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Thursday, January 27, 2011 • HERITAGE MEDIA/WESTERN REGION
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commissioner, Superior Township board trustee and veteran attorney specializing in municipal, environmental, zoning, planning and ordinance issues. Together they argued the township’s objection to the lights based on zoning grounds only surfaced when the same zoning officials were considering another project on the property to construct a large wind turbine. The Brauns needed a special-use permit to construct the electric-generating windmill. The township ordered construction to stop, and eventually lost, officials said. But they also argued that the Brauns didn’t obtain the proper permits to construct the signs and have the electrical systems hardwired in the first place. The Brauns acknowledged that it is true, but that it didn’t matter under terms of the same township ordinance. “If they came after us after a few weeks or even after six months, it would be one thing. But after five years? It’s ridiculous,” Kelven Braun said. Schwartz argued that an exemption to the township’s sign ordinance applied to the Braun property because the lighting material has been permanently attached to the silos for three and five years, respectively. The ordinance defines anything affixed to something with a fixed location on the surface of the ground as part of a structure. Since the signs are attached to the silos, and since the silos are in the ground, the signs are also exempt, he said. “The material is a hard plastic permanent LED rope lighting that is bolted and tapped screwed into the concrete silos,” Schwartz said in court documents. “This sign cannot be removed by wind, rain, ice or snow.” Conlin agreed, describing the signs as being “identifying and commemorative in nature and
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hopes the school district will make an announcement. More information on the Fifth Corner also can be found on Facebook by searching its name. Steven Howard can be reached at 429-7380 or showard@heritage.com.
Coat drive sets a record The Charles Reinhart Co.’s 15th annual coat drive, which ran through the end of December, received a record-setting number of donations. New and gently used winter coats were collected at all of the Reinhart offices as well as all Sunday open houses. Capital Cleaners, Chelsea Cleaners and Gold Bond Cleaners donated their services to professionally clean the coats before they are distributed to local agencies. The Charles Reinhart Co. was able to donate a record-setting 1,497 coats to more than 20 local agencies. Coat drive leaders included Susan Schmunk, Alice Roderick, Nadine Alpern, Jennifer Langenburg, Cathy Alfaro, Todd Lands, Greg Uihlein, Sandy Goetz, Rick Taylor, Martha Smith, Kim Hanschu Laurie Buys, Maria Wade and Dani Hallsell. “In these difficult economic times, this is an event our agents have embraced and the local community has supported for 15 years,” said Bill Miller, general manager of the Charles Reinhart Co. in a news release. “We are extremely proud of our agents and the support the community has shown to make this the most successful coat drive we have had.” The Charles Reinhart Co. has collected more than 14,000 coats throughout the 15 years of the Coat Drive, all of which have been donated to local agencies in the greater Ann Arbor area.
of permanent-type construction, and make an integral part of the structure,” in his one-page ruling. York Township Supervisor Joe Zurawski did not return messages seeking comment. The township’s Ann Arborbased attorney, Victor Lillich, didn’t return messages seeking comment and on Monday declined comment through a receptionist.
ence in the community. The first sign was built in 2005 and second in 2008, to coincide with the farm’s centennial celebration. The lights are tubular LED bulbs constructed rope style in the shape of the “H&K Braun Farms” and “100 Years Plus.” They are roughly 20-feet by 12feet and are permanently affixed to the silos in the shape of the words. The illuminated signs operated since their construction A family farm tradition without complaints or objecIn court documents, the tions from the township officials Brauns also appealed to Conlin’s or general public sense of tradition by stating that The Brauns and friends circuhistorically, farmers proudly lated petitions that netted more displayed their family name in than 700 signatures in support roof shingles and painted into of keeping the signs illuminatthe gables of barns. ed. And the brothers said they To the Brauns, it’s certainly were prepared to ask friends more than just words on a tall and even acquaintances to tesstructure. They even object to tify about their appreciation of the term sign used to describe the message as it is currently the lighted message. They feel a constructed. great degree of pride in having “I always felt confident a commemorative message that because I felt we were on the recognizes their long-term pres- right side of the law, had the
Garry M. Deo, O.D.
attorney handling the case, and the right judge making the decision,” Howard Braun said. “It’s a shame it came to this, but we were not going to let this just go.” Among the evidence submitted was a video of the farm’s centennial celebration from 2008 when many township officials publicly recognized the business and family for their contributions to the community. Many even cheered with others in the crowd when the messages were illuminated. Conlin ruled the video evidence was irrelevant and kept his decision narrowly focused on the issue of what constituted the structure in question. The silos are permanent structures and still serve a vital purpose to the farm, he ruled. Construction on the windmill project will begin in earnest this week, as winter offers some of the most potent winds of the year, the Brauns said. Art Aisner is a freelance journalist. He can be reached by email at aaisner@comcast.net.
Doctor of Optometry 121 East Michigan Avenue Saline, Michigan 48176
Phone: (734) 429-9454
eye examinations & treatment contact lens & eyeglass services laser vision correction evaluations
NEW CAREER BUILDING PROGRAM For New Licensees At Real Estate One - Saline Please Call Kay Merx at 734-944-7900
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Richard Schneider
1822 Washtenaw Ave. Ypsilanti
734-429-1223 www.RichardSchneiderAgency
2011 Michigan’s Junior Miss Scholarship Program Saturday, January 29, at 6 pm Saline High School 1300 Campus Parkway Saline, Michigan
Making Homes Affordable Put my experience to work for you!
Michigan’s Junior Miss Class of 2011
Featuring: Cindy Lee 2010 Michigan’s Junior Miss
Cheryl Clossick
By Appointment! $195,000
Associate Broker, GRI, CRS, ABR, SFR Pristine 3 Bedroom 2 1/2 bath home. All details
Office (734) 429-4543
have been attended to from the updates to the 601 E. Michigan Ave. feeling of being able to enjoy your home as a private retreat. Imagine entertaining or relaxing on Saline, MI 48176 deck with the privacy of all the trees or sitting in View all my listings at hot tub winding down knowing that you have easy www.CherylClossick.com access to shopping and freeways. A must see!
Saturdays 9am-Noon Many of your favorite food and craft vendors from the Saline Market will be there. 199 W. Michigan Ave., One block west of Ann Arbor St.
For more information on ticket sales Contact Michigan’s Junior Miss Program at mijrmiss@yahoo.com. Or call Lydia Soroosh at 734-426-4744 Tickets will be available the day of the event at the Saline High School Ticket Booth.
734-216-7473
2010-2011 SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS:
Attention Students and Parents! Chuck Lesch, President (2012) David Medley, Vice President (2011) medleyd@saline.k12.mi.us leschc@saline.k12.mi.us Voice Mail: 429-8000, ext. 2020 Voice Mail: 429-8000, ext. 2020 Amy Cattell, Secretary (2013) cattella@saline.k12.mi.us Voice Mail: 429-8000, ext. 2020
Todd Carter, Trustee (2014) carterto@saline.k12.mi.us Voice Mail: 429-8000, ext. 2020
Lisa Slawson, Trustee (2012) slawsonl@saline.k12.mi.us Voice Mail: 429-8000, ext. 2020
David Friese, Trustee (2011) friesed@saline.k12.mi.us Voice Mail: 429-8000, ext. 2020
Craig Hoeft, Trustee (2013) hoeftcra@saline.k12.mi.us Voice Mail: 429-8000, ext. 2020
Board of Education and Superintendent Scot Graden 429-8001
The South & West Washtenaw Consortium Staff Cordially Invites all to attend the Annual Open House Hosted on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at Saline High School. The Evening will Consist of Program Tours, Career Information, Demonstrations, Snacks, Free T-Shirts and Fun for the entire Family! Learn what Career and Technical Education can do for you! This Year’s Theme:
Regularly scheduled meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month (except July, August & December) and begin at 6:30 p.m., respectively, in the Liberty School Media Center, 7265 Saline-Ann Arbor Rd., Saline, unless changed and posted in advance. NOTE: Public comment periods provided at the beginning and end each regularly scheduled meeting.
Chamber News NOW THROUGH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Saline Salutes Awards Nomination Forms available at: Chamber, City Hall, Saline Reporter, Saline Library, Saline Community Ed SATURDAY, JANUARY 29 Winterfest 9am to 4pm, Downtown
CTE: Create The Experience
Agriscience Automotive Building Trades Computer Aided Manufacturing Cosmetology Culinary Arts Drafting & Design Early Childhood Education
Electronics & Computer Servicing Graph-X Academy Health Science Marketing Machine Tool Adv. Photography Video News Visual Imaging Welding & Fabrication
MONDAY, JANUARY 31 Listen to the Saline Chamber Segment on the Lucy Ann Lance Business Insider Radio Show 8:20am, 1290AM WLBY TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22 Building Business Relationships Breakfast 7:30am, Brecon Village
The South & West Washtenaw Consortium
Open House CTE: Create The Experience
LOOK FOR THE LOGO A sign of quality that says you’ve found a business that cares about you and about our community! Interested in joining the Chamber? Apply today 429-4494 Email: office@salinechamber.org Visit the Chamber website: www.salinechamber.org
February 10, 2011 6:00-8:00 P.M. Saline High School-1300 Campus Parkway Saline, MI 48176 734-429-8060
734-429-8060
It is the policy of the South & West Washtenaw Consortium not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, height, weight, religion, language, or marital status in any of its programs, activities or employment.