos and jokes, including routine pot shots at his brother, Chris Barnett, who serves as the city manager for Orion Township and whom the mayor called the black sheep of the family “stuck in a dead end job in a very dangerous city.�

Never short on comedy relief, Barnett started the address with a video of himself running late for the event, before driving to the Village of Rochester with Madonna while exchanging barbs in another video.

Barnett also shared phony tweets from Donald Trump, in which the president also mocked the mayor's brother. "Orion Township: Where living is a vacation?? Liberal Media!!

FAKE NEWS!"

Historic ordinance to be revisited Rochester City Council in May is expected to discuss changes to the city's historic preservation ordinance following a recommendation in April by the city's historic study committee to remove the city's Landmark Property list from the existing ordinance.

Under the city's historic preservation ordinance, those properties in the city that are deemed to have great historical significance to the community may be designated as "landmark" properties. The study committee identified a dozen such "landmark" properties in the city, which may choose to opt into a historic district, under the city's current ordinance. Those that choose not to opt into a district may still receive the designation, which could require the property owner to seek approval from the city before demolishing the property or making changes that would alter the historical character of the property.

Property owners who don't want their property to receive the designation may object to being included on the list, and council may reject the designation if the owner can show the property lacks historical significance. However, city council members on March 27 voted to exclude one landmark property, 1311 N. Main Street, because the owners claimed the designation infringed on their property rights and created a 36

Central Business District to be redistricted

By Kevin Elliott

lans to rezone Rochester's Central Business District into several smaller districts in order to better meet desired land uses and zoning ordinances were introduced on Monday, April 10, to city council members.

Rochester Deputy City Manager and Economic and Community Development Director Nik Banda said the planning commission has been working with city staff for months on developing a future and use plan for the Central Business District by addressing the area on a block-byblock basis. On Monday, Banda presented the council with the first of several new districts that will be introduced.

The proposed Downtown Edge-1 District would include about three blocks serving as an extension of downtown's core, and would run from W. University to Second Street, and from the west alley of Main Street to east side of Walnut Boulevard. The new district would expand the downtown's core area and encourage the expansion of business and the tax base of the community.

With the core area of the downtown already being maximized with many established uses, and limited area for new businesses downtown, the Edge-1 district would expand the business area while creating a transition to residential neighborhoods.

"We didn't want to change large areas and create conflicts, so this first area is for the Downtown Edge-1 District," Banda said.

The proposed district includes guidance for development standards, permitted uses and those uses that would require conditional approval.

However, Banda noted changes to the city's ordinance codes would be needed at a later date to enforce the proposed uses. The plans before council on Monday, he said, would be the first step in creating the district, not the ordinances.

"It essentially eliminates automotive suppliers," he said. "We don't want that as a buffer on the alley. It's more of a service industry area... it's not a radical change from the Central Businesses District, but it takes out some uses."

The district would also limit building height to three stories, and ensure that no buildings are taller than those in the adjacent downtown district.

Councilwoman Ann Peterson said, upon being presented with the plan for the first time, that she wanted more information about how the district would function with adjacent districts, as each side of Walnut, for example, would be in two different districts.

"I would like to table this until we can see (the districts) together," she said.

Banda, as well as councilman Jeffrey Cuthbertson and mayor Cathy Daldin, who both serve on the planning commission, agreed that the plans would be easier to envision if side-by-side districts could be presented. However, additional proposed districts aren't expected to be drafted for more than a month.

Council members voted 5-0 to accept the proposed district as a first reading, but indicated any further action will be on hold until additional districts can be presented to give members a better understanding of overall plans. Council members Stuart Bikson and Ben Giovanelli were absent.

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potential hardship for them if they chose to sell or renovate the residential home.

Councilman Jeffrey Cuthbertson said the vote went against the city's own historic preservation ordinance by allowing the property to be excluded from the list for reasons not permitted under the city's ordinance.

Doing so, he said, is likely to open the city up to litigation from other

property owners who objected to being included on the list, but were not obliged by council when presented with similar arguments.

The city's historic study committee, which was tasked with identifying properties on the landmark list, has recommended removing the list from the ordinance, following council's March 27 vote.

Meanwhile, Cuthbertson

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recommended at the council's April 24 meeting that the city draft a new ordinance that is more in line with the state's law that permits historic preservation ordinances.

A motion on April 24 to direct the city's attorney to draft text to be considered was put forth by Cuthbertson, but failed by a vote of 33, with councilwoman Kim Russell, Ann Peterson and councilman Stuart Bikson voting against it. Councilman Rob Ray was absent.

A subsequent motion to strike the landmark property clause from the existing ordinance also failed by a vote of 3-3, with councilman Cuthbertson, Ben Giovanelli and mayor Cathy Daldin voting against it.

The council voted 6-0 to table the matter until their meeting on Monday, May 22, at which point they will resume the discussion.

City updates gravel roads paving policy Rochester Hills City Council on Monday, March 27, tabled an update to the city's special assessment district (SAD) policy on the paving of gravel roads in the community, allowing the city to better budget and schedule those projects in the future.

The city's current policy on SADs consists of a policy of funding the paving of gravel roads in the city, which was last updated in October of 2013. Special assessment districts are a resident-initiated process that allows homeowners to pay the majority of costs for infrastructure improvements through a fee assessed to each property in a specific area by a specific formula.

The process allows for long-term funding for projects, which are ultimately paid for over time by a special assessment to the property owners in the area receiving the improvement.

The council tabled a motion to approve the city's policy on SAD projects used for paving gravel roads in the city after council woman Stephanie Morita requested a review and change of some of the language in the policy be prepared by the city's attorney prior to final approval.

If approved, one of the major changes to the policy would be to increase the cap on the amount each property owner can be assessed for improvements up to $12,000 per property. The previous cap was set at $5,000. Additional changes, the city said, would allow the city to better plan funding and scheduling of projects.

05.17

While residents pay for most of the improvement costs over time, the city is typically responsible for funding the initial costs of a project, with the SAD reimbursing the city over time.

Council president Mark Tisdel said gravel road paving projects have become an issue, as there have been nearly a dozen requests for such projects in the city recently, with a total cost of more than $12 million.

"This is a citizen request for expenditures," he said. "The council would earmark SAD funds throughout the year, and local road millage funds are used for those SAD projects, and that means the city has an obligation to help pay for it. But there were several (SADs) that were all over a million dollars, and then the city questioned where that would come from.

"When you get into more than $10 million total, it's something that has to be budgeted and controlled. We had to figure a way to budget this and get it down, along with the other local control road issue projects."

Tax break seen for manufacturer

By Kevin Elliott

Plans by global fastener manufacturer A. Raymond to locate its North American headquarters to Rochester Hills were bolstered on Monday, April 17, when Rochester Hills City Council members approved a 12-year tax abatement on a proposed 22,000-square foot facility at 2474 Devondale Road.

Headquartered in Grenoble, France, A. Raymond produces fasteners and assembly solution

products for the automotive, trucking, industrial, energy and other markets. The private company includes 37 different businesses and more than 5,900 employees, with North American operations focusing on automotive and trucking markets.

The company first located in Rochester Hills in 1987, and has made several expansions in the area, growing local operations from about three employees to about 400.

Chuck Lee, president of A. Raymond North America, said the proposed facility would allow for the consolidation of other operations and for the growth of the existing automotive and trucking operations, as well as future energy operations, which include solar products.

Lee said the proposed facility would help retain about 60 local jobs and bring about 22 new jobs to Rochester Hills, which would include engineering positions with annual salaries greater than $90,000. The project would include about $10 million in new investment and would be built in two phases, with about $5.3 million on the construction portion. A potential second phase would include the addition of about 43 additional jobs.

Lee, who explained he was raised in the Rochester Hills community, said the company is also considering an alternate location in Brunswick, Ohio to construct the facility, dependent upon tax incentives, and is seeking a tax abatement from the city to help make up a cost difference of about $4.5 million dollars.

City council voted unanimously to approve both the creation of an industrial development district at the proposed location, as well as a 12year industrial facilities exemption

Primary elections cancelled as council candidates file rimary elections scheduled for August 8 in Rochester and Rochester Hills have been cancelled, as the number of candidates filing to run for city council positions in those communities weren’t high enough to require voters to cast ballots in a primary election before the general election on November 7.

The filing deadline in both communities for those seeking city council seats was 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25.

In Rochester, six candidates filed to run for four open council seats, including incumbent council members Stuart Bikson and Ann Peterson.

Candidates Dean Bevacqua, Tammy Byers, Lynn Campo and Nancy L. Salvia also filed for two

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certificate, with councilman Thomas Wiggins absent.

Rochester Hills Economic Development Manager Pam Valentik said the tax abatement doesn't apply to taxes on land, but only the planned building, meaning the abatement would only apply if the building is constructed. If constructed, the project would generate about $345,576 over 12 years in real property taxes for the city, Avondale Schools, Oakland County, the Oakland County Intermediate School District, Oakland Community College and the State Education Tax, or about $306,328 less than would be generated without any tax abatement.

Mark Adams, a senior business development representative for the Oakland County Economic Development Department, who recommended council support the tax abatement, said A. Raymond has been and will continue to be a benefit to the county and city.

"Economic development is definitely a varsity sport, and A. Raymond is definitely a winner," he said. "Hopefully, they garner your support to expand here in the city of Rochester Hills."

Good work presented Rochester event Rochester Mayor Cathy Daldin and deputy city manager and economic and community development director Nik Banda shared the podium on Monday, April 17 in presenting the annual State of the City address at the Royal Park Hotel.

Mayor pro tem Kim Russell introduced the Rochester Police

additional open seats, currently held by Rochester Mayor Cathy Daldin and councilman Jeffrey Cuthbertson, neither of whom filed for re-election.

Due to the low number of candidates filing to run in the primary election, the six candidates will appear on the ballot on November 7.

Daldin, a co-owner of Shamrock Travel, has been a council member since 2011. She was last elected in 2013.

Cuthbertson was first elected to council in 2005 while pursuing a law degree, and became the youngest mayor in history of the city in 2008. He was re-elected to council in 2013, when he was again re-appointed as mayor.

The candidates in November who receive the top three total of votes will serve four-year terms on Rochester City Council, with the person receiving the fourth highest votes serving a twoyear term.

Department's Color Guard and speaker Rev. Kenneth Tanner, of the Church of the Holy Redeemer, who gave the evening's invocation, before introducing Daldin.

Keeping true to form, Daldin kept her part of the address "short and sweet," as she thanked city staff, volunteers and local and former officials in attendance before highlighting work being undertaken on the city's infrastructure, awards and achievements, and its bicentennial celebration.

"These aren't new challenges to Rochester or any other town across America," Daldin said in addressing the city's infrastructure plans. "We all use our roads, water and sewer systems every single day. We need to take care of them now and in the future. In order to do that, we must have a plan that addresses both short-term and long-term issues."

Daldin spoke about the city's infrastructure committee that was formed last year to develop plans for water, sewer and roads, as well the city's work to seek water and sewer grants, and a new rate structure to address the systems needs. About 38 percent of the city's water and sewer lines were installed before 1960.

The city's infrastructure committee, she said, at the city council's May 8 meeting, will present its plan to address road needs in the city.

Daldin also touted the city's recognition by WalletHub as being the best place to raise a family in 2017, and in the top five percent of cities with the highest credit scores.

SmartAsset also named the city recently as the fourth best place to retire in Michigan.

Banda spoke enthusiastically

Six candidates in Rochester Hills filed for four city council seats in that city, with incumbents Stephanie Morita, who holds the city's District 1 seat, and Jim Kubicina, who holds the city's District 2 seat, running unopposed in the November election.

Rochester Hills Council Member At Large, Kevin Brown, will compete for his seat against Rochester resident Jenny McCardell. Rochester Hills residents Ryan Deel and Ryan Smith will be running for current council member Thomas Wiggins' District 4 Seat, as he did not file for reelection.

The low number of candidates filing in Rochester Hills also results in that city's primary election being cancelled, with all candidates moving onto the November general election.

Candidates have until Friday, April 28 at 4 p.m. to withdraw their names from the races.

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248.792.6464, ext 601.

LOCAL FACE OF HUNGER • Office: TRAFFICKING OF MINORS • PAY-TO-PLAY IN SPORTS Cell: 586.549.4424.

MarkGrablowski@DowntownPublications.com

BEGGARS WIN IN COURTS • PREDICTIVE CRIME FIGHTING • NEW LAKE ACCESS

MATTERS

CHALLENGES COMMON CORE FOR SCHOOLS • RISE IN OAKLAND HEROIN • GANGS OF OAKLAND • HEIGHTENED SCHOOL SECURITY • FRACKING IN THE CROSSHAIRS NEW ROLE OF LIBRARIES • CHOOSING A NON-PROFIT • TESTING LOCAL NOISE LEVELS THE PATTERSON INTERVIEW • THE STATE OF THE LAKES • ETHICS RULES FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT • RIDING WITH A SHERIFF DEPUTY • TEEN DATING VIOLENCE

about the city's 97 percent business occupancy rate in the downtown area, as well as special projects boards formed to help sustain longterm development in Rochester.

"The idea was to have controlled, sustainable, smart growth, rather than a sudden boom," he said about the city's approach to economic development, saying they are not in a race to build every piece of land, but to find smart development. "Our philosophy is that if they fail somehow, that means we fail. If they say their business couldn't make it in Rochester, then we didn't do something right."

The evening ended with a special "Under The Radar Michigan," Rochester edition produced by Daldin's husband, Tom Daldin, host of the popular PBS show by the same name.

"Rochester: Where You Live," mayor Daldin said in closing. "It's not just a slogan, it's a way of life."

Rochester Farmers' Market to open The 18th annual Rochester Farmers' Market will open on Saturday, May 6, and continue to operate every Saturday through the fall season at the corners of E. Third and Water streets, one block east of Main Street.

The farmers' market features only Michigan-grown or made products, including vegetables, fruits, flowers, garden items, baked goods, organic dairy and meats, and other products.

"The Downtown Rochester Farmers' Market is a place for the community to have access to fresh, locally-grown foods, flowers and products, while having the opportunity to spend time with friends and family," said Taylor Clayton, marketing coordinator with the Rochester Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

"Shopping at the market helps support the local economy and has a positive impact on the area."

The market will operate from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays through October 28.

Opening day festivities at the market will include free tote bags and special offers for the first 500 adult customers, and pinwheels for kids; live music by Rochester College student Brianna Wilkinson; a magic show by Gordon Ross; and enter-to-win prizes, including gift certificates and a harvest basket donated by market vendors. downtownpublications.com

Rochester seeks water improvement loan

By Kevin Elliott

lans for about $6 million in water main improvements in areas of Rochester approved city council on Monday, April 24, following a public hearing on the projects earlier in the month that will pave the way for the city to apply for a low-interest loan to fund the projects.

The city is seeking a loan from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)'s Drinking Water Revolving Fund to pay for improvements that would be completed over the next five to seven years.

As part of the application process, the city held a public hearing to discuss the projects with the public.

Projects include replacing about 6,000 feet of a transmission main running from the water treatment plant to just inside the city limits, as well as about 14,000 feet of distribution mains throughout the city.

Distribution mains to be upgraded include locations along South Street, Wesley Street, Roselawn Drive, Castell Avenue, Mahaffy Avenue, Walnut Boulevard, North Helen Avenue, Oak Street and Wilcox.

City council on Monday, April 24, approved a resolution adopting the final project plans for the water system improvements. Council voted 5-1 to approve the resolution, with councilman Stuart Bikson voting against the resolution and councilman Rob Ray absent.

Kristin Goetze, an engineering consultant with Johnson and Anderson Engineering, said the current transmission main was installed in 1895, and has had several breaks in recent years. Likewise, she said, the majority of other water mains to be updated were installed in the 1920s and have had several issues. She said the upgrades will save the city about $43,000 each year on pumping and repair costs.

If approved, the city would likely receive notification of the loan in September, with planning and engineering to follow. Completion of all the projects listed would be roughly five to seven years, city manager Blain Wing said.

The water main improvements were identified as part of the city's water infrastructure capital improvement program through the DEQ's Water Reliability study, which is required to satisfy requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act.

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The Downtown Rochester Farmers' Market is presented by the Rochester DDA and Crittenton Hospital Medical Center.

City gets new voting equipment Federal funds provided through the Help America Vote Act will assist the city of Rochester Hills in updating election equipment, under a grant agreement authorized on Monday, April 17, by city council members.

The grant allows the city to receive voting system funds from the federal government and appropriated through the Michigan Secretary of State. The equipment includes precinct tabulators, absentee voter tabulators, accessible voting devices for use by individuals with disabilities, and related voting software.

Rochester Hills City Clerk Tina Barton said the grant will provide partial funding for new voting

systems. "The state has about $40 million to spend on election equipment. What that equates to is that each community is going to get one tabulator per precinct, and one accessible voter device per location," she said.

Barton said she expects to return before city council in the near future to request additional funds to purchase additional machines. That request, she said, is already included in the city's budget and capital improvement plan.

"The state is allotting one tabulator per precinct, which means there are no back-ups, which is unacceptable," she said. "Also, we will look at high-speed scanners for our absentee (counting) room.

Currently, ours do about 10 ballots per minute, and when we are getting back more than 13,000 absentee ballots in a presidential election, that's a lot of standing on your feet trying to feed ballots into it for hours and hours."

Barton said high-speed tabulators will count about 100 to

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130 absentee ballots per minute.

"We will be asking to put state funds toward high-speed scanners, and that will provide a reduction in cost," she said.

Barton said she anticipates an increase in absentee ballots submitted to the city over the next decade, particularly as lawmakers in Lansing discussing expanding absentee voter capability to include no-reason absentee ballots.

"We think that could be viable in 10 years, and then we could hit as many as 20,000 or more absentee ballots," she said.

Council voted 6-0 to accept the grant agreement, with councilman Thomas Wiggins absent.

Plans in work for city pocket parks The Rochester Downtown Development Authority (DDA) on Wednesday, April 19, finalized contracts and funding for updating pocket parks in the city's downtown area.

Rochester Economic Development Director Nik Banda said the construction of two parks is expected to start this spring, but that neither of the parks will include permanent structures or require formal review by the city's planning commission.

In creating the city's parking structure, the city vacated part of Walnut Street, allowing for the creation of pocket parks in the area.

Banda said plans to improve the parks ran into funding issues.

"The two pocket parks that exist there today are boring. There is a walkthrough and grass," Banda said.

"The goal was, when we have enough money in the (parking) bond, we would finish those parks off."

When the cost of installing parking meters left the fund short for park improvements, Banda said the city approached the DDA and asked if it would be interested in funding improvements, as the parks are located in the DDA's district, but are owned by the city.

Banda said a donor gift will help pay for almost all improvements to one of the parks, while a second park would be more prominent and include a "Wall of Fame" donor wall, where contributions for improvements would allow for wall inscriptions.

The plans and bids for the park improvements went before the DDA board at their monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 19.

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05.17

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BUSINESS MATTERS Trendy women’s clothes West Coast women’s style is coming to the Rochester area with the opening of Scarborough Square Boutique, 116 E. University Drive in Rochester. The women’s boutique will feature high-end, casual clothing for women, including hard to come by brands that may be trending in other parts of the country, said co-owner Tara Hayes, who is opening the boutique with her father, Joe. “My parents owned three clothing stores back in the day. My dad was about 20 or 21 and had his first store in St. Clair Shores with the same name. It was a men’s and women’s boutique in the same name. They opened in 1975, and did really well for over 15 years.

They expanded to Warren and Rochester, at the Winchester Mall.

They closed them as my dad got into real estate and mom into nursing,” Hayes said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to follow in their footsteps.” A successful competitive tennis player since she was 8 years old, Hayes moved to Los Angeles after playing for Michigan State University, later working for the Tennis Channel. But the chance to open her own boutique in Rochester brought her back to Michigan, obtaining the 1,500-square-foot store in January.

Utilizing some of the fashion representatives she met while living in Los Angeles, Hayes said she will have a focus on denim brands, such as Joe’s Jeans, Hudson, Citizen, Paige and others, to bring some unique offerings to Rochester.

Real estate expansion Fresh Start Homes, 1074 E. Avon Road in Rochester Hills, has expanded and opened a new private construction office next door to its public office, at Avon and John R roads. The real estate investment company connects real estate investors and buyers in unique ways. Kim Agemy, vice president of sales and marketing for Fresh Start Homes, said the company finds homes that it can purchase at wholesale, then renovates the homes using a 125point inspection process, which could include big ticket items, such as furnaces or roofing, as well as room renovations. During the process, the company works with buyers to allow them to have input on the homes before they take possession. The process allows 42

investors to make money on the sales, and creates a new home experience from an existing home for buyers. The company also connects buyers with traditional and unconventional financing, such as seller financing. “If someone has been through a tough time financially, we can work with them,” Agemy said, noting they still require 10-percent down on homes, but work to help buyers rebuild their credit so they may qualify for a conventional mortgage. “We are helping families, and we are helping investors,” she said. “Even on the flips, we are helping families. Many we sell are FHA buyers.” The demand for such a service is evident with the expansion of the office and addition of a new construction office. Since co-founders Rick Rosen and Ranee Roach launched the business in 2014, Fresh Start Homes has grown from a staff of about five to more than 20, adding an acquisition team, wholesale division, closing department and multiple construction crews.

Spring cider available Fresh apple cider is available now through December at Yates Cider Mill, 1990 E. Avon Road in Rochester Hills, as the mill has opened for a spring pressing that is expected to run through the end of the fall season. This year marks the third special spring pressing for the mill, which is made possible through the purchase of cold storage apples. In addition to cider, Yates will have ice cream, donuts, fudge and other goods available.

The history of the mill goes back to 1863 when the Yates Grist Mill opened. About 1876, the Yates family installed a cider press into the water-powered process and it became known as Yates Cider Mill.

Previous spring press seasons ran about three weeks, making this the first year for the mill to offer fresh cider throughout the spring and summer months.

Unique waffle locale Waffles for dessert takes on a new twist with the opening of Revel Bros: Ice Cream and Wafels, 254 N. Adams, in Rochester Hills, at the Village of Rochester Hills. The dessert shop features Liege Wafels and ice cream and cookies by the shop’s brother company, Cool Jacks. Founded by Josh Charlip,

Cool Jacks features hand-made ice cream and artisan cookies, combined to make signature Cool Jacks ice cream sandwiches.

Charlip is taking his creation a step further with Revel Bros. by incorporating speciality waffles.

Described as a speciality dessert waffle, Liege Wafels are made from brioche dough and filled with pearls of sugar to make a dense and sweet dessert. The unique waffles can be topped with fresh whipped cream, fruit, chocolate, and of course, ice cream. The new shop features many of the same offerings as the Cool Jacks locations, with the addition of the gourmet waffle desserts. Charlip started Cool Jacks in 2011 with a single ice cream cart, before adding cookies. The subsequent ice cream sandwiches can also be found in some local stores in three-pack varieties, which are produced at a manufacturing facility in Livonia.

Rue21 closing Teen clothing retailer rue21 will be closing nearly a third of its stores across the nation, including its local rue21 store at 1250 S. Rochester Road, at Winchester Center shopping center. The company, which is one of the largest “fastfashion” designers in the nation, is closing about 400 of its 1,100 stores in 48 states, which are located in shopping malls, outlets and strip centers. The company said it hasn’t yet determined a date for the Rochester Hills store closing, but that the decision to close stores was “difficult but necessary,” in a statement on its website. “The exact number and timing of these closings will be determined in the coming weeks.” Rue21 makes women’s and mens’ apparel, shoes, accessories, tech gadgets, beauty and home decor.

Flooring company moves in Additional floor options are available in the Rochester area with the recent opening of Motor City Carpet & Flooring, 1445 Rochester Road, in Rochester Hills. The new showroom is the third for the company, which has locations in Warren and Royal Oak. Bruce Rostam, owner of Motor City Carpet & Flooring, joined the company in 2003 after leaving a career in engineering. In 2012, Rostam purchased the business and began growing it from a service that only

DOWNTOWN

installed carpet in apartments to a full-service carpet and flooring company. Motor City Carpet & Flooring offers carpet, hardwood, ceramic, sand and finish flooring to the public, while still specializing in insured emergency work.

Senior care home center A new senior care facility that offers a home setting has opened, with the addition of Sunflower Senior Care, 1656 Crooks Road in Rochester Hills. The facility is a converted ranch home that offers a six beds and a 24-hour personal care team. A house doctor and nurse are on-call. Staff is CPR and first-aid certified, and trained in medication administration. The facility provides assisted living, memory care and hospice care.

AAA insurance offerings Local insurance agents Kathleen Novetsky and Craig Zmijewski have opened a new AAA sales office, 2232 Crooks Road, in Rochester Hills. The office, which is near M-59, offers home and auto insurance coverage, including home, condo, renter’s and flood insurance for the home, and auto, boat, motorcycle and recreational vehicle insurance. Novetsky is a native of northwest Detroit and West Bloomfield, and has been recognized by AAA as a “Premier Performer” seven times since 2002.

Zmijewski has also been recognized as a “Premier Performer” and has received AAA’s President’s Elite recognition. He also specializes in life insurance.

Tax time help Block Advisors, 3140 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills, that has opened in the University Square Center, offers year-round tax and business services. The new Block Advisors location, which is an arm of H&R Block, offers expertise beyond tax preparation, including services such as business tax, tax audit support, bookkeeping and payroll. The new office includes five tax professionals, including master tax advisors, analysts and a tax specialists, with nearly 100 years of combined experience.

Business Matters for the Rochester area are reported by Kevin Elliott. Send items for consideration to KevinElliott@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.

05.17

PLACES TO EAT The Places To Eat for Downtown is a quick reference source to establishments offering a place for dining, either breakfast, lunch or dinner. The listings include nearly all dining establishments with seating in the Rochester area, and then some select restaurants outside the immediate area served by Downtown. The complete Places To Eat is available at downtownpublications.com and in an optimized format for your smart phone (downtownpublications.com/mobile), where you can actually map out locations and automatically dial a restaurant from our Places To Eat.

Rochester/Rochester Hills 112 Pizzeria Bistro: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 2528 S. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309.

248.289.6164.

2941 Street Food: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 87 W. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.606.4583.

Alex’s of Rochester: Italian, Greek, & American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.852.2288.

Antoniou’s Pizza: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 918 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48307. 248.650.2200.

Avery’s Tavern: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 2086 Crooks Road, Rochester Hills, 48309.

248.270.4030.

B Spot Burgers: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

176 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.218.6001.

Bangkok Cuisine: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 727 N. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.652.8841.

Bar Louie: American. Weekend Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, 10 or more. Liquor. 1488 N. Rochester Road, Rochester, 48307.

248.218.5114.

Bean and Leaf Café: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

439 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307.

248.601.1411.

Bigalora Wood Fire Cucina: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 8 or more. Liquor. 6810 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48306.

248.218.6230.

Big Boy: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No Reservations. 3756 S. Rochester Road., Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.852.5540. Also 90 E. Tienken Road, Rochester Hills, 48306.

248.601.7777.

Bologna Via Cucina: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

334 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307.

248.651.3300.

Buffalo Wild Wings: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

1234 Walton Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.651.3999.

Chadd’s Bistro: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No Reservations. 1838 E. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, 48307.

248.293.0665.

Chapman House: French-American.

Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations recommended. Liquor. 311 Walnut Blvd., Rochester. 48307.

248.759.4406.

Cheng’s Restaurant: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 2666 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.299.9450.

Chicken Shack: BBQ. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 213 W. University Drive, Rochester, 48307.

248.656.1100.

Chili’s: Tex-Mex. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2735 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307.

248.299.5281.

downtownpublications.com

Chipotle Mexican Grille: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2611 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.402.0047. Also The Village of Rochester Hills, 84 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.402.0047.

Chomp Deli & Grille: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

200 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307.

888.342.2497.

CJ Mahoney’s Sports Grille: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 3260 S. Rochester Road, Rochester, 48307. 248.293.2800.

CK Diggs: American & Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 2010 W. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.853.6600.

Clubhouse BFD (Beer-Food-Drink): American. Lunch, Saturday & Sunday.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations, 10 or more. Liquor. 2265 Crooks Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.289.6093.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: Barbecue. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 1418 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.266.6226.

Downtown Café: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 606 N. Main, Rochester, 48307.

248.652.6680.

East Side Mario’s: Italian. Lunch & dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2273 Crooks Road, Rochester, 48309.

248.853.9622.

Einstein Bros. Bagels: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 2972 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48307. 248.606.4519.

Famous Dave’s: Barbecue. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2945 Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48307. 248.852.6200.

Firehouse Subs: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1480 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.656.9200. Also 3044 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.299.7827.

Five Guys Burgers & Fries: American, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

2544 S. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.299.3483.

Ganbei Chinese Restaurant & Bar: Chinese. Lunch, Monday-Saturday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 227 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307.

248.266.6687.

Georgio’s Pizza & Pasta: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Italian.

117 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307.

248.601.2882.

Gold Star Family Restaurant: American & Greek. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 650 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.652.2478.

Golden Eagle: American. Lunch, Sunday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1447 N. Rochester Road, Rochester, 48307.

248.651.6606.

Grand Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 12 Marketplace Circle, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.289.1350.

Half Day Café: American. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

3134 Walton Boulevard, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.375.1330.

Hamlin Pub: American. Breakfast, Sundays. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 1988 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307.

248.656.7700.

Hibachi House Bar & Grill: Japanese Steakhouse. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 335 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307.

248.266.6055.

Honey Tree Grille: Mediterranean.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2949 Crooks Road, Rochester, 48309. 248.237.0200.

Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1186 W. University Drive, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.651.3527.

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248-759-4825

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DOWNTOWN

ANY MEAL – DINE-IN ONLY Coupon must be present at time of purchase. Limit one coupon per person.

Not valid on holidays or with any other specials or offers. Expires 6.1.17

224 E AUBURN RD, ROCHESTER, MI 48307

248.293.2660 TUESDAY–SUNDAY: 8AM - 8PM • CLOSED MONDAYS 43

Johnny Black Public House: American.

Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 1711 E. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, 48307.

248.606.4479.

Kabin Kruser’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. No reservations. Lunch, Monday-Saturday.

Dinner, daily. 306 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.651.2266.

Kerby’s Koney Island: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. 2552 S. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309.

248.844.8900.

King Garden: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1433 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.656.3333.

Krazy Greek Restaurant: Greek. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 111 E. University Drive, Rochester, 48307.

248.652.0089.

Kruse & Muer In the Village: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 134 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.375.2503.

Kruse & Muer on Main: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

327 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307.

248.652.9400.

Lebanese Grill: Lebanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2783 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.606.4651.

Lino’s Restaurant: Italian. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 50 W. Tienken Road, Rochester Hills, 48306.

248.656.9002.

Lipuma’s Coney Island: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 621 N. Main Steet, Rochester, 48307.

248.652.9862.

Lucky’s Prime Time: American. Weekend Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations, weekdays. Liquor. 1330 Walton Boulevard, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.656.8707.

Main Street Billiards: American. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 215 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307.

248.652.8441.

Main Street Deli: Deli. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, Thursday, Friday. No reservations. 709 N. Main Street, Rochester, MI 48307. 248.656.5066.

Mamma Mia Tuscan Grille: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday, Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 543 N. Main Street, Suite 311, Rochester, 48307. 248.402.0234.

Mezza Mediterranean Grille: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor at The Village location only. 1413 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.609.2121.

Also The Village of Rochester Hills, 188 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills.

248.375.5999.

Miguel’s Cantina: Mexican. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 870 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307.

248.453.5371.

Mitchell’s Fish Market: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 370 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.340.5900.

Mr. B’s Food and Spirits: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

423 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307.

248.651.6534.

Noodles & Company: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 184 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309.

248.375.5000.

North Shack: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 990 E. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, 48307.

248.853.3366.

O’Connor’s Public House: Irish Pub. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 324 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.608.2537.

Oceania Inn: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Village of Rochester Hills, 3176 Walton Boulevard, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.375.9200.

Olive Garden: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2615 S.

44

Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.853.6960.

Outback Steakhouse: Steakhouse. Lunch, Friday-Sunday. Dinner, daily.

Reservations, eight or more. Liquor.

1880 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.650.2521.

Paint Creek Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday, Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 613 N. Main Street, Rochester, 48307.

248.759.4205.

Panda Express: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 3105 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.853.9880.

Panera Bread: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 37 S. Livernois Road, Rochester Hills, 48309.

248.601.2050. Also 2921 Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307.

248.853.5722. Also 2508 S. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309.

248.853.7430.

Park 600 Bar & Kitchen: American.

Weekend Brunch. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

Royal Park Hotel, 600 E. University Drive, Rochester, 48307.

248.652.2600.

Paul’s on Main: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 630 N. Main Sreet., Rochester, 48307. 248.656.0066.

Pei Wei: Asian Fusion. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1206 E. Walton Boulevard, Rochester, 48307.

248.601.1380.

Penn Station East Coast Subs: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

146. S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307.

248.601.4663.

Penny Black Grill & Tap: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

124 W. 4th Street, Rochester, 48307.

248.841.1522.

Pudthai & Sushi: Thai & Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 2964 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.299.6890.

Qdoba Mexican Grill: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1198 Walton Boulevard, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.608.2603. Also 3014 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.844.3668.

Ram’s Horn: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1990 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.651.7900.

Red Knapp’s Dairy Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 304 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307.

248.651.4545.

Red Lobster: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2825 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.299.8090.

Red Olive: Mediterranean & American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1194 Walton Boulevard, Rochester, 48307. 248.656.0300.

Rochester Bistro: American-Continental.

Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday, Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 227 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307.

248.923.2724.

Rochester Brunch House: American.

Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 301 Walnut Boulevard, Rochester, 48307. 248.656.1600.

Rochester Chop House: Steakhouse & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 306 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307.

248.651.2266.

Rochester Diner & Grill: American, Greek & Italian. Breakfast & Lunch, daily.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. 1416 E. Walton Blvd., Rochester Hill, 48309.

248.652.6737.

Rochester Mills Beer Co.: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 400 Water Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.650.5080.

Rochester Tap Room: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6870

N. Rochester Road, Rochester, 48306.

248.650.2500.

Rojo Mexican Bistro: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 401 N. Main Street, Rochester, 48307.

248.601.9300.

Sakura Sushi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

6866 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48306. 248.608.3867.

Shish Palace: Mediterranean. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. 165 S. Livernois Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.453.5464.

Shogun: Japanese. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 173 S. Livernois Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.453.5386.

Silver Spoon Ristorante: Italian. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

6830 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48306. 248.652.4500.

Soho: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 2943 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307.

248.289.1179.

Sumo Sushi & Seafood: Japanese & Korean. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations, 24 hours in advance.

Liquor. 418 N. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.601.0104.

Tapper’s Pub: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 877 E. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, 48307.

248.852.1983.

Tim Hortons: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 940 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.656.8292.

The Jagged Fork: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 188 N. Adams, Rochester Hills, 48306.

The Meeting House: American. Weekend Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 301 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307.

248.759.4825.

Too Ra Loo: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 139 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307.

248.453.5291.

Tropical Smoothie Café: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2913 Crooks Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.852.4800.

Val's Polish Kitchen: Polish. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday, Sunday. Reservations. 224 E. Auburn Rd., Rochester Hills, 48307.

248.293.2660.

Wayback Burgers: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1256 Walton Boulevard, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.453.5746. Also 2595 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.844.2717.

Willoughby’s Beyond Juice: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 120 E. 4th Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.841.1670.

Troy Capital Grille: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 2800 West Big Beaver Rd., Somerset Collection, Troy, 48084. 248.649.5300.

Cafe Sushi: Pan-Asian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1933 W. Maple Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.280.1831.

Kona Grille: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 30 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48083.

248.619.9060.

Lakes: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 5500 Crooks Rd., Troy, 48098.

248.646.7900.

McCormick & Schmick’s: Steak & Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. Somerset Collection, 2850 Coolidge Hwy, Troy, 48084. 248.637.6400.

Mon Jin Lau: Asian. Lunch, MondayFriday. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

DOWNTOWN

Liquor. 1515 E. Maple Rd, Troy, 48083.

248.689.2332.

Morton’s, The Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 888 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.404.9845.

NM Café: American. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 2705 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, 48084.

248.816.3424.

Ocean Prime: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 2915 Coolidge Hwy., Troy, 48084. 248.458.0500.

Orchid Café: Thai. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. 3303 Rochester Rd., Troy, 48085.

248.524.1944.

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

Somerset Collection, 2801 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084.

248.816.8000.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 755 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084. 248.269.8424.

Steelhouse Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1129 E. Long Lake Rd., Troy, 48085.

248.817.2980.

Tre Monti Ristorante: Italian. Lunch, Thursdays. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 1695 E. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 48083. 248.680.1100.

Birmingham/Bloomfield 220: American. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 220 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.646.2220.

Andiamo: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 6676 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301.

248.865.9300.

Bagger Dave's Legendary Burger Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6608 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301.

248.792.3579.

Beau's: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 4108 W. Maple, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

248.626.2630.

Bella Piatti: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

167 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.494.7110.

Beverly Hills Grill: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor. No reservations. 31471 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills, 48025. 248.642.2355.

Big Rock Chophouse: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 245 South Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.7774.

Bill's: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Daily. Reservations, lunch only.

Liquor. 39556 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.646.9000.

Bistro Joe’s Kitchen: Global. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Sunday brunch. Liquor.

Reservations. 34244 Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.0984.

Café ML: New American. Dinner, daily.

Liquor. Call ahead. 3607 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Township.

248.642.4000.

Cafe Via: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 310 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.644.8800.

Cameron’s Steakhouse: American.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 115 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.723.1700.

Churchill's Bistro & Cigar Bar: Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

116 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.4555.

05.17

Eddie Merlot's: Steak & seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 37000 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.712.4095.

Elie’s Mediterranean Cuisine: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations.

Liquor. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2420.

Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 323 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.0134.

Forest: European. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 735 Forest Avenue, Birmingham 48009.

248.258.9400.

Griffin Claw Brewing Company: American.

Dinner, Tuesday-Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday and Sunday. No Reservations.

Liquor. 575 S. Eton Street, Birmingham.

248.712.4050.

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse: American.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 201 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009.

248.594.4369.

Ironwood Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, 6 or more. Liquor.

290 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.385.0506.

Luxe Bar & Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily; Late Night, 9 p.m.-closing.

No reservations. Liquor. 525 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.6051.

Mandaloun Bistro: Lebanese. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, Daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 30100 Telegraph Rd., Suite 130, Bingham Farms, 48025.

248.723.7960.

MEX Mexican Bistro & Tequila Bar: Mexican. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Liquor. 6675 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301.

248.723.0800.

Mitchell’s Fish Market: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.646.3663.

Phoenicia: Middle Eastern. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 588 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.644.3122.

Roadside B & G: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

1727 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7270.

Salvatore Scallopini: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 505 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8977.

Social Kitchen & Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 5 or more. Liquor. 225 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4200.

Streetside Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily.

Reservations, Lunch only. Liquor. 273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.645.9123.

Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American.

Dinner. Monday-Saturday. Sunday brunch. Reservations. Liquor. 55 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.731.7066.

The Bird & The Bread: Brasserie. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 210 S. Old Woodard, Birmingham, 48009.

248.203.6600.

The Franklin Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 32760 Franklin Rd, Franklin, 48025. 248.865.6600.

The Rugby Grille: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5999.

The Stand: Euro-American. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

34977 Woodward, Birmingham,

downtownpublications.com

48009. 248.220.4237.

Toast: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 203 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6278.

Townhouse: American. Brunch, Saturday, Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 180 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.5241.

Triple Nickel Restaurant and Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor.

Reservations. 555 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham 48009. 248.480.4951.

North Oakland Clarkston Union: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 54 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346.

248.620.6100.

Holly Hotel: American. Afternoon Tea, Monday – Saturday, Brunch, Sunday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 110 Battle Alley, Holly, 48442.

248.634.5208.

Kruse's Deer Lake Inn: Seafood. Lunch & dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7504 Dixie Highway, Clarkston, 48346.

248.795.2077.

Via Bologna: Italian. Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 7071 Dixie Highway, Clarkston. 48346. 248.620.8500.

Union Woodshop: BBQ. Dinner, Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday – Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 18 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346.

248.625.5660.

Royal Oak/Ferndale Ale Mary's: American. Weekend Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 316 South Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.268.1917.

Anita’s Kitchen: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 22651 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.548.0680.

Andiamo Restaurants: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 129 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.582.0999.

Assaggi Bistro: Italian. Lunch, TuesdayFriday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 330 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.584.3499.

Bigalora: Italian. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 711 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067.

Bistro 82: French. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 401 S. Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.542.0082.

The Blue Nile: Ethiopian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 545 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.

248.547.6699.

Bspot Burgers: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 310 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.268.1621.

Cafe Muse: French. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 418 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.544.4749.

Cork Wine Pub: American. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 23810 Woodward Ave., Pleasant Ridge, 48069.

248.544.2675.

D’Amato’s: Italian. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 222 Sherman Dr., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.584.7400.v Due Venti: Italian. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

220 S. Main St., Clawson, 48017.

248.288.0220.

The Fly Trap: Diner. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 22950 Woodward Ave., 48220. 248.399.5150.

Howe’s Bayou: Cajun. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 22949 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.691.7145.

Inn Season Cafe: Vegetarian. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. No reservations. 500 E. Fourth St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.547.7916.

Inyo Restaurant Lounge: Asian Fusion.

Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 22871 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220.

248.543.9500.

KouZina: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 121 N. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.629.6500.

Lily’s Seafood: Seafood. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 410 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.591.5459.

Local Kitchen and Bar: American.

Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 344 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.

248.291.5650.

Lockhart’s BBQ: Barbeque. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 202 E. Third St., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.584.4227.

Oak City Grille: American. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 212 W. 6th St, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.556.0947.

One-Eyed Betty: American. Weekend Breakfast. Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 175 W. Troy St., Ferndale, 48220. 248.808.6633.

Pronto!: American. Weekend Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 608 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.7900.

Public House: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 241 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.

248.850.7420.

Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

31542 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, 48073. 248.549.0300.

Ronin: Japanese. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 326 W. 4th St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.546.0888.

Royal Oak Brewery: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

215 E. 4th St., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.544.1141.

Strada: Italian. Dinner, Wednesday Sunday. Liquor. No reservations. 376 N. Main Street. Royal Oak, 48067.

248.607.3127.

Toast, A Breakfast and Lunch Joint: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 23144 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.398.0444.

Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 318 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.541.1186.

Town Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 116 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.544.7300.

The Morrie: American. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 511 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.216.1112.

Trattoria Da Luigi: Italian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 415 S, Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.542.4444.

Vinsetta Garage: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

27799 Woodward Ave., Berkley, 48072.

248.548.7711.

West Bloomfield/Southfield Bacco: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 29410 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.356.6600.

Beans and Cornbread: Southern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

29508 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.208.1680.

DOWNTOWN

Bigalora: Italian. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 29110 Franklin Road, Southfield, 48034.

Maria’s Restaurant: Italian. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 2080 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48323.

248.851.2500.

The Bombay Grille: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 29200 Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington Hills, 48334. 248.626.2982.

The Fiddler: Russian. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 6676 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.851.8782.

The Lark: American. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 6430 Farmington Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.661.4466.

Mene Sushi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine.

6239 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.538.7081.

Meriwether’s: Seafood. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 25485 Telegraph Rd, Southfield, 48034. 248.358.1310.

Pickles & Rye: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6724 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.737.3890.

Prime29 Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6545 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.7463.

Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 6745 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.865.0500.

Shangri-La: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Orchard Mall Shopping Center, 6407 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.626.8585.

Sposita’s Ristorante: Italian. Friday Lunch. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 33210 W. Fourteen Mile Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.

538.8954.

Stage Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

6873 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.855.6622.

Sweet Lorraine’s Café & Bar: American.

Weekend Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 29101 Greenfield Rd., Southfield, 48076.

248.559.5985.

Yotsuba: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 7365 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield, 48322.

248.737.8282.

West Oakland Gravity Bar & Grill: Mediterranean.

Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday, Dinner. Reservations. Liquor.

340 N. Main Street, Milford, 48381.

248.684.4223.

It's A Matter of Taste: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2323 Union Lake Road, Commerce, 48390.

248.360.4150.

The Root Restaurant & Bar: American.

Lunch & Dinner, Monday - Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 340 Town Center Blvd., White Lake, 48390.

248.698.2400.

Volare Ristorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 48992 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393.

248.960.7771.

45

FACES Paul Grosz or Rochester Hills resident and longtime chef Paul Grosz, who has owned and operated Cuisine Restaurant in Detroit, for 16 years, and is co-owner of The Stand in Birmingham, food has always been a way to bring people together.

"I grew up in a large family with seven siblings, so dinner was a big thing for us," he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My mother is Polish, so I grew up on Polish heritage cooking."

Today, when Grosz gets a chance to cook for himself, he enjoys a simple pasta with garlic, tomato and basil, while he said his four boys will "eat anything."

Grosz first started cooking at about six-years old, baking cookies and cakes. Three years later, he was able to pick up some work at a donut shop owned by a friend's family.

"I would go in and clean, but then I wanted to learn how to make batters. They kind of laughed, but I learned quick. I enjoyed baking, and the science of it," he said. "I was a line cook at 15years-old. I had to lie about my age â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we could do that then. I was working at a diner, cooking breakfast and lunch on the weekends during school, and would come in after school and cook."

It was at the diner that Grosz learned to improve his speed and accuracy, and first got hooked on the adrenaline rush that comes with the pressure of knocking out orders during a dinner rush. After high school, he had hoped to study at the Culinary Institute of America, but wasn't able. Instead, he took a different route, gaining a hands-on education after landing a position with renowned Chef Jean Banchet at Le Francais, in the Chicago area.

While most chefs train in culinary schools before being hired by a prestigious chef, Grosz's progression went a bit backwards. He later left Chicago and worked at the Hyatt-Regency in Dearborn before heading to France and studying pastry at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. He then returned to Detroit, where he became the head chef at The Whitney.

In 2001, Grosz decided to leave The Whitney and take his 20years of experience and follow his lifelong dream of opening his own restaurant, Cuisine, which features contemporary French-American cuisine and classic French desserts.

"I found some notes I had written in high school for a restaurant I wanted to open, and the notes were almost exact to what I was doing with Cuisine," he said. "I had always envisioned opening something in an urban setting, and being across from the Fisher, I knew there would be a built in theater crowd.

"The size of the restaurant, the setting and type of food â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it was all in those notes. I was astonished that it was all similar to what I was doing."

Without major backing, Grosz put his life savings into launching the restaurant. While such ventures have become more common in today's restaurant scene, starting out on your own in Detroit was rare at the time.

"You didn't see a lot of it in Detroit without the backing of a big corporation. Now it's kind of common. I put my life savings into it," he said. "I was comfortable being the executive chef at The Whitney, and the numbers were going well, but I always wanted to open my own place. I didn't want to wonder, 'what if.' I just didn't think about failing."

F

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Laurie Tennent

SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Here is the update on the recent social scene. Many more photos from each event appear online each week at downtownpublications.com where readers can sign up for an e-mail notice when the latest social scene column is posted. Past columns and photos are also archived at the website for Downtown.

Erin Go Bra(gh)

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Erin Go Bra(gh) Kathy Broock Ballard’s annual St. Sally Gerak Patrick’s Day charity event is a play on words – the Gaelic for “Ireland forever.” But her girlfriends, 70 came this year, know that the new underwear they bring will be cherished by the women-in-need clients of Grace Centers of Hope and CARE House of Oakland County. The happy hour party at the Village Club is emerald accented and noted for Ballard’s generous hospitality.

The venue is special to the hostess because ”...my grandmother was one of the founders of this club.” The news maker at the party was Cheryl Hall-Lindsay. She arrived with a foot cast to go with her arm cast. Both injuries were sustained during her fitness run through the neighborhood, but the foot cast was brand new. “This morning I was hit by a car...and the driver ran over my foot,” she explained. Keeping fit can be dangerous.

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1. Kathy Broock Ballard (left) of Orchard Lake, Elyse Foltyn of Birmingham, Kim Reuss of Bloomfield, Stacy Klein of Bloomfield, Adele Acheson of W. Bloomfield. 2. Terri Eick (left) of Birmingham, Cheryl Bournias of Bloomfield. 3. Alexandria English (left) of W. Bloomfield, Jennifer Margherio of Bloomfield. 4. Denise Paulus (left), Carrie Langdon and Dana Brophy of Bloomfield, Katie Prokop of Birmingham. 5. Yani Reddy (left) of Bloomfield, Alexandra Sanchez of Royal Oak. 6. Sue Cheslin (left) of Orchard Lake, Sarah Post of Bloomfield.

7. Cheryl Hall-Lindsay (left) of W. Bloomfield, Patty Ghesquiere of Bloomfield.

Detroit Boat Club Monte Carlo Night The gritty stubbornness of the 114 year-old, stucco-covered, concrete boat house on Belle Isle mirrors its namesake – Detroit. The grandeur of the silhouette survives, but the nooks and crannies need lots of TLC. Thanks to the boat club’s special relationship with the non-profit Friends of Detroit Rowing, the oldest rowing club in the nation (founded in 1839) still provides instruction in the sport. It also has a 30-year lease with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on the old boat house and plans to renovate it for special event rentals. To that end, a Monte Carlo Night attracted 248 people ($125 ticket) to the club house on March 11. Some, like sponsor Frank Germack, were inside the old building for the first time. Others like committee/board member Mark O’Brien are regular visitors. In addition to sipping, supping and exploring two floors of the historic structure, guests played casino games and danced in the grand old ballroom. The event raised $50,000.

Detroit Boat Club Monte Carlo Night

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1. Ryan Abney (left) of Birmingham, Mark O’Brien and Holly Kargula of Grosse Pointe. 2. Elyse & Frank Germack of Birmingham. 3. Cindy & Ken Clark of Rochester. 4. Lisa Odabachian & Duane Dombrowski of Rochester Hills. 5. Jen Pawl (left) of Rochester Hills, Amber Lehr of Macomb. 6. Brian Larson (left) of Novi, Tyler Ross of Northville, Shedrick Abney of Birmingham.

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Variety’s SHINE for FAR The fourth annual SHINE fashion show attracted a standingroom crowd of 225 ($35, $100-patron) to the Rotunda at Somerset Collection South. The 24 models, all participants in Variety, The Children’s Charity, or FAR Therapeutic Arts & Recreation programs for children with special needs, had previously shopped at Somerset stores for their ensembles, which they get to keep. They also stopped at Felicia’s Salon in Birmingham to get prettied up before the show.

It started on high notes with Angelina Miller singing “Sunny Side of the Street” and Sebastian Truskowski singing and drumming “Blue Skies.” Each model was escorted to the runway by a community mentor, but then they definitely did their own thing following Ta-Dah Productions’ Vicki Howard’s introduction.

Rousing ovations, especially for the grand finale, rang through the mall. The Sunday afternoon smile-producing performance, chaired

by Judy Zorn and Ruthie Seltzer, raised $11,000 for Variety’s 4-H Horseback Riding program and FAR’s Camp Sing Out theater workshop. Lois Shaevsky and Michael Coyne are chairing Variety’s 85th anniversary celebration - Hearts and Stars – Saturday, May 6, at the Townsend Hotel. It will honor Bruce Rosen’s exceptional commitment to Variety.

Eton Academy Mission: Possible A sold out throng (350 @ $200) gathered at Eton Academy for the annual auction and dinner party chaired by Shari and Adriana Vlasic. The Mission:Possible theme, a play on the old spy thriller,

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suggested the miracles that occur at the school for students who learn differently. So did the post Bacco Ristorante dinner program. Outgoing board president Jeffrey Zanetti noted the school follows a golf instructor’s advice he once heard: “We should teach the way (students) learn.” A student produced video (Brennan O’Neil and Bella LeVeque) thanked the record number of sponsors ($270,000). Our notes also include quotes: Shari Vlasic - “This is the first time I’ve chaired anything and Michael is our fifth child...before Eton he was unhappy and misunderstood...Eton (gives) kids and parents unbelievable support...

Michael belongs (here) and so do I...When our kids are happy, we’re happy, too;” Michael Vlasic EA ‘17 – “At other schools ...I had lots of tutors...no friends...(Eton) is like a family... Eton has changed my life in such a positive way...I got in the National Honor Society last year...I’ve been accepted by three colleges;” Dan Bryan, EA ‘11 – “At Eton I learned to overcome my Attention Deficit Disorder... I’m a sales analyst now. I can work on 18 different things at the same time;” Ian May, EA ‘19 – “I have been blessed with a scholarship here for eight years...After high school I want to be a software engineer...I won’t let you down.” The messages enabled auctioneer Dan Stall to generate scholarship pledges of $66,600 and auction bids of $207,000. Combined with the silent auction ($40,000), raffle, tickets and sponsors , the annual fundraiser grossed more than $500,000.

Brother Rice Irish Nite XL The longest-running school auction, locally, attracted 450 school boosters ($75, $150 Benefactor) to Brother Rice High School for the 40th annual rendition. Conviviality reigned as many in the crowd are both alums and fathers of current BRHS students, 120 of whom were busy event volunteers. Checking cell phones bids (everything was digital this year), socializing, sipping and savoring the buffet cuisine by Holiday Market preceded the live auction. It was conducted by Dad’s Club President Brad Cochran and new school President Tom Reidy, who first thanked all donors of time and treasure. The top dollar getter ($7,000) was the private plane round trip Flyaway (up to 8 people for a 2-3 night trip anywhere within 750 miles of Pontiac). The live auction garnered $58,000. Combined with the silent auction ($17,500), raffles ($20,400), downtownpublications.com

Variety’s SHINE for FAR

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4 1. Vicki Howard (center) of Huntington Woods, Judy Zorn (left) of Rochester Hills and Ruthie Seltzer of Birmingham. 2. Felicia Palazzolo-Shaw (left) of Birmingham, model Claudine Gaillard. 3. Angelina Miller and Sebastian Truskowski. 4. Kathy Broock Ballard (left) of Orchard Lake, model Laura Figliuolo.

5. Model Henry Dalgleish, Kim Smith of Bloomfield.

6. Eric Clark of Bloomfield, model Faith Victoria Smith. 7. Hunter Shuert (left) of Bloomfield, model Sebastian Ramseyer.

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Eton Academy Mission: Possible

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1. Nicolena Inniss-Stubbs (left) of Detroit, Shari Vlasic of Bloomfield. 2. Sonia Pastore, and Steve & Sherry Shanbom of Bloomfield. 3. Jim Vlasic (left) of Bloomfield, Natalie Larkin and Steve Briggs of Orchard Lake.

4. Stephanie & Mike Dougherty of Bloomfield. 5. Larry (left) & Nancy Bluth of Bloomfield, Rebecca & Curtis O’Reilly of Grosse Pointe. 6. Gail Gotthelf (left) of Southfield, Jane Synnestvedt of Birmingham.

7. Jane Synnestvedt (left) and Candice Vallone of Birmingham, Gail Gotthelf of Southfield, Cynthia Barnhart of Commerce.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK pledging for chapel and gym needs ($8,925), and generous sponsors (see photo gallery), Irish Nite XL raised more than $300,000.

Brother Rice Irish Nite XL

ORT’s WINGO WINGO chairs Julie Marx, Renee Navid and Jennifer Teper moved the casual charity bingo party to Knollwood Country Club this year and attracted a record crowd (420 at $65 or $36-under 30). Before settling in to play 10 games, they sipped, noshed and bid almost $12,000 in the silent auction. They also bought raffle tickets and responded ($2,000) to president Robbie Sherman’s appeal to fund essential school supplies for at risk students. Then the chairs took turns calling the bingo numbers. The games were interspersed with pulling winning raffle tickets. The prizes are not shabby, either. The 30 raffle prizes were valued at $50 or more. The first nine bingo winners get $100 cash or gift card; the final grand game pays $250. Even so, the evening raised more than $55,000 for the Michigan region of the largest, nongovernmental education and training organization in the world.

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1. John & Michelle Kelly of Bloomfield. 2. Karen Duncan (left) and Maria Glod of Bloomfield and Katie Dudley of Birmingham. 3. Caroline (left) & Perry Scroggie and Ray & Jill Scroggie of Rochester Hills. 4. Cathie Weisenborn (left) and Tom Chisholm of Bloomfield. 5. Fred Paraedea (left) of Waterford, Mark Beaton & Alison Gleeson and John Lamarche of Bloomfield. 6. Rick & Sheryl Bone of Rochester. 7. Joe & Pam Hildebrand and Kelly Winkler & Terry Patterson of Birmingham. 8. Brian & Carol Rooney of Bloomfield. 9. Joe (left) & Diane Gammicchia of Rochester Hills, Mike Balascho of Lathrup Village. 10. Sarah Gros (left) of Sylvan Lake, Shannon Nelsen and Jennifer Frohock of Rochester.

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ORT’s WINGO

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1. Jennifer Teper (left) of Farmington Hills, Julie Marx of Bloomfield and Renee Navid of Huntington Woods. 2. Robbie Sherman (left) of Bloomfield and Paula Lynn of W. Bloomfield. 3. Arlene Haber (center) of Bloomfield, Janie Starkman (left) and Shari Enfield of Commerce. 4. Carey Gerchak (left) of Bloomfield, Mindy Markle of W. Bloomfield.

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West Point Society Founders Day Dinner Shortly after the Civil War ended, West Point alums began celebrating, annually, the founding in 1802 of the military institution by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

Like other regional WP groups around the country, the West Point Society Michigan stages a Founders Day Dinner. The recent 215th anniversary event attracted a sold out crowd of 260 ($75 ticket) to the Centerpoint Marriott, maybe because event chair Jim Suhay ’66 had secured a remarkable guest speaker – the muchdecorated, disabled Iraq war veteran, movie actor, motivational speaker Col. (ret) Greg Gadson. Following a stirring introduction by Urban Science CEO Jim Anderson, Greg captivated the audience with an account of his near-death injuries in Iraq from an IED. He told how his West Point football teammate, Chuck Schretzman, helped him recover, both physically and emotionally. He emphasized that bonds forged at West Point and in the military last for life, a message specifically directed to 19 West Point Class of 2021 cadet candidates in the audience. The evening was also replete with traditions and toasts including one, in 05.17

absentia. And, because last fall the Army football team finally broke a 15year string of losses to Navy, the Pickle Barrel trophy which the Michigan Naval Academy Alumni Association had returned was prominently displayed, and almost every speaker gave a “beat Navy” cheer. This included Jim Suhay, to whom president Tom Lynch presented the annual Michigan Society Member of the Year Award.

West Point Society Founders Day Dinner

1 Detroit Zoological Society Conservation Gala More than 100 guests ($450 & up) attended the Detroit Zoological Society’s inaugural Wildlife Conservation Gala in the iconic Wildlife Interpretive Gallery at the zoo. The event’s theme – Making A Difference – was depicted in a multimedia presentation highlighting the DZS’s global efforts to save various species. Guests savored cocktails and hors d’oeuvres followed by a sit-down dinner. For diversion, two 52-card raffles gave guests the chance to participate in field conservation projects – either the release of Blanding’s turtles at the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge or a choice between checking trail cameras on Belle Isle for beaver activity or a mudpuppy catch-and-release effort, also on Belle Isle. Steve Templeton and Corey Burney were the winners.

DZS Executive Director and CEO Ron Kagan also presented the society’s prestigious Nautilus Award to Chief Life Sciences officer Scott Carter.

Thanks also to generous sponsor Gage Products, the black tie evening netted more than $67,000 to benefit the society’s wildlife conservation programs.

Gleaners Women’s Power Happy Hour Women’s Power Happy Hour chairs – Judith Greenstone Miller, Dee Dee McKinney Odom and Joan Hennessey – made a wise decision to stage the fundraiser in MGM Grand’s Ignite lounge. With its buffet stations easily replenished from the adjacent kitchen, a large central bar and standup and sit down tables in three connected, dramatically lighted rooms, it happily accommodated the more than 300 guests ($150 & $100 tickets). In addition to serious socializing, sipping and supping people bid on 65 silent auction items ($10,000) and considered a drawing for two round trip plane tickets donated by Pam Nikitas and Joan downtownpublications.com

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1. Barbara and Jim Suhay ’66 of Birmingham. 2. Tom Lynch (left) of Bloomfield, Col.(R) Greg Gadson ’89 of Alexandria, VA, Col.(R) Chuck Schretzman ’89 of Toledo, OH. 3. Frank Rewold (left), Dave Sokol ’89, and Derek Gentile of Rochester. 4. Kate Lynch (center) of Bloomfield, SFC Michael and Shauna Meyers of Fenton. 5. Randy (left) & Pam Rahul and Martha & Nick Demiro ’89 of Rochester. 6. Pam Good and Jack Krasula of Bloomfield. 7. Frank (left) & Kathy Rewold, Derek & Barb Gentile, Shannon & Dave Sokol ’89 of Rochester (Photos: Kim Sokol).

Detroit Zoological Society Conservation Gala

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1. Bobbi & Stephen Polk of Bloomfield. 2. Dick & Eleanor Gabrys of Bloomfield. 3. John Erb of Bloomfield. 4. Raffle winner Steve (left) & Ann Templeton of Birmingham with Jeff Jundt. 5. Pat & Ed Geisinger of Bloomfield. 6. Alan & Sue Kaufman of Bloomfield (Photos: Jennie Miller).

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Anderson Travel. Thanks also to generous sponsors, Happy Hour raised $42,000 for Gleaners Community Food Bank to feed hungry people and nourish the community

Gleaners Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Power Happy Hour

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1. Judith Greenstone Miller (left) of Bloomfield, Joan Hennessey of Trenton, Dee Dee McKinney Odom of Detroit. 2. Erica Peresman of Birmingham and Gerry Brisson of Ferndale. 3. Lisa Brody (left) of Bloomfield, Hillary Brody of Royal Oak. 4. Rachael Adadevoh-Woods (left) of Southfield, Suzette Hohendorf of Birmingham. 5. Kelly Charest (left) of Rochester Hills, Kathy Taouil of Warren, Wendy Nahhat of Troy. 6. Patricia Hinojos (left) and Carolyn Geck of Detroit, Spencer Hayes of Birmingham.

Bloomfield Hills Schools Celebration

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1. Rick Lax (center) of Las Vegas, NV, Rob Glass (left) and Christine Tang of Bloomfield. 2. Paul & Deborah Kolin of Bloomfield. 3 Dessie & Kai Salzmann of Birmingham. 4. John (left) and Anne Marie Veneroni and Linda Finkel of Bloomfield and Daniel McDonald & Maggie of Detroit.

5. Chuck (left) & Linda Lax of W. Bloomfield, Ingrid Day of Bloomfield.

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Bloomfield Hills Schools Celebration Wabeek Country Club was a good choice for the third annual Bloomfield Hills Schools Foundation fundraiser which attracted 220 ($150, $250) school district supporters. Alum-tobe-honored, Las Vegas-based magician Rick Lax, BHS 2000, chatted easily with the early-arriving VIP guests, including teachers whom he would later praise in his acceptance speech. We were amused that his favorite accomplishment was not his two college degrees, his membership in Mensa, his Ted Talk or his books, but rather the You Tube videos of his magic tricks that have more than two billion views. Casino games, a silent auction and strolling dinner preceded the program emceed by auctioneer Gary Mark. Program highlights included three testimonials about the educational value of their foundation grants, a salute to Rob Glass for his Michigan Superintendent of the Year honor, and the live auction. It raised $20,000 bringing the event total proceeds to $75,000. Since 2014, the foundation, of which Cathie Badalamenti is the executive director, has made enrichment grants totaling $350,000.

St. Hugo of the Hills All In for Hugo Auction Suzanne Tosto, Nicole Pawczuk, Kristen Bujoli and Gina Rook chaired St. Hugo of the Hills School auction that drew 260 enthusiastic school supporters ($100 & $120 tickets) to the Centerpoint Marriott. Many people favorably noted the convenience of the venue and the yummy cuisine at the buffet stations. The silent auction display was a big focus. It included 30 delightful creations, the making of which had involved nearly 500 eager students. However, a guitar signed by the Rolling Stones, an autographed Patriots helmet and an Alaskan cruise accounted for more than $10,000 of the silent auction proceeds. Other temptations included 38 socials that offered a wide variety of parties, the wine wall ($2,500) , the raffle ($8,000) and a Paddle Raise (pledging) which garnered nearly $15,000 for school equipment. All the bidding was electronic as was the traditional program book. The committee even 05.17

eschewed the traditional live auction.

In its place excitement was generated at gaming tables where players vied for a trip to Las Vegas and a Shinola watch. Accounting is incomplete, but the parents’ generosity and hard work is incalculable.

Beyond Basics All Seasons Art Exhibition Patrice Lockwood coordinated the exhibition that attracted 100 guests ($100 & $500 tickets) to the Birmingham All Seasons. The participating artists were Todd Burroughs and Clinton Snider and Heather Saunders, a photographer well-known for her participation in the Detroit Flower House project.

Guests also savored hors d’oeuvres, spirits and piano stylings by Geoff Good. But the real star of the reception was Elijah Craft, the Detroit high school senior who could not read until he became a Beyond Basics student. BB board chair Jack Aronson noted that Elijah “... has a heart of gold,” and his tutor Javier Reed described the 19 weeks he spent one hour each day with Elijah as “an amazing journey.” For his part, Elijah told his personal story. It confirmed Aronson’s claim that BB changed his and his whole family’s life and he thanked the BB supporters profusely.

Then Jack Krasula played live auctioneer, garnering $9,000 for two pair of tickets to the Masters and people pledged to fund literacy scholarships.

Junior League Little Black Dress Project More than 80 ($50 ticket) members of the Junior League of Birmingham, most wearing a little black dress, gathered for brunch at 550 Merrill.

They were there to launch the Little Black Dress Initiative – a worldwide, week-long endeavor to raise awareness about poverty and its effects on women in society. The brunch featured speakers from Lighthouse PATH, a two-year housing and rehabilitation program for single mothers and their children. PATH’s Liz McLachlan and Wilma Abney spoke about the needs of women and children in the community and how JLB played an integral role 25 years ago in the creation of PATH. Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, 48304; email samgerak@aol.com or call 248.646.6390. downtownpublications.com

St. Hugo of the Hills All In for Hugo Auction

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5 1. Suzanne Tosto (left), Nicole Pawczuk and Gina Rook of Bloomfield. 2. Adam & Kristen Bujoli of Bloomfield. 3. Joe & Carolyn Love of Bloomfield. 4. Pete (left) & Carol Spender and Sarah & Michael Jankowski of Bloomfield. 5. Suzanne (left) & Jim Nelson and Bill & Julie Nelson of Bloomfield. 6. Vanidy Barbat (left) and Yasmine Najor (left) of Bloomfield, Laura Sabagh of W. Bloomfield.

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Beyond Basics All Seasons Art Exhibition

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1. Jack Aronson (left) of Bloomfield, Elijah Craft of Detroit. 2. Heather Saunders (left) of Southfield, Patrice Lockwood of Birmingham.

3. Margaret (left) & Gerald Matthes of Bloomfield, Todd Burroughs of Royal Oak. 4. Connie McEwan of Birmingham, Clinton Snider of Bloomfield. 5. Javier Reed (left) of Belleville, Pam Good and Jack Krasula of Bloomfield.

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ENDNOTE

Brownfield redevelopment in Rochester osts associated with the cleanup of an environmentally contaminated property sitting vacant on the east side of Water Street in downtown Rochester shouldn't come as a surprise to city council members seeking $2 million in funding from the state of Michigan for brownfield redevelopment at the site.

Plans by developer Frank Rewold to construct a four-story office building on the site of a 100-yearold industrial property that has sat vacant in recent years has allowed the city to apply for partial funding from the state to clean up the site. Rewold, who owns the Royal Park Hotel and nearby Mills building, would provide much needed office space for the city, which could further help redevelopment in a downtown area that has sat unused for a number of years due to underlying problems with the property.

Rochester City Council members on Monday, April 24, were wise to approve a grant and loan application to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and its Clean Michigan Initiative program. The program, if the application is approved, will provide a $1 million grant from the state to cleanup the industrial site, and require an additional $1 million loan to the city for the project. Any cleanup costs beyond the $2 million would be paid for up front by the developer,

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and reimbursed through the brownfield district.

Brownfields are area sites that include properties that may be contaminated, blighted, functionally obsolete and can include historic properties. Certain development on such properties are typically hindered due to those underlying problems. By establishing brownfield districts, remediation to the sites can be done and paid for in the future through tax increment financing (TIF) districts, which capture new taxes generated at the site after redevelopment.

In the case of the Water Street property, use by ITT Automotive, as well as its predecessors, including automotive parts manufacturing and military flares, caused contamination to the soil.

That contamination, which has spread north to city-owned property and the Paint Creek, has since been contained under an agreement with ITT and the DEQ. However, the source of the contamination remains at the site, with no current requirement to remove it.

Because redevelopment of the site is hindered by the contamination, and because there is no requirement for ITT to cleanup the source of that contamination, the property provides little value, as it is, to the city. The funds would kickstart the brownfield redevelopment project, and allow for the first of several long-term projects planned for the area.

Council on April 24 indicated they were caught off-guard that the tax capture for the proposed project could go beyond the repayment of the $1 million loan, which is part of the grant and loan program. However, the potential for additional years of tax increment financing shouldn't come as a shock, and we believe council should look at the long-term potential and understand that is what brownfield redevelopment offers.

Typically, brownfield redevelopment projects are paid only through such TIF districts, which means communities that use them must weigh the cost of redevelopment with the value prior to the project.

In the case of the Water Street property, the benefits are new tax revenues in the future on property which currently generates very little.

While the city's brownfield authority is a newly formed board in the city, it will be key to controlling and scrutinizing the costs associated with the clean up of this and any other future projects. The fact that council has had a part in creating the authority should have foreshadowed things to come.

The surprise for council shouldn't be the potential sticker shock of clean-up projects, but rather the availability of $1 million in grant funds to kickstart the project in a time when such funding is relatively scarce.

Leave immigration tasks for ICE officers ressure by the Trump administration to partner with federal immigration enforcement agencies to identify or detain undocumented immigrants should continue to be resisted by law enforcement agencies and other departments at the state, county and local levels.

Efforts by the president to keep his campaign promise of cracking down on undocumented immigrants was set in motion in his January 25 executive order. Among the steps outlined in the order is the administration's policy to empower state and local law enforcement agencies across the country to perform functions of immigration officers.

That ability was made available in 1996 by an amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to sign agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies, otherwise known as 287(g) agreements. Under the agreements, as outlined in the executive order, local law enforcement officers who are determined to be "qualified and appropriate" would be granted authority to perform functions of immigration officers in relation to the investigation, apprehension or detention of aliens.

We believe that local law enforcement should remain focused on local issues, rather than taking

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on additional responsibilities of the federal government. Or as Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard stated, "We have enough to do without having to do the federal government's job, as well."

Adding the duties of immigration officers to an already full plate of responsibilities of local law enforcement would take time and energy away from enforcing local laws. Consider the multiple roles law enforcement officers are already asked to fill, which go well beyond protecting people and property.

Many communities are already paying additional taxes for a police presence in their schools. Most departments are struggling to put enough officers on street patrols, or towards special assignments, such as drug enforcement and special crime details.

Additional duties would not only detract from the duties of local law enforcement, but would be an unapproved use of taxpayer's money to do the work of a federal agency.

Further, if past performance is any indicator, a series of federal audits has found a long list of issues with the 287(g) program that relate to civil rights and public and national safety. Audits found some 287(g) officers didn't receive proper background checks, weren't properly trained and took actions that may have infringed on civil rights. Past audits also found ICE didn't provide proper oversight of

such agreements, and that local officers didn't always adhere to the priority policy that called for going after the most serious criminal aliens.

Still, the president's shift in priorities from going after the most serious criminal aliens to sweeping up all undocumented immigrants, combined with the past issues of the program, should provide another reason for pause to not expand the program on the local level.

The policy shift is also an indicator to other state and local agencies that the administration may attempt to push enforcement actions into local courts and local school systems, both inappropriate places of ICE action to take place. On the issue of schools, the potential pressure was addressed in a March 31 letter to local districts from state schools superintendent Brian Whiston and state civil rights director Agustin Arbulu, stating: "All children, regardless of citizenship and immigration status, have the right to equal access to a free public education in our K-12 system... In fact, Michigan law requires that undocumented students attend school until they reach a mandated age."

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a reminder to local officials at all levels, from law enforcement to schools and the courts, to resist pressure from immigration officials to facilitate any such enforcement actions.

Lynn Baker, Associate Broker Deby Gannes, REALTOR® 248.379.3000 lbaker@hallandhunter.com 248.379.3003 dgannes@hallandhunter.com

No home too large, no home too small, we DO sell them all!

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Look for us at the Hometown Hustle on Saturday, May 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.!

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OAKLAND TOWNSHIP

CLARKSTON

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP

3185 Saint James Court | $1,199,999

5661 Golf Pointe | $432,900

2312 Pond Vallee | $1,595,000

Superbly appointed Moceri-built & Tringali-designed home on premium wooded, .64 acre cul-de-sac lot backing to conservation area. Finished LL. Impeccable!

Quick occupancy! Every upgrade you could imagine, including eat-in kitchen with 42” cherry cabinets. 2-story great room. Oversized 3-car garage. Clarkston schools.

2.41 acre estate in luxurious gated community.

Georgian Colonial offers elegant master suite and finished daylight LL. Garages with room for 6-7 cars.

5,486 SF | 4 BR | 4.2 Baths | MLS# 217031065

3,459 SF | 4 BR | 2.1 Baths | MLS# 217022349

7,442 SF | 5 BR | 4.2 Baths | MLS# 216023510

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OAKLAND TOWNSHIP

ROCHESTER HILLS

4675 Goodison Place | $769,900

2462 Selkirk Court | $549,999

3980 Oak Pointe Court | $774,900

Updated & upgraded home in Goodison Place sub (close to Paint Creek) with walking trails & sidewalks. Gourmet kitchen & spacious master suite. Finished walkout LL.

Wellington sub cul-de-sac location filled with updates and upgrades throughout! Meticuously maintained.

Finished LL with possible 5th bedroom. 3-car garage.

Cul-de-sac location on wooded, 1 acre site in gated community. Open, bright floor plan. 1st floor master suite with stunning new bath. Incredible finished walkout LL.

6,717 Total SF | 4 BR | 4.2 Baths | MLS# 217005546

3,454 SF | 4 BR | 3.2 Baths | MLS# 217015431

6,328 Total SF | 4 BR | 4.1 Baths | MLS# 217026499

Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, MI 48009