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Thursday, July 29, 2010 • HERITAGE NEWSPAPERS/WESTERN REGION
Humane Society offers pet loss support group
Photo by Gerald LaVaute
The Rev. Jeff Ford, pictured at his office at the Chelsea Free Methodist Church, was reassigned from the Milan Free Methodist Church a few weeks ago. View a video interview with him online at www.heritage.com.
Local pastor gets new assignment in Chelsea Jeff Ford sad to leave Milan Free Methodist Church By Gerald LaVaute Heritage Newspapers
When the Rev. Jeff Ford was first approached about a new assignment in the Chelsea Free Methodist parish, his reaction was “Why now?” Ford, 52, had been with Milan Free Methodist for 17 years. Major projects had been completed in that time, but there were other plans for the parish that he was looking forward to implementing. In addition, his daughter, Kristen, would become a senior at Milan High School in the fall. The Free Methodist Church has what Ford describes as a modified appointment system. Unlike the Roman Catholic Church, where priests often are told where they are being reassigned, the Free Methodist Church uses a committee to make recommendations, and uses interviews to confirm the appropriateness of the fit between the candidate and the new parish. The candidate gets
been a youth group leader at his parish, with an interest in music, which he explored in a vocal music major in college. Although he said he had some type of ministry in mind, he couldn’t imagine being a lead pastor someday at his own parish. Ford became a youth pastor at a parish for five years, and entered the seminary, eventually earning a master’s degree. By the time he graduated, Ford said that he had decided on pastoral ministry as his calling. The Free Methodist Church was founded in 1861, partly as a reaction to Methodist clergy who also were slave owners, Ford said. There are 42 Free Methodist churches in southern Michigan, who are led by a conference superintendent. The Chelsea Free Methodist Church is relatively new at 30 years old, compared with the Milan Free Methodist Church, founded 140 years ago. Ford says he has walked into this new position with his eyes wide open. “I’m in a learning mode right now,” he said.
some say in the matter, as well. Ford said he prayed over it and talked with several people, including family members. He has been married for 24 years to Tamara and they have teenagers. In the end, Ford concluded, “God is leading.” And although he didn’t fully understand the change, Ford said he accepted and embraced it. He had better. The parish in Chelsea, with 425 regular worshippers, is almost twice the size of the congregation in Milan. Unlike the parish in Milan, however, the Chelsea congregation outgrew its building about 10 years ago, and meets each Sunday for worship services at the Washington Street Education Center. So now the parish is planning an expansion, on 80 acres of land on Jackson Road, just east of Fletcher Road. A lot of the work will fall to Ford, who will lean on the experience of having helped to move and expand the church in Milan. For Ford, his career in the ministry started at 17. He had
Johnny Long finds passion early in life By Jeremy Allen Heritage Newspapers
Johnny Long had no idea that a part-time job would turn into a lifelong love affair. It was 1957 when Long began an after-school job at a greenhouse in Milan. He did a lot of hauling and moving of trees and shrubs. Shortly after he began, it turned into a learning experience more than a job and he decided to learn more about it, spending many hours at the greenhouse. Eventually, Long developed his affinity for the greenhouse and decided to study the field more in depth, majoring in commercial horticulture while at Michigan State University. Since breaking into the field 43 years ago, he has become one of the best in the business and has provided his talents for numerous commercial and noncommercial customers, which eventually led to the opening of Saline Flowerland in 1977. “I do all the growing here,” said Long. “This is a familyowned business and has been for 33 years.” At Saline Flowerland, Long maintains five greenhouses, which contain lots of perennials, annuals, hanging baskets and seasonal flowers, as well as
“It’s something you have to love to do in order to do it right. I’ve been doing it since 1957 and every day is something new. You have to be passionate about it and care about it.” Long said that the only tip he can offer to gardeners and people interested in keeping up their landscape is to be passionate. “There really isn’t much to it,” he said. “I mean you can use granular fertilizer instead of liquid fertilizer, or you can have an indoor greenhouse or an outdoor garden. There are a lot of things like that. But no matter what you do, you have to be passionate about it and love to do it.” Jeremy Allen is a staff writer for Heritage Newspapers. He can be reached at jallen@heritage.com.
other trees and shrubs. He is also responsible for the growing. Recently, Saline Flowerland was tapped to handle some of the horticulture needs for the annual Saline Celtic Festival. “He’s been pretty busy lately with that,” said his wife and partner in the business, Peg Long. “Of course, this is a really good time of year for us.” One thing that keeps the family busy in the summer is weddings. They do centerpieces, as well as floral arrangements. Sue Wisniewski, the daughter of John and Peg, is now the manager of the business, following in her father’s footsteps. Long said he doesn’t see himself doing anything else and that this is a business he has loved ever since he began. “It’s therapeutic,” he said of planting and growing greenery.
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Ford is interviewing people associated with the parish, including staff, and various parishioners selected either by him or by chance. The parish has purchased 80 acres on Jackson Road, he said, and the plan is to build a new church, a larger structure that will become a parish home to Ford, his family and the much larger family for which he’s recently become responsible. As for his daughter Kristen, who is about to become a high school senior, Ford isn’t absolutely certain yet whether she will finish up at Milan or attend Chelsea High School. The family is exploring both options and will make a decision together in a short while. Gerald LaVaute can be reached at 429-7380 or glavaute@heritage.com.
The Humane Society of Huron Valley is partnering with Blue Dog Counseling to offer support to those grieving the loss of a pet. Humane Society officials say that many people experience great heartache when a beloved pet passes away, and hundreds of visitors to the Humane Society’s facility say they simply are not ready to bring another pet home because they are still grieving. “Our collaboration with Blue Dog Counseling will offer a free monthly support group for people who have experienced or are about to experience the loss of a pet,” said Tanya Hilgendorf, HSHV executive director, in a news release. “Our companion animals are very important to our lives. The death of a beloved animal can be emotionally traumatic, but our culture lacks proper outlets for those feelings. People without pets tend to have the attitude: ‘Get over it— it’s just a cat.’ But we at HSHV understand the strong bond between people and their animals. “A pet loss support group acknowledges and can help heal the pain people experience during this difficult time. We are delighted we can bring this service to our community.” Colleen O’Brien, the founder of Blue Dog Counseling, who has more than 14 years of experience, will lead the support group sessions at HSHV. O’Brien is clinically trained in providing therapy and support to pet owners, animal lovers and animal care providers around the complex issues of trauma, grief and loss. She said her
Washtenaw County Legal Notice: Washtenaw County Purchasing Division is issuing a Request for Proposal for the demolition of the old court facility and surrounding structures located at 4133 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor (former 14A-1 District Court structure.) A Mandatory pre-bid meeting and site walk scheduled for August 5, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. at the former 14A-1 District Court Structure located at 4133 Washtenaw Avenue shall be attended by all vendors who will be submitting bids. Detailed specifications may be obtained at the Washtenaw County Finance/ Purchasing Department Website. RFP http://bids.ewashtenaw.org and click on “open bids”.
YORK CHARTER TOWNSHIP SYNOPSIS A Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees held Tuesday, July 13, 2010, was called to order at 7:30 p.m. at the York Township Hall. Invocation provided, American Flag pledge recited. All 7 Board members present; 4 others present; no short public comments; no written petitions. June minutes approved as presented. Consent Agenda adopted as distributed; Regular Agenda approved as amended, add possible land acquisition to New Business. Reports heard. Pending Business. Adopted Ordinance #133, Amending Zoning Ordinance-Wind Energy. New Business. Approved 1st reading, Ordinance Amending Ordinance #122, Property Maintenance Code; Authorization, place Zoning Ordinance on Township website; Sheriff’s Forum, Public Safety discussion, 7/21, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Two Special Board meetings set: 8/9 at 6:30p.m. w/Planning Commission and 9/14 at 7:00 p.m. for presentation of annual financial statements w/ auditor. Public Comments: Two. Adjournment: 8:52 p.m. Complete minutes may be reviewed during regular office hours at the Township Hall, 734-439-8842 or online, www.twp-york.org. Next Special meeting: Aug. 9, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. w/Planning Commission. Next Regular meeting: August 10, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
commitment to animal welfare, her own experience as a pet owner and a passion for supporting people led her to create Blue Dog Counseling. O’Brien added that she is dedicated to providing a safe, open, and creative space for discussion. The Pet Loss Support Group will meet from 1 to 2 p.m. the third Sunday of every month at the Humane Society of Huron Valley. The group is offered as a drop-in service and is free to the public. Donations are welcome and will benefit the homeless pets at HSHV. Upcoming dates are Aug. 15 and Sept. 19. For more information, visit www.hshv.org.
SALINE CITY COUNCIL JULY 12, 2010 REGULAR MEETING SYNOPSIS The Regular meeting of the Saline City Council was called to order at 7:38 p.m. by Mayor Driskell at Saline City Hall. Councilmember Little was absent with all other members present. Six Staff members and fifteen citizens were present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. By Unanimous Vote of Council, with Councilmember Little absent, the Regular Agenda was approved as submitted and Councilmember Little’s absence was excused. There were no citizen comments on the agenda items. The following Consent Agenda items were approved by unanimous vote of Council, with Councilmember Little absent: Council minutes and Synopsis of the June 21, 2010 regular meeting and the Clerk’s minutes of the June 21, 2010 closed meeting; payment of 148 payees in the amount of $713,107.55; resignation of Phyllis Martin from Environmental Commission; MML Worker’s Compensation Fund 2010 Fund Trustee election of members. Public Hearing: A public hearing was held for the two applications received for the available Class C Quota Liquor License. Applicants were Biwako Sushi and The River Grill. Applicants were given time to make comments and there were no Citizen comments. Staff reports were received and Council approved, with Councilmember Little absent, and Council Law voting “no” that Biwako Sushi be considered for approval, “above all others” for the Class C Liquor License and recommended the issuance to Biwako Sushi to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, all subject to Biwako Sushi entering into an Agreement with the City. Unfinished Business: Council authorized, with Councilmember Little absent, the City Manager to execute the Michigan Main Street Program Community Requirements and Expectations Agreement. New Business: By unanimous vote of Council, with Councilmember Little absent, the following items were approved: the transfer of the 2009 escrowed 2009 Class C Licensed Business, with Sunday Sales Permit, located at 103-105-107 W. Michigan Ave. from the Saline Chop House, Inc., to the 107 Group; a Resolution to Abandon Part of the Storm Sewer and Storm Sewer Easement which runs under the building at 118 E. Michigan Avenue; received an opinion from Attorney Grossman and authorized the filing of a claim in District Court to abate the nuisance at 147 W. Michigan Avenue, The Village Marketplace + Lofts, LLC, and to seek relief of all the City is legally entitled to including reimbursement of the money advanced for the sidewalk and all legal fees. Council approved, with Councilmember Marl voting “no” and Councilmember Little absent, contracting with Cobalt Community Research to conduct a 2010 community survey at an estimated cost of $12,550 and authorized the Mayor and Clerk to sign the contract. There were three Discussion items and one citizen comment. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Complete minutes may be reviewed during regular office hours at Saline City Hall, or on-line at: www.cityofsaline.org
Synopsis prepared by Helen Neill, Clerk Joseph Zurawski, Supervisor, York Charter Township Publish July 29, 2010
Synopsis prepared by
Dianne S. Hill, Saline City Clerk DATE APPROVED: July 19, 2010 Publish July 29, 2010
Publish July 29, 2010
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