The 'Ville - October 2022

Vita Vizachero

Vita

1989.

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Pooles, Rocky’s,

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John DesOrmeau

John DesOrmeau

lived in the Northville / Novi community

1987. Some of his local favorites are Rocky’s, Custard Time, Guernsey’s and the Pizza Cutter.

in the Northville / Novi

Some of his local

Guernsey’s

are Rocky’s,

the

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LOCAL

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Mimi Kibbey Marie Rumbley

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, all products of Northville Public Schools.

CRAIG WHEELER – Creative Director

Craig has been in the creative industry for over 30 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.

WENSDY VON BUSKIRK – Writer

Wensdy graduated with a degree in journalism from Wayne State University. Her first job was working as a reporter for The Northville Record. Now, as a freelance writer and editor, she works for a variety of magazines, and is excited to get back to her roots in The ‘Ville. -Photo by Kathleen Voss

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.

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.

LARRY O'CONNOR – Writer

Larry is a metro

he’s

the

When he’s

–

JOHN C. HEIDER Photographer

John is a 25-year veteran of the Northville Record and other Detroitarea newspapers. In addition to his photography, he's an amateur gardener, poet and fly-fisherman. He also claims to have invented the metric system.

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.

TIM SMITH - Writer

Improving The Rouge River Starts In Northville

When people ask me why I love Northville, I list the things most locals do. The great school system, our charming downtown and excellent municipal services. The other reason, for me, is our wonderful natural resources.

How many other communities in metropolitan Detroit have what we have when it comes to our natural landscape? That’s especially apparent at this time of year as the leaves begin to change and our rolling landscape lights up in a kaleidoscope of beautiful colors.

We have Maybury State Park and Hines Park. Soon we will have a new crown jewel with Legacy Park, once Northville Township takes down the last remaining buildings from the old Michigan Psychiatric Hospital complex. It will open up hundreds of acres for local nature lovers.

My favorite natural resource in Northville is the Rouge River. While the Rouge has been synonymous with pollution for a long time (it once was considered one of the most polluted rivers in the country), it has made major strides in recent years and clean-up efforts have

led to big improvements in water quality.

You can read about that progress in a new book published by University of Michigan Press called Rouge River Revived: How People Are Bringing Their River Back To Life. The book details the evolving relationship between humans and the Rouge River, dating back to the Native Americans, and how the Rouge today stands as one of the most successful examples of urban river renewal in the country.

I was honored to write a chapter in the book, as I’ve been involved with Rouge clean-up events and activities for a long time. I also like to fish, and the book editors decided to put me on the cover in a photo that was taken near the famous Rouge Plant in Detroit. I’ve always said I have a face made for radio, so I’m not sure what they were thinking.

Seriously though, I consider the book a celebration of how far the Rouge has come and how far we still have to go to make sure it’s a safe place for fish, wildlife and people.

I’ve been very encouraged how people in Northville are stepping up to the plate to improve the

Rouge. We are actually located in the headwaters area of the Rouge watershed, meaning we are in the upper reaches of the river.

In addition to the Middle Branch of the Rouge, Northville is also home to several important Rouge tributaries including Randolph Creek and Johnson Creek, a coldwater stream where trout actually thrive – one of the only places in Southeast Michigan.

All of these streams come together here in Northville, meaning what we do to it here impacts all of the communities downstream.

There are several major initiatives on the table to improve the Rouge in Northville, including daylighting the section of the river that now flows through an underground pipe under the Northville Downs property. There is also a committee working on developing a River Walk that will traverse our downtown, from Mill Race Village to Hines Park.

Coupled together, these two efforts, if completed, will help remake our downtown area and offer a recreational resource that will help attract residents and

visitors alike.

I recently took a tour of the proposed River Walk route with Mayor Brian Turnbull, who is a major proponent and has been helping find funding to make it a reality. The Northville Community Support Fund has already provided some money to clear away years of brush and dead trees in the park next the Water Wheel building, so it will actually be useable again.

The Rouge River is one of the main reasons people settled in Northville. Early businesses harnessed its power to manufacture goods, including Ford Motor Co. Of course, that led to some degradation of the river over time, so it is nice to see we are finally embracing the river again as a natural resource worth celebrating.

If you are interested in getting a copy of the book, please visit www.press.umich.edu. For more information about the River Walk, visit the city’s website at www.ci.northville.mi.us.

Kurt Kuban is the Publisher and Editor of The ‘Ville. He welcomes your comments at kurtkuban@thevillemagazine. com.

ON THE COVER: Bobbi Jo O’Neil and Lauren Romeo were among the 100 or so ladies who participated in the Main Street League’s Witches Night Out event on Oct. 9 in Downtown Northville. Photo by Ezekiel Chapman

Missed the mark

I read with interest the September “View from the Ville,” and since it misses the mark in many ways, I feel compelled to set the record straight.

First of all, the interests of the Get Kids Back to School PAC aren’t limited to Northville. My PAC has endorsed over 50 candidates in races throughout the state. Parents everywhere are concerned, and support candidates who will change the trajectory their schools have recently taken away from parental involvement. Those candidates are sometimes incumbents, sometimes challengers, but who share three priorities:

1. Parental Transparency. Districts across the state, including Northville, have not demonstrated an understanding that parents have the right to know what is going on in their children’s schools. Parents have been told to file freedom of information act requests, wait weeks, and pay fees to get information they should already know. Parents are looking for board members who will commit to transparency.

2. Authentic Parental Engagement. Parents have, for years, felt that, when suggestions were made to district administrators, parents were treated like third-graders—they are called to the office, given a cookie, and ignored. A district cannot draw strength from its active and engaged citizenry if it doesn’t really listen with an open mind. This was a complaint that I heard as a board member for years. Districts need board members who will push administration to incorporate parent’s thoughts and concerns into their decisions. This won’t happen when the district thinks it always knows better.

3. Parental Choice: While the column made it appear that the PAC was only organized around opposition to masking and forced vaccination, that was only a symptom of a deeper problem. Some schools—and Northville has been guilty at times—have failed to appreciate the role of parents as ultimate deciders of their children’s path. Michigan law affirms the same. But Northville’s administration said in an open interview that parents weren’t the customer, implying that parents weren’t in charge. That’s simply not true, has never been NPS policy, and shouldn’t be going forward. When it comes to difficult or sensitive topics, parents are always in charge, even if the district thinks it knows better. That’s what it means to be a public school.

It’s also important to note that I’m not running, notwithstanding the nonstop references, in the editorial and otherwise. Kathleen Schafer, Scott Morrell and Andrew Augustine are three strong, independent candidates who will bring distinct perspectives to the Northville school board, which is what makes them great. Perhaps people are pleased with their public schools, cutting parents out of the process when they object to the new direction. Perhaps not. We’ll find out in November.

Matthew J. Wilk

Choice is clear

Thanks so much for your thoughtful editorial about this year’s school board race in the September issue. Downballot voting is so important, and anything we can do to bring attention to this race is helpful. For people who look past the platitudes and innocuous-sounding flyers, the choice really is clear.

Kim Campbell-Voytal, Carin Meyer, and Melissa Stuart’s qualifications, passion, long-term involvement and commitment, and broad focus distinguish them as the best candidates for the NPS Board of Education.

Tanya Lundberg

Compromising safety

I am a resident of St. Lawrence Estates located adjacent to Northville Downs on Seven Mile Road. I realize that the Northville Planning Commission has an immense job of making many decisions for the community of Northville. However I feel that they have completely overlooked the St. Lawrence community entirely. The planning commission’s decisions have already affected our complex and will continue to do so due to our location.

St. Lawrence Estates has 93 condo units with only one entry/exit. There is no other street alternative.

The decision to permanently close Center and Main Streets has already impacted St. Lawrence with the increased traffic flow off Wing Street. The Downs project will further increase traffic at our entry/exit. A new roundabout at Sheldon and Seven Mile will impact St. Lawrence even more so by impeding our one and only entry/exit, especially during high traffic times.

I feel that these three decisions combined will undoubtedly cause safety issues for the residents who live here at St. Lawrence. Driving, biking and walking will become dangerous and hazardous.

I understand the planning commission cannot please everyone, but safety should be first and foremost. I have not seen the commission address this issue.

Linda A. Wilke

Put it to a vote

Please, please, please do not move the Downs project forward. Northville is a unique bedroom community. The last thing the city needs is 443 more residential units of varying sizes crammed together. How much more commercial areas do we need? Businesses have enough trouble staying afloat, especially in winter months, and add to that the popularity of online shopping.

Northville has charm. Northville is quaint. I know change is inevitable, but who are these people who want to make changes that aren’t necessary or beneficial to the town or its residents?

Reconsider ‘permanent’

I understand why the city closed Main Street during the Covid crisis, although the reason for closing Center Street escapes me. As a disabled person, my driver would normally drop me off at the front door then park the car. Now I would have to walk around the block depending on which business I wanted to enter. The only place I can go now is Starbucks. I hope the City Council will reconsider “permanent” especially in the winter. Walking through the slush, no thanks.

Lyn Kruss

Make the area beautiful and charming and a place that everyone can enjoy. Keep and even expand the Farmer’s Market, put in a pond, a park, a walking path, a coffee shop, anything that enhances our town, but please no homes to add to the congestion.

Put it to a vote of all the people in the community.

Janice Seluk

Access is difficult

I recently made a mid-day trip to downtown Northville to visit Orin Jewelers. It took me about 10 minutes of driving around to find a place to park. As I walked across Center Street, heading toward Orin’s, I noticed a large, black, Dodge Ram pick-up parked on Center. It was emblazoned with large placards advertising Dick Scott Dodge in Plymouth. This made me think about the shanty town appearance now in Northville and how public roads have been made available for the special, profit-generating use of businesses, local and otherwise.

I still don’t understand how public roads can be taken out of their intended use (as roadways) and made available for the financial benefit of a handful of for-profit businesses. Now, Northville residents can’t park downtown, but Dick Scott can? If this isn’t an example of government picking winners and losers, what is?

As a 40-plus year resident of Northville, I have spent a great deal of time in our little downtown, until it was decided to make it look like a flea market. Now, I rarely visit the businesses downtown because of the difficulty in accessing them. One only needs to look at Plymouth to see how a downtown can remain vibrant without the unsightly, shortsighted, unfair and questionably legal disaster that has been visited on our formerly welcoming downtown area. I sincerely hope that common sense returns to City Hall and our public streets are returned to the use of taxpayers and not to subsidize for-profit businesses.

Phillip J. Kovacs

Don’t lose safety standards

Changing the state’s constitution is a big deal and requires more thought and less ambiguity. The cry for getting signatures to put Proposal 3 on the ballot was to keep abortions safe and legal in Michigan. As if there would be abortions happening in back allies if the constitution isn’t changed.

Yet, even with this ideology of safety, in the proposal they want to strike down laws that require abortion centers to satisfy the same minimum health standards as other surgical centers. If safety is the real issue, then health standards should be kept as high as possible.

They also want to strike down the law requiring that the abortion be performed by a doctor. If safety is the real concern, then why would you want anyone other than a doctor preforming such an intricate procedure that could result in the loss of the mother’s life.

Jon Wilkes

Own it

I was not familiar with the school board race so I read Kurt Kuban’s editorial last month to get acquainted with the candidates and issues. It was pretty obvious who he supported and that is fair since he is an editor and can put forward editorial opinions. No one reading the column would have a hard time seeing that. What was laughably disingenuous though was the disclaimer that "The ‘Ville has never endorsed political candidates, and I'm not going to change that now." Please don't insult the intelligence of your readers. You made a political endorsement. Own it.

John Damiani

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Comforting Companion

Meet Max, Northville Township’s new police support Goldendoodle

BY TIM SMITH

When it comes to the allimportant relationship between Northville Township’s Police Department and the community it serves, there’s literally a new “leash” on life.

For the first time ever, the department has a police support dog on its roster – a male Goldendoodle appropriately

named “Max,” since he will go all-out to serve his human counterparts.

The dog’s name was officially unveiled on Oct. 3 from a list of finalists submitted by community members via the township’s Facebook or Instagram accounts, with Max getting the nod over finalists Teddy, Buddy, Fozzy, Chase

and Kevin. A few of the other contenders included Sheldon, Hero, Trooper and Sarge.

“But he kind of resembles Max, the dog from the Grinch,” said Northville Township Community Service Officer Andrew Domzalski, who has been assigned to be the canine’s partner. “I like it, although some of the officers were calling him Kevin, kind of as a joke. But I like Max.”

The campaign to name the dog inspired a positive response, with Domzalski estimating about 180 names were suggested by community members. One unofficial count had the tally as more than 300.

On Oct. 3 an official video announcing Max’ addition to the police department was filmed at the station, and the four-legged friend immediately lightened the usual workday mood.

“There’s such a wide variety of things the dog will be used for,” Domzalski said. “But at the

end of the day, his biggest job is to put a smile on people’s faces and he’s definitely doing that.

“I mean I’ve never seen so many people smile in our police department … than I have over the last week. That says a lot. This morning I walked in and everyone gravitated toward (Max). He’s free to roam around the police department. He’ll walk into people’s offices, he’ll sit down with them, move on to the next person.”

POPULAR POOCH

Northville Township Police Chief Scott Hilden gave a hearty thumbs up to bringing in a support dog, which typically provides comfort and aid for those during traumatic events or other times of crisis.

Notably, because Max is a police support dog and not a hands-off “service” dog, it is permissible for citizens to come up and give him plenty of love and affection.

“He will be a visible and

Northville Township Community Service Officer Andrew Domzalski has been taking Max out into the community.

highly popular member of our department and we couldn’t be more excited to include him in our community policing programming,” said Hilden, in a township media release.

Domzalski officially was teamed up with Max on Sept. 27 “and he’s been with me ever since. He’ll be living at my house with my other dog. I have a Golden Retriever (Daisy) at home, so he’s already learned a few things from her.”

For starters Daisy helped show Max how to play fetch in the Domzalski back yard.

“My dog now has a new friend,” Domzalski said. “But he (Max) also has a companion at the end of the day to go home to and just be a regular dog, and play a little bit, too.”

The newest member of the police department jumped right into action, showing how positive an impact support dogs can make with the community.

On Day 1, Max interacted with Winchester Elementary School students and enjoyed a welcoming party of sorts at township hall. A few days later, on Sept. 30, the pup visited Northville High School and was a furry rock star by the time the visit was over.

That’s when the dog and his full-time human handler went to NHS for the final day of the high school’s “Everybody vs. Stigma Week,” designed to boost mental health awareness.

Almost immediately, Max did what he does best – turning people’s frowns upside down and lifting spirits.

“I’m very active in the mental health world myself,” Domzalski added. “I’m a trauma service specialist on top of being a police officer so to me that (school event) means a lot.

“I know the effects that this

dog can have on a community member. So with 2,500 students, he was very-well received. The students loved him, the staff loved him. He got lots of attention and I think he comforted many, many students.”

Domzalski in fact said the popular Goldendoodle – a Golden Retriever and Poodle mix – made quite an impact with a special needs student with limited verbal skills.

“He (the young student) was petting the dog and actually talked a little bit to myself and the school resource officer,”

recalled Domzalski, adding that the school resource officer told him that type of verbal exchange appeared to be a first. “So to me that’s groundbreaking, that means he was so comfortable he was able to do that based on the dog, not because of us. The dog actually broke down that barrier.”

According to Beth Santer, one of the co-organizers of the Everybody vs. Stigma Week and executive director of special services for Northville Public Schools and co-chair of Northville CARES for Youth Advisory Council, the happy

exchange sparked by Max is an example of “the positive impact therapy dogs can have on our students’ emotional wellbeing.”

With that, Santer said the district also will soon be piloting a therapy dog program in its elementary schools.

RELIEVING THE STRESS

It was Domzalski, a 14-year veteran of the Livonia Police Department before moving over to Northville Township in 2019, who spearheaded the effort that eventually brought Max into the fold. He researched the connection between support dogs and positive effects on mental health during the global pandemic in 2020, and also discussed the topic with other law enforcement agencies.

“I spent the entire year working on initiatives and programs that could be implemented during Covid to try to build better relationships,” he explained.

“But I noticed there were other (police) agencies picking up support dogs. I started visiting (departments) to see the reaction.”

Once the decision was made to recruit a police support dog, one had to be found. Domzalski soon had a lead which was too good to pass up on.

“We just kind of started searching around and it came to us that somebody may or may not have some Goldendoodles that needed a home,” Domzalski explained.

Domzalski described Goldendoodles as calm, friendly, and “very easy to train,” with bonus benefits of not shedding or suffering from

Max was a big hit during a recent visit to Northville High School.

Max is fitting in with the team, along with Northville Township Police officers Ben Sellenraad (from left), Andrew Domzalski and Patrick Reinke.

typical canine allergies.

“(Goldendoodles) can be either really spunky or really lazy,” he added. “We’re pretty fortunate because Max is pretty laid back.”

The way Max will be utilized going forward will help to reduce stress, anxiety and fears connected with crimes, family emergencies and other challenging situations.

“His job is to be there to comfort people, and that can range from anything from witnesses of a crime to lower their anxiety and help improve communication between the victim and the officer so we can assist better during an investigation,” Domzalski emphasized. “Or (in cases of) children who have been victims

of crime, … or on the (autism) Spectrum, those that are special needs – having that dog come in and just be able to lay down with them and allow them to pet the dog and cuddle the dog brings a lot of comfort to them.”

BOOSTING MORALE

Benefits of having police therapy dogs around also are essential to helping officers themselves maintain an even keel and avoid suffering their

own bouts of depression.

An estimated 200 American police officers die by suicide annually according to Blue H.E.L.P. (standing for Honor, Educate, Lead and Prevent), a national nonprofit organization which strives to assist officers suffering from post-traumatic stress – perhaps from dealing with the social quandary of maintaining an outward toughguy persona on the job.

So the endless hugs with Max

are as much appreciated by men and women in blue as they are relished by kids and senior citizens.

Although Max officially is on the Northville Township police force, he will be separated from his handler for a couple weeks in November.

Domzalski, nicknamed “Officer Andy,” isn’t looking forward to that time apart.

“I’m kind of sad about it,” he said. “Max will be doing extensive obedience training and support dog training. And then he’ll come back to us.”

But when Max returns, Officer Andy (and Daisy, of course) will be there to greet him. So will the entire Northville Township community, which instantly has warmed up to the friendly police dog.

Max is a Goldendoodle with a new “leash” on life with the Northville Township Police Department.

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WHITMERDIXON

Northville voters will have their say on who’s the next governor and help decide three state proposals —the largest of which is one dealing with abortion — in a Nov. 8 general election of seismic proportions.

How crucial is this midterm vote? More than a few pundits contend our democracy hinges on the outcome.

The stakes are high, and so is the temperature of the rhetoric — at least nationally.

Northville’s electorate has kept a lid on their emotions, but the township is planning to beef up patrols at the polls just to be safe.

“I’m convinced, and I think we’ve convinced our voters that our elections are secure,” said Roger Lundberg, Northville Township clerk. “Clearly, there are people who are obviously advocating vehemently for certain candidates, but I don’t think that is going to translate into any security issues.”

At least for now, the city plans the same Election-Day routine. The city has two voting precincts; the township has 12.

“As with past elections, as part of its patrol, Northville Police Department will do periodic walk-throughs at the polling places throughout Election Day,” City Clerk Dianne Massa said. “This is standard practice for all elections.”

Several volatile issues — notably women’s reproductive rights — are surrounding this election.

Abortion has been at the forefront since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on Dobbs v. Walker in June, which overturned Roe v. Wade, the legal precedent allowing women

HIGH-STAKES BALLOT

Election officials ready for contentious general election

By Larry O’Connor

access to abortion for nearly five decades.

Democrat incumbent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s campaign is using Republican challenger Tudor Dixon’s “no exception” stance on abortion — including in cases of rape and incest — to paint her as an extreme candidate.

Whitmer enjoyed a doubledigit lead over the Betsy DeVos-backed hopeful, but that number shriveled to 6% earlier this month, The Hill reported, citing a CBS News-YouGov poll.

Northville voters backed Whitmer over former state attorney general Bill Schuette

The ballot measure’s backers are buoyed by results in Kansas where voters this August rejected a constitutional amendment by a 59%-41% margin that would have banned abortion in that state.

Anti-abortion advocates remain resolute and are expected to cross paths with the pro-Prop 3 crowd at the polls.

At an Oct. 13 meeting, FBI, Wayne County Sheriff Department and state Elections Bureau representatives urged area clerks not to underestimate the volatility surrounding the ballot measure.

“They all spoke to us and they all said to be aware of how that particular issue can get people upset fairly quickly,” Lundberg said. “With the amount of voting we have that is absentee, the lines and the numbers of voters we have at a precinct is down substantially than in years past. So, I don’t expect there to be issues, but again we have to be cautious.”

during her first gubernatorial run in 2018. She carried the city by a 52%-46% margin while narrowly winning the township by 50%-48%.

Whitmer, a former state representative and senator, owed her township victory to strong showings in the township’s northeast area where she won Precincts 8 and 9.

The governor has been inextricably linked with Proposal 3, which if passed, would provide legal access to abortion while striking down the state’s 1931 ban on the procedure.

Other proposals on the ballot include Prop 1, which would extend term limits for state lawmakers to 12 years, and Prop 2, which seeks to add several voting and election provisions to the state Constitution.

On the national stage, Democrats and Republicans are vying for control of the U.S. House and Senate. Both parties have a legitimate shot at seizing each chamber, which will determine whether investigations into the Jan. 6 insurrection continue.

Democrat incumbent Debbie Dingell of Ann Arbor, whose U.S. House 6th District includes Northville, is an overwhelming favorite against GOP newcomer Whittney Williams of Canton for a fifth term.

NERACHER RHINESKOLESZAR BAYER

At the state level, Democrat incumbent Matt Koleszar of Plymouth faces Republican businesswoman Cathryn Neracher of Northville for the right to represent the state House 22nd District.

Koleszar is seeking a third two-year term. He is a former Airport Community School District educator and coach, which included being president of the teacher’s union.

Neracher, who runs a fundraising business, is campaigning on a platform of local control in schools and supporting small businesses.

Her views on education are likely to raise eyebrows. On Neracher’s website, she states it’s an educator’s job to teach children to think critically and “not to indoctrinate them with racist ideology.

“Parents and teachers should not be at the mercy of elected officials and unions,” she stated.

In the city’s Precinct 2, which is in Oakland County, Democrat incumbent Kelly Breen of Novi is pitted against Republican challenger David Staudt of Novi for the 21st District state Representative seat. Libertarian James K. Young of Farmington Hills is also running.

Breen, a Northville High graduate, is making her first run in the newly redrawn 21st District after representing the 38th District since 2021.

The former Novi City Council member served on the House Judiciary and Insurance committees.

Staudt is Novi mayor pro-tem and has been a city council member since 2007.

Another key race is for state Senate 13th District, which pits Democrat incumbent Rosemary K. Bayer of Keego Harbor against Northville Township Republican challenger Jason Rhines.

Rhines, who is Northville Township treasurer, has backing from the GOP establishment in Plymouth and Northville. Bayer, a former computer analyst, is running for re-election after the senate district was redrawn (and renumbered from 12th to 13th) to include Plymouth and Northville.

Whitmer signed a package of bills to speed up the absentee vote count on Election Day, allowing clerks in large cities two days to pre-process ballots.

The counting of AV ballots led to a delay in results being released during the highly

contentious 2020 Presidential Election.

Neither the city nor township clerks will take advantage of the additional 48-hour period, though.

The city doesn’t meet the 10,000-population requirement, Massa said. The township will pre-process (removing the outer envelopes, matching the number on the envelope to ballot, etc.) incoming absentee ballots ahead of Election Day, Lundberg said.

Once absentee ballots are pre-processed, they are stored in a sealed container until counted on Election Day.

In the township’s case, the two-day pre-processing period comes with too many strings attached, Lundberg said.

Representatives from both the Democrats and GOP have to present and challengers may attend. Precinct workers must be sequestered while preprocessing takes place.

“Our assessment is it might save us an hour — two hours at the most — the day of the election in the absentee counting, but it would cause all kinds of extra work getting ready for it,” the township clerk said.

The township handed out 8,799 absent ballots as of Oct. 13 with 1,722 of those returned. AV ballots have to be back by 8 p.m. on Election Night.

The township clerk’s office (44405 Six Mile Road) will be open from7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5.

As of Oct. 12, the city issued approximately 1,800 absentee ballots, and 20% of those had come back, Massa said. The city clerk’s office will also be open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday prior to Election Day.

The respective clerks want to mitigate any headaches that might arise on Election Day, which in Northville Township requires 120 inspectors alone to handle 12 Precincts.

“I would describe it as hectic,” said Katie Anderson, Northville Township deputy clerk. “We’re a well-oiled machine here, so it moves along but it is a long night.”

The Northville City Clerk may be reached at (248) 3491300 or visit www.ci.northville. mi.us/services/city_clerk; The Northville Township Clerk at (248) 348-5825 or www.twp. northville.mi.us/services/clerks-office.

can a

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Matt Koleszar.

SAFE HOUSE

By Tim Smith

Western Wayne rescue personnel use local home for hands on training

the image is disconcerting, even jarring –seeing the back end of a car jutting out of the front of a home.

During a time when too many drivers have trouble keeping their eyes on the road, it is miraculous that the scene isn’t repeated much more frequently. Still, area police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians need to be ready for action whenever the call might arrive.

Western Wayne County Urban Search and Rescue hosted a significant “car-inhouse” training exercise last month at 505 Rouge Street to help give departments from Northville, Northville Township, Plymouth, Plymouth Township and several others the opportunity to follow a careful blueprint on how to save lives and minimize potential disaster.

“It’s a low-frequency, high-risk scenario, meaning it doesn’t happen that frequently,” said Northville & Plymouth Fire Department firefighter John Lapenta, a member of Western Wayne USAR. “But when it happens, it’s a lot of effort and skill training that goes into it.

“There’s really not many departments around here that can have a single source for all the equipment and facilitate the tasks that are going to be performed.”

The Western Wayne USAR, comprised of representatives from numerous fire and police departments, meets about once a month for training purposes.

Lapenta estimated that, since the Western Wayne USAR team was formed in 2007, there have only been a dozen or so actual occurrences from which to spring into real-life action. But anything can happen at any time.

“The whole mindset that ‘this can’t happen here’ is a stigma that needs to be pushed aside,” Lapenta continued. “We had one (USAR response) last month where there was a crane doing removal of a tree in a mobile home park in Dearborn Heights. The crane was overloaded and tipped backwards.

“You really don’t see much about that in the news, but Dearborn Heights called us (Western Wayne USAR) for equipment and manpower.”

perfect Opportunity

It took a call from Northville-based Mike Miller Building to launch the Western Wayne USAR squad’s training exercise at 505 Rouge Street. Miller previously was hired by the homeowner, Marianne Denomme, to tear down a 1,100-square-foot home and clear the way for a larger home to eventually be built there.

The old frame house, featuring a stone and cedar shake exterior and believed to have dated back to the 1920s, was slated to come down anyway. Why not help give public safety officers a chance to get some valuable training in the process?

According to Miller, a Northville resident, “if you can’t help these guys, who can you help? Besides, God forbid someday it might be my home they’re called to and it’s my family that needs to be saved.”

This is not the first time Miller has allowed local public safety personnel to use homes he was going to demolish for training exercises.

“He’s been great to work with for years,” said Lapenta, about Miller. “If he comes across a home he thinks we might be able to benefit from he’ll give us a call and let us know. Generally, he lets us have free reign of a home, in regards to if it’s being demo’d (demolished), such as the one we’re dealing with at 505 Rouge.”

During the exercise, the Western Wayne USAR team had the task of extricating two “patients” from the crash scene, stabilizing the structure to avoid even further damage and finally removing the silver Honda Jeep Patriot from the building.

Northville’s Marianne Denomme, owner of the house, was happy it was used for training.

Finally, to wrap up the exercise, the home was shored up to prevent it from becoming a neighborhood safety hazard.

Denomme and her husband, Tom, bought the home several months ago, deciding to move from their long-time residence on Orchard Drive in Northville. But they soon decided they wanted to “take it down and start over” with hopes of having a 2,200 square-foot residence built there in the next year or so to take them well into their retirement years.

“We love the house, but we wanted a first-floor master (bedroom) and it needed some updating,” said Denomme, adding that they really wanted to remain in the neighborhood because “living here is just like living anywhere in a little town on the east coast. We just love it.”

An Important MisSion

The Denommes connected with Miller to start the process of tearing the house down, but Miller called back with a suggestion they had never considered.

“Originally, Northville wanted to use it for fire training,” said Denomme, watching the action from an adjacent front yard. “But Mike called us, that someone from Wayne (USAR) said they needed a home and he asked if we would be open to it.

“I was thrilled because it’s important to give people the type of experience they’ve gotten today and this happens more and more where cars are driving through buildings.

“It’s important not only that they figure out how to do it with their own safety but to be able to extricate people as quickly as possible. If it (the training) saves someone’s life somewhere down the line, I’ll never know. But I know I gave that opportunity and that was important to me and to my husband.”

Also essential to the exercise’s success was Plymouth’s Mayflower Towing (with support from partner company J&T Crova Towing of Belleville). Mayflower brought the car to the site a day prior to the actual training date.

From there, the vehicle was strategically placed into the front of the home “to replicate either a confused driver with a medical condition or possibly a drunk

driver,” Lapenta continued. “And the roof was collapsed on top of it (the car) as well.

So we were able to remove the roof, secure the vehicle and there were two (simulated) patients involved. We extricated both patients, gave them proper medical care.”

Teamwork Is Key

One of the training mannequins was pinned underneath the Honda Patriot –which partially crashed through a living room floor – with the other in the driver’s seat.

Northville Fire Chief Matthew Samhat (whose department also serves the city of Plymouth) said partnering with tow companies is essential to the success and safety of Western Wayne USAR training days.

“We create partnerships with tow companies and excavation companies because in scenarios like this we’re going to (need to) call them to come out to the scene and assist us. We don’t have wreckers and flat beds to use on a scene,” said Samhat.

Adam Barton, of J&T Crova Towing, said he has responded to accident scenes for a number of years, noting that the only difference at 505 Rouge placing a car into a building instead of removing it. “Usually, in this kind of situation you’re looking at an accident.”

Barton added that working with Mayflower on the scene of the training exercise was “amazing, and good for both companies. It gives us good experience for learning for on the road and also for recoveries. Both us working with the fire department and the fire department

working with us. It’s better to be prepared and knowing than getting into it and not knowing.”

Nearby residents were given a few days notice about the exercise, to help them be prepared for not having easy access to and from their homes during the six-hour event.

“The fire department handed out fliers notifying them door to door, letting people know,” Lapenta said. “Actually, every one of them is excited to see this because not a lot of people know about such teams and organizations.”

Samhat tipped his fire hat not only to the cooperative neighbors, but to homeowner Denomme for being crucial to the training work actually happening.

“Obviously, it’s extremely important to get hands-on training and getting cooperation from the residents makes

all the difference in the world,” Samhat emphasized. “Luckily we were able to work with the homeowner (Denomme) and she was more than happy to help us out and give us the opportunity to use the house.

By offering up her home for the exercise, Denomme said she merely helped Western Wayne USAR learn what to do in a real-life emergency in order to remain as nimble and ready for anything as possible.

“Hopefully, people in the town recognize the value of this and the fact that, yeah, it might have been a little bit disruptive for the local people around,” Denomme said. “But the training that can go out, the opportunity for someone to save lives, of either firefighters or other people, that’s why we did it.”

Obviously, it’s extremely important to get handson training and getting cooperation from the residents makes all the difference in the world.”

Matthew Samhat Northville-Plymouth Fire Chief

John Lapenta (left) and chief Matt Samhat of the Northville and Plymouth Fire Department, and also members of the Western Wayne Urban Search and Rescue team.

Darren

Reaching New Heights

By Brad Emons

It took a little coaxing from her mother Stephanie, but Northville High’s Abby Reck is forever grateful she gave volleyball a second shot.

“I always wanted to be a basketball player, but one time my mom kind of forced me into a volleyball clinic and I remember coming home and like, ‘I hate this, you can’t make me do this,’” said Reck, who is one of the 10 nominees for the coveted 2022 Miss Volleyball Award. “And she was like, ‘Just go to one more.’ And I went one more time and I ended up loving it and kept with the sport ever since. It’s funny.”

Opponents don’t find it humorous when lining up across the net from the 6-foot1 senior, who helped lead the Mustangs to a 49-5 record as a junior and a berth in the Elite 8 of the MHSAA Division 1 tournament before falling to Ann Arbor Skyline in four sets.

Posting 590 kills, 50 aces, 33 blocks and 148 digs, Reck earned second-team All-State, All-Region, All-District and AllKensington Lakes honors in 2021.

But those impressive stats and accolades really don’t matter as far as Reck is concerned. The goal during her senior year is to put the Mustangs, who have been ranked as high as No. 2 in Division 1, to be in the state title conversation.

“This year our chemistry is already so much better,” Reck said. “And it’s not that we had bad chemistry last year, it’s just our team is really flowing really well this year and everyone is just so hard-working inand-out of the gym all the time. Our defense is crazy good. I’d say arguably the best serve and serve receive team in the state. Our

defensive specialists Ashlee Gnau, Taryn Rice and Greta McKee are just amazing back there.”

And Reck hopes to take her talented sophomore twin sisters, Molly and Mallory, along for a potential state championship ride as well. The two have been solid complementary pieces to Abby and the team.

“It’s always been really good, I love playing with them,” Abby said. “We really set good boundaries, which makes it easy to play together. When we’re on the court we’re teammates. We’re really not really siblings if that makes sense. There are fights here and there usually because we spend so much time together, but on the court we’re always good.”

But this is not the first rodeo for the three Reck sisters.

“We’ve played for the same club (Legacy), too,” Abby said. “And our teams practice together a lot, so I’ve learned like giving them advice sometimes works well, but other times it kind of depends what it’s about. I obviously give them advice about life, but on the court . . . I don’t know. They kind of get mad if I try to coach them in a way.”

hoops at Madonna University, while father Max, who works in the automotive industry, played basketball at Alma College.

As a freshman, Abby played on the Northville JV squad before deciding to make volleyball a year-round sport.

“I just couldn’t balance it with club (volleyball),” Abby said. “It was just more important to me."

Abby gets her height from both parents. Max stands 6-3, while Stephanie is 5-11. Meanwhile, the twins are 5-11 as well.

“They were way better basketball players than I ever was,” Abby said of her twin siblings. “They’re just more natural athletes than I am. They just have that super athletic-build, I can’t explain it.”

After her club team Legacy made an exciting run and captured the AAU Nationals last summer in Orlando, Fla. Abby turned her attention to her college decision committing to Northeastern University in Boston after considering Georgia Southern and Grand Canyon University.

At Northeastern, she plans to study political science with the idea of practicing criminal law.

Northville senior Abby Reck is a nominee for Miss Volleyball by the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association. Photo by Brad Emons

“It was the academics for sure,” said Reck, who carries a 3.75 grade-point average. “They do this thing called a co-op program, which basically means you stay at the school for a fifth year. You live on campus and you do some classes. Sometimes it’s paid, sometimes it’s unpaid. It’s an internship with the company and major and the programs you end up with. It’s like a real world experience, so out of college you can get a job and be successful.”

Northville volleyball coach Sarah Lindstrom, who has extensive coaching experience both at the club and high school levels, said Reck brings a lot of intangibles to the table.

Basketball, however, was in the Reck family DNA from the start. Stephanie (Crelly), now an anesthesiologist, played

“She’s a very hard-working kid and she rarely ever takes the day off or a play,” Lindstrom said. “I’ve been there for two

Abby Reck leads impressive NHS volleyball squad

Northville’s Abby Reck (17) is headed to play Division I volleyball at Northeastern University (Mass.) Photo courtesy of Erika McKee

years at Northville and I can count on one hand how many practices she wasn’t focused from like start to finish. It’s very rare for her. She’s very focused, she’s very driven.

“She’s got a strong personality, she knows that, but she’s fun with it. It’s not all business mainly. She’s really funny, she makes light of things a lot. She knows when the time is to point in the air with the girls and when it’s the time to rein everybody in. I would just say all across the board she’s got a very strong personality. She’s very confident and she’s just the definition of a leader which all coaches want in their gym.”

Meanwhile, the dynamic between the three sisters has proven to be of contrast.

“They’re so athletic,” Lindstrom said of the twins. “I’ve also known them for a while. Four years ago, they were just starting to play the game and all they wanted to do was jump and hit. They’re go-getters . . . they’re like, ‘Give me the ball, I just want to play.’ The process of getting better was a little harder for them to pick up on, like enjoying

that process. But this year has been the year where those two have kind of turned the corner and started to pick up on that more serious side that Abby has. But she’s always putting them in their place. They know it.”

During her club season, Abby Reck plays middle blocker, but in the fall she’s an outside hitter where she’s been able to make a smooth transition.

Reck has played against or played with seven of this year’s Miss Volleyball finalists including Skyline outside hitter Harper Murray, who has committed to Nebraska; Detroit Country Day’s Laurece Abraham (Yale); Novi’s Sarah Vellucci (Long Beach State); Bloomfield Hills Marian’s Ella Schomer (Wofford); Lake Orion’s Nina Horning (Cincinnati); Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern’s Kennedy Louisell (uncommitted); Macomb Dakota’s Erin Madigan (uncommitted); Marian’s Ava Sarafa; and Marshall’s Ella McAllister.

“Everyone on the list I’ve either played with or played against and they’re all great competitors,” Reck said.

She’s a very hard-working kid and she rarely ever takes the day off or a play. I’ve been there for two years at Northville and I can count on one hand how many practices she wasn’t focused from like start to finish. It’s very rare for her. She’s very focused, she’s very driven.”

– SARAH LINDSTROM –Northville volleyball coach on senior Abby Reck

The Mustangs have been rolling, recently winning the Beast of the East tourney, including a victory over top-ranked Marian.

girls interested. Because that’s usually the hardest part getting girls wanting to come out and play. That was easy. It was just getting somebody to come out and teach them.”

Gagliardi had a lot to sort out, but being a former collegiate player herself, she was looking for a few key ingredients.

Inaugural girls field hockey team laying foundation for future Maiden Voyage

Y

ou have to walk before you run, but although girls field hockey may be in its infant stages as a club team at Northville High, the fall sport is already starting to gain a lot of traction.

A total of 47 players are participating in the 2022 team’s maiden voyage, which set sail in the second week of September with its inaugural practice sessions under coach Grace Gagliardi.

And despite not being an official Michigan High School Athletic Association sport, girls field hockey at Northville hopes to become part of the school’s athletic landscape as an official club program in 2023 joining sideline cheer, competitive dance, equestrian, mountain biking, pompon, rowing, figure skating and girls ice hockey.

Varsity junior lacrosse player Eleanor Davis came up with the idea last March that girls field hockey might prove to be complementary sport to cross over to.

“I also played club lacrosse, so all my teammates always talked about field hockey and how fun it is and why not try and start one for our school,” said Davis, who played midfield for the Mustangs last spring.

“Just have a new sport that people can try . . . so, in the spring time with my lacrosse coach (Dan Madigan), he kind of helped with finding coaches and organizing everything.”

Eleanor Davis, now a junior, also enlisted the help of Northville Athletic Director Brian Samulski, assistant principal Emily Aluia and her father, Dr. James Davis, a teacher at the high school and IB Diploma Program Coordinator.

“He just helped out because it’s easier and he could go through the school,” Eleanor said of her father, who is the team’s sponsor. “We held a tryout the sport day and we had a good amount of people at that, but it really didn’t start until the end of the summer

until we found a coach. Then we started getting information out to people and have more to tell people because before we weren’t really sure. But then it finally got all set when we got a coach.”

Enter Gagliardi, a two-time first-team All-Stater from Ann Arbor Skyline High who played four years of NCAA Division I field hockey for Central Michigan University as a center-midfielder. After earning All-Mid-American Conference Academic honors at CMU, Gagliardi graduated in May and took a job with the Detroit Pistons in Brand & Event Marketing.

But she wasn’t quite ready to completely give up the sport.

“Hearing that 40 girls were interested in field hockey -- which isn’t a super popular sport, especially in the Midwest – was really awesome to hear,” Gagliardi said. “It really inspired me to give back to the sport I love. I was just very excited I had

“I do have a couple of multisport athletes who have been able to pick it up quickly,” Gagliardi said. “Otherwise, 80 percent of them are brand new to the sport. Honestly, it’s just effort and willing to learn. Obviously, it’s a new sport and something that can be hard to learn because there are so many rules, there’s so many different techniques for it, but if someone is coming to practice every day willing to learn, grasp and understand the material that’s definitely what I look for. Obviously, athleticism is a big part of it, too. But the more athletic you are and the more sports you play you’ll be able to pick it up. It’s a sport for everyone if they’re willing to try it and learn.”

Gagliardi has only five seniors, but two do have experience playing the game including Ada Kremer, an exchange student from Frankfort, Germany, along with Kiersten Hein, a transfer from Wixom St. Catherine High who played varsity defensive midfield for three seasons.

“Because of the (MHSAA) transfer rule field hockey is the only sport I can play here because it’s a club sport, so I was really happy to have a sport that I could come into,” said Hein, who began playing field hockey as an eighth-grader and also runs track. “It’s still a lot of fun here. It’s more relaxed. It’s a lot of fun just teaching the girls and

Story and Photos By Brad Emons

Coach Grace Gagliardi (left) is stressing fundamentals as she demonstrates during a practice for the first-ever girls field hockey squad at Northville High.

like helping them out.”

Kremer, who has 10 years of experience playing field hockey, was pleasantly surprised when she learned that Northville had a team – albeit new.

“I was very happy when I found out and I didn’t know about it when I came here, so everything was new, but I was happy about it,” said Kremer, who plays offensive midfield. “It’s on a different level, but it was so fun and I didn’t go in with any expectations. I’m trying to help out everywhere I can, but I’m not coaching. It’s been a very positive experience.”

Gagliardi has currently divided the program into two teams, one a junior-senior squad which includes two sophomores, along with a

The Mustangs had four practices before their first scrimmage against Dearborn and came away with a 2-1 victory. The Northville coach also had other scrimmages lined up against local schools to jump-start the program heading into 2023.

currently on the inaugural Northville girls field hockey team include Kylee Sims, who also plays hockey, lacrosse and soccer; Mya Proctor, who plays volleyball, bowls and does track and field; and Eva Naberhaus, who plays volleyball.

Among the class of juniors includes Davis, but also Saanvi Reddy, Elayna Feliks, Summer Snyder, Ellarie VanLoo, Nikki Grech, Megan Surian, Emma Movahedi, Haven Stieber, Anna Simpson, Genevieve Reich and Olivia Gress.

“It’s an amazing turnout,” Gagliardi said. “The goal is to be an official varsity sport through the athletic department, so there will be a varsity and JV team. So, there will be tryouts and depending how many girls show up potentially, there will be cuts.”

There are currently 34 high schools from across the state that are members of the Michigan High School Field Hockey League, which is broken into Division I for the larger schools, and Division II (smaller schools).

There are four different

conferences within the MHSFHL including the Kensington Lakes Activities Association of which Northville is a member. Currently there are five schools in the KLAA that have girls field hockey including Novi, Hartland, Brighton, Plymouth-Canton Educational Program and Dearborn. The other conferences in the MHSFHL include the Catholic League, Southeastern Conference and Independent (which spans all the way to the Grand Rapids area).

The sophomore class features Sophia Labrune, Lila Jason, Katie Forsythe, Abby Cassin, Brook Brown, Joyce Kim, Sophie Ong, Vibha Ganapathy, Aubrey Horn, Samhitha Kattethota, Julia Chen, Hannah Mathew, Melia Almasarweh, Saniya Panjwani, Claire Goodman and Julia Orn.

Hearing that 40 girls were interested in field hockey – which isn’t a super popular sport, especially in the Midwest – was really awesome to hear. It really inspired me to give back to the sport I love. I was just very excited I had girls interested. Because that’s usually the hardest part getting girls wanting to come out and play. That was easy. It was just getting somebody to come out and teach them.”

“We will get into competition with all the schools in our area, in our so-called district and maybe play some nondistrict teams,” Gaglardi said. “But the whole goal next year is to be a true varsity sport and be considered a sport in the athletic department at Northville.”

Among the other seniors

The ninth-grade class includes Diya Abraham, Enza Steger, Marissa Sims, Elizabeth Wilk, Molly Wierengo, Samyuta Manam, Shereen Fazili, Shreeya Sahu, Varda Ramakrishnan, Sailaasya Reddy Kamatham, Katerina Vrahnos, Elise Mavrinac, Nina Saghir and Shannon Cybul.

And with a sizeable roster already, the Mustangs are quickly getting up to speed. But they are taking small baby steps.

“I think it’s good,” Davis said. “I think everyone is understanding the game more.”

Grace Gagliardi, NHS field hockey coach

Coach Grace Gagliardi (left) played NCAA Division I field hockey at CMU. Among the five seniors on the this year’s inaugural squad include (from left) German exchange student Ada Kremer, Kiersten Hein, Kylee Sims, Mya Proctor and Eva Naberhaus. freshman-sophomore team.

It's Your Business L.J. Griffin Funeral Home ‘Sincerity and Trust’

L.J. Griffin Funeral Home’s success based on building relationships

The funeral home business is not an easy one. It is among a few professions that must deal with clients who are going through grief and trauma.

For David Griffin, owner of L.J. Griffin Funeral Home in Northville, success is gauged on how well you can help clients navigate those troubled waters of losing a loved one. That means being with them throughout the entire funeral process, from beginning to end – something Griffin’s family has been doing for nearly 70 years.

“We have had the honor to be given the responsibility of caring for families at their most difficult times. We take a lot of pride in that,” said Griffin.

Griffin and his brother Larry are second generation owners of the business, which was started by their parents Geraldine and Lawrence (Larry) with their first funeral home in Detroit back in the 1954. The Griffins moved their business to Westland, and then began to

open other locations, including in Livonia, Canton, Northville and Brighton. The Northville location is at 19091 Northville Road, and is the former Northrop-Sassaman Funeral Home, which they purchased and completely remodeled about a decade ago.

L.J. Griffin, which is one of the largest family-owned funeral home outfits in the state, is currently working to develop their sixth location in Novi at Beck and 11 Mile roads.

With the opening of each new funeral home, however, the goal has been the same -- to become an integral part of the community and to offer sincere, personal and professional service. It’s what has made them successful for more than a half century.

In fact, their services extend beyond their own clients.

For example, they’ve hosted an annual holiday memorial service at their Canton location for members of the community

to help them heal during the holidays, which is often the hardest time of year for people who have lost family members or other loved ones.

In Northville, their connection to the community is even stronger. David and Larry are both Northville residents. Their 93-year-old mother Geraldine also resides in the community, though their father passed about eight years ago. The Griffins support many local causes and are longtime active members of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Parish here in town, where they’ve made an impression on Rev. Denis Theroux, who has known the family for more than 20 years.

“The Griffins have always been a go-to family when we’ve needed support for various projects over the years. They’ve always been willing to step up for our parish and our community,” said Theroux, who has been at OLV for 16 years.

Father Denis has presided over his share of funerals over the years, and he’s gotten to see the Griffins through that lens. His experience is that the Griffins have always been open and welcoming to their clients, and their sincerity is what sets them apart.

“One of their great advantages is they are still a family funeral home. There just aren’t many of those around anymore. My experience has been that one of the Griffin family members is present throughout the process,” said Theroux. “For a lot of people, they feel like the Griffins are part of the family. It’s all about sincerity and trust. We deal with funeral homes all the time and oftentimes people don’t even know who they’re dealing with.”

David Griffin believes the family business has been successful all these years because of their attention to detail, their professionalism and their love for the communities they serve, especially Northville where they have so much invested.

“I really do believe we’ve positioned ourselves as the premier funeral home in the Northville community,” he said. “We are loyal to the families we serve, and they are loyal to us. That’s why they come back to us. We don’t take those relationships for granted. They mean everything to us.”

For more information about L.J. Griffin Funeral Home, visit www.griffinfuneralhome.com or call (248) 348-1233.

The Griffin family includes three generations (from left): Larry, David, Geraldine, Alexandra, and Sean.

OLV’s Father Denis Theroux (second from left) rode with the L.J. Griffin team during the recent Victorian Parade. Photo by John Heider

BULLETIN BOARDBULLETIN BOARD

Record-Setting Performance

Northville High junior Brendan Herger broke the NHS Cass Benton 5K record on Oct. 11 with a time of 15:44. The previous record of 16:01 was set in 1981 by Clark Couyoumjian, who was at the race when Herger set the new record. The two posed for this photo after the race.

Ironically, Couyoumjian was amongst the 2022 NHS Sports Hall of Fame inductees, who were celebrated a few days later during the weekend of Oct. 14. Couyoumjian was a standout cross country and track athlete for the Mustangs in the early 1980s.

Herger, who was an All-State performer last year, was named the NHS Student-Athlete of the Month in September by the Athletic Boosters. Photo courtesy of Northville High School Athletics.

So Long, Sgt. Roberts

The Northville Township Police Department said good-bye to longtime member, Sgt. David Roberts, who retired last month after a 27year law enforcement career. Roberts spent 22 of those years in Northville Township.

Roberts said some of the highlights from his time here include rescuing a lost horse walking down Ridge and Seven Mile roads, training police departments across Michigan about people with autism and winning back-to-back awards for spotting drunken drivers on the roadways.

His law enforcement career began with a stint as a deputy with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. Before that, however, when he was 19, he assisted the Northville Township PD as a decoy for underage alcohol sales in the township. The township hired him as an officer in 2000. He spent time in the patrol division, and was responsible for training new officers over the years.

Working midnights, he arrested many drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol, earning “lifesaver” awards from the Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD). He also was assigned to task forces through the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Michigan State Police task force’s Western Wayne Community Response team, during which he handled several major investigations and participated in hundreds of felony arrests.

Roberts also helped found the NTPD’s Honor Guard Unit, which participates in community events and pays respect to fallen officers.

In retirement, Roberts will spend more time with his fiancé, Barbara Springer, and children Molly, 19, Brody, 13, and Blake, 18, who is autistic. His main goal is to help teach Blake to communicate, so he can ask for help if he ever needs it.

“I’m drawn to helping people,” Roberts said. “I’m very much a guardian of helping and assisting others.”

Well done and good luck, Sgt. Roberts.

NHS Royalty

Northville High School seniors Bo Chenoweth and Grace Koski were named 2022 Homecoming King and Queen at halftime of the Sept. 23 football showdown between the Mustangs and the Brighton Bulldogs. Other Homecoming Court members included Chelsea Coon, Sanjna Singhal, Natasha Kobelsky, Abby Reck, and boys Zach Ajluni, Ben Thakady, Raunak Chattopadhyay and Will Eby. The team lost a heartbreaker, 17-14, after Brighton blocked a potential game-tying field goal with less then a minute remaining. Photo courtesy of Debra Stein.

Icebergs, Volcanoes & Glaciers On the Road With

Howard and Mary Kirchick (top left photo) took their copy of The ‘Ville along on their dream trip (postponed for two years by Covid) on a Holland America cruise in August to Iceland, Greenland, and Canada. The round-trip cruise from Boston visited over 12 different ports and they saw icebergs, volcanoes, glaciers, and beautiful gardens. One small city in Iceland had a small museum dedicated to Mick Jagger who had visited there some 40 years ago. Highlights of the cruise were the Northern Lights, which were visible for two nights and a cruise of Prince Christian Sound, a fjord that is one of Greenland’s most scenic inland passages threading the needle through the glaciers and narrow granite cliffs under the southern edge of the massive Greenland Ice Sheet.

“It was indeed a thrill to see this beautiful part of the world, which may not be with us in generations to come,” said Mary, pictured with Howard in the fishing village of Nanortalik, Greenland, with their ship in the background.

Their Backs To The Wall

Northville Township residents Dave and Marti Satwicz (top right photo) went to Germany in September on a tour with friends from Canton. Here they are in front of the Berlin Wall on the former East Berlin side in September, where they took a photo with The ‘Ville

Italian Romance

Northville residents Jim and Maria Heller (middle right photo) recently traveled to Italy, where

they toured the country – from Tuscany to the Amalfi Coast. Here they are pictured at a café in Siena. “So many breathtaking views and beautiful memories. We were so blessed to go,” Maria said.

Down To The Beach

Northville residents Debbie and Kevin Eichholtz traveled down to Texas Gulf Coast to visit with their grandchildren, Emery, 5, and Everett, 3 (bottom right photo). Here they are holding up copies of The ‘Ville on Galveston Island, where they enjoyed a day at the beach. “They live in Texas, but love visiting us in Northville, where they insist Gram and Grandpa live in a tree house (on East Street),” Debbie said.

The next time you head out of town, take along a copy of The ‘Ville, snap a photo, and let us know where your travels take you. Our readers would love to know! Please email the photos to kurtkuban@gmail.com. We’ll feature the photos in an upcoming issue.

O ctober in‘Ville the

Witches, skeletons and applecider are the big attractions

If you ask us, there is no better time to be in Downtown Northville than in the month of October. It’s an exciting season, when the skeletons take over the town, attracting plenty of visitors. Many of them attended the ever-popular Skeletons Are Alive kick-off event on Oct. 7.

Speaking of visitors, Parmenter’s Cider Mill sure knows how to draw in plenty of them during October, as people wait in line to get fresh apple cider and yummy donuts. Just like they’ve been doing for generations each fall. It’s a Northville tradition.

It looks like we have a new October tradition thanks to Main Street League, a local non-profit organization that raises money to support families in times of need. The group’s 2nd annual Witches Night Out on Oct. 9 was a huge success.

The event started as a whim last year, but turned out to be a big success. Thanks to the planning of MSL board member Liz Carter, the event was even bigger this year, as more than 100 women donned their favorite witching costumes, hopped upon their bikes and rode around downtown to the delight of bystanders.

According to MSL president Lauren PooleRomeo, the event raised $6,000 for the group’s Adopt-A-Family program. She thanked planners, sponsors and especially 160 Main for providing food to all the witches.

“It was amazing. At one point, I looked down Main Street and all I could see was a sea of witches. It was so cool,” she said.

John Brock of Troy pours a cup of Parmenter’s apple cider on Oct.

Photo by John Heider

Participants of the Witches Night Out. Photo by Ezekiel Chapman

Tracey Savcic and her son Luka, 4 months old,enjoying downtown Northville.Photo by John Heider

Beth Bruce and Mary Martin. Photo by EzekielChapman

Dawn Mueller went all out during the Witches Night Out. Photo by Ezekiel Chapman

Parmenter’s Cider Mill has been a busy place in October. Photo by John Heider

Focus on Excellence

Relentlessly driving for #1 schools, rejecting partisanship and other factors that detract from the core role of a school

Financial Oversight

Ensuring that every cent of taxpayer money is invested wisely, accepting no compromise when it comes to fiscal responsibility and transparency

Investing in STEAM

Maintaining sharp focus on excellence in curriculum to develop skills for today’s jobs

Parent Voice

Maximizing transparency in financial and other reporting, ensuring parents get timely and useful information and are engaged as partners

Safe & Secure Schools

Focusing on building strong bonds between kids and building state of the art facilities to ensure kids are safe

Lifting up Special Needs

Ensuring that kids with special needs receive all the opportunities they need and deserve to thrive

Diversity & Inclusion

Making sure that every child feels seen, heard, and accepted, recognizing that human dignity and respect form the basic foundation for reaching all learners

Supporting Teachers

Treating teachers as valuable, honorable professionals; treating them as partners with parents in kids’ education

Whole-child Focus

Investing in wellness including nutrition and mental health to ensure that all children can benefit from core educational efforts

Kim Campbell-Voytal

C a r i n M e y e r

Melissa Stuart

W h a t K i m C a m p b e l l - V o y t a l , C a r i n M e y e r a n d

M e l i s s a S t u a r t a c t u a l l y s t a n d f o r :

R e c e n t a t t a c k e f f o r t s s h a m e l e s s l y p e d d l e d i s h o n e s t s t a t e m e n t s a b o u t N o r t h v i l l e S c h o o l

B o a r d c a n d i d a t e s . D o n ' t l e t o u t s i d e i n t e r e s t s d i s t r a c t u s f r o m t h e i s s u e s t h a t m a t t e r m o s t !

AProblemGrowing

handle attempting to rid their properties of Tree of Heaven.

“You have to treat it over and over,” she said. “If you cut it you need to have herbicide ready to spray on it, immediately. It will keep coming back and you need to be willing to treat it a couple times throughout the season, so maybe in the spring and again in the fall.”

By Tim Smith

The trick is to make sure you are actually treating the right species.

I

t’s ironic that something called the “Tree of Heaven” is literally turning into hell on earth for plants, pollinators and the environment itself.

The unseemly, fast-growing, putrid tree –go ahead, snap off a leaf and rub it, then wait for an odor that resembles foul-smelling peanut butter – is propagating in the Plymouth and Northville areas.

It is invading along the banks of the Rouge River, even in area parks like Mill Race Village. If it’s not kept in check it could threaten to choke out the area’s valuable natural habitat. It is an issue that is starting to garner close attention.

Finding out what Tree of Heaven is, what it looks like and what to do if one starts to spring to life is top of mind for Marie McCormick, executive director of Friends of the Rouge, and others who diligently endeavor to protect natural beauty and ward off invasive species.

And evidence is growing along and over sidewalks all around Plymouth’s Old Village neighborhood where McCormick lives. Wherever one might go are examples of the unwanted, potentially unwieldy deciduous tree.

Coupled with the recent discovery in Oakland County of the invasive Spotted Lanternfly – which is hosted by the Tree of Heaven – the race is on to identify and safely yank a potentially massive problem from its roots.

“That’s the ideal,” said McCormick, about digging out an entire root system.

“Ideally, you pull it out when it’s a seedling and it never gets established. You’re going to be very grateful if you get it out before it becomes larger.”

The Tree of Heaven can grow from bud to beast in no time, potentially rising to eight feet in its first year alone, and it poses headaches for civic-minded watchdogs and private gardeners alike because it closely resembles the Black Walnut and Sumac trees.

“If you really want to identify a Tree of Heaven, one of the most discerning features of it is, if you pluck one of the leaves and you kind of squeeze it or rub it between your fingers it smells like rancid peanut butter,” said McCormick, who grew up in Northville. “The sumac doesn’t have a particular smell and it has serrated leaves, jagged edges, whereas the Tree of Heaven has smooth, kind of lanced-shaped leaves.”

Its bark also resembles the outside of a cantaloupe, grayer in color than the Black Walnut tree’s dark-brown exterior.

Some cities, including Plymouth, have added the Tree of Heaven on its noxious weed ordinance.

McCormick, who is also a board member of the non-profit Plymouth Pollinators, has some insight into how homeowners might

“The Black Walnut looks very similar so they could be taking down a beneficial tree instead of the invasive Tree of Heaven,” said Dave Cirilli of Plymouth Pollinators and an employee with Plymouth Department of Municipal Services. “Also, some people could all of a sudden put a bunch of herbicide on it. And with that, now you’re poisoning a larger area, doing more harm than good instead of just treating the Tree of Heaven and removing that from your yard.”

Plymouth Pollinators want to help make citizens aware that “not all trees are good trees,” he continued. “This is an invasive tree, it’s taking away and harming native trees here like our maples and our oaks. The Tree of Heaven actually will crowd out our native trees and plants and it will release toxins into the soil, which weakens all our native plants from growing.”

The Tree of Heaven is also host to the Spotted Lanternfly. Both originated from China and migrated to the United States by way of Pennsylvania (a complete coincidence, centuries apart, since the tree first sprouted here in the 1700s while the Spotted Lanternfly’s U.S. debut came in 2014). The insect’s first detection in Michigan was this summer in Pontiac.

“They’ll lay brownish egg masses on trees and plants,” explained McCormick, adding that when trees or branches are chopped down the bothersome pests can “spread all over the place and people don’t know, because they blend into the tree.

The Spotted Lanternfly needs the

Keep an eye out for invasive Tree of Heaven and companion Spotted Lanternfly

Marie McCormick, executive director of Friends of the Rouge, holds a branch from a Tree of Heaven that is crowding out a local sidewalk.

The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive species that is attracted to the Tree of Heaven, also an invasive species.

Tree of Heaven to find its home. But the undesirable insect can also feed off natural plants and simultaneously make it nearly impossible for pollinators such as the

monarch butterfly to do its work.

“When you think about trees you don’t necessarily always think about pollinators,” noted Plymouth Pollinators president Carly Cirilli, instrumental along with husband Dave in getting the non-profit group up and running in 2021. “These types of invasive species crowd out all of our beneficial plants.

“That affects our pollinators because they don’t have host plants where they can lay their eggs and they (insects) can consume the leaves. So trees are part of the pollinator cycle.”

Carly Cirilli offered another strategy that could help keep flowers, trees, butterfly gardens and the like fully in bloom for seasons to come. She suggested residents remove 25 percent of their lawns and replace with habitat-boosting native plants. Some already are doing just that.

“There is a movement for folks to reduce their lawn to help the pollinator community because a lawn is really not beneficial at all

The Tree of Heaven proliferates thanks to the numerous seed pods it produces.

to any creatures,” she said.

Yet there is a downside to that plan for people trying to keep an upper hand on the Tree of Heaven problem. The regular mowing of lawns helps keep pesky seedlings from taking root and spreading.

“But if you’re somebody that’s doing that (removing a portion of lawn),” Cirilli said, “then obviously, you’re going to have to watch out for the Tree of Heaven if you’re getting any sprouts.”

For more information about the Tree of Heaven and Spotted Lanternfly, visit www. michigan.gov.

Dave Cirilli, Carly Cirilli and Marie McCormick are spreading the word about the destructive Tree of Heaven.

NORTHVILLE 101 East Main Street at Center 248.349.6940

orinjewelers.com

Dishin’ With Denise

100 Reasons to Celebrate October

October is filled with memories for me. It is the month of my Grammy’s birthday, my parent’s anniversary, my mom’s birthday, my son’s anniversary, and the list goes on. This year it also happens to be the 100th anniversary for Our Lady of Victory – the celebrations may have changed my life forever.

Before I tell you why, I’d like to invite everybody to the Streets of Treats celebration on Saturday, October 29 from 10 a.m. until noon in downtown Northville. The Tooth Fairy and other characters (including the Candy Cops) will be on hand for photo ops and fun. Every year the number of folks who turn up, rain or shine, continue to surprise me…in a good way. More information is available from the Northville Chamber of Commerce.

Now about the OLV life changing experience. I am an active member of the parish – if you know me (or read me) you probably know that. I got

the gift of faith from my dad –and I thank God every day for it. On the morning of Oct. 7, about 200 people filed into the little white chapel in Mill Race Village to celebrate the parish’s 100-year milestone. Henry was the youngest parishioner (still a babe in arms). And sitting behind him was everyone’s “Aunt Mary” Ware, who is also 100 years old – she’s got OLV beat by a few months. There were members of my one-time book club, the student council representatives from the OLV grade school and a host of others I know from work, or town, or life in general.

Fr. Denis Theroux gave a moving tribute to the history of the parish, which was also the history of our hometown. He included words like community, hope, charity and doubt. In August there were more than 800 people who enjoyed a reallife Hallmark Movie moment at a family picnic in the church parking lot. Fr. Denis put a copy of The ‘Ville in a time capsule to be opened years from now. Isn’t that cool? The final celebration was on Saturday, October 8th followed by a reception. Through it all - so many good people, so many willing volunteers, so many reminders

of how we are truly blessed. Throughout it all my friends, and my pastor kept talking about what was 100 years ago, how times change

– we lose loved ones, we age, the kids grow up, we share joys and sorrows while we journey through time – knowing 100 years from now there will be others on yet another path.

Who Care meeting November 7th at Genitti’s Hole-in-theWall. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., if you’d like to join in. I’ll tell you all about it next month.

Filled with gratitude and wishing to celebrate, I wrap up this month with much appreciation to Terry Marecki, our Wayne County commissioner, for simply listening and trying to help the residents along Clement Road for its poor condition. Congratulations to George Miller, named the 2022 Northville Senior of the Year, who I share a special

In Northville we also have 100 Women Who Care, really there are more than 100. I’ve been interested in this organization since I first read about them in The ‘Ville. My intention was to tell you about three lovely women I had the pleasure to meet – Suha Costy, Lisa Wiseley and Amy Walsh. They are the founders of the Northville chapter of this group. However, I must ask you to stay tuned. I am planning on attending my first 100 Women

connection with – his dad built my house. A special heartfelt thank you to Cody and Eric from Inch Memorials, who installed the grave marker at my husband’s grave at Rural Hill Cemetery. And a very happy milestone birthday to John Kava, a determined young boy I watched grow up into an honorable young man. Count your blessings. Trust me, there are indeed more than 100.

Denise Jenkins is a member of the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Tipping Point Theatre. An avid writer and proponent of the arts, she is also plugged into what’s happening in Northville. Contact her at denisemjenkins@aol.com.

"Candy Cop" at Street of Treats.

Fr. Denis at the altar getting ready for the 100th anniversary mass (Oct. 7th the actual day of the anniversary)

George Miller - the 2022 Senior of the Year.

OLV student council at the special Mass at Mill Race Village.

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