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DDA FUNDING $117 MILLION IN TAXES CAPTURED IN DECADE BY COMMUNITIES IN OAKLAND COUNTY GLYPHOSATE: GROWING DEBATE ON CHEMICAL STILL IN USE DIA TRANSPARENCY: SHINING A LIGHT ON ART NON-PROFIT ENDNOTE: DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER/ROCHESTER HILLS ECRWSS Postal Customer EDDM PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ROYAL OAK, MI 48068 PERMIT #792
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DOWNTOWN11.15
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Use of weed control chemical faces growing concern Concerns are increasing, nationally and world-wide, about the use of the weed control chemical glyphosate, which some communities and school districts still use in Oakland County.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
8
Publisher David Hohendorf notes the publishing group's latest expansion effort and gives an inside look at some of the past long-form journalism features Downtown has presented that makes the publication different than others in the market.
CRIME LOCATOR
14 Capturing Oakland taxes Downtown development authorities in Oakland County have captured over $171 million in taxes in the last decade from local governments, the county, school districts and parks authorities.
11
A recap of select categories of crime occurring in the past month in Rochester and Rochester Hills, presented in map format.
MUNICIPAL
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Fire station renovation projects approved; Blaine Wing takes over as city manager; water and sewer rates expected to rise; condo project recommended; cities approve police liaison for schools; plus more.
AT THE TABLE
63 31 Shining light on DIA Some officials are questioning whether the non-profit group managing the Detroit Institute of Art should be subject to state laws on transparency.
One would think J. March had died and gone to heaven after a visit to Marais in Grosse Pointe where Garrett Lipar, formerly of Torino, has take over the kitchen.
THE COVER The iconic Yates Cider Mill, 1990 E. Avon Road in Rochester Hills, which has been producing apple cider since 1876. Downtown photo: Laurie Tennent.
ENDNOTE
74
Our mission for the new Rochester/Rochester Hills edition of Downtown and our thoughts on the move to legislate more transparency for those in charge of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
FACES 12 Tony Michaels 21 Andy Appleby 46 Megan D'Arcy 55 Jessica Hall 65 Dr. Jay Mitchell
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DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER • ROCHESTER HILLS PUBLISHER David Hohendorf NEWS EDITOR Lisa Brody NEWS STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Allison Batdorff | Rachel Bechard | Hillary Brody Katie Deska | Kevin Elliott | Sally Gerak | Austen Hohendorf J. March | Kathleen Meisner | Bill Seklar 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. Opinions can be sent via e-mail to news@downtownpublications.com or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 W. Maple Road, Birmingham MI 48009. If you are using the mail option, you must include a phone number for verification purposes. WEBSITE downtownpublications.com
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FROM THE PUBLISHER y father, a senior production engineer with the General Motors company many decades ago, had two pieces of advice as I was thinking of heading off to college (too many years ago to mention here) when I told him I might seek out a career in journalism: you will work untold hours and you won't make much money.
M
Of course, my mother understood the drive that motivated me as she dutifully drove me each month from Sterling Heights, then an undeveloped migrant-farm community, to the thenPontiac Press to turn in my high school correspondent column to editors there. It was in my DNA, so to speak. Now I have come full circle in life where my storytelling inclination allows me, and a dedicated staff of writers/reporters, to bring our newsmagazine to over 75,000 homes in Oakland County with the addition this month of a new edition of Downtown for Rochester and Rochester Hills. My dad was correct. Untold hours. Not great money. But there are trade-offs, such as the opportunity to educate the public and hopefully allow them to shape the public agenda. Priceless. And because of the type of journalism we pursue at Downtown Publications, there is also the pride of bringing a different type of local news to residents here. Our focus is what we call hyperlocal and we understand best what makes the local municipalities click because we are students of government. Yet our definition also includes looking at more substantial issues that impact our local area, something readers don't get from the other publications in the market. Our news organization is a rare breed in that we invest the staff, time and resources in what we refer to as long-form journalism, an opportunity to tell a longer than normal story that attempts to present a broader and more detailed take on issues we judge to be critical for our readership. One of the so-called 'perks' that are naturally part of the job as a newsperson is also knowing that, as a monthly newsmagazine, we often bring the major stories to our readers first. So we have our prideful moments, if you will, at Downtown Publications when one of the Detroit daily newspapers or a television station starts to cover a topic that we carried in our monthly publication months, and even sometimes a year or more, before anyone else recognized the importance of an issue. Take for instance the recent reports in one of the Detroit newspapers about the Michigan House finally starting to address
legislation banning the use of plastic microbeads in personal care products like toothpaste, facial cleaners and shampoos. It's a story that Downtown Publications devoted considerable space to in February of 2014 because we recognized the trend developing across the country. We applied this same logic in May of this year as Canadian officials were nearing a decision on allowing lower level nuclear waste material to be stored underground within a stone's throw of the shoreline of Lake Huron, once again part of the chain of water resources we rely on in southeast Michigan for our drinking water. In recent years we have tackled such topics as dangerous cargo being carried by trains through local communities; dating violence among teenagers; the gangs of Oakland County; and the rise of heroin use in the suburbs. More recently, we have focused on the racial and gender make-up of local police departments, tax free properties in Oakland County, and the cost of taxpayerfinanced mailings by state lawmakers. We take the time, in each case, to identify and seek out the experts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; locally, in the halls of government in Lansing, the degreed experts at the universities in Michigan, various departmental offices in Washington D.C. and elsewhere in the country to talk directly to those who have a command of the information and data on a topic. We do the legwork, on behalf of our readers, to get the myriad of questions answered on issues of importance. And in each case, we bring our storytelling to our readers long before anyone else in this and other markets has even recognized the issue is a developing concern. It is one of the reasons that our monthly newsmagazine is read, literally, cover to cover, and in many cases kept beyond its monthly shelf life. Long hours. Not great money. But a real satisfaction that we are performing a service for the public that no one else provides. Welcome, Rochester and Rochester Hills residents, to Downtown Publications. David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com
P.S. Visit our website (downtownpublications.com) for weekly updates on local news and sign up on the home page for e-mail notices when we update the site or post breaking news.
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CRIME LOCATOR
Map key
NORTH
Sexual assault
Robbery
Larceny from vehicle
Drug offenses
Assault
Breaking/entering
Vehicle theft
Arson
Murder
Larceny
Vandalism
These are the crimes reported under select categories by police officials in Rochester and Rochester Hills through October 27, 2015. Placement of codes is approximate.
FACES Tony Michaels hanksgiving starts early for Tony Michaels of Rochester Hills, president and CEO of Detroit’s non-profit The Parade Company, which organizes America’s Thanksgiving Parade and Turkey Trot race. “I make the rounds starting at 4:30 in the morning to all the various areas. I check on everything, then I’m in the TV zone,” said Michaels, a lifelong parade attendee and resident of Rochester Hills. “This event and this brand represent everything that’s great about Detroit tradition. It’s truly one of the largest events in the midwest. One million people line Woodward, and we have an enormous TV audience.” While Michaels was working hard as CEO of Elias Brothers/Big Boy Restaurants International, headquartered in Warren, he was also on the board of the Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation. “I was named in '98 to deal with the impending bankruptcy because the company was having financial issues. I had to find a buyer and keep the brand alive,” said Michaels, who successfully ran Big Boy until 2008. The following year he took the reins at The Parade Company, a non-profit, which hosts the Hob Nobble Gobble, a black tie fundraiser for The Parade Company, and the city’s fireworks. With increased revenue and many more sponsors, Michaels said, “We have five new (floats) this year, and next year we’ll have eight new floats. Most of our floats are three-year contracts. I have to tell you, I love them all.” Every year, as the famous Big Heads Corps wander down Woodward Avenue, and school bands perform their finest numbers alongside dance squads, people cheer and wave their mittens in the sharp November air. Up in the broadcast booth, Michaels watches for his wife, one of 175 Distinguished Clowns. “Look for the Raggedy Ann clown that morning, and that’s my wife, Clarice,” said Michaels. Distinguished Clowns pay $1,000 to participate, Michaels said. “Many are from Rochester Hills. A bunch of my buddies do it. All the clowns march together and pass out beads to the kids along the way. There’s so many touching moments.” The holiday brings together Michaels’ kids, too, all Stoney Creek High School graduates. His son, in Chicago, and daughters, in Minnesota and Royal Oak, head downtown for the big day. “Once it’s over, and I take a deep breath,” Michaels said, “then I head to my sister's, and it’s Thanksgiving dinner with everybody.” On the side, Michaels runs the Michaels Group, which handles media relations, marketing and advertising for clients. He’s the executive director of the Woodward Dream Cruise, and has a small team that helps participating cities with management of the event. “We don’t put the event on, we help with sponsorship and other issues, like ways to promote. We’re the brand keepers of the Woodward Dream Cruise,” he explained. “I always tell younger people, go all in. Find something, a type of business, whatever you do, go all in, and when you think you’re all in,” said Michaels, “stop and think about it, you could probably go a little further. You can make a difference for people and for the company. You have a responsibility to the people you work with, and people you work for. Going all in is the right way to handle your professional career.”
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Story: Katie Deska
Photo: Keith Tolman
BY KEVIN ELLIOTT
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ore than $171 million in taxes intended for local schools, community colleges, parks, libraries, local governments and other millages were diverted through tax increment financing (TIF) from 2004 to 2014 to two dozen downtown development authorities (DDA) in Oakland County. Yet, when it comes to knowing what a DDA or TIF is and how they work, the majority of taxpayers are simply left in the dark. "What we hear from the residents is, 'you're taking our money,' said Clawson DDA director Joan Horton. "What some don't understand is that with a TIF, we are keeping that money in the community that would be going off to the county and spread out to other taxing authorities. That is something that benefits the community as a whole. "They truly don't understand the amount of funds that would leave if we didn't have a DDA. About 60 percent of our funding is from TIF, and that is money that would leave if we didn't have it." Granted with the ability to collect taxes and other sources of revenue, a downtown development authority is a taxing entity intended to help support a community's downtown area by diverting property taxes from local sources and reinvesting the funds back into the downtown from where they were collected. That means taxes collected for local schools, community colleges, governments and other taxing jurisdictions are instead used for capital improvement projects in a downtown district. Utilizing this tax increment financing mechanism, some DDAs have been able to transform their downtowns into booming economic districts. In Ferndale, the DDA was able to decrease vacancy rates in the downtown area from 30 percent to about two percent over the past decade, along with more than $68 million in public/private investment. In northwest Oakland County, the small village of Holly has boosted occupancy rates from 50 percent to nearly 100 percent in the past five years.
DDA FUNDING HOW DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES CAPTURE MUNICIPAL, SCHOOL TAXES
Granted with the ability to collect taxes and other sources of revenue, a downtown development authority is a taxing entity intended to help support a community's downtown area by diverting property taxes from local sources and reinvesting the funds back into the downtown from where they were collected. That means taxes collected for local schools, community colleges, governments and other taxing jurisdictions are instead used for capital improvement projects in a downtown district. Utilizing this tax increment financing mechanism, some DDAs have been able to transform their downtowns into booming economic districts. In Ferndale, the DDA was able to decrease vacancy rates in the downtown area from 30 percent to about two percent over the past decade, along with more than $68 million in public/private investment.
"By and large, they have been beneficial. They really support economic development in their districts," Dan Hunter, deputy director of Oakland County Economic Development and Community Affairs, said about the 25 downtown development authorities in existence in the county. "Downtown Ferndale or Rochester, those are two shining stars out there, and Holly. By and large, they have helped with infrastructure, marketing and events in their respective areas." Currently, there are 25 DDAs in the county, according to Oakland County Economic Development and Community Affairs, including DDAs in Auburn Hills; Berkley; Clawson; Commerce Township; Farmington; Ferndale; Hazel Park; Highland Township; Holly Village; Lake Orion Village; Lathrup Village; Lyon Township; Madison Heights; Milford Village; Ortonville; Oxford Village; Pleasant Ridge; Rochester; Royal Oak; Royal Oak Township; Southfield; South Lyon; Troy; Walled Lake; and Wixom. Despite the potential benefits DDAs offer a community, a number state and local policymakers are calling for reforms to the DDA's tax increment financing model. In March of this year, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners passed, for the first time, a policy calling for a sunset on how long taxes may be diverted through the TIF districts. In 2013, the Michigan state legislature and Gov. Rick Snyder passed a package of bills to prohibit Tax Increment Financing Authorities (TIFAs), including DDAs, local development financing authorities and other entities utilizing TIF, from capturing revenue from the Detroit Zoo and Detroit Institute of Arts millages in order for the money to remain with the zoo and the museum. In 2014, further changes were proposed to the state's law allowing the establishment of downtown development authorities. And, in October of this year, the state House Committee on Local Government took testimony from others calling for TIF reform. Oakland County Commissioner (R-White Lake, Waterford) and former state Rep.
Eileen Kowall, who sponsored the 2013 and 2014 legislation, said the policy at the county level and proposed changes to the state law were done as a matter of "public trust." "With the zoo and DIA, Oakland, Macomb and other TIFs were capturing the millages," Kowall said. "We didn't think it was right that people voted for a millage for the zoo and then have some of that taken off the top for sidewalks or other projects. In the future, if any entity wants a similar millage collection for whatever purpose, people would be more suspect." At the county level, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners has implemented a new policy for DDAs and other bodies requesting new or revised TIF plans, which requires the DDA to agree to a sunset provision establishing a set time frame on how long taxes in the district can be diverted. Currently, DDAs created prior to 1994 may collect taxes indefinitely. Oakland County Deputy Executive Robert Daddow said the county had been interested in establishing such a policy since 2006, but placed it on hold during the recession. "We had looked at it around 2006 and 2007, and thought it had to be updated. Then 2008 rolled around and, boy, that went on the back burner as projects went away," Daddow said. "As we pulled out of the recession, as it relates to property, people became more interested in DDAs. We came up with two or three more communities doing major projects. As a result, we said, 'Wait a minute, we are already contributing more than $7 million a year on property taxes, and we have potential projects where we will contribute even more going forward. We wanted to bring that off the back burner and put it on the front burner." Jerry Dettloff, executive director for the Michigan Downtown Association and a member of the Rochester Hills Planning Commission, said the association welcomes reforms, but believes it should be done in a smart, lasting way. "We are all about reform, but if you are going to do it, do it right," he said. "We don't
want to see DDAs harmed in any way because they are such a vital economic tool to our state." In total, DDAs in Oakland County retained $39.5 million from 2004 to 2014 in funds for their communities that would have instead been collected for Oakland County's operating fund. About $2.3 million in funds were kept by DDAs that would have gone to the county's parks and recreation fund, according to Oakland County's Equalization Division. Broken down by year, total funds collected by DDAs in the county totaled $16.4 million in 2004; $20.7 million in 2005; $14.4 million in 2006; $18.9 million in 2007; $19.8 million in 2008; $19.1 million in 2009; $15.9 million in 2010; $12.4 million in 2011; $11.2 million in 2012; $10.8 million in 2013; and $11.7 million in 2014. While the figures may represent lost revenue to other taxing jurisdictions, they also represent the impact that DDAs have had on property values in their own communities. That's because funds captured by a DDA's tax increment financing plan include only the amount of property tax increases from the year that its TIF plan was created. In other words, while a DDA may be able to collect taxes through TIF in theory, it can only collect the amounts equal to the increase in property value from the year the DDA's TIF plan was approved. Property taxes at or below the level recorded when a TIF is established aren't captured by the TIF district. A taxing authority may only opt out of a DDA's tax capture if the DDA's tax increment financing plan was approved prior to 1994. In cases where DDAs were created after 1994, taxing authorities may opt out only at the time the DDA is created, or when there is an expansion of the tax capture area. Taxing authorities with the ability to opt out may include Oakland County, Oakland County Parks and Recreation, the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority (HCMA), Oakland Community College (OCC), local school districts, and other tax levies approved by voters, such as SMART bus millage or other taxes. Millages
While the figures may represent lost revenue to other taxing jurisdictions, they also represent the impact that DDAs have had on property values in their own communities. That's because funds captured by a DDA's tax increment financing plan include only the amount of property tax increases from the year that its TIF plan was created. In other words, while a DDA may be able to collect taxes through TIF in theory, it can only collect the amounts equal to the increase in property value from the year the DDA's TIF plan was approved. Property taxes at or below the level recorded when a TIF is established aren't captured by the TIF district. In most cases, the investment from public and private funds going into a DDA district is far greater than the amount of taxes captured by that DDA.
collected for the Detroit Institute of Arts and Detroit Zoo can't be captured by DDAs, under a state law passed in 2013. Those taxing authorities that do choose to opt out may do so completely or on a partial basis, if the taxing authority and the DDA come to an agreement at the time of creation or when the capture area is expanded. The Oakland County Equalization Division said OCC and the HCMA have opted out of some agreements, either completely or partially. A spokesperson for the equalization division said they weren't aware of any local school districts that have opted out of DDA capture districts. Bob Donohue, chairman of the Michigan Downtown Association's board and director of Main Street Oakland County, said that in most cases, the investment from public and private funds going into a DDA district is far greater than the amount of taxes captured by that DDA. However, not all downtowns are created equal. "The amount of money diverted to DDAs has generated far more in investment, no question," Donohue said. "When Main Street started in 2000, we required collecting data, and hard data shows overwhelmingly that there is far more investment being put in." The Rochester DDA captured about $20.3 million through tax increment financing from 2004 to 2014, according to Oakland County's Equalization Division, indicating a steady rise in property values. Meanwhile occupancy rates in the city's downtown district are currently close to capacity, said Rochester DDA Director Kristi Trevarrow. "We are at 98 percent, currently,â&#x20AC;? Trevarrow said. "Though, we never have been all that down. Ten years ago, we were probably at 92 or 93 percent.â&#x20AC;? Some of the projects included in Rochester's DDA include a Main Street makeover in 2012, which included a partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation to rebuild the road and streetscape in that area. This year, the DDA is constructing its second parking platform, with the city contributing about $12 million in the structures.
"Plans are different for every community, depending on where they start. When we got started, we focused on capital improvement projects," Trevarrow said. "As time goes by, you focus on the types of businesses you want to see in your district, then how to drive traffic to the businesses through special events and marketing." The Rochester DDA was formed in 1983, and has since partnered with Main Street Oakland and utilizes the national Main Street Four-Point Approach, which focuses on design, organization, promotions, and economic restructuring. In addition to the DDA, Rochester also utilizes a Principal Shopping District (PSD), which is a separate entity from the DDA and collects taxes through a special assessment. And, while the DDA is permitted to levy up to 2 mills on properties in the downtown district, Trevarrow said that tax isn't being levied. "They work vey well together," Trevarrow said of the DDA and PSD, which was created in 1994. "The DDA is focused more on capital improvement and business retention, and the PSD more on promotion of the district." Major capital improvement projects in a DDA district may also be funded through a bond issue. By utilizing TIF funds to repay the bonds, a DDA is essentially borrowing against future tax increments brought about by those projects. In Rochester, all of the DDA's bonds have been repaid and the DDA isn't carrying any debt, Trevarrow said. While Rochester's DDA has received accolades from the county for its operation, other communities may find themselves under criticism. Donohue points to his own community of Commerce Township, which is currently carrying about $75 million in debt to essentially build a downtown that doesn't yet exist. Created in 1984, the Commerce DDA was originally established to stop annexation of the township's property by Wixom and Walled Lake by providing sewer and water services in the district, which currently includes a 2,705-acre development area and a 1,719-acre capture
area in the southeast portion of the township. In 2003, the DDA began using bonds to purchase land in the area, including two former golf courses and parkland. The DDA then constructed Martin Parkway, a road running from the terminus of M-5 at Pontiac Trail, north to Richardson Road. The property purchase now also includes plans for Commerce Towne Place, a 330-acre area that will consist of single and multiple family housing, a lifestyle center, assisted care living, and other commercial and business developments. However, with a current bond debt of about $75 million, the Commerce Township DDA has collected about $20 million from its TIF in the decade from 2004 to 2014. The DDA is also hoping to expand areas of its TIF capture to include future development. "The DDA law, most people will tell you, is extremely, poorly written. There is no definition of a downtown," Donohue said. "There's no downtown in the Commerce DDA, and situations like that across the state have turned people against DDAs. It's the first 'D' in DDA that is an issue. That was part of the controversy, last year." Originally passed in 1975 as a way of encouraging vibrant downtowns to support the overall community, Michigan's Public Act 197 outlines the establishment of a downtown development authority to focus on downtown revitalization. In 1980, the state's Tax Increment Financing Act was passed to assist the financing of downtown revitalization. The process for establishing a DDA begins with the local governing body, which must hold a public hearing and pass a resolution declaring its intent to create a DDA. Taxpayers within the proposed downtown district must be notified, as well as each of the taxing entities in the proposed district. In the cases of DDAs established after 1994, the taxing entities within the DDA district may opt out of the TIF capture, while those created prior to 1994 may not. The municipality must then establish an ordinance creating the DDA and designating its boundaries. A DDA governing board is then created, which
The process for establishing a DDA begins with the local governing body, which must hold a public hearing and pass a resolution declaring its intent to create a DDA. Taxpayers within the proposed downtown district must be notified, as well as each of the taxing entities in the proposed district. In the cases of DDAs established after 1994, the taxing entities within the DDA district may opt out of the TIF capture, while those created prior to 1994 may not. The municipality must then establish an ordinance creating the DDA and designating its boundaries. A DDA governing board is then created, which must consist of the municipality's chief executive officer and eight to 12 members appointed by the municipal governing body. In general, a majority of the board must be individuals with ownership or business interests in the property.
must consist of the municipality's chief executive officer and eight to 12 members appointed by the municipal governing body. In general, a majority of the board must be individuals with ownership or business interests in the property, with one residing in the district. If a DDA board anticipates the need for capturing tax or using revenue bonds, it must create a development plan and TIF plan, and have those plans adopted by the DDA board and municipality. The creation of the authority then allows for a variety of funding options, which in turn can be used to fund public improvements in a downtown district. Funding may include a tax increment financing, tax millages, special assessments, bonds, donations, contributions, revenue from the property or a combination of available options. By far, the most utilized form of financing is TIF. According to the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC), a total of 416 DDAs utilizing TIF are operating in the state. According to the MAC, the purpose of the state's DDA law has been misinterpreted by some communities to fund projects not intended in the law. Further, the reporting to the state required by law of various authorities utilizing TIF capture hasn't been occurring as it should. "What we are working on now is reform at the state level regarding the statutes of how DDAs and other tax increment financing authorities operate," said Derek Melot, a spokesman for the MAC. "State law requires them to report to the state, specifically treasury. Representatives of treasury testified that most don't file, or about two-thirds don't. The language was that we never had more than 200 report in a year. They make the case, and we agree, that in order to properly oversee public policy, you need to know what is going on, and right now we don't have a good feel for that." The issue was highlighted in a 2014 study written by University of Michigan professors David S. Bieri and Carla Maria Kayanan, who initially set out to
understand the status of TIF usage in Michigan. The state is one of 49 in the country where TIF is used, according to the study. In addition to DDAs, there are seven other authorities in the state that may utilize TIF to fund projects. Among the study's findings was that about 20 percent of the some 698 authorities utilizing TIF are submitting required reports to the state on a regular basis, with DDAs being among the bettertracked districts in the state. Donohue said the Michigan Downtown Association supports current TIF reform efforts at the state level, but didn't back all of the proposed changes to the DDA law that were previously proposed. "Downtown management has been where the MDA has centered on," he said. "We successfully worked a grass roots effort across the state to look at a more transparent method of operating," Donohue. "The Michigan Municipal League, the Michigan Association of Counties, and other are working on it. It appears those early discussions are on accountability. But, as accountable and transparent as DDAs want to be, the state has no system in place to track it." While Donohue said the lack of resources at the state level doesn't absolve DDAs from not reporting, he said many may not be reporting because they know there won't be any repercussions if they don't. The 2014 study by Bieri and Kayanan proposes the state creates a database, dubbed MiRTIF, at the state level to track TIF finances. It also provides a step-by-step orientation of TIF in Michigan. "This seemingly elementary step is critical in order for actors involved in the TIF use or reform to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the TIF process from start to completion," the study states. "Any discussion that is not based on the fundamental principles of the TIF tool will result in eroding its effectiveness and in municipalities appropriating it for nonintended purposes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Developing a streamlined reporting process based exclusively on the reporting
requirements of the Michigan legislature removes the barriers that have made it nearly impossible for authorities to report mandated information. As tax capture authorities across the state slip in and out of financial trouble, looking to taxpayers for help, MiRTIF would provide data that is systematically tracked and can be reliably aggregated, providing a more complete picture of all aspects of TIF activities.â&#x20AC;? Former Rep. Kowall, who introduced HB 5856 in 2014, said she did so to try to reign in DDAs that use diverted taxes to fund projects that the municipality should be funding instead. "It hadn't been looked at for so long, and there were no meaningful reforms since it was enacted in the 1970s, and it was time to take a look at it," she said. "I felt the whole thing had gotten out of control. There didn't seem to be enough reporting. Treasury couldn't even tell me how much indebtedness (from DDAs) there was statewide." The bill went through several drafts before eventually being abandoned, but initial versions of the bill would have reset the base year of all TIF districts, essentially cutting all TIF funding in the state, while another version would have created a sunset on all TIF districts. "We were following it closely, but I don't think anything that was going to be that detrimental would be passed," said Milford Village DDA director Ann Barnette. "There were things early on that were ridiculous, but there was enough pressure on the legislature to take some of that out." Holly Village DDA director Andrew Potter said the initial legislation would have had a detrimental effect on the village's DDA if passed as it was introduced. "It would have killed all downtown development," Potter said. "There were six drafts to it." In it's final draft, the bill would have, among other things, provided a more restrictive description of what constitutes a downtown; limit the amount of time a DDA could hold revenues; expand the content of an authority's required annual status reports
and require the report to be sent to all taxlevying units; prevent the use of DDA revenues on public services that are "generally provided" services, unless determined necessary; require a DDA to hold an annual meeting; require an authority to maintain a website containing finance and operational information; and impose penalties on local units for violation of the act and repeal three tax increment finance statutes. Oakland County Deputy Executive Phil Bertolini said the county felt the final version of the bill didn't go far enough to regulate TIF. "Our problem was that it didn't go far enough to take care of the earlier DDAs," he said. "We wanted earlier DDAs to have a sunset. That capture goes on forever, and we wanted to review those and potentially do that, and nobody wanted to do that." While efforts at the state level failed, in March 2015, the Oakland County's Board of Commissioners implanted a new policy regarding the county's TIF participation for those established after 1994. Deputy executive Daddow said that under the policy, the first step the county takes when presented with new or amended TIF requests is to deny it. "The first thing we do is to deny it, which we have to do under the state statute, to bring the two parties together to discuss the project itself on the table," Daddow said. "We
can't accept it unless you clue us in on what you plan on doing. To that end, we have the ability in post-1994 TIFAs and DDAs to modify the arrangement and renegotiate." Donohue said the policy sounds hardnosed on the surface, but it is a smart way of creating a more meaningful dialogue between the taxing authorities. "In most cases, they are opting in through a contract, so that's a smart way of going about it," he said. Kowall, who worked on the county's policy, said the policy forces municipalities with an existing TIF district looking to modify it or create another to agree to a sunset on their existing TIF district. Auburn Hills DDA Executive Director Don Greise said while the city's original DDA was created in 1983, the city never utilized it. The city recently decided to bring the DDA back to life. The DDA this year entered a 15year agreement with the county to establish a TIF district in the DDA. "Basically, we are trying to meet the city council's goals and objectives, and part of that is to continue to expand our downtown area. We feel it attracts investment, maintenance and availability of funding," Greise said. Other communities with longstanding TIF districts are less inclined to enter into an agreement that places a time limit on how long it can divert taxes.
Commerce Township DDA Director Mark Stacey said while their DDA would like to modify its current TIF capture area to include upcoming developments in the Commerce Towne Place project, it's uncertain if it will be able to do so. Currently, the DDA is expected to be paying bond debt through 2037, but will then need to use TIF funds to repay the township, which has been covering nearly all the DDA's debt payments. "It's very draconian for DDAs under the old rules," Stacey said of the new policy. "The sunset provisions are very hard to swallow." As the county and state look to implement reforms and limitations on TIF funding, Holly DDA director Potter said the DDA looks for other ways to attract development and funds, as promoted by the county and national Main Street program, which requires members to undergo a certification process each year. "As part of that (certification), they require fundraising, so you don't rely on TIF," Potter said, who noted the DDA is also focusing on business development, rather than events and festivals. "The bottom line is, when people call, we don't just tell them where to look. We court businesses to come to Holly. It's called knowing every building owner in a downtown. It all involves customer service."
FUNDS DIVERTED FROM TAXING AUTHORITIES TO DDA TAX INCREMENT FINANCING AREAS DDA
Total Capture
County Operating
County Parks & Rec
Berkley
$2,289,261
$419,888
$24,205
Clawson
$1,565,074
$267,508
$15,422
Commerce
$19,923,035
$7,724,152
$477,582
Farmington
$2,808,932
$517,708
$29,844
Ferndale
$4,487,999
$618,822
$35,674
Hazel Park
$7,773,809
$665,138
$38,356
Highland Twp.
$2,055,194
$650,151
$37,287
Holly Village
$1,708,562
$327,062
$43,558
Lake Orion
$7,000,856
$1,332,144
$76,799
Lathrup Village
$2,466,180
$402,055
$23,177
Lyon Township
$15,017,283
$5,938,571
$338,658
Madison Heights
$1,682,017
$277,272
$15,985
Milford Village
$3,970,420
$1,188,237
$67,618
$882,829
$175,506
$10,024
Oxford Village
$4,437,968
$766,453
$44,185
Pleasant Ridge
$893,940
$148,028
$8,533
Rochester
$20,299,922
$3,198,832
$184,411
Royal Oak
$29,162,977
$5,118,226
$294,435
Royal Oak Twp.
$1,023,487
$330,433
$19,050
$0
$0
$0
Ortonville
Southfield South Lyon
$500,729
$113,480
$6,542
Troy
$25,894,377
$6,913,926
$398,658
Walled Lake
$9,239,905
$1,355,094
$78,125
Wixom
$1,977,210
$459,664
$26,494 * Source: Oakland County Equalization Division
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FACES
Andy Appleby always wanted to be general manager of the Red Sox,” said entrepreneur Andy Appleby, CEO of General Sports & Entertainment (GSE), based in Rochester. “I was very much a sports enthusiast. I learned to read (by) reading baseball cards.” Appleby broke into the sports industry in 1986, when he accepted a job with Palace Sports & Entertainment, and moved from New England to Rochester, equipped with a master’s degree in Sports Management from Springfield College, “the birthplace of basketball and James Naismith,” he noted. “I could think of nothing better than working for a sports team. The best offer came from the Pistons.” One of the perks of the job – easy access to tickets for events at the Palace and DTE Energy Music Theater – led Appleby to his wife, Kris. “She was an art consultant, and called on the Palace. The day I asked her out, she turned me down like four times,” he recalled of the time he offered to take her to see Elton John on Wednesday, Eric Clapton on Thursday, or a riverboat ride on Friday. ‘No, no and no,’ she told him. “I had one other in my sleeve, Harry Connick, Jr., at Pine Knob, and she said yes!” After putting in 12 years with Palace Sports & Entertainment, Appleby departed and set out to “try to start that next great company,” as he put it. “I learned, working with the Pistons, that working at a high level of sports, relationships are easier because people want to be my friend.” Putting his connections to use, Appleby founded GSE in 1998. The GSE portfolio includes owning the 133-year-old Derby County Football Club of the English Premier League, which Appleby described as the “the super bowl of English soccer.” After eight years, Appleby recently
I
sold his stake in the team, and said, “We’ve become gigantic county football fans. We think we care about the Lions, Tigers and Wings, but imagine if we had one team?” From 1999 to 2006, GSE owned the Fort Wayne Wizards, a Minor League Baseball team affiliated with the San Diego Padres. Building on this experience and his passion for sports, Appleby is in the process of launching the United Shore Professional Baseball League, an independent minor baseball league. “It’s the culmination of the first 29 years of my (career) life,” he said. In June 2016, at the new Jimmy John’s Field, currently under construction in Utica, the three as-of-yet-unnamed professional teams will play ball. “I want it to be like a Disney experience. “When we grew up, we came home when the streetlights came on, or when we got called for dinner. Today, we feel like we need a tether for kids playing in our own yard. Kids today have no autonomy,” said Appleby, father of four, ages nine through 18. At the Utica ballpark, “we want kids to get their face painted, go to the wiffel ball field, and get Dippin’ Dots. We as parents yearn for that, and kids do as well,” said Appleby, who moved with his family to Bloomfield Hills in 2003. “Certainly, Rochester is near and dear to my heart, and that they can come to the ballpark in Utica, a five to ten minute drive, it’s a fantastic addition.” Story: Katie Deska
Photo: Laurie Tennent
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11.15
THE DEBATE OVER GLYPHOSATE AS COMMUNITIES, COUNTRIES BAN ITS USE WHILE CHEMICAL STILL EMPLOYED IN OAKLAND BY LISA BRODY
It's a chemical most have likely never heard of, glyphosate, other than as the weed killer Roundup. A white crystal that is odorless, it was introduced by Monsanto in 1974, and it has since become the world's best selling herbicide of all time. It was developed to control a wide variety of weeds, grasses and broadleaf plants. Originally designed for farmers, it is also used, in a slightly different formulation, by landowners, local municipalities and school districts, and residential homeowners to keep weeds in check. According to scientific papers, the use of glyphosate in agriculture was originally limited to post-harvest treatments and weed control between established rows of tree, nut and vine crops. But widespread adoption of no-till farming practices, which increases the amount of water in the soil while expanding organic matter retention and more efficient farming, led to some crop varieties that became resistant to glyphosate. To accommodate that, in the late 1990s, Monsanto began selling genetically engineered seeds, such as soy, corn and cotton, that would be tolerant of glyphosate while the weeds around it were killed. Today, according to reports, 90 percent of the soy and 70 percent of corn grown in the United States are genetically modified. According to the Chemical Watch Factsheet, in the United States alone, approximately 180 to 185 million pounds of glyphosate are applied each year, with the greatest use, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, in the Mississippi River basin for weed control on corn, soybeans and cotton. But throughout the heartland of the country, including in Michigan, use has climbed, with 57 million pounds of glyphosate applied to cornfields in 2010, compared to 2000, when 4.4 million pounds was applied to U.S. cornfields. Despite U.S. consumption, China currently produces more than 40 percent of the world's supply of glyphosate, and exports 35 percent of it, notably to South America. Additionally, parklands, playgrounds, sidewalks, school yards and other areas all over the country are routinely sprayed with Roundup or a generic version, in order to keep areas weed free. It's available for homeowners seeking to prevent weeds from invading their flower beds, lawns and sidewalks at every Home Depot, Lowe's and neighborhood garden center across the country. The question comes up, therefore – is it safe for us to be around glyphosate? Critics of the pesticide assert that exposure to Roundup and glyphosate,
APPROXIMATELY 180 TO 185 MILLION POUNDS OF GLYPHOSATE ARE APPLIED EACH YEAR IN THE COUNTRY
which can come through to humans running on sprayed grass to exposure in drinking water from surface runoff or drainage into wells, possibly through our drinking water, the fish we eat, and off of agricultural products, may damage liver and kidneys, cause irregular heartbeat, reproductive disorders, neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's, to cancer. Some cities, such as Chicago, New York City, and Boulder, as well as countries like Holland, Denmark, and Sweden, have banned the use of the chemical in all public spaces. In September, California's EPA stated it will now list glyphosate as known to cause cancer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) only performs intensive safety tests on chemicals every 15 years, with 2015 a testing year. The agency's glyphosate fact sheet for its Drinking Water and Health page notes, for the time being, that long-term high exposure to glyphosate “has the potential to cause reproductive effects, and that there is inadequate evidence to state whether or not glyphosate has the potential to cause cancer from a lifetime exposure in drinking water.” It states the major source of glyphosate in drinking water is runoff from herbicide use. A report, Epidemiological Studies of Glyphosate and Cancer: A Review, by Pamela Mink, Jack S. Mandel, Bonnielin K. Sceurman and Jessica I. Lundin in August 2012, stated, “The United States Environmental Protection Agency and other regulatory agencies around the world have registered glyphosate as a broad spectrum herbicide for use on multiple food and nonfood use crops. Glyphosate is widely considered by regulatory authorities and scientific bodies to have no carcinogenic potential, based primarily on results of carcinogenicity studies of rats and mice...Our review found no consistent pattern of positive associations with cancer.” The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment published a toxicology review in 2013, finding that “the available data is contradictory and far from being convincing” with regard to correlations between exposure to glyphosate formulations and various cancers, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A 2002 review by the European Union determined that exposure to Roundup posed no health risk to humans. But a 2014 review article in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health updated that, reporting a significant
association between B-cell lymphoma and glyphosate exposure. In its literature, Monsanto has long asserted that Roundup poses no risk to humans nor to the environment. In March 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an arm of the World Health Organization (WHO), classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Their determination was based on epidemiological studies, animal studies, and in vitro studies by 17 cancer experts from 11 countries who looked at the available scientific evidence on five different pesticides, including glyphosate. The WHO report stated that “Glyphosate caused DNA and chromosomal damage in mammals and in human and animal cells studied in laboratories. Studies of workers who had been exposed to glyphosate in the U.S., Canada, and Sweden were found to have increased risks for non-Hodgkin lymphoma that persisted after adjustment for other pesticides.” Responding to questions on its safety to humans, EPA spokesperson John Peterson of the EPA's Chicago region office said, “We are nearing completion of our cancer review which included consideration of the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) review. We expect to release our draft risk assessment within the next few months.” With all of the conflicting data on the pesticide, what's the real deal on glyphosate? Representatives at Monsanto did not respond to questions from Downtown Publications, but according to the company's website, glyphosate, and other similar chemicals they produce, helps farmers produce more from their land while conserving more of the world's natural resources like water and energy. The website states that “Glyphosate-based herbicides are supported by one of the most extensive worldwide human health, safety and environmental databases ever compiled for a pesticide product. Comprehensive toxicological studies repeated over the last 40 years have time and again demonstrated that glyphosate poses no unreasonable risks to people, the environment, or pets when used as directed on the label.” Local experts and scientists disagree, and are concerned for human, animal and environmental welfare. “There is a concern. There is much more intensive testing in Europe than the EPA has done – much more in-depth, and longer,” said Oakland County Water
CHEMICALS THAT ARE EMERGING TO BE OF MOST CONCERN ARE THE ONES IN THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT
Resources Commissioner Jim Nash. He noted that his office does not measure for glyphosate at all. “It's considered safe by the EPA, and that's what the MDEQ (Michigan Department of Environmental Quality) relies on.” According to spokespersons from MDEQ and Michigan Health and Human Services, the state of Michigan does not test for nor regulate glyphosate as it is a federal issue controlled and monitored by the EPA. Despite not monitoring it locally, Nash said glyphosate is a chemical he personally worries about, and doesn't use. “A professional applicator has to be trained. But when people just buy it and apply it themselves, they may not follow the directions,” he noted. Nash said he is most concerned about buffers, or a lack of buffers, between lawns and water. “When lawns go to the water's edge, anything on the water flows right off of it. It's not much more impervious than concrete. Anything you put on it can flow right off. Often, you're encouraged to have a buffer of bushes, native plants with deep roots, things that can get absorbed in that area,” he said. “When glyphosate gets into the water, it says on the label it can hurt fish and invertebrates which fish feed on.” In particular, scientists have noted that when glyphosate is combined with other chemicals, it becomes even more toxic, as the other chemicals become similar to a conductor for the glyphosate. A French study, reported in Scientific American, stated that umbilical cords were especially sensitive, and stress them “to suicide.” The study also looked at a pond filled with frog and toad tadpoles. The scientists added the manufacturer's recommended dose of Roundup; returning two weeks later, they found 50 to 100 percent of the population of several species of tadpoles had been killed. “The thing that concerns me the most is the prevalence of its use and health concerns. The rate of exposure to glyphosate, and how much humans are exposed to it is one thing, for human health. But we also need to look at what it's doing to the ecostructure,” said Wayne State University Law School professor Nick Schroek, director of the Transnational Environmental Law Center. “Whether it's just toxic or a carcinogen, it all comes down to exposure. We're exposed through so many sources, from big farms to local stores. If we're exposed with our food and in our yards, eventually that level of exposure can lead to big problems.” Schroek said the chemicals that are
emerging to be of most concern are the ones in the aquatic environment. “What happens is you have runoff from treated yards and fields from rain events into rivers, lakes and streams, and that mixes with other chemicals. It's one thing when it's just one chemical. It's another when it's a mixtures of chemicals. We need to look at what it's doing to birds, mammals, aquatic life, reptiles with such a wide use of adoption.” “I hate the chemical. It's a pet peeve of mine,” said Linda Schweitzer, associate professor in environmental chemistry and toxicology at Oakland University. “While we're not sure what it's doing with the ecosystem, the human health implications are profound. There's evidence that does suggest that it has toxicity to human cells, and cancer may be one disease that has involvement.” Schweitzer takes that statement even further, stating, “There seems to be a link between glyphosate and cancer. If you see increases between the two, and the scientific literature sees these links, then you can call it a carcinogen. Which is exactly why the World Health Organization is calling it a carcinogen. I say if there's a body of evidence, it says a lot.” When asked why the EPA has been reluctant to make that connection, she explained, “The EPA says there has be a strong amount of evidence, and different kinds of evidence. There has to be animal studies, and different kinds of epidemiology, as well as evidence on the molecular level. For the EPA, it's not just circumstantial evidence. It has to be rigorous, scientific studies that shows the evidence stands up. “However, the body of evidence is stacking up very quickly,” she emphasized. “Their old data is becoming outdated very quickly.” A scientific study done in 2014 by scientists in Washington state, Oklahoma and Germany, by Swanson, Leu, Abrahamson, and Wallet, concluded, “Evidence is mounting that glyphosate interferes with many metabolic processes in plants and animals and glyphosate residues have been detected in both. Glyphosate disrupts the endocrine system and the balance of gut bacteria, it damages DNA and is a driver of mutations that lead to cancer.” “Cancer rates in children are much higher than they were pre-World War II, when lots of chemicals started entering the environment. It's not just better diagnoses, it's exposure,” affirmed Donna Kashian, associate professor for environmental
MANY LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS USE ROUNDUP, OR GENERIC FORMS OF GLYPHOSATE
toxicology at Wayne State University. “We need to be more cognizant of the chemicals we expose ourselves to and the food we eat. We keep saying chemicals are OK, until it gets to a level that we have to stop. The data we have now may not give us all the risks.” Kashian, unlike some of her fellow scientists, doesn't totally invalidate the use glyphosate. “Large agriculture is one thing,” she said, noting it's different to her from home use, because in large scale agricultural use, glyphosate can protect the food supply. “You have to take a risk assessment. It's different than lawns. At what level is it dangerous, but does the human population need the food? We keep taking more and more land out of agricultural use. So we have to magnify the efficiency of our cropland. Pesticides are one tool that help us do that. It's worth the risk because we have to accept some level of risk.” But she draws her line in the sand there. “Municipalities, schools, homes, gardens – they're a different story,” Kashian said. “I just say, c'mon. Around your children? I live around wells. The possibility of it getting into our water supply is very high, and it's not worth it. “The general population should minimize chemical use completely,” she said. “Americans have to have perfect lawns and no dandelions. It irks me. I can't justify it. There are many different ways to manage weeds. We can accept weeds, or plant natural grasses, or rock gardens. Common sense should tell us this.” Kashian believes that “the scientific community probably knew it wasn't a good thing. I suspect it is an endocrine disrupter and a carcinogen. But it's not a new DDT because it doesn't last the same way in the environment. DDT's half life in the environment was so long and it could biomagnify.” “It's a little bit of apples and oranges,” said Schweitzer regarding comparisons to DDT, while noting there are similarities to the release of a potentially toxic chemical into the environment, and then seeing harmful effects decades later. Like glyphosate, DDT was a colorless, odorless crystal known for its insecticide properties. In an introduction to Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, which exposed the environmental impact on entire species of indiscriminate spraying of DDT in the U.S., “DDT enabled the conquest of insect pests in agriculture and of ancient insect-borne disease just as surely as the atomic bomb destroyed military enemies and
dramatically altered the balance between humans and nature.” The book exposed how DDT use was poisoning both wildlife and the environment, and endangering human health. That is the same allegation that opponents of glyphosate are making today. Schroeck said the difference is that “DDT was harmful because birds and animals couldn't even form eggs. We're not seeing that kind of complete species collapse, so I wouldn't go that far at this point. What I am concerned about is bioaccumulation, where a small organism ingests the toxin (of glyphosate), and then that organism gets eaten by a bird or another organism up the food chain, or gets eaten by something else. We're seeing mercury, lead, and various toxins showing up. That's what you have to be worried about. “I'm more concerned about the end product being about human health,” Schroeck continued. “After a rain event, glyphosate is washed into our water supply. Then there are a lot of potential ways for these chemicals to get into our bodies. We're drinking the water. We're eating the fish. We're eating fruits and vegetables that have been treated agriculturally. The reality is, regulation over these herbicides and pesticides is not stringent enough. We could require more environmental assessment over these products before they're ever released on the market.” Schweitzer agrees. “It wasn't tested for how it reacts on humans or the environment,” she said. “Human health implications are profound, and so are they for soil microbes. Glyphosate inhibits herbs. It wasn't supposed to be designed for humans, but what they failed to realize is that although it may not have toxicity, there are microbes in our guts. Our digestive system requires microbes, and so it is only recently that scientists have begun studying glyphosate on these microbes. I believe it's the change of these microorganisms in our guts, that could be one reason why we're all fat. But until someone proves it, it's just a theory. It could be public enemy number one.” Environmentally, Schweitzer said glyphosate kills soil microbes, “and the soil is a living organism. It's not just a dead place to douse insecticides. Healthy soil is supposed to be a healthy place with lots of stuff growing in it, little organisms, fungi, bacteria, bugs. Well, glyphosate is killing all the healthy stuff in the soil.” Many local municipalities and local school districts use Roundup, or generic forms of glyphosate, in weed control. Others
COMMUNITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE QUESTIONING EXPOSING RESIDENTS TO GLYPHOSATE'S TOXICITY
outsource the contractual work, stating they are unaware of what is used in their own community. Bloomfield Township Department of Public Works director Tom Trice said the township uses Roundup or another type of “total kill” herbicide around fences and landscaping areas to keep weeds under control. In Birmingham, Lauren Wood, director of public services, said the city uses a product with glyphosate in it for spot treatment of weeds in gravel areas and sidewalks, as needed, but it isn't used near water areas. However, Jamie Spivy, foreman for Bloomfield Hills Department of Public Works, said they use calcium chloride in most places. In Beverly Hills, a spokesperson said they don't use Roundup or any product with glyphosate “because they don't want that pesticide in their parks.” Bingham Farms doesn't spray for weed control. “The city uses it for weeds with bare grounds, warning tracks, and areas as needed,” said Bill Wright, with Farmington Hills parks and recreation department. Brian Pickworth, with Farmington Hills' Department of Public Works, said they use Roundup Pro and other herbicides, which do not contain glyphosate, when Roundup alone doesn't work. “We've been using a combination of the two for about four or five years,” he said. “Roundup is used around fences, guardrails, and some other areas.” He said the other combination works well for poison ivy, a problem the city has had in the past. When either pesticide is used, the city posts it, which he said is required by applicators under state law. Commerce Township also uses Roundup for weed control in its parks and other areas, township supervisor Tom Zoner said. In Waterford, Dave Papke, superintendent for facilities and operations said glyphosate is only used in the the parking lot areas of the township campus for weeds in the cracks. “The township uses TruGreen for the other areas, and TruGreen doesn't use glyphosate.” Michael Hartner, director of the Rochester Hills Forestry Department, said the city uses an outside contractor that uses glyphosate for controlling phragmites, a large perennial grass found in wetlands that is dense, tall and very invasive. However, the Rochester Department of Public Works said they only use a root-based herbicide, rather than glyphosate, “which will kill anything with chlorophyll.” The city of Farmington, as well as Troy,
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Huntington Woods, and Highland Township, reported that they contract out their services and aren't aware of what is used. If it is utilized in Huntington Woods, officials said the only areas that would be sprayed would be along the I-696 service drive. Many other Oakland County communities did not respond to repeated calls, including West Bloomfield, Wolverine Lake Village, Walled Lake, Auburn Hills, and Royal Oak. Just as worrisome, or even more, are the schools which use a form of glyphosate for weed control, which can come into some contact with children. Both Bloomfield Hills Schools and Birmingham Public Schools use Roundup. Marcia Wilkinson, Birmingham Schools spokesperson, said, “We use Roundup minimally on sidewalk cracks and fence lines. It is not used near playgrounds, etc. It is applied by personnel who have been trained in how to properly handle and dispense the product.” In West Bloomfield, they also utilize glyphosate. West Bloomfield Schools spokesperson Pamela Zajac said, “The West Bloomfield School District has used products that include the chemical glyphosate in a limited capacity in order to treat weeds on concrete and asphalt areas which are also known as 'right-of-way' areas. This chemical is not applied on grass or playground areas and the district only applies treatments during summer months while school is not in session. In the limited capacity that the school district has used products that include glyphosate, the district always used pre-mixed and ready-to-use products as opposed to concentrate that requires mixing on premises. The district applies the product according to label instructions.” Judy Evola, spokesperson for Walled Lake Consolidated Schools said they also use glyphosate, “but only in various cracks of the sidewalk and in pavement around school property where weeds may grow. We use it strictly in the summer and on weekends when there are not children in the area, and we follow all application guidelines. We use 'ready to use' containers and there is no mixing it with any other products.” Novi Community Schools also uses glyphosate, according to maintenance director Mike Dragoo. “We use the generic chemical glyphosate. We use it all over, although not on general grounds, like we don't use it on playgrounds. But we do on beds and mulch beds. By keeping up our mulch, we don't need as much, and if we have tall weeds, we hand pull,” he said. “My guys all have their pest licenses, and go to continuing education. We even mix a little bit less than protocol, because the stuff costs us so much money. We also use a pre-emergent in the spring and summer.” Cranbrook Schools uses it for spot treatment on all of their grounds, according to Stephen Pagnani, head of marketing for Cranbrook Education Community. “We use it in limited treatment for spot treatment, such as in sidewalk cracks where something has sprouted, like in the spring after heavy rains. We don't use it at all for heavy treatment, and we don't spray the whole playing fields.” Many schools have determined they don't want to expose their students to toxic chemicals. Lori Grein, director of communications for Rochester Community Schools, said they do not use glyphosate. Similarly Troy School District, Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, The Roeper Schools in Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham, and Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Township, don’t utilize glyphosate. Mercy assistant principal Larry Baker said, “No, our personnel doesn't utilize any chemicals on our grounds.” Detroit Country Day Schools refused to supply any information. Cities around the country are questioning the wisdom of exposing their residents to glyphosate's toxicity, as well. Chicago, Boulder, Colorado and Richmond, California are all municipalities which have banned the use of the pesticide in the last 18 months. In the summer of 2015, groups actively protested the heavy use of Roundup in New York City's parks, including a Change.org petition urging residents to fight its use. Around the world, between 2013 and 2015, Argentina, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Bermuda, Columbia, El Salvador, and France have all banned the use of glyphosate. “When a chemical has the ability to change the gender of frogs and completely warp the mating habits of amphibians, shouldn't that chemical be considered a threat to life on the planet and be forbidden from use?” asked Natural News in July 2015, regarding the EOA assessing dangers of glyphosate. “Does anyone care about endocrine system health?” downtownpublications.com
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oakland twp. $729,900 Custom Moceri-built in Kings Pointe. Beautiful trim and detailing throughout. Library with judges paneling and two temperature controlled wine fridges. Fam. rm. with floor-to-ceiling windows and two-way fireplace to spacious kitchen. Master suite with two-way fireplace to bonus rm. with wet bar. Fin. daylight basement. Custom window treatments, private treed yard and so much more! Awesome curb appeal!
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Grand curb appeal and welcoming presence with circular driveway and 3 car garage. Located on a ž acre private setting in Oakland Farms development. Updated kitchen with cherry cabinetry, granite countertops and hardwood flooring. Library with crown molding and built-ins. Spacious bdrms., newer flooring and 5 bay windows. Fin. bsmt. with bath and extensive recreational space. New maintenance-free Trex decking and court location.
Former model home with exceptional quality features. Two fireplaces (great rm. and master bdrm.). Wet bar between great rm. and library. Great rm. trimmed in wainscoting. Spacious and updated kitchen with granite countertops, island and double ovens. Finished basement, neutral dĂŠcor and pristine condition. Great location for accessibility to freeways, schools and shopping.
rochester Hills $399,900 Pristine condition and beautiful curb appeal. Located in popular Adams West development with hard to find 3 car side entry garage. Backs to woods for outdoor privacy. Desirable floorplan with spacious rooms throughout. Spacious kitchen includes Corian countertops, new stainless appliances and walk-in pantry. Lush landscaping and pride of ownership.
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downtown rochester $299,900
rochester Hills $399,900
Totally neutral and open floor plan. Located in The Crossings with community pool, tennis and sidewalks. Two-story great room. Hardwood flooring, two fireplaces, expansive paver patio. Kitchen with new stainless appliances. Finished basement with fireplace, wet bar, full bath, workshop and great recreational space.
Perfect opportunity to live in downtown Rochester near parks, schools and shopping. This home has so much usable space to make an awesome home in a very desirable neighborhood. Prior renovation created hard-to-find spacious and open kitchen, dining, great room with gas fireplace and two entries to yard. Well known downtown builder has excellent plans for expansion renovation opportunities.
Located in desirable Grosse Pines on court location with private wooded setting. Spacious and updated kitchen leads to three season sun porch. Pub with wet bar overlooks family room. Updated baths. Finished basement. Beautiful curb appeal with stamped concrete walkways and pillared front porch. One of the largest lots in the development.
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INSIDE THE DIA SHINING A LIGHT ON REGIONAL NON-PROFIT BY LISA BRODY n Tuesday, August 7, 2012, 64 percent of Oakland County voters approved a property tax millage, along with residents in Macomb and Wayne counties, to help funnel approximately $23 million a year for 10 years, to help the operations of the Detroit Institute of Arts. The .2 mill property tax adds about $20 a year to the tax bill of a homeowner whose home has a market value of $200,000 and a taxable value of $100,000. Today, the tri-county millage accounts for approximately 70 percent of the operating budget of the DIA, which is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Oakland County residents alone provide the DIA with $11 million annually.
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Therein lies a problem, according to some Oakland and Macomb county commissioners and state lawmakers. As a non-profit, the DIA is technically exempt from the state's Open Meeting Act and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) laws, also known as “sunshine” laws, which are applicable to public, governmental bodies, because they provide light on what goes on behind the scenes. The issue of transparency, of providing information on what occurs at DIA board meetings and at county arts authority meetings, has become an issue between county commissioners, representing taxpayers, and museum officials, who have typically been accustomed to operating in the more cloistered world of the arts. According to all of those involved, great efforts are being made towards greater transparency, with leadership of the DIA meeting and working with Oakland and Macomb county commissioners to accomplish that goal. “We welcome that topic at the museum,” said Eugene Gargaro, chairman of the board of the DIA. “There is a subcommittee of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners that will be talking to us about the popular topic of transparency. The meetings with the arts authorities and the commissions are open meetings, those are Open Meeting Act venues. Members of the public do come (to those meetings), ask questions, and we do want them involved, as they should. It's their money. They should know where their money is going. The DIA is a private institute receiving public funding.” However, Gargaro is adamant that the institute's board meetings themselves remain private. “Like many other private institutions, they are not legally subject to Open Meetings Act,” he said. “We have told citizens of all three counties, all of our financials are online, all of our financial statements are online and available, and I am open for discussion.”
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he museum has posted its 990 forms from 2011, 2012, and 2013, which reveals its annual revenue and expenses, online along with its mission statement. A 990 form is an annual reporting return that certain federally tax-exempt organizations must file with the Internal Revenue Service. It provides information on the organization's mission, programming, and finances. “My concern is that 60 to 70 percent of the DIA funding for the DIA budget comes
from the taxpayers in the tri-county area, so I feel we need much greater openness on how they are spending your money and mine,” said Oakland County commissioner Shelley Taub (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township), who is vicechair of the general government subcommittee of the board of commissioners. Taub initially stated she was preparing a resolution to go before the full board of commissioners requesting greater transparency be sent to the state legislature. Fellow commissioner Marcia Gershenson (DBloomfield Township, West Bloomfield) recommended the county art authorities meet with them to see if an agreement on transparency could be worked out. “The suggestion came up to form a study subcommittee to look at the whole transparency issue,” Gershenson said. “Gene Gargaro from the museum and Tom Guastello (chairman of the Oakland County Arts Authority) showed up, and they were very interested in our point of view.” Gargaro concurred. “Rather than go to the extreme (of mandating open meetings), we are trying to communicate at the local level with county commissioners, rather than with Lansing. We think it's preferable to stay on the local level, and that's what we are engaged in.” The issue of transparency initially came about in October 2014, when the museum approved substantial retroactive bonuses and double-digit raises to former director Graham Beal and COO Annemarie Erickson. A bipartisan group of Oakland County commissioners demanded that the bonuses, worth $50,000 each, be returned. They were not. Displeasure at a lack of transparency on the part of the board of directors of the DIA continued through the summer of 2015, after Beal had retired, and the tri-county arts authorities were informed of a proposed retroactive $30,000 performance bonus for Beal for fiscal year 2013; a $65,000 bonus for Erickson for fiscal years 2013 and 2014; a $40,000 performance bonus for the chief financial officer Robert Bowen for fiscal years 2013 and 2014; and forgiveness of a $155,832 home loan and a retirement severance of $285,000 for Beal. The bonus disclosures and Beal's severance and mortgage forgiveness prompted a public uproar and caused the Macomb County Board of Commissioners to issue an official resolution opposing the bonuses; urging the DIA and the Macomb County Art Authority to implement accountability procedures for greater transparency, noting, “the bylaws,
detailed budget, and schedule of meetings of the DIA Board of Directors are not easily accessible to the public or media even though the DIA is primarily a publicly funded entity.” The resolution urged that compensation decisions for senior executives should be reviewed and approved with representatives of the three counties' art authorities before being implemented “regardless of the funding source.” It also emphasized that the practice of back pay for prior years should be eliminated. Taub, working with Macomb County, was preparing a similar resolution for the Oakland County Board of Commissioners when Gargaro and Guastello requested to meet and see if they could work together to solve the issue voluntarily. “I'm going to meet with them to see if we can solve this,” she said. “In my personal opinion, if you take 70 percent of your budget from my taxpayers, you need to have fiscal accountability. I think that's fair.”
S
he said she and other Oakland County commissioners are seeking to have DIA board meetings posted and open to anyone; have their minutes posted online; their budget posted online; “and we would like to have their salaries published for every employee, but not necessarily by name. And I'd like to have FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) available. Everyday people and the press should have access to what's happening at their museum.” To help facilitate that happening, in August 2015, state Reps. Jim Runestad (RWhite Lake) and Ken Goike (R-Ray Township) drafted legislation that would subject the DIA to the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act in an effort to impose greater transparency. The bills, house bills 4889 and 4890, are currently in committee. “We did this because it was a surprise to find that there were these huge bonuses, and more recently, the exorbitant severance package to the outgoing director,” Runestad said. “And I can't get any information on his payout on his loan. Was it private or public funds being used to pay off his mortgage? Are the public funds going to pay for these high salaries, or for operations and procurement of art? Under FOIA, all of the documents of how the decisions are made would be public and transparent. The same with Open Meetings Act. With public funds,
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you can't have meetings where the public is excluded.” “The taxpayers were asked to help this organization because it was struggling to stay open, but now it seems we were really asked to subsidize large raises for its top officials,” Goike said in a statement upon sponsoring the legislation. “The DIA needs to be more transparent for the sake of metro Detroit residents, so they can have a better understanding of what this organization is spending their tax dollars on. We’re paying a hefty price to keep the DIA afloat, and it has a responsibility to show that money is being put to good use, not simply to line the pockets of its high-ranking officials.” All of this came on the heels of the reality that throughout much of 2013 and 2014, there were genuine fears that the DIA itself might not survive, as Detroit teetered in bankruptcy, and some creditors sought the museum's valued collection as collateral, or for the art work to be sold to pay off creditors. A solution was found, which came to be known as the Grand Bargain. The Grand Bargain raised about $800 million from foundations, private donors, and the state of Michigan to help save public workers' pensions, and in the process, placed the art institute building and all of its art work into a private charitable trust. For the first time in its history, the DIA is an independent entity, but it had to raise $150 million from donors in order to achieve that autonomy. “The $150 million we raised for the the Grand Bargain – none of that went to the DIA. It all went to the pensioners,” Gargaro said. “But it gave us independence. The DIA received title to the artwork and the building. We told the three counties, we're going to increase our endowment, so we can be independent and hopefully, we don't have to come back to the citizens. Our endowment is insignificant compared to cities like Cleveland, Indianapolis and Toledo. We know we can't rely upon our citizens. But now, with the Grand Bargain, when people make a donation to the DIA, it goes to the DIA, and not the city.”
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he DIA, established in 1885, has spent the life of its existence fighting to stay solvent while simultaneously acquiring and maintaining a world-renown collection. Among its first sponsors were local newspaper magnate James E. Scripps and his brother George H. Scripps, William H. Brearly, Dexter Ferry, Hiram Walker,
Christian Buhl, General Russell Alger, James and Hugh MacMillan, John Newberry, George Lothrop, Thomas Palmer, George Remick, James F. Joy, David Whitney, and Cyrenius A. Newcomb. They, along with other prominent Detroiters of their era, all were encouraged to donate significant works of art. Brearly then persuaded 40 of them to donate $1,000 each help fund the building of a permanent museum, located on Jefferson Avenue. Scripps donated $50,000, and with the other $40,000, the Detroit Museum of Arts was established in 1888, filled first with 70 pieces of art Scripps had purchased on trips to Europe, and subsequently, with hundreds of other bequests. The trustees of the museum changed the name to the Detroit Institute of Arts in 1919, and fundraising began to design and build the Beaux Arts building on Woodward and Farnsworth. The present building was opened October 7, 1927. The trustees made another momentous, and long lasting, decision in 1919. At that time, they transferred ownership of the museum to the city of Detroit in order to begin receiving city operating funds. The Founder's Society was created as a private support group designed to provide additional funds for acquisitions and other museum needs. But the decision to transfer the ownership of the DIA to the city, an unusual move for a museum, would come back to bite it, and confound its ability to support itself. In the 1970s and 1980s, Detroit's fortunes, on the heels of race riots and the once-dominant auto industry, began to spiral downward. Public support for the DIA fell as well. Staffing levels were cut and galleries were closed. It got so bad that in June 1975, the city had to close the museum completely for three weeks. The state of Michigan provided funding in order for the museum to reopen, and by 1990, 70 percent of its funding was coming from the state. Yet, another major recession hit the state, forcing more staffing cuts and ability for the museum to be open to public. The state of Michigan, itself having difficulties with money, had issues supporting the museum. The Founder's Society took over management responsibilities in 1998, but the city continued to own the museum and its collection until late 2014. “It's a new experience for the DIA. But even in the best of families, there are disagreements,” noted Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner, who has attended every Oakland County Art Authority meeting. “They perceive a great value from
Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties, and they believe they are sacrificing some of the internal processes to be more transparent. I hope it's seen as a value by both sides. We just want to make sure we're on the same side. We want to make sure we resolve the differences on the side of partnership.”
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arbara Dobb, a Commerce Township CPA and former state lawmaker who sits on the Oakland County Art Authority Board, said, “I don't believe there's any deliberate attempt to not be transparent. They're not required to be. They're a private, non-profit, so they don't have to be transparent. This is the first time they've accepted public taxpayer money, so it's been a learning experience, a learning process for everyone. You throw the city bankruptcy debacle into it, and everyone has been working very hard, with the great intent to make sure the taxpayers' money is being spent on the programs promised and on the service agreements promised.” As a member of the Oakland County Art Authority Board, Bloomfield Hills attorney Alan Ackerman said the museum, “gave us their book and said the authority can look at anything. I knew what they were doing with the salaries. But there should be a little more transparency. We're really working with the county commission. We're going to get it worked out with open meetings and Freedom of Information, so people can see salaries and go to meetings. “The DIA must be responsive to the needs of the county,” he continued. “But it's important to maintain the DIA.” “I think FOIA and Open Meetings Act are a slippery slope,” countered Dobb. “I think the DIA dealt with that by setting up a restricted fund specifically for contributions for incentive or performance bonuses for executives or management only, but those are private funds only.” She said those would be available for view by the public in the DIA's 990 form. “Personally, I think you should be able to FOIA forms and information from the DIA, because the 990s are public,” she said. “But, at the same time, taxpayers' monies go to a lot of private corporations via state grants, and they're not subject to the Open Meetings Act. The state gives out tons of grants to private institutions, and none of them are subject to the Open Meetings Act. I don't know how you would single out one nonprofit, one institution.” “I think since there are taxpayer dollars
being used, they should be subjected to transparency and accountability, especially since it was so controversial it was put on the ballot, and it was asking taxpayers to subsidize their operating budget,” opined state Rep. Klint Kesto (R-Commerce Township, Walled Lake, Wolverine Lake, West Bloomfield). “I know the DIA says the officials should have an increase in their salaries. I don't know if they should or shouldn't. If that's the market for those executives, then that's the market. It's just that it shouldn't be kept secret.” “I understand where those concerns are coming from, now that public dollars are attached,” said state Rep. Michael Webber (R-Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township). “It's something that needs to be looked at and discussed. The DIA is a good part of our community, our region, but there have been concerns about staff salaries. Some people in our area have been skeptical about the millage in the first place, and that was realized with the salaries. So there is a push for more transparency.” “I think voters are looking for more transparency in government and authorities. What's happening with taxpayer money is important for them to know. No one should be afraid to disclose that,” said state Sen. Marty Knollenberg (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester, Rochester Hills). “If 70 percent of their operating income comes from public funding, there may be a need to see if they fall within the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act,” concurred Rep. Mike McCready (RBirmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield). Kirk Profit of Governmental Consultant Services, lobbyist for the art institute, disagrees with the lawmakers. “We are talking about this because they are transparent,” he countered. “It's important for all of us DIA enthusiasts that we don't be viewed as trying to resist or anything other than trying to embrace transparency. They have done so much to invite or embrace it.”
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rofit acknowledged that the subject of executive compensation was handled badly “and left a bad taste in mouths, I think that's true, especially coming up during the millage and bankruptcy. But I think that's different than transparency. There is a substantive issue about what we pay, and whether we tell people about it. We are happy to tell people about it. I think the
DIA is being transparent. If they were anything but, this wouldn't be an issue until they filed their 990.”
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hile the millage accounts for 70 percent of the DIA's operating budget, part of the goal in putting it in place was to allow the museum to significantly grow its endowment during the 10 years the millage is in place, so that it will hopefully not need to come back to the counties for future millages. In addition, in light of the salary conundrum, private funding sources are being sought to offset what the operating budget can afford to provide to executives, in order to maintain a world-class art institution. “At the core of the millage is building for the future, and building an endowment. No one knows if there will be a second millage,” said Lynne Friman, director of strategy for the arts non-profit CultureSource, and a consultant for the DIA. “They have to make the most of this opportunity for the public.” She noted former director Beal's focus was reaching out to the public, making the museum more accessible. “He wanted the museum to talk about art and its meaning to more than just the one percent who understand art, to give people in the community an understanding of what something means, and why they should care about it.” She said the millage provides for free admission for residents. “It provides accessibility for everyone. The barrier is not that you have to pay money for a ticket to see art. You can just come.” However, she did state that the staff of the DIA is undervalued compared to similar museums nationwide. Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner said that has been where county representatives and the DIA have had some differences of opinions. “The county arts authorities were of a view that, as a representative of many millions of dollars, they wanted to have a say in how the institution is managed, and where the money is going,” he said. “The DIA and their executive board had a different point of view, that they know their business, and they're an internationally recognized organization, they felt they were experts in how to run an art museum. Those perspectives are different. Oakland County Arts Authority chair Tom Guastello has put his foot down, especially on certain issues like executive compensation
and transparency. The DIA took the position that there are standards out there, and to attract quality people, this is what we've got to pay. There's now a greater middle ground. The expectations have been reconciled between Gargaro and Guastello. Both are statesmen.” The arts authority approved a salary of $375,000 for new director Salvador SalortPons. Gargaro said he has invited members of the three county commissions and their arts authorities to attend the five annual DIA board meetings. “They are the representatives of the public,” he said. “As part of the millage, each county said, 'I want to be at the table.' We invited them to be part of our process,” he continued, with each county appointing two representatives as board members to the 45-member board. “They're terrific additions, and they report back to their county leadership.” He said several were also invited to be part of the 15-member executive committee. “So the information the public is seeking is quite available,” Gargaro said. “We're very fortunate to have these people representing on our board, because they're very knowledgeable and passionate.” “I am of the opinion, though, that because of the public funding, there is a greater need for transparency. A public entity has an absolute necessity to report out to their public, and although the DIA is not a fully public entity, the receipt of our funding makes it necessary to report their use of public dollars,” Meisner said. “It's important not to offend the public. We have skin in the game and we have the right to have a say.” Lobbyist Profit counters that there is a “delicate space where there is government in a private space, between the donor and the private entity, because some donors want privacy. It's a legitimate expectation of privacy between a private donor and a private entity, and it would be a great shift in American law to permit the government in (with FOIA and Open Meetings Act). It's been a historical protection between private and public bodies. Once you require a non-profit, part of the private sector, to be subject to FOIA , that's a real departure of FOIA, and all sunshine laws.” Profit said he is meeting with Reps. Goike and Runestad in an effort to find a solution that will appease both the public and the DIA. “I'm seeing if this is something that can be worked out with the counties,” Profit said. “Every issue that comes up in a local community doesn't need a legislative solution. This is one of them. We're working this out as we speak with the counties.”
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Megan D’Arcy t was a New Year's Eve Megan D’Arcy’s will never forget, when her father perished in a plane crash that almost claimed the life of her sister as well. Today D’Arcy is a children’s book author helping other kids cope with similar loss. “’Be Happy’ kind of started as a journaling exercise,” D’Arcy said. “I always kept a journal. I didn’t think it was going to be a book until I met Norman Yatooma.” Yatooma, president of the Yatooma Foundation for Kids, helps children who have experienced the sudden loss of a parent. “(Yatooma) approached me and asked me how he could help,” she said. “We were fortunately financially stable, so I asked, ‘How can I help you?’” D’Arcy wrote “Be Happy”, the story of a princess frog whose father, the king, died in a terrible accident. The princess fears forgetting her father, but the queen encourages her to keep going and be happy. She generously donates all profits from the book to Yatooma’s Foundation. Prior to the fateful winter night when Dr. Michael D’Arcy’s plane crashed, the D’Arcy family lived a charmed life in an upscale Rochester neighborhood. “I had a really great childhood,” D’Arcy said. “A lot of memories revolve around going to Northern Michigan and going to Disney World.” On New Year’s Eve of 2006 everything changed when D’Arcy’s father, an experienced pilot, flew her sister, Katie, and two of Katie’s friends to Northern Michigan for a ski trip. “I had invited friends over for a New Year’s Eve party. That’s why my mom and I didn’t go.” D’Arcy said. “My mom got the call that there had been an accident and that we should go to the hospital.” At 13-years-old, D’Arcy’s young life shattered when she learned her father had died and her sister was in critical condition. The other two passengers survived. “I think when something huge happens that is out of your control, your body doesn’t process it,” she said. “When you get back to your routine and that person is missing is when it’s the hardest.” D’Arcy proudly watched her sister learn to walk again and, despite the most formidable conditions, D’Arcy carried on with dignity. During her senior year of high school, she interned for Senator Debbie Stabenow and was accepted into Harvard University. “I’m studying economics and government and Spanish,” she said. “I’m interested in political economy and international relations.” D’Arcy met former president Bill Clinton in Dubai and has traveled overseas as finance director of the Harvard College in Asia Program. She is currently writing a book outlining Detroit’s bankruptcy. “I have a team of (Harvard) professors advising it, but I’m writing it and taking advantage of the resources available to me.” The Stoney Creek High School alumnus, known for her adeptness in tennis, is now an Ivy League student with an extraordinarily bright future. More than a decade has passed since she lost her father, but she is comforted by the knowledge that, although it took his life, her dad loved aviation. “His passion was his destruction,” she said reflectively.
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Story: Katey Meisner
Photo: Laurie Tennent
MUNICIPAL Rochester Hills will renovate firehouses
New city manager ready to start By Katie Deska
By Katie Deska
The Rochester Hills City Council decided to move ahead with renovations for four of the city's fire stations, and to set aside funds to rebuild another in a few years. At a special meeting held Monday, October 5, city council voted unanimously to spend $6.1 million to renovate fire stations 1, 2, 3 and 5, and to set aside an additional $4.5 million to rebuild fire station 4 in the next few years. The total project will ultimately cost the city $11.7 million, inclusive of construction costs, architect services, temporary trailers and other expenses. The funds for the construction project will be allocated from the city's general fund, fire capital and facilities funds. Then, at their regular meeting on Monday, October 26, city council unanimously approved a contract with H2A Architects, not to exceed $86,335, to conduct architectural and engineering services for fire stations 1, 2, 3 and 5. Last summer, architects at CHMP Inc., based in Grand Blanc, estimated the renovation of all five firehouses would cost approximately $6.7 million. Upon a more thorough analysis by CHMP Inc., it was determined the project could cost $11.9 million, with a large portion due to the expense of demolishing and rebuilding station 4, as initially proposed. Council voted to move ahead with construction on stations 1, 2, 3 and 5, but will continue to seek a more competitive price for the station 4 project. At the meeting, Joe Snyder, senior financial analyst for the city, presented city council with two project options, to renovate only fire stations 1, 2, 3, and 5; or to renovate all five of the city's stations. Snyder named areas in which the city had cut costs, including eliminating $50,000 in building permit fees, reducing light fixtures and electrical outlets, and eliminating a proposed fire marshal space renovation, estimated at $61,000. “I think part of the problem for council is that we set, we as a collective team, and we’ll bear responsibility for that, set an unreasonable expectation that this downtownpublications.com
laine Wing, currently director of human resources for the city of Des Plaines, Illinois, has accepted an offer to be the next city manager in Rochester. The Rochester City Council on Monday, September 14, approved making an offer to hire Wing as the next city manager. Interim city manager Nik Banda said Wing has agreed to the contract, and that city council members approved the contract with Wing at their meeting on Monday, September 28. Wing is expected to begin the position in Rochester on Monday, November 2. On August 29, city council held a special meeting to interview four candidates, although one candidate withdrew before he could be interviewed. Council interviewed Jonathan Greene, Marshall Labadie and Blaine Wing. After the interviews, mayor Jeffery Cuthbertson suggested that each council member select their top two choices. They then discussed the strengths of Wing and Labadie, the two top choices. City council voted 7-0 in favor of offering employment to Wing and to draft a labor agreement for council’s consideration. Wing will replace Jaymes Vettraino, who was hired as Rochester’s city manager in 2009. Vettraino announced his resignation to city council in May to accept an academic position at Rochester College, as the college's first director of the Center for Social Entrepreneurship. Working with consultant Jerry Richards from the national recruitment company GovHR, which specializes in the public sector, council sought candidates to replace Vettraino. Nik Banda, who worked as deputy city manager under Vettraino, has been serving as the interim city manager.
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could be done for an amount that it just simply can’t be done, nor will it probably ever be able to, given the expertise we have in the room,” said mayor Bryan Barnett. “The question is, A, do you believe we have the money to afford it and, B, do you think it’s an important enough priority. I submit to you, we do have the money, that doesn’t compromise our position regionally or for any short, mid, or even long-term scenario, and, being that, this is exactly the type of thing we should be spending money on.” Council members discussed at length the timing of project bids, the cost of manufacturing and materials, as well as which source of funding was most fiscally responsible to draw from. “While the city has grown and continues to grow,” Rochester Hills Chief of Fire and Emergency Services Sean Canto stated, “the fire department has remained the same. If I have a piece of equipment that breaks, and I have to send another engine (to the station), it may not fit. It’s not going to stop us from responding.” Firefighter and Rochester Hills Local 3472 union president Paul Wright said “The ladder (on the truck)
is only a few inches from the door (on Station 2).” Union issues also include bathing and sleeping quarters, made particularly problematic with the addition of nine firefighters/ paramedics who joined the force this year as a result of the fire department millage, approved by voters in 2014. Once renovation are completed, sleeping quarters at stations 3, 4, and 5 will be expanded to house all firefighters on shift. Currently, stations 3 and 5 do not have bunkrooms; the firefighters sleep in trailers outside the fire stations. The trailers will be placed at stations 2, 3, and 5 during construction. Prior to the millage approval, there were only two firefighters on shift at a time. “To not move forward with the renovations,” council president Greg Hooper said, “we will not deliver the product that we put on the ballot for voters. I fully support moving forward.” “I’m happy that four of five stations were approved, and I look forward to station 4 being rebuilt in the future,” said Wright. Moving forward with a different architect at their October 26 meeting, city council voted 7-0 to approve a contract with H2A Architects, as H2A has successfully worked with the city
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on prior projects, including the city hall renovation in 2003.
Developers inquire about planned park Rochester received two inquiries regarding the lease or sale of a small piece of property, owned by the city, near the soon-to-open west parking platform, interim city manager Nik Banda announced at the city council meeting on Monday, September 28, but council decided it would be best to wait until a later time to figure out what to do with the property. When the parking deck plans were created, the property under consideration was planned to be a pocket park. The first business inquiry came from Jeff DeGrieck, owner of Penny Black Grill & Tap, known for its barbeque, who asked about leasing the land for outdoor space as it is adjacent to the restaurant. A second inquiry came from a developer who expressed interest in purchasing the land from the city to build a new bistro. Council members discussed their initial thoughts on the unofficial proposals. “I don’t think the city should be in the business of leasing,” said council member Kim Russell. “Maybe we need a cooling off period?” posed council member Rob Ray, referring to the recent development of the parking structure. “My first inclination is that it would be some kind of a green space.” Mayor Jeffrey Cuthbertson commented, “I think the proposer should present to the planning commission, knowing that there are no promises. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” “Because the property is owned by the city,” said mayor pro tem Ben Giovanelli, “it would have to go to a vote of the people, then if it passes, it would go to auction and whoever the highest bidder is, gets it. It’s not inexpensive for a developer to engage an architect or engineer, and before you go ahead and spend money, you want to make sure it can be done. We’re (the city) pro-business, but the (parking) deck isn’t even done yet. It’s the chicken or the egg thing. If you’re a developer, before you spend $20,000 to $30,000 (on blueprints, etc.) you want to make sure there’s an opportunity. (City) attorney (Jeffrey Kragt) and Nik (Banda) will look into it. It’s so far down the road, so we're just looking into it.” 49
Water, sewerage rates deliberated By Katie Deska
Rochester City Council continued deliberations on the water and sewerage rates at their meeting on Monday, October 26, and postponed the second reading and adoption of the amendment to the city ordinance setting water and sewer rates and structure, to be revisited on Monday, November 9. Rates for a number of businesses and residents are expected to increase effective December 1, following a three-year study of water usage in the city. Although some residents may actually see a decrease in rates. The postponement at the October 26 meeting was partly prompted by a point made by council member Rob Ray, who echoed a concerned resident’s comment during the public hearing. From the resident’s perspective, some line item costs could appear inappropriately calculated into the per unit fee, known as the commodity charge, while other items were put in the fixed ready-to-serve fee, the flat rate residents receive on their bills. Ray said costs such as “administration, and/or infrastructure maintenance costs, although it's only one percent of the commodity charge, these are things that would happen regardless if people were using high amount of water or if nobody used it. That’s just the cost of the system, and those should be broken out and moved back up to the ready-to-serve fee. The water distribution cost, I can appreciate that with more usage that would increase. I would like to see these things back into the ready-toserve fee because, as a resident, it’s more palatable to me to pay a readyto-serve fee (that covers the fixed costs) to maintain.” After additional discussion by council, mayor Jeffrey Cuthbertson requested consultant James Vettraino and financial consultants Umbaugh & Associates develop plans, composed of no more than three variations to the line items included in the fixed, ready-to-serve fee and the variable, per-unit commodity charge, to be presented to council on November 9. “I’d like to have the people who have the numbers give us a proposal in a way that doesn’t radically 50
Rochester marketing effort to expand s part of an effort to put Rochester on the map to people living outside the area, the Rochester City Council approved a one-time expenditure of $14,000 on Monday, October 12, to fund a marketing package with Under the Radar (UTR), a magazine and television program aired on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The marketing package, purchased through UTR Michigan, includes production of three 3-5 minute videos on topics of the city’s choice; a 5second underwriting spot at the beginning and end of three episodes; web advertising; social media engagement; and city-generated contributions to the program’s monthly newsletter. “We’ve talked about promoting the (city’s) brand, and we want to make sure we do it in a fashion that gets the most bang for the buck,” said mayor pro tem Ben Giovanelli. “I own a service marketing company and I know web marketing is very esoteric, but very powerful, too, if done properly. I’ve got clients who pay millions of dollars for this work, so for $14,000, I think it’s worth a swing.” After the Rochester Principal Shopping District (PSD) agreed to put forth $6,000 of the $20,000 single season package fee, PSD director Kristi Trevarrow proposed the program to city council. Currently in its fourth season, UTR Michigan is aired on all Michigan PBS stations, as well as in South Bend, Indiana; Toledo and Bowling Green, Ohio; Duluth, Minnesota; Tampa, Florida; and 2.5 million homes across Canada. The audience, Trevarrow noted, “is people who love small towns, and love to day trip.” In season four, airing currently, the show has been broadcasted 1,430 times on all PBS stations, and has had 18.1 million audience impressions, as measured by Facebook metrics. “We’re buying (the audience’s) brand loyalty. We want that love by association, if you will,” she said. Trevarrow, city council and acting city manager Nik Banda discussed their shared desire to shoot film of Rochester in spring, summer, fall and winter, starting with this year’s Big Bright Light Show. “We have videos that are five years old that we’ve been using on our website,” said Banda, noting that the company that produced them has since closed. “I’m a fan of UTR. (City council) wanted us to brand the city.” Council voted 6-0 to approve the expenditure, with council member Cathy Daldin abstaining.
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change the west side (well) system,” said Cuthbertson. “I think we need proposals and I think we need numbers, actually get something concrete.” Under the new water and sewerage plan, Rochester will have two billing systems, one to accommodate municipal well water users, mostly on the west side of the city, and one for consumers of Detroit Water and Sewerage Services (DWSD), mostly on the east side of the city. Under the proposed plan, residents on DWSD who use less than 18 units per billing cycle, about 550 accounts, would see a reduction in their water bills, while those who use over 18 units, approximately 1,290 accounts,
would see a higher water bill. Residents on the Rochester well would see a smaller bill if water usage is under 24 units, a moneysaver for approximately 1,050 accounts, while the approximately 850 accounts using more than 24 units would see an increase on their bill. "The (system) we were using was not fair and not sustainable in the long run. We're eliminating the minimums, which in some ways, the people who had used the least were subsidizing those who use the most," Cuthbertson said. According to a three-year water rate study, completed in collaboration with Umbaugh & Associates, the city's water and sewer fund expenses
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total $5.6 million. Of that total, $3.4 million is used to operate the sewerage system, and $2.2 million is for water services. Cuthbertson noted that Rochester has "approximately 25 percent more well water customers than Detroit, and yet the expense to provide water to the well side is only about 40 percent of overall water costs in the aggregate. It's much more efficient in terms of cost per unit." In preparation of the November 9 meeting, director of public works David Anason said, "Mr. Vettraino is working with Umbaugh to analyze the system to see how we could do it so it's more transparent. That's our ultimate goal."
Rochester Hills 2016 budget approved The Rochester Hills City Council on Monday, September 28, unanimously approved the city’s $126.1 million budget for fiscal year 2016, part of a three-year plan that includes the projected budgets for fiscal years 2017 and 2018. The proposed 2016 budget includes $126.14 million in expenditures, which is a decrease of over 17 percent from the current fiscal year 2015 budget. Revenue is expected to total $114.97 million, a decrease of five percent from the current budget. To balance the budget, the 2016 spending plan calls for using $11.2 million from the city's fund balance, which will be primarily used to improve the city’s infrastructure. Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett said that leaves approximately $25 million of unused fund balance. Of total expenditures calculated in the fiscal year 2016 budget, 22 percent, or $27.5 million, is set aside for professional services, including contracted sheriff department services costing $9.3 million. Another 21 percent, or $27.1 million, will go towards personnel costs, covering 215 full-time employees, the same number from fiscal year 2015. The number of staff includes nine additional firefighters/paramedics that voters approved in a November 2014 millage vote. Water and sewage treatment purchases, along with other energy costs, account for 15 percent, or $19.3 million, of expenditures, as do capital projects, such as road improvement, and 11.15
related purchases, accounting for another $19 million in expenditures. The largest source of anticipated revenue, 41 percent, or $51.6 million, is from service charges, licenses and permits to the city. Property tax revenues contribute 24 percent, or $30.6 million, of revenue, and income from other funds account for 13 percent of total revenue, or $16.3 million. The fund balance contributes nine percent, or $11.2 million, of revenue, and an additional nine percent, $11.1 million, comes from state revenue sharing, federal grants and other sources, which is expected to increase by one percent over fiscal year 2015. The remaining four percent, or $5.4 million, comes from investment earnings, fines and other revenue. Barnett said the net effect of improving residential and commercial property values in the city has resulted in taxable values increases of about 3.26 percent for fiscal year 2016. For fiscal year 2016, there will be a Headlee roll back of .07 percent of the city’s millage, as the rate of inflation is not expected to exceed taxable value growth. The general operating millage for Rochester Hills for fiscal 2016 will be 10.3606 mills, down from 10.4496 mills in fiscal year 2015, due to the expiration of the .0891-mill Older Persons’ Commission (OPC) transportation millage. A new OPC transportation millage, .1-mill, is on the ballot this November, along with other millage proposals. The .2972 mill Local Street III millage, approved by voters in August of 2014, will be levied for fiscal year 2016, while the Green Space millage, of the same amount, has expired. The fiscal year in Rochester Hills runs from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016.
Condo complex development okayed By Katie Deska
Rochester Hills City Council, on Monday, November 9, will discuss a proposed site plan for Brampton Parc Condominiums, consisting of six twounit duplexes on 2.93 acres between Hamlin and School roads, east of John R. Road, which was recommended for approval by the city’s planning commission. Brampton Parc condos would line a cul-de-sac, and range from 1,250 to downtownpublications.com
2,100 square feet, starting at $350,000, with various interior floor plans. “I anticipate all the units being owneroccupied,” said developer Jim Polyzois. “The people I’ve spoken with are looking to buy.” Each of the twelve units are single story, with the option of a finished basement and/or a finished attic area. Each is designed with a private backyard porch, which can be uncovered or enclosed, and a two-car recessed garage, “to enhance the pedestrian, human element of the house,” said Rochester Hills Planning Manager Sara Roediger. “The applicant worked with (the city) to modify that.” Polyzois, of 1459 John R., LLC, and architect Ralph Nunez, of Birmingham-based Design Team Plus, presented the latest site plan to the planning commission on Monday, October 21, which unanimously recommended approval of the project to city council. “I think it’s a needed commodity here, for our aging population,” said planning board member and commissioner Greg Hooper. “I think it will be popular with the 55-plus crowd here in Rochester Hills.” The development was first proposed to the planning commission on February 17 of this year. The applicants, working with the planning commission and city departments, revised the plan multiple times. Rather than clear cut nearly three acres of trees and grade the entire property, the recommended plan preserves 45 percent of trees larger than six-inches in diameter, and is designed to have additional evergreen, shade and ornamental trees planted. The development will have sidewalks and an outdoor common area for residents. The planning commission voted 70, with commissioners David Reece and Emmet Yukon not in attendance, to recommend approval to the city council. Polyzois and Nunez were previously approved to build Villas at Shadow Pines off of South Boulevard between Coolidge and Adams next to Pine Trace Golf Course, and Sanctuary at River’s Edge, along the Clinton River Trail. Both residential developments are in the construction review process with the city. Additionally, Nunez’s architecture and landscaping firm is currently working with Rochester Hills officials to design a re-imagined Riverbend Park.
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Rochester approves Paint Creek budget By Katie Deska
The Paint Creek Trailways Commission (PCTC) 2016 budget was unanimously approved by the Rochester City Council on Monday, September 14. The first rails-to-trails project in Michigan, the local Paint Creek Trail stretches 8.9 miles through the communities of Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township and Orion Township, giving residents a scenic and historic route to enjoy. Passengers traveling by train began passing through in 1871 on what was eventually known as Penn Central Railroad. Roughly a century later, when the line quit running, community members came together as the Trailways Commission and purchased the abandoned railroad. Today, the trail is owned and largely maintained by the Paint Creek Trailways Commission, which is comprised of appointed members from each of the communities through which the trail runs. The budget states, “the (2016) operational budget is two percent higher than last year’s request, $341 per community.” Rochester council member Kim Russell, who sits on the PCTC, said the commission “gave the employees, a couple of them, a two percent increase in wage.” Per the budget recently approved by Rochester city council, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township and Orion Township will each contribute $17,386 towards the 2016 operations budget, which covers “office operations; staff travel/training/development; insurance
and professional services; publicity and printing costs; and part-time administrative personnel,” according to the funding request. Additionally, there is a patrol program, which funds a bike patrol person, hired for 20 hours per week from June 1 through October 31, 2016, and two Oakland County Sheriff’s Office mounted patrol deputies, serving two to three days a week, from June 30 through October 31, 2016. Russell said the bike patrol received a 50-cent per hour wage increase. “You want to make sure you’re taking care of what needs to be taken care of, and make sure the people are being paid fairly, but you don’t want it to get out of control,” she said. The funding amount request from each community for the patrol program depends on the percentage of trail in each community. Within the city of Rochester there is .6 miles of the Paint Creek Trail, and the city will pay $1,011 towards the program. Rochester Hills has 1.4 miles of trail and is requested to contribute $2,166 towards the patrol program. PCTC also requests that the trail, bridge and stream inspection, along with maintenance, be conducted by each community for their jurisdiction. “The Trailways Commission fund doesn’t do any capital projects. We do awareness (such as maps an signage), and the bike patrol, maintaining a website,” said Russell.
Changes made for shed, garage rules Rochester residents must have approval from the city building official before and after installing a nonelectric heating source in an accessory structure, such as a
Parking violators now off the towing hook n ordinance amendment governing parking on private property, giving police officers the ability to issue a ticket in the case where a property owner chooses not to tow the offending vehicle, was approved by the Rochester City Council on Monday, September 14. Prior to the amendment, “we didn’t have a way to write tickets (for that offense),” said Rochester Police Chief Steven Schettenhelm. “The only recourse that a property owner had was to engage the service of a towing company. Sometimes the property owners were reluctant to do
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detached garage, gazebo, or shed, the Rochester City Council ruled unanimously on Monday, October 12. The zoning amendment prohibits wood-burning stoves, fireplaces and other open flame apparatuses in accessory structures. The issue was brought to the planning commission’s attention by a resident who expressed concern over smoke caused by a wood-burning stove in her neighbor’s garage. Shortly after, another neighbor’s garage caught fire. “In downtown, there’s a lot of historic garages that aren’t really garages anymore,” said council member Cathy Daldin. “We have a lot of non-conforming structures in the community,” which have been grandfathered in. “I wouldn’t put anything burning in mine because it’s 80 or 90 years old.” With the new zoning change, a smoke detector must be installed and approved by the city building inspector prior to using any heating element in an accessory structure.
Meijer requests curb-side pickup Meijer officials are pleased that approval of a drive-through on Monday, September 28, by the Rochester Hills City Council, will allow for a curb-side pickup program at the store. Meijer representative Seth Dorman, of Ohio-based WD Partners, told planning commission members the program will allow customers to select from over 20,000 top stock keeping units (SKUs) online, and that Meijer staff would be able to gather the order items from the shelves, and store the grocery and non-grocery items in the staging area, which has a cooler,
that, and now we have a way to write these tickets.” The police department had been receiving numerous calls from private property owners relative to people parking on private property. “We would always go out and look at the situation, and if the property owner wanted the vehicle to be towed, depending on what the situation was, blocking a car in, that sort of thing, we would assist them the best we could. But, sometimes it’s a situation where the owner doesn’t want to tow,” Schettenhelm said. “That’s why we are coming to you,” he said to city council, “to give us another arrow in our quiver.” Council members voted 6-0, with mayor
freezer and hot-holding unit. Customers would then be able to schedule a pick-up time between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., and either pre-pay online or upon receipt of their order. Planning commission members had previously approved a conditional zoning request to build a drivethrough at the Meijer store at 3175 Rochester Road, at Rochester and Auburn roads. The site plan, which designates the drive-through at the northeast end of Meijer, was unanimously approved by the city council.
Search for water source comes up dry Efforts to find an alternative drinking water source in Rochester have come up dry, as a testing well near Bloomer Road and John R failed to produce positive results, a city official reported at the Rochester City Council meeting on Monday, September 14. Rochester Public Works Director David Anason reported the results of a second water test well found the well to be dry, with no potential for producing a water supply. The second test well, drilled on June 25, north of Bloomer Road and west of John R. Road, was part of a two-year project investigating an alternate source of drinking water for the East Water District of Rochester. The current provider for the east district is Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD), while the West Water District is served by a municipal well, which is “one-ninth cheaper” than what residents in the east district pay, according to acting city manager Nik Banda. A first test well was drilled months
Jeffrey Cuthbertson absent, to amend the ordinance. With the new ordinance, a sign must be present designating the property as ‘private’ in order for a ticket to be issued, or for a vehicle to be impounded. A property owner may call the police and request a ticket be issued to a car parked without permission on private property. However, a representative of the property must be present at the time the police officer writes the ticket. “They would have to stand behind the ticket that’s issued because we don’t really know which car is improperly parked,”Schettenhelm said. “It sometimes happens in apartment complexes, if a guest parks in the wrong spot.”
earlier and also came up dry. "Unfortunately, the second test well resulted in a dry hole with no potential for a strata capable of producing a water supply well near the test well," the city's engineering consultants, Johnson & Anderson, Inc., said. Three alternatives, requiring further investigation and evaluation, have been provided by Johnson & Anderson, Inc. Estimated costs for further project evaluation are $28,700. Mayor pro tem Ben Giovanelli said he was “disappointed to see this one didn’t work out, but it was well worth the effort, no pun intended.” Banda said the project has been put on hold until spring of 2016, when the council will discuss goals and objectives, while taking into account the interests of city residents.
Milltown apartments project put on hold Citing unexpected costs, development of Rochester’s Milltown apartment complex has been put on hold, a representative from Soave Real Estate Group informed the Rochester planning commission on Monday, October 5. “They had some unexpected issues with soil and water supply, and things that needed to be done,” said planning commissioner Kim Russell. “They quoted $5.25 million extra that they felt they couldn’t invest.” The 130-plus unit apartment complex, approved by city council in November 2013, had been slated to be built on the property between Mill Street and Elizabeth Street, south of E. 2nd Street. Part of the approved site plan involved rerouting the Clinton River Trail. “They did clear cut the land. There was shrubbery and growth, and now that it was clear cut, that’s an empty field, and has a lot of debris,” said Russell. “When I was riding my bike, someone was singing ‘Teenage Wasteland.’” This comes on the heels of a second Soave development that has also been put on hold. That property, on Letica Road in Rochester, was slated to be developed into residential condominiums. Mayor Jeffrey Cuthbertson said informal talks “have discussed they (the developers) will have a better handle on it in the spring. For the time being, while they evaluate other concept plans, (the property) will be graded, seeded and the Mill Street connector will reopen.” downtownpublications.com
Police/school liaison program continues By Katie Deska
he 2015-2016 school year police/school liaison budget for Rochester Community Schools, which, at $601,820, is on par with the previous year's budget, was approved by the Rochester City Council on Monday, September 14, followed by unanimous approval by the Rochester Hills City Council on Monday, September 28. Rochester City Council approved the allocation 6-0, with mayor Jeff Cuthbertson absent from the meeting. The program, which began as a class taught by a Rochester police officer in the 1970s, is now a joint effort comprising two officers from the Rochester Police Department and three deputies from the Rochester Hills substation of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO). “Unlike a lot of communities who have officers in schools,” said OCSO Captain Michael Johnson, of the Rochester Hills substation, “these officers teach programs. Part of it is to enforce the law and conduct investigations, and another part is the opportunity to teach and have positive contact between students and officers.” The curriculum taught by the officers is age specific and includes topics such as stranger danger, substance abuse, harassment, shoplifting, Internet safety, and how the legal system works. Each high school in the Rochester district has a dedicated officer who does programming in the Rochester middle schools as well. Stoney Creek High School is served by one Rochester officer, while Adams and Rochester high schools are each served by one deputy from the sheriff’s substation. Elementary schools are served by one Rochester officer and one OCSO deputy. Rochester Community Schools is responsible for 25 percent, or $180,455, of the budget, and the remaining 75 percent, or $421,365, is paid jointly by Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township. Each municipality contributes an amount dependent upon the number of students attending the school system. Rochester pays 12.2 percent, or $51,508; Rochester Hills pays 68.4 percent, or $288,266; and the remaining 19.4 percent, or $81,591, comes from Oakland Township. “It’s an excellent program,” said Rochester Chief of Police Steven Schettenhelm. “In the summer, you see kids of all ages that come up and know them (the officers) from the schools. It’s someone they can go and run up to, and renew that relationship. You can tell that these officers are making a long-term impact on the students.”
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Businesses kick in funds for parking By Katie Deska
Rochester City Council on Monday, October 26, voted 5-1 to approve a special assessment district (SAD) in which 141 affected properties will contribute a total of $255,000 towards the $12 million parking platform project in the city's downtown area. The $255,000 is one "leg" of funding that interim city manager Nik Banda called a "three-legged stool," part of a trio of funding sources which also includes the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the city of Rochester. “The goal is to make it equitable for everyone," said Banda. Council member Stuart Bikson opposed the district. "The SAD was not dropped on people recently, it’s been talked about for years. I felt the DDA should kick in more, and only did
$50,000. To me, this is a quintessential opportunity for the DDA. That's my only issue, and for that reason, I'm not supporting this." Council members Rob Ray, Kim Russell, Steve Sage, and mayor Jeffrey Cuthbertson voted in support. Council member Cathy Daldin abstained from voting, as she owns a business in the SAD. Around February or March of 2016, the affected properties will be billed for amounts they were determined to owe. There will be two additional, similar special assessments for 2017 and 2018, though the amount the properties would have to contribute will be reevaluated. Council members noted that future assessments are unclear at this time, but expressed hope it won’t have to continue. “I suspect we won’t need it more than a year,” mayor pro tem Ben Giovanelli said. To determine the amount that each
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property owner in the district must contribute, a calculation is made based on a formula involving the property's present use, and the city's parking code, which requires one available parking space for every 200 square feet of business. Added into that is a required off-street parking space calculation provided by the zoning code. Credits are given to properties that currently have stripped and approved spaces. On September 18, Banda said the most recent calculation would be roughly $100 to $102 per space. However, as more information is provided to the city from property owners, regarding the number of parking spaces a property has, the amount that will be billed to each party is adjusted. “After this letter (to owners of affected properties), sent 10 days ago,” Banda said on October 26, “I had 15 people call saying, ‘you didn’t know, I had this or that.’ So it’s a moving target.” Some bills, he noted, are $8,000 or $11,000 if they are huge parking users without parking offered. During the public hearing, George Heller of Heller’s Jewelry said, “My business is 1,800 square feet, and they say I need nine parking spaces. I’ve been there 46 years and I’ve never had nine people in my store at one time. I wish I did. I wouldn’t be here complaining.” Mayor Jeffrey Cuthbertson said, “Parking in most places has been free, but a great deal of money has been spent. We’ve been losing about $250,000 in tax dollars before, and if appreciated over time, it would be much higher. It’s not about trying to slap a tax or assessment on someone, but to ensure adequate revenue and provide new additional parking in areas where it has the most need. A study two years ago showed these two areas (where the parking platforms have been built) were hot spots in terms of areas of need. We want to look at this on an annual basis. As the revenue becomes more stable, more understood, and there’s revenue to service the operations, this is the first thing that I, personally, would like to eliminate, but with $12 million in bond debt, that’s a fixed expense without a fixed revenue, that would be irresponsible.” Before the vote, Giovanelli said, “We need to step back and ask, ‘what’s the greater good we’re trying to accomplish?’ It’s so people have a place to park on events, and when they come (to downtown), and so neighbors can have the front of their house back.” 53
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FACES
Jessica Hall ne-half of the Queens of Shine (Sisters Healing Individuals Naturally Everyday), Jessica Hall, was inspired to start an all-natural healing balm business after delivering a child prematurely and watching him battle illness. “I fell at work and it just jolted me into labor,” said the art teacher for Clarkston Community Schools. “(My son) was in the NICU for two weeks. By the time the winter came, his immunity was so poor. He was in and out of the hospital.” Hall was disillusioned reading the labels of lotions and oils she was putting on her children. “There were so many ingredients we couldn’t pronounce.” She and her sister-in-law, Stephany, wanted to offer their children products with natural ingredients they trusted. They sought to replace the chemical and synthetic fragrances of store-bought creams, balms and lotions. “(Stephany) is like the mad scientist,” Hall said. “We joked about starting our own company and then I thought, ‘Why not?’” With a degree from Western Michigan University in art, marketing and graphic design, Hall was the perfect entrepreneurial compliment to her sister-in-law. “We believe that our skin is just as vital as any other organ in our body,” Hall said. “We always say, ‘don’t put anything on your body that you wouldn't put in it.’” The sisters created their products in Hall’s Rochester Hills kitchen that are completely edible. “We perfected our product in three or four months.” They then began selling online in August 2015. At times, the two mothers would be cooking with one hand and
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bouncing their infant children with the other. The products quickly resonated with other local mothers. Soon, their immunity boosting, teething and sleep-assisting balms and wrinkle wands were being sold in Talulah Belle in Rochester and Egg in Birmingham, New York and Washington D.C. The Queens of Shine will be at Talulah Belle in Rochester on December 3 for the Holiday Sip and Shop from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. “We also work with clients to develop special favors for bridal showers, baby showers, or their boutiques.” Brothers Billy and Brian, Jessica and Stephany’s respective husbands, who once jokingly deemed them “witch doctors”, now believe in the products. “My husband uses the sleepy balm before he goes to bed,” Hall said. The Hall sisters offer products for any budget, with prices ranging from $4-$30. They are hoping to get their yoga, meditative and life-inspiring balms into yoga studios and other boutiques. Hall, who moved to Rochester Hills for the school district and downtown amenities, created a successful in-home business within her three years of becoming a resident. “I just don’t sleep,” Hall chuckled. “But, the Queens of Shine (business) has given me the opportunity to work at home. I’ve dreamt of owning my own company one day, and it’s been such a good experience.” Story: Katey Meisner
Photo: Laurie Tennent
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PLACES TO EAT The Places To Eat for Downtown is a quick reference source to establishments offering a place for dining, either breakfast, lunch or dinner. The listings include nearly all dining establishments with seating in the Rochester area, and then some select restaurants outside the immediate area served by Downtown. The complete Places To Eat is available at downtownpublications.com and in an optimized format for your smart phone (downtownpublications.com/mobile), where you can actually map out locations and automatically dial a restaurant from our Places To Eat.
Rochester/Rochester Hills 112 Pizzeria Bistro: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 2528 S. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.289.6164. 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. 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. Cheng’s Restaurant: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 2666 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.299.9450. Chili’s: Tex-Mex. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2735 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.299.5281. 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,
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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,
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Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.651.3527. 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. Max & Erma’s: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Village of Rochester Hills, 122 N. Adams Road, Rochester, 48309. 248.375.1535. 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.
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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. 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 Meeting House: American. Weekend Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Closed Mondays. Reservations. Liquor. 301 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.759.4825. 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
DOWNTOWN
Coolidge Hwy, Troy, 48084. 248.637.6400. Mon Jin Lau: Asian. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. 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. No 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. 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.
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FRONT/BACK Front/Back is a monthly column devoted to news stories, tidbits and gossip items about what's happening in both the front of the house and back of the house in the restaurants in the metro Detroit area.
well as an eight-course tasting menu for $65, with an optional $35 beverage pairing.
Basketball flavors
Chef Kate Williams, formerly of Republic, has a new restaurant in the works, called Lady of the House, though she has yet to announce a location. Williams and Peter Dalinowski, owner of Hamtramck’s pop up restaurant Revolver, are preparing to embark on a pop up tour, spanning at least six U.S. cities, Dalinowski said. In addition to organizing the tour, Dalinowski has been in communication with an Ann Arbor location in which to hold Sunday pop up dinners. “It’s an old businessman’s club that wants to freshen up and do dinners,” he said. “It’d be the same format (as Revolver), but I’d probably do residencies,” and have one chef serve their recipes for a few months. “Kate (Williams) is planning to work there for two or three months, once a week, while she works on recipes. If she’s available, then she would be the opening chef.”
Lady moves on Michigan State University basketball coach, Tom Izzo, is now part owner of Novi’s Toasted Oak, located in the Baronette Renaissance Hotel, at 27790 Novi Road, along with Lansing-based owners Wicken’s Group.
Chef hopping Antietam’s former executive chef, Brion Wong, who recently departed the vintage-styled French restaurant for a new culinary adventure, has been named chef de cuisine at The Peterboro, a soon-to-open contemporary American-Chinese restaurant located at 420 Peterboro Street in Midtown. Seth High, former sous chef of Antietam, 1428 Gratiot Avenue near Eastern Market in Detroit, has taken the helm as executive chef, working with chef Justin James Feggan. “This is normal business for us,” said Antietam’s owner Gregory Holm. Chuck Inchaustegui, co-owner of The Peterboro, opening in midNovember, and general manager of Sugar House, said, Wong “will bring a whole new aspect to what we were planning on doing. He’s very organized, refined, classically trained, and very imaginative in his dishes.”
More from Supino’s Supino Pizzeria chef and owner, Dave Mancini, recently opened La Rondinella, at 2453 Russell Street in Detroit, next to the well-known pizzeria. The new Italian restaurant will carry some of the staples served at Supino’s, including lasagna and cannolis, plus new offerings including farinata and gnocchi.
New unique locale Mabel Gray, launched by chef James Rigato, co-founder of The Root Restaurant & Bar, is now serving in Hazel Park at 23825 John R. Road. Thoughtful, adventurous and hyper-rotating are the words Rigato used to describe the handwritten menu, which changes daily and is often posted to their Facebook page. Mabel Gary offers a la carte fresh, seasonal options as
Forest to open Forest is the new name for the recently renovated Forest Grill, 735 Forest Street in Birmingham, which will reopen in early November under the management of Samy Eid. Allicia Janutol, wife of the restaurant’s executive chef Nick Janutol, has been named general manager. Ms. Janutol was formerly the general manager of Townhouse in Birmingham.
Modern American bistro Adam Hightower, of MotorCity Casino’s Iridescence, is executive chef and consultant for the new Auburn Hills bistro, Parkside, owned by Nick Lucaj, at 3315 Auburn Road. “We’re a modern American bistro, celebrating the culinary diversity of the U.S. We’re a scratch kitchen, except for pastries and baked goods, which come from Give Thanks (in Rochester). We feature a lot of organic farms, using Otto’s Farm, Fogler’s Farm in Rochester, and others in Michigan.”
Belt alley offerings Standby, a new Detroit restaurant and cocktail lounge, is set to open by November 14, at 225 Gratiot, at
the corner of the Belt alley in Detroit. “Come for the drinks and stay for the food,” said beverage director Joe Robinson, formerly of Michael Symon’s Roast and coowner of Bailout Productions, a cocktail consulting group. It’s dimly lit atmosphere is “designed to offer a little refuge from your day-today,” said Robinson, noting the unusual entrance “through an alley into an old elevator shaft.” Standby is a collaborative project consisting of Brendon Robinson, Edwards, Anthony Curis, partner in the nearby Library Street Gallery, David Goldman, founding partner in Mobile Food Concepts, and Bedrock Real Estate Services.
Birmingham coffee bistro La Strada Caffe, Birmingham’s newest bistro expected to open by early November at 243 E. Merrill Street, intends to have “the same quality as Tre Monti (Ristorante)” located in Troy, said Zharko Palushaj, owner of both establishments. Opening at 7 a.m., the morning crowd can get “espresso and biscotti,” said Palushaj, or toast with various spreads including marscopone, jam, and hazelnut-chocolate spread. A patron can walk up to the counter, or sit down for service. The menu includes crepes, salads, soups, and Italian paninis. Palushaj said he’s going for a neighborhood spot, an “old world coffee bar.”
Socio-cultural resto coming Coming to Ferndale will be the latest endeavor from Thom Bloom and the Toast Restaurant Group, Otus Supply, a restaurant, bar and music venue slated to open in the first quarter of 2016 at 345 E. Nine Mile. Myles McVay, executive chef, has been busy in the kitchen since he was 13. Prior to joining the Toast group, McVay worked at Opus One and D’Amato’s. “(McVay’s) a really talented guy. He’s in a band, got long hair, and is tattooed on about every inch of his body,” said Bloom. The renovated space will include a main dining room, a four-season patio room, a music event space, and three rooms available for rent. “The concept was born three or four years ago. We’re real excited about it. It’s all about getting away from GMO garbage food” and harkening back to “when families got together, when one brought the
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. 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. 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. Peabody’s: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 34965 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.5222. Phoenicia: Middle Eastern. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 588 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.3122. Roadside B & G: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1727 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7270. Salvatore Scallopini: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 505 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8977. Social Kitchen & Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 5 or more. Liquor. 225 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4200. Streetside Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. Reservations, Lunch only. Liquor. 273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.9123. Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American. Dinner. Monday-Saturday. Sunday brunch. Reservations. Liquor. 55 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.731.7066. The Bird & The Bread: Brasserie. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 210 S. Old Woodard, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.6600. The Franklin Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 32760 Franklin Rd, Franklin, 48025. 248.865.6600. The Rugby Grille: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5999. The Stand: Euro-American. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 34977 Woodward, Birmingham, 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. 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,
mandolin and one brought the corn, not ‘hurry up and choke down a McDonald’s hamburger while driving to a soccer game.’”
Award winning chef Birmingham resident and executive pastry chef Eric Voigt, of the city’s Big Rock Chophouse, 245 S. Eton Street, and The Reserve, an event venue at 325 S. Eton Street, was awarded 2015 Pastry Chef of the Year from the American Culinary Federation’s Michigan Chefs de Cuisine Association. The dessert creation that earned him the honor was a Meltaway Carmalized Chocolate, “featuring delicate pineapple and cherry fancier with orange foam, Chantilly and salt garnish,” a representative from Big Rock said.
A classic reopens After a brief closure, 25-year-old Kruse & Muer on Main, 327 S. Main Street in Rochester, has reopened. “The remodeling was stimulated by a visit to my friend Bill Roberts new restaurant, Bill’s, in Bloomfield Hills,” said Bill Kruse. “I was so knocked out by Bill’s that I immediately called Ron Rea, who I knew had recently completed Bill’s and said, ‘I need you at Kruse & Muer on Main tomorrow!’” New menu items, created by executive chef Chris Hessler and staff, include the Crispy Parmesan Encrusted Ravioli made with Maine lobster, and Spice Grilled Tuna Tostadas. Seafood, pasta, and other mainstay dishes have remained on the menu. “We added menu items that are designed for a casual get together, with some great small plate appeal,” said Kruse.
Avenue in Detroit, is Norberto Garita’s more affordable and casual Mexican-Italian eatery situated adjacent to his first restaurant, El Barzon, 3710 Junction Street. La Noria is awaiting the arrival of an Italian wood-fired pizza oven, a necessity for the menu, which includes pizza, “tortas – Mexican sandwiches – and specials on Saturday and Sunday,” said Bertin Garita, Norberto’s son. “It will be totally different from El Barzon. We want to keep this more fast-paced, more casual. We will have a couple TVs there, so if someone wants to hang out and watch the game, they can. It will be all seasons. In winter, we’ll have garage doors and it will be warm, and in summer, we’ll open the doors so it will get the breeze.”
New incarnation The Block, formerly known as The Grille Midtown, at 3919 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, is embracing change. With a new name, new chef and simplified menu, marketing manager Stephanie Byrd, 32, said, “We wanted to be a better reflection of the neighborhood, and we wanted to make our concept more approachable and affordable, a reflection of true Midtown.” New chef Rashad Patrick brings experience from the kitchens of Greektown Casino, Hopcat, and Coach Insignia. Now with an expanded drink menu, and less salads and appetizers, the familyrun business, which opened two years ago, is focusing on upping the quality and “making a few things great” said Bryd. “Now we’re considered casual. A place to hang out, have a drink and have some signature wings.”
Tom’s revamps The menu at Tom’s Oyster Bar, 318 S. Main Street in Royal Oak, which also serves its neighbor, Ale Mary’s Beer Hall, underwent significant changes with the recent addition of chef Norman Fenton, formerly of Royal Oak’s Bistro 82, 401 Lafayette Avenue. Fenton said he has “modernized the food at Tom’s; it’s simple thoughtful food done right. The menu in general has gone to more sharable size plates.”
For El Barzon lovers Slated for a January opening, La Noria Bistro, 5517 Michigan
Eatery on the move Rock City Eatery, owned by soonto-be newlyweds Nik Sanches and Jessica Imbronone, is moving from Hamtramck to Midtown, in February, to 4216 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Citing the better location and larger space, Sanches said, “The menu will probably change when we move, it depends on what kind of kitchen equipment we get, but we’ll probably keep the staples. I’m trying to buy a wood-burning pizza oven. I try trendy things all the time, so I don’t know what will pop into my head in February. The
menu is pretty adventurous. It’s new American, global food.” The couple also owns a burger joint in Hamtramck called Campau Tower.
No more brunch The breakfast joint that owner Tina Motley opened this summer, Le Petit Dejeuner, 3411 Brush Street in Detroit, is closed until further notice.
POP UP INTEL Yemans Street, 2995 Yemans Street in Hamtramck: Now serving lunch, every Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a new menu each month. Pre-pay dinners: Jordan Ceresnie, pastry chef at The Root Restaurant & Bar, November 5. Industry night, with discounted prices, hosted by Reid Shipman, Josh Stockton, Brandon O’Sullivan, Jason Osburn, and Adam Verville, all formerly or presently of Gold Cash Gold; and Albert Borrego, of Toasted Oak, November 9. Brent Foster, formerly of the WAB (Woodward Avenue Brewers), November 13. Juliann Botham, of Ann Arbor’s Aventura, November 14. Mike and Matt Romine, chefs, twins and founders of Mulefoot Gastropub, November 18. Kelli Lewton, of 2-Unique Catering and Pure Food 2-U organic food home delivery service, November 20. yemansstreet.com The Menagerie, 31 N. Saginaw Street in Pontiac: Owners and chefs April and James Forbes are preparing to open Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., serving made-to-order artisan pizzas, cooked by the Forbes. A la carte brunch: Sundays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kyle Williams, of J.B. Chowhounds. Pre-pay dinners: Jeffrey Tatum, of Over the Top Catering, November 7. Graham Schave, of Your Gourmet, catering and personal chef services, November 20. menageriekitchen.com Front/Back is reported each month by Katie Deska. KatieDeska@DowntownPublications.com. We welcome news items or tips, on or off the record, about what's happening in the front or back of the house at metro area restaurants.
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, Monday-Saturday. 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. 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/ 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. 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
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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. Pepino's Restaurant & Lounge: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday - Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 118 W. Walled Lake Drive, Walled Lake, 48390. 248.624.1033. 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.
Detroit Angelina Italian Bistro: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1565 Broadway St., Detroit, 48226. 313.962.1355. Antietam: French. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 1428 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, 48207. 313.782.4378. Bucharest Grill: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2040 Park Ave., Detroit, 48226. 313.965.3111. Cliff Bell’s: American. Sunday Brunch.
Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 2030 Park Ave., Detroit, 48226. 313.961.2543. Coach Insignia: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 100 Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243. 313.567.2622. Craft Work: American. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 8047 Agnes St., Detroit, 48214. 313.469.0976. Cuisine: French. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 670 Lothrop Rd., Detroit, 48202. 313.872.5110. The Detroit Seafood Market: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1435 Randolph St., Detroit, 48226. 313.962.4180. El Barzon: Mexican. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 3710 Junction St., Detroit, 48210. 313.894.2070. Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café: Cajun. Breakfast, daily. Sunday Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 400 Monroe Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.965.4600. Giovanni’s Ristorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 330 S. Oakwood Blvd., Detroit, 48217. 313.841.0122. Green Dot Stables: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2200 W. Lafayette, Detroit, 48216. 313.962.5588. Jefferson House: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2 Washington Blvd., Detroit, 48226. 313.782.4318. Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Monday- Friday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 400 Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243. 313.567.6837. Johnny Noodle King: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2601 W. Fort St., Detroit, 48216. 313.309.7946. Maccabees at Midtown: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 5057 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202. 313.831.9311. Mario’s: Italian. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4222 2nd Ave., Detroit, 48201. 313.832.1616. Midtown Shangri-la: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 4710 Cass Ave., Detroit, 48201. 313.974.7669. Motor City Brewing Works: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 470 W. Canfield St., Detroit, 48201. 313.832.2700. 1917 American Bistro: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 19416 Livernois Ave., Detroit, 48221. 313.863.1917. Prism: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 555 E. Lafayette St, Detroit, 48226. 313.309.2499. Red Smoke Barbeque: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Trappers Alley Shopping Center, 573 Monroe Ave., Detroit, 48226. 313.962.2100. Roma Café: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 3401 Riopelle St., Detroit, 48207. 313.831.5940. Russell Street Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 2465 Russell St, Detroit, 48207. 313.567.2900. Santorini Estiatorio: Greek. Lunch &
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Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 501 Monroe Ave, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.9366. Selden Standard: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 3921 Second Ave., Detroit, 48201. 313.438.5055. Sinbad’s: Seafood. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 100 St Clair St., Detroit, 48214. 313.822.8000. Slows Bar BQ: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2138 Michigan Ave, Detroit, 48216. 313.962.9828. Small Plates Detroit: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 1521 Broadway St., Detroit, 48226. 313.963.0702. St. CeCe’s Pub: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1426 Bagley Ave., Detroit, 48216. 313.962.2121. Tap at MGM Grand: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1234. Taqueria Nuestra Familia: Mexican. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7620 Vernor Hwy., Detroit, 48209. 313.842.5668. The Block: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 3919 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.0892. Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 519 East Jefferson Ave., Detroit, 48226. 313.964.4010. Top of the Pontch: American. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservation. Liquor. 2 Washington Blvd, Detroit, 48226. 313.782.4313. Traffic Jam & Snug: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 511 W. Canfield, Detroit, 48201. 313.831.9470. 24grille: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, 1114 Washington Blvd, Detroit, 48226. 313.964.3821. Union Street: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4145 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.831.3965. Vince’s: Italian. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1341 Springwells St., Detroit, 48209. 313.842.4857. Vivio’s Food & Spirits: American. Saturday Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2460 Market St., Detroit, 48207. 313.393.1711. The Whitney: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & High Tea, Monday-Friday. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 4421 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.5700. Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria and Cucina: Italian. Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1646. Wolfgang Puck Steak: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1411. Wright & Co.: American. Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1500 Woodward Ave Second Floor, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.7711.
11.15
AT THE TABLE Again, mock if you must but when great ingredients are prepared simply, it is truly the thing dreams are made of. The next dish embodied the seasonal approach in By J. March flavors, execution and item selection. Cauliflower three ways with burnt in chips and pureed with chicken fat broth. Though at first we thought it needed something 've dined at some pretty classy places in my life. Most to brighten it up, we did agree that on a rainy fall day, of them 20 plus years ago when I was just getting this is what you should eat. This course came with into this whole eating seriously thing. And though food bread that I was more then okay with skipping until I was simpler then, I was still intimidated by the linen watched a guest scarf down two pieces and attempt to tablecloths, dessert carts and tuxedo clad waiters, hide another in their coat. What looked to be heavy waitresses and bartenders. sourdough was light in body yet yeasty and rich in flavor Since then haute cuisine has given way to more and served with house churned (churned, not whipped) casual atmospheres, relaxed diners and menus that skip butter with a light dusting of sea salt. Chef Lipar told us the heavy sauces, fancy terms and maitre d's. If I had to what about its preparation made it so unique, but in full guess I would say that where eating out was once a disclosure I was already thinking about how I was going special occasion, it is now commonly a bi-weekly thing to explain any of what we had eaten so far without and to have more approachable choices makes sense. using phrases like “mother-loving awesome.” All to say, this is the kind of dining I have become The first protein out was trout in chestnut broth grossly uncomfortable with and the reason why my with olive oil, celery leaves and palms got a little sweaty upon entering roasted chestnuts. It was the only Marais. flop of the night due to the flatness of Not much more then 13 miles from the broth and the uninspired trout downtown Detroit, Grosse Pointe is not that looked paltry in the bowl and the first place you think of to grab a tasted like it looked. bite. However, with its opening in The chef is a fan of Mangalista and September of 2013 and the Hour it only made sense that it should Restaurant of the Year appointment make an appearance. Rich, lovely, shortly after, Marais has definitely been velvety, fatty loin with a jus made a point of interest for serious diners. from the bones garnished with Dave Gilbert carried it as the executive shaved and roasted crab-apples. chef up until about a month ago when Simple, balanced and flat out Garrett Lipar, formerly of Torino, took spectacular, I was pretty sure nothing over. Between the two of them the could improve it. Then came the accolades are huge, including four macaron. Macaron you say? That's Restaurant of the Year titles, a James dessert! Not if it's an onion macaron Beard Rising Star of the Year Semifilled with sherry and foie gras. Finalist and a James Beard nomination Admittedly, I do not like foie gras. for Best Chef: Great Lakes. Pretty You say it's an unsophisticated impressive and most certainly a reason Cultured blackberries & raspberries with a sorrel granita & flowers. Downtown photo: Jean Lannen palate; I say nothing that awful is to get excited about dining at Marais meant to be enjoyed alone. However, where this duo and their staff form with sweet sherry and pungent onion, this foie-filled composition and list of ingredients, a symphony of what I can only think of as the Hydra of chefs. macaron changed my liver-hating ways. Not since the apron clad angels let loose a chorus of “hallelujah.” We were seated in the middle of a spacious formal strawberry and spruce dish at Torino have I been so Scoff if you must, but it was the miracle of purity that I dining room with a tin ceiling, massive chandelier, happy to be so wrong about an ingredient. That Chef have been waiting for and in the form of the grandest fresh cut flowers and a view of the semi-open kitchen. Lipar is one clever guy. Imagine taking classically It was pretty much the stuff that formal restaurants are of all things...tomatoes. Perfectly blanched, softly prepared ingredients and incorporating them in dishes acidic tomatoes with a touch of sweetness from the made of, with the exception of the mismatched melon broth and a smidge of bitter from the petals. Not that allow the diner to see another side. photographs of various kitchens and a thought Fermented berries with sorrel granite was the the grand chandelier, champagne cart or Escoffier provoking picture of jungle animals. dessert course. Though I can appreciate the idea of himself could have stopped any of us from shamelessly The a la cart menu is small, as expected, and making the berries more complex, the acidity was so picking up our bowls and downing every single drop. follows the philosophy of all things local. Although the high I couldn't eat more than one bite. Tarrgon Squash, kraut, pistachios and pistachio puree appetizers and entrees listed make sense for return meringue and raw milk custard petit fours and arrived next. The kraut is clearly a labor of love from diners looking for a bite, the Tasting Menu is where it's fermented peaches were on the last of our ten plates this kitchen and had a distinctive flavor that can only at and is, in my opinion, mandatory if you really want and a fitting ending to what was nothing short of a to experience the range of Lipar's talent and the beauty be described as “meatier” than most. The delicately mind-blowing dinner. sweet squash was a nice contrast in flavor but not so of simple, local food. Admittedly, Marais isn't cheap. The tasting menu is much in texture. The tasting menu is presented to you in the form of $135 and the wine is $70 extra (splurge, the sommelier There aren't many places that don't have beets in a list of ingredients. One word in association with no is on point). However, that $135 gets you what you some form on the menu. I've been hard pressed to find other that lets you know what you may experience but can't buy anywhere else. A litany of local ingredients unique presentations but was not disappointed on this not how it is prepared or paired with. Brilliant, I say, consistently and classically prepared by a guy with night. Roasted, sprinkled with hay ash and on a bed of since this allows the man in charge to change all dreads and a charming accent, I can promise you, it's burnt peanut butter garnished with Balitone cherries, things based on availability and wherever his worth every penny. these beets put every other execution to shame. fiendishly creative mind wants to go. Though I was Earthiness plus smokiness plus peanut butter, plus intent on keeping track of the simple, verbal Marais, 17051 Kercheval Avenue, Grosse Point sweet and tart, equals what is the greatest explanation given each dish, I got a little lost after the 48239. Reservations can be made on their website at combination of peanut butter since Reese's. first course. No, a lot lost. Understanding the task at Maraisrestaurant.com or by calling 313.343.8800. Not to be outdone, the fourth dish came looking hand, I willingly gave myself up to relying on nothing other then my sense of taste and smell. Given there are more inconspicuous than the last. A single shallot with Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30 p.m – 11 p.m with brunch coming soon. Street parking petal-like skin on the exterior and a custard filling. The no written descriptions, I will do my level best to available. Handicap accessible. shallots were roasted in soil then filled with a beef fat explain the ten courses that were put in front of me. custard and again roasted to add texture to the skin. It However, exact description is much less important as J. March has 25 years experience in the restaurant is here where my imagination took me to a place each experience is unique and it is the execution and industry in southeast Michigan, including certification where I bathed in tomato and melon broth while the style of Chef Lipar that is most astounding regardless as a sommelier. aforementioned angels fed me custard filled shallots. of its form.
For serious diners, Marais in Grosse Pointe is impressive
I
The first dish was an assorted Amuse-Bouche consisting of fermented Michigan blueberries with thyme, a nasturtium “wonton” filled with eggplant, crispy skin trout with basil crème fraiche and lichen (edible moss) topped with crispy lardo. The range was insane, as were the flavors. Tangy berries with herbal notes, the small cube of lichen punched with the fattiness from the lardo, ripe green flavors from the nasturtium filled with pungent, acidic eggplant and the crisp skin of local trout that finished perfectly with the crème fraiche. What was most amazing about this dish was the progression of flavors and how each translated perfectly into the next. What was best about it was the last bite. A small pile of proscuitto, lovingly made months prior by charcuterie phenom Jessie Patuano, and perfect in its debut as the encore in the first act of many. Our second course was blanched summer tomatoes in melon broth and tomato water with sunflower petals. When this dish hit the table, humble in its
BUSINESS MATTERS
New department store A Florida-based department store, Stein Mart, will open to shoppers on Thursday, November 12, at its newest location, the Winchester Shopping Center in Rochester Hills, 1122 S. Rochester Road. “The snowbirds know who we are,” said store manager Jason Adkins. “They’ve been looking for us to be here.” With just under 300 stores nationwide, Stein Mart sells clothing, accessories, and shoes for women and men, as well as home goods, including crystal and bed linens. Known for low prices, merchandising manager Tracey Hauck said, “It’s more of a department store as opposed to a discount store.” The company has two exclusive brands of sportswear, Alan Flusser for men, and Peck and Peck for women. “Styles are very unique,” said Adkins, “they’re very fashion forward.” The only other Michigan store is in Portage, on the west side of the state.
Family pet store Family-owned Premier Pet Supply will open its second store mid to lateNovember at 63 W. Auburn, at the southwest corner of Rochester Road in Rochester Hills. “We carry everything the big guys do, but on top of that we have a ton of special items that you wouldn’t find there,” said co-owner Mike Palmer, who started working with his uncle, Ray Hesano, after Hesano opened the Beverly Hills store in 1992. “Our focus is on natural and holistic products, and we’ve based our business on knowledge-based customer service. We really know what we’re talking about.” The store has a variety of animals for sale, including bunnies, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hedgehogs, snakes, and other reptiles. Involvement with kids in the community is important to Palmer, who started a kid volunteer program and visits local schools to teach students about animals and pet care. “It’s something we do all the time; we have two classes this week. We like to talk about the responsibility. Just because they’re cute or cool, doesn’t mean that make a great pet for that person and their lifestyle.” The store volunteer program, which has a 10-month waiting list, consists 64
of four kids per day, seven days a week. “We’re super excited about Rochester Hills because it’s a true, family-oriented community.”
Auto supplier moves in Indiana-based Stant Corporation, which manufactures and supplies global auto companies with thermal and vapor management systems, fuel delivery systems and engineering services, is in the process of moving into 1955 Enterprise Drive in Rochester Hills. “(Stant) consolidated the Troy office and the Romeo facility. We’ll be doing prototyping here; we have everything here,” including service part manufacturing and sales, said Vicky Mayfield, executive administrator for the Rochester Hills tech center. Stant was founded in 1898.
Pure Barre workout In 2001, Carrie Dorr opened a fitness studio in Birmingham, founding the Pure Barre technique, a Pilatesbased, ballet-inspired workout. While the Birmingham location has since closed, a new Pure Barre studio recently opened in Rochester, at 439 S. Main Street, suite 150. “We work the muscles and then stretch them out,” said studio owner Melanie Brown, who’s been Pure Barre certified since 2011. “We have five teachers and classes can run up to twenty (people). It’s small enough that each person can get the personal training aspect in a group fitness class. It’s low impact, safe for women of all ages to do. Movements can be modified for any body. Men can come too, and that happens, but not very often.” Located west of Bean & Leaf, Brown said the easiest entrance to the studio is off of University.
New lodging option Holiday Inn Express & Suites Rochester Hills recently opened at 3544 Marketplace Circle, near Adams Road and M-59, and is managed by Tammy McCalister, who formerly managed the Utica location. With 83 rooms on three floors, the hotel offers an indoor pool, fitness area, hot breakfast and Wi-Fi through the building. In addition to standard rooms, there are family rooms, which
hold two queen beds, a king bed, and a kitchenette; or the Whirlpool option, which has a king bed, kitchenette and Jacuzzi. The fresh, contemporary design and layout was developed by Asad Malik, CEO of Bloomfield Hills-based Amerilodge Group, which operates hotels primarily within the Midwest.
Fine art co-op The co-operatively run Village Fine Art Gallery, which hosts around 40 Michigan artists, many from Oakland County, has moved locations within the Village of Rochester Hills, 104 N. Adams Road. The gallery can be found on Village Main street, near Fountain Park, between Yankee Candle and Douglas J. Aveda Salon. “We’re classified as a temporary store. We’ve been in the Village since 2009, but in six different locations,” said director and painter Donna Beaubien. “We’re sort of an outgrowth of the art fair (Fine Art at The Village). It’s a co-op gallery; we don’t have employees. Anybody that a customer would see working here is an artist in the gallery. They sign a contract for six months, and if they want to stay, then they renew the contract. We share expenses and most of the income; most of the profits go back to the artist. Most of these people are really local, within a few miles.”
Create your own pizza The third location of MOD Pizza will open on Friday, November 13, at 3058 Rochester Road, at the corner of Auburn Road. ‘MOD’ stands for “made on demand or modernizing the way we eat pizza,” said Jake Schostak of Livonia-based Team Schostak Family Restaurants (TSFR). “Whichever way you want to look at it, it’s a lot of fun.” For around $8, customers can choose from various size crusts and build their own pizza from an array of ingredients, or order off the ‘Top 10’ menu of topping combinations. Pizza is popped in a 600-degree oven for 3 to 5 minutes. MOD also offers salads, garlic strips and cinnamon strips. The restaurant hopes to soon serve beer and wine.
Restaurant name change Val’s Polish Kitchen, the restaurant
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known as V&M Polish Kitchen for five years, recently changed names, and relocated from Royal Oak to Rochester Hills, at 224 E. Auburn Road. “There’s no Polish restaurant in this area, and that’s why,” when the Royal Oak lease expired, “we decided to move here,” said owner Val Dimovska. “We have traditional recipes, but we added some flavors. We use my grandma’s recipes (who was born in Poland), and my mom’s recipes.” Val’s offers five varieties of pierogies, and has unique soups including Dill Pickle and Chicken Dumpling. One of the most popular dishes, Dimovska said, is Val’s Scramble, which comes with kielbasa, sauerkraut, three pierogies, stuffed cabbage, and locally-raised chicken. Another hit is the Hungarian Goulash served over potato pancakes.
Leader Dogs renovates The national nonprofit organization, Leader Dogs for the Blind, 1039 S. Rochester Road in Rochester Hills, is in the second phase of a $14.5 million renovation project, set to be completed by next fall. What used to be the kennel building is now the Canine Development Center, with “a puppy care area, veterinarian clinic and breeding stock areas,” said Rachelle Kniffen, director of communications and marketing. “We breed the dogs on site. We’re moving our dogs in there now.” The next phase, she said, “is renovating all of our bays – the big rooms where all the dog cages are. We’re demolishing the interior and putting in new suites,” which, at two-and-a-half times as large are “so much nicer than the previous cages.” So far, Leader Dogs for the Blind has raised $13.6 million from private and corporate donors, grants, and its board of trustees. Most individuals who rely on leader dogs have lost vision in adulthood, Kniffen said, noting that common causes include retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Business Matters for the Rochester area are reported by Katie Deska. Send items for consideration to KatieDeska@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication. 11.15
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Dr. Jay Mitchell t’s been like a piranha feeding frenzy over radishes, I have to slow (the students) down and say ‘at least brush some dirt off!’” said Dr. Jay Mitchell, a pediatrician and founder of the nonprofit KidzKare and its gardening initiative, Raising Rochester, which has planted raised beds at seven of the 21 Rochester Community Schools (RCS). The grandson of farmers, Mitchell said, “I wasn’t on the farm much. I didn’t really like it back then either, but nowadays kids just don’t have the opportunity.” That’s changing with the help of Raising Rochester, which gets students and Rochester-area residents growing organic produce. Working with RCS, Mitchell has gotten hundreds of students digging in the dirt. “It allows me to get many of the kids to learn and work hands on. They’re learning a lot and enjoying it. Elementary school kids and some of the middle schoolers are building the raised beds.” The majority of the bounty goes to the Rochester Area Neighborhood House food pantry, but Mitchell says it goes way beyond feeding people. “It teaches kids about volunteerism, and to let them know there are people who are in need in the community.” With the help of community partners, Mitchell hopes to have gardens planted at the remaining 14 Rochester Community Schools for spring of 2016. KidzKare, formed in 2001, also hosts the annual Back to School Bonanza, held this year at West Middle School in Rochester Hills. Along with school supplies and haircuts, well-child exams and health screenings are offered free for Rochester-area kids in need. Within the district, “fifteen percent of kids in the school have a family income low enough
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that they receive federal and/or state financial assistance,” Mitchell said. Today, “the non-profit stuff has kind of consumed my free time, by my choice. It was really the reason I retired. The programs had so much potential for growth,” he said. His former practice, Kidz1st clinic, shares a building in Rochester Hills with Above & Beyond, the preschool Mitchell founded in 2012. It uses the Reggio Emilia approach to teaching, Mitchell said. Citing evidence of the importance of teacher education, “the teachers let the kids work through the structure, instead of dragging the kids through it. “Education is a huge priority for me,” he said. “Neither of my parents were college educated. My mom had a year of college, my dad was in the service, but all (four) of my siblings are college educated.” A 1987 graduate of Wayne State University School of Medicine, he said, “I changed my major four or five times. Pediatrics just seemed to be a natural fit once I fell into the hole. I needed to flap within the breeze there and then I found it. I met my wife in medical school. We courted over a cadaver, a dead body.” The two moved to Rochester Hills to raise their two sons, now 23 and 25 years old. “I love seeing the community response in every direction and layer, it’s fueling me to expand the programs. I’m not going to live forever,” he said, “so I push ahead on things. I’m not afraid to fail. I don’t even call it failing; I call it learning.” Story: Katie Deska
Photo: Laurie Tennent
SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Here is the update on the recent social scene. Many more photos from each event appear online each week at downtownpublications.com where readers can sign up for an e-mail notice when the latest social scene column is posted. Past columns and photos are also archived at the website for Downtown.
Karmanos Partners Golf Classic
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Karmanos Partners Golf Classic Some 200 supporters of Karmanos Cancer Institute Partners (young professionals) convened at Franklin Hills Country Club for two sold-out, Sally Gerak shotgun starts followed by a reception, silent auction and strolling dinner. Non-golfing guests included honorary chairs Jennifer and Brian Hermelin and Eunice Ring, whose family helped her late parents found the Partners 22 years ago to engage young people in funding cancer research as a memorial to their daughter Suzanne Korman. Guests socialized, sipped, supped and paused to applaud the day’s winners. Jason Getsz, co-chair with Adam Speck, noted that the Golf Classic proceeds will be added to the $14.5 million the Partners have already raised.
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1. Adam Speck (left) of Northville and Jason Geisz of Birmingham. 2. John Giampetroni (left) of Bloomfield, Jennifer & Brian Hermelin of Bingham Farms, Sandy & Alan Schwartz of Franklin. 3. Jennifer Lasco (left) of Fenton and Michelle Mio of Birmingham. 4. Milt (left) & Eunice Ring of Franklin, Karen & Steve Weiss of Birmingham. 5. Dr. Gerold Bepler and Dick Gabrys of Bloomfield. 6. Seymour & Dee Brode of Bloomfield. 7. Marvin Daitch (left) and Bruce Colton of Bloomfield. 8. Andy, Decclan and Karmanos’ Maureen Bender of Rochester Hills.
Belle Isle Conservancy Benefactors Denise Ilitch hosted the Belle Isle Conservancy Legacy Luncheon Benefactors Party that attracted 50 guests ($300, $500, $1,000 tickets) to her Birmingham restaurant – 220 Merrill. People came from all over town. There were no speeches, just noshing and serious socializing, but a big attraction seemed to be milliner Gena Conti’s hats. Conti was giving a percentage of the sales to the conservancy.
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Belle Isle Conservancy Benefactors
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1. Shauna Ryder Diggs (center) of Grosse Pointe, Sarah Earley (left) and Heather Paquette of Bloomfield. 2. Denise Ilitch and Lisa Ilitch Murray of Bingham Farms. 3. Gina Conti (left) of Wyandotte, Jillian Nathan of Birmingham. 4. Nicole Gize (left) of St. Clair Shores, Marjorie DeCapite of Birmingham. 5. Paul Paquette of Bloomfield, Linda Juracek-Lipa of Birmingham. 6. Kathy Kosins of Ferndale, Judy Jonna of Bloomfield. 7. Barbara Gill (left) of Bowling Green, OH, Angie Schmucker of Rochester Hills.
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CARE House Appreciation Party CARE House board member Lisa Payne hosted an Appreciation Party at her home in Turtle Lake for 90 donors to the agency that each year provides, free of charge, quality care to 5,000 individuals affected by abuse. Guests were welcomed into the foyer by violinist Sonia Lee’s beautiful music and proceeded to the al fresco terrace or the handsome stone room overlooking the infinity edge pool and lake beyond. They socialized, nibbled on selections from the great hors d’oeuvres buffet spread, and paused for remarks of gratitude from board president Kappy Trott and executive director Pat Rosen, who concluded, “Because of you, CARE House can make a difference.”
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Covenant House Benefit Preview
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Covenant House Benefit Preview Patricia Rodzik, who puts in two days each week working at Detroit’s Covenant House, said she was persuaded to host an event for the organization that helps homeless youth when she was in Alaska to visit the Anchorage house during the Iditarod dog sled race. Fifty guests attended the cocktail party at her Bloomfield Hills home. It began like most – with friendly socializing, sipping and supping inside and out. But when the program began, everybody was transported to a New York salon as composer/producer Neil Berg and his wife, singer Rita Harvey and singer Rob Evans demonstrated a sampling of the high energy review of Broadway’s great hits. It was just a tease for the May 19 Covenant House fundraiser - “A Night of Broadway Stars”. De’Nikki Harris-Effinger, a Covenant House alum, briefly told his moving personal story during an intermission of the mini show. It provoked Berg to comment, “The Covenant House staffers are my heroes.” To get more information about sponsorships of the May 19 show at the Gem and Century Theatres, contact Melissa Golpe at (313) 453-2005 or go to covenanthousemi.org.
3 1. Dan Weingartz (left) of Shelby Twp., Patricia Rodzik of Bloomfield, Gerry Piro of Grosse Pointe. 2. De'Nikki (left) of Detroit, Neil Berg & Rita Harvey of Nyack, NY and Rob Evans of NYC. 3. Chelsea Carballo (left) and Bill & Peggy Matthews of W. Bloomfield. 4. Linda Axe (left) and Dan Clancy of Grosse Pointe, Don Jensen & Leo Dovelle of Royal Oak.
Farm to Table Block Party The Birmingham Community House’s strolling food fest attracted more than 700 people who sampled fare from 53 vendors including libations from Verterra Winery, Leelanau Brewing Co. and Copper Craft Spirits. People raved about the delicious food and the variety offered from wonderful Michigan restaurants and food vendors. A crowd favorite was the white bean chicken chili presented with corn bread by Dorsey Culinary Academy. Huntington Bank sponsored the popular community event.
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Ladies of Charity 50th Celebration The name of this group is the name of my beat – Charity. So reporting the 50th anniversary of this totally volunteer group is a unique pleasure. That’s 50 years for the Oakland County chapter, but the parent organization was founded by St. Vincent de Paul in 17th century France and that French heritage inspired event chair Mia Materka to call the party Joi de la Nuit. She also chose the black, white and gold favored by French designer Coco Chanel for the party décor and commissioned Lynn Martin to construct a miniEiffel tower to hold tower-shaped pledge notes that guests could take. The black tie gala attracted more than 160 guests to Pine Lake Country Club. The Mercy High School Mercy-aires spiced up the cocktail hour, which also included a video show of 50 years of photos running as background in the bar. Raffles and silent auction bidding also vied for attention. Materka, her co-chair Dorothy Perrotta and emcee Fox-2’s Monica Gayle turned heads in the jewel tone Nina McLemore cocktail jackets and Karen Egren they were modeling. Highlights of the dinner program included Archbishop Vigneron’s invocation, three beautiful pieces, including an original composition for the occasion, by violinist Sonia Lee, and Shelley Taub’s presentation of L. Brook Patterson’s and the Oakland County Commission’s proclamation honoring the occasion. The only place the Ladies have to hang it is the Clothes Closet and Food Pantry they maintain on the St. Hugo of the Hills campus. From it they serve thousands of needy families each year. While people devoured the beautiful dinner Sam Salloum played the piano. Ten past presidents at the party were also introduced. It raised more than $20,000 for the Ladies of Charity of St Vincent de Paul of Oakland County to continue serving the poor. Links of Oakland County Fundraiser Donna Dulaney and Shirley Mann Gray chaired the Oakland County Chapter of Links Emeralds, Engines & Elegance gala fundraiser. It attracted more than 300 to the Henry Ford Museum. The guest listed included chapter president Winifred Green and the honorary co-chairs – Pontiac’s mayor Dr. Deirdre Waterman, a charter member of the OC Links chapter, and WXYZ TV’s Chuck Stokes, whose spouse Trudy is a chapter member. In addition to viewing the historical exhibitions like “Driving America,” highlights also included a strolling dinner, silent auction, dancing and jazz in “Club Links” and a strolling fashion show of elegant furs from sponsor Bricker-Tunis Furs. The evening netted more than $50,000 to benefit services to youth, the arts, health and scholarships for students in Oakland County. Hall & Hunter Charity Estate Sale A dozen years ago the crew at Dennis Wolf’s Hall & Hunter Realtors staged its first Estate Sale to benefit Habitat for Humanity. It’s a natural partnership because many H&H clients are only too happy to give Habitat’s low income families stuff they don’t want to move. Changing Places moving company picks up and stores the donations and then brings them to a huge tent (courtesy of Bank of Birmingham’s generosity) erected on H&H’s Birmingham parking lot where the work begins. Any of you who have conducted even a small garage sale know that means lots of work. For the past 10 years, Pam Gray and Gillian Lazar have been chairing the Volunteer Appreciation Party for H&H agents and their families. This year, as violinist Kym Brady made delightful music, 100 people savored cocktails downtownpublications.com
CARE House Appreciation Party
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1. Lisa Payne (left) of Bloomfield, Kappy Trott of Birmingham. 2. Maryclare Pulte (left) of Bloomfield and Dr. Susan Ivanovic of Bloomfield. 3. Pam (left) & Don Kegley of Bloomfield, Bill & Peggy Matthews of W. Bloomfield. 4. Vicki Celani (left) of Bloomfield, Pat Rosen of Troy. 5. Rod & Patricia Myers of Bloomfield. 6. Kathy Zanolli (left) of Beverly Hills, Bill Seklar and Jenny Cascio of Bloomfield, Dan Stall of Birmingham, Jackie McIntosh of Rochester Hills. 7. Vivian Pickard (left) with Jessie Beld Elliott of Bloomfield. 8. Anna Moceri (left) of Oakland, John & Barbara Deradoorian of Waterford.
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Ladies of Charity 50th Celebration
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1. Mia Materka (left) of W. Bloomfield, Shelley Taub and Dorothy Perrotta of Bloomfield. 2. Kay Browne (center) with Cecelia & Dick Kelley of Bloomfield. 3. June Grannis (left) and Patti Koval of Troy, Sandie Knollenberg and Lois Thornbury of Bloomfield. 4. Jack & Marianne McBrearty of Bloomfield. 5. Connie Salloum (left) of Bloomfield, Peter & Mary Jo Johnston of Birmingham. 6. Sandie Slowey (left), Linda Fisher and Gladys Kowalski of Bloomfield. 7. Fran Perez (left) and Rose Obloy of Bloomfield.
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK and hearty fare from Party’s by Paula, courtesy of Devon Title’s generosity. They also checked out the loot and paid a 30 percent premium to buy what they wanted. Wolf and his son Brad thanked the co-chairs for another yeoman effort and gave gratitude call outs to those at the top of some volunteer duties: Stefek Auctioneers’s Lori Stefek and H&Hers Emily Day, Becca Chapman, Mary Glynn, Patty Moore, Carolyn Bowing Keating, Jody Wachler and Janna Wilson. The next day, some 500 shoppers descended on the sale. They snapped up lots of sofas, dining room sets and mirrors to name a few of the categories. When the dust settled, some $26,000 had been raised for Habitat of Oakland County. The few unsold items were designated for Habitat’s resale shop in Pontiac. Habitat’s big fall benefit is Thursday, November 19 at The Townsend. For information, call Joyce Russell at 248.338.1843, ext.226.
Hall & Hunter Charity Estate Sale
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1. Brad (left) and Dennis Wolf and event chairs Gillian Lazar of Birmingham and Pam Gray of Royal Oak. 2. Joyce Russell (left) of Warren, Gary & Hall and Joy Morris of Bloomfield. 3. Laurie (left) and Rob Farr of Beverly Hill, Melinda Allen of Bloomfield, Emily Day of Sylvan Lake. 4. Jason & Colleen McKevitt of Troy, Ron & Hall and Donna Rousseau of Bloomfield. 5. Jenna Wilson (left) and Ann Brown of Birmingham. 6. Lanie Hardy Cosgrove (left) of Birmingham, Elaina Ryder of Bloomfield, Lizzy and Leslie Hardy of Ferndale. 7. Tom (left) & Vickie Askin of Bloomfield, Jody & Link Wachler of Troy.
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Friends of Preservation Bloomfield Luncheon
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1. Pam Williams (left) and Pat Hardy of Bloomfield. 2. Luba Hotra and Susan Darden of Franklin. 3. Shelley Taub (left) and Sue Nine of Bloomfield. 4. John Marshall and Mary Barton Letts of Bloomfield.
DCDS Eisenberg Performing Arts Studio Reception
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1. Stephen, (left) Evan, Nicole and Noah Eisenberg of Bloomfield. 2. Mindy Dunbar (left) of Beverly Hill, Melissa Stebbins and Gerry Hansen of Bloomfield. 3. Tom Goldberg and Ed Cherney of Bloomfield. 4. Jennifer Cook (left) of W.Bloomfield, Daniella Karmanos of Orchard Lake, Nicole Eisenberg and Lexa Leatherdale of Bloomfield.
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DCDS Eisenberg Performing Arts Studio Reception At Detroit Country Day School, the Nicole and Stephen Eisenberg Studio Theatre joins the highlyacclaimed, 700-seat Seligman Performing Arts Center as a testament to the school’s support of the fine and performing arts. The new, 170-seat studio theater, located where the school’s heating and air-conditioning units once were, provides a smaller, more flexible setting for productions, transformational learning and student performance showcases. Students plan to perform Dracula there on Halloween. “You remove the space between performers and audience,” said headmaster Glen Shilling. He was speaking to the 70 guests invited to the studio’s ribbon cutting celebration. It featured a light and sound show demonstrating the theater’s amazing technical capabilities. Most in the crowd of school loyalists were aware of DCDS junior Noah Eisenberg’s performing talents, and his little brother Evan also demonstrated enthusiasm for the spotlight during the light show. Friends of Preservation Bloomfield Luncheon The intrepid crew of historical preservationists added a twist to their annual fall Free Soup & Membership Luncheon. For a $10 donation, people could claim a cell on the living room wall for their own and decorate it with an outline of their hand and personal data. And guess what? The more than 60 people who attended did so. And a few of them were new members. All savored Linda Holland’s split pea soup and Patti Jessup’s corn chowder. The event raised nearly $1,000. And, according to FoPB president Bee Englehart, the purpose of the wall signing project is to create a Bloomfield Hills artifact that will remain hidden by the soon-to-be-hung wallpaper. Information gathered about each signer and a digital image of each signature will be stored in the Preservation Bloomfield historical archives. Leukemia Foundation Afternoon of Hope A vibrant, buzzing crowd (200-plus) and colorful auction/raffle/sweet table displays made the Village Club the place to be on a mid-September afternoon. Two guys – emcee WXYZ’s Brad Galli and Children’s Leukemia Foundation board chair Jim Berline – kicked off the agenda with high fives for the sponsors and the chairs before the splendid luncheon. Then Beaumont’s 11.15
Dr. Kate Gowans talked about “The Faces of Childhood Leukemia”, complete with first names and colored prints of those precious beings, not all of whom beat their cancer. “We work, we wait, we pray a lot…there are too many sad stories,” she concluded with moist eyes. CLF president Heidi Grix then revealed that the very successful luncheon resulted from a series of small house parties where guests learned of the CLF mission (compassionate, personalized support for the 43,000 adults and children in Michigan affected by leukemia and other related blood disorders). At one of these mini gatherings “…the two Roses volunteered (to chair a larger event),” said Grix. That would be the very energetic Rosemary Fox and Rosemarie Robbins, who received a standing ovation and bouquets of roses. They were quick to credit the donors and their committee. “Plus everything was donated,” bragged Rosemary. The first Afternoon of Hope luncheon raised at least $30,000. Learn more about CLF at leukemiamichigan.org.
Leukemia Foundation Afternoon of Hope
Fine Art Exhibition benefiting Beyond Basics Linda Shinkle Rodney and her son Teddy Shinkle hosted an Open House and Art Exhibition at their Bloomfield Village home. The cocktail hour social was co-chaired by Maggie Allesee and L. Brooks Patterson to benefit the Shinkle Fine Art partnership with Beyond Basics, an education program which is changing the destiny of Detroit and Pontiac school children. With displays of the Shinkles’ Metalagram digital art positioned throughout the gardens, 125 guests sipped, socialized and noshed. They also applauded Beyond Basics’ Erin Waddell’s beautiful a cappella version of “Summertime” before Linda, a “retired” attorney, and Teddy spoke briefly about the development of their unique work. It begins as a full-color digital photograph printed on aluminum that has been engraved, etched or distressed. A work table was set up on the terrace at which some Beyond Basics students were demonstrating the engraving step. As the sun was setting, a light and music show (Metalagram Experience) took the viewing sensation to a whole new level. Guests also were free to explore the art displayed throughout the house/gallery. Sales during the evening benefitted the SFA / Beyond Basics partnership. It has already resulted in a piece of art - “Renaissance City” – for Mayor Duggan’s office.
1. Rosemary Fox (left) and Rose Robbins of Bloomfield. 2. Joanne Butzier (left) and Denice Richmond of Bloomfield, Tina Turner of Troy, Janice Tucker of Birmingham. 3. Dr. Kate Gowans of Rochester. 4. Kristin Turner (left) of Birmingham, Jim Berline of Orchard Lake, Heidi Grix of Dexter, Becky Howland of Novi. 5. Pamela Hildebrand (left) and Randi Dolik of Birmingham. 6. Fran Perez (left), Lisa Seneker and Sheila Biehl of Bloomfield, Beth McNish of Troy. 7. Jenny Kolbow (left) of Beverly Hills, Sharon Lucas of Troy. 8. Claire (left) & WXYZ’s Brad Galli of Troy, Karen Jbara of Waterford. 9. Barb Beauchamp (left) of Troy, Sheri Windisch of Farmington Hills, Anne Welch of Bloomfield.
Preservation Bloomfield Corn Roast The Friends of Preservation Bloomfield staged their annual Corn Roast at Bowers Farm with folk music generously provided by Paul Balogh and his group Tartanius Flynn. Frank’s hot dogs and Mt. Garden’s corn were as succulent as always and the silent auction had folks earnestly keeping an eye on their bidding for such offerings as lunches with local elected officials. Friends’ president Bee Engelhart spent most of her time taking donations from people who wanted to leave their mark (actually their hand imprint) on a wall in the Barton Farmhouse. And face painter Mary Kleinstiver not only decorated children and some parents, she also made a large board a la Grant Wood’s famous painting “American Gothic”
1. Maggie Allesee and Teddy Shinkle and his mother Linda Shinkle-Rodney of Bloomfield. 2. L. Brooks Patterson of Clarkston, Pamela Good of Birmingham, Julie Nicholson of Rochester Hills. 3. Tom Strickland (left) and Jack Krasula of Bloomfield. 4. Janet (left) & Roger Shoemacker and Nancy Strickland of Bloomfield. 5. Chanell Hana (left) of Shelby Twp., Abe Fadel of Detroit, Val Lane and Doug Shinkle of Birmingham. 6. Steve Petti and Linda Hommel of Birmingham. 7. Laura (left) & Bob Campbell of Madison Hgts., Judie Sherman of Bloomfield.
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Fine Art Exhibition benefiting Beyond Basics
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Preservation Bloomfield Corn Roast
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3 1. Bee Engelhart and Howard Baron of Bloomfield. 2. David Hendrickson of Macomb, Mike Dul, Stuart Sherr and Sue Nine of Bloomfield. 3. Cynthia VonOeyen of Bloomfield. 4. Carol Shaya (center) of Bloomfield, Contessa and Rosemary Bannon of Beverly Hills. 5. Josie Sosa of Lathrup Village, Paul Nine of Bloomfield. 6. Mary Barton Letts & Charles Letts of Bloomfield.
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Autism Society Oakland County Golf Fundraiser
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1. Barb Brennan (left) of Rochester Hills, Patty Dufault of Farmington Hills, and Susan Hodess of W. Bloomfield. 2. Brenda Hall (left) and Tanya Smith of Southfield, Iona Abram of Farmington Hills, Carolyn Johnson of Bloomfield Hills. 3. Greg (right) & Joy DeCinso and Julie & Jim Fielder of Bloomfield. 4. Kate and Mary Stella of Bloomfield and Diane Risko of Farmington Hills. 5. Scott Ronan (left) of Rochester Hills, Craig Brown of Clarkston, A.J. Ronan of E. Lansing. 6. Men’s Longest Driver winner Rich Sickon of Rochester Hills. 7. Linda Ronan Brown (left) of Clarkston, Kim D’Avanzo of Plymouth.
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Good Samaritan’s Membership Tea
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1. Karen Pagliano (left) of Birmingham and Mary Ann VanElslander of Grosse Pointe. 2. Yvonne Timlin (left) of Bloomfield, Josie Sosa of Southfield, Carolyn Andree and Shirley Reaume of Bloomfield. 3. Gerry Carroll (left) of Birmingham, Fran Perez and Sue Nine of Bloomfield. 4. Nancy Wardlow (left) and Carolyn Ress of Troy, Diane Roelant, Virginia Graham and Judy Wellman of Bloomfield, Tricia Emmi of Birmingham.
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with the two faces cut out. It will be a popular photo op at future Friends events. Speaking of which, Judy Kelliher is chairing the inaugural Friends Fall Fling 10:30 a.m., Thursday November 12, in the Kirk of the Hills Refectory. It will feature unique luncheon tables, shopping at thoughtfully selected merchant booths and a fashion show with retro clothing by Leah Damiani of Leah’s Closet. The Fling replaces the Friends’ popular, but very labor-intensive Gingerbread events, at least for 2015. For Friends membership, contact Shelley Taub at shelleytaub@comcast.net. Autism Society Oakland County Golf Fundraiser Twenty-one years ago when the totally volunteer ASOC began staging a golf fundraiser, it was estimated that one in 1,500 children had Autism Spectrum Disorder. Now one in 68 is affected and, as Barb Brennan told supporters at Pine Knob Golf Course when she was thanking them for their support, “Autism is for a lifetime.” The 96 golfers were joined by another 35 for the seated dinner and they also heard from Craig Brown. He noted the challenges of housing and employment as individuals with autism become adults. The 21st annual golf outing raised approximately $40,000 to improve the lives of all affected by autism. For more information about ASOC activities go to autismsocietyoaklandcounty.org. Good Samaritan’s Membership Tea More than 75 ladies attended the Good Samaritan Membership Tea chaired by Sue Spangler at Bloomfield Open Hunt. They savored the prerequisite cucumber sandwiches as GS president Mia Materka and Holy Cross Children’s Services Samaritan Center CEO Br. Francis Boylan told them about the center’s services to teens on Detroit’s poverty-racked east side. They also viewed three short videos that demonstrated how the Good Samaritans, in three short years, have already improved the lives of young abuse victims and heard testimonials that pulled at the heartstrings. Lois Thornbury and Gerry Carroll detailed the GS plans for holiday packages for the young people. GS co-founder Sue Nine also announced that the annual spring theatre benefit will feature “Sound of Music” at the Fisher Theater following dinner at Cuisine. Persons interested in membership may contact Karen Rupley at (517) 4237556. HAVEN Tailgate Party The Lions first regular season game – against the Vikings in Minnesota – was the excuse for HAVEN’s third annual football focused fundraiser that attracted 175 ($125 ticket) to Birmingham Country Club. The crowd savoring the Texas BBQ buffet, spirits and cigars included “Paws” and a pride of former Lions. The unremarkable game has since been forgotten, but HAVEN’s halftime speaker – Christopher Letts – will long be remembered for his moving personal story, one he said he rarely tells. His mother took him and his sister to a shelter like HAVEN to escape his father’s violence. “Domestic violence affects entire families, especially the children,” he concluded, adding that the process of 11.15
change was difficult for his father, but …”he is much better because of it.” Thanks also to generous sponsors, the afternoon raised $75,000 for HAVEN’s services to help survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault heal. For more information visit haven-oakland.org. New Day Foundation Legacy Celebration Gina Kell Spehn and Michael Spehn, who married and blended their families eight years ago after their spouses both lost their battles with cancer, founded the New Day Foundation for Families. It provides financial stability and hope to cancer patients and their families. For the first time, the foundation’s fundraisers – the Matt Kell Golf Tourney and the Legacy Celebration – were held on the same day. The tourney attracted 123 golfers to Wyndgate East for 18 holes followed by the Legacy Celebration for 200-plus on Wyndgate’s terrace. In the crowd were four of the five Spehn-Kell kids, the oldest being away in college. The Ben Sharkey quartet made music while people socialized, cavorted with MSU’s Sparty, sipped, bid in a silent auction and savored superb culinary selections from a handsome buffet spread. Golf awards included Longest Drive - Rhonda Panczyk; Closest to the Pin – Mark Sandri; Putting contest winner - Tom Konen; and Winning Team – Mike Ruzycki’s WDIV group. The program featured remembrances and gratitude from Gina, a presentation to Randy France, who was honored for his generosity, and guest speaker, New Day recipient Erica Stone. She noted, “New Day gave me the chance to focus on getting well.” Then Charles Wickins auctioned four items bringing the silent and live auction totals to more than $18,600. Raffles, sponsors and tickets brought the net for the 10th annual event to $65,000. For more information about the foundation, go to foundationforfamilies.org. ArtWorks Detroit The 20th anniversary of Michigan Aids Coalition’s ArtWorks fundraiser attracted more than 400 people ($75-ticket) to a warehouse in Corktown. Except for the lack of air conditioning, the venue was very accommodating. The evening represented a return to the event’s origins as a stand-alone, for the first time in five years not coat-tailed to the Design Industry’s DIFFA exhibitions. While they viewed the silent auction of donated art, people sipped and nibbled tidbits from MGM Grand, Priya and Jim and Remy Lufty’s soon-toopen near Grand Circus Park Vertical Restaurant. MAC’s CEO Terry Ryan noted that some of the artists like Carl Demeulenaere had donated every year. He also acknowledged the committee’s dependence on Barbara Bunting and Ted Hadfield’s art knowledge. Two dozen of the 144 works of art were in the live auction conducted by Gregory Bator. Combined the silent and live auctions raised $36,620 to help people with HIV/AIDS get into and remain in care. TCH Birmingham House Tour Rita & Tom O’Brien chaired the 28th annual Birmingham House Tour that was sponsored by Hall & Hunter. The popular event attracted 1,200 tourists ($40, $45 ticket) including the 170 who also stopped for lunch ($55, $60 ticket) at The Community House. downtownpublications.com
HAVEN Tailgate Party
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1. Beth Morrison (center) and Janet Vermuellen (left) of Troy and Harriett Shakir of Bloomfield. 2. Christina (left) and Christopher Letts of W. Bloomfield, Veronica & Carlos Carmona of Rochester. 3. Teri (left) and Chuck Moore of Birmingham, volunteer Lisa Bock of Northville. 4. John Slanga of Birmingham and Tim Edwards of Rochester. 5. Rachel Decker (left) of Birmingham, Jamie Edmonds of Troy, Carla Sarti and Linda Kosal of Washington Twp, Tara Eastin of Rochester Hills. 6. John (left) & Sheila Brice of Birmingham and Debbie & Mark Lukasiack of S. Lyon.
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New Day Foundation Legacy Celebration
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1. Jeff Cuthbertson of Rochester, and Erica Stone of Royal Oak. 2. Committee member Meghan Pott (left) of Pleasant Ridge, Sharon Shelata of Rochester Hills and Marty Shelata of Clarkston. 3. Steve Elmer (left), Matt Preuss and Michael Spehn of Rochester and Mike Schomaker of Rochester Hills. 4. Sponsor Beaumont’s Lynn Anderson and David Anderson of Rochester. 5. Randy France of Shelby Twp., Gina Spehn of Rochester. 6. MSU’s Sparty with Sharon Shelata of Rochester Hills and Marty Shelata of Clarkston. 7. New Day Foundation Board members, MSU alums all: Marty Shelata (left) of Clarkston, JoAnne Purtan of Farmington Hills, Steve Elmer, Matt Preuss, Michael & Gina Spehn of Rochester and Mike Schomaker of Rochester Hills.
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK The generous homeowners who opened their spectacular domiciles were Julie Dawson, Deborah Ridenour, Weatherly Stroh, Kevin Serba, Rose & Brian Bolyard, Dr. Susan Malinowski & Gary Shapiro and Colleen & Michael Rebock. Preceding the tour Dr. Les & Ellen Lesser Siegel hosted a superb strolling dinner for 50 benefactors ($150 ticket). Proceeds of all the events benefit The Community House’s children’s programs and services.
ArtWorks Detroit
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1. Barbara Bunting (left) of Franklin, Ted Hadfield of Farmington Hills, Peter Gahan of Huntington Woods, Carl Demeulenaere of Grosse Pointe. 2. Todd Peplenski of Bloomfield. 3. Susie Vestivech (left) and Ruth Tyska of Birmingham, Tracey Nystrom of Bloomfield. 4. Janet & Dan Haddad of Bloomfield. 5. Randy & artist Priscilla Phifer of Franklin. 6. Mel & Gail Ball of W. Bloomfield. 7. Tom Zomber (left) & Judy Elyias of Ferndale, Richard Reese & Todd Peplinski of Bloomfield.
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Humble Design’s Gigs for Digs Kudos to Humble Design, the non-profit that furnishes homes for families leaving homelessness. Its first fundraising concert attracted some 800 people to The Fillmore to hear Michigan-native and country star Frankie Ballard and the Motor City Horns rock the place. Some 400 VIPs ($150, $100 tickets) also did cocktails, dinner and an afterglow.
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Detroit Public Television – Detroit Performs Live! Detroit Public Television’s traditional Premiere Night fundraiser morphed into what DPTV does best – a show – and it attracted 1,200 people to The Fillmore. Some 300 of them ($500-ticket) arrived early for the VIP cocktail reception and a view of local artists showcasing their talent. They also stayed for the afterglow with music by the Detroit funk band The Third Coast Kings. The entire show, including interviews with the artists, may be viewed at detroitperforms.org/live/.
TCH Birmingham House Tour
Champions for the Kids Gala
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1. Weatherly Stroh (left) of Birmingham and Kristin Dimsdale of Troy. 2. Deborah Ridenhour (left) and Helen Reilly of Birmingham. 3. Renee Suchara (left) and Liz Powers of Birmingham. 4. Kristine Wise (center) of Bloomfield, Julia Wolf (left) and Meredith Lovell of Birmingham. 5. Shelley Roberts (left) and Christine Provost of Birmingham, Susie Goodnow of Grosse Pointe. 6. Rita O’Brien and Kathie Ninneman of Bloomfield. 7. Bill Seklar (left) of Bloomfield, Jackie McIntosh of Rochester Hills.
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Champions for the Kids Gala
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1. Norman & Nicole Yatooma of Bloomfield, Joanne and event honoree Ted Lindsay of Oakland. 2. April Wagner Emery (left) of Franklin, Syd and Elizabeth Ross of Bloomfield. 3. Charles Wickins (left) of Birmingham, Paul W. Smith of Bloomfield. 4. Beverly Ross (center) of Oakland, Bill & Julie Klotz of Rochester Hills. 5. Pamela Ayres of Bloomfield, Dale Hollingsworth of White Lake. 6. Terri Eick (left) of Birmingham, Lynn Lindsay Lapagh of Rochester Hills, Joanne Lindsay of Oakland.
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The annual Yatooma Foundation Champions for the Kids Gala moved from the Townsend this, its 10th year, and attracted 218 people to the Westin Book Cadillac. Founded by Norman Yatooma as a memorial to his father who was murdered 20 years ago, the foundation helps families recover from similar grief by assisting with basic needs as well as counseling, mentoring and family experiences. Before dinner, people socialized and bid $13,000 in the silent auction. Paul W. Smith emceed the program using young foundation recipients to thank the event sponsors and Yatooma to salute surprise honoree Ted Lindsay, a foundation board member and founder of his own foundation. He got a standing ovation when he concluded, “That’s what old athletes do, we raise money.” Charles Wickins conducted a brief live auction that raised $54,000 and then got another $19,500 in outright donations. Two days later the Golf Tournament at Detroit Golf Club featured 82 players. The two-part event raised more than $210,000. Distinguished Clown Grand Jester’s Reception As they have for the past nine years, Norm, Bonnie and Scott LePage hosted The Parade Company Foundation Distinguished Clown Corps Grand Jester’s reception at The Reserve. More than 175 new and old DCs, and potential DCs, attended the cocktail strolling dinner sponsored by UHY, LLP. Parade Company magicians had decked out the room with balloons, beads and photograph books of past parades and clown activities. When Parade Company CEO Tony Michaels requested attention, they applauded the 2015 Grand Jester/32-year DC Dr. Luther “Skip” Rosemond, whose colorful footwear 11.15
first caught our eye several years ago. They also cheered when 2009 Grand Jester Bill White made a surprise presentation to The Parade Company’s CarolAnn Barbb, who has been the clowns’ “godmother” for 10 years. DCs donate $1,000 for the privilege of marching in the parade and cavorting with the spectators. Anyone interested in becoming a DC and getting measured for a custom clown suit should quickly call Barbb at (313) 432-7831. Many of the DCs will be with their families at the splendiferous Hob Nobble Gobble parade benefit on Friday, Nov. 20, at Ford Field. For Hob Nobble Gobble tickets, call (313)923.7400. Northwood University Distinguished Women Awards Ten years after Northwood University was founded in 1959, the trustees created an annual award to recognize distinguished women and spotlight the institution’s mission of developing the future leaders of a free-enterprise society. This year the 46th annual event honoring them was staged at Rochester’s Royal Park Hotel. It included a panel discussion forum with distinguished women and NU students and the Awards Gala dinner ($325 and up tickets) attended by 150 including 25 NU students. Those gatherings were preceded by a welcoming reception hosted by past honoree Patti Prowse and her husband Jim at their magnificent Bloomfield Hills home Stone Hill Manor. The guest list of 60 included past and present honorees and the students who would introduce them at the dinner. They socialized, strolled the gardens and savored cuisine catered by Forte Belanger before NU’s Dr. Keith Pretty proudly described the students and their accomplishments both in and out of the classroom. There is a fundraising component to this project, but the fact that the students get to know the successful women who become their role models justifies the entire event in the mind of this reporter. To learn about the eight 2015 honorees, go to www.northwood.edu/dw/. Cultural Council Arts Award Reception The first Birmingham Bloomfield Cultural Council award for supporting the arts was presented in 1996. It was the suggestion of well known philanthropist Maggie Allesee when former Birmingham Eccentric editor Judy Berne was council president. That happens to be one of the years this reporter chaired the OUR TOWN Art Show & Sale and we were lucky to have Evie Wheat on the committee. At that time, Evie’s extraordinary work ethic, amiability and knowledge of and respect for the artists’ was already legendary. Her dedication and energetic loyalty to arts organizations over the subsequent 20 years merely added more stars to her crown. So when she was nominated by Barbara Kratchman for the 2015 award, all of us on the jury put her at the top of the list on the first round of voting. The kudos she received at the award reception, which brought more than 125 friends and well-wishers to the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, were warm and enthusiastic confirmation of the jury’s choice. 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
Distinguished Clown Grand Jester’s Reception
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1. Event hosts Scott (left), Bonnie & Norm LePage of Birmingham. 2. Syd Ross (left) of Bloomfield with Peaches Underwood and Rick Miller of Detroit and Don Graham of Allen Park. 3. Nancy (left), Jim and Hillary Gnewkowski of Bloomfield. 4. Kara (left), Barry & Lyn Connelly of Bloomfield. 5. Judy Dunn (left) of Commerce, Maggie Allesee and Betty Bright of Bloomfield. 6. Parade Company CEO Tony Michaels (left) of Rochester, past Grand Jester Rick DiBartolomeo of Troy, 2015 Grand Jester Dr. Skip Rosemond of Detroit. 7. Todd Bensley (left) of Romeo and Anthony Frabotta of Rochester Hills, Dr. Skip & Barbara Rosemond of Detroit. 8. Bonnie Jobe (left), Larry Walsh and Sandie Knollenberg of Bloomfield. 9. Tavi Fulkerson & Bill Hampton of Bloomfield. 10. Barb & Carl Roehling of Birmingham.
Northwood University Distinguished Women Awards
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1. Patti & Jim Prowse of Bloomfield, Dr. Keith Pretty of Midland. 2. Brian (left) and Margaret Cooney Casey of Beverly Hills, Justin Marshall of Midland, Lynn Stinson of Bloomfield. 3. 2015 honoree Margery Krevsky Dosey and her husband Dr. Michael Dosey of Bloomfield. 4. Mona Rappaport (left) of Bloomfield, Linda Solomon of Farmington Hills, Tommie Pardue of Memphis, TN. 5. Howard (left) & 1979 honoree Brenda Rosenberg of Bloomfield, NU board of governors member Bill Mulvilhill of Berkley. 6. Jim Prowse with Judie Sherman of Bloomfield.
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Cultural Council Arts Award Reception
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1. Evie Wheat (left) of Birmingham, Barbara Kratchman of Bloomfield. Photo: Laurie Tennent. 2. Marcy Heller Fisher (left) of Bloomfield and Anita DeMarco Goor with Link Wachler (center) of Troy. 3. Peggy Kerr of Birmingham and Laurie Tennent of Bloomfield. Photo: Laurie Tennent. 4. Annie VanGelderen (left) of Commerce and Phyllis Clark of Birmingham. 5. Patti Peacock (left) of Birmingham, Carol Marshall of Bloomfield and Lucille Schmitt of Beverly Hills.
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ENDNOTE
The mission of Downtown newsmagazine his page, Endnote, normally is reserved each month for editorial commentary on issues of concern in the Rochester and Rochester Hills area. But because this is our inaugural issue, we are using part of this space to tell you about our plans for Downtown, the mission of this publication, and our goals for the future of this newsmagazine. Downtown is a full-color monthly newsmagazine mailed to 27,000 homes in Rochester, Rochester Hills and a part of Oakland Township. We also distribute additional copies at nearly 40 high foot-traffic locations in the local communities. Our goal each month is to bring local residents a complete package of information that will include several long-form journalism style features focused on issues important to the area; news about decisions made by local governments and the school board; news of openings, closings and milestone anniversaries from the business community; profiles of local residents, still residing here and elsewhere, who have made their mark in the world; a guide to dining establishments in the general area; restaurant reviews; society news from the charity circuit; and editorial opinion from the publishing group on key local issues. We offer a traditional approach to journalism for our readers, one that provides that Downtown serve as “publication of record” for what is taking
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place in the government, and a role that includes being the watchdog, so to speak, when we think a more aggressive approach to the news is necessary. Our many decades of experience as students of government qualify us to bring you unvarnished coverage of local officials, which we feel is an important role of any local publication. While our publishing group is a business that must also concern itself with the bottom line, philosophically we feel that we also have an obligation to the community to fulfill a long-standing tradition of being the guardian of the public's interests, providing critical information so that an informed population can weigh in when necessary. Dating back to 1974, members of our publishing group have been providing coverage of local government and have been instrumental on a behind-the-scenes basis on a number of issues throughout Oakland County as part of an effort to help local communities reach their highest potential. Downtown also continues to provide something forgotten by most publishing ventures – long-form features on key issues facing the area. Each edition we tackle, in a longer feature form, concerns we think are shared by many residents in the Rochester area. In future issues we anticipate receiving feedback from members of the public at-large. The feedback we receive in the form of traditional letters to the editor or e-mail correspondence will
appear at the front of Downtown each month in a section labeled Incoming. We encourage your comments because your voice is important if there is to be a community dialogue. Your thoughts on topics you would like to see covered in Downtown are also always welcome and can be sent in private e-mails to either the publisher or news editor. Our opinions as a publishing group as a whole will appear in Endnote each month. Editorial commentary is one way we can lend our voice, just one of many, to the public discussion about local issues. We also have a companion website – downtownpublications.com – which we encourage everyone to visit. We will be updating this site at least twice each week, if not more often, as a means of keeping you informed between monthly issues of Downtown. You can sign up for e-mail notification of when we update the website on our website home page. Lastly, we thank the many local business leaders who joined us with their advertising support in our effort to bring Downtown to the local community. Without their support this newsmagazine would not be possible. Hopefully, you will share in our excitement about Downtown as we go about striving to fulfill our mission of bringing you a solid news and advertising product that local residents look forward to receiving and reading each month.
Transparency best for DIA, taxpayers he value of the Detroit Institute of Arts to residents of Oakland County, and the region as a whole, is undisputed. The DIA, first established in 1885, is known worldwide for having one of the largest and most significant art collections in the United States, and some rank it among the top six museums in the country. However, for almost its entire history, it has relied on public funds to function, transferring ownership of the museum to the city of Detroit in 1919 in order to begin receiving city operating funds. That decision proved to be their Achille's heel, confounding the museum's ability to support itself. In 2012, 64 percent of Oakland County voters approved a property tax millage, along with residents in Macomb and Wayne counties, to help funnel approximately $23 million annually for 10 years, to help the operations of the Detroit Institute of Arts. Today, that tri-county millage accounts for approximately 70 percent of the operating budget of the DIA, which is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Oakland County residents alone provide the DIA with $11 million annually. Our first concern when large amounts of taxpayer money is involved is transparency –
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how is the art institute using our money, especially in light of October 2014 when the museum approved substantial retroactive bonuses and double-digit raises to former director Graham Beal and COO Annemarie Erickson. A bipartisan group of Oakland County commissioners demanded that the bonuses, worth $50,000 each, be returned. They were not. The insensitivity and lack of transparency on the part of the DIA continued this past summer when Beal retired, the tri-county arts authorities were informed of a proposed retroactive $30,000 performance bonus for Beal for fiscal year 2013; a $65,000 bonus for Erickson for fiscal years 2013 and 2014; a $40,000 performance bonus for the chief financial officer Robert Bowen for fiscal years 2013 and 2014; and forgiveness of a $155,832 home loan and a retirement severance of $285,000 for Beal. Oakland and Macomb county commissioners demanded greater transparency, as they should. Art Institute board chairman Eugene Gargaro sat down with commissioners and Oakland Art Authority members, and we are told by all parties that progress is being made toward greater transparency on salaries and other issues. We are pleased to see the Oakland Art
Authority meetings are open to the public, and that DIA is now posting their financials. While the DIA is a non-profit, which currently is not subject to Open Meetings Act and Freedom Of Information Act requirements, despite current legislative initiatives, we must remind them that since the tri-county millage, they are actually part of a public/private partnership. A 70 percent ownership by the public requires transparency and accountability to that public which supports them. For the time being, we will withhold our support of legislative efforts, led by one of Oakland's state lawmakers, to codify into law that the DIA be subject to state transparency regulations, for two reasons. First, as a non-profit, there are a host of questions that arise when “sunshine” laws enacted to regulate the government are applied to private entities and, second, we are being assured by members of the Oakland Art Authority that progress is being made to reach the goal of transparency. But failing that effort, we will be among the first to push for legislation requiring that the taxpaying public have its interests protected through state law.
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