Your Voice: Letters to the Editor

Your Voice Shut down Line 5

High school students organized a “Shut Down Line 5” protest July 17 at Ford Field.

This summer marks the 10th anniversary of the Enbridge Kalamazoo River oil spill, an event in which 1.1 million gallons of oil were accidentally spilled into the Kalamazoo River following the bursting of an oil pipeline operated by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian oil and gas company. This event was one of the largest inland oil spills in U.S. history and cost the taxpayers of Michigan millions to clean up and counteract.

On July 17, a group of western Wayne County high school students from the Michigan Youth Activism Society organized a” Shut Down Line 5 “protest event at Ford Field in Northville, for the purpose of informing the public of the risks of oil contamination that the Great Lakes face and the dangers thereof should the lakes be contaminated in such an event similar to the Enbridge spill in Kalamazoo.

Today Line 5, a pipeline operated by Enbridge, poses such a risk to the Great Lakes. The “SHUT DOWN LINE 5” event at Ford Field in Northville was an informative wake up call for me. There has been over 33 breaks in the line already leaking over 1 million gallons of oil into our Great Lakes. During the event, Rachel Hu and Rishika Neole, the heads of the Michigan Youth Activism Society and organizers of the protest gave presentations detailing extensive research on the threat Line 5’s continued operation poses to the lakes. Similarly, Dr. Aaron Payment, chairperson of the Sault Ste. Marie, Tribe of Chippewa Indians and president of the United Tribes of Michigan, wrote a letter on how Line 5 provides no value in the Upper Peninsula, while Representative Matt Koleszar spoke to the students about the pending deliberation in the Michigan House of Representatives, on the issue of the proposed tunneling of the pipeline and its dangers.

Representative Koleszar also pointed out how the jobs being promised by Enbridge were minor and temporary when compared to the long lasting positions and good that clean energy alternatives offered. Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull also sent a letter expressing his support for the student’s efforts to bring public awareness to the hazards of the oil line.

The students are demanding that the pipeline be shut down and that Governor Whitmer revoke the 1953 easement giving permission for Enbridge to operate in the Great Lakes. “We mainly wanted to spread awareness of the issue with Enbridge

SOUND OFF

Please submit your letters by emailing Editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@gmail.com. Letters must be 150 words or less. We reserve the right to edit all letters.

Line 5 to our peers and get them to take action with our email writing campaign to Governor Whitmer,” stated Rachel Hu.

It is by informing the public and prompting them to take action in writing to Governor Whitmer and other respective representatives that Ms. Hu hopes to finally prompt the shutdown of line 5 and protect our lakes.

Alex Darga

Local frontline heroes

I saw recently in the magazine that you wanted names of Northville residents who have been working on the frontline of the pandemic. I am a resident of Northville Township and am a physician assistant. I work at a pediatrics clinic. It is Awdish Parikh not the “frontline” but everyday I am potentially exposed to children/parents/ guardians who could be sick with COVID-19.

I would like you to recognize my Northville Township neighbors and friends who are on the frontline: • Dr. Dominic Misiak: a resident at Saint Mary’s • Sirjana Pumford: a nurse at Saint Mary’s • Dr. Reena Salgia: a liver specialist at Henry Ford • Dr. Sachin Parikh: a cardiologist at Henry Ford • Dr. Rana Awdish: a critical care physician at Henry Ford

Åsa Jude-Vassallo

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Leah Cencer, 17, of Northville works the election at Precinct 5. The 2020 Northville High School graduate answered a call for election workers before she heads to Grand Valley State where she will study business.

Northville Township Supervisor Robert Nix waves to a voter outside Northville Township Hall during the Primary Election.

A Real Nail Biter

By narrow margins Republican voters choose new leadership for township

Story by Lonnie Huhman | Photos by Bryan Mitchell

The primary election in Northville Township was a tight one with several incumbent candidates losing by razor-thin margins.

Nearly all of the action was on the Republican side of the ballot. Former township supervisor Mark Abbo went head to head with Bob Nix, who has been supervisor for the past eight years, and came out the winner by less than 40 votes. Abbo took in a total count of 2,447 votes (50.38 percent) while Nix tallied 2,408 votes (49.58 percent).

The clerk’s race was even closer. Incumbent candidate Marjorie Banner, who stepped into the role of clerk in 2019 after the retirement of Sue Hillebrand, fell short with 2,292 votes while her opponent Roger Lundberg slightly topped her with 2,326. Treasurer Fred Shadko also fell short to his opponent Jason Rhines, 2,093 votes to 2,377 votes.

There were no Democrats running for the three offices.

The top four vote getters running as Republicans for the four trustee openings were Mindy Herrmann (3,123 votes), Chris Roosen (2,863 votes), Cyndy Jankowski (2,719 votes) and Scott Frush (2,639 votes).

Herrmann, Roosen and Frush are the incumbent candidates while Jankowski, who has served several terms on the Northville Public Schools Board of Education, is a first-time candidate for a township office.

The trustee candidate who received the most votes,

Northville’s Joshua Hardy, 18, has his picture taken by his mom Karen Edison outside Northville Township Hall after voting for the first time in an election.

however, was actually on the Democrat side of the ballot. M. Aslam is the only Democrat to have his name on the ballot for any of the Board of Trustees positions. He pulled in 3,432 votes on Aug. 4, and will now face off against the four top Republican candidates in November.

Tanya Lundberg was a writein candidate as a Democrat, and did receive votes. She will most likely appear on the general election ballot, but is awaiting certification from Wayne County.

Ironically, one of the main issues that Abbo, Lundberg and Rhines highlighted in their campaign – their opposition to the township operating millage renewal that had a half-mill increase – was overwhelmingly approved by voters 6,472 votes to 3,546 votes.

In follow up with the supervisor candidates, Abbo said for him the returns were very gratifying.

“I want to congratulate all the candidates on a hard fought campaign, and particularly Bob Nix,” Abbo said. “We might not all agree on the same vision,

but there’s no doubting the During a time of revenue losses said when the results become commitment that Bob and in for various municipalities, Nix official, and then after the fact, all the candidates have to said this area will be a challenge November general election, our community.” for many communities. “we’ll turn our attention to the

As far as Nix’s takeaways from However, he said Northville transition.” the vote count, he said he was Township has tried to stay on He said his platform during glad to see passing of the millage top of this. the campaign was very clear, and to fund the continuation of the Although the outcome for that’s where he’ll put his initial current services of Police, EMS, his re-election wasn’t what he attention. Fire, Parks, Recreation, Senior hoped for, Nix said he believes “We’ll look to repeal the and Youth Services along with the township during his time 1-percent tax collection administration. has done a lot of good things administrative fee. We’ll take a second to none and deserve the continued support of the community.

Nix said the current COVID-19 pandemic will impact the township and noted revenues coming in to fund township services will be one area. However, he said the conservative financial policies the township has put in place will help the township weather the storm.

He said another area the township has worked hard to fresh look at what can be done about the continuing problems at the Arbor Hills landfill, and particularly, how a lawsuit can be part of the approach,” he said. “We’ll refocus on fulfilling the commitments made to our residents on the 7 Mile property, including implementation of the master parks plan.” Abbo agreed they will have some challenges due to declining revenue because of the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, “but we’ll tackle those together, and Mark Abbo greets a voter outside Northville High School during the election. make the right fiscal decisions

Nix said the police and for the past eight years and he’s “I appreciate this opportunity firefighters do a fantastic job proud of his record. He said he’s to again serve my community serving and protecting the been grateful for the community and its residents, and I’m eager community and that’s been support and was honored to to get to work,” Abbo said. especially evident during serve the township. Looking over the election, the COVID-19 crisis. He said Abbo, who served as township outgoing clerk Marjorie Banner they provide a response time supervisor from 2000 to 2012, said outside of the normal

for the township.” address is paying down almost all of its pension liabilities. Caroline Geer, 17, of Northville works the election and prepares ballots for voters in Precinct 5. She is headed to St. Olaf College in Minnesota to study music.

TOWNSHIP PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS

TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR

Bob Nix – 2,408 Mark Abbo – 2,447

CLERK

Marjorie F. Banner – 2,292 Roger Lundberg – 2,326

TREASURER

Fred Shadko – 2,093 Jason Rhines – 2,377

TRUSTEES (REPUBLICAN)

Scott Frush – 2,639 Mindy Herrmann – 3,123 Cynthia L. Jankowski – 2,719 Kevin C. Johnston – 1,451 Steve McGuirk – 2,067 Chris Roosen – 2,863

TRUSTEES (DEMOCRAT)

M. Aslam DEM – 3,432

MILLAGE RENEWAL/INCREASE

Yes – 6,472 No – 3,546

election day ups and downs, the day went very well with a record number of absentee votes.

“The official AV count was 8,284 out of more than 10,200 ballot applications that we received. It was the largest AV turnout ever for Northville Township. The election ran smoothly and we had our returns in timely,” Banner said.

As far as any lesson learned from the election, Banner said of course every election/vote there are lessons, but every election is different. She said organization is key, so the township will plan and be prepared for even more absentee ballots in November.

She said the community should know that absentee voting is safe, secure and reliable and the township has a 24/7 drop-off box where the ballot can be safely returned.

The next generation: Maria Ruggirello, Mina Plachta and Ava Ruggirello.

The MaeMarie Mantra

Multi-generational Northville start-up makes jewelry with meaning

By Wensdy Von Buskirk | Photos by Natalie Stroster

COVID-19 has been hard on everyone in different ways. For me, co-owning a fitness studio that’s been shut down for months has been a huge challenge. When my MaeMarie Wrap arrived, I knew what my intention would be: to give my all to the business during extremely challenging times.

MaeMarie Wraps are cool pieces of jewelry, but they’re more about purpose. The unbroken strands of beads are meant to be worn with a mantra.

“Our jewelry is awesome, but our message is what we’re trying to sell,” says MaeMarie co-founder Angela Plachta. “Our desire is that while wrapping the beads you set a personal intention. It’s virtually weightless. You don’t even feel it. Days, weeks or months go by and you’re still wearing your wrap. You use it as a gentle reminder of what’s important to you and what you want to manifest in your life.”

THE MISFIT

When I picked out my piece from the company’s slick website, I knew I wanted to go with the Signature Wrap that started it all, but what color? There was deep red Passion, vibrant blue Voyage, and Original Silver.

Sugar (pale pink) and Pure (white) are popular with women, Plachta said, while men like Lush (emerald green), Fuel (black), and Stone (matte gray).

It was so difficult to choose that I ended up going with The Misfit, a playful assortment of leftover beads in every color from the MaeMarie collection. It arrived in a slim black envelope with an inspirational card. When I opened it, I realized photos belie just how delicate MaeMarie wraps really are — each bead is literally the size of a grain of sand.

“The beads are very rare, the smallest bead made,” Platcha says. “They are from Europe, and some are vintage, going back to the 1800s. They’re really special.”

As I wound the thin cord around my wrist eight times, I meditated on my intention. Over the next few weeks, the wrap worked like a charm. Every time I glanced at my bracelet my intention flashed through my mind, reminding me of my purpose.

That’s just what the MaeMarie Girls intended.

THE MAEMARIE GIRLS

Plachta and her sister, Lisa Ruggirello, both longtime Northville residents, have

entrepreneurial blood in their veins. Their father, an Italian immigrant, operated several businesses, including restaurants and a salsa company. Plachta owned a salon called Proverb in downtown Northville for a time before working as a stay-at-home mom. Around Christmas of 2018, the sisters and their three daughters were brainstorming ventures they could launch together.

“We were all throwing out ideas and came up with the idea to do jewelry. I had done jewelry years before and loved it, but we knew that it had to be something different,” Platcha said. “We had to create something that was not just a typical jewelry company, otherwise we’d all lose interest and be looking for what to do next.”

Platcha and her daughter, Mina, 23; and Ruggirello, and her daughters Maria, 27 and Ava, 19, researched jewelry trends, explored precious metals, and trolled bead stores. They kept coming back to the simplest of designs — super tiny seed beads strung on a singular, very long loop without a clasp. On the wrist they formed an elegant stack. They could also be worn as necklaces.

“We realized they were very meaningful to us,” Platcha explains.

The sisters knew they were

The MaeMarie girls are (back row, from left) Maria Ruggirello, Lisa Ruggirello and Angela Plachta; and (front row, from left) Ava Ruggirello, Mina Plachta and Barbara Ledda.

onto something, and gave MaeMarie its moniker by merging their middle names. They began sourcing strong cord and high-quality findings, but tracking down their beads in large quantities proved harder than expected. The beads are so precious, some MaeMarie colors — like Blossom and Pixie — will never be made again.

In addition to its Signature Wraps ($60-$78), MaeMarie offers a Bit Bigger wrap ($60) that uses ever so slightly larger seed beads; a Luxe Wrap ($68) with a stripe of gold; and Mini Wraps ($38-$47), a shorter strand that lends itself to mixing and matching. MaeMarie has also ventured into Finger Wraps ($14), and next month will launch a Create Your Own Wrap, allowing customers to choose up to three favorite bead colors for a meaningful wrap of their own.

The girls string the beads themselves in Mina’s former bedroom, finishing each piece with a sterling silver or vermeil gold plated MaeMarie branding bead.

GOOD INTENTIONS

The MaeMarie team decided to focus their business strictly online. They don’t do shows or wholesale, instead relying on social media influencers and digital marketing. Mina Plachta, who graduated from Northville High School in 2015, majored in creative advertising at Michigan State University. She plays a large role in getting the word out, while the entire family models MaeMarie in online campaigns.

Mina says the wraps resonate because they become very personal based on everyone’s unique intention. One wearer reported using her wrap for motivation during a job search. Another, to get to class every day.

“You really can set an intention for literally anything,” Mina says. “It could be something small or something huge. It’s up to you, whatever you need in your life at that moment.”

MaeMarie faces its own challenges during COVID-19. After its official launch in December, 2019, the startup was live for just a few months before the pandemic hit, throwing the economy into a tailspin and derailing a trunk show at Nordstrom that MaeMarie was counting on to increase exposure.

Still, they’ve sold to customers in 16 states and their intention is set: give their all to the business during these challenging times.

It’s a mantra worth repeating, much like my own.

For more information about MaeMarie, visit https:// maemariewraps.com or send an email to maemariewraps@ gmail.com.

Wensdy Von Buskirk is a freelance writer whose family has deep roots in Northville. She co-owns Pure Barre West Bloomfield

No Friday Night Lights This Fall

While other fall sports are moving forward, football pushed to spring

By Kurt Kuban | Photo by Vanessa Mandell

The Northville High School football team gathered for practice on the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 14. Instead of heading out to the field where they normally run drills and prepare for the upcoming season, coaches told the players to gather inside the school’s gymnasium. It was there Head Coach Matt Ladach informed the team what everyone in the room had been dreading for months. Their football season was on hold.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association made the decision to move football to the spring, citing the sport’s unique risk factor for spreading the COVID-19 virus. The good news is, as of this writing, all other fall sports – volleyball, girls swimming, girls golf, boys tennis, boys soccer and cross country – were moving ahead as planned, although decisions still have to be made regarding boys soccer, and especially girls swimming and volleyball that are played indoors.

“At the end of the day, we did everything we could to find a path forward for football this fall,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said. “But while continuing to connect with the Governor’s office, state health department officials, our

At the end of the day, we did everything we could to find a path forward for football this fall.. There is just too much uncertainty and too many unknowns to

play football this fall.”

Mark Uyl

MHSAA Executive Director

member schools’ personnel and the Representative Council of the Michigan High School Athletic Association, there is just too much uncertainty and too many unknowns to play football this fall.

“No one is willing to take the risk of COVID being passed on because of a high-risk sport. Decisions have to be made on our other sports as well, but none of those carry the same close, consistent, and face-toface contact as football,” Uyl continued.

The decision impacts more than 30,000 student athletes at about 600 schools statewide who were anticipating (and hoping) to play in the fall.

That was certainly the case at Northville, where the team has been in camps for more than a month, and was just completing a very successful first full week of practice, albeit with no pads. So, when NHS Athletic Director Brian Samulski informed Ladach of the MHSAA decision, the coach admits he got pretty emotional as he addressed the team.

At the end of the day, Ladach wasn’t exactly surprised, though. “To be honest, it was something I was kind of anticipating,” he said.

Ladach is encouraged, however, because he said Samulski and other athletic directors are determined to make it work in the late winter/ early spring in a way that won’t impact winter or spring sports, which is important because some of the players also participate in basketball, baseball and lacrosse, among others.

“The MHSAA has assured us that they are committed to providing any fall sport that is unable to play this season with a (potentially modified) season that does not cause studentathletes to pick and choose between the sports they love,” Ladach told parents in an email. “As many of our multi-sport athletes are already accustomed to, there will likely be some overlap between the end and beginning of sport seasons, but that is all speculation at this point. The positive news is that there is a plan in place for us to play football without forcing players to pick and choose.”

Samulski said the details are still being figured out, but there is hope not only to have the football season but also allow for spectators. Had the sport been played this fall, only players, officials, coaches, and game officials would have been allowed in the stadiums, meaning there wouldn’t have been fans, cheerleaders, pom or band.

Athletic directors are working with the MHSAA to develop concepts for the spring football season such as dates, format and playoffs. We’ll keep you posted.

“While this is tremendously disappointing, we will do everything possible to provide the best possible experience in the spring while adding football into the calendar,” Uyl said.

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