Rochester/Rochester Hills

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SEPTEMBER 2017

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OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP

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Behind the curtains at women’s correctional facility Karen Kantzler and Nancy Seaman, both from Oakland, are serving life sentences for having killed their husbands after suffering years of spousal abuses. Here’s the story of their fight to be paroled or pardoned.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

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While state lawmakers and officials are celebrating the possibility of a manufacturing plant(s) for the Foxconn Taiwan-based company, history may be repeating itself as Michigan faces a $2 to $5 billion budget shortfall in the coming years.

CRIME LOCATOR

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

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL

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Congressman Trott could be breaking with President Trump on some issues; Rochester state rep may run for Michigan attorney general; John Engler’s thoughts on part-time legislature; plus more.

MUNICIPAL

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Natural Resources Division created by council; small uptick in Rochester water rates; clerk changes mind on leaving post; 2018 budget introduced; apartments proposed; plus more.

THE COVER Stoney Creek High School at 6755 Sheldon Road in Rochester Hills. With a student population of just over 1,600, the school is one of three high schools in the Rochester Community School District.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS

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

ENDNOTE

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Changes that need to be made in handling the issue of spousal abuse in the courts; Rochester Hills has the right stuff when it comes to municipal planning.

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DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER • ROCHESTER HILLS

PUBLISHER David Hohendorf NEWS EDITOR Lisa Brody NEWS STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Hillary Brody | Kevin Elliott | Sally Gerak Austen Hohendorf | Lisa Rose Hook | Bill Seklar Joyce Wiswell | Dawn Wolfe Wierauch | Julie Yolles PHOTOGRAPHY/CONTRIBUTORS Jean Lannen | Laurie Tennent Laurie Tennent Studio VIDEO PRODUCTION/CONTRIBUTOR Garrett Hohendorf Giant Slayer ADVERTISING DIRECTOR David Hohendorf ADVERTISING SALES Mark Grablowski 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.

For those not receiving a free mail copy, paid subscriptions are available for a $12 annual charge. To secure a paid subscription, go to our website (downtownpublications.com) and click on “subscriptions” in the top index and place your order online or scan the QR Code here.

INCOMING/READER FEEDBACK We welcome feedback on both our publication and general issues of concern in the Rochester/Rochester Hills communities. The traditional “letters to the editor” in Downtown are published in our Incoming section and can include written letters or electronic communication.

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FROM THE PUBLISHER he old adage that ‘those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it’ is now playing out in grand fashion as the Michigan legislature and the administration of Gov. Snyder celebrate the possible arrival of the Taiwan-based Foxconn Technology Group that will supposedly create jobs dedicated to assembling liquid-crystal display screens now used for Apple iPhone and computer products, along with the defense, automotive and aviation industries.

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I am not certain what the Snyder Administration is projecting in terms of a return on investment, but here’s a lesson from the state of Wisconsin, where tax incentives will cost $3 billion in exchange for a $10 billion manufacturing plant providing 13,000 jobs. The legislative service bureau in that state projects that it will be at least 2043 before Wisconsin recoups its investment. In more simple terms, the state’s incentives equate to $15,000 – $19,000 annually for each job provided in the plant.

Michigan is among a handful of states that have been chasing what Foxconn officials suggested a year ago would be $7 billion in investments creating anywhere from 30,000 to 50,000 jobs in the U.S. Officials here were crestfallen when in July it was announced that the state of Wisconsin would get a plant to serve the Apple phone supplier (more on that later), but were buoyed by the suggestion that Michigan could still get a major investment with a second plant specifically focused on serving the auto industry demand for liquidcrystal display screens.

To add to the questionable nature of the Wisconsin proposal, Foxconn is going to be allowed to skirt or ignore a number of state environmental regulations to bring the plant to realization quicker.

So Snyder went about pushing through a set of bills (dubbed ‘Good Jobs for Michigan’ legislation) – which had died in the state house last year – that supposedly would provide incentives for Foxconn to locate a plant here while Snyder and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan flew off for a weekend in Taiwan to reportedly hammer out details of bringing the investment to Michigan.

Lost in all the celebration was a report being issued by the respected non-partisan policy study group Citizens Research Council, which lays out a pretty dark short-term and long-term future for the state’s budget thanks to the same poor public policy being followed to grab the shiny object dangled by the Foxconn Technology Group.

Let’s start by looking at what Foxconn is offering to Michigan officials.

The Taiwan-based company, which has a messy history when it comes to treatment of workers, has reportedly told Michigan officials they would invest $4 billion in a plant in southeast Michigan that would employ 5,000 workers. But in return they expect consideration of tax incentives. Some reports say that Foxconn is looking for 300-500-acre parcels in metro Detroit, including in Oakland County’s Lyon Township To avoid having readers eyes glaze over, here’s some pretty general terms of what companies like Foxconn could receive under the ‘Good Jobs for Michigan’ proposal that has now been signed into law.

Michigan would offer to allow the company to capture a portion of income taxes for the new jobs that reached a specific pay level. Foxconn and other companies – a limit of 15 agreements at any point in time – would be capped at $250 million in annual paybacks for placing a plant here. Any company with such an agreement with the state could lose the incentive for any year in which they failed to provide or retain the agreed upon number of jobs. The new economic incentive law provides for a variety of abatement percentages tied to providing jobs: 100 percent abatement for up to 10 years if 3,000 jobs are created at a pay level equal to the average in the region; 50 percent abatement for up to five years if 500 jobs with only average wages are created; or up to a 10year abatement of 100 percent if 250 jobs are created that pay over 125 percent of the average prevailing wage in the region.

Color me unimpressed, both by what is happening in the neighboring state and in Michigan’s chase of the Foxconn investment.

We have seen unfulfilled promises based on tax incentives exchanged for job creation in the past and it has seldom proved to be the blessing that backers would have us believe.

And then there’s the Citizens Research Council (CRC) recent report on the looming budget disaster in Michigan.

Here’s the Cliff’s Notes version of what CRC is projecting for Michigan in a report entitled “Challenges Ahead in Balancing the State Budget.”

The state general fund will likely see minimal growth of current revenues and they project “no future significant general fund revenue” increases. Add to that, possible federal cuts in state revenues are just around the corner. And then there’s the much-expected possible state recession in which personal income tax revenue for the general fund could fall anywhere from 5 to 25 percent.

Against a general fund that will likely show no real growth, tax credits and promises by previous legislatures and the current House/Senate/ Governor are now coming due, including $600 million that is going to be siphoned off the general fund each year for roads; school funding that is expected to be tapped to fulfill other promises; and the loss of personal property tax on office and manufacturing equipment and the cost of making good to local communities the lost funding from this tax break, just to highlight a few of the realities we are facing.

The list of tax cuts for business could go on and will amount to about $2 billion annually for the state of Michigan. Overall, according to the analysis, the diversions from the general fund to pay for past promises could reach $5 billion by fiscal year 2022 – as the CRC puts it, “equal to 20 to 45 percent of the current general fund budget.”

Bottom line – residents should expect to pay more taxes in the years ahead to make up for poor policy decisions, with no end in sight.

So by all means, let’s cast history to the winds and celebrate the possible gain of a Foxconn plant coming to southeast Michigan. But color me very nervous.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@DowntownPublications.com

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DOWNTOWN

09.17

INCOMING ‘No Reason’ absentee In Michigan, a registered voter must currently meet one of six criteria in order to apply for an absent voter ballot: is 60 years of age or more; is unable to vote without assistance; expects to be absent from his or her city or township of residence for the entire time the polls are open; is in jail awaiting arraignment or trial; has been appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of his or her precinct of residence; or is unable to attend the polls due to his or her religious beliefs.

The reality of it is that many registered voters are using the “expects to be absent from the community” reason as a “no reason” in order to account for why they need an absent voter ballot.

Why do I support ‘no reason’ absentee ballots? Life is busy.

Commutes are out of control. We want people to vote.

According to a Google Consumer Survey conducted by Parents magazine of more than 1,000 working parents, 44 percent spend five hours or more per week driving kids to and from activities. Let’s compound the fact that a recent INRIX study reports that Detroit drivers, on average, spent 33 hours in traffic in 2016. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the average hours worked per day by full time workers is approximately nine hours. And we wonder why we have dismal turnouts at elections.

Don’t we want people to vote?? It is not uncommon for local elections to see 20 percent or less voter turnout.

Communities spend thousands of dollars to run an election. Even in gubernatorial elections, we will experience percentages at only around 50 person of registered voters.

Let’s compare the integrity of the vote. At the precinct, the voter fills out an application to vote and is asked to show voter identification. If they do not have valid ID in their possession, they sign an affidavit on the back of the application swearing to such.

Their name is hand typed into the electronic poll book. There is no process at this time to confirm that the voter is who they say that they are. If a voter applies to receive an absent voter ballot in person at the clerk’s office, the voter is required to present a photo ID or sign the Affidavit of Voter not in Possession of Picture Identification form. The list of acceptable ID documents and Affidavit form are the same as those required for in-person voter registration and in-person voting.

Applications for absent voter downtownpublications.com

ballots may be received by hand, via postal mail, fax or email, as long as the voter’s signature is visible. In person, we are asking for ID and checking the signature in the Qualified Voter File. Each absent voter will have been checked twice for a signature match – the application and the ballot. We check every single one of them. My staff did over 26,000 signature checks in the 2016 Presidential Election. Two of the invalid signatures resulted in filing a police report. The signature discrepancy would not have been caught at the precinct.

As a clerk with the highest international clerk certification, Michigan certification, and who was the 2016 City Clerk of the Year, I see no valid reason to not pass ‘No Reason’ absentee voting in Michigan.

This should be a non-partisan issue.

Tina Barton, MMC, CMMC City Clerk, City of Rochester Hills

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I was disappointed to (David Hohendorf’s opinion column) in the August 2017 edition of your (newsmagazine). While what (he) says may be true, I have no way of assessing, but (his) very biased and disrespectful comments concerning (Michigan Senator) Meekhoff did not impress. I do not know him or anything about him but feel that you should, publicly, at least, show respect.

I do, however, totally support the need for public transparency in all of our government’s dealings.

Please leave your personal politics out of what is otherwise a very good and helpful publication.

Merton Wreford Rochester Hills

Letter writer correct I am writing to compliment Patricia Redd’s letter to the editor in the August issue of Downtown. It was titled “Publisher’s Divisiveness”.

She logically and thoroughly explained her position on the Paris Accord, global “warming” and how extremely political this publication is.

Thank you Ms. Dodd – your couldn’t have said it any better. I agree with you wholeheartedly and I am sure I am not the only one.

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OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL Oakland Confidential is a periodic column of political gossip/news, gathered both on and off-the-record by staff members at Downtown newsmagazine.

We welcome possible items for this column which can be emailed to: OaklndConfidential@DowntownPublications.com. All sources are kept strictly confidential. The gossip column can be viewed online at DowntownPublications.com or at OaklandConfidential.com.

CRACK IN THE DIKE: Appears staunch Republican Congressman David Trott (Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Troy), in his second term representing Michigan’s 11th District, isn’t still feeling the love for President Donald Trump. Politico reported that Trott shocked the room at a private meeting in late July when he voiced what many other Republicans were thinking, that the president had been unhelpful with health care, and administration infighting was distracting from the Republican agenda. “It’s more than that,” Trott, of Birmingham, told Downtown. “It’s more the president’s TROTT inability to evolve into the job that’s hampering our ability to pass legislation. He’s certainly not providing any kind of leadership, and it’s undermining our ability to pass the agenda.” He noted a perfect example was Trump’s already infamous press conference on August 15, when he was supposed to be introducing an infrastructure bill. “We’re eight months into the administration, and we haven’t seen any kind of bill or bipartisan legislation. It should have been given to us within the first 100 days, and instead we’re left with that ridiculous press conference and we’re talking about the horrible activity in Charlottesville...the President’s conduct is undermining our ability to do business.” Trott believes Congress is left with only one way to get anything done during this session. “The president needs to act presidential, or we’re going to work without him on bipartisan solutions, and he can sign or veto them.” Don’t think Trott is going to be invited to any sleepovers in the Lincoln bedroom.

BIRD CALLS: Rep. David Trott (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Troy) is adamantly no fan of President Donald Trump’s favored form of communications either. “This tweeting is ridiculous. He does it because he’s afraid to stand before the press at a press conference and have to explain a bill or anything of substance.

He doesn’t understand anything.” Twitter may not be Trott’s best form of communication, either. In a classic case of foot-inmouth disease, Trott, a self-professed Twitter neophyte, TRUMP attempted to tweet against Trump’s support of neo-Nazis and white supremacists and for unity, but missed the shot. “Donald Trump should focus more on golf & have less press conferences.” His tweet immediately drew criticism from Democrat Haley Stevens, who has announced she is running for Trott’s spot.

DUMB AND DUMBER: Former Gov. John Engler, in this month’s Downtown newsmagazine, blasted Michigan’s legislative term limits for killing off valuable long-term knowledge needed by state lawmakers, and said the recent push for a part-time legislature in the state could only “make a bad situation worse.” In May, Michigan’s Lt. Governor Brian Calley was expected to announce a 2018 campaign for governor. Instead, in what many thought was a ridiculous move, Calley announced an initiative to amend the state’s constitution to set up a 90-day legislature and cut ENGLER lawmaker’s pay in half. “That is singularly the dumbest idea that has been brought forward in a while,” Engler said. “I heard Calley has backed away from it, but his consultant was running it for him.” In July, Calley revised his proposal, causing a reset on the petition drive to get the issue on a statewide ballot. Yet in August, Calley continued to push for the proposal.

While Engler said a form of part-time legislatures does work in some states, “you need a system and lawmakers that can get things done quickly, which isn’t the case in Michigan,” he asserted. “It is incredibly dumb.” Take that.

GROWING FIELD: Oakland County Democratic state House Rep. Tim Greimel (Auburn Hills) isn’t running for his party’s nomination for Michigan Attorney General – yet. “I haven’t made an official announcement, yet,” he said, “but we need an attorney general that is going to stand up for everyday people and consumers, and that was my background before joining the state legislature. It’s fair to say I’m seriously considering it.” downtownpublications.com

GREIMEL

Now in his third and final term in the state House, Greimel said the Dems named him House leader in his first two terms, which suggests he may have support within his contingent to get the nomination in next year’s August state caucus. Each party’s nomination for attorney general, lieutenant governor and secretary of state are determined by the party’s caucus, which then goes on to face the opposing party’s selection in the November general election. Other hopefuls for the Dem’s AG pick include Dana Nessel, a former Wayne County prosecutor and Ann Arbor-based attorney known for her successful fight for same-sex marriage; former U.S. District NESSEL Attorney Pat Miles and Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith.

On the Republican side, current conservative House Speaker Tom Leonard (RDeWitt), a former Michigan assistant attorney general and prosecutor for Genesee County, has been mentioned as a possible candidate. “There is a very clear difference in the track record with Tom Leonard and me when it comes to standing up for consumers and working people, and looking out for the underdog.”

ROCKET MAN: Another politician has thrown his hat into the ring in Michigan’s 2018 race for governor. This time, it’s ultra-conservative state Senator Patrick Colbeck of Canton. A tea party conservative and former aerospace engineer, Colbeck landed in Lansing in 2010 and has since made a name for himself by trying to shoot down spending bills that had widespread support among moderates and many conservatives. Among those he opposed provided more than $120 million to Flint to mitigate drinking water contamination; more than $600 million to save the Detroit School System; and efforts to fund road repairs in 2015. He was one of only two senators who opposed the Grand Bargain, which provided $195 million for Detroit’s bankruptcy recovery. Colbeck opposes Common Core standards and is an advocate for schools of choice and Right to Life. “He is a consistent advocate of policies and solutions that benefit all Michigan citizens rather than special interest groups that too COLBECK often influence government with their pocket books,” Colbeck’s biography reads on his campaign website. Colbeck did, however, sponsor nine bills that were enacted to develop the state’s right-to-work law, which was heavily funded by the DeVos and Weiser families. He also pushed legislation to create a “Choose Life” license plate in the state to raise funds for causes backed by Right to Life of Michigan that Gov. Snyder vetoed. The DeVos family is among his top donors in past campaigns, according to state campaign finance records.

MIDDLE SEAT: Rochester City Councilwoman Ann Peterson is featured in a recurring feature in Bloomberg News’ Politics section tracking eight Middle America voters from four states that helped swing the 2016 election. Peterson, who said Bloomberg got in touch with her because of her involvement in the Trump campaign in Michigan, was asked to rate Trump and his performance at various times of the year. As of late May, Peterson gave the president a 10/10 overall rating. Bloomberg asked Peterson her PETERSON feelings before and after she attended Trump’s inauguration in January, his grade on his first 100 days, Comey’s firing and the Russia investigation. In assessments in January, February and April, Peterson rated Trump 8/10, with 10/10 three times in May. The story, she said in August, is scheduled to be updated soon, with a new round of ratings and questions from Bloomberg.

WALK THE LINE: Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, who just marked the fifth anniversary of the tragic auto accident that left him seriously injured and his driver a quadriplegic, is feeling more spry after back surgery earlier this summer. While he still needs his wheelchair, he’s walking short distances, he said, and spending more time out of it than he was before the operation. “I’ve been going crazy,” he said regarding the wheelchair. That hasn’t slowed down Patterson’s social life. He noted he’s back to his full speaking schedule, and is out most PATTERSON nights of the week at events. He’s looking forward to a $100/$500/$1,000 ticket fundraiser for county commissioners on Thursday, September 14, at The Townsend. “I’ve got a pretty busy schedule,” he chuckled. Can’t keep a good man down.

DOWNTOWN

17

FACES Grace Elizabeth Lee hen 17-year-old raven-haired Grace Elizabeth Lee of Rochester Hills pens lyrics, she says the songs that pour out of her are more like pages from her diary. Drawing inspiration from daily life makes Lee’s very accessible – she’s an open book about sharing the experiences of her extraordinary life.

“I include everything I feel in that moment, and in that way my music is very personal and important to me,” she confides. “I think my style is Indie-pop with influences of jazz.”

A recent Rochester Adams High School grad, Lee certainly doesn’t blend into the crowded teen pop scene — she’a a true original. She shares that her affinity for jazz came from her close relationship with her grandmother, who adored the genre and often sang to and with her.

“She had a beautiful voice like Ella Fitzgerald,” she recalls fondly. Her grandmother’s love of jazz was infectious. Unlike most young women her age who would be thrilled to meet a ‘Directioner,’ Grace says her ultimate dream is to sing with Tony Bennett.

While most teen musicians meld into the mix of an overlysaturated market, Grace’s hauntingly beautiful voice sets her apart.

Wise beyond her years, Lee is more interested in finding purpose and diffusing it into her melodies than seeking stardom.

“I’m proud of the work I have done using my music to raise money or give a voice to a cause,” she shares. One such benefit was in far-off Nepal at a concert she held to raise money and awareness for an anti-(human) trafficking organization.

Lee says that she believes staying down-to-earth has attributed to her success. “I stay grounded by surrounding myself with people who I love and that also hold me accountable,” she shares.

“Community is so important.”

Her songs are often stories about these relationships.

“I am inspired by the world around me and different events in my life,” she says. “I like to take ordinary things and try to make them sound beautiful. I am inspired by nature and other music and the people I care about. Long term, I hope to write things that make people feel connected to others and I hope I can give a voice to those who don’t have one in their own situations.”

With an EP titled “Darling,” the songstress will release a single this summer. While she wrote most of the songs herself, “Golden Hair” was co-written by her producer, Steve Saputo.

Recently, Grace has played at 20 Front Street in downtown Lake Orion, The Parliament Room at Otus Supply in Ferndale, where she opened for the Crane Wives, during Late Night Thursdays in downtown Rochester, on the Chevrolet Stage during GM River Days, and on the patio of The Royal Park in Rochester.

This fall, Grace will attend Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, to study songwriting and business. Pursuing a career while in high school has been no easy feat, though she makes it look effortless.

“Balancing work and school takes some practice, but I have realized that the most important thing is staying organized and then recognizing your priorities,” she asserts.

The sky is the limit for this young talent, who also plays piano and guitar.

W

Story: Lisa Rose Hook

Photo: Jean Lannen

BEHIND THE THE STORY OF TWO WOMEN FACING LIFE IN

ESTIMATES SHOW AT LEAST 110 MICHIGAN WOMEN KILLED THEIR WHILE ANOTHER 60 TO 80 KILLED SOMEONE ELSE WHO HAD BEEN TEENAGER AND ARE CURRENTLY SERVING

CURTAINS PRISON FOR KILLING THEIR ABUSERS

BY LISA BRODY ust one week before Karen Kantzler married her husband in the early 1980s, Dr. Paul Kantzler, a radiologist at Henry Ford Hospital, he performed his weekly refrigerator check for spoilage.

“He found some lettuce that had wilted, and I laughed.

I thought it was humorous,” Karen Kantzler recounted in a voice so quiet it was difficult to hear during a prison visit with her in July 2017. “He had a fit. He slammed the lettuce on the counter and started jumping up and down and waiving his arms like a little boy. I started giggling – and he rushed to me and picked me up and slammed me down on the slate floor, across the living room. I rammed into an overstuffed chair. The whole side of me all the way was bruised. It was the first major physical attack.

“Before, he would always grab me at the neck by my clothing, and push me against a wall, a tree, bamming me against it, and that would escalate. (Eventually) it became weekly, then every few days, then daily.”

The physical and emotional abuse continued until March 11, 1987, when Karen killed Paul.

Police and prosecutors alleged she shot him while he slept in their bed. Karen asserted it was self-defense, after a day and night of drinking and drug abuse by Paul, which led to hours of continual verbal abuse, including at a neighborhood restaurant, culminating in him yelling at her during the drive home.

“I came into the bedroom. He was in bed,” she recalled. “I said, ‘Can’t we just talk things out not go to bed angry.’ He called me a moron. ‘I’m just going to take care of you before morning, and you’re going to be gone,’” she said he told her. “That scared me. I knew that meant he was going to kill me.”

J

SPOUSE/ABUSERS AND ARE SERVING LONG OR LIFE SENTENCES, ABUSING THEM, SUCH AS THEIR BOYFRIEND WHILE THEY WERE A LONG OR LIFE PRISON SENTENCES

Karen said she went into their TV room, sipped on a vodka and lemonade, and heard him call her name. She waited to go into the bedroom, “but I got so tired and sleepy, and I went to the bedroom door. He was standing there with a gun in his hand and he grabbed me by my clothes at the neck and pulled me. It happened so fast – I pushed him as he was grabbing me. I think he tripped on a little rug, and he fell on the bed and dropped the gun. I grabbed the gun, and it went off, and I shot him.

“I didn’t mean to shoot him.”

Over the years Karen had spent with Paul, he beat her, broke her ribs, tried to cut off her finger, ruptured her spleen in a motorcycle accident, tried to drown her, caused her to miscarry, held guns to her head, left her blind in one eye and with permanent tremors and shakes from repeated beatings, demeaned her over and over again, and threatened her life.

Unfortunately, once he was dead, she told police and friends he had committed suicide.

She claims she was trying to protect his reputation, so he wouldn’t be known as a batterer.

In a trial before Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Norman Lippitt in 1988, Karen was found guilty of second degree murder in the death of Paul, and given a sentence of life imprisonment, which Lippitt said, under sentencing guidelines at the time, he believed meant she would be released in 10 years.

“It was my understanding if I sentenced her to life, she would be paroled in 10 years,” Lippitt said recently. “Typically, people were paroled in 10 to 12 years. I chose life (as the sentence) because she would have been out in 10, because she deserved parole. There was some spousal abuse, but I don’t know how cognizant I was then about it. What the hell did we know about spousal abuse? It wasn’t on our radar screen (in 1988).

“But changes in administrations changed the tone of sentences a lot over the years.”

Lippitt, now in private practice, has since spoken before the Michigan Parole Board, noting his error in sentencing and advocating for her parole. “She shouldn’t be in jail, and she’s in jail.”

An appeal in 1993 before subsequent Oakland Circuit Court

cases. “She was a victim of battered spouse syndrome; that had her counsel been more effective, the likelihood her life sentence would have been reduced; the sentence was not what the (original) judge intended; and the psychological report indicated that Ms. Kantzler was not a threat to society.

“What I did was overturned her original sentence; she plead again, and I gave her three to 10 years, which in essence was time served,” Howard explained.

However, prosecutors objected and appealed to the Michigan Court of Appeals, which reinstated Kantzler’s original life sentence.

Almost 30 years and numerous appeals later, Kantzler continues to remain incarcerated with over 2,000 other female inmates by Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) in the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Ypslanti “I just wanted a happy life,” Karen Kantzler said recently. “I just wanted him to agree to stop (the abuse). I even asked him to go to counseling because I wanted to go. He said ‘no’ because it (the abuse) was (due to) my human frailties.”

By Karen’s own account from transcripts from the 1993 court opinion, her father was an alcoholic who had sexually abused her from the time she was eight until she was 21. She said attempts to report this activity to her mother only resulted in her mother placing blame on her for this activity. It reported she was also raped by a 14-year-old boy when she was seven or eight, and sexually abused by her uncle.

“This sequence contributed to feelings of helplessness, powerlessness, and low selfesteem that have plagued Karen most of her life,” according to psychologist Lawrence Cohen in the transcript. “She is drawn to dominant, narcissistic, and aggressive men, whom she does not take time to discover much about, but rather... became involved rather impulsively.”

Karen is not alone. According to the Michigan Women’s Justice and Clemency Project at University of Michigan, police in the U.S. encounter more cases of domestic violence each year than all other forms of violence combined, with approximately 85 percent of victims of partner violence being the female.

Michigan Women’s Justice and Clemency Project, said it is estimated at least 110 women killed their spouse/abusers and are serving long or life sentences, while another 60 to 80 killed someone else who had been abusing them, such as their boyfriend while they were a teenager, and are currently serving long or life prison sentences. There are no national statistics for how many women are incarcerated for killing their partner after being the victim of abuse.

Kantzler is not the only woman from an affluent, Oakland County background to find herself behind bars for killing her husband after years of abuse.

Nancy Seaman was a successful, awardwinning Farmington Hills elementary school teacher who was also successful at something else – hiding the daily beatings she received at the hands of her husband, Bob, which increased after he lost his high-paying job in 1995 at Borg Warner. As her career in middle age blossomed, his appeared to nosedive, with an investment in a batting cage becoming his life, and other investments turning sour – to the point that in the months before his murder in May 2004, mortgage payments and other bills weren’t being paid.

“In my case, people couldn’t believe that an educated woman with a good job could be an abused wife,” said the self-possessed and poised Seaman, also currently housed at the Huron Valley Women’s Correctional Facility after being found guilty of first degree murder in Bob’s death, which Seaman continues to maintain was self-defense. She was sentenced to life with no chance of parole in 2005, after a jury did not believe her assertions of selfdefense, but rather that she had premeditated her husband’s murder. “But you can be successful in your career and be totally helpless in your personal life – and be more vulnerable because you’re afraid to reach out. (I believed) if I reached out for help other teachers would think less of me; parents wouldn’t want their students in my class –‘she has an abusive husband, he might show up in class.’ I was so private about my personal life, I tried to camouflage my private life. I was so ashamed.

(I later learned) my coworkers suspected. I showed up with bruises all the time, my arm in a sling, black eyes, they could see I was

IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING IF I SENTENCED HER TO LIFE, SHE WOULD BE PAROLED IN 10 YEARS. Judge Barry Howard, after Lippitt stepped down, was overturned.

“I overturned the conviction based upon her being abused throughout her life, including her marriage,” said Howard, now a private judge in Bloomfield Hills overseeing primarily mediation

Each year, at least 1,200 women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends – fully onethird of all female murder victims in the United States – while less than four percent of all male murder victims are killed by a female partner.

In Michigan, Carol Jacobsen, director of the

crying.”

“Abusive relationships can be more binding than loving relationships,” said Dr. Gerald Shiener M.D., a psychiatrist with a practice in Birmingham. “These men have an underlying inability to express anger and keep a lot bottled

up, and when it comes out it comes out in an unprecedented way. They’re involved with women who have a need to be in an abusive relationship, either because of a pattern or abusive model in their family of origin or having learned that love and attention are contingent upon being in pain – that the only way to get love is if it is tied with suffering.

“For these people, usually women, if they’re not being beaten, it seems like no one cares, and that becomes the model of the relationship.

They’re emotionally interdependent. It’s not money or the kids,” Shiener continued. But there can be a chronic danger that develops. “It seems like the only way out is to kill her abuser.”

In a piece titled “Battered women, homicide convictions and sentencing,” for the Hastings Women’s Law Journal, Carol Jacobsen, Kammy Mizga, and Lynn D’Orio of Women’s Justice and Clemency Project wrote, “Most women who kill do so to defend themselves from men who have repeatedly beaten them. Despite the very real dangers that many women live with on a daily basis, those who defend themselves against batterers are given no special consideration by the criminal/legal system if they are forced to kill. In fact, there is evidence that such women often face greater punishment than other defendants.”

According to a fact sheet on battered women in prison citing the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the average prison sentence of men who kill their women partners is two to six years. However, women who kill their male partners are sentenced on average to 15 years, despite the fact that most women who kill do so in self-defense. Further, it stated that men tend to be aggressors in homicide cases even when the homicides are committed by women. In a survey of nearly 10,000 murder cases, 90 percent were perpetrated by men, and 10 percent by women.

The justification for a self-defense defense may come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which reported that most murders of women involve domestic violence after analyzing data from 18 states, and finding that of 10,018 female homicides between 2003 and 2014, fully 55 percent – more than half – involved circumstances of known domestic violence. In 93

Women who kill their intimate partners often feel they have no other recourse, that it will be “him or me,” and that they are in imminent danger of being killed.

“When men kill, they are (often) terrified of the woman leaving. When women kill, it’s usually more of an ongoing crisis, where they have no other out,” said Shiener. “Often these men are very controlling. They will kill or beat the women if they leave or go to shelters. The men are petrified of the women leaving.”

Emily Matuszczak, senior program director at Haven, a non-profit organization for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse in Pontiac, concurred. “The biggest, number one fear, that people minimize, is that if she attempts to leave, she will be killed. In essence, if she stays, she will be killed, or if she leaves, he says, ‘I’ll kill the kids,’ or it’s a murdersuicide.

“Leaving doesn’t stop the violence. It’s the most dangerous time for a victim,” she continued. “It’s when an abuser escalates and attempts to regain control – ‘If I can’t have her, no one can.’ There’s the desperation of the abuser and the abused. The abused woman doesn’t see any other way out to survive.”

Haven, which has a 24-hour, seven-day-aweek crisis and support line for anyone in need or who knows a victim, also has a shelter which sees about 250 women and children a year, Matuszczak said. Unfortunately, “Haven runs at full capacity 365 days a year,” she said, noting “that does not get at the root cause of the violence.”

A bigger problem is the multiple barriers, both physical and emotional, facing the victim when violence in a relationship has gone on for a long time. The individual has usually become isolated, both physically and emotionally. “The batterer has so much control over the person who is isolated,” Matuszczak noted.

Financially, they take all control, “and the batterer has threatened you’ll be on the streets.

Often, the victim does not know where to turn because she has been experiencing emotional abuse. Feeling helpless, they may feel they’re in an emotional bind.”

That was certainly the case with Karen Kantzler, who was a radiology technician at Henry Ford Hospital when she first met Paul, then a a radiology resident. Over time, he

sell dog food to neighbors to get enough money to pay for milk and groceries,” she said.

She said she reached out to the shelter at Haven at one point, but it was full. She never had the emotional strength to reach out again.

Nancy Seaman was in the opposite position as she embarked on a career, but with ultimately the same result. After Bob lost his job, Nancy said the abuse got much worse. She had approached the police twice over the years, but felt Bob was being protected rather than her. She never reached out to a woman’s shelter, like Haven, thinking it was only for “poor women without a home.”

“He was angry his career had gone down in flames, and I had money to gain independence and options,” Nancy said, noting and blaming herself, “If that hadn’t happened, we would probably still be going on as it always had.”

The tipping point appeared to be in the winter and spring of 2004, when Nancy had had enough, and decided to get a divorce. “The last six months, I would come home to find things I valued smashed and destroyed, and Post-It notes scribbled all over the house. He was out of control. He tried to burn the house down twice – ‘I’ll burn this house to the ground before I let you have this house,’ he said to me.”

Nancy finally confided in her father, who was stunned to learn of the abuse, and loaned her money for a downpayment on a condo.

With her older son, Jeff, and his then-wife Rebecca, she spent weekends secretly looking for a place to live, and bought one in February.

The deal was that if Bob were to find out, it was to be for Greg, their younger son, who was graduating from college that May. On Mother’s Day 2004, Nancy spent the day with Jeff and Rebecca. It was a week before Greg was to graduate, and Bob had disappeared for a week. It turned out he had gone to visit his brother in Arizona, but had not told anyone. And his family didn’t look for him.

He turned up Sunday, and apparently had learned of Nancy’s condo when she and her son and daughter-in-law returned home Sunday evening. An argument ensued, and Jeff and Rebecca left.

According to Nancy, and court records, she and Bob were estranged at this point, sleeping separately in the same home. On Monday

WHAT THE HELL DID WE KNOW ABOUT SPOUSAL ABUSE? IT WASN’T ON OUR RADAR SCREEN (IN 1988). percent of those cases, the female victims were killed by current or former boyfriends, husbands or lovers. The CDC reported that three women a day are murdered by an intimate partner, and in many cases, children and others are also killed.

convinced her to quit her job, that her attempts at getting an MBA were too time consuming and was taking too much time from him, and she turned over her lump sum retirement check to him, as well as the title to her vehicle. “Now everything was dependent upon him. I had to

morning, when she got up for school, she found Bob at the kitchen counter, in the same clothes he had been in the day before. Apparently, he had not been to bed the night before.

“No coffee cup in front of him, no TV on, no newspaper, just staring, waiting for me. My

heart skipped a beat,” Nancy recalled. “It went from bad to worse. ‘I know about the condo, you lying bitch...’ I reached for my keys and purse and across the counter for my ice tea mug. My husband was playing with a knife and cut me on the arm. He had never drawn blood like that before, and I just lost it. I grabbed my keys and ran to the front door – he had taken the key out of the front door, and it wouldn’t open. I headed to the garage, and he was on my heels. I hit the ground and rolled around the tool kart, and I’m on the ground and tools are all over. He’s kicking, twisting and kicking me. He knelt down, pinned me, and I rolled over, and was next to a small generator, and I reached to grab it for leverage, and there was a hatchet on top. I picked up the hatchet and began swinging and once I started I couldn’t stop.”

According to testimony by Oakland County Medical Examiner Ljubisa Dragovic, she hit him 15 times with the hatchet, and then took the knife Bob had used on her arm, and sliced his throat and stabbed him 21 times. He was likely dead from the first blow to his head.

But Nancy didn’t know that, and said she continued to fear for her life, at first unaware that he was dead.

“His falling on me felt like a further attack,” she said.

“When someone finally reacts, they’re in a frenzy, and can’t stop. All of the chemicals flooded her,” said Dr. Lenore Walker EdD of Florida, a forensic psychologist who specializes in gender violence, and developed the concept of battered woman syndrome in 1979. Walker testified at Seaman’s trial. “It’s the autonomic reaction that happens when we believe we’re in danger. It’s self-defense, and it’s a dissociative state. A lot of what happens in these cases is counter-intuitive. Part of the battering relationship is dependency, it’s the belief that you can’t do it on your own. In a healthy relationship there is an interdependency. A coercive relationship is about control, and fosters the dependency.”

After the attack, Nancy cried, took a shower, and went in late to work, where co-workers said they saw her looking disheveled, beaten, and like she had been crying for days.

When she went home, she realized Bob was dead. She bought tarps, tape and cleaning supplies, and wrapped

tape that she had bought a hatchet at Home Depot on Mother’s Day, and then shoplifted one and returned it on Tuesday. She alleged she used an old one in her self-defense attack from Bob, and that she had bought the one on Sunday to do yard work.

After three days, police found Bob’s body, bound up in a tarp in the back of her vehicle, and arrested her. They acknowledged, during testimony at her trial, that they had never seen a garage so clean.

“The only way I could deal with things was to take care of it,” Nancy said. “I shut down.

When I saw his body laying there, I could not face the reality.”

“No one sees behind the blinds. I was flooded by letters that they couldn’t believe that Nancy could have done this. But it’s about a form of love that goes with violence. Love is separate from the violence,” Walker continued.

“Every battered woman has said – and I’ve interviewed thousands – ‘Get rid of the violence and our relationship is perfect.’ The loving part of him is what they think is real. They think if they can help him, the violent part will drop out. In some ways, there’s co-dependencies.”

Dr. Nels Thompson, who was Nancy’s (and Karen’s) prison psychologist at the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility, said he does not believe she premeditatively planned to kill her husband in any way. “In fact, she premeditated how to leave him without confrontation, and safely,” he said. “She went to great lengths to escape, to avoid the very thing that happened, and it didn’t work. Nancy is a non-violent person. She went into excessive killing – called overkill – using excessive force when he attacked her on that fatal day in May 2004, because when a nonviolent person is suddenly forced into a fight with fear for their life, they have no idea the force they are exerting, because they’ve never used force or weapons. Sometimes convicted women are convicted of stabbing their victims 15 or 20 times. Of course they were. They had no idea any of those stabbings were having any effect whatsoever. They may empty their gun into their abuser. To them their abuser is so powerful, nothing can stop them in their whole experience. He has overpowered her over and over again.

“They have no intention to be deadly – just

his son Todd, who at the time had just left the Oakland County Prosecutor’s office. “I had Todd question her (to prep her), to make her understand that the hardest thing is to answer yes or no,” Kaluzny recalled. “She couldn’t do it – telling her whole life story. When she answered the first question, I said to Todd, look at that jury – we just lost the case. Their bodies just closed up, because of the way she came across.

“It wasn’t the same Nancy we knew. She kept giving long answers, and they just didn’t have any sympathy for her. We were trying to humanize her, but the jury was just turned off by her, and felt she had an out,” he continued.

“I’ve had over 135 murder cases, and this is the one that bothers me.

“I believe 100 percent it was self-defense.”

Former Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Jack McDonald did as well. He was the judge on Seaman’s case, and eight months later, with it haunting him, he reduced the jury decision to second degree murder, an unlawful killing without premeditation.

“I was reversed by the Michigan Court of Appeals, 2-1, but I had to live with myself,” McDonald said. “I had never done something like that in 17 years. I bet I had about 18 first degree murder cases. I never gave them a second thought – they were hard core killers.

But I wondered – why did she do it? She borrowed money from her father, she’s getting a divorce, she’s out of there. He had been out of town. How would she know he would be there? It didn’t make any sense. I didn’t grant a new trial because there wasn’t sufficient evidence to, but just off the cuff eight months later, I said there wasn’t evidence of premeditation. It was either rage or absolute fear. Either one negates a cool mind where it would be premeditated murder.”

What also contributed to his questioning was a letter he received from Dr. Lenore Walker stating that while she had been allowed to testify about battered woman syndrome, by the rules of Michigan evidence, she could only provide statistics and generalities of traits of a battered wife, and was precluded from providing a conclusion.

“In the Seaman case, I could only speak about domestic violence in general and battered women in general,” noted Walker. “I

I JUST WANTED HIM TO AGREE TO STOP. I EVEN ASKED HIM TO GO TO COUNSELING BECAUSE I WANTED TO GO. his body and cleaned the home. She also put his body in the back of her vehicle, and told her sons and others, including police who searched for him, she had no idea where he was, that he sometimes disappeared for days.

At trial, it was revealed from a surveillance

to stop the attack.”

The jury at Nancy Seaman’s trial, however, disagreed, and found her guilty of first degree murder, determining she had premeditated the attack.

Larry Kaluzny was her attorney, along with

could not speak that Nancy was abused or fit any pattern of battered woman syndrome. I had some test results from another psychologist, and I wasn’t allowed to introduce that. It was difficult for the jury to fit it together.”

In Michigan, along with California and a

few other states, an expert witness can testify to a condition, such as battered spouse syndrome, explaining the symptoms, noting statistics and traits, but cannot make the connection to state that the person on trial has the condition. The People v. Christel, a sexual abuse case which argued before the Michigan Supreme Court in 1995, determined the admissibility of expert testimony regarding battered woman syndrome when offered to a jury to understand the complainants actions and testimony in tolerating abuse over a period of years, but the witness cannot make the connection to the individual herself.

“Battered person syndrome – it’s a diagnosable condition, a psychological condition, so to say it’s not admissible in court is unusual or unique,” noted David LaBahn, president of the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys in Washington DC. “It is up to the court to determine if it is an actual defense, and that is the role of the judge. That is a legal ruling where, at times, the underlying facts of the case don’t support the admissibility of that defense.”

LaBahn said that in California, where he is from, just like in Michigan, “an expert cannot testify to the ultimate conclusion. That is the role and responsibility of the jury.”

He said that despite what defendants and some defense attorneys attest, prosecuting attorneys recognize self-defense. “It’s whether it’s a full and complete defense – ‘I killed him because he was about to kill me.’ The second thing, that concept of imperfect self-defense, moves it down to manslaughter, or involuntary manslaughter. The key with imperfect selfdefense, is the mental defense, that takes it out of voluntary into involuntary. The mental state is definitely not murder.

“It’s just traditional homicide law – we have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, was that the reason she killed him, or was it to get the house, the car, or to be with another guy.”

He added that often defendants try to utilize a double-edge sword. “If the wife is the defendant, and the husband is the victim, she can’t have the dual defense of, ‘I didn’t do it, but if I did do it, it was because of self-defense because of battered person syndrome.’”

LaBahn said, “The OJ Simpson case (the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman in 1994)

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was signed by President Bill Clinton in 1994, providing $1.6 billion toward investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against women, it imposed automatic and mandatory restitution on those convicted, and allowed civil redress in cases prosecutors chose not to prosecute. It was reauthorized by bipartisan majorities in Congress in 2000 and 2005. The Act’s 2012 renewal was opposed by conservative Republicans, but was ultimately reauthorized in 2013 after expiring in 2011.

Among the services VAWA provides to women is federal rape shield law; community violence prevention programs; protection for stalking victims; funding for rape crisis centers and hotlines; and legal aid for survivors of domestic violence.

In Michigan, Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation, Public Act 93 in May 2016, that protects domestic violence victims by limiting mediation in domestic relations cases involving protected persons to situations where a court hearing has occurred or when mediation is requested by the protected person.

Protective laws are too late now for Karen Kantzler and Nancy Seaman. Today, each woman is seeking clemency from Governor Snyder, both with the efforts of the Women’s Justice and Clemency Project at University of Michigan. Kantzler has also repeatedly sought to be released from prison. For Seaman, at this point, parole isn’t an option, unless her case is somehow heard again and her sentence reduced from first degree murder, which necessitates life without parole.

After the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed Judge McDonald’s decision of second degree murder and reinstated her life sentence, the Michigan Supreme Court chose to not take her case. It then went to federal court before U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman, who in his opinion found that there had been ineffective counsel in not permitting Walker to testify. The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed Friedman’s opinion, stating “Battered spouse syndrome is not itself a defense under Michigan law.”

And so she sits, although over the past 30 years approximately eight prisoners per year serving a life sentence have been released through the lifer law or commutation process,

Friedman declined to comment for this article, noting that there was always the possibility that the case could come before him again, just as public sentiment for juveniles in jail for life or former cocaine lifer laws have forced legislative and judicial changes.

According to the Michigan Constitution, “The governor shall have power to grant reprieves, commutations and pardons after convictions for all offenses, except cases of impeachment, upon such conditions and limitations.”

According to Carol Jacobsen of the Women’s Justice and Clemency Project, of the last three gubernatorial administrations, only Jennifer Granholm granted any clemencies – a total of 10 over eight years.

“Gov. John Engler, although his office made some overtures to granting some releases, he didn’t, and he denied the clemencies we submitted with the speed of light,” Jacobsen said. “Gov. Granholm granted 10 clemencies total to women who had been convicted of murder and given life sentences, plus she pushed the parole board to release four more women who had life sentences.

“As for Gov. Snyder, we have submitted clemency petitions for 12 women, and we are waiting to hear. We have been submitting to him every two years. You have to have all new petitions (every two years) for each woman.”

She said they have succeeded in freeing nine women from life sentences over the last 25 years.

According to Anna Heaton, spokesperson for Snyder, “Gov. Snyder considers pardons on a rolling basis (as they are received) but we don’t comment on particular cases.”

All actions by the governor must be finalized and approved by the 10-member Parole Board, which is appointed by the director of the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC).

According to Chris Gautz, public information office for MDOC, “There is a balance between MDOC staff and outside appointees (for board members). The MDOC cannot have any more than six members on the board at one time.

Right now, the makeup is five MDOC and five non-MDOC members.”

The current parole system was created in 1885 as an advisory agency to the governor.

The State Board of Prison Inspectors took over

IN MY CASE, PEOPLE COULDN’T BELIEVE THAT AN EDUCATED WOMAN WITH A GOOD JOB COULD BE AN ABUSED WIFE brought attention of domestic abuse to the forefront – the facts of battered individuals, and that lead nationally to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), where dollars are spent nationally to train law enforcement, prosecutors, to provide to shelters.”

the Michigan Department of Corrections said.

This is what gives Seaman hope, as she works with the Justice and Clemency Program and other advocates. McDonald and others have written to the governor, advocating for clemency.

the duties in 1891, and then from 1893 to 1921, the state resumed control. Since 1937, when the Corrections Law revised the parole system, it became a civil service job that was a nonpolitical board.

“Although the parole board has undergone

dramatic changes since its initial inception, the mechanics of the parole process have remained constant for decades,” noted the Michigan Department of Corrections. “The Parole Board’s purpose and primary priority is to assess parole eligible prisoners to determine whether or not they will become a menace to society or pose a risk to the public safety.”

As to the composition of who is on the board, “There isn’t a preference for specific backgrounds (law, enforcement, prosecutors, etc.),” Gautz said, “but the goal is to have a diverse board, including diverse backgrounds.

The appointments are absolutely not political favors.”

Jacobsen, not surprisingly, disagrees. “Parole boards are obsolete and they should be done away with,” she asserted. “They’re corrections officers, former police and sheriff officers, for the most part, who have a vested interest in not letting people out, and they function in a very punitive way. Their hearings are very punitive, especially to women who have a history of trauma or abuse, which is at least 80 percent of incarcerated women.”

A bigger issue, Jacobsen rightly points out, is the disparity in the number of women the parole board sees versus the number of men.

“There are 48,000 men in Michigan prisons, and 2,300 women, so they see everyone as a violent criminal, and they’re not,” she said.

“Very, very few should be removed from society.”

Gautz said the board’s work load is generally misunderstood by the public, and the positions are not ceremonial. Each board member serves a term of four years.

“Parole board members and parole board staff work tirelessly to prepare cases prior to (an) offender’s interview,” he stated. “Not only do members interview approximately 1,500 prisoners a month, but they do a host of other duties, such as adding and removing special parole conditions when requested by a field agent, meeting with victims, addressing parole violators that have been returned to prison for revocation processing, and reviewing lifer cases on an ongoing basis.”

Tonya Kraus-Phelan, auxiliary dean and tenured professor at Cooley Law School, said that parole boards have a set of criteria to determine who is

from the victim’s family,” she said.

Law students often do not learn the inner workings, or even the function, of parole boards, nor about battered woman syndrome.

Paul Walton, chief deputy at the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, said in Kantzler’s case, the prosecutors who worked on her case in 1988 and 1993 have all left the office. But county prosecutors offices do not work on parole cases, other than “we can be an advocate (for the victim) if we don’t think they’re parolable. We (along with the state) are obligated under the Crime Victims Rights Act to notify members of the victim’s family and ask if they want us to object to parole.”

Walton explained that the state’s attorney governor is the litigant before the parole board and is the one to call witnesses.

Kraus-Phelan also pointed out that over the years there have been judges, like former Judge Norman Lippitt, Kantzler’s original judge in her 1988 trial, “who were under the impression that if they gave a life sentence, the defendant would be freed after a certain point, and that didn’t turn out to be true. In a majority of cases, there has been a tough on crime attitude that has spilled out onto parole boards. Parole boards will only look at how a crime was committed in the context of if the person could be a risk to society. Will this person be violent?

Has this person expressed remorse for their actions?”

A problem during parole for many women who have been abused, Kraus-Phelan pointed out, is that they don’t express remorse for their actions, “because they were truly the victim in the relationship.”

Walton concurred. “The parole board is often left with a prisoner who is not willing to admit their guilt.”

That may have been a problem during parole hearings for Karen Kantzler, who has come before the Michigan Parole Board in 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015, and been denied each time. In 2015, Lippitt and Jacobsen attended and spoke on her behalf, and Howard and Thompson wrote letters on her behalf.

After 30 years in prison, thousands of hours of therapy and dozens of self-improvement classes, Karen Kantzler said, “Looking back, I was abused verbally and physically the whole time...I’m at fault for putting myself in that

“Maybe I was a victim then, but I’m not a victim now.”

“You had two judges that may have been coming forward, but it’s an administrative body – and one that’s not elected,” Walton noted.

“It’s a mystery to us, too, the things they find objectionable.”

“What you really have is a woman who is behind bars who is taking a bed from somebody who perhaps should be there, and the state is having the privilege of paying for her keep,” Judge Barry Howard argued.

“That’s not justice. That’s retribution, and that’s drawing a line in the sand to take and to fulfill our mission ‘to make society safe.’ Well, society would be safe if she was there or not there.”

Walton noted that the Oakland County Prosecutor’s office filed no opposition to parole for Kantzler in 2015.

Kantzler said she was visited by parole board on March 3, 2017, “which is encouraging because they said they would not see me before November 2019.” Kantzler said she was asked if she still needed self-improvement. “I answered I think everyone needs improvement everyday.”

On August 3, 2017, Walton reported that after a call to MDOC, they stated that, “We currently have not denied her parole, but are waiting for further paperwork.”

Walton said the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office has disqualified themselves in Seaman’s case, as Prosecutor Jessica Cooper was a judge at the time Seaman was tried. The Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office is currently in charge of the case.

“I’m not a greedy person. I know I took a life. I am just asking for some relief,” Seaman said. “Commutation does not absolve you of the crime. It acknowledges that the justice system has failed, and this is the mechanism to right it.

“I’m asking for a commutation because if I had been resentenced like Judge McDonald had ordered, I would have received 10 years or less, according to the sentencing guidelines, because I was a first time offender with no priors and no assaultive behavior, and that would have made me parolable. It’s commensurate with what the judge recommended.”

THE BIGGEST, NUMBER ONE FEAR, THAT PEOPLE MINIMIZE, IS THAT IF SHE ATTEMPTS TO LEAVE, SHE WILL BE KILLED. available for parole, from the crime to what the inmate’s conduct has been like in prison, do they have a stable environment to be released into, as well as looking at letters of support – and opposition. “Letters written in opposition to release can play a role,” notably

situation, for having such low self-esteem, such inadequate life skills, that I allowed the manipulation and isolation, and the physical and mental abuse. I allowed that. I put myself in the victim stance, which I know not to do now. I know how to not be a victim now.

All each woman can do is wait. Perhaps Kantzler will receive parole. Otherwise, the Women’s Justice and Clemency Project pushes on, seeking clemency or commutation for the women during the remainder of Snyder’s term.

Or during the term of the next governor.

downtownpublications.com

DOWNTOWN

27

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 12,000 SQ. FT W/FINISHED WALKOUT TO BUILT-IN POOL BACKING TO STONY CREEK

16 ACRES OF ABSOLUTE PRIVACY / MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER

Custom built 1 1/2 story featuring almost 12,000 sq. ft. of finely appointed living area w/finished walkout to built-in pool backing to Stony Creek Park, awesome floor plan, beautiful gourmet kitchen plus 2nd galley kitchen on main floor, 4 fireplaces, 5.5-car garage plus covered carport area between garages, 56' x 16' theatre room, game room combination on 2nd floor, 3rd full kitchen in finished walk out, 40' x 20' built-in pool plus hot tub area on very private lot backing to Stony Creek Metro Park, Brazilian cherry & travertine floors throughout home. 61871 Bradbury Run, Washington Twp $2,350,000

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.

ROCHESTER HILLS PRIVATE GATED COMMUNITY

1 1/2 STORY / FINISHED BASEMENT / 4 CAR GARAGE

Stunning Estate Home with finished walkout to built in pool on private 1 1/2 acre lot backing to Stoney Creek, garage parking for 6 cars, plus covered parking for 4 more cars, over 10,000 square feet of finely appointed living area located in Exclusive gated community at 6532 Cornerstone Rochester, MI 48306 Offered at $1,299,000.

This Stunning Custom Built home boasts of 2 Master Suites on separate levels. Vaulted ceilings with intricate crown molding set off all the high end materials used throughout. In the Kitchen, no expense was spared with high end appliances and top of the line cabinets and counter tops.

The 2 staircases add to the unique design. The finished basement has a full Gourmet kitchen and plenty of space for guests with a bedroom and full bath. 62834 Somerset, Washington Twp $849,900

THE WHITE HOUSE OF HARSENS ISLAND ON NORTH CHANNEL

1 1/2 STORY WITH FINISHED WALKOUT BASEMENT TO PRIVATE YARD BACKING TO WOODS

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.

Stunning completely redone 1 1/2 story with finished walkout basement to private yard backing to woods, home is a designer showcase featuring all todays decor & features, huge gourmet island kitchen, all high end finishes throughout, extra deep finished walkout lower level with wet bar, 2-way fireplace, additional bath and walks out to huge brick paver patio; walls of windows overlooking private yard, 8' doors throughout and custom moldings and trim. 4971 Brookside Lane, Washington Twp $929,900

FINISHED WALKOUT TO BUILT IN SWIMMING POOL BACKING TO POND

FINISHED WALKOUT TO BUILT-IN POOL ON ALMOST AN ACRE LOT W/POND

Beautiful 3,250 sq. ft. ranch with full finished walkout to built-in swimming pool on a private almost acre lot backing to pond. Gourmet kitchen with commercial grade appliances, fireplace in living room with 2nd fireplace in owners suite, lower level features full kitchen, bar, exercise room and a McCoy Dry Sauna with room for 8-10 people located off bathroom, 2-tiered deck leading down to private (fenced-in) swimming pool area, professionally landscaped, largest lot on the pond, and a 2.5-car over-sized garage with room to add another garage. This is a one of a kind home!! 6718 Pond Drive, Washington $774,900

Custom built Georgian colonial w/finished walkout to built-in pool on private almost acre lot w/pond, 4.5-car garage & circular drive, all high end finishes throughout, entertainers huge gourmet island kitchen w/commercial grade appliances, all bedrooms have private baths, finished walkout w/wet bar and wide open entertaining area, extensive landscaping with waterfall, awesome yearround sun-room overlooking private yard, This is a great home to raise a family! 1683 Chieftan Circle, Oxford Twp $1,049,000

Tom@TomZibkowski.com www.TomZibkowski.com

Tom Zibkowski Realty Executives Midwest

586-532-6700 Ex 114

When Experience Counts. Over 4,000 Closed Home Sales Since 1982 FULL FINISHED WALKOUT BASEMENT ON A PRIVATE 3.06 ACRE LOT WITH 2 PONDS

FINISHED WALKOUT BASEMENT ON PINE KNOB GOLF COURSE

Awesome Custom Built designer showcase great room ranch with full finished walkout basement on a private 3.06 acre lot with 2 ponds, great open floor plan with 2 bedrooms on 1st floor and 3rd bedroom & library in the finished walkout lower level. Featuring a beautiful sun room overlooking rolling land to pond, almost 4,000 sq. ft. of finely appointed living area, open staircase to lower level makes floor plan feel as one living area, custom built by original owner and maintained second to none. 4601 Rosy Drive, Leonard, $539,900

Finished walkout basement on Pine Knob Golf course in the exclusive gated community of The Bluffs of Pine Knob.

Fantastic views from walls of windows overlooking pond & Golf course, gourmet island kitchen w/built-in appliances & large hearth room, stunning entrance foyer with circular staircase and loft overlooking great room, awesome owners suite with his & hers walk-in closets, fireplace and great views, huge deck overlooking private yard with pond and golf course. Home is in absolute mint condition! 5528 Saint Andrews Drive, Independence Twp $799,900

1 1/2 STORY HOME WITH A FINISHED WALKOUT ON PRIVATE 2.92 ACRE PARCEL

1 1/2 STORY HOME WITH A FULLY FINISHED BASEMENT TO PRIVATE YARD WITH BASKETBALL COURT

Mint condition custom built 1 1/2 story home with a finished walkout basement on a private 2.92-acre parcel close to Rochester and Romeo. Home features over 8,000 sq. ft. of finely appointed living area that only the discriminating buyer can appreciate, garage parking for 6 cars, all high end finishes throughout, 4 fireplaces, park-like backyard with pond. Finished walkout features 2nd kitchen, wet bar, 5th & 6th bedrooms, and entertainerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gourmet island kitchen with built-in appliances, absolute move-in condition. 1100 Creekside Drive, Addison Twp $979,900

Very clean well cared for 5 Bedroom, 1 1/2 story home with a fully finished walkout basement to heavily landscaped private yard with basketball court. Home features over 6,000 sq. ft. of finely appointed living area, all high end finishes throughout, all bedrooms have bath access, dual wrought iron staircase to 2nd floor, hardwood flooring entire 1st floor, lots of crown molding, vinyl clad windows; finished walkout has 2nd kitchen with additional full bath and theater room. 1372 Clear Creek Drive, Rochester Hills $769,900

CHARMING MINT CONDITION COLONIAL WITH HORSE BARN ON 10 ACRES

STATELY COLONIAL WITH FINISHED WALKOUT

Charming mint condition colonial with horse barn on 10 acres located in the heart of Metamora Hunt Club.

Home features a 4 stall horse barn with apprx. 2 acres of fenced paddock area, riding trails through wooded private 10 acre parcel, 360' asphalt drive through the woods to this beautiful home on a very private setting, huge deck with great views along back of home, original owner has maintained this home exceptionally well, whole-house generator system, hardwood floor, in-ground sprinklers and natural gas at road. Home has beautiful views from windows overlooking the grounds. 4901 Barber Road, Metamora $494,900

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 $1,349,000.

1 1/2 STORY HOME WITH FINISHED WALKOUT TO PEACEFUL 2.75 ACRE LOT

FINISHED WALKOUT TO IN-GROUND POOL ON 1.47 ACRE CUL-DE-SAC LOT

Custom built 1 1/2 story home with full finished walkout to peaceful 2.75 acre lot, 3.5-car attached garage plus over-sized 2.5-car detached garage with 8' doors, all high end finishes throughout, over 5,000 sq. ft. of finely appointed living area, all bedrooms have bath access, finished walkout features 5th bedroom, 2nd kitchen, wet bar, 2nd fireplace, upper and lower cement patios, bridge overlooking 2-story foyer & great room. 69332 Fisher Road, Bruce Twp $649,900

Stunning custom built home with finished walkout to in-ground pool on 1.47 acre cul-de-sac lot, designed

by Renowned architect Dominic Tringali, home features 10,000 sq. ft. of finely appointed living area, entertainers dream gourmet island kitchen with built-in commercial grade appliances, 5 custom fireplaces, 4.5 car attached garage plus additional detached garage, 6 bedrooms all with private bathrooms, awesome owner's suite with balcony overlooking grounds, 40' x 22' in-ground swimming pool with electric cover and extensive landscaping. This is truly a one-of-a-kind residence.. 11268 Dino Drive, Bruce Twp $1,380,000

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

A RARE FIND 12 ACRE PRIVATE ESTATE - OAKLAND TWP

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 $899,900.

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 $4,950,000.

FINISHED WALKOUT BASEMENT ON 1.25 ACRE PRIVATE LOT

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

Excellent condition great room ranch with finished walkout basement on 1.25 acre private lot, renovated kitchen with granite counter tops and built-in Viking Appliances, year round sunroom overlooking private yard, library has built-in cabinets and 3rd fireplace, formal dining room with butler's pantry, beautiful hardwood floors throughout most of 1st floor, awesome owners suite with sitting area and access to sunroom, finished walkout features 3rd 1/2 bath, bar, open entertaining area and fireplace; 3.5-car garage, extensive landscaping and large deck overlooking grounds. 4535 Valley View Pointe, Oakland Twp, $629,900

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 located in Clear Creek Subdivision. 877 Quarry, Rochester Hills $899,900.

1 1/2 STORY WITH FINISHED WALK OUT BASEMENT ON PRIVATE 2.2 ACRE LOT

STUNNING COLONIAL / PRIVATE LOT / WASHINGTON POINTE

Great 1 1/2 story with finished walk out basement on private 2.2 acre lot, Huge stamped concrete patio around back of home overlooking private yard, finished walkout lower level with entertainers bar area-5th bedroom-4th full bath, nice open floor plan with bridge overlooking large great room, huge bonus room upstairs for kids to play, home is currently heated with wood Heatmoor Sysytem- no heat bills just burn wood (home does have forced air furnace, currently propane-natural gas is at the street) 3.5 car garage, soaring ceilings in great room. 2878 Stanis Lane, Washington Twp. $424,900

Stunning colonial on private lot featuring a great floor plan w/2-way fireplace between Great Room & Kitchen Nook, formal dining room & den, dual staircases, wrought iron staircase, all bedrooms have walk-in closets, all closets have professional installed organizers throughout, granite countertops throughout, unfinished extra deep basement with entry from garage, extensive professionally landscaped private yard with custom lighting in front/back yard, 3-car attached garage w/extra high ceiling, located at the end of quiet dead-end/cul-de-sac & backs to nature preserve. 61398 Barclay Drive, Washington Twp, $594,900

FINISHED WALKOUT TO BUILT IN SWIMMING POOL BACKING TO POND

WALK OUT BASEMENT TO FENCED YARD ON 1 ACRE LOT

Beautiful 3,250 sq. ft. ranch with full finished walkout to built-in swimming pool on a private almost acre lot backing to pond. Gourmet kitchen with commercial grade appliances, fireplace in living room with 2nd fireplace in owners suite, lower level features full kitchen, bar, exercise room and a McCoy Dry Sauna with room for 8-10 people located off bathroom, 2-tiered deck leading down to private (fenced-in) swimming pool area, professionally landscaped, largest lot on the pond, and a 2.5-car over-sized garage with room to add another garage. This is a one of a kind home!! 6718 Pond Drive, Washington $774,900

Stunning model show condition colonial with walk out basement to fenced yard on 1 acre lot in highly sought after Hidden Hills Community featuring ROCHESTER SCHOOLS. Home has almost been completely renovated last couple years using today's current colors and designs, hardwood floors throughout entire 1st floor, great floor plan with gourmet island kitchen and adjoining year round sun room, huge owners suite with freestanding soaking tub, spacious brick paver patio with fire pit overlooking private yard, all baths have been updated, extra deep unfinished walk-out basement, 3.5 car garage, freshly painted. 2303 Darren Drive, Washington Twp, $484,900

FACES

Jennifer Kincer ivacious. Luminous. Driven. These are but a few of the phrases one could turn when speaking of the multi-talented entertainer/vocal coach and humanitarian Jennifer Kincer. She has an extraordinary flair for finding and developing young talent. Her coaching career, combined with her own unique blend of artistry – in the recording studio, on the set of a film or television commercial for a blue chip client, or at home with her protege and daughter Lia K. Catallo and athletically gifted and philanthropic son Noah.

Kincer, 47, of Rochester Hills, doesn’t put on airs – though she easily could. Her celebrity status hasn’t deterred her desire to give back. Owner of KC Private Voice Studio, LLC, her mantra is “Luck is when opportunity meets preparation!” That preparedness has served her well, through vocal coaching, artist development, and as a professor at Oakland University.

She knew from a very young age that she wanted to sing and act.

“It was as if I was put on my path of ‘what was meant to be’ the minute I could sing a note,” she recalls. “I’ve been singing since I was five-years-old, if not earlier … I started following my dad to nursing homes, entertaining the elderly. He would play the guitar and I would sing John Denver and Johnny Cash songs.

“The residents loved the music and I loved seeing the twinkle in their eye,” she says. “The music helped them remember a special time or feel some emotion they needed to feel. I knew at that moment how powerful music was,” she professes.

So much so that four decades later, her studio of singers still finds joy in singing at assisted living centers. Word got out and her students were soon sought after at major televised events such as the Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting at The Village of Rochester Hills.

V

Kincer shares that her songbirds, known as “The Violettes,” now perform at more than 50 events a year in downtown Rochester and beyond.

Many of her students are actively booked at local community events and some have gone to the next level, performing nationally.

Aside from working in her bustling studio, Kincer’s schedule is packed with auditions, voice-over work, film shoots and managing her teenage daughter Lia’s singer-songwriter career, which she one day hopes to launch into the world of Christian music.

You may recognize her bright smile and enthusiastic persona from the Michigan Lottery “Fast Cash” campaign which recently began airing on major networks. Or, you may recall catching a glimpse of her during the Super Bowl, striking a yoga pose in a Henry Ford Health System commercial. She’s also done voiceover work for automotive training modules.

Her local celebrity status soared when she appeared on the big screen, in the supernatural thriller ‘Born of Earth,’ opposite Daniel Baldwin and James Russo. She also had a part in George Clooney’s “Up in the Air.” Kincer’s aspirations include producing and directing.

Currently, she’s working on a script for a Detroit-based TV show, talking with investors, producers and crews to make that dream a reality. “I hope to shed continued positive light on our emerging city of Detroit,” she shares.

“I’m extremely blessed to do what I love, to make an impact and fulfill what God put me on this Earth to do,” she said.

Story: Lisa Rose Hook

Photo: Laurie Tennent

A

t one time Detroit was the fourth largest city in the country, boasting a population of 1.8 million people in 1950, and home to nearly 30 percent of all of Michigan's residents. Home to The Big Three automotive companies and the state's economic engine, metropolitan Detroit residents and lawmakers of days past had much of the control over political policy in Lansing.

Now, as the state's largest city finds itself in the midst of bankruptcy recovery and many of its former residents scattered across southeast Michigan, the tri-county's influence in the legislature has greatly shifted to the western part of the state, where vast amounts of special interest money are helping to give rise to a new power structure that appears to favor antiestablishment legislators and far right Republicans.

Former Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis said the population shift away from Detroit, coupled with increases on the west side of the state and pockets in mid-Michigan, is one factor that has changed the state's political landscape.

"Geographically, the population has shifted. Today, there is less than 700,000 people (living in Detroit), according to the last census," he said. "You have had a huge population shift into Livingston and Macomb counties. West Michigan has grown in significance in Grand Rapids and other pockets in the state, like Holland and Battle Creek. That shift in population is also reflected in the shift in political power."

TUSSLE FOR INFLUENCE IN LANSING EAST WINDS NOW BLOW WEST

BY KEVIN ELLIOTT

Despite talk of an urban revival in Detroit, The tri-county's influence in individual district needs and ideological differences. the city continues to lose population, down the legislature has greatly Historically, both Democrats and from about 713,000 in 2010 to about 672,000 today. In southeast Michigan, population over shifted to the western part Republicans in state and local politics have had differences between moderate members of the past several decades has shifted of the state with its vast their party and those on the far left or right. progressively from the central city to the amounts of special Former President Jimmy Carter, who was surrounding suburbs, and from the larger viewed as a moderate Washington Democratic metropolitan area to the outer-ring suburbs interest money outsider when first elected to the White and rural townships.

House, was challenged by liberals in his own From 1990 to 2000, Oakland County saw party in the 1980 Democratic presidential the largest increase in population, with primary. Today, the GOP's establishment is 110,564 new residents, followed by Kent undergoing change as the tea party and others County, home of Grand Rapids (73,704); with libertarian and anti-establishment views Macomb County (70,749); Ottawa County; identify as Republicans. where Holland is (50,564); Livingston County Among the anti-establishment is west (41,306); and Washtenaw County (39,958). The Michigan native and current U.S. Secretary of same six counties from 2000 to 2010 also saw Education Betsy DeVos, who along with family members have the biggest increases in population, this time with Macomb County contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to special interest receiving 42,860; followed by Kent County (36,644); Livingston campaigns in Michigan and across the nation. Earlier this year, County (25,295); Washtenaw County (25,179); Ottawa County DeVos encouraged conservatives at a conference in Gaylord to fight (23,417); and Oakland County (12,763). the education establishment. In 1997, after funding a failed attempt Population data released by the U.S. Census Bureau show the to expand school vouchers across the state, DeVos, openly stated trend has continued from 2010 to 2015, as Kent and Ottawa that the family funds do come with strings attached and that "we counties, including Grand Rapids and Holland, as well as in and do expect something in return" for the contributions. around Kalamazoo, gain population, along with the Lansing area; "The DeVos family, in particular, have became more prominent as Grand Traverse County; and townships outside Detroit. fundraisers. They weren't factors in the ‘60s and ‘70s as much as As the population shifted further away from Detroit and across they became later," said Michigan political analyst Bill Ballenger. the state, state politics has also undergone shifts in ideology that In 2006, Richard "Dick" DeVos Jr. poured about $35 million of mirror national trends. family money into his failed gubernatorial campaign. The next year, "Rather than being a moderate state and country, I do believe we he joined with Ann Arbor Republican Ron Weiser – who serves as have become more polarized and both parties have moved to their current head of the Michigan Republican Party and is another major side of the aisle," Anuzis said. "The 1980s brought in the Reagan fundraiser for the state's GOP – to work on laying the groundwork Democrats, and I think that has kind of spread. Now, if you look at for Michigan's Right to Work law, which was passed in 2012. In the where Trump did well, he did well in western Wayne County, west 2014-2015 political cycle, the DeVos family contributed about $3.4 Michigan and the UP. Michigan has moved to a more cultural million to political committees in the state, followed by Weiser, who conservative mindset that isn't necessarily partisan." contributed more than $800,000.

The shift means that lawmakers viewed as moderates in the past The flow of money into Michigan politics, therefore, adds yet may be considered liberal by those in today's right wing, while the another definition to political influence in the legislature. Yet, old conservatives may be viewed as moderates, even if political another take on political power can be viewed from a geographical ideologies haven't changed. Meanwhile, extremists and fringe standpoint. groups disconnected from the mainstream establishment have "When I first entered the legislature in 1979, there was much become increasingly empowered. more influence held by the city of Detroit and the inner ring suburbs "If you look back at the early 1980s, (Oakland County Executive) around Detroit, and that related to the population base," said former Brooks Patterson was considered a right winger. Today, they would Republican House Speaker Paul Hillegonds, who represented the say he's a moderate," Anuzis said. "That's not so much philosophical Holland area in west Michigan until 1996. "Since then, the as it is stylistic. There are conservatives who would rather fight for population has continued to move out, and the out-state areas have the sake of fighting rather than finding common ground. That's a gained population. But I think the main change has been the shift stylistic change." from the urban area and inner-ring suburbs to the out-ring suburbs.

As a former Republican National Committee member, Anuzis That has benefitted Republicans, for sure, and has also diminished was defeated in 2012 by Dave Agema, a tea party Republican from the (power of the) urban area of the state, too." west Michigan who previously served in the state legislature.

The outward shift of population from the city and inner suburbs, Agema was subsequently censured in 2015 by RNC and asked to Hillegonds said, has been accompanied by a shift from a resign his position by former RNC Chair Reince Priebus for manufacturing economy to more of a service-based economy. homophobic and Islamaphobic posts he shared on Facebook.

"With that has been much less unionization. Unions have much "We have moved into this distrust of government in general. less influence in the political process than they once did, and that People lost faith in both political parties, and I think that's why we has been a factor in the growth of Republican influence," Hillegonds had the rise of someone like Donald Trump," Anuzis said. "I think said. "The other thing, I think, is that the state has grown more we moved from a more traditional conservative party to a more conservative, and that's not just a partisan thing. The state has independent tea party. changed in what government should be, and government has been "There's a lot of new blood in the Republican party, and many are reduced." from the tea party, and some are those with establishment After leaving the legislature, Hillegonds moved to metro Detroit backgrounds and then those without any background, so there are to serve as president of Detroit Renaissance, and now serves as the more checks and balances in the party. Some people call it CEO of the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and chair of the divisions, but it's sort of citizen activists getting engaged and Southeast Michigan Regional Transit Authority. saying the status quo isn't enough. They are trying to get rid of the "My perspective was broadened by working with Detroit professional political class, so to speak."

Renaissance and working on some of the urban challenges, but In state politics, power could be viewed, in part, by which party serving from out-state, Detroit has challenges on issues in part holds the majority of the seats in the state legislature and the office because of the out-state view, and also because the region had of governor. However, such a simplistic view doesn't take into issues," he said. "The regional transit issue was there even when I account competing interests within the majority party based on

was in the legislature during my time in The overwhelming majority national real estate investment company and is the current chair of the Michigan Holland, and whether SEMTA (Southeast of top donor families Republican Party. In 2016, Weiser was elected Michigan Transportation Authority) should come together to get matching federal dollars. contributed to the Michigan to the University of Michigan Board of Regents after contributing more than $600,000 into his In the end, that didn't come together, not Republican Party and own campaign. He also contributed $250,000 because of outstate opposition, but because the House Republican to the Michigan Republican Party, making him the suburbs and the city couldn't agree. That and his family the second largest campaign has remained a challenge for Detroit and also Campaign Committee donors in the state in the 2014-15 election for southeast Michigan. cycle in terms of money spent on elections in "I don't think it's just population. The the state, according to a recent report by the divisions in southeast Michigan between the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. urban centers and the outer-ring suburbs have Craig Mauger, executive director of the reduced the influence to west Michigan, Michigan Campaign Finance Network, said which has tended to have more commonality the report looked at the top 40 family donors of viewpoints. In west Michigan, there is more that donated the most money to state and common ground, while southeast Michigan national campaigns in the 2014-15 cycle. In has been more divided, in terms of city and looking through the list of top state donors, Mauger said nearly suburbs." every family is either from west Michigan or southeast Michigan.

Former Oakland County Republican legislator Richard Fessler, "We have a campaign finance system that is increasingly who represented the Union Lake area in the state House from 1975 empowering the largest donors," Mauger said. "If you have a large to 1982 and in the state Senate from 1983 to 1990, said the loss of group of really wealthy donors living in a certain area, it wouldn't population within the city of Detroit diminished the influence of be surprising that the area would wield more power than another southeast Michigan in the legislature. part of the state, even if they have similar populations."

"At one time, there was a lot of legislation that referred to cities Of the top 40 donor families, 22 gave more than $100,000 to of 'one million population' for special taxes or funding. When Detroit campaign committees in Michigan. The majority of those donors are shrank in population, those became invalid. They lost the ability to regular contributors to more than one state and/or national get more of the budget pie, and they also lost power," Fessler said. campaign committees, while some focused on single campaigns.

"The Democratic vote was dissipated by going to more rural areas.

For instance, Kevin McCaffery, of Ann Arbor, donated all but about The Democrats controlled the Senate for 40 years, and the lower $2,600 of his $650,000 in contributions to the Michigan Legalize House for a couple of decades. When the Republicans took control campaign committee; Ortonville attorney Glen Lenhoff spent about of the Senate, which they have maintained since that time, that $230,000 to fund an unsuccessful campaign for sheriff; and was a real shift, and also a shift in the balance of government.

Congressman Paul Mitchell, of Dryden, gave $190,570 to the "You were no longer giving money away. To get money, you had Coalition Against Higher Taxes, a state ballot committee that to have a real good reason. The funding formulas became more opposed increasing the sales tax for road improvements. equal throughout the state. Money didn't just go to Detroit, Saginaw Overall, top donors from west Michigan gave about $5.6 million or Bay City anymore. Detroit simply lost political power, and so did to political campaign committees, with the DeVos family metro Detroit as part of that." contributing $3.4 million to Michigan political campaigns during Special taxing ability in Detroit, such as a special tax on utilities, the 2014-15 cycle. DeVos donations included $1.3 million to the were granted to the city in legislation referring to its population Michigan Republican Party and another $720,000 to the House because laws that refer to specific cities require a two-thirds vote in Republican Campaign Committee. Top southeast Michigan family the legislature. While those laws have been updated to reflect the donors gave about $3.7 million all told. population changes, other funding formulas, such as road funding, While DeVos is by far the largest contributor to political is based in part on population alone. Amending those funding committees, there are many others. Within Mauger's review of the formulas or city-specific laws is often difficult, if not impossible. top donor families, the Kennedy family, owners of Autocam, in Former Michigan Governor John Engler, who served from 1991 to Kentwood, donated about $589,700 in the 2014-15 cycle, including 2003, disagrees with the notion that metro Detroit or southeast $230,000 to the Michigan Republican Party; the Jandermoa family, Michigan has lost its political sway in Lansing. of Grand Rapids-based Perrigo, donated $437,500 to campaign "Detroit lost influence because of lost population and because of committees; the Paret family, of Hickory Corners, in Barry County, failed government and failed schools, and nobody wanted to live in donated $302,000; J.C. Huizenga, of Grand Rapids, gave $260,000; Detroit anymore, so they moved out. But the metro region of the Van Andel family, which together with DeVos, run Amway, gave Macomb and Oakland, and the old SEMCOG (Southeast Michigan $254,000; the Haworth family, of Holland-based Haworth furniture, Council of Governments) going out to Livingston County has done donated $245,000; and the Secchia family, of Grand Rapids-based pretty well," Engler said. "I think what matters in the legislature is Sibisco, donated $201,230. the quality of the men and women elected, and who is taking on Top donors from southeast Michigan in the 2014-15 cycle, leadership roles." outside of Weiser and McCaffery, included $336,559 from the Recalling past leaders in the legislature, the fact that there Nicholson family, owner of Detroit-based PVS Chemicals; $297,050 hasn't been a governor from the west side of the state in recent from the Moroun family of Grosse Pointe Shores, owner of the years, Engler said there isn't any evidence that the state's political Detroit International Bridge; $280,550 from Chuck Rizzo of power rests in any specific geographic area, despite the perception Bloomfield Township, of former Sterling Heights-based Rizzo that west Michigan areas like Grand Rapids, Holland and other Environmental; $256,200 from the Kojaian family, of Bloomfield areas in Kent and Ottawa County are steering the state Hills-based Kojaian Management; $232,200 from the Karmanos government. family, of Orchard Lake; $209,702 from Dan's Excavating owner "Some of that perception is because west Michigan has been Chris Peyerk, of Shelby Township, which included $200,000 to politically, very active," he said, referring to special interest money Citizens for Honest Government, his self-funded independent PAC; coming from the area. "There is a great deal of political activism in $203,946 by the Cotton family of Grosse Pointe Park, owners of west Michigan, and sometimes people look at that and say that's Meridian Health; $161,610 by the Schostak family of Bloomfield where the power is shifted. That is easily remedied by the people in Hills; $126,650 from Anthony Soave, founder of Detroit-based Soave southeast Michigan, and I would assert that since Ron Weiser came Enterprises; and $115,857 from the Bernstein family of Farmington in, there is a balance back."

Hills, of the Sam Bernstein Law Firm.

Weiser, an Ann Arbor native, founded McKinley Associates, a

The overwhelming majority of top donor Monroe Republican and former state Thanks to the imposition of families contributed to the Michigan legislator Randy Richardville served in both those term limits – out-state chambers, including a second term in the Republican Party and the House Republican Campaign Committee, while several made Republicans from more rural Senate as the Majority Leader. political contributions to other committees.

"I ran for the state House before term areas of Michigan began Mauger said about $2 million in donations limits actually kicked in, and was in the first pushing for more was donated directly to state House class under the era of term limits," he said. candidates from those on the top 40 donor "We would be remiss if we didn't think that influence/power family list or their committees. had something to do with the makeup of the Other top donor families in the state, legislature. Today you have people that are Mauger said, donated to federal campaign less experienced than when I first started." committees. John Stryker, of Kalamazoo, was Richardville said being able to rely on once a top donor in state races but poured longtime senators who had been serving about $5.8 million in federal campaigns, before term limits took effect was a including $2 million to a pro-Hillary Clinton tremendous help to him when he first arrived Super PAC. Dan and Jennifer Gilbert, who as to the legislature. That mentor assistance and casino owners in the state are prohibited from knowledge was key to navigating his way donating to state committees, contributed about $1.9 million to through Lansing, and helped him to come into leadership positions federal presidential campaigns, including $1.25 million to a when he was elected to the Senate. committee to support Chris Christie, $350,000 to John Kasich Super Professor John Clark, chair of Western Michigan University's PAC, and $150,000 to the Hillary Victory Fund. political science department, said term limits have contributed to "The presence of money in politics is something that has really growing partisanship. changed over the past 50 years," said Ballenger, publisher of The "What we had often times (before term limits) was a willingness Ballenger Report. "There is so much more money in politics, not just of people to work across party lines because they knew each other in campaigning, but in lobbying. There are more lobbyists and more and trusted each other," he said. "When you got rid of that, a lot of money that they are spending. That's probably the single biggest those ways of doing business went to the wayside. Some people change. argue that is a good thing, but I think they're wrong." "(Hillary) Clinton became seen as a prisoner of Wall Street and Professor Marjorie Sarbaugh-Thompson, with Wayne State insiders and the establishment. That was part of Bernie Sanders' University's political science department, has studied and written appeal to Democrats – that he wasn't such a person. He was more about the impact of term limits in Michigan. However, she said the of a throwback to the old days. Both parties have been infused with geographic shift in power has less to do with term limits than with money, and that has effected their behavior." a concerted effort by outstate legislators to gain influence.

The presence of large donors from west Michigan has been a "If you understand a legislature, at best it's a team sport. At it's huge factor in recent years, causing many people to equate money worst, it's gang warfare," she said "The winners run everything. with legislative policy power, former governor Engler said. However, They decide what bills will come to the floor. In the Michigan he said imposing term limits in the legislature has had a much legislature, nothing is going to happen that the leadership doesn't larger impact on behavior and actual policy in Lansing. want to happen – even within the majority party."

"That has done incalculable damage – the implementation of Technically, any one of the 110 members of the House of term limits. That has more profoundly impacted the composition of Representatives or 38 state senators can introduce legislation in the legislature than any single thing," Engler noted. their respective chambers. However, which bills die in the In 1992, Michigan residents voted to approve amending the legislative process before ever coming up for a vote is greatly state's constitution to impose term limits on state politicians. In the determined by the Speaker of the House and the Senate's Majority legislature, term limits took effect in 1998 in the House and in 2002 Leader. It is those two leadership positions that decide to which in the Senate. Under the restrictions, House representatives may be committees a bill will be assigned, as well as the members and elected to three two-year terms, while senators may serve two fourchairs of the committees themselves. Likewise, other leadership year terms. Critics of the lifetime restrictions say term limits have positions, such as floor leaders, whips and caucus chairs, oversee thrown out decades of institutional knowledge and partnerships additional legislative responsibilities, with the greatest power given across the state and between parties. to those representing the majority party.

"If you get somebody who is good in office and who can stay, Since Michigan's Constitution was rewritten in 1963 to modify they can be quite influential, but if your maximum time is six years, statewide elected positions, the House of Representatives tended to then nobody is very influential," Engler said. "It's brought great have a Democratic majority early on, with Republicans holding turbidity to the legislature because nobody is there long enough to more than half of the 110 seats only one term from 1965 to 1995. really understand the issues. The Senate has an advantage because Since then, Republicans have held the House majority in 10 of the they have four to six years in the House to get there, but it's hard in past 13 terms, including the the past four. In the Senate, the House because they are just arriving and being asked to deal Republicans gained a majority of seats in 1984, and have held it with state Medicaid or pensions. Those are complicated issues, and since. you don't just walk in the door and say, 'I'm up to speed on these.'

From a more localized perspective, power can be looked at in You look around, and everyone else just got there too, so that makes terms of geography when considering who holds leadership it hard." positions in the legislature and what districts those lawmakers represent on the map.

Engler said there was a belief when term limits went into effect that Sarbaugh-Thompson said that as Republicans in the state gained veteran legislative staffers would stay in Lansing and be retained by more power and bi-partisan relationships began breaking down – in incoming legislators to provide institutional knowledge. However, he large part due to the imposition of those term limits – out-state said that hasn't happened. Instead, legislators are increasingly relying on Republicans from more rural areas of Michigan began pushing for lobbyists to provide them with information on issues facing the state. more influence and power within the legislature.

"It just hasn't worked that way," he said. "You had people working for "There used to be a saying in Lansing in the 1990s and early 20 years with the judiciary or finance committee who weren't making 2000s: 'north of Clare, it isn't there.' So they didn't feel like they were decisions, but if you had a question, you had a place to go for getting enough attention, and there was a coalition in the House information... some of the special interest groups have been able to that decided they wanted House leadership from the northern part capitalize on that. In some cases, I don't know where they go for of the state," she said. “So, within the Republican party, there was information."

Representatives Michael McCready (Rthis notion that rural voices weren't being Because Republicans have Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield heard, and the leadership coalition decided been so dominant ever since Hills) and Kathy Crawford (R-Novi) were two they would get together and get one of their own in there to control the House leadership." term limits took effect in the Oakland County Republicans who voted the tax cut. The cut was also opposed In 2001, former Osceola County Republican legislature, there has mostly against

by Gov. Rick Snyder. Those who voted against Rick Johnson was elected by his party's been one-party control in it had cited long-term budget implications. In caucus as the 68th Speaker of the House.

April, the Michigan Conservative Coalition Located northwest of Mt. Pleasant and the both chambers held a protest at the Birmingham Post Office, city of Clare, the move was the fist time in but only four people showed up. McCready decades that a mid-Michigan representative stood by his vote, saying it would have created held the speaker position. a $2.1 billion shortfall in the state's general Of the six lawmakers who held the state's fund.

Speaker of the House position from 1965 to "The direction of the House is very 1992, three were from Wayne County, with one conservative," McCready said. "Looking at the each from Genesee, Washtenaw and Saginaw last two speakers (Republicans Kevin Cotter, of counties. Of the nine speakers who followed, Mt. Pleasant and Jase Bolger, of Marshall), just three were from districts in southeast Bolger wasn't as conservative, but he was forced to get things done Michigan. with Snyder and Richardville because the state was in such peril, Sarbaugh-Thompson said the shift away from southeast financially.

Michigan didn't occur as quickly in the Senate, where influential "He had to do some things that some conservatives wouldn't do," House speakers from the area ran for Senate seats due to the newly McCready said, referring to Grand Bargain legislation that provided imposed term limits. Rochester Republican Mike Bishop, now a the city of Detroit with more than $190 million during the member of the U.S. Congress, served as the Senate Majority Leader bankruptcy process. from 2007 to 2010, followed by fellow Republican Randy In terms of leadership, McCready said he personally hasn't Richardville from Monroe. Today, the Senate Majority Leader, Arlan sought out leadership positions, but instead prefers a "kingmaker" Meekof, hails from West Olive in Ottawa County, on the west side of role by offering support to make others successful. "I'd rather help the state. someone in that position with a fair and balanced approach," he "Now, I would say both chambers have moved from any said. "I think there is an antigovernment feeling in the air that is a leadership control from southeast Michigan," Sarbaugh-Thompson different group and it's sometimes harder to work with them, but said. you do.â&#x20AC;?

That may not be completely accurate, though. In the Senate, Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Kowall said there is less Ottawa County Republican Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive) is the only friction in the Senate chamber than in the House, but those power west Michigan senator in a top leadership position, with the struggles aren't new.

Majority floor leader position held by Sen. Mike Kowall (R-White "John Engler one time put a guy's desk on the front lawn when Lake); the Majority caucus chairman position held by Sen. Dave he was (Senate) Majority Leader," he said. "We aren't having that in Robertson (R-Grand Blanc); and the Majority whip position held by the Senate now. With Arlan (Meekhof), it's all about respecting one's Sen. Jack Brandenburg (R-Harrison Township). opinion.

The House is another story. Top leadership in the House is "Some of the new members were shocked at how frank and open currently held by Speaker of House mid-Michigan Republican Tom we are with each other. We take jabs at each other, but I haven't Leonard (R-DeWitt Township), while East Lansing Democratic state seen one really heated argument... I saw knockdown fights in the Senator Sam Singh serves as the House Minority Leader. Northern House, when Kwame (Kilpatrick) (D) and Rocky (Raczkowski) (R) Michigan Rep. Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) serves as Speaker prohad to pull a couple leaders off of each other." tempore; St. Clair County Republican Dan Lauwers (Brockway In terms of political money influencing the legislature, Kowall Township) holds the Majority Floor Leader position; and Kent said much of it relates to business interests throughout the state, County Majority Whip Rob VerHeulen represents leadership from rather than any one geographic region. west Michigan. Oakland County Democrats Christine Greig (D"There is money coming from all over, and there are large donors Farmington) and Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) hold the minority floor and economic engines from all over. The west side has been good to leader and minority whip positions, respectively. me," he said. "The Business Leaders of Michigan and that, their Those leadership positions, as well as the Senate Minority whip main issue is getting jobs back in the state... Michigan is such a big position held by Meridian Township Democrat Curtis Hertel Jr., and state, and we have to be careful what we do in a variety of places." some other key committee chair seats, are particularly notable as Citing the potential closure of a Downriver steel plant, Kowall they demonstrate a distinct shift in power to mid-Michigan said the closure would lead to the loss of 37,000 other jobs not lawmakers for the first time in decades. directly located at the plant. He said fellow senators take those "Unless you're in the majority party, you can be largely kinds of considerations into account on economic decisions, rather irrelevant," Sarbaugh-Thompson pointed out. "Because Republicans than focusing only on their own districts. have been so dominant ever since term limits took effect in the "The House is a different cat," he said "I think people are more legislature, we have mostly had one-party control, with some blips protective of their districts because they are smaller." of Democrats getting the House a few times. ... Within that, what Oakland University Professor David Dulio, who chairs the tends to happen is that the party starts to fight when you have a university's political science department, said leaders chosen for dominant party." leadership positions are done so by their caucuses for more than The decision for Republicans to split with party leadership on ideological viewpoints. key issues comes with consequences. In February, Rep. Jason Sheppard (R-Temperance) of Monroe County, was one of 12 "They are good at building a coalition of votes to get Republicans to vote against a proposed tax cut that would have themselves into office. Leadership may shift based on reduced Michigan's income tax. Sheppard, who was chair of the backgrounds and experiences. Those kind of qualities are what House Financial Services Committee, was removed from the allows them to rise to power to a large degree," he said. "In this committee by House Speaker Tom Leonard after the bill failed. The case, the shift of Republicans to the west, we see a more speaker told news outlets after the vote that while other conservative legislature, shown by the policy initiatives that are Republicans voted against the tax cut, Sheppard had told him he taken up, and frankly, what gets passed. It's a natural flow of was going to vote in favor of the bill, but didn't. elections and partisanship."

FACES Farrah Davidson arrah Davidson likes to grin and wear it. By day she’s a full-time dentist. By night she’s a stylin’ mom who has turned her lifelong fashion addiction and love of her kids into a successful blog, called londonhadalittlelamb.com.

It was two years ago in July that daughter London was born to Farrah and her husband, Nick, also a dentist and now professional poker player. And like all girly moms, Davidson reveled in dressing her girly daughter. And, like all proud moms, she started posting pictures of London on Instagram in all of her deliciousness, adorned in bows, lace, tulle and, of course, pink – lotsa pink.

“She’s my muse. She’s my bestie,” says Davidson, who moved to Rochester Hills in May. By the time London was 10 months old, Davidson decided to launch a luxury and lifestyle blog called londonhadalittlelamb.com.

“I named it that because I’m obsessed with Chanel bags, which are made from lambskin, so they’re London’s little lambs,” said Davidson, who’s now the thrilled owner of a pink Chanel handbag that her husband bought her following a poker tournament win.

In the 14 months that @londonhadalittlelamb has been on Instagram, Davidson, 31, has acquired more than 45,000 followers made up of young moms, ages 25-35 and top children’s manufacturers, including Dock-A-Tot, American Girl, Dreft and more.

After reading an article in MetroParent magazine about Davidson, the marketing director of Twelve Oaks Mall reached out to Davidson to be a Twelve Oaks Mall Style Ambassador along with London and, now, five-month-old twins Leonardo and Gisele.

While Davidson posts daily with professional pictures of London and the twins on Instagram, she uses the blog for more in-depth stories like “Five Ways to Nap-Train Your Toddler,” “How to Strengthen the Marriage After Baby,” “How to Transition your Toddler to Their Own Bed,” and must-haves and trends in children’s clothes and products.

“I think that when people go to a blog, they want more in-depth information, pointers and to be inspired,” Davidson said. “My goal is to empower, entertain and inform.”

Davidson’s go-tos for kids’ fashions are Janie and Jack for every day clothes – “they are so age-appropriate, high quality and awesome.” She looks to Tutu du Monde for “cute, couture fancy stuff,” Saks Fifth Avenue for dresses, and Nordstrom for shoes.

And as far as matching clothes for the three kids?

“I like to have themed looks, but they’re not twinning. I like outfits that coordinate color-wise, but not that they’re the same thing,” says Davidson, who describes her own style as “polished, chic and sometimes edgy.”

While she hasn’t forsaken her chic white lab coat and career at Detroit Dental Specialists, Davidson’s looking to the future.

“I am having a blast. Starting the blog was, honestly, one of the best things I’ve done for myself. I can still indulge in my love for fashion, my kids and family, while accomplishing my career,” she says.

And London – who’s now no stranger to the camera – is having fun as well.

“London has a special aura about her. She was such a friendly baby and never had any stranger danger,” Davidson says. “She’s like little Miss Congeniality; she can make friends with anyone and I just love how she engages with people. And she’s sees the flash and says ‘cheese.’”

F

Story: Julie Yolles

Photo: Jean Lannen

MUNICIPAL Natural resources division created

By Kevin Elliott

A strategic plan presented to Rochester Hills City Council on Monday, July 31, calls for the creation of a new natural resources division within the Parks and Forestry Department that will provide an outdoor engagement service to residents, create a onestop shop for natural resources and aggressively pursue stewardship grants.

Parks and forestry director Ken Elwert said the strategic plan is the first of its kind undertaken by the department and was developed with input from more than 38 people and 400 comments from within the city, with external input to be worked into the next plan review in three years.

In addition to creating the new division, the plan calls for a new fulltime natural resources manager position, which would focus on park stewardship, pursuing stewardship grants, and provide oversight of the city's outdoor engagement plan, including forestry, green space, wildlife and the Clinton River.

In addition to the proposed natural resources manager position, the plan calls for reclassifying a maintenance supervisor position as a naturalist, moving from the parks division to the natural resources division; reclassifying the forestry manager position to a lead arborist position; and moving forestry functions under natural resources.

"The new division will merge forestry, many natural resources park functions and the environmental education program from the museum," Elwert said. "All of this will form the new natural resources division. In addition, the division will provide new functions."

Those new functions include creating and overseeing an outdoor engagement program; outreach to homeowner associations and businesses; parkland stewardship planning; and the pursuit of natural resource related grants.

Engagement, Elwert said, could include programs to encourage outdoor activities, such as the creation of a hiking club for residents.

"If we implement this plan, we will build up our outreach plan," he said. "This outdoor engagement concept is a little newer.

Environmental education isn't the primary focus of it. It's actually reaching out and meeting people 40

City clerk declines new job in Oxford ochester City Clerk Lee Ann O'Connor will remain in her position with the city despite previously accepting the clerk/treasurer job in Oxford Village in late July.

O'Connor, who has been with the city since 2001, told Rochester City Council members on Monday, August 14, she wanted to rescind her resignation with the city and remain in her position as clerk. Council was scheduled that day to accept O'Connor's resignation and discuss how to proceed with filling the job vacancy.

O'Connor said she had the opportunity to spend a few days at Oxford Village and determined that "it's not going to work out." She didn't elaborate further.

Council members unanimously agreed to accept her request to rescind the resignation, noting the quality work O'Connor had done during her years with the city. However, councilwoman Kim Russell said the development also presented an opportunity to look at the clerk's job description and make any necessary tweaks.

"Whenever you have changes, you have an opportunity to make changes to move forward," she said. "We have our history, but we also have an opportunity to move forward."

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where they are comfortable."

The proposed natural resources division and staff changes would be part of the city's 2018 budget process. The total cost of the proposed division and staff changes weren't presented, but Elwert said the changes as presented would be an "upward adjustment" to the 2018 budget.

Elwert said the idea to create a new division stemmed from the fact that many of the comments in the department's review related to the need for increased outreach and engagement with the community.

The plan also reduces the scope of functions in the parks division, allowing that team to focus on operation improvements.

While the division and staff changes will be determined later during the city's budget process, city council voted unanimously to accept the plan as part of that budget discussion. Council also approved the proposed updated mission and vision statements included in the plan.

Under the new vision for the department, the goal is "For every resident in Rochester Hills to have a lasting memory of the community experiences we provide and to have a vibrant understanding of where we came from as a community; to provide an understanding of why the outdoors and our history is a crucial part of the premier place to work, live and raise a family."

Each division within the department reflects that overall vision of the department, as well as the city as a whole.

"In the past, each division of the department had its own mission without an overriding department mission and vision," the plan stated.

"To operate as a team, it is necessary to function under a joint mission and vision. However, it is still important to define what each division does under this mission."

Rochester Hills council sets goals

By Kevin Elliott

Public safety, infrastructure and maintaining the city's tax base are the top three priorities to focus on in 2018 under a list of nine goals and objectives approved by Rochester Hills city council members at their meeting on Monday, July 31.

The list is part of the council's annual strategic planning and policy process used to set the governing body's goals and objectives for the upcoming year. The list is formulated by the council's technical review committee, which includes council members Kevin Brown, Stephanie Morita and Jim Kubicina, along with the city's chief financial officer Joe Snyder.

The list serves as a priority ranking of intended goals and objectives, rather than an absolute policy. Still, council president Mark Tisdel said the list is a guidance plan that departments in the city use in their own planning.

"As we vote on public safety, capital improvements and the appropriation of funds, often what we do follows exactly what our

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council representatives and strategic planning committee have laid out in front of us," he said. "This isn't just an exercise, but an actual plan that is implemented."

Each of the top nine goals includes a list of objectives that fall under the larger goal. For instance, the somewhat generic goal of "public safety" refers to "protecting residents, businesses and visitors of Rochester Hills by providing high quality public safety." However, the list sets out specific objectives to accomplish that goal, such as monitoring the fire department's funding structure; examining levels of police service; and implementing strategies to improve fire and EMS services.

In order to accomplish infrastructure goals â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the second priority on the list â&#x20AC;&#x201C; council's objectives include implementing a comprehensive stormwater policy, including a long term funding strategy; continuing neighborhood stormwater education programs; establishing a cross connection education program; and developing and reviewing a sump pump discharge inspection program.

Economic and tax base objectives for 2018 include the addition of supporting the implementation of the Auburn Road Corridor Redevelopment Plan, with the removal of the broader objective of addressing blighted properties.

Additional economic objectives include attracting and retaining businesses that focus on high tech, research and development.

Fourth in priority, "recreation, parks and cultural" objectives, includes addressing short- and longterm needs of the park system; examining alternate funding sources for the park department; and implementing a maintenance program of acquired green space and natural feature city owned property.

Fiscal management objectives, the fifth priority listed, include continuing a policy of forecasting revenues, expenses and critical factors for the next seven years on a rolling basis and beginning strategic analysis of years beyond, as well as continuing with the city's current process of creating three-year budget plans.

Additional goals, in order of priority, include addressing improving community trust and participation; protecting the familyoriented community from adverse events and conditions by strategic planning and proactive management; providing clear policy direction to the administration to 09.17

Tax increase avoided in proposed budget

By Kevin Elliott

proposed 9.5-percent budget decrease from 2017 to 2018 in the Rochester Hills three-year budget plan presented to city council members on Monday, August 21, means there won't be an increase in tax rates in the city in the upcoming year, a city finance official said.

City council members met with city department heads at a special meeting for about six hours to hash out details of the city's proposed three-year budget for the years 2018 through 2020. The meeting also included proposed budgets from the Rochester Older Persons Commission (OPC) and the Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA).

The city's budget cycle runs from January 1 to December 31 each year.

The current budget was approved last September at about $130.3 million.

City revenues and expenditures for 2018 are expected to be nearly $130 million, a decrease of about 9.5 percent from 2017, said Rochester Hills Chief Financial Officer Joe Snyder.

"We are going to budget conservatively," he said. "Revenues are going to be amounts that we realistically believe we can achieve, and expenditures are amounts that we believe we can live within," he said.

"Basically, this ensures that service levels proposed within the budget are something that we can deliver."

Over the proposed expenditures of $130 million for 2018, about 34 percent consist of public services, such as water and sewer; 18 percent will go to public safety, which includes police and fire; and 15 percent to general government operations. About 13 percent, or $16.9 million, is dedicated to capital outlay projects; and 3 percent ($3.67 million) to parks and recreation.

"Public service, public safety and capital outlay, that represents about 65 percent, or about two-thirds, of expenditures," Snyder said. "I think this really represents our city's commitment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; $84 million â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to public safety and infrastructure management."

Snyder said the budget priorities represent annual goals set by the city council in its strategic plan. Other key components taken into account in constructing the budget include the city's capital improvement plan, a seven-year financial forecast that was presented in June, and the infrastructure and technical review committee.

City revenues for 2018 are largely made up from service charges, which account for $55.8 million of total revenues, or 43 percent. Those service charges include water and sewer fees, building fees and other charges.

City property taxes accounts for $32.6 million in revenues, or about 25 percent, while state shared revenue, investments and other revenues make up the remaining income.

"We are proposing to maintain the same millage rate of 10.4605 (mills) for next year, so no change in the bottom line millage rate for 2018," Snyder said.

The budget highlights two general fund staffing changes, which include the addition of a natural resources division manager in the Parks and Recreation Department, as well as an upgrade of an administrative assistant in the Fiscal/Purchasing Department from a part-time to fulltime position.

In terms of spending, Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett said the budget includes high levels of public safety and infrastructure projects, with four additional full-time firefighter positions proposed, and two additional sheriff's deputies.

"We are proposing fire fighting levels that we never had in the history of the city, in terms of the level of protection, the professionalism level of protection, new equipment and new stations. We are at the best the city has ever seen... we probably have more road investment that you've ever seen," he said. "We have been spending money on those things, but have done that based on the prioritization of the city council."

The proposed budget also includes major road projects, including reconstruction of a portion of Hamlin Road, from Adams to the city limits; Harding Road; and South Boulevard, from Crooks to Adams roads. The budget proposes delaying work on the Auburn Road Corridor until 2019.

Council members expressed some concern about delaying the Auburn Road Corridor project for another year.

"I'm a little disappointed on the progress of the Auburn Road corridor," said councilman Thomas Wiggins. "It was supposed to begin in 2018, now it's pushed to 2019."

Barnett at the end of the meeting requested council give staff more time to come up with a way to move the project along quicker than anticipated.

Council is expected to approve the budget by late September, with additional budget meetings and a public hearing to be scheduled.

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maintain effective governance and efficient use of taxpayer funds; and promoting conservation of water, electricity and other environmentally beneficial actions, including city facilities and the businesses which the city attracts.

While some of the goals on the list have remained constant, others have gradually moved up in priority as the community places added value on them.

"This plan has changed over the years; it's not static. It's really a quality of life thing that people expect from us." Morita said, noting that "recreational, parks and cultural" goals have gradually moved up in priority in recent years.

River, trail area apartments proposed Rochester planning commissioners on Monday, August 7, were open to hearing preliminary plans for a 140-unit apartment complex at Diversion Street, near 1st Street, near the northern shore of the Clinton River and along the Clinton River Trail.

Developer Anthony Randazzo of Auburn Hills-based Trowbridge Homes presented a conceptual site plan to commissioners. While official plans haven't yet been submitted to the city for consideration, Randazzo chose to present commissioners with the conceptual plans in order to get feedback on the proposed project.

"We want to build a first-class project," Randazzo said. "We feel the area lends itself to a multi-story building, as the topography drops down. It would be ideal to have a residential development there, as there isn't anything new there now.

Most of what is there was built in the 1960s and 1970s, and it needs something fresh."

Plans for "Riverside Place" would allow for direct access to the trail and river area, and cater to young professionals and older empty nesters who are nearing retirement.

He said spacious units would lease between $1,500 and $2,200 per month. Further, he said the company would own and manage the units, rather than choosing to resell them or have them managed by another company.

"We believe a multi-story development would do well there," Randazzo said. "It's tastefully designed, and we were attracted to the area by the trail and water."

Randazzo said the development would also require some

environmental remediation of the soil in the proposed project area, which has had industrial uses in the past.

Rochester Economic Development Director Nik Banda said while there are environmental challenges in the area, the project would make an attractive residential area. He said a formal site plan is expected to be submitted to the city in mid-August, which would provide an opportunity for traffic and environmental impact studies.

Rochester Mayor Cathy Daldin, who sits on the planning commission, said she is concerned about the impact such a project would have on the trail area and nearby neighborhood.

"I would also like some input from the (Clinton River) trail commission," she said.

Planning commission chair David Watson also said the commission would be concerned about potential impacts, such as the impact on local roads, stormwater drainage and other concerns. "We are duty bound to look at various ramifications," he said.

City planning consultant Vidya Krishnan said the planning commission would also be looking for a market feasibility study and comprehensive traffic study.

"The planning commission is very conscious that it would be close to the Clinton River Trail," she said.

"That's something to keep in mind when you're designing it because it will come up."

Randazzo said he believes that added population to the area would help to attract new vendors in the area.

"You need (an) attraction commercially, but you need people to do that," he said. "We are lacking, in my view, a first-class project on the west side that has that ability that will not overtax traffic. I believe it can be accomplished."

Rochester to adjust water, sewer rates Just a little more than a month after significant water and sewer rate increases went into effect in Rochester, city council on Monday, August 14, gave initial approval for another adjustment in rates.

Water and sewer rate increases approved in January went into effect on July 1 to water and sewer customers in the city. Those increases are part of a major infrastructure maintenance and

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repair program. However, additional changes to the amount the city pays for water and sewer services spurred more changes, which were approved on August 14.

Rochester City Manager Blaine Wing said the city has historically passed along sewer rate increases from the Oakland County Water Resources Commission, with a sixcent increase being proposed this year, effective September 1. The increase would raise the citywide sewer rate from $3.09 per 100 cubic feet to $3.15 per cubic foot. Those increases amount to an increase of between $6.24 and $9.12 annually for the average customer, he said.

The city's water rates vary depending on whether customers are positioned to receive water service from the Great Lakes Water Authority or the city's well water system.

Under the proposed increases, the customers on the city's well water system would see a three-cent increase, from 86 cents per 100 cubic feet to 89 cents per 100 cubic feet, for a quarterly increase of about $2.07, or $8.28 per year.

Rates for residents receiving water from the Great Lakes Water Authority would decrease slightly, from $5.24 per 100 cubic feet, to $4.84, and an increase in the "ready-to-serve" quarterly rate from $5.112 to $5.30 per meter equivalent unit. The adjustments equate to a savings of about $15.02 per quarter, or about $60.08 annually for the average Great Lakes Water Authority customer.

The rate changes, once finalized, would go into effect on September 1, 2017.

The proposed changes would amend the city's ordinance regarding water and sewer rates. Council approved the first reading of the ordinance with councilman Stuart Bikson voting against the amendment, with councilmen Rob Ray and Jeffrey Cuthbertson absent.

Salon renovation planned in Rochester The building at 130 E. Fourth Street in downtown Rochester will undergo a contemporary facelift as plans for facade modifications for a new Strafigo beauty salon were approved on Monday, August 7, by the city's planning commission.

Architect Roman Bonislawski, of Ron and Roman in Birmingham, said that despite only leasing the location from the building owner, the salon owner intends to invest a significant downtownpublications.com

DTE plans upgrades in Rochester ong anticipated upgrades to DTE Energy's distribution system in the Rochester area are expected to be implemented in 2018, helping to limit the number of power outages in both Rochester and Rochester Hills.

The energy provider will invest more than $1.4 million in the area for several major projects in early 2018, including the rebuilding of miles of distribution lines between Tienken and University roads. The new lines will be designed to withstand heavy tree conditions common in the area.

Oakland County Commissioner Adam Kochenderfer made the announcement in August, following the formation of a study group he spearheaded within the commission to examine power outages in the Rochester area and throughout the county.

"Portions of our community have suffered far more power outages than should be expected," Kochenderfer said. "These improvements should bring some relief to residents once complete. I would like to thank DTE for recognizing the need to replace this aging infrastructure."

The study group, which was chaired by Kochenderfer, was formed about a year ago, but he said the issue goes back to when he was on city council in Rochester Hills.

In neighboring Rochester, council members in August of 2016 met with a representative from DTE Energy, and expressed dismay with the state of the power system there, with some saying the company's promises of the past weren't kept. Rochester City Manager Blaine Wing said the work should help with outages in the northern part of the city.

"This year, we probably had four significant power outages," Wing said. "Anything that is going to increase reliability of the system is a positive."

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amount to update the appearance of the building. The space is currently occupied by Hair Unlimited, but will be reoccupied by incoming salon Strafigo.

The outside remodeling will move the building from an existing white and gray building to shades of bronze. The current bay window will be updated to a tall glass window with bronze trim, and columns along the front porch will be painted with copper and trimmed caps. A concrete planted bed along E. Fourth Street with topiary style evergreens will be installed, as well as new signage with the entire building being repainted and updated.

"The existing building is a nondescript white siding dwelling with no distinct architectural features," city planner Vidya Krishnan said in her assessment to planning commissioners. "The proposed changes creates a visually interesting facade and creates a unique storefront identity for the business which is more contemporary."

Commissioners unanimously approved the plan.

Bonislawski said the style of the facade is contemporary which uses a minimalist approach with the exterior treatment that will help to clean up the existing building and allow the business to show well.

"We are talking about a successful Italian salon keeper who travels to Europe frequently," he said. "He has carved out a successful niche in his market and has a particular atmosphere."

Strafigo founder Rino Marra and co-owner Kristina Marra operate Figo Salon in downtown Birmingham.

They are both master hair stylists, with Rino having more than 17 years of experience. The salon is founded on the idea of promoting continuous education and training to "provide clients with a superior salon experience through the harmonious fusion of superb hair, design, fashion and customer service."

The design work at the building is being done by Ron and Roman, which specializes in interior design and architecture. The firm has established itself as one of the premier designers in the commercial business market, responsible for hundreds of contemporary restaurant designs and other commercial locations.

"I think that area and building needs lots of love," said Rochester Mayor Cathy Daldin, who sits on the planning commission. "It's hard because Rochester is an older community, but I think it's better than what is there. Sometimes you have to try different things in a community."

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Barnett joins other mayors to battle hate Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett has joined with six other mayors in signing on to an agreement dubbed the "Mayor's Compact to Combat Hate, Extremism and Bigotry," as formed by the United States Conference of Mayors and the Anti-Defamation League.

Barnett, who serves on the national mayors council, said the pact came about as a response to the recent demonstrations and violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

"It's not really a partisan issue as much as it is a common sense issue," Barnett said. "We want to make sure that it was on record for wanting to have my voice among those that believe calmer heads will prevail.

There isn't a place for racism and bigotry, at least in Rochester Hills."

Barnett said Rochester Hills passed a resolution about two years ago speaking out against discrimination of all forms. He said while the city isn't a hotbed of protest, it was important to make a statement on the issue.

Other Michigan mayors who signed on to the pact so far include Rosalynn Bliss, of Grand Rapids; Virgil "Virg" Bernero, of Lansing; Steve Gawron, Muskegon; Kenson Siver, Southfield; James Fouts, Warren; and William Wild, Westland.

The pact includes a 10-point plan that rejects extremism, white supremacy and all forms of bigotry, and denounces all acts of hate wherever they occur, while ensuring public safety and protecting freedom of speech.

The pact states that America's mayors have taken a strong position in the support of civil rights for decades, and, that in recent years, cities have undertaken efforts to integrate immigrants into their communities and have adopted a variety of policies to influence fully and treat equitably their LGBT residents.

"Today, however, we are being challenged again," the document states. "Dark forces of extremism and violent bigotry are rearing their ugly heads. We are now seeing efforts in our states and at the highest levels of our government to weaken existing civil rights policies and reduce their enforcement. We have seen an increase in hate violence, xenophobic rhetoric and discriminatory actions that target Muslims, Jews and other minorities. We will not permit them to succeed."

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PLACES TO EAT

Not to b bee explained. exp explained . To be be experienced. exp

B 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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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.

46

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.

09.17

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.

Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner daily; Sunday brunch.

Reservations. Liquor. 39475 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.792.9609.

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.

downtownpublications.com

34977 Woodward, Birmingham, 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.

47

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.

Detroit Music Weekend Gala

Sally Gerak

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1. Bob (left) & Maggie Allesee of Bloomfield and Sandy Duncan of Birmingham. 2. Jim & Patti Prowse of Bloomfield. 3. Mary Fisher Follmer (left) & Gordon Follmer of Hartland, Mary Callaghan Lynch & Patrick Lynch of Bloomfield. 4. Ed Welburn and Jessie Beld Elliott of Bloomfield. 5. Wayne Brown and David DiChiera of Detroit, Nicole James of Berkley and Don Manvel of Birmingham. 6. Sue Ellen Eisenberg and Nasser Beydoun of Bloomfield.

Preservation Bloomfield at BOH

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Preservation Bloomfield at BOH Kentucky Derby watching parties are common, but not so for the Belmont Stakes, unless a Triple Crown is riding on the outcome. However, Preservation Bloomfield and Bloomfield Open Hunt capitalized on the 149the running of the historic race to put the spotlight on local history – the hunt club’s centennial and PB’s restoration projects (1840 Barton farmhouse and Craig log cabin). More than 150 BOH and PB members ($100 ticket) convened at BOH for An Evening at the Belmont Stakes. With many of the ladies wearing fancy hats, conversation, wagering on the race and a silent auction coordinated by Contessa and Rosemary Bannon supplied diversion before the race, which had an exciting finish. Club president Dean Groulx emceed the dinner program that featured Suzanne Lewand’s and John Marshall’s fascinating shared histories of both organizations.

After dinner Michigan Opera Theatre singers did a medley of Triple Crown race songs. County commissioner Shelley Taub conveyed an official resolution and everybody joined in for a rousing reprise of “New York New York” – a fun conclusion to a fun evening. It raised about $22,000 for the renovation of vintage stalls, a house and a cabin.

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1. Dean Groulx, Cynthia von Oeyen and Michael Dul of Bloomfield. 2. Wendy Groulx (left) of Bloomfield and Suzanne Lewand of Royal Oak. 3. Julie Marshall Garcia (left), Sue Nine and John Marshall of Bloomfield. 4. Judy Kelliher (left) and Patti Jessup of Bloomfield. 5. Cheryl Hall Lindsay (left) of W. Bloomfield, Don & Cheri Bailey of Bloomfield.

6. Contessa Bannon of Beverly Hills, Chris Wilson of Rochester Hills. 7. John (left) & Annette Kolon and Tom Varbedian of Bloomfield.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra Heroes Gala The seventh annual DSO Heroes Gala attracted 300 ($1,000 & up tickets) to the Max & Marjorie Fisher Music Center for a reception, concert, dinner and afterglow. They were joined by 900 more guests for the concert that began dramatically with fanfare by the Detroit Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble, which 2017 Heroes Bill and Madge Berman funded. The festivities were webcast so Madge could watch from her home in Florida. They included a video tribute to the late Bill Berman and remarks by

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Detroit Music Weekend Gala The inaugural Detroit Music Weekend began Friday night at the Detroit Opera House where 200 music lovers gathered for the Gala ($750 & $1,000 tickets). They savored cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres in the lobby, pausing for brief welcoming remarks delivered from the top of the grand staircase by founding director, Music Hall’s Vince Paul. A soaring operatic selection sung by soprano Nicole James signaled it was time for dinner, which was served at dramatically decorated tables set on the stage.

There were interruptions to thank sponsors, board members and event coordinator Laura Raisch, and to salute Michigan Opera Theatre founder David DiChiera. His pancreatic cancer diagnosis has dictated his retirement but has not affected his good humor nor his bearing. Following dinner, the guests, led by gospel singers, promenaded from the Detroit Opera House (recently tagged the David DiChiera Center for the Performing Arts) along Aretha Franklin Way (the newly renamed stretch of Madison Avenue) to the historic Music Hall for the Tribute Concert to Aretha Franklin. The short trek passed the four stages where thousands of fans would attend weekend concerts, including a free Aretha Franklin Saturday show and 300 performers in 40 other acts comprising all music genres. Many danced the night away at the after party on the Music Hall roof, aka 3Fifty Terrace. Thanks to Lear, Ford and other generous sponsors the weekend netted $200,000 for the non-profit performing arts center and launched a new Detroit festival whose time had come.

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09.17

Penny Blumenstein, whose DSO gift enables Detroit students to purchase Educational Concert Series tickets for only $1, and Jon and Ann Berman, who accepted the Heroes Award for their parents. The formal gala dinner décor echoed the concert’s penultimate selection, “Rhapsody in Blue,” played by pianist Jon Kimura Parker. The elegant evening raised more than $1.1 million.

South Oakland Shelters Rent Party Bloomfield native Paddy Lynch hosted South Oakland Shelter’s second annual Rent Party for nearly 300 SOS supporters ($100 ticket) in his restored, 10,000-square-foot manse in Detroit’s Arden Park-East Boston Edison Historic District. Benefactors and sponsors arrived early for a tour of two neighboring homes, as well as Lynch’s, once home to Stanley Kresge.

The party theme was based on a 1920s solution for raising landlord money by passing the hat at a party where jazz was center stage. The party continued well after dark with vintage house lamps creating a jazz atmosphere. The lively event raised more than $50,000 to help SOS, which last year served more than 600 homeless individuals in Oakland County.

The Garden Party Syd Ross’s decision to order air conditioning for the ninth annual Garden Party in Meadow Brook Hall’s festival tent was a good call. Windows in the sides of the tent permitted views of the golf course, the classic car display and the hall, but the nearly 600 guests ($150 ticket) could socialize, sip and sup in comfort on the blistering hot June afternoon.

They sampled fare at the 22 wine tables stocked with 90 different fine wine selections and 25 restaurant stations offering such delicious comestibles as shrimp ceviche, beef tartar and Red Coat Tavern’s signature burgers. The very pleasant, champagne-splashed Sunday afternoon is presented by The Garden Party Foundation which was initiated and is maintained by Syd and Elizabeth Ross and the J. Lewis Cooper family.

It provides underprivileged young adults with trade school scholarships to train for available jobs. This year the event raised more than $150,000 for Oakland Community College scholarships.

Sunset at the Zoo Sunset at the Zoo began decades ago as an after hours thank you to downtownpublications.com

The Garden Party

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1. Elizabeth & Syd Ross of Bloomfield. 2. Don Manvel (left) of Birmingham and Vivian Pickard of Bloomfield, Steve Miller of Birmingham, Renee Godin & Scott Ferguson of Farmington Hills. 3. Karen & John Wilson of Bloomfield. 4. Cole Wiand and Lisa Bouchard of Birmingham. 5. Jackie & Dave Ong of Bloomfield. 6. James Pyne (left) and Olivia Millerschin of Rochester, Bryan Reilly of Ferndale, Bob Mervak of Southfield.

Sunset at the Zoo

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5 1. Joe Campanelli of Bloomfield and Karen Cullen of Grosse Pointe.

2. Cathy & Jim Rosenthal, David Fischer and Bonnie Larson of Bloomfield.

3. Peggy & Dr. Mark Saffer of Bloomfield. 4. Ken (left) & Marilyn Way and Andi & Larry Wolfe of Bloomfield. 5. Susan Luch (left) and Tom Guastello of Birmingham, Cynthia Ford of Grosse Pointe. 6. Joel Tauber (left) of W. Bloomfield, Ron Kagan of Royal Oak, Bobbi & Stephen Polk of Bloomfield. – Photos by Jennie Miller.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Franklin Garden Club

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1. Inga Bricio (left) and Cindy Chelovich of Bloomfield. 2. Ann Huston (left) of Bingham Farms and Jane Davis of Beverly Hills. 3. Cynthia Amann (left) of Bloomfield and Margaret Bancrof of Franklin. 4. Pat Hamburg (left) and Rose Marie Battey of Bloomfield. 5. Shelley Farkas (left) and Ann Baldin of Bloomfield, Terry Stacy of W. Bloomfield. 6. Ingrid Simich (left) of Birmingham, Toni Grinnan of Beverly Hills. 7. Betty Bright (left) and Susan Chambers of Bloomfield.

Lighthouse of Oakland County

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1. Pamela & Mike Bouchard of Birmingham. 2. Tom (left) & Laurie Cunnington of Birmingham, Pamela and Mike McCarthy of Bloomfield. 3. Rick David (center) of Pontiac, Sue Nine (left)and Maggie Allesee of Bloomfield. 4. Laura & Harvey Light of Rochester Hills. 5. Dana Sorensen of Ferndale, Charles Wickins of Birmingham. 6. Becky Sorensen (left) of Bloomfield, Jennifer Hughes of Farmington Hills. 7. Sam & Katie Valenti of Bloomfield.

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Detroit Zoological Society members.

Karen Cullen and Joseph Campanelli chaired the 2017 version which celebrated DZS sustainability initiatives with the theme “Green is the New Black.” It kicked off with the Benefactor Bash for 62 ($750 ticket) hosted, in absentia, by Doreen Hermelin at her art-accented Bingham Farms home. The evening featured cocktails, comestibles, remarks by DZS CEO/Executive Director Ron Kagan, and souvenirs – a plush green tree frog and Earthshaped/decorated cookies. A month later, the main event attracted more than 2,000 ($150, $175, $300-patron, $750-benefactor) to the zoo. Four hundred patrons and benefactors came early for the VIP reception and entertainment by Detroit Flyhouse performers. Then the 50-plus food and beverage providers opened their stands offering everything from vegan meatballs (IKEA) to beef tenderloin sliders (Steve & Rocky’s). A silent auction ($36,000) and the Sunset Keys “raffle” ($23,000) provided diversions before Steven Gross conducted the live auction. The bid total of $73,000 included $23,750 in dedicated giving pledges for educational zoo opportunities for disadvantaged children. The Jerry Ross Band and Tom Butwin filled the air with music.

The 2017 Sunset netted $575,000, more than any of its predecessors.

Franklin Garden Club The 70 intrepid members of the Franklin Garden Club sold 750 tickets ($15) to the 32nd annual Franklin Garden Walk last month. Chaired by Cynthia Amann and Margaret Bancroft, the event featured an artisan market as well as seven very distinctive gardens, including photographer Linda Solomon’s, in which the deer are welcome to devour the hostas that share space on the six acres with art galleries and a swimming pool. The other gracious and talented garden owners included Lynn Ferris, Barry Peltz, Carol Hill, Kimberly Peterson, Laurie Fishgrund and Susan Silk.

Two days after the walk, Cindy Chelovich hosted the club’s wrap-up luncheon at her Bloomfield Hills home. It boasts, among other plantings, some delightful fairy gardens. The inviting terrace served as the al fresco dining/meeting space where club co-presidents Ann Huston and Jane Davis entertained committee reports. The walk generated nearly $9,000 for the club’s horticultural, educational and environmental causes.

New members would be welcomed with open arms.

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Lighthouse of Oakland County This patriotic-themed charity event gets people in the spirit for Independence Day the week following. It attracted 150 supporters ($150 & up tickets) to Oakland Hills Country Club, where cocktail hour diversions included silent auction bidding ($5,780) and socializing on the veranda. Sherry Margolis emceed the post dinner program which had highlights. Lighthouse chief Rick David reminded people that for him, the “E” in CEO stands for “enthusiasm,” and he recognized the generous major gift of longtime Lighthouse volunteers – Jerry and Paul Ilg. Honoree Marie Osborn described the rewards her family of five have reaped by serving Thanksgiving dinners at Lighthouse for 24 years. Honoree Sheriff Mike Bouchard downplayed the litany of his accomplishments by crediting his great team. Former Lighthouse PATH client Jennifer Hughes praised the lifetime of financial literacy she learned at Lighthouse. Charles Wickins got folks to bid $11,000 for seven live auction items and to pledge $10,000 for financial literacy programs. The annual fundraiser added $80,000 to the coffers of the agency dedicated to moving people from crisis to independence.

Parade Company Ford Fireworks Party More than 2,000 people ($275, $125-children under7) flocked to the Center Garage Rooftop for the Parade Company benefit party. Both the benefit and the fireworks are presented

by Ford and many other civic-minded sponsors. The rooftop offers the best view of the fireworks show and the four hours between the party start and the show start was jam packed with activities for all ages. Diversions included a boxing ring, free throw contests, air hockey and virtual car and bike races. Culinary choices included Andiamo cuisine, pizza, ice cream and cotton candy. Live entertainment included shows by Your Generation In Concert and duets by such talents as Rochester Hills’ Olivia Millerschin with Trey Simon. Just before the fireworks started, Thornetta Davis sang stirring renditions of “Oh Canada” and “The Star Spangled Banner.” And from the first recorded song (“We Built This Town on Rock and Roll”) to the last (Right Now”), the 59th annual fireworks were spectacular. The only disappointment was that the light rain broke up the first U.S. demonstration of the much ballyhooed pyrotechnics spelled out “Ford” and “Detroit”. downtownpublications.com

Parade Company Ford Fireworks Party

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1. Patrick Fenton of Birmingham.

2. Amy & Dan Loepp of Birmingham.

3. Doug (left), William & Cindy Monroe of Bloomfield. 4. Clarice & Tony Michaels of Rochester. 5. Rod & Tammi Alberts of Bloomfield. 6. Barbara & George Sponseller of Bloomfield.

7. Janet (left) & Bruce Babiarz of Bloomfield, Alice Pfahlert of St. Clair Shores.

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Cabaret 313 Sponsor Soiree

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1. Melissa & Larry Lax and Allan & Joy Nachman of Bloomfield. 2. Sandi Reitelman (center) of Birmingham, Noah Eisenberg (left) of Bloomfield and Alexandra Silber of NYC. 3. Stephen and Frances Eisenberg of Bloomfield.

4. Carol Segal Ziecik (left) of Bloomfield, Gerry Padilla & Linda Orlans of Birmingham. 5. Bluma Schechter (left) of Bloomfield, Liz Bank of W. Bloomfield, Michael Dansicker of NYC. 6. Nicole Eisenberg (left) and Lauren Fisher of Bloomfield. 7. Mert Segal (left) and Angela & Hardo Barths of Bloomfield. 8. Larry Lax (left) and Elaine & Harvey Minkin of Bloomfield.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Meadow Brook Theatre Concert & Cuisine

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Cabaret 313 Sponsor Soiree Nearly 90 sustaining sponsors of Cabaret 313 gathered at the home of Melissa and Larry Lax to celebrate the completion of the non-profit’s fourth season of presenting worldclass professional cabaret in Detroit.

After cocktails and conversation on the terrace, they assembled in the living room for remarks of gratitude from co-founders Allan Nachman and Sandi Reitelman and a delightful sample of cabaret – songs and stories in an intimate space. It starred Noah Eisenberg and Alexandra Silber.

Eisenberg, who sang “All the Things You Are”, is headed to his first year in the musical theater department at the University of Michigan School of Music. Silber used her beautiful soprano voice to perform Broadway gems plus a selection from “Fiddler on the Roof” that was dropped from the show after it headed to Broadway from Detroit’s Fisher Theatre in 1964.

She got a rousing standing ovation for “Good Night My Someone.” She also whetted appetites for her return engagement in Cabaret 313’s fifth season (March 24, 2018). It kicks off September 23 with Carmen Cusack at The Players Club Playhouse.

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1. Colleen Brnabic (left) of Rochester and Maryann Foxlee of Sterling Hgts. 2. Ann Barnes (left) of Rochester Hills, Patti Finnegan-Sharf of Bloomfield. 3. Maggie (left) & Bob Allesee of Bloomfield, Andrea Walker-Leidy of Rochester. 4. Catherine Nelson (left) of Birmingham, Delmarie & Tom LaGrasso of Rochester. 5. Chris (left) & Randy Barnett of Bloomfield, Lori Barnett of Oregon, Tom & Denise Gray of Rochester. 6. Nancy & Gary Greve of Oakland. 7. Bob Kotz (left) of Grosse Pointe, Peter deSteiger of Rochester Hills. 8. Dave Lancaster of Troy, Deb Bryan of Rochester.

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Meadow Brook Theatre Concert & Cuisine More than 350 ($85 - $125 tickets) convened at Oakland University for the annual summer fundraiser for MBT - “Michigan’s answer to Broadway.” Before the food stations opened, folks lollygagged outside sipping beer and wine from the Rochester Tap Room and bid $9,000 for the silent auction items Colleen Brnabic and Maryann Foxlee had set up in the hallway. Generous local restaurants served savory fare for dining on the stroll before the theatre doors opened. Artistic director Travis Walter conducted a live auction with his trademark good humor. He got $500 from two bidders for two Dickens packages. Then The Grass Roots took the stage. They interspersed their classic rock with quips about AM radios and eight-tracks and esteem for Vietnam vets. The post-concert scene was high-energy fun as the band signed autographs in the OU Art Gallery for fans lined up out the door with CDs and programs. The fourth annual fundraiser for the non-profit professional theatre raised more than $25,000. Next on the MBT schedule is the Sept. 6 - 24 world premiere of “Johnny Manhattan,” a new musical set in 1950s New York City. It launches the 2017-2018 season of eight productions plus six children’s productions.

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Angels Place Golf & Tennis Classic As event pioneer/honorary chair Duke Scrafano noted when he welcomed the 200 guests gathered for dinner at Pine Lake Country Club, Mother Nature provided perfect weather for the 25th annual classic.

Both the morning (88) and afternoon (100) golfers and the 30 tennis players had the same exceptional experience.

Players included Gus Stefanek and Len Trotta, who have played in all of the 25 events. Before dinner people had socialized, bid in the silent auction ($5,565) and bought raffle tickets ($31,075). After the winners were announced executive director Cheryl Loveday thanked all on behalf of the residents and the 300 people on the waiting list. A video that starred some of the developmentally disabled residents of the 20 AP homes concluded with their good natured slogan - “All for one and one for all.” The event raised nearly $210,000.

DSO Volunteer Council Musical Feast The last Musical Feast of the 30th season was a treat for the whole person, hosted as it was by Joy and Allan Nachman in their art-filled Irving Tobocman home overlooking Sodon Lake. After DSO concertmaster Yoonshin Song and Alex Sakarellos played several lilting selections, Allan declared, “Our home has never sounded so good.” Sherri Walts’ Italian accented cuisine rounded out a perfect Sunday evening. Although the event was the last Musical Feast under the auspices of the recentlydissolved Volunteer Council, the series of popular events will continue under the direction of the new DSO Ambassador Corps.

Yatooma Foundation Kids Golf Teamsters president James P. Hoffa chaired the foundation golf tournament that attracted 132 supporters to Wyndgate Country Club earlier in the summer. Both Hoffa and foundation founder Norman Yatooma spoke briefly during the post golf program about how the foundation works to fill the void left by the death of a parent before they also saluted the day’s winners. The second of the two-part fundraiser, the Rock Star Gala, is Friday, Sept. 15 at the Royal Park Hotel. It will honor Clare and Dan Murphy as Champions for the Kids for their generous involvement in the foundation’s mission 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

Angels Place Golf & Tennis Classic

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1. Duke Scrafano (center) of Birmingham, Frank Jonna (left) and Chuck Ciuni of Bloomfield. 2. Bob Sparks (left) of Troy and Dale Prentice of Birmingham. 3. Paul Lopez (left) of Chicago,IL, Peter Lopez of Bloomfield, Ray Lopez of Birmingham. 4. Nora (standing) & Schuyler Hamill, Bob Pulte (seated left), Bob Reason and Mike Dietz of Bloomfield. 5. Lynn Gates (left) and John & Meg Alli of Bloomfield. 6. Dan Corby (left) of Plymouth and Doug North of Bloomfield, Ed Brown of Northfield.

DSO Volunteer Council Musical Feast

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1. Alex Sakarellos and Yoonshin Song of Birmingham. 2. Larry Bluth (left), Gail Burstein and Joy Nachman of Bloomfield. 3. Allan Nachman (leff) of Bloomfield, Anne Parsons & Don Dietz of Detroit. 4. Kim Minasian Hawes (left) and Emma Minasian of Bloomfield, Jean Colby of Birmingham. 5. Esther Lyons (left) of Detroit, Sandra Moers of Bloomfield. 6. Sandie Knollenberg (left) of Bloomfield, David & Elizabeth Kessler of Beverly Hills. 7. Carolyn Rands (left) of Birmingham, Marlene Bihlmeyer and Sherri Walts of Bloomfield.

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ENDNOTE

Abused women and today’s court system t’s hard to know what goes on behind the closed doors of our neighbors’ homes, or what makes a marriage tick. But we can all agree that violence and abuse, both physical and emotional, against a partner, or between partners, is never acceptable. Experts assert that it contributes to feelings of helplessness, powerlessness, and low self-esteem.

Individuals, who more often are the female partner in a relationship, over time come to believe they are unable to leave, and feel they are trapped in a nightmarish situation until sometimes they snap, and may either kill their partner in self-defense, or because they feel they have no other out.

If life has come to the point where it’s kill or be killed, it’s a tale of desperation.

According to the Michigan Women’s Justice and Clemency Project at University of Michigan, in the U.S., police encounter more cases of domestic violence each year than all other forms of violence combined, with approximately 85 percent of victims of partner violence being the female. Each year, at least 1,200 women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends – fully one-third of all female murder victims in the United States – while less than four percent of all male murder victims are killed by a female partner.

Two former Oakland County women, Karen Kantzler and Nancy Seaman, are currently imprisoned in the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Ypslanti, along with 2,300 other women. Kantzler and Seaman each received life sentences for killing their husbands after years of physical and emotional

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abuse. Kantzler killed her husband Paul, a radiologist at Henry Ford Hospital in 1987, in what she described as an accidental shooting as she wrestled a gun away from him as he was going to shoot her. Seaman killed her estranged husband Bob in 2004, as she too feared for her life, beating him numerous times over the head with a hatchet as she ran from him after he cut her with a knife.

In Kantzler’s case, the presiding judge, former Oakland Circuit Court Judge Norman Lippitt, now in private practice, acknowledges he knew little about spousal abuse in 1988, and found her guilty of second degree murder. He said he sentenced her to life in prison, believing then that she would be free in 10 years. Sadly, 30 years on, Kantzler, who speaks in almost a whisper and bears permanent scars from years of domestic abuse, still sits in prison despite four appearances before the Michigan Parole Board. And that enrages Lippitt and Judge Barry Howard, the judge who had tried to reduce her term to time served. Lippitt spoke to the parole board at her 2015 hearing, and Howard, who sent a letter, stating they do not believe she should be in prison, that justice is not being served, and she is not a threat to society.

The parole board, whose members are appointees of the director of the Michigan Department of Corrections, are primarily former corrections and law enforcement officers or former prosecutors. They seem to lack appreciation for what the sentencing judge in the case intended, or understanding of a battered woman with no prior incidents, perfect

prison records, and little likelihood of returning to jail.

In Seaman’s case, Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Jack McDonald ended up throwing out the jury’s first degree murder decision eight months after her trial because her counsel followed Michigan precedence, where an expert witness can introduce a fact but not connect the defendant to it, forcing the jury to make the connection – or in Seaman’s case, not. He reduced the sentence to second degree murder, but was overturned at the appeals court; it was upheld again in federal court by Judge Bernard Friedman, but the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned it again, stating “Battered spouse syndrome is not itself a defense under Michigan law.”

The expert witness, Dr. Lenore Walker of Florida, is a forensic psychologist who specializes in gender violence, and developed the concept of battered woman syndrome in 1979. She testified at Seaman’s first trial, explaining what a battered woman was – but was prevented from stating that Seaman was a battered woman. Most states do not prevent experts from connecting the dots, and we believe that is an injustice that must be righted.

The Michigan Women’s Justice and Clemency Project has rightly taken up both Kantzler and Seaman’s cases, working to attain clemency for both women. While there is still a chance that Kantzler could be paroled, Seaman is not eligible. We hope Gov. Rick Snyder hears the clarion call for clemency for these women, and does the right thing.

The right stuff in city of Rochester Hills he development boom taking place in Rochester Hills could be considered a welcomed challenge for the municipality, as the community has been well served by its city council, department heads and an administration that has tempered potential growing pains with proactive planning.

As noted in April in the Rochester Hills State of the City address, the city has seen a 61-percent increase in new housing, increased property values and an all-time high in business occupancies. Simultaneously, the city has been recognized as the safest city in the state, according to FBI crime data. More recently, building permits for the first six months of 2017 are up 73 percent over the first six months of 2016.

While unprecedented growth in the city is undoubtedly a factor in the city's ability to provide high levels of service, it's not the only one. Despite the growth, the city's overall taxable value is still below its peak of $3.75 billion that it enjoyed in

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2008. And while the city's proposed budget of nearly $330 million for 2018 is almost 10 percent below its 2017 budget, department heads recommended increasing both fire department and sheriff's office personnel in the city.

How can they do that? A large factor contributing to the city’s success has been the collaborative and proactive planning by the city council. City council's annual strategic planning and policy process allows priorities to be set each year, guiding policy and giving department heads direction.

We should also note that Rochester Hills was the first city in the state, that we are aware of, to use a three-year budget process. That process, modeled in part on Oakland County's budget process, uses a forward-focused budget to plan for issues before they occur. Council members should also be praised for consistently showing up prepared and knowledgeable about the issues at hand.

Also worth mentioning is the level of professionalism and preparation displayed by department heads. Whether working collaboratively with staff, council or the public, they demonstrate the culture of preparation and participation everyday.

The proactive steps taken by the city help ensure the city is ready for the increased development in the city, while still maintaining the character of the community that drew in new development and is retaining longstanding residents. For instance, a current push by council to spur the city's efforts to improve the Auburn Road corridor will benefit existing businesses and residents, as well as attract new ones, and separate businesses in an area of the city from vibrant neighborhoods.

While there is no ‘one size fits all’ style for government operations on the local level, we applaud Rochester Hills as a working model. We look for it to continue growing and thriving.

Lynn Baker, Associate Broker Deby Gannes, REALTOR® 248.379.3000 lbaker@hallandhunter.com

248.379.3003 dgannes@hallandhunter.com NEW PRICE

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP 4675 Goodison Place | $769,900 Updated & upgraded home in Goodison Place sub (close to Paint Creek) with walking trails & sidewalks. Gourmet kitchen & spacious master suite. Finished walkout LL. 6,717 Total SF | 4 BR | 4.2 Baths | MLS# 217005546

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP 2820 Plum Creek Drive | $739,900

Custom-built home maintained to perfection with the One-of-a-kind, custom raised ranch on 4.79 wooded finest custom details & craftsmanship. Finished daylight acres. Master with updated bath. Incredible lower LL. Fabulous yard with small pond & built-in gas grill. level with 3 BR & 2 baths. In-ground pool & hot tub.

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Gorgeous manor home with 270° views of Westwynd golf Private cul-de-sac setting with incredible treed yard & One of the last parcels (10.61 acres) on the Billion Dollar course from patios and decks with custom-built pergolas. perennial gardens, featured on Rochester Garden Walk. Mile! Enjoy stocked spring-fed pond (1.7 acres), naturally Expansive chef’s kitchen. 1st floor master & walkout LL. flowing artesian well, walking trails & rolling terrain.

Oversized kitchen. Beautifully finished walkout LL. 6,595 Total SF | 4 BR | 3.3 Baths | MLS# 217073418

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“Up north” feeling on rare 10-acre lot with spring-fed pond minutes from downtown Rochester. Amazing interior & out-of-this-world walkout LL with indoor pool.

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Lynn and Deby - Hall & Hunter Realtors

Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI 48009