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Chris Soutar
Scott Daugherty
Chris has lived in the Plymouth / Canton community since 1994. Some his local favorites are: Campari’s on the Park, Basement Burger, Mexican Fiesta II, Pizza Vino, Spoons Place, Central City Dance Center.
Chris has lived in the Plymouth / Canton community since 1994. Some of his local favorites are: Campari’s on the Park, Basement Burger, Mexican Fiesta II, Pizza Vino, Spoons Place, Central City Dance Center.
csoutrar@billbrownford.com Office:(734) 524-2715
Mobile: (734) 765-8980
Scott has lived in the Plymouth / Canton Community since 2002. Some his local favorites are: Crow’s Nest (Canton), Golf at Pheasant Run Golf Course (Canton), Spoons Place, Palermo Pizza, DCFC Soccer.
Scott has lived in the Plymouth / Canton Community since 2002. Some of his local favorites are: Crow’s Nest (Canton), Golf at Pheasant Run Golf Course (Canton), Spoons Place, Palermo Pizza, DCFC Soccer.
Local Journalism Matters
Please consider a donation to support The Rock. Since we began publishing more than three years ago, our goal has been to provide our readers with valuable information about the Plymouth community each and every month.
Your support is vital if you would like to see us survive and grow. The Rock is sent free to every address in Plymouth, yet is not free to produce.
LOCAL Matters!
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Journeyman Publishing 16435 Franklin Northville, MI 48168
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Here is the list of readers who supported local journalism this month:
- Kathy Anderson
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To secure space in an upcoming issue of The Rock, contact Advertising Director Scott Buie at (313) 399-5231, or via email at scottbuie @therockmagazine.com or advertising@ therockmagazine.com.
KURT KUBAN – Publisher
Kurt is an award-winning journalist, having served as a reporter and editor for several local newspapers and magazines, including the Plymouth Observer He has been a journalist for over two decades. He founded Journeyman Publishing, which also publishes The ‘Ville, in 2017.
SCOTT SPIELMAN – Editor
Scott graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Journalism. He covered western Wayne County for more than 12 years at several publications before transitioning into corporate communications and media relations. A Canton resident, he has also finished his first novel and is hard at work on his next.
SCOTT BUIE – Advertising Director/Vice President of Sales
Scott has 20+ years creating advertising campaigns for clients in Metro Detroit. After managing sales for radio stations 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/Northville area for over 23 years.
JENNY PEARSALL – Creative Director
Jenny has been in the design and print industry for over twenty years, holding various positions in graphic design, print buying, production and print management. She also owns Bovia Design Group, a company specializing in publications and corporate branding.
BRAD KADRICH – Writer
Brad is an award-winning journalist who spent more than 20 years covering the Plymouth community for the Plymouth Observer. He also spent 15 years serving his country in the U.S. Air Force.
BRAD EMONS – Writer
Over the course of his four decades with the Observer & Eccentric, 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.
SUE VOYLES – Writer
Growing up, Sue always knew she wanted to be a writer. She has written for many publications over her long career in public relations and journalism, and taught English and journalism at Schoolcraft College. In 2022, she received the national Headliner Award from the Association for Women in Communications.
TIM SMITH – Writer
Tim brings a penchant for telling personal stories that run the gamut from news to sports. During more than 35 years in journalism, mostly with the Observer & Eccentric, he has earned numerous state and national awards. The Wayne State grad is a published author and rec ice hockey player.
KEN VOYLES – Writer/Photographer
Ken is an award-winning writer, photographer and designer whose career has spanned nearly five decades in and around metro Detroit. He started his journalism career in Plymouth, working for the Community Crier. He is the author of two books on Detroit history, loves to travel and has finished his first novel.
BRYAN MITCHELL – Photographer
Bryan started working as a photographer more than 30 years ago, and was a staff photographer for the Plymouth Observer in the 90s. He has freelanced for The Detroit News, The Guardian, Reuters, and other publications. His photography has appeared in newspapers and magazines around the globe.
BILL BRESLER – Photographer
Bill arrived in Plymouth in 1977 to work for the Community Crier. He also worked for the Plymouth Observer for many years. Bill, who taught photography at Madonna University, retired from what was left of the newspaper business in 2019 and now freelances. He’s happy to be back in the Plymouth community. 16435
is strictly prohibited. Comments are welcome at kurtkuban@therockmagazine.com
There’s Plenty Going On In Plymouth These Days
If you look around the greater Plymouth community, it’s easy to tell there’s a lot going on. There are orange barrels everywhere, land being cleared, lumber and other materials on construction sites and holes being excavated for new infrastructure.
That was the subject of a Plymouth Community Chamber of Commerce economic development breakfast I attended recently—and all the news could barely fit into the allotted hour. In the city, several restaurants have opened, reopened or are in the process of getting ready for new business in the fall or later this summer. From the Fiamma Grille on Main Street to the nearby High Line Spirits, Red Ryder in Old Village and, just up the street from there, an upscaled restaurant, music venue and gathering place, Chicane, is slowly taking shape — those are just two of the 14 businesses in some stage of redevelopment in Lower Town. Perhaps more impressive, the next phase of development will soon be under way on the former Bathey Manufacturing site off Lilly Road. This really takes me back—a proposed tax settlement deal was the first headline of the first edition of the old Plymouth Journal when we launched it, back in the day. (That was 24 years ago, as my graying goatee can attest). I am still mildly surprised that the development has been so successful, being that close to the tracks, but glad to see more is on the way, including a small pocket park/garden with walking paths and benches. As John Buzuvis, economic development director for the city, said, it’s been truly transformational for that side of town. It’s nice to get it back on the tax rolls, too.
Speaking of which, in Plymouth Township, property is being snapped up and developed along the Michigan International Technology Center (MITC) corridor on Five Mile Road. It wasn’t too long ago that this entire section of the township was a wasteland of abandoned state and City of Detroit property. It was all contaminated and wasting away, attracting more ghost hunters and urban explorers than economic interest.
Now, it is all privately owned, under development or being considered for development. The state has provided funding to help redo Five Mile Road. NEL Hydrogen has announced a $400 million facility there (no official plans have yet been submitted) that will bring 500 jobs and, I’m sure, additional industry to help support it.
There has been a total of $500 million invested in the township during the past years, which helps keep tax rates low, brings people into the community and, ultimately, supports the many shops and restaurants in the city.
True, it hasn’t all been sunshine and rainbows. The Christian Science Church project in the city—where condos are proposed for the former church on Ann Arbor Trail—has drawn the ire of nearby residents. Meijer, despite meeting all zoning requirements, was rejected by Plymouth Township planners at first, sparking a lawsuit.
The proposed race track is in still in play, as well, although the suit filed by the Carlo brothers, who own Northville Downs and had sought to relocate to the western side of the township, is ongoing. Mike Cox, the attorney representing the Carlos, told me there had been no new movement—the case is pending in federal court—but did not confirm or deny whether the Carlos were looking for alternative locations.
Reportedly, they had shown interest in facilities at the Fowlerville Fairgrounds or Handy Township area surrounding it, but I did not see anything on either of their planning commissions. Ed Alverson, supervisor of Handy Township, said the township has not been formally approached by the Fairgrounds board, although racetrack representatives had an informal meeting about the potential of using the facility there temporarily.
Township Supervisor Kurt Heise said the township still expects to file to have the suit dismissed and likes the chances of that happening. The issue there is that because it’s a federal suit, the standards are more stringent. More preparation is needed; the best chance for a dismissal is to have everything in meticulous order to begin with. The land at Five and Ridge, which the Carlos own, is now officially for sale, too.
None of these lawsuits, by the way, are particularly unusual. Municipalities get sued all the time. Some developers look at it as part of the cost of doing business. There’s nothing to stop them from doing so—even if they have a weak case, like in my humble opinion, the racetrack suit is. The developers have property rights, too, same as residents. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is push for sound policy and hope for a little common courtesy.
THE ROCK IN FOCUS WITH BRYAN MITCHELL
Happy Birthday America!
Residents of the greater Plymouth community showed up in force on July 4 to display their patriotism in the greatest small town in America. The annual Good Morning USA took place at 9 a.m., bringing thousands of spectators to Main Street to honor the red, white and blue.
The parade featured veterans, bands, floats, organizations like the Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps, plenty of flags and more—in total, about 1,500 participants marched through town. The parade, by the way, was moved to first thing in the morning at the suggestion of the late Fred Hill—founder of the Fred Hill Briefcase Brigade—in order to get more exposure.
Photos by Bryan Mitchell.
Heise, Curmi Squaring off for Supervisor
August primary to decide who helms Plymouth Township for the next four years
It’s not uncommon to see Supervisor Kurt Heise and long-time Trustee Chuck Curmi verbally spar at Plymouth Township board meetings. This time, however, they’re competing for much more: the opportunity to run the township for the next four years. Since no Democrat has filed to run for office—and barring a successful write-in campaign, like the one Heise initially used to win the office in 2016-- the August primary will decide the next township supervisor. We asked each candidate a series of questions about themselves, their accomplishments and what issues they see facing the township during the next four years. The answers were edited slightly for clarity and are presented in total.
NAME: KURT HEISE
AGE: 58
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Mayor’s Deputy/Assistant City Attorney, Dearborn Heights 1994-2002; Assistant City Attorney, City of Woodhaven 1994-1997; Director, Wayne County Department of Environment 2003-‘09, 20th District State Representative 2010-2016; Township Supervisor 2016-present; adjunct university professor at UM Dearborn, Wayne State and Eastern Michigan University. Former Metroparks Commissioner; former Co-Chair Michigan Groundwater Conservation Advisory Council; Chairman WTUA Sewer Authority.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Licensed Michigan Attorney for 33 years. BA with Distinction, University of Michigan, 1988.
and professional experience to work for you every day. This is not my retirement plan.
WHAT ARE THE TOP THREE ISSUES FACING THE TOWNSHIP?
My three top priorities are:
1. Stop the proposed Salem Sewer project: Our Township Board unanimously opposes Salem’s “Urban Services” District and proposed sewage plant. My environmental law and policy experience makes me uniquely qualified to seek regional, common-sense solutions based on real data, not politics.
2. End the politically motivated Northville Downs lawsuit: Northville Downs is moving to Fowlerville and is actively selling the parcel at Ridge Road and Five Mile. They are never coming here. Mike Cox drafted a complaint against the township that is more political fiction than legal advocacy. Shame on those who are using this lawsuit for political ends, working against the Township’s best interests. Instead, we must dismiss the lawsuit and work to sell the property for more jobs and economic development.
Juris Doctor, Wayne State University Law School, 1991; Master of Laws in Labor Law, Wayne State Law School, 1993.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN THE COMMUNITY? 18 years
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO RUN FOR THIS OFFICE? Eight years ago, Plymouth Township was a mess – Federal investigations, brazen thefts of township property, audits and budgets not done on time, demoralized staff, and a deliberate defunding and dismantling of our Fire and EMS services. I kept my promise to turn Plymouth Township around, and I delivered. Now I’m focused on our future – one with safer streets and schools, low taxes, the best First Responders, improved recreation and senior services, balanced growth, and a cleaner environment. I bring common sense, collaborative,
3. Keep our police, fire and EMS services the best they can be: We must provide competitive wages and benefits to attract and retain the best First Responders as fewer people choose to enter these careers. I oppose outsourcing your safety or defunding our police and fire.
AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY SINCE THE LAST ELECTION?
Township government is increasingly tasked with making difficult decisions in accordance with established laws and regulations; we cannot pick winners and losers based on personal bias or political gamesmanship. In hindsight, I wish we had restarted our “Citizens Advisory Council” that we first did in 2017, to give residents a better understanding
Kurt Heise
Chuck Curmi
of the workings of township government and to get more citizen input on our future direction. I would like to restart the Citizens Advisory Board next year to better involve residents in our decisionmaking process.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
I love working for you. Plymouth Township is on the right track and one of the most desirable communities to live, work and play. We’ve rebuilt our police, fire and EMS services. We’ve put our fiscal house in order, with a triple-A credit rating, solid audits and responsible budgets, and still the lowest taxes in Wayne County. Home values have increased by double digits, and we have more educational options for our children. We’re a ‘Tree City USA’ and cleaning up contaminated, abandoned and derelict sites to improve our environment, create jobs and improve our tax base.
NAME: CHARLES J. CURMI
AGE: 69
FAMILY: Married to Patty; four adult children
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
28-year member of the Plymouth Township Board of Trustees
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
42 years automotive engineering/ product development
OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE:
36-year Kiwanis Club Member
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN THE COMMUNITY: 69 years
WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND HOW DOES IT PREPARE YOU
FOR YOUR ROLE?
My experience as an automotive product development/program management professional and 28 years on the Township Board fit very well in the supervisor role. Leading the Township requires collaboration, managing people, processes, budgets and timelines –the same skills I honed in my automotive professional career.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO RUN FOR THIS OFFICE?
I want to preserve the quality of life and feel of the Township and halt the move to a higher traffic, higher crime and higher tax community.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE TOP THREE ISSUES FACING THE TOWNSHIP?
1. Maintaining or improving services (especially police/fire) within the current tax rate.
2. Improve quality of life by ensuring that the horse track and the Salem Springs sewage plant are never built.
3. Attracting technology/ research and light manufacturing developments while minimizing traffic volumes and encouraging mid-priced single story housing developments suitable for residents seeking to downsize.
AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF, OR WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY?
I am most proud of negotiating the Sheldon Road underpass and the expansion of the Ypsilanti sewage plant to substantially reduce our water/sewer bills.
Voters to narrow down clerk’s race
Voters in Plymouth will take the first step toward deciding who will oversee township elections and records next month when the field of candidates will drop from three to two. Incumbent Jerry Vorva will face newcomer Andrew Miller in the Aug. 6 primary. The top vote-getter will face former clerk Nancy Conzelman, a democrat, in November.
NAME: JERRY VORVA
AGE: 72
FAMILY: Married (Nancy), 6 children, 7 grandchildren
POLITICAL
EXPERIENCE: Elected Township Clerk 2016, 2020; elected State Representative 20th District 1992; elected Plymouth City Commissioner 1989.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Plymouth police officer 1978-1988; realtor 19892022.
OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE: Plymouth/Canton Little League Baseball
coach, former Board of Directors, Plymouth YMCA. Ten-year sponsor of YMCA Fathers’ Day Run.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN THE PLYMOUTH COMMUNITY?
50 years
W HAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND AND HOW DOES IT PREPARE YOU FOR THIS ROLE?
I have an A.A., and B.S. degree from Madonna University, J.D. University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Of course, my past eight years as clerk, administering secure and accurate elections. My other political experience in local and state government provides specific examples of working collaboratively with other state partners to better provide for the needs of township residents. Law enforcement experience to better protect the safety of our residents.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO RUN FOR THIS OFFICE?
To continue the fine work that myself and the “Turn-a-Round Team” has accomplished over the past eight years, by cleaning up township finances, restoring police and fire protection to the proper levels, thereby making Plymouth Township one of the safest communities in Michigan.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE TOP THREE ISSUES FACING PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS?
The Salem sewer issue is the most pressing issue currently. It could not only negatively affect our township but our neighboring communities, as well. It is important to note that we have, in Supervisor Heise, an expert in environmental issues. Maintaining a first-class public safety team is of the utmost importance. I will use my education in law enforcement and experience as a police officer to work hand in hand with Chief Knittel and his staff to assure we maintain our safety.
The people of Michigan by popular vote have made sweeping changes to our election process. Myself and my well-experienced and trained staff will be doing ongoing outreach education to make sure that our residents are well informed on all these changes.
AS AN INCUMBENT, WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF ACHIEVING OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS?
Clearly, accurately and securely administrating the many new election laws voted into effect by our fellow residents. It takes well-educated and experienced personnel to make it happen.
NAME: ANDREW
MILLER
AGE: 60
FAMILY: Gwen, wife of 36 years, three children
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Plymouth Township Precinct Delegate, Election Precinct Chairman, member of the Wayne 6th PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toledo. Product engineering, project management and 18 years of engineering management, engineering fellow.
OTHER COMMUNITY
SERVICE: Foster parent for 23 children of which we adopted two. Knights of Columbus, Lions chicken dinner worker.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN THE COMMUNITY? 30 years
WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND AND HOW DO YOU THINK IT PREPARES YOU FOR THE CLERK’S ROLE? As an engineering manager, I developed, implemented and trained personnel on standards and procedures. The department was audited
to those procedures yearly. In industry we needed to be pleasant, efficient and professional to keep our customers. I plan to instill that same desire to serve our citizen customers. Working with the Detroit elections, it is clear that transparency is key to fair elections. That is why I insist that the election counting is conducted at accessible township facilities. As a project manager, it is quite clear that the current board does not understand how projects work and where costs are hidden. I am sure that the costs and timing for the #2 Fire station could be drastically reduced with proper management.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO RUN FOR THIS OFFICE? The Northville Downs race track brought many issues to light. It is obvious that the board does not follow the constituents’ desires and this has caused discontentment and a financial burden to the community. As stated in the Northville Downs lawsuit, the supervisor told the Carlo brothers he controls all but one member of the board, including the current clerk. Those controlled board members need to be replaced with freethinking citizens.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE TOP THREE ISSUES FACING PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS?
Plymouth Township needs to listen to the
community. They need to ask for feedback prior to decisions and then act on that feedback.
The board has taken down and hidden their 2025 zoning plan till after the election. What is in it? We know that they want to rezone R1 single family areas to multi family residence. This will breakdown neighborhoods and reduce resale values.
The main financial issues we face are the litigation of the racetrack debacle, cost management of the #2 fire station and election costs escalation.
AS CLERK, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY SINCE THE PREVIOUS ELECTION? I would have worked to keep Plymouth township a great place to raise a family. I would not have voted to bring gambling to our township.
I would not have been an enabler to the supervisor’s back door deals. These deals have allowed Meijer to open an unwanted store in order to avoid a lawsuit and now we have a $10 million Northville Downs federal lawsuit due to the current supervisor’s malfeasance.
Election costs have gone up because of changes in election laws. Instead of simply giving up and throwing $600,000 at the problem, I would have worked with other clerks around the state to develop cost effective solutions.
August primary to decide next township treasurer
With no Democrat running for treasurer in Plymouth Township this year, the Aug. 6 primary election will decide who will serve in that role for the next four years. Two Republicans— incumbent Bob Doroshewitz and former trustee candidate Janai Stepp—are vying for the position.
NAME: BOB DOROSHEWITZ
AGE: 62
FAMILY: Married to Tammy Apple Doroshewitz for 25 years. Daughter Allie and son RJ.
POLITICAL
EXPERIENCE:
Elected member of Township Board since 2004: Treasurer 20222024; Trustee 2004-2022; Planning Commission 2016-Present; Zoning Board of Appeals 20042016
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Licensed Attorney. I have 30+ years in executive leadership positions in technology at several
global and regional corporations including EDS/HP, Young & Rubicam, Siemens, FSA and Beaumont Health. I led large teams of technical and business professionals, managing multi-million-dollar budgets and delivering exceptional operational results.
OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE: Volunteer Experience: PARC, VP and General Counsel 2014-2016; PTO treasurer; HOA president; chair, July 4th picnic 20092012; Northridge Church community HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN THE COMMUNITY?
We bought our house in 1999. We raised our kids here, and experienced Plymouth Township through several phases of life, from pre-school to youth soccer and through high school.
WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND AND HOW DO YOU THINK IT PREPARES YOU FOR THE TREASURER’S ROLE?
I bring a unique combination of advanced customer service, business, legal, and technical skills, all of which have contributed to my success as Treasurer. The Treasurer's role is one of multiple hats, including policymaking, serving on the Board, and governing the Township. This is a highly visible
position – I have been producing results on the board for 20 years. In the private sector, I led large teams of engineers, consultants, project managers, sales professionals, and technicians, managing multi-million-dollar budgets.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO RUN FOR THIS OFFICE?
I am seeking another term because I am dedicated to continuing my work to improve our township. My passion for public service drives me, and I hope you have been satisfied with my performance during both the easy and challenging times.
While we have made significant progress in addressing legacy cost shortfalls to avoid burdening future generations, there is still much to be done. Our financial house is in order and we need to keep it that way.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE TOP THREE ISSUES FACING PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS? Uniting the community and careful management of our remaining open space are critical. I hope to get substantial public input on the 2025 Master Plan. Aging in place housing challenges continue. As policymakers, we decide what kinds of things we permit within zoning districts, but it is not our job to pick winners and losers – that’s the free market’s job. Property owners have rights, but so do others. My loyalty lies first and foremost with the residents, not developers,
political parties, or other elected officials.
I cannot predict the future. If you had asked this question in 2020, not a single person would have said “a pandemic.” When the unpredictable future unfolds, we want experienced leaders with deep decision-making ability and the vision to see the community through the next issues.
AS TREASURER, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY SINCE THE PREVIOUS ELECTION, OR WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
As Treasurer, I successfully generated an additional $3 million in revenue by restructuring the investment portfolio. We had flawless audits for both years. I am proud of the daily work the team in the Treasurer’s office does day to day.
I am proud of 20 years of service, and the overall financial shape our Township is in. Our fund balance is healthy and we have a AAA bond rating.
I promised to be open and candid, and I think most people appreciate that. The willingness to change course and take corrective action is a leadership strength, not a weakness.
I would have opposed approval of the PUD for the racetrack. The process played out slowly, and as it did the owner's backpedaling, and ongoing public opposition were on a collision course to an unworkable result. In the end, if a project deeply divides our community, it's hard to see it as beneficial.
NAME: JANAI STEPP AGE:
54
PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCE: Business owner, project manager
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN THE COMMUNITY?
I attended PlymouthCanton schools and graduated from Canton High School in 1987. I bought my house in the Township when I was 28, and have never left.
WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND AND HOW HAS IT PREPARED YOU FOR THE TREASURER’S ROLE?
My background of 25 years of business and project management experience, coupled with my MBA in finance, has prepared me to oversee the financial responsibilities and obligations of treasurer for Plymouth Township.
I have successfully started, managed and run profitable businesses for the last 11 years.
As a project manager, I learned that clearly defining objectives, aligning deliverables with objectives, keeping lines of communication open and transparent, managing and assessing risks, and monitoring results is the perfect blueprint for the smooth transition of a project from aspiration to reality.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO RUN FOR THIS OFFICE? I decided to run for Treasurer because I love Plymouth Township. I love our historic, tranquil and beautiful community where neighbors smile at one another and take the time to help when needed.
However, in the past few years, I have seen our township being sold to the highest bidder by career politicians. They are changing the fabric of our community for the worse. The self-serving decisions of the board run contrary to public sentiment and interest. We are losing our hometown feel.
Concerned citizens who are daring enough to voice their opinions are ignored repeatedly, lied to, disrespected and verbally attacked by board members. This bullying behavior shows a blatant lack of professionalism, lack of moral integrity and complete negligence.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE THREE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS?
Public Safety: Provide our first responders needed tools to efficiently and effectively do their jobs. A K-9 unit and license plate readers would provide our police with low-cost solutions to increase operational efficiency, ensure public safety and aid in effective crime resolution.
Rebuild the Lake Pointe Fire Station equipping it with the newest amenities designed to make life “at home” in the station easier for the firefighters who risk their lives daily.
Reduce taxes and fees: Repeal the 1% administration fee. The current treasurer requires residents pay a 1% tax to
pay our property taxes. It is a hidden fee which is being diverted to fund unnecessary projects. Restrict tax increases. Keep costs low through appropriate forecasting, planning and budgeting. Moderate growth: Moderate new projects to those that enhance the current vision of Plymouth Township within the bounds of the existing Master Plan.
AS TREASURER, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY SINCE THE LAST ELECTION?
Prevent overburdening disasters. Oppose independently solicited developments like the racetrack. The majority is against it, it does not fit the Master Plan, and it would increase the burden on public safety. It is too late to change the terms of the contract. As a result, we are now facing a $10 million lawsuit if we fail to proceed.
Work with developers like Schostak Brothers to promote residential growth by expanding existing infrastructure. When personal biases supersede strategic planning, unforeseen events develop. A Wastewater Treatment Plant, unsightly and environmentally unfriendly, has been granted a permit to provide the needed infrastructure denied by the Board. This could have been avoided.
Evaluate the impact of building businesses that will more than double the traffic on Ann Arbor Road. Determine and implement appropriate infrastructure improvements before proceeding. Or, the efficient solution, move the business to the areas already designed for heavy traffic based on the Master Plan.
Eight Republicans Vying for Trustee Primary to narrow crowd of Plymouth Township Trustee candidates
By Scott Spielman
There is a veritable crowd of candidates for the four part-time trustee positions on the Plymouth Township Board of Trustees—11 in all—and next month’s August primary will reduce that pool.
The top four vote-getters among the eight Republicans vying for the office will move on to face their democratic challengers in the fall. With long-time incumbent trustee Chuck Curmi running against incumbent Kurt Heise for township supervisor, there will be at least one new addition to the seven-member board.
The Republican candidates are: Greg Bill, Jennifer Buckley, Daniel Callahan, Mark Clinton, Sandy Groth, Audrey Monaghan, Paul Schulz and John Stewart.
Bill, 73, is a retired judge cited unanimously by our Michigan Supreme Court for exemplary service. He helped enact environmental laws such as Michigan’s Clean Air and Water Acts as well as crime-related acts such as our felony firearm laws enhancing sentences of convicted felons utilizing firearms in commission of crimes. He’s lived in the township for 26 years. He
said his law background will be a benefit to the board as they navigate the legal implications of the role.
Bill said his top three issues are keeping the township crime rate low and keeping taxes down by monitoring growth, as well as protecting the environment through smart infrastructure.
“Plymouth Township is a respected, pleasant welladministered community with a bright future,” Bill said. “By soliciting the input of our citizen jewels—meaning our seniors, veterans and first responders—we can monitor controlled growth, address our challenges and perpetuate our legacy.”
Current township trustee Buckley, 49, is a veteran of the US Air Force and the Air National Guard. She’s also an entrepreneur with multiple small businesses. As a trustee, she initiated the creation of a Veterans Commission for the township, with the goal of supporting veterans and first responders— they held their first event in May on Armed Forces Day.
She said her top priorities were protecting the township from the Salem Springs project in neighboring Salem Township
and maintaining or improving public safety.
“I voted to oppose Salem Springs dumping their waste into our watershed—but it’s not done,” Buckley said. “We must continue to send a firm message that Plymouth Township cannot be used and abused by neighboring communities just because the price is right.”
She also thinks the current economic boon in the township is a good thing—the township has seen nearly $500 million in development during the last several years, including the conversion of former Detroit House of Corrections (DeHoCo) properties into viable tax revenue.
“As Trustee for the last 2 years, I am very proud of my voting record keeping the township on the right track and futurefocused with the approval of diverse housing options, fiscal responsibility and transparency with a well-balanced budget and audits, and ensuring our public safety department has what they need to protect us,” Buckley said.
Clinton, 65, is the former township treasurer. He was elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020, but stepped down two years later due to health reasons.
He earned an MBA degree in finance from the Ross School of Business and has previously worked in leadership positions at Accenture, Thomas Reuter, Cisco and more. He’s lived in the community for 35 years.
“In 2016, I ran for Treasurer because I was not happy with the direction it was going at the time. As of today, many things have changed for the better,” Clinton said. “I decided to run for trustee because I believe the work that we started in 2016 is not yet complete.”
He said his top three issues are public safety, housing and corporate and economic growth.
“When I took over as Treasurer, the financial records were in bad shape. Bills weren’t paid. The audit was past due. The pension fund was 0% funded. Plymouth Township was literally five years from bankruptcy,” Clinton said. “As Treasurer, I was responsible for cleaning up the financial mess that was left behind.”
Groth, 65, ran for Plymouth Township Trustee in 2012 and for Clerk in 2020. She previously worked in the township fire department and as deputy clerk under former clerk Marilynn Massengill and incumbent clerk
Greg Bill
Daniel Callahan
Jennifer Buckley
Mark Clinton
Jerry Vorva. She’s lived in the community for more than 50 years.
“I have seen the township from the citizen side, the election side, the budget side, the administrative side and all of the other township matters in between. My knowledge of the operations and the procedures of our Charter Township of Plymouth is extensive,” Groth said.
Her top three issues are the $10 million lawsuit facing Plymouth Township over the proposed racetrack, the extreme overdevelopment of large-scale properties like the former Elks property on Ann Arbor Road and what she called a lack of transparency, honesty and responsiveness and accountability to the taxpayers and citizens of the community.
“Residents are bullied and talked down to as though they have no purpose in any of the issues before the township board,” Groth said. “We all deserve better and we all deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and that is grossly lacking from our board.”
Monaghan, 63, was elected to the board in 2020. An attorney and pharmacist, she’s lived in the community for 24 years and said her experience as a small business owner has served her and the community well as a trustee.
“I want to continue to be an independent voice for the residents
of our township. I do not subscribe to drama or wedge issues causing division and distrust,” she said.
Her top priorities are maintaining the current financial success of the township—with low taxes, low debt and high bond ratings—and promoting economic growth.
“Not only does it serve as additional tax revenue, it also creates an opportunity for more families to discover our beautiful community. Further, it also enhances the current business base and can provide expanded Business to Business and Business to Consumer sales. All of which supports our progrowth agenda in the Township,” Monaghan said.
She also pledges to be accessible to the community.
“Independent, transparent, respectful and diverse are good descriptors which precede me long before my election four years ago as a Plymouth Township Trustee. It was natural for me to carry those personality traits into my term on the board. People who look deeper into my stand on issues and voting record will quickly confirm my independent nature and focus on the issues, not personalities, facing our township,” Monaghan said.
Schulz, 53, has worked in advertising and marketing as a location scout and manager for film and television productions for more than 25 years.
“My experience in business with a vast knowledge of our small-town history, demographics, our future needs, what works and what doesn't, will bring great value to the Board of Trustees,” he said.
His top priorities are stopping the racetrack, putting an end to the commercial overdevelopment and high-density residential construction and promoting health and safety in the community by maintaining the current relationship with Huron Valley Ambulance.
“It's the most cost-effective model for our taxpayers,” he said. “This partnership is working perfectly and should remain in place permanently.”
He would also favor eliminating the 1% administration fee levied on residents to pay their taxes and encourage the board to revise our master plan to eliminate any further commercial development and high-density residential construction.
“I would just like to serve my township and help preserve the small town feel of our community,” Schulz said. “The current board has already caused irreparable damage by their poor decisions that our residents will now have to live with forever.”
Stewart, 75, has served as a township trustee from 19881992; State Representative from 2000-2006 and was reelected to
the township board in 2020. An attorney, he’s maintained his office on Main Street in the City of Plymouth for 45 years.
His top three priorities are police and fire, which he said was his top issue, since those departments make up about 70% of the township budget, trash, compost and recycling pickup and involving the citizens in decision-making regarding development.
He also pledged to be accessible to residents.
“My law office on Main Street has provided a unique opportunity for citizens to contact me regarding their concerns and needs in the neighborhood,” Stewart said.
Callahan did not respond to requests for information.
The primary election is Aug. 6. The top four Republican vote-getters will face Democrats Robert Miller, Angela Nolan and Michael Westra in November.
AUGUST PRIMARY ELECTION
The Primary Election this year takes place on Aug. 6. If you are not already registered to vote in Plymouth Township but would like to, you may register at anytime including the day of the election. For more information, visit the township’s website at www. plymouthtwp.org and click on the Clerk’s office.
Sandy Groth
Paul Schulz
Audrey Monaghan John Stewart
Female Judge Candidate off the Ballot Two advance to November election after Ruggirello disqualified on technicality
By Scott Spielman
For Plymouth, Canton and Northville voters in the August 6 Primary election, there will be one less race to consider: there is no longer a primary for the race to replace retiring Judge Ron Lowe at the 35th District Court.
The State Board of Canvassers ruled that Northville’s Maria Ruggirello, one of three candidates who sought to replace Lowe, who is retiring at the end of this year, did not have enough valid signatures to be placed on the primary ballot. Ruggirello sued Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Jonathan Brater, the state’s Director of Elections and the Board of Canvassers to reverse the decision, but it was upheld by the state Court of Claims on June 11.
In his ruling, Judge Christopher P. Yates cited the “Byzantine rules” that govern the process of judicial nominating petitions.
“The rules for gaining ballot access as a judicial candidate are complicated, especially when an incumbent judge does not timely declare to run as an incumbent,” he wrote. “The Byzantine rules governing such situations can be
weaponized to exclude judicial candidates from the ballot. This case reveals the hidden traps for a candidate who embarks upon a run for a judicial office not knowing whether the incumbent judge will pursue reelection.”
Judicial candidates are required to submit 600—but not more than 1,000—valid signatures to be placed on the ballot. Because her signatures were not certified, the other two candidates—Joe Barone of Plymouth and Michael Woodyard of Canton—will move on to the November general election.
Here’s what happened: When Ruggirello started collecting the required 600 signatures, Lowe was still eligible to run as an incumbent. Therefore, her petitions properly identified her as a candidate for an incumbent position.
However, when the March 25, 2024 deadline for an incumbent to file for reelection came and went and Lowe did not file for reelection, the race became a non-incumbent judicial position.
Benson notified candidates that petitions would have to identify the office as a nonincumbent position, but
Ruggirello did not change hers.
Also, Ruggirello turned in 1,168 signatures on her sheets. The Bureau of Elections, however, could only consider 1,000 of those. They sorted through the first thousand signatures in two ways: first, by counting the petition sheets in ascending order from the fewest signatures on the sheet to the most signatures, and second by counting the petition sheets in chronological order from the earliest sheets to the latest—each time, they found just under 600 valid signatures.
In addition to the internal review, two people filed challenges to her petitions— Woodyard and Jessica Mistak. Without a primary, Woodyard and Barone are focused on November.
“It’s one step forward and we’ll see what happens,” said Woodyard, 57, a practicing attorney since 2002. “Things are moving along.” He was an assistant prosecuting attorney in Wayne County for 15 years before opening his private practice in 2017.
He said he knows Barone has more name recognition in
the community, but thinks his history in the community and in courts around the state have prepared him for the role.
“It’s a good launching point. One of the things that’s really interesting about this race is that there isn’t much turnover on the 35th district court. This represents an opportunity— perhaps, with my candidacy—to maybe move the court in a different direction.”
Barone, 52, ran for 35th District Judge in 2008; he was appointed to the Wayne County Commission in 2015 and reelected in 2016 and now runs a private practice in downtown Plymouth. He said he would continue to focus on the community and his service to it.
“If it was a two-person race or a three-person race, I wasn’t changing my strategy in any way, whatsoever: highlight what I’ve done—I’ve run before, I’ve served the community before— those are the things you have to stick with.”
For more information on the candidates, visit IlikeMike.law or baroneforjudge.com.
Michael Woodyard
Joe Barone
Maria Ruggirello
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Peek Inside Your Health: Full Body MRI Screenings Unveil Silent Issues Before Symptoms Arise
(SOUTHFIELD, MI) Full body MRI clinics have gained national attention lately, as TV personalities publicly share their personal full body scan experiences. One actress credits the scan for saving her life after doctors dismissed her unexplained pain for months. After various tests, including a CT scan, had “unremarkable” results, the pregnant actress became her own advocate, searched out a full body MRI clinic and discovered she had pancreatic cancer. Thanks to early detection the tumor was removed successfully.
As a general rule, when symptoms occur related to cancer, it usually has progressed to stage three or four. Even with annual physicals, there are limitations. Most screenings only cover about 29% of cancers with 71%
occurring outside of where doctors are able to screen. However, full body MRI scans can detect cancer in every organ from the top of the head through the genitals and can detect it very early.
For a long time, full body MRI scans were available only in select areas outside of Michigan, requiring expensive flights like in Vancouver or California. However, this changed when a clinic opened in Southfield, making these scans available to Metro Detroit residents.
“Our advanced MRI screening can detect cancers very early when they are as small as a pencil eraser and are more easily treatable. If cancer goes undetected, however, it can grow into stage three or stage four with difficult treatments. We can
also identify conditions such as brain, abdominal, chest, and groin aneurysms,” stated the founder of the Southfield clinic called Bionicc Body Screening.
The primary focus of Bionicc Body Screening is to deliver peace of mind, offering a comprehensive and detailed imaging of the body’s internal structures. The ultimate hope is for excellent health. However, in the event that something is detected, the advanced screening aims to catch any potential issues at their earliest stages. This approach offers the best opportunity for successful treatment outcomes, should the need arise.
Robert B., age 50, opted for a full body scan from Bionicc Body Screening and a very small tumor
was detected. He said, “It saved my life. Their MRI found a kidney tumor that had been missed by a recent CT scan. I cannot recommend this service more.”
Take the first step to learn more about full body scans by visiting www.BioniccBodyScreening. com and request a free, no obligation Information Kit. Request it today and you’re also guaranteed a copy of their FREE eBook, Catching Cancer Before It’s Too Late! (This is a limited time offer.) Schedule today at 1-833-BIONICC
A Season to Remember
Repeating state champ Isaac leads the way for PCEP spring athletes
By Brad Emons
The 2024 athletic campaign at Plymouth Canton Educational Park will go down as one of the best ever for both individual achievements and team milestones.
Here is a look back at some of those notable accomplishments:
ISAAC STANDS ALONE
Canton junior Quincy Isaac repeated as MHSAA Division I long jump champion with a leap of 23 feet, 7¾ inches on June 1 at East Kentwood. He then went on to win the prestigious New Balance National title in Philadelphia with a mark of 24-2½.
At the Region 6 meet, Isaac was champion in both the long jump (243¼) and the 200-meter dash (22.39). He was also KLAA champion in the long jump (23-2).
After winning the D1 long jump title (22-11) in 2023, Isaac was forced to miss the 2023-24 basketball season after undergoing surgery to repair a bone spur on his hip.
He bounced back this spring and will now set his sights on the MHSAA all-class long jump record of 24-2¾ set in 2017, which
ironically belongs to Salem alum Mason Phillips, who went on to have a standout sprint career at Alabama before earning a spot in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials.
Isaac’s personal bests in the long jump include 24-3¾ (2023) and 24-3½ (2024).
“What really makes Quincy special is that he is so consistent with jumping,” said Canton coach Jess Shough, who also credits assistant Jon Mehl for Isaac’s development. “He’s disappointed if he’s having a jump under 23 (feet). He’s an athlete that stands alone right now, just so consistent. He’s such a perfectionist and expects himself to win.”
GOAL-SETTER COTTER
Salem High senior Mileena Cotter led the Rocks girls lacrosse program to its best record in school history (15-4) while shattering MHSAA career and season records. (See June issue.)
The Syracuse signee finished her career with a total of 472 goals in just 49 games, breaking the mark held by Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood’s Izzy Skene (Northwestern University), the Tewaaraton Award winner
which goes annually to the best women’s collegiate lacrosse player.
Cotter set the single season state record with 215 goals, eclipsing the mark of 172 set by Midland Dow’s Emma Murphy in 2021. She scored all but 75 of her team’s goals and owns five of the state’s top six single game scoring performances on record, including 18 goals in a 19-17 victory in April over Saline.
Cotter, who won 286 face-offs and had 30 assists, was also named Detroit Free Press Female Athlete of the Year and US Lacrosse All-American.
ALL-STATE SOFTBALL
Canton High pitcher Emma Grau, headed to Ohio Dominican University, earned Division 1 first-team AllState honors.
Also named honorable mention by the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association included Salem sophomore pitcher Shannon McAuliffe, Plymouth junior second baseman Hannah Simko and Salem senior outfielder Sydney Taylor.
MAKING HIS MARK Canton High’s Mark
Blomshield, in his 17th season as Canton High baseball coach, guided the Chiefs to a 24-13 overall record while surpassing Fred Crissey’s school record 375 career wins following a 15-1 victory on May 18 against Wyandotte. Sporting an overall record of 382-187, Blomshield was inducted into the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2023.
Blomshield, a physical education teacher at Liberty Middle School, began his coaching career in the Canton baseball program as a JV assistant in 2002 before taking over the varsity reins in 2008 for Scott Dickey. He has guided the Chiefs to five division titles (2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017); three Kensington Lakes Activities Association conference and Association championships each (2010, 2013, 2017); five district (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2019) and one regional crown (2019).
CALEB’S HIT PARADE
Canton High senior shortstop Caleb Williams capped a prolific threesport high school career by earning secondteam All-State honors by the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association.
The West Point-bound Williams, a four-year varsity player, batted .449 this season with a total of
48 hits while becoming the school’s all-time career leader in hits (132). Williams was also an All-KLAA selection in basketball as a guard. He played both ways as an All-Conference defensive back and wide receiver for the football team, too.
in Region 6 along with sophomore Mia Avery, junior Gracyn Ray and junior Natalia Bohn.
ROCK-SOLID IN SOCCER
It was quite a state tournament run for the Salem girls soccer team (15-6-5) under coach Kyle Karns. The Rocks reached the Division 1 semifinals losing to eventual state champion Rochester Adams, 2-1.
PODIUM FOR MADISON
After finishing runnerup two years in a row to Farmington Hills Mercy’s Milena Chevalier in the MHSAA Division 1 girls track and field finals in the high jump, Salem High senior Madison Morson broke through, winning the title June 1 at East Kentwood with a leap of 5 feet, 10 inches.
Morson, an All-State and Miss Basketball finalist headed to Central Michigan University, enjoyed an outstanding senior track season, winning the Region 6 high jump title (5-4) as well as the KLAA crown (5-2).
She was also a member of Salem’s first-place 4 x 100 relay team (49.88)
In District 9 play, the Rocks defeated Plymouth (2-1), Canton (2-1) and KLAA Association champion Livonia Stevenson (3-0) for its first title since 1999. Salem went on to capture the Regional 3 championship with victories over Ann Arbor Skyline (1-0) and Grosse Pointe South (3-0). Salem, which finished in fourth place with a 6-3-5 record in the KLAA West, was led by Dream Team and Division 1 first-team All-State senior midfielder Claire Hammill, a six-time AllStater in swimming who will play Big Ten soccer this fall at Rutgers. Also earning honorable mention All-State honors were sophomore forward Lauren Fowler and
freshman defender Cali Schwartzenberger.
Senior midfielder
Emma Rama, senior midfielder Lauren Driscoll, sophomore forward Aubrey Krischano and Hammill were also selected to the All-KLAA team.
ALL-STATE LACROSSE
The Park was well represented in the Michigan High School Lacrosse Association boys All-State team, led by senior short-stick defensive midfielder Ben Gramer, who earned firstteam honors.
Other Rocks earning honorable mention –all seniors – included Ryan Peters, attack; Jonathan Seeke, attack; Aaron Smith, long stick
midfielder; and Charlie Barker, goalie.
Plymouth honorable mention selections included senior midfielder Cam Witt and junior midfielder Jimmy Cleveland, while Canton’s two selections included senior attack Gabe Schmoll and sophomore attack Jack Lockhart.
On the girls side, Plymouth seniors Jordan Wetmore and Margaret Kime earned honorable mention All-State recognition by the Michigan Women’s Lacrosse Coaches’ Association.
ALL STATE TRACK & FIELD
In addition to the state champion performances by Canton’s Quincy Isaac (long jump) and Salem’s Madison Morson (high jump), there were several other All-State (top eight) performers from the Park.
On the boys side,
Plymouth senior Anirudh Krishnan placed sixth in the 1,600 run (4:13.66) and seventh in the 800 (1:54.46). Plymouth sophomore Sean Cinzori added a sixth in the pole vault (14-3), while Canton senior Nathan Levine
placed fifth in the high jump (6-7).
On the girls side, Plymouth senior Jillian Knight finished seventh in the high jump (5-2), while teammate Giuliana Serapiglia, a senior, tied for eighth in the pole vault (11-0).
ALL-STATE SOCCER
In addition to the Salem honorees, other honorable mention All-State selections from the Park include Alexis Pickerel (Canton), senior midfielder; Caitline Noe (Canton), senior defender; and Emily Kendall (Plymouth), senior midfielder.
SALEM GOLFER MAKES CUT
Salem junior Nolan Kaminski earned a trip to the Division 1 finals held June 6-7 at Battle Creek’s Bedford Valley Golf Course where he took 49th overall with a twoday total of 83-78-161. Kaminski nailed down the berth by placing runner-up individually in the Regional 5 tourney held May 29 at Ypsilanti’s Pine View Golf Course when he shot a 74.
• Lowered sewer/water costs
• Strong fire & police services
• Shared Twp/City 911 dispatch
• Sheldon Road underpass
• Technology and research development
• Built new sidewalks
• Saved Twp Park wood play structure
• Dogs allowed in parks
• Fiscal responsibility/analytical rigor/thrift
• Transparent/open/civility
For members of Plymouth’s two longstanding garden clubs, “flowers are forever.”
That’s a mantra coined a few years ago by Jeanne Hutko and other members of the Trailwood Garden Club as they tried to describe what their new community garden walk was all about. Today it continues to adorn the group’s promotions for the June walk.
The lovely sentiment about flowers could just as easily describe how members of the community’s other club, the Plymouth Garden Club, think as well.
Both garden clubs claim a long history in the community, thanks to the members’ passion for flowers. They love to showcase
local gardens, plant flower beds and greenery throughout the downtown area and host events supporting their efforts to share this passion for flowers that indeed “are forever” in their hearts and minds.
are kind of eternal. They can come back on their own. They fill all our senses – they look good, you can touch them and smell them and they make you happy.”
That first walk was in 1998 and each year the event usually draws
Association (WNFGA), which dates back to 1914, and each includes several certified master gardeners. Leaders from both garden groups said the pandemic hit them hard but members are now getting back into a more
“We love to share information at our meetings and with each other. Our mission is about friendship, gardening and just promoting activities through education and beautification. Plymouth is a beautiful community and there are so many gardens.”
Georgia Randinitis, president of the Trailwood Garden Club
“We were talking about planning one of our first walks and trying to figure out a name,” says Hutko, a former Plymouth resident who got involved with Trailwood four decades ago. “We came up with that because flowers
hundreds to check out gardens around the community. For Hutko, who now lives in Royal Oak, the gardens on display are a lot like art and music. “They give lasting beauty,” she says. “They’re serene and touch the soul.”
The Plymouth Garden Club has an 88-year history of longevity, while their friends in Trailwood came together in 1976, or 48 years if you’re counting. Plymouth has about 40 members and Trailwood about 23 members. Mostly women, the members come from Plymouth, Canton, Livonia, Dearborn and Westland.
Both groups are a part of the Woman’s National Farm & Garden
normal rhythm and are excited to share their love of plants with others, young and old alike--and anyone who wants to join them.
SUMMER ACTIVITY
Spring and summer is a busy time for members of both groups, but especially the Trailwood Garden Club. That’s when they feverishly prepare for the annual Trailwood Garden Club Walk.
This year’s walk in June was the group’s 26th and, like others, it included six or seven local gardens throughout the community that people experience up close and personal. Though there was rain, the day turned out nice, according to members, and visitors enjoyed
the different style gardens.
Some of the gardens featured belong to members but most are not, having been scouted out by members who run the club, people like Georgia Randinitis, who has been president of the Trailwood group for three years.
A member since 1980, Randinitis has lived in Plymouth Township’s Beacon Hill neighborhood since 1979. She got involved after seeing a display of luminaries at Christmas in the Trailwood Subdivision and found out it was done by the garden group.
“People come from all over for the walk,” says Randinitis. “With flowers there’s always something new to see, so we’ve kept at that theme.”
so many gardens. I swear we’re the hydrangea capitol. In July they’re unbelievable.”
Randinitis likes to garden, but says she is not “obsessed.” Lately she has been clearing her property of some trees and battling invasive plants with the help of her husband. She adds that gardens are never perfect, no matter how much one might hope for that.
For Hutko, staying involved even though she moved made sense. “They’re my friends,” she says. “We have a good time. I still have a garden, but it’s much smaller, which is easier, I guess.”
It should be noted that the Trailwood club was started by a Plymouth resident named Jan Elston, who lived in Trailwood and has since passed away. At the
She says members are a close-knit group, and many have known each other for a long time. Besides the walk, the club offers scholarships, helps fill Plymouth flower boxes and beds, and works throughout the community building awareness for the natural beauty of Plymouth, whether it’s Miller Woods, Saint John’s, Kellogg Park or Veteran’s Memorial Park.
“We have some really intense garden people,” Randinitis says. “We love to share information at our meetings and with each other. Our mission is about friendship, gardening and just promoting activities through education and beautification. Plymouth is a beautiful community and there are
enjoy gardening, learning and beautifying by bringing flowers to our downtown and more,” says incoming club president Dorothy Simescu. “We like to have fun and there’s lot of fantastic stories.”
A lifelong resident of Plymouth, Simescu graduated from Plymouth High School in 1965. Her grandfather, Winfield Birch, owned a vegetable farm and sold produce along Main Street. She is a retired teacher and one of the group’s master gardeners.
“When the group formed they had this idea to make Plymouth a city of lilacs and planted hundreds,” says Simescu, who notes that records show over a 1,000 were planted. “I have some antique lilacs myself from my grandfather. They must be nearly 100 years old.”
“I heard about the group and just always had an interest in horticulture and gardening from my mom Carol Birch Dodge and my grandfather,” she says, adding that her own garden includes herbs, a butterfly garden, lots of perennials and other flowers.
To best summarize the devotion of the member, perhaps a short story about one might help.
Beatrice “Bea” Gray, a longtime Plymouth resident, passed away in March 2023 at age 88. She was a passionate member of the Plymouth Garden Club, as her obituary attests. Her friends still remember how she loved this country so much that she always wanted to design at least one flower bed in downtown with Americana red, white and blue annuals.
time it was the 100th branch of the national group.
SUPPORTED BY A FORD
Many years before, in 1936, a small group of women, led by Alma Spicer, decided to form a garden club branch of WNFGA. The branch was sponsored by Clara Bryant Ford, wife of auto magnet Henry Ford. Today they are known as the Plymouth Garden Club and, like their friends from Trailwood, are devoted to beautifying Plymouth, helping others through scholarships and educating people about everything having to do with flowers, gardens--you name it.
“It’s just a wonderful group of people who get together and
Several of the club’s regular projects include taking care of Veteran’s Memorial Park, Forest Avenue, flower beds in downtown. Before Memorial Day this year they were busy – with some Trailwood members – sprucing up Veteran’s Park for the ceremony honoring community veterans.
To raise money they host an annual greens sale each Christmas and an annual auction.
Like Trailwood, many Plymouth club members have spent decades in the group, including people like JoAnn Harrold, with 50 years membership, and Margi Blake, who has spent 55 years helping fill the community with flowers and more.
Simescu joined the garden club 14 years ago after she retired and was looking for something to do.
Today you’ll find a “bee” stake planted in one of those downtown flower beds, an honor in her memory from her gardening friends.
Both clubs welcome new members. For more information, find the clubs on Facebook.
GREG BILL
Plymouth Township Trustee
March 2023
MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT—Acknowledged the Honorable Greg Bill’s Judicial service to the citizens of Wayne County. Exemplary affirmation rate: case dispositions imposed harshest sentence in Midwest on convicted ringleader of dog fighting events.
February 2018
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD--REP. DINGELL—Recognized the Honorable Greg Bill being awarded the Distinguished Jurist Purple Coat for Outstanding Judicial Service. County and local law enforcement endorsed accessibility and availability 24/7 to execute warrants.
MICHIGAN STATE SENATE —Presented Greg Bill a Special Legislative Tribute for efforts as a committee Administrator/ Legislative Aide in enacting Model Public Acts:
• Michigan Clean Air & Water
• Michigan’s Whistle Blowers
• Political Reform
• Crime Victims Compensation Act
• Opening Meeting - FOIA
• Felony Firearm
• Registration to Vote at Secretary of State Offices
• Designation Parking for Physically Challenged Citizens
My Oath to Plymouth Township Residents, if elected:
• Monitor controlled growth.
• Protect the environment.
• Zealously support our first responders.
• Improve services for our seniors, veterans, and physically challenged.
• Be transparent, accessible, and accountable.
My gratitude to my wife Cheryl “Top Dollar” Bill. To our son Steven, To Andy Przekop---Campaign Director—and all individuals and entities promoting this campaign. And lest I forget, to our citizenry. Thank you for being informed. With appreciation, GREG BILL, Trustee Candidate
Darren R. LaLondeIngrid Runnion
Park Getting New Football Stadium and Pool
School district excited to unveil voter approved bond projects
In the not-too-distant future, it will be Friday Night Lights on steroids at the PlymouthCanton Educational Park— much to the joy of area high school football fans.
First, imagine a rivalry contest between two Plymouth-Canton teams playing out at the varsity stadium located south of Canton High School.
Simultaneously in the northeast corner of the sprawling campus, the third P-CEP football team hosts a non-Park rival–with helmets and shoulder pads cracking on the brand-new field which is currently being constructed at the corner of Canton Center and Joy roads. And the campus has a third football field that could also be in use that same evening, the one located near Beck Road close to Plymouth High School.
The new football field being constructed at the Park is being funded through the 2020 bond issue, where voters
approved $275 million for various facilities projects and upgrades. The field accounted for about $14 million of that tab. The addition of an $11 million swimming natatorium at Plymouth High is also one of the bigger-ticket items made possible by the bond issue.
“In this project, we’re kind of building a duplicate of the Plymouth field,” said Tim Gruszczynski, director of facilities and capital projects for Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. “It’s not a big (venue) like the varsity. It’s about half the size from the spectator side of it. It’s obviously the same configuration for the fields and the tracks.”
Construction of the new stadium continues this summer. At this point, there has been plenty of excavation work and drainage infrastructure is on the site. District spokesman Frank Ruggirello said work will be completed as soon as possible.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
Gruszczynski served up a plausible situation, where two varsity football games could be played on the same night, at the same time.
By Tim Smith
at one of the smaller ones. All three will be used for competitive games as well as practices. We have the ability to play on all of the fields, but it comes down to where they fit on the schedule.”
“If Plymouth is playing Canton, they’re going to play at the big stadium,” he said. “And Salem might play Woodhaven
The new field will feature LED lighting and synthetic turf, the latter to help cut down on maintenance costs. The modern
lighting system helps ensure residents in the vicinity of Joy and Canton Center roads won’t be bothered as much by nighttime glare.
“Field lights will be LED instead of the more traditional
Architecture also teamed up during earlier stages.
“We’re working hard; we’ve got a good design and we’ve got good contractors,” Gruszczynski said. “We’re doing everything we can to push forward and be ready
new fields. One of the challenges we have is scheduling at the Park. This also gives potential for new sports teams to come on board and help add some intermural activities that we have, even clubs.”
said. “It really is going to create a nice, balanced schedule and it’s going to give a lot of opportunity for more kids to practice in a prime time where they can get home for dinner.”
According to Gruszczynski,
“The district really appreciates the investment the community is making. We feel we’re being good stewards of making sure the facilities we build are going to be able to be used by the wider community.”
Tim Gruszczynski, director of facilities and capital projects for Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
incandescent version that are on the other two stadiums,” Gruszczynski said. “One of the good features of LED is it’s very directed. We expect that we’re going to have a lot less light pollution, because the LEDs have to be aimed and they go directly to the field.”
Digital control sound panels also will provide a lot more control over volume and control over direction, he added.
Work by McCarthy & Smith, Inc. Construction Services is chugging along nicely, although Gruszczynski did not want to commit to a definite opening day. Longtime district partner TMP
to be done on time.”
Not only will Canton, Salem and Plymouth varsity and junior varsity teams (not just football) have a third option, the additional gridiron will be available for other organizations and clubs. Those might include the popular and successful Plymouth-Canton Steelers and Canton Lions youth programs.
“It’s expanding facilities for our athletic programs,” said Hal Heard, director of high school education at P-CCS. “Mainly our football and swimming programs, plus our soccer fields. Sports such as soccer and lacrosse will benefit from the
High school physical education programs also will benefit from having more space and resources.
“It gives us more diverse options for fitness activities,” Heard continued. “It also enhances our recreational facilities and opportunities for our young community, such as hosting 7-on-7 (football) camps or clinics.”
BALANCING ACT
Gruszczynski said the community remains fully behind the third football field more than four years after the bond issue was approved.
“They’re ready to have it,” he
the 2020 bond issue is addressing much more than the two highprofile athletic additions at P-CEP. But there is a common theme.
“It was to create an equity amongst the schools,” Gruszczynski explained. “Part of the bond focus was space equity. We have some elementaries that have a gym, and that’s their cafeteria and their stage. Some schools have a stage separate from a cafeteria or a cafeteria separate from a gym. So we tried to even stuff
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out. Part of that was putting a pool in (at Plymouth). We have three varsity programs and we were only using two pools.”
Meanwhile, Gruszczynski emphasized that the bond issue is benefiting the entire district with every district building being touched to varying degrees.
Among other P-CEP upgrades is the addition of a new innovation hub activity center, band room expansion, synthetic turf infields for baseball and softball, athletic field drainage improvements and replacement of the tennis courts located just west of Salem High School.
“We’re rebuilding all 24 tennis courts with post-tension concrete,” Gruszczynski said. “They’re going to last for 50 years and they’re going to be a jewel for the community to use.”
Technology upgrades on a district-wide basis and ensuring playground safety are among other core features of the 2020 bond issue.
Cruisers Eager for Third P-CEP Pool to Open
By Tim Smith
“The district really appreciates the investment the community is making,” Gruszczynski added. “We feel we’re being good stewards of making sure the facilities we build are going to be able to be used by the wider community.”
The Plymouth-Canton Cruisers—swimmers of all ages, talent levels and aspirations—are ready to jump into a deeper pool of opportunity.
And, thanks to the residents who approved a $275 million bond issue in 2020, they’ll soon get their shot.
Plymouth High School is getting a Class A ready natatorium during 2024-25–which gives the Cruisers three prep pools to potentially tap into during the coming years.
Although it is likely the 501c3 organization will remain primarily at Canton High School for the near future, P-C Cruisers head coach Josh Morgan said having a third pool will be essential to aspiring high school and college swimmers and divers.
“We’re thankful that it’s here and appreciate the support of the community to get it built,” Morgan said. “We’re sure looking forward to having more swimmers in the water and growing competitive swimming in the community.”
Morgan said there now are close to 500 swimmers in the organization, representing an uptick from the 400 members at the time of the Covid pandemic in 2020. The potential for the number to increase is being bolstered by the new pool, an $11 million project that includes a multi-purpose room and auxiliary gym constructed adjacent to the existing athletic wing.
“The biggest and most obvious (need) is more pool time,” Morgan said. “My wife and I have been here since 2010 and we’ve always been limited by the amount of pool time available in the community. We’ve used the high schools, we were down at the Summit (on the Park), and we use the PARC (Plymouth Arts & Recreation Complex) pool in downtown Plymouth. But having more time in the meant-to-be-competitive pools at the high schools will be a big benefit and time for training.”
In recent years, older members of the P-C Cruisers have primarily used Canton’s pool, sharing it with the Canton High swimmers, while younger swimmers—elementary
through middle school ages— gravitate to the Summit and PARC.
Now that Plymouth is joining the mix, Morgan is confident youngsters thinking about going into swimming will make a splash—pun intended.
“I think for brand new swimmers it’s going to be a lot cleaner and just a more modern facility,” Morgan noted. “So that’s obviously a nice draw compared to the (older) Canton and Salem high school pools.”
A positive byproduct of the Plymouth pool is it could be a draw for Michigan High School Athletic Association and USA Swimming and Michigan Swimming competitive events.
On the P-C Cruisers’ website, it is stressed that its professional coaches and board of directors work in tandem with those groups “to develop and strengthen the competitive swimming community” throughout the region.
“We expect a little bit of growing pains over the first year,” Morgan said, “but we sure hope (that) it is the first facility that will allow us to potentially host invitational type swim meets on the weekend.
“None of the other pools are, really, big enough to do that,” he added. “But the new pool at Plymouth looks like it should be adequate to host USA Swimming invitationals, where we could get several hundred kids in over a weekend and bring some swimmers from surrounding communities into the area–which we haven’t been able to do.”
Morgan is optimistic about what such events would do in furthering the P-C Cruisers’ vision statement of being “united in our commitment to be a continually growing, championship program, providing the atmosphere in which to develop the finest athletes and leaders.”
Of course, the first step is modest – namely, to begin the process of figuring out how the P-C Cruisers will be able to begin benefiting from having three topnotch facilities available to use.
“I’m not sure it (Plymouth pool usage) will be immediate, as everybody is kind of getting in there, there might be a rush for the door,” Morgan said. “But we certainly hope and expect it to become a regular part of the rotation once the schedule is set and everybody’s familiar with what’s going on over there with the high school groups.”
According to Tim Gruszczynski, director of facilities and capital projects for Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, the P-C Cruisers of today will be tomorrow’s Cobras, Rocks or Wildcats. And that is another important reason for making the
investment in a swimming pool.
“We think it’s going to be a really good facility,” Gruszczynski said. “It’s going to do the community a lot of good.”
For more information about the Plymouth-Canton Cruisers, visit www.cruiserswimming.com.
Tea sandwiches, scones and delicate pastries carefully placed on stands, complimented by aromatic brews in teapots covered snugly with tea cozies – no, you’re not witnessing an event at The Ritz London.
This was the scene on June 1 at the First United Church in Plymouth when more than 125 educators and their supporters came together for the annual High Tea & Fashion Show hosted by Gamma Gamma chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma.
The spring event is a fundraiser for the many projects supported by the professional honor society of women educators from Plymouth and Canton. The fashion show was coordinated by Coral Sash in Brighton and emceed by its owner Karen Backus. Eight women, recruited from the chapter and their families, each modeled two spring ensembles that were suitable for women of all ages. Backus also brought along a variety of fashion items for shopping at the event.
The high tea was organized by Vicky O’Neil, owner of Victoria’s Tea Salon, which provided all the tea and food.
“The tea is very unique and
very traditional. Of course, all the food is eaten in the proper order, starting at the bottom and working your way to the top,” says Jan Kavulich, a retired Plymouth High School counselor and a member of the chapter’s high tea committee. The sold-out gathering also included a raffle
for items donated by chapter members, she added.
A highlight of the event is the awarding of scholarships to high school graduates pursuing a degree in education and current educators studying at the postgraduate level.
“This is our sixth year doing the high tea,” says Mickey Edell, vice president of the chapter and chairperson of scholarships and grants. “We have awarded more than $240,000 in scholarships to students over the years.”
This year’s scholarship recipients were awarded $1,000 each and include: Salem High School graduate Kaitlyn Courtney, along with three teachers in the PCCS district who are pursuing advanced degrees. They are Brianna Vaughn (Tonda Elementary), Andrew Yaekle (Discovery Middle School) and Amy Olvera (Miller Elementary School). The post-graduate scholarships were initiated last year by the chapter.
“A highlight of the event was hearing from the previous year’s scholarship recipients who spoke about their experiences and what the scholarships have meant to them,” said Kavulich.
Gamma Gamma chapter, which was chartered in 1982 by international Delta Kappa Gamma, also gives $1,000 to the Plymouth Canton Educational Foundation for grants given to teachers to enhance their classroom activities.
While Edell says the group of 20 chapter members is
“small but mighty,” awarding scholarships is just one aspect of Gamma Gamma Chapter’s community service. Members have provided holiday meals and gift cards to families, read stories to classrooms via Zoom, provided grants to help fund children’s book projects, and supported organizations such as the Plymouth Canton Schools Clothing Bank, among many others.
The High Tea & Fashion Show is one of two fundraisers put on by Gamma Gamma. The second is a Holiday Gala, which is scheduled for Dec. 6, 2024 at Antonio’s of Canton. Anyone interested in supporting the event can contact Sandy Baxter at sabaxter@comcast.net. All are welcome to attend, and tickets must be purchased in advance.
Gamma Gamma Chapter welcomes membership inquiries from women in any field or level of education. In addition to its fundraising and community service activities, members meet monthly during the school year to hear speakers and programs on educational, legislative, selfimprovement topics and issues. For more information about the group, contact Jan Kavulich at jankav@comcast.net.
I was driven to find lasting nasal relief.
When car enthusiast Jim and his wife moved to the Motor City, it felt like a natural fit.
His nose, however, did not love the shift. Following an injury in high school, Jim had suffered from nasal and sinus issues for decades, but Michigan’s weather kicked these issues into overdrive. While he had sought treatment in other states, it wasn’t until he came to the Plymouth Medical Center that he found the right specialists, the right surgery—and relief.
Henry Ford Medical Center – Plymouth Corner of Ann Arbor Road and N. Haggerty |