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LOCAL MATTERS! Please send checks, cash or lucky charms to: Journeyman Publishing 16435 Franklin Northville, MI 48168 or via PayPal at kurtkuban@gmail.com Thank you!
VOLUME 4
ISSUE 8
AUGUST 2021
16435 Franklin, Northville, MI 48168 • 734.716.0783 • TheVilleMagazine@gmail.com
KURT KUBAN – Editor/Publisher
Kurt Kuban is an award-winning journalist, having served as a reporter and editor for several local newspapers and magazines, including The Northville Record, over the course of a career spanning more than two decades. Kurt lives in Northville with his wife, Cheryl, and their three children, who all attend Northville Public Schools.
CRAIG WHEELER – Creative Director
Craig has been in the creative industry for over 29 years. He has developed a diverse background in that time, but publication design has been his passion during the past 19 years. Craig enjoys chasing his young daughter and providing moral support to his lovely wife.
MICHELE FECHT – Writer
Michele Fecht is a longtime journalist whose first post-college reporter position was at The Northville Record before moving on to The Detroit News. A 30-plus year resident of the City of Northville and historic (old) house owner, she is an author, researcher, local history enthusiast, and community activist/advocate.
BRAD EMONS - Writer
Publisher Here is a list of people who contributed to local journalism last month. We appreciate your support! Bob & Margene Buckhave Carol L. Collins Jim & Pat Kaman Lender Solutions Suzanne Lynn Michael & Erin Pinkleton
Anna Mary Postma Jim Rucker Marie Rumbley Jeanette Serowiecki & Jacqueline Pebbles Deborah Stanifer & Arvy Kavaliauskas Agnes Thompson
ADVERTISE IN THE VILLE Our locally-owned publication is an affordable way to reach the Northville Market. We direct mail to all 21,000 addresses in the 48167 & 48168 zip codes.
To secure space in The Ville, contact Scott at (313) 399-5231 or scott@streetmktg.com. SCOTT BUIE - Advertising Director/VP of Sales
For more than 20 years Scott has worked with clients in Metro Detroit to create advertising campaigns to grow their business. After managing sales for radio station in the Detroit Market for 17 years he purchased Street Marketing where he works closely with a variety of businesses and events. Scott and his family have lived in the Plymouth and Northville Area for 23 over years.
Over the course of his four decades with the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers, Brad established himself as one of the preeminent prep sports reporters in the state, winning many journalism awards along the way. His greatest joy is interviewing local athletes and coaches, and reporting on their efforts.
LONNIE HUHMAN - Writer
Lonnie graduated from EMU with a degree in creative writing. He is a longtime newspaper reporter, including two stints with The Northville Record. He is now a freelance reporter for a number of publications, including The Sun Times News in Dexter, where he lives with his wife and two young children. He is glad to be back covering the Northville community.
TIM SMITH - Writer
Tim brings a penchant for telling powerful and personal stories that run the gamut from news to sports. During more than 35 years in journalism, he has earned numerous state and national awards. The Wayne State grad is a published author and rec ice hockey player.
MARIA TAYLOR – Writer
Maria is managing editor at The ACHR NEWS, a B2B publication based in Troy. She has worked as a reporter for the Northville Record, Novi News and Plymouth Observer, and once had her photo on the cover of TIME. She lives in Farmington and, as a self-avowed history nerd, routinely risks her life by standing in the road to photograph old buildings.
BILL BRESLER - Photographer
Bill lied his way onto his high school's yearbook staff in 1971 and has worked as a photographer ever since. He recently retired after 39 years with Hometown Life, a newspaper group that includes the Northville Record. He's won many journalism awards for his work, and taught photography at Madonna University. According to Bill's wife, he's too young to retire, so he's happy to be part of The 'Ville.
BRYAN MITCHELL - Photographer
Bryan started working as a photographer more than 30 years ago, and was the Northville Record photographer in the 90's. He has freelanced for The Detroit News, The Guardian, Reuters, and other publications. His photography has appeared in newspapers and magazines around the globe. The Northville resident also coaches mountain biking at Northville High School.
A View From The ‘Ville
Tough Decisions Ahead As New Wave Approaches
I
t’s almost hard to believe but our kids are getting ready to head back to school. The first day for Northville Public Schools students to return for the 20212022 school year is Sept. 8. Other schools are starting even earlier. Parents like myself have been optimistic that the schools would be back to normal – as they were in the pre-COVID world. And that’s what it has been looking like most of the summer, as cases had been down across most of the nation. Yet, as I write this, there has been a massive surge. The southeastern United States is on fire. In states like Florida, they are reporting numbers – cases, hospitalizations and deaths -that are higher than at any point of the pandemic. Thus far, Michigan has been in pretty good shape. On Aug. 12, we only had 557 confirmed new cases, according to the state government. To put it in perspective, Florida reported 357 COVID-related deaths on the same day, and their new
cases were in the neighborhood of 25,000. So, we have a lot to be thankful for. However, if you look at the map of the country, cases are definitely creeping north and it seems inevitable that the wave is going to reach our state. If and when it does, our state and local officials are going to have to start making some difficult decisions concerning masking and vaccinations, health protocols, etc. That will include our school administrators and board of education members. They will be in the same difficult position as they’ve been over the last year-plus. No matter what they decide, the community is going to be divided and there are going to be people very upset with whatever decision they make. The only thing that I would ask, as a parent with kids in the district including a high school senior, is that they make their decisions based on information and advice from experts in public health. Not someone who
saw a YouTube video posted on Facebook. Not a politician pandering to voters. One comment I’ve heard a lot during this pandemic is people should do their own research when it comes to the pandemic. People can believe whatever they want. Yet, our public officials, especially our school board members, need to remember they have a responsibility to their employees, staff, families and especially our children. Keeping them safe is paramount. I know tensions are high. People are frustrated, divided and scared. Most of us are just exhausted with this whole thing. I know I am. But we can’t just throw our hands up in the air and give up. We can – and will – beat this thing. The best way is to do it together. Please show compassion for others, especially our public officials who are in such a difficult, but necessary position. Hopefully we’ll avoid the wave that is tearing across the country, and this is a moot point. But
if this pandemic has taught us anything, it is to be prepared. I just hope our elected officials are able to drown out all the noise and make sound decisions they (and we) can live with. AN OMISSION In last month’s issue, the story “Picking Up Right Where They Left Off” included accolades for our spring season athletes. Unfortunately, we unintentionally omitted a couple players from the story. There were a total of four players from the boys lacrosse team who were named All State Honorable Mention. We missed two of them -- Jacob Isaksson and Colton Kuehl. I wanted to make sure to recognize them for their efforts. Sorry we missed you guys. Great season – and good luck in the future. Kurt Kuban is the Publisher and Editor of The ‘Ville. He welcomes your comments at kurtkuban@thevillemagazine.
Your Voice: Letters to the Editor 4 Past Tense: St. Paul Lutheran celebrates 125 years 12 New Fire Chief Samhat is invested in the community 14 Football Preview: ‘Stangs trending in right direction 22 Northville City Council candidates sound off 28
Closing Up Shop
8
Girl Power
18
Tactical Training
24
ON THE COVER: The Northville High School football program features two female kickers: Senior Anna Kasapis (left) and freshman Charlie Bleu Saunders. Both expect to contribute to their respective teams. Photo by Bill Bresler
Restoring historic Thayer School is labor of love 32 Community Bulletin Board 34
Your Voice
Consider Community Park
My family has resided in the Northville Hills Subdivision for 20 years now. Millennium Park is adjacent to our subdivision and we find that it is nicely developed with baseball/softball fields, soccer/lacrosse fields, play structures and picnic areas. I feel that it is fully developed and doesn’t lend itself well for additional development. It would seem to us that Community Park may be a better fit for this project due to the fact that it has greater acreage. One other concern that I have is whether a skateboard park could subject Northville to potential lawsuits should any injuries occur. Mike Liening
Giesa for Council Skate park is prudent
I definitely support the building of a skate park in our community. Although I’m an aging grandma, I continue to take great interest in my three grandsons’ choices of sports. Skateboarding is one of the most recent additions to their sporting activities. As far more kids are interested in this sport, it seems prudent to provide a safe location dedicated to this growing pastime. The reality of skateboarders trying to share the roads with other vehicles is very dangerous as was the drastic outcome for Dominic Duhn. Millennium Park would get my vote as the skate park committee moves forward with this project. Maureen Lynaghan
We need skate park
I am a resident of Northville Township and I do believe we need a skate park. We have many kids that do this and it provides an area for the students who are not on a “team” sport to utilize. I think Millennium Park would be a good area. Rhonda Weber
Worth every penny
We think it’s a wonderful idea to have a skate park in the Northville area. If it saves one life or even one injury, it will be worth every penny. Linda and Bill Liedel
SOUND OFF 4 The ‘Ville
We have had the pleasure of knowing Patrick Giesa for many years. During this long friendship we have seen Patrick’s thoughtful way of handling difficult decisions as our Councilman. Patrick has proven time and time again just how dependable and how deeply concerned he is about the future of our community. We encourage you to vote for Patrick Giesa in the upcoming election in November. We will be. Bob & Margene Buckhave
Painting Guernsey's cows
I’ve read with interest some of the recent letters concerning our cows at Guernsey Farms Dairy. First of all, Guernsey cows are brown -- not black. Guernseys were the breed of cow we originally got our milk from, hence our name. Unfortunately, however, there aren’t enough Guernsey cows around anymore to produce enough milk to supply companies like Guernsey Farms Dairy. We now buy our milk from a fourth generation family-owned farm called Walnutdale Farms located in Wayland, Michigan. They milk Holsteins, which are black and white. During our recent renovation of our location on Novi Road, we lost our painter before the cows could be painted. We’d love to find a professional painter who could paint the cows on our building. If you or someone you know is qualified and interested, please stop by. Of course, that also brings up the question: Should we paint them brown or black? Joe Kinville Guernsey Farms Dairy
Dirt roads need work
Clunk, clunk, scrape … just me in my car navigating the dirt section of Main Street on my way home in Northville Township. Dirt roads in the township are misshapen and inadequately maintained. I drive daily on Main Street, a Wayne County maintained road, but errands around the township indicate this is a widespread problem. In addition to vehicle damage, potholes cause drivers and school buses to swerve into the oncoming lane as they attempt to find a smoother path. In particularly bad spots, drivers navigate through homeowners’ front lawns, further damaging the road and the homeowners’ property. Poor water control also causes gravel washout onto City of Northville roads and storm sewers, creating an additional maintenance expense for the city. A properly graded dirt road has a significant crown and no berm next to it. When it rains, the water will run off without being concentrated in any particular location. The dirt roads in the township have an inadequate crown, and berms on the side that retain water and lead to the problems we experience. Paving would also solve these problems, as well as reduce dust with its associated health hazards, and eliminate salt-water road spraying with its associated vehicle corrosion and local environmental impacts. Yet, I would be happy if what we have was better maintained. While I appreciate how the current state of the roads help control traffic, other traffic control methods are available that don’t provide the hazards listed above. Doug Powell
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.
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Jack’s Barber Shop owner Jon Yuhasz (left) is calling it quits at the end of the month. The building at 149 N. Center will become a beauty salon.
Closing Up Shop Old-school barber Jack’s 70-year run coming to an end By Tim Smith | Photos by Bryan Mitchell
A
fter a 70-year run in downtown longtime Jack’s hairstylist and barber Sarie Northville, Jack’s Barber Shop will be Dermanelian, a nod to the many personal closing its doors for good at the end of and hilarious stories bandied about over the the month. That means many Northvillians decades. such as John Jameson will have to figure out According to Dermanelian, one customer another place to get a haircut and catch up could begin a discussion – be it serious or on old friends. lighthearted – and before long “everyone “It’s the people, the experience that I’ll was in it. And all the laughter. So much fun. miss,” Jameson said. “It’s like going home. I’m really, really going to miss this.” Those are just wonderful people. You can The good-natured Yuhasz is the fifth just sit down and talk to them and, by the owner of the franchise. He decided it was way you get your hair cut, too.” the right time to step away – with the hand Jack’s Barber Shop was opened circa 1950 of fate giving him a bit of a nudge toward by Jack Gray and run since 1992 by soonfinally retiring. to-retire-to-thefishing-hole Jon Yuhasz. The old-school shop at 149 N. Center Street, which is filled with laughter and friendship as well as honest talk about what matters to Northville residents, will soon become a beauty salon. “I hope these Hairstylist Angie Napier, who lives in downtown Northville, has been cutting four walls don’t hair at Jack’s for more than a decade. talk to them,” joked
8 The ‘Ville
“I was shut down for three months (in spring 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and it hurt the business,” Yuhasz noted. “But being off for those three months, well, yeah, I guess I like the thought of retirement.” Yuhasz bought the business in 1999 when it was located on Dunlap Street east of N. Center Street (currently Scores Barber Shop) and moved to the current spot a decade later. “I tried to follow the (pattern of ) previous owners of Jack’s and kept it a family business,” Yuhasz said. “So families can come in and feel comfortable.” He gave major shout-outs to his wife, Sherry Yuhasz, for helping him stay the course over nearly 30 years and to the late “Barber Dave” Rouse, who retired in the mid-2010s but passed away earlier this year from cancer. “Dave nailed everyone with his (dry humor),” said Yuhasz, adding with a knowing smile that “he wasn’t opinionated at all. Yes, it was very hard to follow Dave.” A ‘WELCOMING’ TOWN Dermanelian, a 21-year Jack’s employee with nearly 40 years of experience in the profession itself, is also getting ready to retire so she can spoil her five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren (both on the way). “I feel a part of this town and I don’t even live here,” Dermanelian said. “They are so welcoming and they’ve been good to us.” Dermanelian said her favorite customer is Jameson, primarily because he represents the caring nature of typical Northvillians by “always coming in, asking how you’re doing. … Every day, John drives past, waves, toots
the horn or stops in.” Hairstylist Angie Napier lives in downtown Northville and plans on finding another hometown job in barbering. “I want to stay in the community and a lot of the customers I do have, they live in Northville or close to it,” said Napier, an 11year veteran at Jack’s. When Napier thinks about the Northville fixture preparing to close for good, she feels “sad about it. I’ve known Jon and Sarie for years. … I cannot believe it’s going to come
Jon Yuhasz began his tenure as Jack’s owner during the 1990s over on Dunlap Street.
to an end pretty soon.” Jameson also is wistful about what’s coming down the pike. His usual Tuesday routine of going to Jack’s for a haircut and friendly conversation is soon ending. “I can get my hair cut anywhere,” said Jameson, who was in eighth grade in 1962 when his family moved to Northville. “A haircut to me is nothing. But I look forward to every Tuesday going in and saying hi to Sarie, Angie and Jon. It was great.” HANGING ON TO HISTORY Jack’s is certainly a classic barber shop. And over the years, the team has done all it could to preserve that magic. A broom and dustpan are propped up in the corner, ready at a moment’s notice for piles of shorn locks to be collected. Framed and on the wall is the first dollar earned after Yuhasz moved to what would become the final spot for Jack’s Barber Shop; he began his tenure as Jack’s owner during the 1990s over on Dunlap Street. Also displayed for customers to peruse is a photo of the very first N. Center Street
customer in 2009. Meanwhile, affixed to the wall behind the chairs are two other signs that once were posted outside the business’ previous spot. Because they weren’t given the green light Jon Yuhasz and Sarie Dermanelian have enjoyed being part of the community. in 2009 to install another exterior pole sign, they settled on putting the two sides (for) sports teams,” she said, adding with a of the sign on the wall to give the N. Center chuckle that “Most of the time they never Street location a bit of a museum feel. came back to us. We had hair knee deep and “We took the old sign from over there (the we just buzzed everybody. They’d come in previous location) and we broke it apart with blond hair, blue hair, bleached hair and and we put it inside here,” Dermanelian we’d just buzz them all.” explained. “That’s the original. We brought Jack’s also was a favorite place for them in here just to hold on to a lot of the senior citizens to stop by for haircuts and history.” conversation. They chatted about baseball Dermanelian then held up another games, weddings, graduations … and museum-esque item: a weathered, brown funerals. By engaging with customers about booster chair. She said many of Jack’s those milestones and much more, Yuhasz, “littlest customers” needed it to sit as tall as Dermanelian and Napier have been like possible before getting the works. members of extended families. “The young kids we used to (prop) on For example, one older gentleman this are now college graduates. Some are recently got his hair trimmed to prepare married,” she noted. They all made the for a family funeral. There were no jokes Jack’s crew (which over the years also that day as the barber shop was as much included former employees Sally and Gabi) counselor’s office as anything else. Instead, as “proud as could be.” Jack’s staff was there to help the man When those children were old enough to express his pain and grief. play sports for Northville High School, the “We’ve cried with them and they’ve Jack’s crew was ready to get them cleaned cried with us,” added Dermanelian, wiping up for action. moisture from her eyes. “If you could pick a “I do believe we gave a lot of free haircuts job that is the most heartfelt, where you are really into the lives of people, this is it.” That special connection is about to end, unfortunately. Yet Jack’s Barber Shop will live on in Northville’s collective hearts and memories. To contact Jack’s Barber Shop before it closes Aug. 21, call (248) 348-4147. Angie Napier (left), owner Jon Yuhasz, and Sarie Dermanelian are the team at Jack’s.
The ‘Ville 9
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PAST TENSE
‘Focused and Mission Driven’ St. Paul Lutheran Church celebration to mark 125 years By Michele Fecht
E
vangelisch Lutherische Reformationsgemeinde von Northville. That was the name adopted by Lutherans gathering in August 1896 as they set out to organize Northville’s Lutheran church. It would join the earlier established Baptists, Catholics, Methodists and Presbyterians — some of those denominations founded by Northville’s earliest settlers in the late 1820s. The church name would later be changed to St. Paul’s Lutheran Congregation; today it is St. Paul Lutheran Church. Occupying the corner of Elm and High streets, St. Paul has been an integral part of Northville’s fabric since its inception. To commemorate its 125th anniversary, the church is planning a special worship service and picnic August 29. Coming off a year unlike any other, Pastor Christopher Fairbairn said the celebration will mark the church’s resilience, its history and its long commitment to its missions and the community. EARLY BEGINNINGS In December 1896, church organizers decided to hold services in the Rogers schoolhouse located at Nine Mile and Taft roads. It also operated a Christian Day school on the site. Services were later held at the Presbyterian church in South Lyon where many of the original members resided. Nevertheless, the trustees
12 The ‘Ville
Parishioners gather after service in 1949 in front of the original church. Courtesy of St. Paul Lutheran Church.
remained determined to build a church in Northville and in May 1897 paid $125 for property at High and Elm streets at the foot of Buchner Hill, the highest elevation in Wayne County
Pastor E.E. Rossow with Vacation Bible School students, circa 1940s. Courtesy of St. Paul Lutheran Church.
and a mecca for sledding enthusiasts. The construction of the original white frame church was not without its difficulties. Plans called for a 32-foot x 50-foot structure with a 76-foot tower topped by a large copper cross. A marble corner stone was placed in July 1897, but it would take another year before the structure was completed. In the interim, services were being held at Northville’s Methodist Church. On July 3, 1898, the church was dedicated during its first service with Reverend Paul Reinhardt presiding. The July 8, 1898 issue of The Northville Record noted that music for
the dedication service was “furnished by the Opera House Orchestra and the Ladies Aid society served a sumptuous dinner for the hungry multitude…” By the time of the building dedication, membership had reached 91 from its original 64. Church services were conducted in German as most of its members were of German origin as evidenced by the surnames in the 1898 membership roster that included Holtz, Jonas, Krueger, Haese, Musolff, Meisner, Richter and Strautz along with many others. A schoolhouse was erected on the south side of the church shortly after the church was finished, and later moved next to the church to house Sunday school and a meeting space. In October 1907, the church dedicated the bell placed in the steeple. Cast by Northville’s American Bell & Foundry Company, the bell weighed 1,250 pounds. E.E. ROSSOW FILLS PULPIT After a succession of pastors, Edwin E. Rossow was called to fill the pulpit at St. Paul’s in February 1937. Rossow, who helped organize Detroit’s Pilgrim Lutheran Church and spearheaded construction of that church at Quincy and Chalfonte avenues, left his 14year post to come to Northville. The move would prove fortuitous for both the minister and St. Paul’s members.
In November 1937, the church celebrated its 40th anniversary. Alvin Schnute, a Detroit pastor and former member of St. Paul’s gave the address. Among the community businesses offering to help sponsor the 40th celebration was Casterline Funeral Home. Fast forward to this year’s celebration and Casterline’s has once again stepped in to help. Esther Helland, 96, the second and last surviving of the Rossows’ six children, said her father often reached out to members throughout the community which still was dotted with farms outside the village. He also was involved in many community organizations including the Northville Rotary in which he served as president. She remembers helping her father in the church office in the days when there was little or no support staff. “He used to write the bulletin every Sunday and run it off a mimeograph machine in his office,” she recalled. “One of us kids would put the sheets between old bulletins so the ink wouldn’t smear and then fold them.” Helland was in sixth grade when the family moved to Northville and attended Main Street Elementary School the year it opened. After graduating from Northville
St. Paul Lutheran Church today. Photo by Gail LLC. All rights reserved.
High School, she worked as a “Rosie” in Northville’s Ford Valve plant when it was turned over to war production during World War II. The money she earned helped her pay for nursing school at Fort Wayne Lutheran in Indiana. She would eventually work as a nurse at Atchison Memorial Hospital in Northville. Having spearheaded the building of the Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Detroit, Rossow tackled a second church build in 1948. With a growing congregation, the need for a larger structure proved imminent. Ground was broken for a new brick structure in 1948. Contractor for the project was Walter Couse of Northville; cost was $160,000. The cornerstone of the original frame building was placed in
the new structure and the bell was preserved. The front of the church that faced High Street in the original structure was moved to Elm. In 1958, the congregation approved plans for a Christian day school with construction under way in 1958 and ‘59 with subsequent additions and changes made in the decades that followed. Rossow continued as pastor of the church until 1965. CHALLENGES AND BLESSINGS Pastor Fairbairn said the upcoming 125th celebration offers a chance to reflect on the past year – one wrought with challenges — but also blessings. “I never thought I would be a televangelist,” he quipped, noting that like other houses
of worship, St. Paul pivoted to streaming services on YouTube when Covid protocols limited in-person worship. Fairbairn said he is most proud of the church’s resilience during a difficult year, particularly its commitment to mission work. “We had many members that turned over their stimulus checks to the church missions,” he noted. “I ask our members to think of their faith beyond 201 Elm Street — to be outward focused and mission driven.” The school, which enrolls students in preschool through eighth grade, flourished last year with enrollment more than doubling over the previous year. Fairbairn noted that the upcoming school year is seeing the same enrollment numbers. “God gave us a lot of good lemonade from the lemons we were dealt,” he said. The 125th party — complete with a 40-foot x 40-foot tent, balloons, picnic fare, and members dressed in 1896-era attire, will be a welcome celebration for the congregation. There are even plans to sing the first verse of the hymn in German at the 10 a.m. service — a nod to the church’s German roots. “We are blessed to be a part of this community,” Fairbairn said.
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The ‘Ville 13
New Fire Chief Matt Samhat said one of his goals is to make sure firefighters continue to train, like last month's vehicle extrication exercises.
Meet the New Chief ‘Agent of change’ Matt Samhat is invested in the community, ready for new role
W
hen asked what he wants the community to know about him, new City of Northville Fire Chief Matt Samhat starts with the allimportant essentials. “I think I’d like everyone to know that I am sincerely invested in the community and its citizens,” said Samhat, who is taking over for recently retired Fire Chief Steve Ott. “I have been in Northville and Plymouth a long time. I live in the city of Northville, and now my kids are growing up here, too,” Samhat said. “So it means a lot to me to be able to give back by helping Northville and Plymouth citizens feel safe and cared for.” Taking over a department that is looking to continue improving and serve the cities of Northville and Plymouth, Samhat joined the NCFD in 2012. Since then he’s worked hard and trained. His
14 The ‘Ville
background and experience includes being a certified firefighter, EMT-B and fire inspector. He’s also trained for incident command, safety officer, leadership, company
has acquired since coming to work for our department,” said Northville City Manager Pat Sullivan. Samhat has served in various roles in the department, including as Lieutenant, Captain and Fire Marshal. A similar take on him came from the City of Plymouth. “He (Samhat) is able to convey a clear understanding of the organization’s mission of serving two different cities that are separated by three miles,” Plymouth City Manager Paul Sincock said. “The chief always displays a strong moral character and possesses traits associated with excellence. Matt has the ability to thoroughly analyze conditions and has the ability to reach independent decisions.” A lot of what’s played into the new chief’s dedication and motivation was there at the start. “I initially chose the firefighting and EMT profession because it is both active and essential,” said Samhat. “I
both the cities of Northville and Plymouth while preserving the great tradition of service to the community.” Noting that Samhat is an all-around nice guy who can communicate with people in a positive, productive manner, Sincock said one of the things that he is most impressed with is the new chief’s ability to show a strong personal commitment to successfully completing all projects. “Chief Matt is able to clearly establish goals and expectations for the individual firefighters, as well as the department as a whole,” according to Sincock, noting he sees the new chief as an “agent of change” for the department “as we bring more technology and we set very specific goals of individual fire fighters to achieve significant department wide impact on operations.” “Matt’s ability to display positive energy will be a significant asset to the Department,” Sincock continued.
I initially chose the firefighting and EMT profession because it is both active and essential. I realized quickly, however, that the best part is getting to know so much of the community and developing compassion for everyone’s unique stories and situations.” Matt Samhat , City of Northville Fire Chief officer, fire officer and rapid intervention and is also a technician in rope rescue, confined space, trench rescue, building collapse and car seats. “What made Matt the ideal candidate was his dedication to the department and the vast amount of training and skills he
realized quickly, however, that the best part is getting to know so much of the community and developing compassion for everyone’s unique stories and situations.” Sullivan said the “goals for Matt are continued improvements in our service to
Looking ahead, both in the short-term and long-term, Samhat said his immediate goals include making simple updates to technology and streamlining daily procedures while in the long-term, he plans to bolster recruitment and revitalize hands-on training.
Appointed to Michigan Civil Rights Commission (December 2020) Alum of Catholic Central High School, University of Detroit, MSU & U-M • High Conflict Divorce/Family Law • Criminal Law/Personal Injury Law • Business Law (Non-compete Agreements, Trademarks, Plaintiff & Defendant) • Employment Law (White Collar Crime, Worker’s Compensation, Age Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Hostile Work Environment, Wrongful Termination, Plaintiff & Defendant)
• Police Brutality Cases Multi-Million Dollars in Case Resolution Richard J. Corriveau, ESQ. Attorney at L aw
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Freshman Charlie Bleu Saunders (left) and senior Anna Kasapis are making their mark on the NHS football program. Photo by Bill Bresler
r e w o l P r i G s mon ad E r B By
n idiro r g e on th
acy g e l leave o t hope s loved the team and he accepted r e ick k me right away and let me play e l ma e f on the team.” S NH Ironically, Kasapis isn’t
I
n her third year with the Northville football team, Anna Kasapis can now be considered “just one of the boys” as she enters her senior campaign.
Anna Kasapis kicks an extra point during a game last year. Photo by Vanessa Mandell
18 The ‘Ville
The senior kicker, who converted 20-of-25 extra point tries last season along with a 20-yard field goal for the varsity squad as a junior, is trying to leave a legacy in the program. Following in her footsteps is another female with a rich soccer background in ninthgrader Charlie Bleu Saunders, who is attempting to make her imprint with the freshman team as well. While the journey for both kickers began on a soccer field, it was their mutual love of football that drew them to the gridiron. ‘VERY NATURAL’ “I emailed coach (Matt) Ladach actually asking if I could come out and practice kicking with the team one day and he said it was completely fine,” said Kasapis, who plays club soccer for the U-17 Michigan Hawks. “So, I went to my first weight training session after a basketball practice and I loved it. I loved the environment. I
a trailblazer when it comes to female kickers for the Mustangs. Sara Wojdelko, a goalkeeper for the Michigan Hawks who signed with Vanderbilt, was the first. “She decided not to play her senior year, so I stepped in her shoes and she kind of encouraged me to do it,” Kasapis said. “And I started going out with my dad every day to the field and I was like, ‘O.K., I’m getting the hang of this.’ It’s something I’ve loved the past three years of my life. I don’t regret it and it seems very natural to me.” In her first season as a sophomore for the Mustangs’ JV squad, Kasapis showed promise by making 33 of 36 PATs. And for the past year she’s been working with former Northville Dream Team AllStater and current University of Michigan kicker Jake Moody. “He’s a great guy,” Kasapis said. “He’s helped me with my form. He’s given me a ton of
tips and I feel I’m really going to impress people during my senior year by improving.” It’s all about fundamentals when it comes to kicking, according to Kasapis. “Coach (Dennis) Colligan tells me to keep my head down when I kick,” she said. “So, if there’s anyone who wants to kick . . . make sure you keep your head down and don’t think of anything else when you kick, especially when you have a big crowd behind you.” During the summer, Kasapis increased her field goal range to 44 yards. So far during the preseason Kasapis is battling for that job with senior Grady Zoroya and junior Sam Wiest. “I’m trying to get there,” Kasapis said. “I know for a fact
that I’m starting PATs. I’m not doing kickoffs this year just because of the size difference with the other teams. And I think I’m going to try and kick more field goals in games when they’re needed in the 35- to 40yard range.” Ladach doesn’t want to take the chance of exposing Kasapis on kickoffs. It’s simply not worth risking injury because of a special teams play. “She does a great job of putting the ball between the uprights on extra points,” Ladach said. “For our longer field goals, we’ve got a couple of guys that have a little bit better leg that might probably be competing for that spot.” Ironically, Kasapis is battling a foot injury. And following the football season, she will more than likely have surgery to repair her fifth metatarsal bone on her plant leg. Kasapis has many interests beyond sports. She’s loves animals and might go into veterinary medicine, but she’s also involved in social media where she manages the Instagram and Twitter pages for the high school’s Anna Kasapis will be kicking PATs for the Mustangs, and is student the running to be the team’s field goal kicker. Photo by Bill section page. Bresler
Freshman Charlie Bleu Saunders gets in a kick before practice. This is her first year playing football. Photo by Bill Bresler
Taking business courses is another interest. “I want to take journalism because I’m naturally good at speaking,” Kasapis said. “I really like English and all that stuff. I like talking and being on the news really seems fun to me.” A WAY OF LIFE While Saunders plays soccer for the U-15 Hawks ‘A’ team in the Elite Club National League, football is almost a way of life in her family. Her father, Cedric, was a tight end for Ohio State from 1990-93, while her older brother Cayden is a preferred walk-on this fall with the Buckeyes after being a two-way standout at running back and defensive back last season for the Mustangs.
Another brother, Kai, a senior wide receiver at NHS, is one of the team’s top players with Division I football aspirations. (Charlie Bleu also has an older sister Reegan who attends Kent State.) “Love Charlie Bleu,” Ladach said. “Charlie Bleu’s older brothers obviously played in the program and Kai is still here and she’s going to make a big contribution herself.” Charlie Bleu’s mother Bashi got in touch with Ladach to get the ball rolling. Saunders then began kicking sessions with Kasapis in June. “One day my brother got me in touch with Anna,” Charlie Bleu said. “I texted her and we went up to the field and Girl continued on page 20
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Hazard continued from page 19
then she just taught me how to kick and everything. I said, ‘O.K.,‘three steps back, two off to the side.’ And actually the first time I did it, it was really low. But once I got it, I started building confidence and then I started going. A lot of things she told me was just mental. “She (Anna) is always optimistic and everything. Whenever she has a bad kick there’s always a reason for it and she fixes it right away, and then she’s all good to go. She’ll help me during the season. We’ve become really close friends.” Saunders began playing soccer at age 5 and got her start with Northville Parks & Recreation before moving over to the Michigan Hawks Academy. She has aspirations to play collegiate soccer. She took an unofficial visit recently to Duke
and North Carolina and came away impressed. “I think it would be really cool to be a college soccer player. I think it would be fun and I really want to, but I want to keep all my options because it’s early. But I think soccer is a way for me right now,” she said. In addition to travel club soccer, Saunders plans to try out for the Northville High School girls basketball team after stints with the Livonia Hawks and the Big Cat League. Being a part of the football program, however, has proven to be fun for Charlie Bleu, who enjoys the physical aspect of the sport. “I like it for a confidence boost,” she said. “I love the 100yard sprints and I like racing people.” And she enjoys the camaraderie of the sport of football as well. “They’re honestly really funny,” Saunders said of her teammates. “They’re very
welcoming. Honestly, they’re really helpful. I was pretty decent, but I haven’t done it before. They’ve also helped me with my form a lot.” Despite just a few months of being a kicker, Saunders says she’s up for the challenge to contribute to the freshman team. “Honestly, I just need to keep my confidence up and also realize it’s all mental,” Charlie Bleu said. “I know how to do it and as long as I keep my confidence and block everything out, I think I’m good to go.” ‘JUST ONE OF THE BOYS’ Ladach believes Kasapis has been able to blend in nicely with her male teammates as she enters her third season. “I’m so proud of Anna, she gets in the weight room every single day,” Ladach said. “She’s one of the players that absolutely is compelled to be a
part of the team. Even though Anna only kicks for us, she finds all kinds of other ways to contribute. “I’m proud of Jake (Moody) as well. Jake continues to give back to Northville. Great guy. He was one of those guys that was trained by a Northville kicker and now he’s training Northville kickers.” It’s been a rewarding to say the least for Kasapis, who also has entertained thoughts of possibly becoming a kicker for an NCAA Division III football program as well. Her high school experience has been nothing but positive. She’s relishes “just being one of the boys.” “They’re all amazing people,” said of her Northville teammates. “I love every single one of them. A ton of them are very supportive of me and I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world.”
He’s helped me with my form. He’s given me a ton of tips and I feel I’m really going to impress people during my senior year by improving.” Anna Kasapis, NHS senior kicker, on working with U-M and former Mustang kicker Jake Moody
Photo by Vanessa Mandell
20 The ‘Ville
2021
Varsity Schedule
LIVONIA STEVENSON August 27
BRIGHTON September 24 Home
Away
PLYMOUTH September 3
SALEM October 1 Neutral
HOWELL September 10
HARTLAND October 8
CANTON September 17
NOVI October 15
KLAA CROSSOVER October 22
ALL games start at 7:00 pm. HOME games are played at Tom Holzer Field.
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2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW
I
f experience counts for anything, then the 2021 Northville football team appears to be trending in the right direction. The Mustangs, who used a slew of underclassmen in 2020, finished the truncated COVID-19 season on the upswing with a 5-3 overall record and a 4-2 record in the West Division of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA). The season ended with a 34-0 setback in the Division 1 district semifinals against top-ranked Belleville, but a 24-14 victory over longtime rival Novi – its third straight for the coveted Baseline Eight Mile Jug – proved pivotal and gave Northville a 28-24 lead in the series.
Experience counts as Northville will rely on seniors (bottom row, from left) Parker Ladach, Jack Holland, Ryan Reynolds; (top row, from right) Tommy Mandell, Grady Zoroya, Jake Merritt, Matthew Barnett and Kai Saunders. Photo by Brad Emons
‘We Can Get There’ Slew of returning seniors have Mustangs trending in right direction By Brad Emons
Senior QB Jack Holland looks to build on his All-KLAA performance last year. Photo by Vanessa Mandell
“The previous two years (2018 and 2019) we had very few returning starters,” said Northville head coach Matt Ladach, who enters has 14th season with a 78-47 career record. “And last year we had a number of juniors that were starters. Typically speaking, your seniors should be the best players and we’re pretty fortunate this year that our
22 The ‘Ville
seniors are pretty darn good leaders. We also have a good junior class coming in and they’re jelling pretty well together.” Playing error-free offensively will be a key for the Mustangs. “You can’t turn the ball over and expect to win on a consistent basis, so protecting the football is always something that is stressed in our program -- and not to expect to score touchdowns on every single play,” Ladach said. “It’s trusting the play and letting each and every play to develop and not getting impatient.” Ladach believes he does have options offensively at quarterback to go along with some capable playmakers. In early preseason camp,
incumbent starter Jack Holland, an All-KLAA pick, was vying for the job along with fellow senior Tommy Mandell. Junior Luca Prior is also in the mix. “We’ve got a good core group of skill kids and we have some pretty good depth as well,”
the Northville coach said. “We have, I think, three really good quarterbacks. Jack was our starter last year, and if we wanted to run the ball more, Tommy easily could have been our starter. And Luca was a great quarterback from the JV, and he’s pushing Jack right now, so we have three kids that we know we can rely on at that position. And our depth at receiver is pretty good as well.” With more of a normal off season, All-KLAA wide receiver Kai Saunders has grown an inch and put on 10 pounds of muscle. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Saunders would like a shot at Division I football like his father Cedric, who played tight end from 1990-93 at Ohio State, along with his brother Cayden, a legacy recruit and preferred freshman walk-on for the Buckeyes this fall. A third-year varsity player, Kai put time in during the offseason work by attending several camps and playing on the seven-on-seven circuit. “This off season we’ve made a lot more progress,” Saunders said. “We have a lot of returning players so everybody was ready to work coming in. We finally got back in the weight room. We came together and we were ready to work.” Another third-year starter
Senior outside linebackers Parker Ladach (12) and Kam Kuban (2) are a formidable duo. Photo by Vanessa Mandell
is Mandell, who plays in the secondary and can double at both quarterback and running back. Mandell, who also has college football aspirations, has grown an inch and gained 16 pounds. “There was definitely more gym availability for sure,” Mandell said. “No restrictions obviously, but we had to wear masks going up to midFebruary, maybe March . . . but after that it’s been more like my sophomore year. Definitely been able to work out a lot more.” Other returning senior starters include Parker Ladach, an All-KLAA pick at outside linebacker, two-way linemen Matthew Barnett and Jake Merritt, along with defensive lineman and H-back Ryan Reynolds, and wide receiver
Grady Zoroya. Other seniors who gained valuable playing time in 2020 include Ray Shuk (cornerback), Kam Kuban (outside linebacker), Greg Staton (offensive line-inside linebacker) Dominic Green (defensive line), Nate Cotter (inside linebacker), Trey Brinker (inside linebacker) and Braeden Courtney (inside linebacker). Juniors Nolan Thomson (wide receiver-DB), Zachary Hoshaw (offensive line) and Hunter Ladach (outside linebacker) are also expected to contribute as underclassmen, according to Ladach. “We have a lot of two-way players on the offensive and defensive lines,” the Northville coach said. “Any one of our starters on the O-Line could
s t a r g Con
be ready to contribute defensively. At linebacker we’ve got a number of kids that Northville football coach Matt Ladach, addressing his team we feel are during a late July workout, is entering his 14th season with pretty quality the Mustangs. Photo by Brad Emons kids. Parker (Ladach) and Kam (Kuban) competitive.” are really good outside Obviously going undefeated linebackers.” and getting to a Division 1 The Mustangs are scheduled state championship final can to open their 2021 season on be a lofty expectation, but for Thursday, Aug. 26 at home the Mustangs it’s going to be a against Livonia Stevenson. process. “We’ve had as good of an off “It’s going to take a lot of hard season as we could have had,” work,” Saunders said. “A lot of Ladach said. “With all things these guys I’ve been playing considered the kids were really with a long time now, so I feel dedicated. Our attendance was like we all have pretty good tremendous. Our work ethic chemistry. I would say if we do was great and I’m optimistic. all the right things on and off I expect us to be really the field, then we can get there.”
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Members of the Northville Township Fire Department train with thermal cameras outside the department’s training burn tailer.
‘An Ultra-Hazardous,
Unavoidably Dangerous
Occupation’
Tactical training keeps firefighters sharp and prepared By Tim Smith | Photos by Bryan Mitchell
N
orthville Township firefighters answer the bell every day to save precious lives, homes and property. Sometimes, when smoke is thick and flames nearly out of control, they fall back on years of training and innate knowledge as they swing into action. The training never ends, especially as new technology becomes available, including 360 thermal imaging cameras, which can cost from $3,000 to $10,000 each. Jesse Marcotte, who heads up training for the Northville Township Fire Department, explained how the new cameras came in handy during a recent house fire in Plymouth Township, which the
24 The ‘Ville
“unceremoniously,” Marcotte said. “We’re all manpower limited, so rather than taking the time and busting holes all over the place we were able to bust one hole,” Marcotte said. “We didn’t even need a ladder because we had Dave’s height working to our advantage.”
TOOLS OF THE TRADE Northville Township firefighter Dave DeSloover uses a thermal camera during a training exercise.
department offered mutual aid. Before they entered a room in the home, they poked a hole in the ceiling and firefighter Dave DeSloover was able to stick the camera into the hole and snap
a photo. When he pulled up the photo, they could see that the fire was over the kitchen. That information proved to be a valuable time saver and the fire was extinguished
DeSloover was among the firefighters participating in a two-hour Tactical 360 Thermal Imaging training session June 29 outside a burn trailer on Northville Township’s property near Haggerty and Seven Mile (formerly the State of Michigan Regional Psychiatric Hospital property). DeSloover and other firefighters (including a few
from neighboring Plymouth Township) pointed Teledyne FLIR hand-held cameras – in a manner similar to how a baseball scout might use a radar gun to check a pitcher’s fastball speed – at a barrel engulfed by flames. “It (the camera) opens up our opportunity, our options on the scene,” DeSloover noted. During the training session, the firefighters pressed buttons (to display low, medium and high temperature readings) and looked at colorful images on miniature screens, almost resembling a video game. Marcotte detailed examples for when various modes might be deployed. “We have a high sensitivity mode, which is low temperature,” Marcotte explained. “And we have a low sensitivity mode, which is high temperature. High temperature mode switches this (icon) into different color palettes. It’s showing you a contrast color palette using gray scale, so basically from black to white. The hotter the object is, the brighter the object is.” Later, the firefighters directed the cameras toward a scorched trailer, with flames surrounding a standard rescue mannequin (depicting a human trapped in a house fire). “We talk a lot about mastering the skill versus mastering the prop,” Marcotte explained. “If we were automatically looking all the time for the warmest object in the room to be a person, we’d miss the person. Versus having a mannequin that’s the same temperature relative to the environment they’re in. “So now, that mannequin might show up as the warmest object. It might show up as the
The training exercise included firefighters from several departments, including Northville and Plymouth townships.
coolest object, which is more of mastering the skill versus mastering the prop.”
SMART AND NIM BLE
Firefighters must be prepared to pivot at any time. “Inside our coats it says ‘Firefighting Is An UltraHazardous, Unavoidably Dangerous Occupation,’” Marcotte summarized. “So the idea (of tactical 360 cameras) is, if we’re smart enough and engaged enough to understand how to use all of our tools, then we can really make a difference
for the people that we’re here to protect. According to Jason Raschke, a 19-year veteran of the Northville Township Fire Department, the cameras have the potential to “reaffirm the senses that we use” when confronting a fire. “What I mean by that is we look at the smoke, which way is the smoke travelling, then we go in the opposite direction of the smoke to find the source of the fire,” Raschke said. “We feel for heat, a lot of times we’ll crawl into a building and then
Plymouth Township firefighter Nolan Gilo uses a thermal camera to assess a fire situation.
stop and we’ll feel for the heat on one side or the other. If it’s hotter on my right side than my left I know the fire is going to be found on my right side. “But with this thermal imaging camera, it just reaffirms those senses. That we’re moving in the right direction, doing the right things in order to put the fire out quickly or find someone who might be trapped in a residence.” While there can be no denying how important 21st century innovations are to fighting fires, there remain those which are tried and true: strong communication skills and a sense of “singing from the same page” not only for members of the Northville Township Fire Department but those of neighboring municipalities. “What we say is a small structure here is the same as a small structure in Plymouth Township, or Livonia, or the city of Northville and so on,” Marcotte said. “All the terminology is the same. Faceto-face communication can be challenging inside a fire, because there’s a lot of noise. It’s a point of emphasis to make sure we all understand the same language. There’s no room for creativity, it’s all standardized. It’s literally a checklist, front and back, on the things we do on every fire alarm or fire scene.” The need to be in sync is why Plymouth Township firefighters would participate in a Northville Township training session, and vice-versa. “We’ll share our resources on how we did this training and we’re always willing to work with other departments as well, both from a training standpoint Hazard continued on page 26
The ‘Ville 25
Hazard continued from page 25
or operations standpoint,” Marcotte said. “So there’s an information sharing that goes on between all departments in this area.”
MORE TO LEARN
With Northville Township’s department, every single person receives identical training because one never knows who will be called upon to be the point person in command of an emergency. “Jesse (Marcotte) and I, we work in the office primarily,” said Northville Township Fire Marshal Tom Hughes, like Marcotte a firefighter/ paramedic in addition to his administrative duties. “But at the same time, we could very likely be the first person to show up on a fire or an emergency incident, based on our proximity or if we’re out and about doing an inspection or whatever. “So everyone has to be trained at those same levels, because of the (smaller) size of the department (27 firefighters in the field daily plus four administrative staff members).
26 The ‘Ville
Everyone is trained to do all of those things simultaneously.” The Tactical 360 Thermal Imaging Training session is one of several components the Northville Township Fire Department is tackling via Underwriters Laboratory Fire Safety Research Institute’s self-paced program titled “Understanding & Fighting Basement Fires.” According to Hughes, in a mid-July e-mail, the department recently conducted a deep dive into learning all about basement fires and is building off the UL-FSRI program to delve into other important topics including the Blue Card command simulation lab. Basement fires will again be the focus of a training program on Oct. 20. The Northville Township and Livonia fire departments and Schoolcraft College are teaming up to host one of 18 national discussions of the UL-FSRI campaign. The national program is funded through a federal grant and will include live fire training. Fighfighters from across Michigan will be invited to attend.
Newer construction means bigger, faster fires F
ires are hotter, faster and more dangerous than ever before, according to comprehensive, scientific studies by Underwriters Laboratories and Safety Research Institute. Just consider some of these troubling facts: TEMPS: They can jump from 250 degrees to 1,500 degrees Fahreinheit in 10 seconds. HEAT RELEASE RATE: The HRR is eight times faster in modern homes than those built just 50 years ago. LIGHTWEIGHTS: Because 21st home construction is about lightweight construction for floors, roofs and even stairways, it increases potential for collapse. NO TIME: It takes an occupant (whether resident or firefighter) under three minutes to escape a fire, compared to 17 minutes in the 1980s. In Northville Township, 70 percent of homes have been built in the four decades since the inception of lightweight construction materials and methods. On top of all that, the average home is about 4,600 square feet (including basements as large as 1,700 square feet) – underscoring the importance of firefighters getting up to speed on how modern fires react and best practices in avoiding tragedy and property loss. That is why the Northville Township Fire Department is committed to “fire science” training programs. “The average size of a basement in Northville Township is 1,700 square feet, which is really large,” explained Jesse Marcotte, the department’s training coordinator and a firefighter/paramedic. “It’s a really large, concealed space to have a deep-seated fire below lightweight building materials.” Marcotte held up a chunk of flat, compressed lumber often used to build floors in modern homes. They largely are composed of wood chips and glue, thus having little chance against a fire. “Unprotected, lightweight floor assemblies can collapse in as little as six minutes,” Marcotte emphasized. “That’s what this (item) is… this is predominantly what your floors are made of in houses built in the 1980s and beyond. Seventy percent of the homes in Northville Township were built after 1980; 40 percent were built in the 2000s. So almost every newer neighborhood their floors are made of this.” Getting the lowdown on fire science matters a lot to the safety of firefighters, too. “Almost 20 percent of maydays (distress signals) for firefighters involve falling into the basement,” Marcotte noted. “Maydays are like our worst-case scenario. There’s been 19 catastrophic firefighter line-ofduty injuries over the 20-year period (in Northville Township alone) that Underwriters Laboratories looked at.” Fire Marshal Tom Hughes noted that it is essential for modern fire science as presented by UL and the Safety Research Institute to be fully absorbed and understood by the men and women who serve the community. With that knowledge, residents have a better chance at being pulled out of a fire before disaster strikes – and firefighters themselves increase their odds at staying safe. By Tim Smith
Why do I hear the warning sirens? Tornadoes aren’t the only reason you may hear them. Northville Township activates the outdoor warning sirens whenever severe weather conditions exist that are or could be life threatening or result in severe damage, injury or loss of property. These conditions are: · Severe thunderstorm warning accompanied by winds of 58 mph or greater. Severe thunderstorms can cause hail of ¾ inch or greater in diameter. Also, tornadoes form from thunderstorm clouds. · Tornado and/or funnel cloud sightings that have been verified by a reputable source · A tornado warning All outdoor warning sirens are controlled by the Northville Township Communications Division, the same folks who answer your 911 emergency calls. They constantly have your safety top of mind. Dispatch has been advised to always error on the side of caution and activate sirens when in doubt. The reason: Sirens save lives. Sirens are also sounded for testing purposes on the first Saturday of each month at 1 p.m. beginning in March and ending in November. The Northville City Chief of Police also may request a one-minute siren for a “special event.”
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Northville City Council Candidates Sound Off With city facing big changes, candidates want to help shape future By Tim Smith
N
orthville residents already know Brian Turnbull will get another 2-year term as the city’s mayor, due to the fact he is running uncontested in the Nov. 2 election. They’ll also have to decide either on that date or via absentee voting (beginning Sept. 23) which two out of three candidates will win four-year stints on the city council. Vying for the council seats are: incumbent Patrick Giesa, running for a second term; Andrew Krentz, a veteran planning commissioner who was appointed in June to close out the council term of Sam Ekong (who moved out of the city); and John Carter, active on Northville’s Downtown Development Authority and task forces for sustainability and economic development. “We have three outstanding individuals running for two council seats,” Turnbull said. On Sept. 9, at Genitti’s Hole in the Wall, Turnbull will use his regular Mayor’s Town Hall to introduce the three men to an in-person audience. Turnbull said council members and other civic volunteers will be called upon to do some very important work over the next handful of years, leading up to Northville’s Bicentennial celebration slated
28 The ‘Ville
for 2027. He listed top-priority projects such as development of the Northville Downs property, the makeover of the historic Foundry Flask property, projects for Ford Field and “walkable communities” for the city’s entry points. “It’s an exciting time, there’s so many things going on,” Turnbull added. “All three of these people will be engaged. Two will be engaged into council after the election, one will be engaged on other activities. All three will be winners in trying to guide the future of Northville.” Giesa, Krentz and Carter all recently answered some questions (via e-mail, text or telephone) about why they decided to throw their hats into the ring and what they think “Job One” is for the next four years. There was plenty of consensus and overlap in their answers, particularly about the 2021-25 job in front of them. Q. Why did you decide to run and what can citizens expect from you should you be elected? Giesa: “My goal as city council member is to ensure our children and their children will be able to enjoy Northville the way we enjoy it today. The movement to develop the
Downs property started while I was on council. I want to stay involved and see that the whole project delivers the best possible outcomes for the city.” At the top of a list of goals voters can expect him to pursue should he be elected is “full support of Northville’s Master Plan revision efforts, including updated city ordinances and building codes. This will be key to the Downs development.”
Giesa
Giesa also listed continued support for Northville’s COVID-19 prevention and vaccination programs; make sure downtown businesses remain healthy through inventive programs such as “Heat in the Street” and “maintain and improve our tree population.” Krentz: “My interest first started about two years ago while serving on planning during the Downs development
first time through. There was a presentation about demographics in the city and how we’re beginning to age very quickly, in fact to the point where we’ll become the oldest city in Wayne County before the end of the decade at the current rates. “And I’ve also noticed that there’s fewer and fewer kids playing in our neighborhood. And since we’re raising a young
Krentz
family (three children in school) I wanted to make sure that, as the city enters into the next phase – of this significant transition that’s likely to come – that the voices of families, people in my demographic, my age group with kids are heard.” He pointed to having more than a thousand hours of experience on the planning commission and as chair of the Farmer’s Market Task Force, which he wants to parlay into further community service on council. “We’re going to stay here for decades. I’ve got skin in the game here and I take a long view on all this.” Carter: “Over the past several years I have been fortunate to play leadership roles with local organizations (First Presbyterian Church of Northville) and (city) committees and task forces. Together we have created a
vision for the future of Northville that I find to be incredibly exciting. “Over the course of my professional career I have spent almost 20 years in management consulting and finance. These experiences have provided me a unique perspective on how to drive results and ensure we have a plan in place to fund these initiatives.” “As a father of three kids (ages 6, 8, 11) I am running because I want to make sure each decision made will contribute to a Northville community that will thrive for generations to come.” Q. What is ‘Job One’ for the next council? Giesa: “We’re at a unique and historical inflection point on our city’s growth and development spectrum. The opportunity with the Downs property could easily be the biggest parcel, within a
Michigan city our size, for some time to come. To say the least, what happens to the Downs will bring change to Northville. We’ve got to get it right the first time to ensure that the project goes as smooth and trouble-free as possible.” Krentz: “The city is about to enter a very transformational stage over the next four years, including its bicentennial at the back end of it. With the Downs project imminent, and all the findings are citizens task forces have been doing (sustainability, Farmer’s Market, River Walk and Ford Field), we’re going to need to strategically figure out how to deploy our limited resources to maximize civic benefit.” As chair of the Farmer’s Market Task Force, he added the importance of making sure that entity is protected regardless of
what happens with the Downs project. “It will move, it will have to be re-imagined and we need a plan to do that.”
Carter
Carter: “We are about to enter one of the most exciting and significant periods in our city’s history. Northville’s landscape will forever be changed by the decisions made over the next few years. We need a City Council that will maintain Northville’s
identity while embracing the growth and development that will better the lives of everyone who lives here. “We need a City Council that will bring people together, define the best possible vision for the future and work with local leadership to make our shared vision for Northville a reality.” IMPORTANT DATES: Absentee ballots applications will be mailed beginning in midAugust to those who previously signed up for the Automatic Absentee Vote Application list, according to the city clerk’s office. On Sept. 23, absentee ballot mailings will begin with inperson ballots available at the clerk’s office. The final day for online, mailin or Secretary of State branch office voter registration is Oct. 18.
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The Thayer School was built in 1877, serving Plymouth and Salem (when Northville was still part of Plymouth).
Labor Of Love Restoring historic Thayer School is
painstaking but worth it for volunteers Stories and Photos by Laura Fawaz
H
ave you driven past the northeast corner of 6 Mile and Napier roads, and wondered what’s the story with the old building there? It is the Thayer School, a oneroom structure that is likely the oldest building remaining in Northville Township. Built in 1877, the school served Plymouth and Salem. This was when Northville Township was a part of Plymouth, and it was the only school in the entire district. Named after early settler Rufus Thayer, the area was referred to as Thayer’s Corner. In fact, members of the Thayer family are buried in the small cemetery behind the school. For years the Northville Township Historic District Commission has been working to restore the school. Progress has been slow, but steady. “We were also looking at the cemetery which is preserved, and will be, and wanted to save this corner, it’s the oldest place in Northville Township,”
32 The ‘Ville
actually used the building, and vandalism became an issue. So in 2009, Veolia donated it to the historic district commission, which wanted to save the building and preserve its historic integrity, maintaining the rare Italianate design of the building. In 2011, the Thayer school house and adjacent cemetery became the township’s only historic district, and the restoration began. “For a building that is from 1877, it’s in pretty good shape. Most of the schools built in the 1800s were not made out of bricks, so these were fairly wealthy and well to do farmers and were able to do something very nice for their community. That’s why we’re trying to restore it. There is a lot of work and a lot of money that it needs, so we’re looking for community support,” said Banner. The Northville Township Historic District Commission consists of nine members, who are actively working to restore and preserve the history of the site.
said Marjorie Banner, of the Northville Township Historic District Commission. The school closed in 1952. The original sales agreement of the property stated that if at any point it were no longer in use, ownership would revert to the Thayer family. Thus, the following year, it went to the great granddaughter of Rufus Thayer, who turned it into a residential property. Over the next four decades, it went through Northville Township Historic District Commission several family members Margie Banner and Bill Sivy discuss efforts to members, restore Thayer School. until it was sold in 1992, to Browning Ferris “One of the reasons we think Industries (BFI), the owner of it’s worth saving, we don’t have the landfill across the street that much history. The city before Onyx, Veolia, Advanced [Northville] has a concentration Disposal, and now, Green For of Victorian homes, we Life (GFL). [Northville Township] don’t. None of the companies There’s not a lot of history
remaining,” said commission member Bill Sivy. Since taking ownership, the group hasn’t been able to do as much as hoped. Money is a huge factor. But they have made progress. They were able to replace the cupola, which houses the school bell, from a monetary donation from the Northville Township Firefighter’s charity. They’ve also replaced the roof, keeping the elements out. Fundraising has been difficult. This year, they’ve added a new event, a Trunk Sale, which will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 28 at the Thayer’s Corner Nature Area, located on Napier Road, just north of the school house. Anyone interested in participating in the trunk sale, can contact Banner at marjoriebanner@gmail.com. Once all is completed, the schoolhouse will be available for school visits. People will also be able to host meetings and small events there. “There are lots of things we can do, but it’s certainly going to be made for the public’s use, when the time comes, and certainly for the school district,” said Banner. Of course, this is a painstaking process, and there’s still a long road ahead, but neither Sivy nor Banner are deterred. “I think it’s a labor of love. We’ve been at this so long, it’s like a dog with a bone, we’re not going to give this up. We find interest in it, and we hope the community will appreciate it,” Banner said. Monetary donations can be made to the to the Northville Township Historic Fund, at 47040 Timberlane, Northville, MI 48167.
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ON-SITE DOCUMENT SHREDDING EVENT Sponsored by the Charter Township of Northville
FOR NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS ONLY
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Township Hall, 44405 Six Mile Rd.
Entrance at Sheldon Road ONLY
$4.00 per car (minimum) for up to eight (8) bags Additional $1.00 per bag, after eight (8) Paper grocery bags ONLY (no plastic bags, lawn bags or file boxes accepted)
QUESTIONS? Contact the Clerk's Office 248-348-5825 or clerk@twp.northville.mi.us
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History Programs
Police Officer of the Year The City of Northville Police Department recognized some of its top officers last month, including Thomas Barber (pictured), who was named Police Officer of the Year, the highest honor given by the department. Barber was also promoted (effective Aug. 1) to sergeant of road patrol, taking on administrative duties, supervising and training a team of officers, and continuing to perform community policing by meeting residents and business owners, and patrolling city streets and the business area. A 2009 graduate of Eastern Michigan University’s Criminology Program and a veteran of the Baltimore Police Academy, his goal as a police officer is to deal effectively with criminals, protect the victims and deploy methods that prevent crime. He joined the force in December 2017 after six years as an officer in the Baltimore Police Department. He and his wife Laura have two daughters, 7 and nearly 4, and live in Waterford.
There are a couple upcoming programs at the Northville District Library that may be of interest to history buffs. First, at 7 p.m. on Sept. 14, Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull will highlight the people, places, and industries that made Northville the “Hamlet in the Hills.” He’ll also share entertaining tales of his own five-generation family’s history in the Northville. On Sept. 15 at 7 p.m., Robert Myers of the Historical Society of Michigan will present “Michigan Heritage Homes” that focuses efforts to recognize homes that are at least 100 years old. Myers will describe how the program works and specifics about what’s needed to certify a house. Each certified house will be eligible for a custom-made plaque that displays the name of the home’s original owner and its year of construction, similar to the National Register of Historic Places. To register for either program, call the Library at (248) 349-3020 or online at northvillelibrary.org.
Photo by Liz Cezat
Woman’s Club Scholarship Recipients
Northville High School Class of 2021 graduates Daniela Scagnetti (left) and Avery Thaxton (right) are the recipients of $1,000 scholarships awarded this year by the Northville Woman’s Club. The club, organized in 1892, has as part of its mission support of higher education through scholarships to Northville High School seniors. Scagnetti was a National Honor Society member for two years. She was co-founder of the American Red Cross Club, captain and four-year member of the Varsity Dance Club, and participated three years in track and field. She also was involved in many community activities while a student at NHS. She will attend Lawrence Technological University in the fall and will study engineering. Thaxton was a two-year member of the National Honor Society and the Mustang Leadership Council. She was captain and a four-year member of the NHS cheerleading squad. She was active in the community and participated in many out-reach programs while also working a job. She will attend the University of Alabama in the fall where she plans to study business.
34 The ‘Ville
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Medals, Milestones and Memories T
he 2020 Olympics held in Tokyo during 2021 are in the record books. It was another episode of “where were you when?” Sporting events with limited fans in attendance is less than thrilling, but I did learn a lot while watching the games. For example, Japan is noteworthy for carpentry and surfing. Who knew? I attended the Summer Olympics 25 years ago – where were you when the bomb went off? I was just arriving in Atlanta. It was a truly memorable experience. The best was going to synchronized swimming. It was not a pick we made. We settled on it in a ticket-buying lottery. Two friends, four tickets, a motherdaughter event, priceless! We didn’t know it was a medal event – or, what that actually meant. Bonus…the United States won the gold medal. It doesn’t matter what the sport – when your country is standing on the podium with your national anthem playing and you see your flag go up – it is incredibly moving. If you are not brought to tears, or there are not goose bumps, you probably need to check your pulse. Northville’s own Gillian Maten is hoping to some day soon see synchronized ice skating at the Olympics. Gillian skates for Crystallettes – the USA Synchronized Senior Skating team. There are only five senior teams in the country, and Gillian is one of only 20 skaters on the team. The team regularly competes in
36 The ‘Ville
Gillian Maten
national championships. They also compete internationally to qualify for world championships. Gillian started skating when she was 5. This summer she turned 16 and is beginning her junior year at Northville High School, where she is on the school’s figure skating team and the National Honor Society. When she’s not skating or studying, she volunteers at the Living & Learning Enrichment Center. I would be thrilled to see one of our own go for the gold someday.
Speaking of medals, my granddaughter Madeline earned her “Live My Faith” medal, which is part of the Scouting Religious Awards.
The ceremony was July 11 at Our Lady of Victory. Fr. Denis Theroux joined leaders Carole Jean Stockhausen and Juliet Culp to celebrate the accomplishments of 14 Junior Girl Scouts. Each step and requirement of the medal focused on discovery, prayer and service to the community. One of the highlights was the Scouts making meals for folks in our area undergoing chemotherapy treatments. I’m very proud to recognize these young ladies: Grace Bedner, Penelope Culp, Kaitlyn Duneske, Khloe Duneske, Maddy Kara, Gabby Lemanski Gigi Lemanski, Lilyanna Lobocki, Nola Parr, Marlo Schliewe, Giana Stone, Madelyn Strasser, Lara Wadowski and Adriana Williams. It’s always amazing when you recognize – it’s a small world/small town after all. My mother-in-law worked for the Samhat family in Redford Township for many years. There were pictures of our family and theirs in shoeboxes everywhere. During a recent move my daughter found the pictures and dropped them off to our new
fire chief, Matt Samhat, hoping he might recognize some of his family. He sure did. He was the baby. Chief Samhat…best wishes from our family to yours, and thanks for your service. Coming up next month, the 20th anniversary of another “where were you when?” event that rocked the world, the 9/11 attack. As always, I’d love to hear from you…where were you 20 years ago? On Sept. 10, the Northville Art House will honor the anniversary at the Live @ 5 ticketed event. The display will include paintbrushes and other tools used by artist Jeff Von Buskirk to paint the iconic flag mural on the north side of the Marquis Theater – commissioned by Miss Inge Zayti right after the attacks. In 2014 there was a community wide effort to restore the mural. Before and after photographs and the Donor Board will be on display and a moment of silence will be observed in memory of all who perished on that fateful day. For details, contact the Northville Art House at office@ northvillearthouse.org or (248) 344-0497.
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