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IN SEARCH OF MEMENTOS White Lake time capsule to be buried for the next half-century - pg. 15

pg. 8 Walled Lake police officers have had a high-speed chase policy since 2002. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Damon Tang)

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Local students win youth art awards at annual show — page 23 Banks-Dolbeer Historic Home still needs $126,000 in work — page 7 Firm exploring gas and oil potential in White Lake — page 29

That’s what HE said: "We would hate to (miss including) something worthwhile that should be included." — White Lake Township Library Director Larry Ostrowski, who is helping the township collect mementos for a time capsule that will be unearthed in 50 years.

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Poker run Aug. 19 will benefit injured Waterford officer By Leslie Shepard staff writer

The Waterford Police Benevolent Fund and the Pontiac Warthogs M/C on Sunday, Aug. 19 will be sponsoring a charity poker run and spaghetti dinner to raise money for Waterford Township Police Officer Annette Miller, who was injured in a serious car accident while on duty in May. “This event is being held in her honor and to generate funds for the Benevolent Fund for her (medical) expenses,” said Waterford Police Chief Daniel McCaw. “Normally in these situations we hold several fund-raisers and events to help with things the officer can’t do.” All road-legal vehicles register for the poker run, sponsored by the Pontiac Warthogs, between 10 a.m. and noon Aug. 19 at the Waterford Township Civic Center parking lot located at 5100 Civic Center Drive. Tickets are $20 per person. Participants will enjoy a 108-mile ride through picturesque rural areas of northern Oakland County, as well as Livingston and Genesee counties. A poker run involves riding to certain destinations along a fixed route and picking up a playing card at each destination. By the last destination, whoever has the best poker hand wins. The ride ends at Boomers Roadhouse in

Village manager interviews set to commence soon By Michael Shelton staff writer

The Milford Village Council will soon begin to narrow down its candidates in the search for a new village manager. Deborah Frazer, the interim village manager, said that applications for the position are being accepted until Friday, Aug. 10. The council previously voted to have

Participants in a Sunday, Aug. 19 event benefiting injured Waterford Township K-9 Officer Annette Miller (above) will enjoy a 108-mile ride through picturesque rural areas of northern Oakland County, as well as Livingston and Genesee counties. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)

Waterford, where a spaghetti/pasta dinner will be served at a cost of $10 per person. The Waterford Police Benevolent Fund supports injured officers. There will be door prizes, 50/50 raffles, a silent auction, and a cash bar from 4 to 8 p.m. Miller, a 16-year veteran of the Waterford Police Department, was

seriously injured around 3 p.m. on May 23 when her vehicle crashed into a tree while in pursuit of a speeding motorcyclist in the area of Elizabeth Lake and Scott Lake roads. Miller sustained extensive damage to her upper and lower extremities, as well as her upper chest cavity. She is currently recuperating at home accompanied by her K-9, Tondo. ❏

the Michigan Municipal League (MML) utilize its executive search service and collect applications for the position. After the application deadline passes on Friday, MML consultants will make candidate recommendations within a week to 10 days and present them to the council, according to Frazer. A subcommittee consisting of Village Council President Terri Rusas-George and Councilmen Michael Glagola and Kevin Ziegler will eventually select and interview the finalists for the position and make a recommendation to the council. Frazer, who is also the village’s clerk, has been serving as the village’s

interim manager since the sudden death of former village manager Arthur Shufflebarger on June 12 at his residence on Duke Street at the age of 60. It was determined that his death was the result of natural causes. He had served as the village manager since 1990. Shufflebarger’s funeral was held on June 15 at the Milford United Methodist Church and was attended by employees of the village and Milford Township, and he was laid to rest in his hometown of Atchison, Kans. He is survived by his wife, Kelsey, and his two daughters, Kayla and Ieasha. ❏

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Henry Ford Hospital CEO taps into hospitality experience

hen the Henry Ford Health System looked to open a new state-of-the-art hospital in West Bloomfield Township, it turned to a gentleman from the Netherlands who operated Ritz-Carlton hotels in Dearborn and around the world. Gerard van Grinsven is the president and chief executive officer of the Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, which under his leadership since its opening in 2008 has become one of the most-revered facilities in the state and country. Born and raised in the Netherlands, van Grinsvin was graced with the traditional Dutch curiosity of the world, as well as a no-nonsense work ethic and interest in people that drew him to hotel management and opening new Ritz-Carlton hotels in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. After serving as vice president and area general manager for Ritz-Carlton hotels in Dearborn, Cleveland, St. Louis and Philadelphia, he decided to make a change and bring his hospitality knowledge to the health care field in order to give patients a better hospital experience. As a result, Henry Ford West Bloomfield is not only a standout facility for patient care, but also for health outreach and wellness programs for families and community members. Married with four children and living in Franklin, van Grinsven recently spoke to the Spinal Column Newsweekly about Henry Ford West Bloomfield and its accomplishments, as well as goals for the future. In 2006, you were officially named the President and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Ford West Bloomfield before the facility opened in 2008. When you first started, what were your goals on how to mold the hospital in your vision and do you feel those goals have come to fruition six years later? GVG: Thank you for having me, by the way. In 2006, I was brought on board to help Henry Ford Health System in opening the newest and most innovative hospital concept and project in its history. When we started to work together, we created a vision where we wanted to create a unique and a distinct health care offering to the communities we operated in by taking full advantage of the strength of the Henry Ford Health System in terms of its clinical programs, its research, and its 100 years of history in delivering world-class health care to its community — in particular, with having the Henry Ford Medical Group, which is one of the oldest physician groups in the country, which is known

which are well beyond the expectations that were set upon us. Are there any future plans for more development at the hospital and how is emerging technology playing a role in the care of patients at Henry Ford? GVG: After three and a half years, we have shown that we have grown month over month. We are doing very well financially and as we continue this growth, at the right time, we will start to continue the growth in building our small patient rooms. We foresee continuous growth here. With regards to technology, obviously technology will continue to play a significant role in how we can create a safer environment for our patients and offer them more quality levels by reducing costs so that we can become more efficient, and therefore can spend more time giving great quality care to our patients. We continuously are seeking to find ways in how we, from a technology point of view, can become better operators and therefore give better care to our patients and the communities we operate in. As part of the numerous awards the hospital has won, there have also been honors given for the facility’s efforts to be a green building by reducing waste, noise and energy consumption. How important are these energy initiatives to the well-being of the hospital? GVG: These focuses are absolutely crucial for the Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital and for its community we operate in. As you might know, we are sitting on 160 acres of wetlands and woodlands, so it was just a natural choice to become a LEED-certified building and to insure that we would protect the environment we are operating in and utilize it so that it could also be a healing component for our patients, family members and employees. We believe that as a new organization having a new building that that’s what we owe to the community, our customers and our employees. I believe because of this we are now attracting new customers and the right type of employees who are looking for organizations which are embracing the whole focus on LEED-certification. It really has helped us to create the right environment for our patients and our family members to be in. ❏

for its quality and low costs. With these elements, we decided that we were going to create a community center for well-being, rather than a typical hospital, where foremost, we would create great clinical programs, patient safety, but also become health coaches and health mentors to the communities we operate in so that not only would we be seen as a hospital, but we would be seen as a place where the community could go and be educated on how to stay healthy so they can live a healthier and more productive life. With that, we then started to design the facility to really reflect being a community center. We also focused on creating an environment, that this would

•

NE MINUTE

INTERVIEW be a healing campus for our patients and their family members. So we put a lot and effort and thought in how could we create the correct patient room, which would help the patient in its healing, and how could we bring nature into the building, so that the nature could help in the healing process of our patients, and how can we design processes for internal design, which would ensure safety and quality for our patients and their family members. With all these elements in place, we, in an incredible team effort with much support from the Henry Ford Health System leaders, then delivered on the vision of being a community center of well-being, and three and a half years after the opening, we have not only delivered on the vision but we have actually created extraordinary outcomes

By Michael Shelton

Read more of this interview at www.spinalcolumnonline.com.

AUGUST 8-14, 2012

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LAKES AREA NEWS

W. Bloomfield IT charter could be approved Aug. 20 By Michael Shelton staff writer

The West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees last month received the first update given by the township’s Information Technology Steering Committee. On June 4, the board voted to create the committee to help address issues in the township’s Information Technology (IT) Department after receiving a recommendation from LBL Technology Partners as part of a fiveyear plan to address IT Department issues. The plan was commissioned after the township’s e-mail system failed on Sept. 29, 2011. The steering committee is comprised of all township department heads, along with Supervisor Michele Economou Ureste, Clerk Cathy Shaughnessy, Treasurer Teri Weingarden, and IT Director Mark Osinski. According to the summary report, committee meetings are being scheduled on a weekly basis and will be reduced after policies and procedures governing risk, filtering and the processing of IT project requests are approved. The report also stated that the committee is hoping to have a final charter for board consideration ready by the next board meeting on Monday, Aug. 20. The committee is also evaluating and updating a prioritization list containing objectives for the IT Department, ranging from high priority to low priority. One of the priorities the committee is not spending time on is having the IT Department personnel meet with other township departments to determine their expectations with respect to tolerable data loss. The IT Department states that it currently has disaster recovery planning, but that it needs to meet with each department head individually. The update also states that the IT Department has been focused on “divisional planning” and that the committee is placing a greater emphasis on formal input from department heads and “departmental planning.” LBL Technology originally recommended in June that the township conduct a formalized business impact analysis for each department; establish overall governance policies, IT standards and procedures; and have the IT director take responsibility for overall project portfolio management. The committee also stated that the Water and Sewer Department has become the pilot area for the estab-

Walled Lake city officials have pledged to support efforts to renovate and maintain the Banks-Dolbeer Historic Home, but state they don’t have available funding to support the necessary renovations. The home reportedly needs $126,000 in interior and exterior renovations. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)

Restoring a piece of history About $126,000 in repairs needed at Banks-Dolbeer Home By Leslie Shepard staff writer

n the spirit of preserving its historical heritage, the city of Walled Lake will be lending a hand to complete upgrades to the BanksDolbeer Historic Home, formerly known as the Foster Farmhouse. “The Fosters were the last owners and didn’t have anything historic attached to them, but the Banks and Dolbeers were relevant historical personages,” said Cheryl Flammer, president of the Friends of the Banks-Dolbeer Historic Home group. “That’s how we will gain attention to those who look at historical grant applications.” The Banks-Dolbeer Historic Home project has been the focal point of the group of volunteers, the Friends of the Banks-Dolbeer Historic Home, dedicated to the farmhouse’s restoration. The group’s goal is to preserve and maintain the home due to its

lishment of the business impact analysis process, metrics and tools. With the information gathered from the pilot area, the committee states

national, state, and local historical significance through educational and cultural enrichment. “It’s an important community project,” Flammer said. “We don’t have much here. There are very few examples left of this architecture in Michigan and in the Midwest. That’s why the state said that if we can complete the renovations, it would be listed on the (Michigan State Housing Development Authority Register of Historic Places) and qualify for the national registry.” Walled Lake City Council and Downtown Development Authority (DDA) representatives met on Monday, Aug. 6 to discuss the spate of work still needed to revitalize the historic landmark, as well as a shortage in funding. “There was a decision made years ago that no general fund dollars would be used (on the home’s renovations) and this council won’t change that,” said Mayor Pro Tem that it will be able to determine the length of time it will take for a robust business impact analysis to update the disaster recovery planning. ❏

Linda Ackley. The home was moved as a protective measure in the 1990s to a location in Riley Park. Over the years, new roofing and sealants, rough electricity and plumbing, heating and air conditioning, and a new addition were installed, with much of that coming under the direction of volunteer and contractor Todd Coe. Additional historical documentation was also compiled. “All of this was done with support of businesses and private donations,” Flammer said. “Unfortunately the economy changed beginning with 9/11. Specifically, the (Community Development) Block Grants and those dollars then went to Homeland Security.” A few years ago the volunteer group was reimbursed for 50 percent of its expenditures by the DDA. The group has spearheaded numer-

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FOR MORE LAKES AREA NEWS SEE PAGE 15

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

By Leslie Shepard staff writer

SPECIAL REPORT

he serious injuries to a police officer that resulted from a pursuit in Waterford Township in May has prompted questions about when a police chase is warranted and what protocols are in place when police actively pursue people at high rates of speed. Annette Miller, a 16-year veteran of the Waterford Police Department, was critically injured around 3 p.m. on May 23 when her vehicle crashed into a tree while in pursuit of a speeding motorcyclist in the area of Elizabeth Lake and Scott Lake roads in Waterford. While attempting to follow and identify the motorcycle, a 1999 blue Volkswagen driven by a 20-year-old Waterford man turned in front of Miller’s patrol vehicle, which struck the Volkswagen, veered off the road and crashed into a tree. According to Waterford Police Chief Daniel McCaw, Miller was in the early stages of pursuing the speeding motorcycle when the crash occurred. Her vehicle’s emergency overhead lights were not flashing nor was the vehicle’s siren activated at the time of the crash. “The motorcycle was fleeing from police in other jurisdictions before Miller came across him and she was attempting to make a traffic stop and trying to catch up to him,” McCaw said. “It often happens, like when officers must turn around to follow (a speeding vehicle), that lights are not activated until (the officers) catch up. Otherwise, the vehicle will try to elude and the goal is get close enough to get a (license) plate number.” Miller had contacted police dispatchers to see if the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department was on the lookout for the motorcycle. Apparently the motorcyclist had been driving at a high rate of speed, weaving in and out of traffic. “She was in the preliminary stages of making a determination and catching up, and was in touch with dispatch,” McCaw said. “We pace the vehicle to get a documented speed of the target vehicle and once we lock on that speed, then she would activate her sirens, but she didn’t know what she had at the time.” Miller, who will be the beneficiary of a Sunday, Aug. 19 fund-raising event detailed on Page 3 of today’s edition of the Spinal Column Newsweekly, sustained injuries to her upper and lower extremities, as well as her upper chest cavity as a result of the crash. She underwent multiple

High-speed pursuits

Police policies for nabbing fleeing suspects

The White Lake Township Police Department’s high-speed pursuit policy is based on that of the Michigan State Police. The department does not use road blocks or stop sticks as a way of stopping a vehicle involved in a highspeed chase. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Damon Tang)

surgeries to repair major damage to her pelvic region and a leg. The police dog injured along with Miller, Tondo, lost a toe as a result of the accident but has fully recovered. “Annette is doing pretty well and has been reunited with Tondo,” McCaw said. “She attends five days of therapy and (has) a few operations to go, but she has the determination and ability to recover and come back to work.” Waterford police have identified and questioned the individual they believe to have been riding the motorcycle — a white male in his early 20s from west Oakland County. The man was released after questioning. Since then, police have been interviewing more witnesses to compile a case for the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office to review. “We’re still investigating and asking for anyone with information to come forward to put the case together,” McCaw said. The Waterford Police Department’s high-speed pursuit policy grants discretion to the officer to determine when to initiate and terminate a pursuit.

“Various incidents initiate a pursuit, such as when law enforcement attempts to stop someone and the person disregards the officer’s actions to pull them over,” McCaw said. “The officer or supervisor can terminate the pursuit and often (does).” The Waterford policy was developed back in the 1970s and is reviewed every few years. The last revision was made in 2010. Police officers in most area communities are trained in emergency operations such as pursuits and attend refresher courses every two or three years, which is the case in Waterford, as well. In general, law enforcement pursuit policies are very similar. West Oakland departments contacted for this report generally declined requests for a copy of their pursuit policies, stating they don’t want the public to know so many details that the policies would become compromised. However, representatives of all the departments contacted for this report were willing to talk about the policies in general terms, and they all stated that most departments use essentially the same pursuit policies.

Any decision to initiate, continue, or terminate a pursuit is typically based on the following: • The level of vehicular and pedestrian traffic; • The location of the pursuit; • The time of day or night; • Weather and road conditions; • Speeds involved; • Police vehicle and driver capability; • The apparent capability of the suspect driver and his or her vehicle; • The likelihood of success; • Whether driver is known by the officer as a juvenile; and • The potential for later apprehension, should the pursuit be terminated. Unlike with the Michigan State Police (MSP), certain tactics are prohibited during local police pursuits, such as road blocks; caravaning a stream of pursuing patrol cars; pit maneuvers (intentionally ramming into another vehicle so that its driver loses control and stops); and paralleling (having one or more additional patrol cars travel alongside the target vehicle on the next parallel street on either side so that if the pursued vehicle turns in either direction, it can be intercepted), although some departments at times

AUGUST 8-14, 2012

The Walled Lake Police Department has had a high-speed pursuit policy in effect since 2002 and it’s reviewed annually. “At this point there has been no reason to change it,” said Police Chief Paul Shakinas. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Damon Tang)

when police departments are criticized for high-speed pursuits when officers are only trying to catch a perpetrator. “Ask yourself if it was your family member abducted or if your wife was assaulted, would you want the police not to pursue them?” He also said law enforcement could use a hand up from the state Legislature and auto manufacturers to help limit high-speed chases. “Why does this country continue to manufacture cars or motorcycles that run between 160 and 180 mph when there’s no place you can drive a car over 75 mph? And why not give us the technology out there to shut down a vehicle? It would solve a lot of crashes, injuries and deaths. The Legislature should give us the technology and laws to do that.” According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over the last few years, Michigan fatalities in high-speed chase traffic crashes have risen. In 2008, there were 10 Michigan fatalities due to high-speed

pursuits. There were 15 in 2009 and 18 in 2010. Yet, the numbers are not that disparate from over a decade ago, when 20 fatalities were reported in 1998. Howell Police Chief George Basar, who is the chairman of the Legislative Committee for the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, said one enacted law stiffens the penalties for those fleeing and eluding police. “It used to be a misdemeanor (for fleeing and eluding), and now it’s a felony charge,” Basar said. “What we look for in the legislation is to hold these individuals responsible for their actions.” Basar added that many times any liability as a result of a police chase falls on law enforcement rather than the individual who committed a crime and/or is leading police in a highspeed pursuit, which he said he finds frustrating. “A lot of time, people aim (the blame) at police, who they think have deep pockets, and place fault on

PAGE 9

police saying it shouldn’t happen, but what about the person who chose to flee? Now that the charge has been changed to a felony, hopefully it will be a deterrent,” Basar said. Last year, Senate Bill 387 amended the Michigan Penal Code by imposing harsher penalties on people fleeing and eluding police, depending on the degree. If convicted, those fleeing and eluding could face a minimum of two years in prison and hefty fines. What follows is a look at other lakes area police department highspeed pursuit policies and recent experiences, as well as the model policy drafted by the Michigan State Police. MICHIGAN STATE POLICE According to its vehicle pursuit policy, the MSP underscores that vehicle pursuit situations are hazardous and the high speeds often associated with those pursuits increase the potential for becoming involved in or causing serious crashes. While officers are expected to make every reasonable effort to apprehend the drivers of fleeing vehicles, they must weigh the hazard presented by the violator against that created by a pursuit. The MSP says it’s better to either delay the arrest or abandon the pursuit than to needlessly injure or kill innocent people. The MSP policy states that while engaged in a pursuit, law enforcement personnel shall activate and continuously operate the patrol vehicle’s emergency lights, siren, and incar video recorder until the pursuit has terminated. State troopers are required to immediately terminate a pursuit if their emergency lights and/or siren fail, and notify their dispatcher of that failure. They are also required to discontinue the pursuit if the suspect vehicle is fleeing from a civil infraction or misdemeanor violation, if the lead local agency discontinues the pursuit within its jurisdiction, or if the pursued vehicle’s location is no longer known. Troopers can’t participate in pursuits while riding MSP motorcycles. They must notify the primary dispatcher and provide pertinent information. Unless approved by a supervisor, no more than three patrol units can be engaged in a pursuit at one time. A caravan of patrol vehicles is to be avoided because it increases the risk of serious crashes and “contributes little to the apprehension of the violator.” The use of tire-deflating devices is a permissible means of ending a pursuit. Use of a tire-deflating device on a motor vehicle with less than four wheels is considered fatal force, and PAGE 10 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

SPECIAL REPORT

would utilize tire deflation devices and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Aviation Unit, if necessary. A pursuit is defined as “an attempt by a police officer in an authorized emergency vehicle to apprehend one or more occupants of another moving vehicle when the driver of the fleeing vehicle is attempting to avoid apprehension by maintaining or increasing speed, maneuvering in an evasive manner or by ignoring the police officer’s attempt to stop the vehicle.” Pursuit policies mandate that only marked units participate in pursuits. High-speed pursuits are categorized as an emergency method of motor vehicle operations, and require an immediate response usually utilizing emergency warning lights and a siren. However, under state rules, while apprehending a violator, officers may operate their vehicles without using overhead lights and/or sirens. A siren may be used when necessary to warn other motorists or pedestrians. Emergency responses are permitted when an officer has reasonable grounds to believe that an immediate response is necessary, and that a delayed response is likely to result in death, injury, serious property damage or the escape of a criminal who committed a serious felony. That said, an officer is not relieved of the duty to drive with “due regard” for the safety of all persons, nor is an officer protected from the consequences of any reckless disregard for the safety of others. Vehicles carrying witnesses, citizens, prisoners or suspects can’t become involved in a high-speed pursuit. Any officer engaging in a pursuit must notify dispatch as soon as reasonably possible and relay their location, direction of travel, reason for the pursuit, a description of the suspect vehicle and occupant description and speeds involved. Normally no more than two marked police vehicles would become actively involved in an actual pursuit. Terminating a pursuit would be appropriate if the risk to the officers or others outweigh the benefit of apprehension or when a supervisor orders it; when road or traffic conditions indicate the futility of the pursuit; when the offender’s identity is known and the original offense is not life-threatening; when the driver is known to be a juvenile and the offense is not life-threatening; and/or when a traffic accident is observed during the course of the pursuit, and no other units are available to render aid. A pursuit should also be terminated when it continues beyond the department’s jurisdictional boundary, except when the crime is a serious felony. McCaw said that it can be frustrating

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is only permitted when use of fatal force is justified. WOLVERINE LAKE The Wolverine Lake Police Department rolled out its high-speed pursuit policy in 2004. Although it’s reviewed every year, there have been no “significant” changes to it since it was drafted. Officer training on pursuits is conducted every three years. Wolverine Lake Acting Police Chief John Ellsworth said that typically only one high-speed chase may occur in the village each year. “It’s rare that we engage in this type of pursuit,” he said. Ellsworth agreed with Waterford Police Chief McCaw that an officer must first “close in” on a target vehicle and then must determine when the time is right to turn on the patrol vehicle’s emergency lights and siren so as not to alert a fleeing suspect. “The hard and fast rule, if engaging in a situation is to stop the vehicle by closing in on it,” Ellsworth said. “If the car is going 70 mph, to catch up you have to go 80 mph, which is not necessarily pursuit but catching up, and if you turn the lights on too early, the suspect may take evasive action.” Ellsworth said his officers rarely cross jurisdiction lines during a highspeed pursuit. “We don’t pursue outside the village unless it’s a life-threatening felony offense,” he said. While the department does not initiate roadblocks or use tire-deflating tools, ramming, or paralleling as a rule, if the situation calls for drastic measures, Ellsworth said the officer may deem it necessary. “I hate to say we ‘never’ (use those tactics) because officers have to have the leeway to effectively do their job,” he said. ORCHARD LAKE In June 2011 there was a highspeed chase in the lakes area that started in Orchard Lake. The Orchard Lake Police Department put out an all points bulletin (APB) on a white van carrying at least two black males reportedly seen stealing a resident’s belongings. The West Bloomfield Township Police Department responded and spotted the vehicle. They followed the van up to the vicinity of Northwestern Highway and I-696 in Southfield, at which point the suspect vehicle began surpassing speeds of 100 mph. According to West Bloomfield Police Lieutenant Tim Diamond, the chase was called off because police didn’t

Police officers in Walled Lake like Lance Seba (above) typically would pursue a subject in a high-speed chase only if the crime justifies such an operation. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Damon Tang)

want anyone hurt on the freeway and chasing the suspects was not worth the lives at risk. Orchard Lake Police Chief Joe George reiterated that pursuits are conducted only when the offense is serious in nature. “We reserve pursuits for serious felonies and if they can be conducted in a safe manner, depending on certain factors, that’s fine, but it’s not worth the officer or someone innocent getting hurt,” he said. “We do what we have to within limits.” He added that Orchard Lake’s topography doesn’t lend itself to pursuits in general. “We have kind of a unique area — a lot of traffic and winding roads,” George said. “(A high-speed pursuit) couldn’t be conducted during the day without some danger, but at night it would be left to the discretion of the officer.” When a pursuit is determined appropriate, George concurs with other law enforcement officials that emergency lights and/or sirens may not be activated at first. “Inevitably what happens is the officer follows a car and his lights are not on initially until he gets up to them in a prudent way,” George said. “Then if it becomes an actual pursuit, he would put on his lights and/or sirens. There are a lot of factors that go into this determination, but most officers are well schooled on that.”

WALLED LAKE An innocent motorist was killed during a 1991 high-speed chase in the lakes area. Walled Lake police officers were investigating suspected prostitution activity at E. V. Mercer Beach around 1:45 a.m. on Sept. 7 When an undercover officer approached his car, Wixom resident Kevin Vigna allegedly sped recklessly out of the parking lot, almost striking another officer. Walled Lake Police Sergeant Donald Sanderson tailed Vigna down East Walled Lake Drive and west onto Pontiac Trail in order to illuminate Vigna’s black Mustang, which was driving without its headlights on. Sanderson observed Vigna’s vehicle constantly weaving over the center line, leading him to believe that the driver was under the influence of alcohol and/or controlled substances. Vigna reportedly ran a red light, was passing and narrowly missing vehicles, and was weaving through traffic before crossing Beck Road and hitting a car driven by 20-year-old Commerce Township resident Sara Pantke at Indian Trail in Wixom while driving over 60 mph. She died at the scene from her injuries, but the passenger with her survived. Vigna pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 14 to 30 years in a state prison. He has since been released.

His insurance company paid a $100,000 settlement to the Pantke family. Intoxicated at the time of the chase, Vigna had no recollection of the incident. The Pantke family later filed a civil lawsuit against the city of Walled Lake, Sanderson, Michigan Bell and Genessee Underground Construction for liability contributing her death. The plaintiffs claimed police had no reason to begin the chase in the first place and pursuing Vigna caused more danger than letting him go. The defendants argued that the police pursuit was justified and that letting a drunk driver get away would be gross negligence. The Pantke family said they could not comment for this report due to a signed settlement agreement with the parties involved in the lawsuit. According to Sanderson’s testimony, he was driving his marked patrol vehicle with flashing lights and sirens. He decided to pursue the vehicle after it “accelerated directly toward him” and on a second occasion drove directly at another officer. Vigna’s actions were cited as a felonious assault on a police officer. Ultimately the jury ruled in favor of the defendants and absolved each defendant of blame. Prior to the decision, an officer had to be the primary cause of an accident due to gross negligence in order to be named as a

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defendant. Under a later ruling, the officer only had to be named as one of the causes, not the primary cause. According to current Walled Lake Police Chief Paul Shakinas, the department has had a high-speed pursuit policy in effect since 2002 and it’s reviewed annually. “At this point there has been no reason to change it,” he said. Emergency vehicle operations training for officers is conducted every other year. “Training is expensive and hard on the cars,” Shakinas said. “They burn up the tires and brakes, so we do it when the Michigan State Police offer it.” Officers in the city typically would pursue a subject only if the crime justifies such an operation. “We would pursue if there’s a serious felony, such as an armed robbery, felonious assault with a weapon or kidnapping, or if the crime is more dangerous than the pursuit,” Shakinas said. “A lot of time pursuits create more danger and safety comes first.” As evidence, Shakinas noted an incident a few years back during which a

kidnapping and felonious assault was in progress. Officers were trailing the suspect in a high-speed pursuit when a crash occurred and the women who reportedly were being abducted were injured. Shakinas said he can recall only two high-speed pursuits in the city in recent years. “In our opinion, the subject must be more dangerous than the pursuit itself because it’s a greater danger to the officer and the public,” he said. “In actuality, 99 percent of people will pull over when we turn our lights on to stop them.” The only time a misdemeanor case would warrant a chase would be for drunk driving, according to Shakinas. “Only if the driver is so intoxicated and poses a danger to society,” he said. Shakinas was adamant that officers must use their overhead flashing lights and sirens when in pursuit to comply with state law. WIXOM Wixom public safety officials said their policy is written with safety as the No. 1 consideration when determining whether a pursuit is warranted. “The goal is safety of the officer,

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people in proximity and the protection of property,” said Public Safety Director Clarence Goodlein. Factors considered before initiating a pursuit include knowing the subject in the target vehicle, to whom the car is registered, the type of crime involved, and weather and traffic flow. “We also consider what’s the risk to stop the vehicle, the speed they are traveling at and how the driver is acting during driving — whether he’s cutting in and out of traffic, and the number of traffic signals in the area,” Goodlein said. “We put all that into a formula and come to a decision on whether it’s worth pursuing, but it’s a difficult decision for the officers and not easily made or made quickly.” If a pursuit reaches a high rate of speed, many times that would warrant termination. “If a supervisor thinks the suspect is driving too fast, he would discontinue (the pursuit),” Goodlein said. “Some cars drive in excess of 100 mph.” He added that there is always some attempt to stop the subject regardless, but in many instances, if the subject travels too fast or too far, the pursuit is terminated. Wixom’s pursuit policy is reviewed internally on an annual basis. “These policies are all so similar because law enforcement officials talk together with traffic experts and attorneys to understand risks and liability,” Goodlein said. While the department does not utilize other tactics in conjunction with high-speed pursuits, Goodlein agrees with Waterford Police Chief McCaw that new technology could help limit high-speed chases and the risk of injury or death. “The only tool we would use is a signal to cars to have the engine slowly shut down by contacting OnStar on newer vehicles,” Goodlein said. “The most important thing is everybody’s safety. It’s good to get the bad guy, but not if someone is killed.” COMMERCE AND HIGHLAND Both Commerce and Highland townships contract for law enforcement services with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, which follows a high-speed pursuit policy that is similar to those used in other lakes area communities. According to Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Chris Wundrach, highspeed pursuit policies are “pretty standard throughout the country.” The procedure is revised whenever changes in the law require corrections.

As for initiating a pursuit, Wundrach said deputies have to consider a variety of factors very similar to those outlined in the MSP policy. “Above all, you have to use due care and caution,” Wundrach said. “When the risks outweigh the reward, you want to break it off.” While the Sheriff’s Department does not use road blocks or caravans, it does sometimes use stop sticks. “We do try to block off roadways if we have other cars in the area and we know the pursuit is coming through in order to protect other motorists,” Wundrach said. Support from the Sheriff’s Department Aviation Unit will come if

are short in nature,” Harris said. “If they are not up in the air when a pursuit begins, the pursuit is usually over by the time (the Aviation Unit) gets in the air.” However, Harris said high-speed pursuits are “very infrequent” in White Lake. However, that doesn’t mean the department’s officers are not prepared for the possibility. He said they attend training every few years. “We send officers to driving training as part of our annual core training, and they receive additional highspeed training at the State Police Academy,” Harris said. WEST BLOOMFIELD West Bloomfield Police Lieutenant

Law enforcement officials in Walled Lake can recall only two high-speed chases in recent years in the city. “In our opinion, the subject must be more dangerous than the pursuit itself because it’s a greater danger to the officer and the public,” said Police Chief Paul Shakinas. “In actuality, 99 percent of people will pull over when we turn our lights on to stop them.” (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Damon Tang)

the unit is already in flight. Officers receive training on the Sheriff’s Department pursuit policy and will periodically go through a high-speed pursuit driving course. “The last one we had was a year ago,” Wundrach said. “It’s a periodic thing that you have to maintain.” High-speed pursuits have tapered off over the years, according to Wundrach. “Maybe it’s because officers are using better judgment for when to pursue and when not to pursue,” he said. WHITE LAKE The White Lake Police Department’s high-speed pursuit policy is based on the MSP’s policy. “It’s a standard policy that most agencies in Oakland County use,” said Police Chief Ed Harris. White Lake does not use road blocks or stop sticks and will request support from the Sheriff’s Department Aviation Unit if an aircraft is already in the air. “Ninety-nine out of 100 pursuits

Diamond said the department has had a pursuit policy for the 28 years that he has been on the force. It’s changed based on current case law, whether that’s at the state or federal level. “If there are changes in court rulings, we adjust our policy to reflect the changes,” Diamond said. “Our current policy was revised in April of 2007. The date on the policy says July of 1985, but we had a policy in place before that, as well.” West Bloomfield Police Chief Michael Patton said he helped update the department’s pursuit policy a number of years ago. During that revision period, he compared 30 to 40 other policies, mostly from other departments in the state. “We make critical decisions based on the reasonableness of the situation,” Patton said. “It’s like a risk-benefit analysis. What are the benefits? Pursuits should not be done without serious consideration of what’s at risk, including our own lives.”

Diamond said that the department’s policy prohibits paralleling or caravanning. But in the case of trying to apprehend someone who has committed a life-threatening felony, road blocks may or may not be used. “Naturally we try to keep the danger to the public at a minimum,” Diamond said. “In our policy road blocks are permitted if (the situation meets) seven or eight (certain) conditions. The first would be if the violation is a felony and we set up at a location where the safety of the public is not unreasonably jeopardized. A pursuit should not be used with the intention to provoke or cause any collisions. It has to be serious, more likely a life-threatening felony.” Officials said public safety is the department’s primary concern and that sometimes in the heat of the moment, officers may be compelled to get involved in a pursuit that they shouldn’t be. The department tries to keep that involvement to a minimum due to the danger involved. Patton said that there is also a significant aspect of supervisor oversight where a supervisor has to monitor a pursuit, and in some cases, terminate it if the situation calls for it. Diamond said that the Sheriff Department’s Aviation Unit would only be called in to assist with very lengthy pursuits. “(The pursuits) either end or leave our jurisdiction,” Diamond said. “That’s when we terminate. I don’t know that we’ve ever contacted the Sheriff’s Department to assist us from the air.” West Bloomfield officers train once a year when it comes to handling pursuits. “We have three different courses for driving instruction that we use,” Diamond said. “There’s a precision course, there’s a high-speed course, and there’s a pursuit course.” Diamond added that the department is rarely involved with pursuits. “In the last two or three months, we assisted the State Police in a pursuit of a motorcycle,” Diamond said. “That guy eventually crashed and I understand he’s out of the hospital, but there will probably be charges forthcoming for fleeing and eluding.” MILFORD Representatives of the Milford Police Department, which serves both Milford Township and the village of Milford, did not return calls seeking information and comments for this report prior to press time. ❏ Staff writers Angela Niemi and Michael Shelton contributed to this report.

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LAKES AREA NEWS

White Lake seeks mementos for time capsule By Angela Niemi staff writer

hite Lake Township Library Director Larry Ostrowski has been busy driving up and down the M-59 corridor looking to collect and preserve a bit history from White Lake businesses for the township’s time capsule. “I think it might be interesting for future generations to see how things have changed in the area,” Ostrowski said. The time capsule — set to be buried for 50 years — is to commemorate the 175th anniversary of White Lake’s founding, a milestone that took place in 2011. Trustee Carol Burkard, who helped get the project rolling, has also been busy collecting items for the capsule ranging from letters by current members of the township Board of Trustees and the fire and police chiefs to local restaurant menus and information about gas prices. “I even bought some cut-outs of the Obama family and of the royal wedding that took place in 2011,” Burkard said. “I thought that would be of interest as it was a big event. We collected some newspaper headlines from 2011, such as when (Osama) bin Laden was killed. We’re

Banks-Dolbeer Home ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 7

ous fund-raisers, including poker nights and school reading projects. The group has built up a fund balance between $10,000 to $15,000 in the Lakes Area Community Foundation, but will need $126,000 to finish the renovations to the exterior and interior of the Banks-Dolbeer Historic Home. “It’s not the history, but the support to fund it,” said Walled Lake City Manager L. Dennis Whitt. “It fell into disrepair, so I have had to take it over. It’s become a safety issue, but the group wants the DDA to support it.” City Council members have said they are not in the position to allocate money for the project given budgetary constraints. However, they have said they are willing to help with manpower. “The city will help with any hazards

Members of the White Lake Historical Society, township library employees, and Township Hall employees and officials recently gathered as part of the effort to collect items to be buried in a township time capsule commemorating White Lake’s 175th anniversary, which occurred in 2011. No date has been set for burying the capsule. (Photo submitted by White Lake Township Trustee Carol Burkard)

trying to do a representation of what happened during the year.” Ostrowski also collected 2011 endof-the-year editions of magazines such as People to include in the capsule. Also included in the time capsule will be township documents such as the master plan representing what the township looks like now and plans for the future, as well as books representing the history of White Lake. Residents are also encouraged to

stop by the library and sign the township book and/or drop off items for the time capsule. “We’ve filled it up once already and have had to add pages to it,” Ostrowski said of the book to be included in the capsule. “We have 300 or 400 signatures and addresses. We are looking for items germane to White Lake in 2011 such as the (Huron Valley) Lakeland (High School) yearbook and flyers from events like

Quake on the Lake. We would hate to (miss including) something worthwhile that should be included.” Items will be collected up until the Fisk Farm Festival, which is held on the weekend after Labor Day. The capsule will eventually be buried near the flag pole at the White Lake Cemetery at McKeatchie and White Lake roads, at a date yet to be determined by the White Lake Historical Society. ❏

and the council made a motion to reinstate support to try to finish the farmhouse with provisions that the group gets together with boards, commissions or whoever wants to help by putting together a timeline and budget to raise funds and then bring it back to the council,” Ackley said. “One goal is to put the porches on and get as much done as possible by winter.” Coe said “some excitement” needs to be generated “so people will get involved again.” The Banks-Dolbeer Historic Home is steeped in history. According to Flammer, Amanda and Henry Freeborn Banks built the initial log cabin between 1832 to 1835 and ran a 120-acre farm. To earn extra money, Henry became a “cooper” who built water barrels. As he earned more money, he added on to the home. The addition to the home is what’s so significant. The single-story

Italianate construction consists of log beams, wavy glass, and horse hair plaster. “This is what makes it unusual from the state’s perspective and (what is) considered valuable and recognizably important,” Flammer said. By the 1870s, a Greek Revival twostory addition, including an upper porch, was built. Also of significance are the homeowners themselves. Amanda Banks descended from Miles Standish, a Mayflower passenger, making her a Daughter of the American Revolution. As practicing Christians, the Banks opposed slavery and built a tunnel on their property adjacent to the Greenaway Drain that fugitive slaves traveled through to gain their freedom. “The water in the Greenaway is not deep, so that’s how they managed to get to safety,” Flammer said. “Plus they used the water to run off the

scents of the dogs. The Banks’ home was used as a safe house to feed and house the slaves while giving them food and shoes.” The Banks sold the home to Martha and John Dolbeer in the 1870s, but the underground pathways still existed for slaves. “Dolbeer would hitch his horse and take these slaves to safety toward Flint and onto Port Huron,” Flammer said. The third historical aspect is attributed to one of the Banks daughters, Sarah, who was a teacher at Scotch School and later became one of the first of three female students to graduate from the University of Michigan medical school in the 1870s. She opened a practice in west Oakland County and became the per-

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

Banks-Dolbeer Home ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 15

sonal physician to the likes of Henry Ford’s wife, Clara. Most notably, she and her contemporaries, Dr. Anna Howard Shaw and Susan B. Anthony, were trailblazers in the women’s suffrage movement. The Friends of the Banks-Dolbeer Historic Home is currently working alongside the same advisors for Greenfield Village to determine the historic site’s immediate needs. “We may just do outside work because there was no electricity in the 1800s anyway,” Flammer said. “We want to finish it up so it can be a centerpiece in the area and have it represent how early Oakland County looked back then. This is why America is so important. We all have a story to tell.” ❏

Birth Records Death Records Business Registrations Legal Records Marriage Licenses Property Records Military Discharge Voter Information

Oakland County Clerk/Register

Milford Memories 317 Union St., Milford Friday, August 10, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Final two summer concerts tonight, next Wednesday

For More Information & Online Services visit our Website at: www.oakgov.com/clerkrod

Highland Township’s Summer Concert Series will be coming to a close with the last two concerts being held tonight, Wednesday, Aug. 8, and next Wednesday, Aug. 15. Performing tonight will be The Spoonful Blues Band, with Christine Kerster serving as the opening act. The final concert performer will be the Huron Valley Chorus and Company. The Glee Camp Chorus will open up the concert.

The concerts take place outside Veterans Park at Livingston Road and John Street. “It’s very family-friendly and intimate because the band is right at the audience level in a nice park setting,” said Highland Township Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Director Missy Dashevich. The main acts start at 7 p.m. with the opening acts starting on stage at 6:30 p.m. All of the concerts are free. Audience members may bring lawn chairs, blankets, and food to the concerts. Food will be available for purchase from Picasso Pizza and Big Nick’s Hot Dogs. The Huron Valley Council for the Arts, headquartered near Veterans Park at the Highland Station House, will open its doors during the concerts, as well. ❏

W. Bloomfield asks for DNR help with lake speed limit The West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees has approved a resolution requesting the assistance of the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regarding the Green Lake Association’s request to establish a 15 mph speed limit for watercraft on the lake. This comes after the DNR turned

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Green Lake ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 16

down an application last year that was submitted by the association to establish a 10-mph speed limit for watercraft on Green Lake, where only vessels powered by electric motors are currently allowed on the water. DNR Law Enforcement Division Sergeant Al Bavarskas stated in a letter dated Nov. 18, 2011 that no safety or environmental issues have been reported on the lake to justify the previously requested 10-mph speed limit, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Marine Division. Bavarskas also stated in the letter that there have been no documented complaints from law enforcement agencies regarding activities on Green Lake, and that no accidents have occurred on the lake, according to the Marine Division and the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division. Green Lake Association President Emil Hagopian and other Green Lake residents previously expressed disappointment in the DNR’s denial of the initial speed limit request, saying they didn’t like the DNR’s stance that there must be a documented problem on the lake before the department would consider addressing the issue. ❏

Bump in revenue for Orchard Lake from new permits By Leslie Shepard staff writer

Although the economic recession has battered municipalities and new construction is basically at a standstill, the city of Orchard Lake is experiencing a spike in new construction projects and building permits in general, an uptick that will bolster the bedroom community’s revenue stream. “I attribute the growth to people finding property at a decent price and tearing them (the existing structures) down,” said Director of City Services Gerry McCallum. “They see the value in lake property as an investment. However not all are tear downs — some are new constructions on vacant parcels.” According to the most recent city reports, in April one building permit was issued for a residential construction project on Birchway estimated at $1.2 million. There were no building permits issued in April 2011. Total permit fees going to the city in April amounted to $9,855 compared to April 2011’s level of $4,970. “From last year to now, single-fami-

The Multi-Lakes Conservation Association’s annual Good Old Days event will feature a bake sale, a craft show, Bingo, pony rides, a car show, inflatable rides, sling shots and cowboy action shooting, a silent auction, a flyfishing demonstration, a dunk tank, and archery, among other activities for those young and old. It will be held on Aug. 25. (Photo submitted by Multi-Lakes Conservation Association)

‘Good Old Days’ on Aug. 25 Multi-Lakes expects good turnout at annual fund-raiser By Angela Niemi staff writer

he Multi-Lakes Conservation Association in Commerce Township will open its doors to the community when it hosts Good Old Days, a family-based carnival full of activities for people of all ages. Multi-Lakes will be hosting the 35th annual event on Saturday, Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to midnight at its facility on Newton Road in Commerce. Admission is $1 per person, and the admission ticket counts for entry into a raffle with prizes of $1,000, $500, and $300 for first-, second-, and third-place winners, respectively. The annual event is one of the association’s most popular and offers a variety of unique activities. One such activity will be helicopter rides from a licensed helicopter

ly homes and alterations are up,” McCallum said. “The bottom line is that the dollar amount has almost doubled.”

company. A 20-minute ride is $35 per person. Another unique draw is the opportunity to shoot firearms under the supervision of trained professionals, and also the opportunity to observe demonstrations. Other activities include a bake sale, a craft show, Bingo, pony rides, a car show, inflatable rides, sling shots and cowboy action shooting, a silent auction, a flyfishing demonstration, a dunk tank, and archery. A karaoke contest will also take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Guests will also have the opportunity to get their hair or face painted, or even a temporary tattoo for a small fee. There will be a barbecue and beer tent. Music will be provided from noon In May one new construction on Commerce Road is reported at $600,000, compared to none in May 2011. Total permit fees in May were

until the end of the event with the aid of a DJ throughout the day and a live band at 8 p.m. “Weather permitting, we are expecting a good turnout,” said Barry Anderson, the club manager. “It’s one of our biggest fund-raisers of the year, and it’s always popular.” The event proceeds go toward supporting Multi-Lakes. “It helps us stay afloat,” Anderson said. The Multi-Lakes Conservation Association’s mission is “to further the understanding and enjoyment of the outdoors through programs and activities geared to the hunter and fisherman.” For more information on the event, call Multi-Lakes at 258-3639109 or visit the website at multilakes.com. ❏

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PAGE 19

LAKES AREA NEWS

Permit revenue

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❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 17

pegged at $8,913, almost double from last year’s $4,812. While there were no new construction projects in June, total permit fees ($5,374) are up from June 2011 levels of $3,577. McCallum said there are a trio of tear-down residential construction projects making their way through the permit process. One of them is located on Three Lakes Lane, one is on Erie Drive, and one is on Elmgate. The Elmgate project still needs to receive approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). “These structures mean a lot from the respect that two will now be on vacant parcels so the overall tax base will increase vs. vacant land,” McCallum said. “Tear-downs built 20 or 30 years ago now will be largerscale homes and also add taxable value.” ❏

Protection of kids the focus of new Milford proposals By Michael Shelton staff writer

The Milford Township Board of Trustees last month approved the introduction of a proposed ordinance regarding negligent supervision of children. The proposed new township ordinance reads as follows: “It shall be unlawful for any person, parent, guardian, custodian, or anyone else who is charged with the care of children under 8 years of age to allow them to be locked or confined in a dwelling, building or other enclosure or allow the child to be left in any public place unless the person charged provides a reliable and responsible person at least 13years-old to remain with and protect the child.” Violation of the ordinance would be considered a misdemeanor. The board also adopted an amendment to its general offenses code, creating a new section called “Unattended Child in Motor Vehicle.” The addition states that “a person who is responsible for the care or welfare of a child shall not leave that child unattended in a vehicle for a period of time or under circumstances that pose an unreasonable risk of harm or injury to the child.”

Wixom using grant for new blueprint By Leslie Shepard staff writer

he city of Wixom is poised to receive a hefty grant courtesy of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) to prepare a strategy in order to stimulate business growth within the city. “The grant is so we can put together a comprehensive economic development strategy and components to enhance and retain business,” said Assistant City Manager Tony Nowicki. The total cost of drafting the Economic Development Strategy is $174,750. With 50 percent assistance from the EDA, the city’s matching share is $87,375, which includes $39,750 of in-kind services (staff time) and $47,625 from a 2012 capital improvement program budget line item. There are eight components to the Economic Development Strategy. “This will entail a large volume of work and effort involved by this office,” said City Manager Mike Dornan. The first step is to conduct an inventory and analysis identifying the assets of the city, such as available space, undeveloped land, transportation systems, education and training opportunities, high-speed communication lines, business expansion incentives, etc. Municipal assets such as water supply and police and fire protection would also be included. “We need something to show businesses what assets we have to attract them here,” Nowicki said. Municipal and business procedures will be examined and explored in an effort to learn how to streamline services or processes, with special attention to planning and building. The amendment defines a child as being someone less than 6-years-old and “unattended” as being alone or without the supervision of an individual 13-years-old or older who is not legally incapacitated. Violation would be considered a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both. ❏

“We want to streamline because when a company comes in to build the product, they want to start producing as soon as possible to generate income,” Nowicki said. The strategy will also include conducting an industrial sector analysis that delineates a listing and profile of all businesses in the city and identifying opportunities for attraction, retention and enhancement. “Businesses like to locate close to complementary companies,” Nowicki said. Moreover, the city website is expected to be expanded by adding a business exchange resource for services, parts, materials, etc. In addition, the grant will be used to develop a promotional and marketing strategy, and a branding image for the city. “We have a number of ideas, but it’s nice to get a fresh set of eyes to see where our strengths are to come up with a good branding and marketing strategy,” Nowicki said. The economic development strategy will encourage participation by local agencies and organizations in work force development efforts such as the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), the Wixom Community Foundation, Oakland County and area school districts. “Training is a problem in the area, so we would like a trade school, like a manufacturing trade school, college satellite center or higher education to come to Wixom or form partnerships,” Nowicki said. Lastly, the city plans to create a development, site planning and building manual that is more userfriendly. Nowicki said he plans to send out request for proposals within a week. ❏

No contest for Orchard Lake council seats Three candidates have filed paperwork to seek three open seats on the Orchard Lake City Council in the Nov. 6 general election.

The terms of current Council Members Jerry Kosmensky and Jackie Beach, as well as Mayor Bruce McIntyre, expire in November. The filing deadline for candidates was 4 p.m. yesterday, Tuesday, Aug. 7. Kosmensky and McIntyre are termlimited and therefore ineligible to run for re-election this year. According to Orchard Lake’s charter, council members can serve two consecutive threeyear terms before having to vacate their seats. All council positions are non-partisan.

Look for election coverage online The presses couldn’t wait in order to bring you unofficial results and coverage of the Tuesday, Aug. 7 primary election in today’s print edition of the Spinal Column Newsweekly. Go to the website at www.spinalcolumnonline.com and click on the PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS banner/link at the right side of the homepage for coverage of the contested primary races and ballot questions impacting the lakes area. ❏ Beach filed candidacy paperwork to seek re-election. She has served one term on the council since being elected in 2009. She also served on the Planning Commission between April 2005 and November 2009. “I care about my community, a wellrun community and I believe we have that,” Beach said. “We went through a major transition with (former clerk) Jan Green and (former police chief) Fred Rosenau retiring and I helped with that. “I care about quality police service and want to make sure that continues. I’m also fiscally conservative by setting a budget and staying with it,” she said. Jim Talpos, a familiar face on the council on and off since November 1998, has also pledged to run for a council seat. Talpos has served five terms on the council, including as mayor and mayor pro tem. His last term expired in November 2011. “I want to add value to council and to the city,” Talpos said. “I like giving back to the city and enjoy the lake and woodlands here. I want to do my part so things don’t change a whole lot.” A fairly new resident to Orchard Lake, Jason Silver, is already getting involved by filing candidacy paperwork to run for a council seat. This will be Silver’s first stint on the council. City council positions are voluntary posts, and council members receive no compensation for their service. ❏

PAGE 20

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

EDUCATION

Lunch prices in Waterford to hold steady in 2012-13

2008-09 school year to offset increases in the cost of food, supplies and transportation. The district’s Food and Nutrition Department doesn’t receive general fund support. ❏

By Michael Shelton staff writer

The Waterford Schools Board of Education voted Thursday, Aug. 2 to approve cafeteria meal prices for the 2012-13 school year, with no increase in prices recommended. Elementary school students will pay $2.50 for lunch during the next school year, while secondary students will pay $2.75 and adults will pay $3.50. Elementary and secondary students will pay $1.50 for breakfast, while adults will pay $2. The 2012-13 school year will mark the fourth consecutive year that Waterford Schools has not raised school meal prices. In addition, the school board approved a 3-year, $295,000 contract with Country Pride for milk and juice products, as well as a 3-year contract with Great Lakes for bread and grain products for the district’s breakfast, lunch and summer feeding programs. In 2008, the district approved a 25cent increase in lunch prices for the

Lakeland among the top 5 percent as Reward School By Leslie Shepard staff writer

Huron Valley Schools recently announced Huron Valley Lakeland High School’s designation as a Reward School by the Michigan Department of Education. “Reward School” is one of three new school designations that came as the result of Michigan receiving flexibility in complying with the federal No Child Left Behind Act from the U.S. Department of Education. Reward Schools are the top 5 percent of schools in the annual Top-to-Bottom ranking of all Michigan schools, and the top 5 percent of schools that made the greatest academic progress based on test scores and reduced achievement gaps.

“Our staff and students deserve the credit for this recognition,” said Jim Baker, the district’s interim superintendent. “By focusing on those strategies that improve learning, Lakeland High School has earned this important designation. It’s clear we need to continue to implement our Strategic Plan, which is designed to identify and address the needs of every student, helping them to become career- and college-ready.” In addition to being recognized as a Reward School, no district schools were noted as Focus or Priority Schools. Priority Schools are defined as being in the bottom 5 percent of the annual Top-to-Bottom ranking, and any high school with less than a 60 percent graduation rate for three consecutive years. Under the No Child Left Behind Act flexibility request, an achievement gap is calculated for all Michigan schools identifying the unique gap between the highest and lowest 30 percent of each school’s student achievement. Focus Schools make up the 10 percent of schools with the widest gaps. That list includes some otherwise high achieving schools that normally would not be expected to have low achieving students. This new designation places a brighter light on the struggling students in those schools. ❏

WLCS refutes suit’s claim of trampling incident at WLW SCORE A TOUCHDOWN for Your Business! Our full-color magazine format delivered with the Spinal Column Newsweekly on Wednesday, August 28th and also available at high-traffic locations, KICKOFF will appear online in a flip-page format during the entire football season. Sports writer Michael Shelton will focus on the coaches’ assessment of their players and team prospects for the 2012 season. • Huron Valley Lakeland • Huron Valley Milford • Orchard Lake St. Mary’s • Walled Lake Central • Walled Lake Northern • Walled Lake Western • Waterford Kettering • Waterford Mott • Waterford Our Lady Lakers • West Bloomfield Lakers

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The Walled Lake Consolidated School District says it has “no reason to believe a ‘trampling’ incident took place at Walled Lake Western High School” during the last school year, an alleged incident that has prompted a lawsuit filed against the district by a Walled Lake Western teacher who claims she was injured by at least one student during an October event at the school. “There is a teacher who has made this claim,” said Judy Evola, the district’s spokesperson. “However, after a thorough investigation, including looking at surveillance camera videos and yearbook photos, and conducting both an internal investigation and an Oakland County Sheriff’s Department investigation, the district concluded the incident did not occur. In fact, the Sheriff’s (Department) investigation has been closed for seven months.” Eleni Anastos, a special education

teacher at the school, filed the complaint against the district alleging that she was trampled last October during a Field Day event at the school. The lawsuit claims that Anastos suffered from a herniated disc, cervical sprain, multiple bruises and abrasions, and post-traumatic stress disorder because of the incident. The lawsuit was filed in Oakland County Circuit Court last month, and has been assigned to Judge Wendy Potts. Anastos is seeking in excess of $25,000 in damages, according to the lawsuit. She remains employed by the school district. “Safety is the No. 1 priority at Walled Lake Schools,” Evola said. “The employee has been cleared to come back to work. We look forward to this employee coming back to work and we await this employee’s return.” ❏

Approval of new teacher contact set for Monday The West Bloomfield Board of Education on Monday, Aug. 13 at 8 a.m. will hold a special board meeting in which it is expected to ratify a new contract with the West Bloomfield Education Association (WBEA) teachers union. Cyndi Austin, the Michigan Education Association (MEA) representative for West Bloomfield Schools, said that the WBEA was going to hold a ratification meeting tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 9 before having its members vote on the contract on Friday, Aug. 10. Austin said this will be the first time that the association’s members will vote online. She said that she could not give any details about the new contract until WBEA members approve it. Rick Arnett, the district’s assistant superintendent for human resources and labor relations, also said that he could not divulge terms of the proposed contract until the WBEA ratifies it, but did say that the school district and the union have a tentative agreement. Earlier this year, 21 elementary school teachers were given a pink slip, while no middle or high school teachers were laid off. According to Pamela Zajac, the district’s public relations and marketing coordinator, as of June 28, all but eight teachers had been recalled. ❏

AUGUST 8-14, 2012

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PAGE 21

COMMUNITY LIFE military honors ❐ Garrett Coley of Wolverine Lake graduated from the U.S. Army 198th Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Ga. on July 3. He was in FoxTrot Company 258. He is currently stationed in Velsick, Germany. Coley is a 2011 Walled Lake Central High School graduate and he is looking forward to advancing his training and moving onto Airborne School with hopes of becoming an Army Ranger.

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"The kitchen clock stopped at 3:23," said a shaken homeowner in Commerce Township on Wednesday, Aug. 2, "but the wall it was hanging on is gone." The black, twisting, giant tornado had formed over Brighton, picked up momentum over Kensington Park, dipped low over the Proud Lake Recreation Area and, roaring like a 600-ton Allegheny locomotive, stepped down on Benstein Road near the intersection of Glengary Road. Edison lines were cut and stirred like hot spaghetti, trees splintered, houses denuded of siding and roofing, windows exploded outward, and garages flattened like card castles. Then, another step on the next block, and the contemporary home at 2815 Woodbury cracked open like an Easter Egg, spilling the bright, new furnishings of newlyweds Linda and Barry Wagner over the jagged sidewalls in a profusion of clothing, decorative accessories, and the beginnings of a new life. Linda, hysterical with shock and disbelief, said, "I was just coming home from shopping and saw some of the damage down the road." Sobbing uncontrollably, she went on, "I thought, 'Oh, my God, I wonder if our house is still up," and when I got there, it wasn't." Next door to the south of the Wagners', the house was untouched. On the north side, at 2835 Woodbury, Betty Saputo sat quietly in front of her house in a lawn chair waiting for her husband Tony to come back with a truck to haul away their furniture. "I was in my house with my two kids," she said slowly. "It was raining and it got dark and I heard this awful roar like a freight train. I picked up the kids and ran to the basement and laid down over them in the corner, just in time. "After it was over, my neighbor, Mr. Crumb, came and got us out. I was still laying on the kids. I could smell the gas leaking, but I couldn't move. I can't believe we weren't hurt." Across the street, Alice Bilkovsky sat numbly in her car, the only part of her property still standing.

She had been shopping with her sister-in-law and had left her brotherin-law, George Bilkovsky, to babysit her two children and his three. When the wind began to blow harder, George began closing windows against the rain. But when he heard the "freight-train noise coming," he hustled the five kids under the coffee table against the front wall facing west. The house was swept away from them, leaving only that front wall with a picture window and the front door intact. Cement blocks fell within 2 feet of them, but no one was hurt. Robert Long, Commerce Township supervisor, was working in his office in the Township Hall on Fisher shortly before 3:30 when he heard the approaching roar of what sounded like a train. "I asked Wynn Berry if he knew what that noise was and then we looked out the window (to the west) and there it was swirling right toward us," Long said afterwards. "Boards, blankets, tree limbs ... I don't know what all was swirling in that black cloud. We just stood in the front windows watching it," said Long, "until the windows exploded out the back. Then we just scattered." The women clerks went into the vault, a reinforced storage room, and Long "just got back in the hall and peeked out. Roughly $200,000 in damage was left in the wake of the tornado that ripped homes and disrupted utilities in a two-mile trip through the center of Commerce Township ... Commerce Building Inspector William Mitchell ... counted seven homes demolished ... 15 homes with moderate to severe damage ... and 71 homes with minor exterior damage.

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You have a choice! Spend it here. Keep it here. part-time clinical faculty at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. She then proceeded to attain her master’s degree and certificate in orthodontics at the University of Detroit Mercy. Dr. Olds became a board-certified orthodontist in 2009 and recently published her thesis, “Long-term Dentoskeletal Changes with the Bionator, Herbst, Twin Block and MARA Functional Appliances” in the Angle Orthodontist. During her dental

education, Dr. Olds achieved academic honors including National Omicron Kappa Upsilon honors, Alpha Sigma Nu honors, the American Association of Orthodontists Award and the Quintessence Award for Clinical Excellence in Restorative Dentistry. She is also a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, Michigan Association of Orthodontists, Great Lakes Association of Orthodontics, American Dental Association, Michigan Dental Association and the Detroit District Dental Society. Kensington Orthodontic Specialists is located at 745 N. Milford Road and can be reached by calling 248-684-6833.

chamber notes ❐ The Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce (HVCC) is holding the following events in the coming days. For a complete calender of chamber events, visit www.huronvcc.com. • Milford Memories Summer Festival, Friday, Aug. 10 to Sunday, Aug. 12, downtown Milford. • Huron Valley State Bank Loan Center, ribbon-cutting and grand opening, 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, 522 N. Main Street, Suite 100, Milford. • The Coffee Club, 8 to 9 a.m., Friday, Aug. 17, MediLodge of Milford, 555 Highland Avenue, Milford. Join us for this fast, friendly, free morning mixer. ❐ The Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is holding the following events in the coming days. For a complete calender of chamber events, call 248-624-2826 or visit www.lakesareachamber.com. • Spotlight Lunches, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 9, The Lakes Bar and Grille, 2528 Union Lake Road, Commerce. Informal networking. No registration required. Free soft drinks with your meal purchase. • Oakland Chamber Network, Oakland County’s largest business card exchange, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, Bayside Sports Grille, 142 E. Walled Lake Drive, at the historic downtown Walled Lake lakefront. Cash bar and appetizers. Admission is $10 prepaid or $15 at the door. Payment must be received by Friday, Aug. 17 for advance R.S.V.P. price. For more information, call 248-624-2826. • Expo, Taste & Fun Fest, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 3, Walled Lake Central High School, Exhibitor registration begins Aug. 27. Expand your customer base. For an information kit, including “Smart Tips that help turn lookers into PAGE 23 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

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LOCAL MATTERS

Continued ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 22

buyers,” call 248-624-2826 or e-mail info@lakesareachamber.com. ❐ The Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce is holding the following events in the coming days. For a complete calender of chamber events, call 248-666-8600 or visit www.waterfordchamber.org • Concerts in the Park featuring The Groove Council, 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, Hess Hathaway Park, 825 S. Williams Lake Road, Waterford. Food and beverages available for purchase. Free admission. • Waterford Chamber Ca$h Mob, noon, Tuesday, Aug. 21, Dairy Queen, 4683 Dixie Highway, Waterford. The Waterford Chamber Ca$h Mob would love for members of the community to join them in their efforts to support local business. Please meet them in the parking lot by noon sharp to receive a Ca$h Mob t-shirt to wear during the event. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun! For more information about the Waterford Chamber Ca$h Mob and future mobbing events, “like” their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WaterfordChamber CashMob • Business After-Hours Mixer, 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, Oakland County Sportsmen’s Club, 4770 Waterford Road, Clarkston. Join us for networking, cash bar and appetizers. Cost: $15 advance registrations for non-members and $10 for pre-registered members. Register online at www.waterfordchamber.org or call 248-666-8600 ❐ The Greater West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce is holding the following events in the coming days. For a complete calender of chamber events, call 248-626-3636 or visit www.westbloomfieldchamber.com. • Chamber Picnic at the Park, 6:30 p.m. today, Wednesday, Aug. 8 Marshbank Park, Hiller Road, West Bloomfield. The picnic will be begin at 6:30 with music starting at 7 p.m. and lasting until approximately 8:15 p.m. The Optimist Club will be selling food and cold drinks.Bring your family, kids, and friends for an evening at the park! There is no fee for this event. • Mix & Mingle, 8 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 15, Phil Klein

Wixom’s Natasha Rose Roth (top) won a Youth Art Award of Excellence for her drawing that incorporated a poem in the Chadwick Accounting Group’s Youth Art competition during the 10th annual Orchard Lake Fine Art Show that was held the weekend of Friday, July 27 through Sunday, July 29 in West Bloomfield Township. In addition, Veronica Liu (below) of West Bloomfield won the Best of Youth Art award for her mixed-media work. (Photos submitted by Patty Narozny/Orchard Lake Fine Art Show)

Insurance Company, 4312 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 200, West Bloomfield. Morning networking activity. Free for members, nominal charge

for non-members. • Grub Crawl 2012, 5 to 10 p.m., Sept. 13. The Chamber is looking to secure sponsors for our 8th annual

Grub Crawl. Sponsorship levels range from $100 to $1,000. Please contact the office for additional information on how your company can participate.

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PUBLIC SAFETY Four-year-old among those injured in wreck A multiple vehicle accident on Thursday, Aug. 2 along West Huron (M-59) at Voorheis Road in Waterford Township resulted in several people being taken to a hospital. According to Waterford police, the accident occurred around 9:30 p.m. when a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by a 59-year-old Rochester Hills man ran a red light as it was heading eastbound on West Huron. The Trailblazer struck a 2010 Ford Fusion driven by a 53-year-old Davisburg woman who was attempting to turn westbound onto West Huron from Voorheis. After striking the Fusion, the Trailblazer then continued traveling eastbound on West Huron, hitting a 1996 Dodge pickup truck and a 2010 Dodge Journey. The pickup was driven by a 39-yearold man from West Bloomfield Township and the Journey was driven by a 36-year-old Waterford woman. The impact of the Trailblazer and the Journey collision caused a crash with a 2008 Ford Fusion being driven by a 21-year-old Waterford man. The 59-year-old man driving the Trailblazer was injured and taken to an area hospital in critical condition, while the driver of the Journey and a 4-yearold passenger were also taken to a hospital with serious injuries. A passenger in the Fusion was transported to the hospital but later released. Police said air bags were deployed, that all drivers and passengers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accidents, and the 4-year-old was in a child safety seat. Alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in the accident, but the case is still under investigation. If you

Suspects sought OCSD: Five defrauded over $500,000

Suspect 1

Suspect 2

Suspect 4

Suspect 3

Suspect 5

he Oakland County Sheriff’s Department is working in conjunction with the U.S. Secret Service to apprehend the suspects allegedly responsible for crimes involving bank and credit union fraud and ATM skimming across the county, including in the lakes area. These crimes have reportedly been perpetrated by the same suspects in Commerce Township, West Bloomfield Township, Livonia, Ferndale, Westland, Novi, and Wixom. In some cases, equipment was used to obtain information from ATM card data strips in order to access cash from customers’ accounts. The first crime was reported on June 28. Approximately $500,000 has been lost because of these crimes. The Sheriff’s Department is asking for assistance from the public in identifying the suspects and the 2010 blue Ford Fusion reportedly involved. Anyone with information should contact the Sheriff’s Department at 248-858-4950 or contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. There is reward money available. ❏ have any information on the accident or witnessed it, contact Police Sergeant

Kazyak at 248-618-6073 or Officer Mathewson at 248-618-6086. ❏

Deputies: Infant’s death appears to be accident The death of a 10-month-old baby girl found wedged between a mattress and a wall in a Commerce Township residence on Saturday, Aug. 4 appears to be an accident, according to an Oakland County Sheriff’s Department report. Commerce Township Substation deputies responded to a home in the 1800 block of Luneta Street, where the infant reportedly wasn’t breathing as of just after 4 p.m. The responding deputies continued to administer CPR to the baby girl until Commerce Fire Department personnel arrived, at which point the infant was transported to DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy performed by the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office revealed that the baby died of position compression and asphyxiation. The death was ruled an accident. According to the Sheriff’s Department, the incident remains under investigation. ❏

White Lake woman, 23, killed in Thursday crash A 23-year-old White Lake Township woman was killed in a two-vehicle accident in the early morning hours of Thursday, Aug. 2 in Waterford Township. According to Waterford Township police, the woman, identified earlier this week as Brittany Rose Morgan, was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Aveo eastbound on Highland Road (M-59) around 3:05 a.m. when she rear-ended a 1999 Grumman Olson delivery truck stopped at M-59’s intersection with Elizabeth Lake Road. Morgan was pronounced dead at PAGE 26 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

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Fatal accident ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 25

the scene. The driver of the delivery truck, a 42-year-old Royal Oak man, was not injured in the accident, according to police. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts, and air bags were deployed in the accident, according to police. Neither alcohol nor drugs appear to be a factor in the early-morning crash that closed the intersection of M-59 and Elizabeth Lake Road for several hours. As of press time yesterday, Tuesday, Aug. 7, there was no further information on the cause of the accident. If you have any information regarding the accident or witnessed it, contact Waterford Police Officer Mathewson at 248-618-6086 or Waterford Police Sergeant Kevin Kazyak at 248-6186073. ❏

ADVERTISEMENT FOR REQUEST FOR BIDS CITY OF WIXOM Wixom, MI 48393 The City of Wixom along with the Villages of Milford and Holly will receive bids at the Office of the Wixom City Clerk; 49045 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, Michigan 48393, until 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at which time placed bid proposals will be opened and read for the following: Overband Crack Sealing Request for Bid packages may be obtained from the Office of the Wixom City Clerk, Monday through Thursday, 7:15 am to 5:30 pm.

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Taser deployed on man who threatened officer A 25-year-old Westland man was subdued late last month with a Taser by a West Bloomfield Township police officer after reportedly refusing to comply with the officer. The incident occurred on Sunday, July 29 at 11:30 p.m. after the suspect allegedly wouldn’t take his hand out of his waistband when ordered by the officer, who thought that it was a sign that the man had a weapon, according to a West Bloomfield Police Department report. The officer was investigating a suspicious vehicle as a house party was taking place in the area of Maura Lane and Tara Court. The officer was talking with four people when the suspect approached the officer and told him to provide three forms of identification. According to the report, the suspect had his hand in his waistband and the officer saw an object in the front of the man’s pants, which he believed to be a weapon. The officer then drew his Taser and ordered the suspect to stop, but he allegedly didn’t comply and the Taser was deployed. The suspect was arrested for alleged resisting arrest and obstruction. While being booked, the suspect also reportedly refused to be fingerprinted. A two-count warrant was issued for disturbing the peace and failure to submit to fingerprinting. The suspect was arraigned and had bond set at $15,000, which the suspect could not post. He ended up being sent to the Oakland County Jail. ❏

AUGUST 8-14, 2012

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TRANSPORTATION

Area commutes hampered

PAGE 27

Obituaries

ALSOBROOKS, GERALD; of Milford, was born on August 12, 1944 and passed away on August 2, 2012. BELLOWS, RAYMOND HENRY; Waterford; July 28, 2012; age 92.

DEMETER, GLADYS V.; of Walled Lake was born on March 29, 1917 and died July 26, 2012 at age 95. DOLZYNSKI, M JOSEPH L.; of Waterford; July 24, 2012 at the age of 82. FRITTS, JOE; of Clarkston passed peacefully on July 26, 2012 at 89 years of age. Loving husband of Olla for 62 years.

PONTIAC TRAIL (Walled Lake) • Notes: The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) is continuing its reconstruction efforts on Pontiac Trail between West Maple Road and South Commerce Road. • Closures: During the project, Pontiac Trail will remain open, but will be reduced to one lane in each direction. However, West Maple will be closed at the west side of Pontiac Trail from the start of the project through the end of August. The detour route for West Maple traffic will be Pontiac Trail to Ladd Road to West Maple, and vice versa. South Commerce at Pontiac Trail was closed on Tuesday, July 24 and will tentatively remain closed until Wednesday, Aug. 15. While the roadway is closed, the detour route for South Commerce traffic will be Pontiac Trail to Decker Road to South Commerce, and vice versa. West Maple will close at the east side of Pontiac Trail, but not until September. • Completion date: November. • Cost: $2.6 million. JOHN STREET (Highland Township) • Start date: Aug. 13 • Notes: The project calls for pulverizing the pavement and applying a hot mix asphalt overlay. There will also be drainage improvements. • Closure: The roadway will be closed for the duration of the project. • Detour: Livingston Road to Milford Road to M-59, and vice versa. • Completion date: Sept. 19. • Costs: $228,000. ORCHARD LAKE ROAD (Farmington Hills/West Bloomfield Township border) • Start date: July 18. • Notes: The RCOC has begun work on this resurfacing project on Orchard Lake Road between 13 Mile Road and 14 Mile Road. • Closure: The five-lane road will be reduced to one lane open in each direction, which is expected to cause traffic delays. The road will remain reduced to one open lane in each direction for the duration of the project. • Completion date: Oct. 3. •Costs: $1.4 million.

COMMERCE ROAD (Commerce Township) • Notes: The project involves reconstruction of the roadway, as well as traffic signal upgrades and drainage improvements. Motorists should expect delays. Commerce Road between Carroll Lake and Union Lake roads is now open to traffic. • Detour: Union Lake Road to Wise Road to Carroll Lake Road ,and vice versa. • Completion date: Sept. 1. • Costs: $2.6 million. COOLEY LAKE ROAD (Milford, Highland, White Lake, and Commerce Townships) • Closure: Cooley Lake Road, east of Duck Lake to Mystic Valley. • Notes: A gravel road paving project is underway on Cooley Lake Road, east of Duck Lake to Mystic Valley, in Milford, Highland, White Lake, and Commerce townships. • Detour: Duck Lake Road to Commerce Road to Carey Road, and vice versa. • Completion date: November. • Costs: $4.4 million. BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: I-96 EAST OF MILFORD ROAD, WEST OF KENT LAKE ROAD (Milford) • Notes: A series of bridge reconstruction projects are being facilitated in the area and carried out in phases. Crews are currently constructing the inside of the Milford Road bridge. Eastbound and westbound traffic has been shifted onto a new portion of the Milford bridge. One lane in each direction of Milford Road will be open during the project. Crews are also continuing efforts on the Kent Lake bridge (I-96 over Kent Lake Road). Motorists are now able to travel eastbound on the new bridge, but westbound is not. Work continues to be conducted on I-96 over the Huron River Trail, where eastbound and westbound traffic is now driving on the newly paved bridge. Each bridge project is being reconstructed in phases so three lanes are maintained on I-96 at all times. • Completion date: October. • Costs: $15.5 million.

HUSSEY, BRIAN P.; age 74; of Clarkston; died peacefully, July 23, 2012. KAISER, JEANNINE L.; of Hartland was born on September 23, 1921 and died July 25, 2012 at age 90. Beloved and devoted wife of 71 years to F. Robert Kaiser. KORN, PHYLLIS; a resident of Novi, died on July 22nd, 2012 at the age of 84. LEWINTER, HELEN FINE; a resident of West Bloomfield, died on July 23rd, 2012 at the age of 91. MATOUSEK, JR., EDWARD F.; of Waterford. July 27, 2012 at 62 years of age. NOBEL, EUGENE DAVID; of Milford was born January 10, 1937 and died July 25, 2012 at age 75. Beloved husband of 38 years to Linda. SHANAHAN, ABBEY LANE; a resident of Milford, passed away July 25, 2012. She was 25 years old. SIGGINS, ROBBIE J.; of Clarkston; July 24, 2012; at the age of 42. SLABINSKI, STANLEY JOSEPH; of Waterford, July 28, 2012 at age 80. Beloved husband of Virginia "Ginny" for 58 years. STEELE, JOSEPH N.; of Flint Twp., formerly of Waterford; July 25, 2012; age 56.

To place an obituary in the Spinal Column Newsweekly please call the Classified Department at 248-360-7355 or email: lorisnyder@thescngroup.com

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ENVIRONMENT

Company looking for oil and gas in Indian Springs By Angela Niemi staff writer

A Michigan company is exploring the potential for oil and/or gas extraction on land within a regional park located in White Lake Township. Last September, the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority (HCMA) granted a request from Jordan Development Company, LLC of Traverse City to conduct a seismic survey — the first step in exploring for oil and gas potential — inside the Indian Springs Metropark, located in White Lake and Springfield townships. This is not an unusual practice for the HCMA, which has previously authorized seismic testing multiple times in the Stony Creek, Indian Springs, and Kensington metroparks. West Bay Exploration Company of Traverse City also received oil and gas leases from the HCMA in 1992, 1993, 1994, 2000, and 2001, covering a total of 1,056 acres in Kensington Metropark. West Bay has developed four wells within the park and another located outside of it. The Jordan Development Company’s area of interest for potential exploration covers subsurface areas in the entire 2,500-acre Indian Springs Metropark and at all potential horizontal strata depending on the result of the seismic survey. The seismic test line extends from Teggerdine Road northward to the north boundary of the park across approximately 1.8 miles of HCMA land. The HCMA is charging a nominal fee of $1,000 per mile of seismic line tested, as it has in the past. In 1994, the HCMA Board of Commissioners passed a resolution directing oil and gas royalties along with other related revenues to be deposited in the authority’s Supplemental Major Maintenance (SMM) Fund, which is “dedicated for major maintenance, repair, and reconstruction of essential park infrastructure, for projects whose combine total estimated cost exceeds $200,000.” Since 1993, the HCMA’s oil and gas leases have produced approximately $13 million in revenues for the SMM Fund. The seismic testing contract included an exclusive option for Jordan Development to enter into an oil and gas lease in the 12-month period from when the contract was approved on Sept. 8, 2011.

In June of this year, the company was granted approval for an oil and gas lease for a 316-acre portion of land within Indian Springs in White Lake Township. According to the HCMA, Jordan had intended to drill an initial well once it obtained the necessary approvals in order to discover the potential for further exploration and the possible leasing of additional lands. HCMA Spokesperson Denise Semion said those results wouldn’t be available until September because drilling just recently commenced in that area due to several delays experienced by Jordan Development with the state of Michigan’s leasing process. This prompted Jordan Development to request a two-month extension for its seismic testing contract, which was approved by the HCMA. According to the agreement, Jordan will have limited access for well development and mutual agreement will be required for actual wellhead locations — which will be restricted to only non-environmentally sensitive locations. Also, the HCMA did not give Jordan Development the right to locate any production facilities on HCMA land. ❏

Trail project gets $3.75M grant from from state NRTF By Angela Niemi staff writer

Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation earlier this month that authorized nearly $38 million in Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (NRTF) grants to support 99 recreation development and land acquisition projects, with two of those grants going to west Oakland applicants. A $94,000 grant is being awarded to the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority (HCMA) for development projects, and $3.75 million is being allocated to the Trailway Management Council of Commerce, Walled Lake, and Wixom to acquire a stretch of railway corridor and the Walled Lake Train Depot that is considered the missing link for a trail that would traverse the county and connect to a cross-state corridor spanning the Lower Peninsula. The target 5.33 miles of Michigan Air-Line Railway corridor extending through the trailway council communities is to be converted into a non-

lake levels LAKE LEVELS Following are the lake level readings for lakes and rivers across the western Oakland lakes area, as compiled by Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner John P. McCulloch’s office. Legal levels are denoted by elevation in feet from sea level; current levels are denoted as plus or minus the legal in hundredths of feet. River depths are measures from the river bottom, at point of measurement. WATERWAYS Cass Cedar Island Commerce Dawson Mill Pond Duck Fox Huron River Long Loon* Maceday-Lotus Middle & Lower Straits Mohawk Oakland-Woodhull Orchard Oxbow Pontiac Shawood-Walled Lake Schoolhouse Scott Sylvan-Otter Union Upper Straits Watkins White Williams

LEGAL LEVEL 929.22 934.00 906.80 928.60 1016.63 930.00 1.08 933.00 949.30 966.70 930.70 949.30 957.50 930.50 942.75 962.83 932.80 949.30 951.00 928.60 927.07 930.80 950.00 1019.10 965.42

7/13/12 +.10 +.37 +.15 +.10 –.01 +.05 –.10 +.18 +.13 –.07 –.18 +.18 +.21 –.25 Legal +.06 –.37 +.18 –1.21 +.12 +.13 –.25 –.07 –.13 –.27

7/20/12 +.03 +.32 +.10 +.04 –.08 –.07 –.14 +.10 –.05 –.15 –.30 +.03 +.10 –.38 –.22 –.13 –.48 +.03 –1.70 +.05 +.03 –.30 –.05 –.13 –.38

*Reading for Loon Lake, in Waterford Township, also applies to Mohawk–Wormer Schoolhouse, Silver and Upper Silver Lakes.

7/27/12 Legal –.35 –.18 –.06 –.13 –.10 –.18 –.12 –.20 –.18 –.45 –.16 +.04 –.53 –.35 –.34 –.60 –.18 –1.40 +.03 –.03 –.38 –.02 –.18 –.49

motorized recreational trail to link the Huron Valley and West Bloomfield trail segments. The trailway council had previously made two unsuccessful attempts to get NRTF funding to acquire the railroad corridor before being successful this past year. According to Jim Knopp, the supervising park planner with the HCMA, many of the planned metropark improvements involve Kensington Metropark’s Nature Center Overlook. “We’re looking to enhance the pond overlook with a large viewing and seating area so that group activities can take place at that location,” he said. “We’re going to add some viewing scopes and interpretive educational signage.” Other improvements include replacing a seawall and railings, in addition to revamping some paths and walkways and accessibility for pond dipping programs. The NRTF is a restricted fund that was established in 1976 to provide a source of funding for public acquisition of lands for resource protection and outdoor recreation. The funding is derived from royalties on the sale and lease of state-owned mineral rights. ❏

CRWC, Six Rivers hosting night of fun, food, friends The Clinton River Watershed Council (CRWC) and Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy will be hosting a Land and Water Preservation Celebration and Open House. The event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 13 at Goldner Walsh Garden and Home Nursery in Pontiac. The event is to celebrate the successes of the two organizations over the last year, as well as to recognize the CRWC for four decades of service. The main speaker will be Bill Rustem, who serves as Gov. Rick Snyder’s director of strategic policy. Local beer will be available from the Rochester Mills Brewery, and there will also be wine tasting and local food. The event will also include award presentations, a bucket raffle, and a give-back auction. There is no fee to attend. Proceeds from fund-raising activities will go toward supporting efforts to preserve the land, natural resources, and water quality throughout the region. ❏

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STATE

DOJ sues state for missed absentee ballot deadlines By Kirk Pinho assistant editor

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has sued the state of Michigan and top elections officials after dozens of local clerks failed to comply with state and federal deadlines for getting absentee ballots to military and overseas voters for yesterday’s primary election and a Sept. 5 special election. The lawsuit, announced on Tuesday, July 31, comes on the heels of 70 local clerks — including the clerks in Southfield, Hazel Park, Ferndale and Clawson — failing to send absentee ballots to military and overseas voters for those two elections at least 45 days prior to the elections. No west Oakland clerks were cited as failing to provide absentee ballots on time. “Our armed forces, their families and overseas citizens deserve a meaningful opportunity to fully participate in our nation’s elections,” said Thomas E. Perez, assistant attorney

general for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division in a press release. “This suit seeks relief to ensure that Michigan’s military and overseas voters will be provided the opportunity guaranteed by UOCAVA (Uniformed and Overseas Citizens

Johnson stated in the release that the Bureau of Elections sent at least three reminders to local clerks in advance of the 45-day deadline to issue the absentee ballots to military and overseas voters. In addition, the bureau maintains an elections calendar to

The presses couldn't wait in order to bring you our coverage of the Tuesday, Aug. 7 primary election in today's print edition of the Spinal Column Newsweekly. Visit our website, spinalcolumnonline.com, and click on the PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS banner for coverage of the contested primary races and ballot questions affecting the lakes area. ❏ Absentee Voting Act) to receive, mark and return their ballots in the upcoming August and September elections.” The case is being heard in the Western Division of the U.S. District Court of Michigan. “Our clerks do an excellent job on the front lines of elections and the vast majority of them did comply with the deadline,” said Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, the former Oakland County clerk/register of deeds. “It is critical that our overseas voters and military members — who put their lives on the line every day to protect our freedom — get a right to participate in the very system they are protecting.”

assist local clerks, the release states. Kerry Bentivolio of Milford; former state Sen. Nancy Cassis of Novi; and Kenneth Crider, Carolyn Kavanagh, and Steve King, all of Livonia, filed to run in the Sept. 5 special primary election necessitated by U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter’s abrupt resignation from the U.S. House of Representatives following a petition signature flap that triggered a Michigan Attorney General’s Office investigation. That election is expected to cost the state and local units of government a combined $650,000. The special general election to fill the remaining weeks of McCotter’s unexpired

term will be held in conjunction with the Nov. 6 regular general election. The current 11th Congressional District covers White Lake, Highland, Milford, Commerce, Wolverine Lake, Walled Lake, Wixom, and the northwestern corner of Waterford, plus others in Wayne and Oakland counties. The new 11th Congressional District formed last year following the redistricting processed required after the release of U.S. Census data includes Waterford, West Bloomfield, White Lake, Commerce, Wolverine Lake, Walled Lake, Wixom, Milford, White Lake, and Highland in the lakes area. Bentivolio appeared on yesterday’s primary election ballot for the Republican nomination for the new 11th Congressional District seat, while Cassis ran as a write-in candidate. Results from that election were not available prior to press time. Appearing on yesterday’s ballot on the Democratic side were Dr. Syed Taj, a member of the Canton Township Board of Trustees, and William Roberts, a self-described LaRouche Democrat from Redford Township. U.S. representatives serve two-year terms and are currently paid $174,000. ❏

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STATE

EFM law heads to the ballot State to operate under old statute with PA 4 now in limbo By Kirk Pinho assistant editor

ollowing months of argument between competing sides over petition font size, Michigan voters on Nov. 6 will determine whether a state law giving expanded and sweeping powers to emergency financial managers (EFMs) should be repealed. The Michigan Supreme Court in a 4-3 vote on Friday, Aug. 3 decided that Stand Up For Democracy, the group pushing for the repeal of Public Act (PA) 4 of 2011, met the legal threshold to appear before voters in November when it turned in over 226,000 petition signatures earlier this year, well over the minimum 161,305 signatures that were needed to get the referendum on the November general election ballot. At issue was the size of the font on the petition headings. Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility, a group opposed to the referendum on the Local Government and School District Fiscal Accountability Act, argued that the petition headings did not meet statutory requirements of 14-point type, a contention that Stand Up For Democracy denied. That issue prompted a 2-2 deadlock along party lines on the Michigan Board of Canvassers, which is comprised of two Democrats and two Republicans. Following the tie vote on April 26, Stand Up For Democracy on May 3 filed a complaint before the state Court of Appeals in order to force the Board of Canvassers to place the referendum on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. The Court of Appeals, in a unanimous opinion, ruled that the measure should be placed before voters despite the petition only “substantially” complying with statutory requirements. The appellate jurists said they were bound by previous precedent set in a 2002 case, Bloomfield Township vs. Oakland County Clerk, which established that substantial compliance is sufficient for a ballot proposal to appear before voters. However, the appellate judges also deemed that the Bloomfield case was wrongly decided, so they polled fellow appellate judges to determine whether a special seven-judge panel should be convened to rehear the case, possibly coming down with a different ruling

than what had been previously decided. But on June 14, the Court of Appeals determined that such a panel would not be convened. Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility then took the matter to the state Supreme Court, asking it to reverse the Court of Appeals ruling and overrule the Bloomfield decision. “Once this decision is certified by the board of canvassers, Public Act 4 will be suspended and the previous state law governing emergency financial managers, Public Act 72 of 1990, will govern,” said Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette. Yet attorneys for Stand Up For Democracy, including Herbert H. Sanders, reportedly contend there are no legal grounds for the state reverting back to operating under PA 72, particularly since the enacting legislation for the law’s 2011 expansion repeals PA 72 of 1990. Sanders did not return a call for comment prior to press time. “While I fully support the right of all citizens to express their views, suspension of the Local Government and School District Fiscal Accountability Act may adversely affect Michigan communities and school districts mired in financial emergencies,” said Gov. Rick Snyder in a statement issued

following the Supreme Court’s ruling. “It promises to make eventual solutions to those emergencies more painful.” The law has garnered national attention from some who contend that it strips people of their constitutional right to choose their representatives in local government. The emergency financial manager law has had local implications, as Waterford Township and the city of Pontiac essentially merged their fire departments after Louis Schimmel, Pontiac’s EFM, floated the idea to township officials. Township Supervisor Carl Solden said he believes that the fire services contract brokered between the city and township less than a year ago will remain in effect. “I’m sure (the agreement) will (stay in place),” Solden said. “(Even though) it was an emergency manager that took care of it, it was more of an amicable deal with the unions. They didn’t fight it and it wasn’t pushed down their throat.” The deal was expected to save the cash-strapped city of Pontiac millions of dollars and net a significant revenue boost for the neighboring township. Effectively, PA 4 of 2011 institutes a 12-step process by which a state-

appointed official intervenes in the fiscal well-being of a community or school district and comes up with a written plan to address underlying causes of what the state considers a financial emergency. After several steps, if there is confirmation that a financial emergency exists, the governor is required to declare a local government in receivership and appoint an emergency financial manager, who serves at the pleasure of the state’s chief executive. Upon being placed in receivership, both the chief executive and governing body of a local government in receivership are prohibited from exercising any powers of their offices without approval of the emergency financial manager. Their compensation and benefits are also eliminated. Within 45 days of being appointed, the EFM is required to develop a written financial and operating plan. A local unit of government is removed from receivership when the financial conditions on which the underlying financial emergency was founded are corrected in a sustainable fashion as determined by the state treasurer. The state Board of Canvassers has yet to ratify the 226,000-plus petition signatures reportedly in support of the referendum. ❏

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

MAIL BAG

Tiki Night ‘wonderful’ From Ginger Nickloy (Coxeter), Wolverine Lake: The village of Wolverine Lake has a great history of improving the quality of life through the efforts of volunteers. This year’s Tiki Night was even greater thanks to the Friends of the Fireworks (group). The addition of the Grand Princess Riverboat to the 25th anniversary of Tiki Night was a wonderful opportunity for all residents to appreciate the “Main Street” of our community and the unique quality of life we all enjoy. In addition to providing a fundraiser for the outstanding fireworks display we have come to expect annually, it also helped create an opportunity for residents to entertain and for neighbors to connect. Planning and coordinating the logistics for this program was obviously complicated and time consuming, and took many hours from many volunteers to plan, promote, sell tickets, coordinate boarding and parking, and host over 20 cruises to appeal to all ages (seniors, kids,

teens, young adults, etc.) Without minimizing the work of several volunteers, I think special recognition needs to be given to Mike and Mary Stack and John and Linda Blankenship for their efforts in making everything worked smoothly and was enjoyable for everyone. I enjoyed three of the cruises and commend the Friends of the Fireworks and all the volunteers — especially the Stacks and Blankenships — for their creativity and ongoing dedication to the enjoyment in our village. ❏

Driving up costs From Dawne Baker, White Lake Township: After the disappointing Supreme Court ruling on June 28, all of our state’s elected officials should stand in opposition to the government overhaul of health care and block the creation of a state-run health insurance exchange. The exchanges mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are expensive, complex, and intrusive. In order to meet proper

guidelines, an exchange will have to comply with over 600 pages of federal regulations, which would only result in higher premiums, more paperwork, and wasted taxpayer money. Further, the exchanges will become vehicles for a variety of new fines and penalties on employers. If an employee receives federal “premium assistance” and chooses to get their insurance through a health exchange instead of through their employer, that employer can be fined up to $3,000 for each employee in his company. For small businesses and individuals in our state, these fines and penalties would be disastrous. When a state declines to set up an exchange, the federal government then steps in to create (its) own exchange. However, the federal government has no authority to collect fines or penalties on employers as they would through a state-run exchange. The statute only penalizes employers when their employees receive federal premium assistance, which is only awarded to citizens of states with state-run, not federally-

AROUND THE LAKES AREA

WE’RE ASKING… "It did on the the day the event occurred. I called the theater to see if there were any incidents and then waited a few days. When I did go, it was sort of a commemoration to those who died and it was hard to watch. I prayed for them during the movie." — Kochavah Latham, Keego Harbor

run, exchanges. Though the IRS “clarified” this statute, (its) regulation was a severe overreach of authority, and will not stand up in court. By refusing to establish an exchange, we will be effectively preventing ObamaCare implementation in our state. We should not waste our state’s already scarce resources to create an ObamaCare exchange. The idea of a market where individuals can compare competing health plans is not in itself a bad idea, but a government-run market would only serve to drive up prices and drive down freedom. If something works, we can be sure the free market can and will create it more efficiently than the government. In order to encourage growth in both our state and the country, we must reject a state governmentsponsored health exchange. Join the fight against this government takeover of health care and help me encourage our representatives to refuse to set up a state health insurance exchange today. ❏

A special feature of the Spinal Column Newsweekly

Does the shooting in Colorado make you worry about going to the movies? "No, it didn't at all."

— Jonathan Latham, Keego Harbor

"It made me think if it would be safe or not, but it was a risk I was willing to take for a good movie."

"No. I think about it, but it wouldn't stop me from going to a movie because someone was shot."

— Alex Kinney, Waterford

— Karen Cox, Waterford

HAVE YOU JOINED THE CONVERSATION YET? GET ALL THE LATEST UPDATES AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE ON The Spinal Column Newsweekly is proud to announce our new Facebook page! There, you can receive breaking news directly from staff writers, discuss matters important to fellow lakes area residents and stay at the forefront of western Oakland County news. Simply search for “Spinal Column Newsweekly” on Facebook and add our page to W E S T participate.

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We’ve joined Twitter too! Stay connected to the Spinal Column Newsweekly, the premiere lakes area news source for over 50 years, at home or on the go. Follow @scnewsweekly to get breaking news from western Oakland County, as well as updates about stories you’ve read in the Spinal Column S N E W S W E E K L Y Newsweekly.

AUGUST 8-14, 2012

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IN OUR OPINION

State mute swan policies DNR’s management plan needs little in the way of changes T

he Humane Society of the United States has weighed in on the state’s plans for reducing Michigan’s mute swan population, sending the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposals on how it believes the state should address mute swan population issues. Although we’d like to see at least one change made, we’re not convinced the state’s mute swan management scheme is in need of wholesale revision. The U.S. Humane Society got involved in the state’s mute swan management debate in April after being alerted by two people — including a lakes area resident — about mute swan issues in Michigan, particularly the recent approval of a conservation order prohibiting the rehabilitation of injured or sick mute swans and their release back into the wild. The mute swan is considered an exotic, invasive, non-native species in the United States, according to state and federal wildlife officials. Native to Europe and parts of Asia, the species is believed to have been introduced to North America from the mid-1800s through the early 1900s for its ornamental value. However, since then, mute swans have been able to out-compete other native waterfowl for breeding habitats and continue to reproduce at a high rate. According to the DNR, mute swans pose threats to native wildlife, humans, and wetland habitats. As such, the department’s Mute Swan Management and Control Program Policy outlines short- and long-term state population goals, which include reducing Michigan’s mute swan population growth to zero by 2016 and to reduce the overall population to less than 2,000 by 2030. While hunting mute swans is not allowed, the DNR issues permits to remove mute swans and to destroy their nests and eggs. The department is expected to kill any swans removed from the environment. The U.S. Humane Society says the DNR should: • Immediately suspend the Mute Swan

Management and Control Program Policy and Procedures and begin to immediately revise and update the document; • Immediately appoint local mute swan advisory committees and a statewide committee, consisting of representatives of the Michigan Humane Society, the Michigan Save Our Swans Committee, and the Humane Society of the United States, along with others to advise the department on non-lethal management options and to liaise with the DNR in the development of a comprehensive mute swan stewardship and management plan; and • Declare a voluntary moratorium on the lethal control of free ranging mute swans, except in emergency situations, until a new comprehensive plan is completed. The DNR is currently reviewing the proposals. The department’s mute swan management plan needs little in the way of revisions. However, we admit we’re not comfortable with the state’s recently revised conservation order that prohibits the rehabilitation of sick or injured swans and their release back into the environment. That prohibition does smack of being inhumane, even considering that mute swans are an exotic species and their presence here has real ramifications for the environment. We’re not convinced that the relatively few injured and sick birds that could be rehabilitated and released each year would pose a significant hindrance to the DNR’s population reduction goals — which do seem a bit ambitious and unrealistic. Nonetheless, the proposed suspension of the remaining management policy and procedures; appointing local advisory committees; any work toward mute swan stewardship; and a moratorium on lethal controls are all unnecessary. Frankly, the DNR’s mute swan management plan and population reduction procedures — with the

exception of the above mentioned prohibition on releasing rehabilitated swans — are appropriate and reasonable, enough so that suspending the policy and procedures isn’t warranted. We don’t quibble with the department’s insistence that lethal population controls be implemented on public land, such as the DNR’s parks, recreation areas, and other facilities the department is obligated to manage. When it comes to controls elsewhere, we believe egg and nest destruction are appropriate approaches to mute swan population control. And because a local governing body must first authorize swan removal and egg and nest destruction, there’s already a local control aspect to the state plan that works. We’ve seen it work here in the lakes area, where Waterford and West Bloomfield officials, for example, have rejected requests for authorization of lethal controls. Elsewhere, such as in Wolverine Lake, where there’s been little or no public outcry against lethal controls, local officials have authorized such actions. The notion of creating local, or even a statewide advisory panel to help draft stewardship plans is ludicrous. It makes no sense to devise ways to protect or preserve a species that doesn’t belong here and hampers the viability of native species. It would be ridiculous to draft a stewardship plan for invasive zebra mussels, for example, and the same holds true for exotic mute swans. Yes, we’re aware few if any people develop an emotional attachment to zebra mussels, while many people do have an affinity for mute swans — which is why we’re willing concede the inhumane nature of banning the rehabilitation of sick and injured birds and releasing them. But beyond this somewhat counter-productive and admitted double-standard, mute swans should be treated the same as any other exotic, invasive species. ❏

Supporting local businesses N

ow that the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) has begun work on a significant reconstruction project on Pontiac Trail between West Maple Road and South Commerce Road in Walled Lake, it’s important for area residents and people passing through west Oakland County to remember that local businesses are remaining open throughout the effort to rebuild the heavily-traveled thoroughfare. During what will be a difficult time for those establishments, those in the lakes area would be wise to continue to support those businesses — many of them locally owned and operated — with their continued patronage. The $2.6-million project that began last month will involve resurfacing along Pontiac Trail and West Maple Road. Those roadways have been in a state of disrepair for several years and brutal for motorists to travel. During the project, Pontiac Trail will remain open,

but will be reduced to one lane in each direction. However, West Maple will be closed at the west side of Pontiac Trail from the start of the project through the end of this month. South Commerce at Pontiac Trail was closed on Tuesday, July 24 and will tentatively remain closed until Wednesday, Aug. 15. West Maple will close at the east side of Pontiac Trail, but not until September City and RCOC officials have been diligent in getting the word out that it will essentially be business as usual for those establishments in the vicinity of the road construction project that’s expected to be completed in November. That’s several months that people may be reluctant to travel in that area in efforts to avoid the traffic snarls caused by the roadwork. We understand that. Yet we’re encouraging area motorists to continue to support the businesses — many of which are

owned by your neighbors and friends — in that area with their patronage, regardless of the delays caused to their commutes or other travel plans. Supporting local businesses provides a number of benefits not only for the businesses themselves, but also for the community. The businesses provide jobs and local property tax revenue that supports public services and assets, including libraries, parks and recreation programs, and critical police and fire services, among others. They are anchors for neighborhoods and communities, and they deserve — and need — the public’s support. While you’re traveling in the area, it would behoove you to do some shopping to help provide that support during a time in which the businesses are coping with the road construction woes just like everyone else in west Oakland County. Doing so is good for the businesses and good for the community. ❏

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AUGUST 8-14, 2012

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PAGE 35

“He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything” – Asian Proverb ASSSISTED LIVING

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OPTICAL SERVICE

Helping Hand Elder Assistance, Inc. In Home Care Services Offered Include: •Companionship and Supervision • Personal Care • Assistance with medications • Transitional Care • Temporary or Long Term • In home or at medical and rehab facilities Member of Lakes Chamber of Commerce

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INTERNAL MEDICINE

1050 South Milford, Rd., Ste. 205 Highland, MI 48357

Tel: (248) 889-4300 Fax: (248) 889-4305 Treating individuals & families. Couples & pre-marital counseling. Substance abuse, depression, anxiety. Divorce support. Personal/success coaching. Trauma/grief. Sliding fee scale. Free initial consultation.

FAMILY MEDICINE

Open Mon. thru Fri. 10 a.m.-6p.m. Wed. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun. noon - 3 p.m.

Behzad Amin D.D.S. Mona Assar D.D.S. Commerce Professional Center 2900 Union Lake Rd. Suite 120 Commerce Twp., MI 48382

Tel: 248-363-8285 Fax: 248-363-8287 LakesFamilyDentistry.com

FOOT SPECIALIST

Providence Family & Athletic Medicine Stjohndoctors.org/pam

Blood draws • Complete physical exams Affordable pre-participation sports physicals Preventative screenings • Newborn & pediatric care Men’s & Women’s health screenings Home for all your family medicine needs

Dr. Michael Montico

1050 Corporate Office Dr., Ste. 100 • Milford (Just 2 1/2 miles N. of I-96, behind Baker’s of Milford)

MEDICAL CENTER

DR. GARY WASIAK D.P.M.

Community Foot Centers P.C.

2997 E. Highland Rd. Highland, MI 48356

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Fax: 248-889-8910 Mon. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. • Wed. 1-6:30 p.m. Fri. 12-5 p.m.

MEDICAL CENTER

LAKES INTERNAL MEDICINE Elaine Brenner, M.D. Saad Paul Kemennu, M.D. Christian McTurk, M.D. Chevelle Yuzon, M.D.

248-926-6610 Lakes Medical Center 2300 Haggerty Road, Suite 2150, West Bloomfield, MI 48323 New patients welcome. Call for your appointment today. lakesinternalmedicine.com

PHARMACY

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

10 ESSENTIAL HEALTH TIPS • Floss Your Teeth • Cut Fat • Choose Your Parents Well • Avoid Excess Drinking • Protect Yourself From Pollution

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Support yourself and your community – shop locally! The choices that you make about where to shop are powerful statements to your community. By choosing locally owned & operated businesses, you support: Schools • Police and Fire • Libraries • Parks & Recreation • Roads If you purchase from non-locally owned and operated businesses or the internet, tax dollars are going to someone else’s community - possibly in a completely different state. Invest in our future – buy local, live local, and volunteer local too.

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AUGUST 8-14, 2012

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PAGE 37

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ■ Milford Memories Summer Festival: Friday, Aug. 10 to Sunday, Aug. 12, downtown Milford. 248-685-7129 or www.huronvcc.com. ■ White Lake Farmers Market: Hog Days, show off your bike and enjoy the live entertainment, prizes, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, Huron Valley Lakeland High School, 1630 Bogie Lake Road, White Lake. 248-755-1195 or e-mail alaw4196@aol.com. ■ Four Towns United Methodist Church: Chicken BBQ dinner, 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, 6451 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford. 248-682-6868. ■ MSU Extension: Michigan Conservation Stewardship 10-Week Program begins Sept. 8, various locations throughout Oakland County. Reservations by Saturday, Aug. 11. Call 248-858-0887 or visit www.oakgov.com/msu. ■ Waterford Concerts in the Park: Featuring The Groove Council, 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, Hess-Hathaway Park, 825 S. Williams Lake Road, Waterford. Food and beverages available for purchase. Free admission. 248-666-8600. ■ White Lake Concert in the Park: Cats & the Fiddler, family event, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, Hawley Park adjacent to White Lake Library on Highland Road, White Lake. 248-6984942. ■ Highland Trail Riders: In collaboration with the Huron Valley Council for the Arts, presenting “It’s All About the Horse” 4th annual amateur photo contest. Each photo must include one or more horses. Photographs must be your own original work. Actual photo must be 8-by-10, black and white, or color. Submission period now through Aug. 24. For more information, e-mail HighlandTrailRiders@yahoo.com, or call Jane at 248-685-2545, or Jackie at 248-624-8988. ■ Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit: “Cinderella’s Ball,” a dance for couples and singles 30-plus, 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, 6600 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield. For ticket information, call 248-661-1000 or visit www.jccdet.org.

■ St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Huron Valley Schools: Distributing backpacks with school supplies for Huron Valley families experiencing financial difficulties. The backpacks will be available for pick up from 9 to 11 a.m. on Aug. 29, St. Mary’s Church, corner of Commerce and Burns roads in Milford. Valid ID with an address and proof (bus route post card, report card or current schedule) that each child will be attending school in the Huron Valley School District is needed. For more information, e-mail pawlowskid@huronvalley.k12.mi.us. ■ Huron Valley Council of the Arts: Call for Artists, 9th annual Arts & Greens Holiday Market, Nov. 17-18, Bogie Lake Green Houses, White Lake. Artist/crafter submission deadline Sept. 1. 248-889-8660. ■ White Lake Historical Society: 27th annual Fisk Farm Festival, craft fair, Civil War battlefield in miniature, storytellers, bake sale, musical entertainment, activities, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, Sept. 8-9, 9180 Highland Road, White Lake. Admission $1. 248-887-3344. ■ Huron Valley Council of the Arts: Trunk & Tail Gate Art Sale, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, HVCA, 205 W. Livingston, Highland. Participants/vendors needed. 248-889-8660. ■ Walk for Melanoma: 7th Annual KDB Melanoma 5K Run/Walk, Oct. 7, east boat launch, Kensington Metropark, Milford. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk/run will begin at 11 a.m. Register online at www.aimatmelanoma.org then click on “Participate in a Fund-raiser.” Registering before Sept. 15 will ensure a free T-shirt. All proceeds go to the AIM at Melanoma. ■ Wixom Farmers Market: Open 3 to 7 p.m. every Thursday through Oct. 4, Sibley Park off Pontiac Trail, across from City Hall. wixomparksandrec.com. ■ White Lake Farmers Market: Open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday now through Oct. 6, Huron Valley Lakeland High School, 1500 Bogie Lake Road, White Lake. whitelakefarmersmarket.weebly.com or 248-755-1195.

■ Milford Farmers’ Market: Open 3 to 8 p.m. every Thursday through Oct. 18, E. Liberty Street between S. Main and Union streets in Milford. milfordfarmersmarket.org. ■ Walled Lake Farmers Market: Open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays now through Oct. 31, Walled Lake City Event Field on E. West Maple Road between Decker Road and Pontiac Trail, Walled Lake. 248-624-4847. ■ Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit: Shalom Street Museum, new exhibit, “Be Kind to Our World: Shomrei Adamah,” with butterfly garden, a display about wind energy, and a hydroponic garden, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays; and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays, now through the end of November, 6600 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield. 248-661-1000. ■ Oakland County Market: Open 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, May through Christmas, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford. oakgov.com/cmarket. ■ (Breakfast) Optimist Club of Waterford: Meeting, 7:15 a.m. Thursdays, Big Boy Restaurant, M-59 and Airport Road, Waterford. 248673-3493. ■ Catholic Social Services of Oakland County: Senior companion volunteers needed to support adults with developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic mental illness, as well as the physically frail and homebound. 248-559-1147, ext. 3434. ■ Dads of Foreign Service: Bingo, 5:30 p.m. Sundays, VFW Post No. 4156, 321 Union Lake Road, White Lake. www.vfw4156.org or 248-6988302. ■ Friends of Byers: Byers’ Antique Barn now open noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Volunteers are needed at 213 Commerce Road, Commerce. For more information, visit byershomestead.org or call 248-363-2592. ■ Grace Hospice: Volunteers with reliable transportation needed to visit terminally-ill patients and family members in our communities. Free training and

classes are now forming. 1-888-9374390. ■ Huron Valley Council of the Arts: Thoughts and Colors of Nature, a group exhibit by members of the Michigan Association of Calligraphers, now on display at 205 W. Livingston Road, Highland. ■ Milford Police Department: Now taking back unwanted prescription drugs on a continuous basis at 1100 Atlantic Street in Milford. These unwanted prescription drugs may be placed into the secure drop box located in the Police Department lobby. All drugs turned in will ultimately be sent to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for destruction. The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked. For more information, visit www.milfordpolice.com or call 248-676-2089. ■ Mobile Knit Shop: Knit-Togethers, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Jewish Community Center, 6600 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield. Sessions are $5 each. 248-421-2566. ■ Mothers & More: Book club meeting, 7 p.m., first Monday of the month, Caribou Coffee, Union Lake Road, Commerce. 248-360-7702. ■ Rotary of West Bloomfield: Meeting, 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Henry Ford Medical Center, second floor, southwest corner of Farmington and Maple roads. 248-520-0095. ■ Williams Lake Church of the Nazarene: Airport Road Childhood Learning Center is now enrolling for their new young 5s pre-kindergarten programs for fall at 2840 Airport Road, Waterford. 248-673-6161. ■ Waterford Rotary Club: Meeting, noon, Tuesdays, The Shark Club on M59, Waterford. 248-625-4897.

SUPPORT GROUPS ❐ Age with Grace: Caregiver support group meeting, 6 p.m. the first Monday of every month at 2230 E. Highland Road, Highland. Space is limited, so please call to reserve your place. 248-529-6431.

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Continued

Hatchery Road, Waterford.

❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 37

❐ Postpartum Depression Support Group: Meeting, 6:45 p.m. Thursdays, DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, Commerce. 248-937-5220.

❐ AA Meetings: 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, Four Towns United Methodist Church, 6451 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford. 248-682-0211. ❐ Celebrate Recovery: Alcohol, drugs, gambling, sexual addiction, for life’s hurts, habits or hang-ups, meetings, 7 p.m. Thursdays, Woodside Bible Church, 9000 Highland Road, White Lake. 248-698-1300. ❐ Celebrate Recovery: Alcohol, drugs, gambling, sexual addiction, for life’s hurts, habits or hang-ups, meetings, 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Life Point Christian Church, 501 Scott Lake Road, Waterford. 248-682-1747. ❐ C.A.S.A.: Kleptomaniacs and Shoplifters Anonymous, 7 p.m. Thursdays, Wesley Room, Commerce United Methodist Church, 1155 N. Commerce Road, Commerce. 248-3588508 or kleptomaniacsanonymous.org. ❐ Divorce Care: Support group meeting for adults and children, 6:30 p.m. Sundays, Brightmoor Christian Church, 40800 W. 13 Mile, Novi. 248-7559533. ❐ Families Anonymous-West Bloomfield Chapter: Twelve-step support group for recovery for relatives and friends concerned about the use of drugs, alcohol or related behavioral problems, 2:30 p.m. Saturdays, West Bloomfield area. 1-800-736-9805 or www.familiesanonymous.org. ❐ Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous: Meeting, 6 p.m. Fridays, Crossroads Presbyterian Church, 1445 Welch Road, Commerce. 866-9143663 or foodaddicts.org. ❐ Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous: Meeting, 9 a.m. Saturdays, Central United Methodist Church, 3882 Highland Road, Waterford. 866-914-3663 or foodaddicts.org. ❐ Over-Eaters Anonymous: Recovery from compulsive eating, 12-step program, meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesdays, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 5301

❐ TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly): 5:30 p.m. weigh-in, 6 p.m. meeting, Tuesdays, DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, Conference Room 1-C, 1 William Carls Drive, Commerce. 248363-6369 or e-mail jr.h@att.net.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

❐ Seniors Open Golf Tournament:9 hole competition for ages 50 and over, Friday, Aug. 24, White Lake Oaks Golf Course, 991 Williams Lake Road, White Lake. Cost is $15/person if registered before Aug. 22; $18/person after Aug. 22, carts not included in price. Call the White Lake Oaks Pro Shop for event details at 248-698-2700. ❐ Dublin Senior Center: Personal Action Toward Health (PATH) class, 1:30 p.m. Thursdays beginning Sept. 18, 685 Union Lake Road, White Lake. Registration. 248-698-2394. ❐ Highland Adult Activity Center: CPR Recertification class, 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, 209 N. John Street, Highland. Admission $10 per person, $15 per couple for dance and $25 for CPR class. 248-887-1707. ❐ Richardson Community Senior Center: Soup, Sandwich and Movie Day, noon to 3 p.m. Thursdays, 1485 E. Oakley Park, Commerce. 248-9260063. ❐ R.S.V.P: Retired and Senior Volunteer Program needs volunteers, age 55 and up to work at hospitals, cultural institutions, food pantries, schools and more. For more information, contact Carol Heckman at 248-559-1147, ext. 3435. ❐ Sylvan Lake Lutheran Church: Senior Stretch and Tone, 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. Fridays, 2399 Figa Avenue, West Bloomfield. 248-682-0770. ❐ Waterford Senior Center: Art Expression, 9 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays, Room No. 2, 3621 Pontiac

Lake Road, Waterford. $5 donation toward class supplies; $1 per day to help offset Waterford Senior Center cost. 248-683-9450. ❐ West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Senior Programs: Line dancing, 11 a.m. Fridays at the Corners, 4640 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield. Registration. 248-4511900. ❐ Wixom Senior Center: “Come As You Are Chorus,” Wednesdays, 49015 Pontiac Trail, Wixom. 248-624-0870.

PARKS ❐ Groveland Oaks County Park: Art Fair, free annual event with hot air balloons, gliders, kites and more, 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, 14555 Dixie Highway at Grange Hall Road, Holly. DestinationOakland.com. ❐ Indian Springs Environmental Discovery Center: “Animal Origami in the Park” and “The Power of the Perseids — Meteors!” Saturday, Aug. 11; “Over, Under and Around the Pond,” Sunday, Aug. 12, Indian Springs Metropark, White Lake. Registration. 248-625-6640. ❐ Kensington Farm Center: “Fun on the Farm: Goats,” 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 9; “Fun on the Farm: Horses,” 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 16; Horse-drawn hayrides, noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Kensington Metropark, Milford. 248-684-8632 or 1-800-4773178. ❐ Kensington Metropark: “Colonial Kensington,” Colonial, British and French re-enactors bring Michigan’s history to life with a colonial era camp, military drills and a battle, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11-12, Martindale Beach, Kensington Metropark, Milford. 810227-8917.

LIBRARY EVENTS ❐ Commerce Township Community Library: Star Lab, children’s special event grades 1-5, 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, Richardson Community Center, Oakley Park Road, Commerce. Registration, 248-669-8108 or commercelibrary.info.

❐ Highland Township Public Library: Creatures of the Night, grades 6-12, 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13; Lego, ages 5-12, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, 444 Beach Farm Circle, Highland. Registration. 248-8872218. ❐ Milford Public Library: Monarch Butterfly Program, adult program, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, 330 Family Drive, Milford. Registration. 248-684-0845. ❐ Walled Lake City Library: Afternoon Adult Book Discussion Group, 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, 1499 E. West Maple, Walled Lake. Registration. 248-624-3772. ❐ Waterford Township Public Library: “A Guide to the Treatment of Your Mythological Creature,” movie, all ages, 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9; Adult book discussion, Charles J. Shields’ “Mockingbird: A portrait of Harper Lee,” 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14, 5168 Civic Center Drive, Waterford. Registration. 248-6744831. ❐ West Bloomfield Township Public Library: Youth book discussion, Annie Barrows’ “The Magic Half,” grades 36, 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, 4600 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield. No registration. 248-682-2120 or www.wblib.org. ❐ White Lake Township Library: Adult book discussion, Nevada Barr’s “Track of the Cat” or “A Superior Death,” 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14, 7527 E. Highland Road, White Lake. Registration. 248-698-4942. ❐ Wixom Public Library: Slaves of Suspense Book Club— Richard Doetsch’s “The 13th Hour,” adult book discussion 2 p.m., Aug. 29, 49015 Pontiac Trail, Wixom. Registration, 248-624-2512.

RELIGIOUS

❐ Bethany Church of Waterford: Vacation Bible school, Babylon: Daniel’s Courage in Captivity,” grades K-5, 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, Aug. 6-10, 1357 Hiller Road, Waterford. Admission is by donation. 248-722-4516.

AUGUST 8-14, 2012

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

HURON VALLEY SCHOOLS FILING DEADLINE FOR BOARD OF EDUCATION POSITIONS

COMMUNITY LEGAL NOTICES

The regular election will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. Two seats on the Huron Valley School Board will be filled during the election. Both positions are for a four-year term ending December 31, 2016.

CITY OF WIXOM

Any Huron Valley School District resident who is a citizen of the United States and a qualified and registered elector in the District is eligible for election. If you are interested and considering running for the Board you simply need to do the following by 4pm on August 14, 2012: 1.

Sign an Affidavit of Identity

Complete a nominating petition with a minimum of 40 signatures or maximum of 100 signatures from qualified and registered electors of the school district OR submit a non-refundable check of $100.00

NOTICE OF TIME CHANGE FOR REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS Pursuant to Section 4.15 of the City of Wixom Charter, the Wixom City Council at their regular meeting held on Tuesday, June 26, 2012, adopted a resolution to change the time for regular City Council meetings. Effective August 2012, regular meetings of the Wixom City Council will begin at 7:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at Wixom City Hall, 49045 Pontiac Trail. The revised schedule of regular meetings for calendar year 2012 is as follows: Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday *Wednesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Wednesday Tuesday Tuesday **Tuesday

The signing of the Affidavit, the submission of the petition OR the check is done at the Oakland County Elections Division office. A candidate filing information packet can be requested online at www.oakgov.com or by calling the Elections Division at (248) 858-0564. Anyone interested in becoming a candidate or that has questions regarding the process may call Sandra Elka, Huron Valley Schools, at (248) 684-8178. S.C. 8-8-12

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS HURON VALLEY SCHOOLS HIGHLAND, MI 48357 Huron Valley Schools will be receiving bids for the following bid package:

Decommissioning the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) A pre-bid meeting will be held on Monday, August 13, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Waste Water Treatment Plant, located behind Lakewood Elementary, 1500 Bogie Lake Road, White Lake, MI 48383. Bid documents are available online at http://webapps.huronvalley.k12.mi.us.bids/ or by going to the District's web site, www.huronvalley.k12,mi.us and clicking on Quick Links, then selecting Bid Registration & Information. Sealed bids should be submitted to Sandra Elka, Supervisor of Purchasing, Huron Valley Schools, 2390 S. Milford Rd., Highland, MI 48357. Bids are to be submitted no later than 10:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday, August 21, 2012. Late bids will not be considered. Bids will be publicly opened immediately following the close of receiving bids. No oral, email, telephonic or telegraphic proposals shall be considered. In compliance with MCL 380.1267, a sworn and notarized statement disclosing any familial relationships that exist between the owner, or any employee of the bidder, and any member of the Huron Valley Schools' Board or the Superintendent must be included with the bid. Bids without a sworn and notarized disclosure statement will not be accepted. Certified check or Bid Bond by an approved surety company must accompany each proposal in an amount not less than 5% of the bid amount. Price proposal shall be good for a period of no less than 60 days from the bid date, unless otherwise noted. The Board reserves the right to waive any irregularities, reject any or all bids, or accept any bid when in the opinion of the Board such action will best serve the District's interest. Bonnie Brown Secretary, Board of Education S.C. 8-8-12

CITY OF WIXOM

NOTICE OF ENACTMENT OF ORDINANCES NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at its regular meeting duly called and held on Tuesday, July 24, 2012, the Wixom City Council enacted the following ordinances to amend the City of Wixom Code of Ordinances: Ordinance 2012-02, an Ordinance to amend the City of Wixom Code of Ordinances, Chapter 9, "Public Peace and Welfare", Section 9.32, "Controlled Substances and Paraphernalia", in order to add a new Subsection, Subsection 9.32.050, "Possession of Marijuana", Prohibiting its Use or Possession. Ordinance 2012-03, an Ordinance to amend the City of Wixom Code of Ordinances, Chapter 9, "Public Peace and Welfare", Section 9.12, "Offenses Against Public Peace and Safety", in order to add a new Subsection, Subsection 9.12.140, "Fireworks", Prohibiting and Regulating the Ignition and Discharge of Fireworks Except on Certain Days Allowed by State Law. Interested individuals may obtain a copy of one or both of these ordinances from the Wixom City Clerk's Office, located at 49045 Pontiac Trail, during regular business hours (Monday-Thursday, 7:15 a.m.-5:30 p.m.). Catherine Buck City Clerk

S.C. 8-8-12

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January 10, 2012 January 24, 2012 February 14, 2012 February 29, 2012 March 13, 2012 March 27, 2012 April 10, 2012 April 24, 2012 May 8, 2012 May 22, 2012 June 12, 2012 June 26, 2012 July 10, 2012 July 24, 2012 August 14, 2012 August 28, 2012 September 11, 2012 September 25, 2012 October 9, 2012 October 23, 2012 November 13, 2012 November 27, 2012 December 11, 2012 December 18, 2012

7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm

Meeting moved from fourth Tuesday to fourth Wednesday due to Presidential Primary Election. Meeting moved from fourth Tuesday to third Tuesday due to the holiday season.

Catherine Buck City Clerk

S.C. 8-8-12

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

CITY OF WALLED LAKE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:30 PM 1499 E. WEST MAPLE ROAD, WALLED LAKE, MICHIGAN Please take note the City of Walled Lake Zoning Board of Appeals will meet as noticed above to consider the following appeal: Case# 2012-06 Appellant: Mark Smith Parcel ID# 17-35-177-019 Location: 1496 Oak Grove, Walled Lake, MI 48390 Request: Non-Use Variance Applicant requests a three foot (3’) variance from the front six foot (6’) rear yard fence height limit under section 21.13(a) “Fence and Wall Requirements” of the City of Walled Lake zoning ordinance to erect a nine foot (9’) high privacy fence along the rear lot line of Applicants above referenced single family lot. Complete details of the proposal are available at City Hall for review. All interested parties are invited to attend. Written comments will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. the day of the hearing. Vahn Vanerian City Attorney SC: 8-8-12

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

Sights on Rio Area archery phenom has Olympic goal By Michael Shelton staff writer

While the archery competition has just completed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, a Waterford Kettering High School student has her sights set on competing in the 2016 Olympics. Hunter Jackson, 17, said she has been watching the Olympic archers compete on television and hopes that she will soon shoot for an Olympic medal. “I know all of the U.S. archers,” she said. “I even went to the U.S. Olympic Training Center.” She has already racked up over 60 U.S. national archery records and over 20 state records over a number of years. In the meantime, she is preparing to depart for the 2012 World Archery Field Championships in the French Alps, an event that will take place beginning on Tuesday, Aug. 14 and run until Sunday, Aug. 19. It’s an event that Jackson won a silver medal at two years ago in Hungary, which is just one part of a resume that would rival those of most current Olympians. In just this calender year, Jackson has won gold medals at the National PAGE 42 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

Hunter Jackson, a 17-year-old Waterford Kettering student heading into her senior year, has already racked up over 60 U.S. national archery records and over 20 state records over a number of years. She heads for the French Alps next week for the 2012 World Archery Field Championships. (Photo submitted by Hunter Jackson)

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ARCHERY

Hunter Jackson ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 41

Target Outdoor Championships, the Gator Cup United States Archery Team qualifier and the State Archers of Michigan tournament in Waterford Township. This comes a year after Jackson won gold medals at the National Field Archers Association Indoor Nationals in Louisville, Ky. and the Indoor World European Championships in Nimes, France. In addition, Jackson qualified for this year’s World Field Championships by winning a silver medal at the the World Field Trials in Spokane, Wash. in May. Unlike the archery events at the Olympics that are competed on level ground in front of a crowd, field archery involves shooting at targets on mountains. “My dad and I have been working on angles because field archery is climbing mountains and shooting,” Jackson said. “It’s hard around here because there aren’t any mountains, so we’ve been talking a lot about eventually getting up on the roof of the garage. Last year, we set up a tree stand and I shot out of it for awhile. “We’re shooting in the French Alps,”

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS August 23, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. White Lake Township 7525 Highland Road White Lake, MI 48383

AGENDA 1. Call to Order/Roll Call 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes: a. Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting of July 26, 2012 b.

Zoning Board of Appeals Special Meeting of August 9, 2012

5. Continuing Business 6. New Business a. File No. 12-023 Applicant: William Sherbrooke 1660 Salishan Court Commerce, MI 48383 Location: 4208 Jackson Ct. White Lake, MI 48383, identified as 12-07-326-010 Request: Variance to Articles 6 for lot width, lot size, side yard setback, minimum floor area, and distance to neighbors. 7. Other Business 8. Next Meeting Date: a. September 27, 2012 9. Adjournment SC: 8-8-12

she said of the 2012 World Archery Field Championships. “It’s climbing mountains and shooting on angles. There’s a lot of times going from target to target, crawling on our hands and knees with all of our equipment trying to get from each target to the next.” Jackson said that while the demands of field archery are taxing, she realizes how much fun she has had at the end of the day. “When you talk to everybody, it’s like the most amazing experience ever,” she said. Jackson has been shooting a bow and arrow since she was 7-years-old, when a bow was passed down to her during an annual family trip to a deer camp in Clare, Mich. “My first shot went into an old dead tree,” Jackson said. “My Dad went to Jay’s Sporting Goods and bought me a Brown Micro Mitus bow and I haven’t stopped since.” Jackson has since competed in numerous tournaments in locations across the state and country, as well as in Europe. “When I come back from France, I’m only home for a day and then I leave for another archery tournament in California, so a lot of times it gets extremely overbearing because of jet lag, but then I sit back and say it’s worth it,” Jackson said. “With all the opportunities it’s given me and everybody I’ve ever met, there’s nothing that would not make me want to do it anymore.” She added that Hungary has been her favorite place to visit and that one of her best friends is an archer from Slovenia. In addition, Jackson was named to the U.S. Junior Dream Team in 2009 and remained on the team until late last year. Jackson said that she left the team because she wasn’t ready yet to make the full-time switch from the compound bow she regularly shoots with to the recurve bow required to participate with the team in the Olympics. “The type of bow you shoot is a huge difference,” she said. “It is much harder to shoot recurve.” But she said she still hopes to try out for the next Olympic games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in 2016. Jackson said that she shoots 200 and 400 shots a day during the summer to ensure her success and relies on her Christian faith to help her through adversity and keep her grounded when she’s successful. “The humbleness is not my ability, but what God lets me do,” she said. “Everything I do is for God. I just try to inspire other people because I can.” During the school year, Jackson works to balance her schoolwork with her archery practice and tournaments, which involves a lot of early mornings and late nights, as well as sacrifices such as less time for friends and social gatherings.

But she said she remains grateful for the support given to her by her friends, except for one pet peeve. “If I hear one more thing about being Katniss, I will probably slap someone,” Jackson said, referring the lead female character from “The Hunger Games.” As she prepares to enter her senior year of high school, Jackson said that she hopes to eventually attend Michigan State University, where she can join the school’s archery team and pursue her goal of being a veterinary specialist. In the meantime, she now looks to head back to Kettering with a couple more championships under her belt, beginning next week in France.

FOOTBALL

New Mott football coach ‘so excited’ for task ahead By Michael Shelton staff writer

There’s a new sheriff in town at Waterford Mott — or to be fair, a U.S. Marine. Chris Fahr, the new head coach at the helm of the Mott varsity football team, said he couldn’t wait for practice to officially being this week. “I’m so excited,” he said. “This week has really been hard for me. I just want to go and get the kids out there and work them. I’m just so happy at the place I’m at.” Fahr was previously on the coachFahr ing staff at Birmingham Seaholm from 2001 to 2010, including serving as the team’s head coach beginning in 2005. Last year, Fahr tested the waters of college football as a defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa. But it wasn’t long until he realized that his heart belonged to the Friday night lights. “The thing I love about high school football is the day-in, day-out relationships with the kids,” Fahr said. “You don’t get that in college.” Fahr now faces the challenge of turning around a Corsairs’ program that hasn’t had a winning record or made the state playoffs since its 7-5 season back in 2007. “I want us to be a tough-nosed football team that plays the game the right way, keeps their mouths shut and plays

SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

extremely hard,” Fahr said. He added that the players and coaches have been very receptive and that a football booster club has also been set up. “The way I treat this football program is no different than how I treat my family and friends,” he said. “If you show them that you’ll give them everything you have, 99 percent of the kids will bring that back to you.” Fahr is a Michigan native who was born in Pontiac, but moved to Georgia with his family while in the eighth-grade. He had football opportunities after playing at Meadow Creek High School, but ended up joining the U.S. Marine Corps instead. “I got myself into some issues,” he said. “I went in a punk and came out a man. They changed my attitude.” Fahr wasn’t deployed overseas while serving from 1993 to 1997. He eventually came back to Michigan, where he returned to high school football as a volunteer coach for Huron Valley Lakeland in 1999 before joining Pontiac Central’s coaching staff in 2000. Now, having been around the Mott community for close to 14 years with his residence about 10 minutes from the school, Fahr is now looking forward to putting his stamp on the Corsairs’ football program, which he said he hopes will result in a new winning tradition.

BASEBALL

Baseball clinic this weekend features ex-Tigers, HOF’er The inaugural “The Greatest Save Celebrity Experience” will take place on Sunday, Aug. 12 and Monday, Aug. 13, which will include a youth baseball clinic and a golf outing with former members of the 1968 and 1984 Detroit Tigers and baseball Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers. On Aug. 12, a free youth baseball clinic will be held at the Orchard Lake St. Mary’s baseball complex from 1 to 4 p.m., followed by a reception, dinner, Hall of Fame panel and auctions at the Edgewood Country Club in Commerce Township beginning at 5 p.m. On Aug. 13, the pro-am golf tournament will take place at Edgewood beginning with an 11 a.m. shotgun start and ending with an awards luncheon beginning at 4 p.m. Prices for the Sunday dinner are $75 per person and fees for the golf outing are $225 a person for golf only and $275 with the banquet included. For more information, visit thegreatestsave.org, call Joan Murray at 248882-3137 or e-mail Murray at joan.murray@att.net.

WEST OAKLAND SUPER WANT ADS SUPER RATES! SUPER REACH! PHONE 248.360.7355 • Mon.-Fri. 8:30-5 FAX 24/7• 248.360.5308

WANT ADS APPEAR ON www.spinalcolumnonline.com

NOTICES 01-08

REAL ESTATE 12-22

MOBILE HOMES 42-43

RENTALS 45-57

ABSOLUTELY FREE WANT ADS • Absolutely Free (#90): An item must be offered FREE to appear in this category. The want ad is FREE to you. One item per ad, one ad per family on any given week. Column is for non-commercial ads only. • Items under $25: Advertise an item for $25 or less and a 10-word want ad is FREE. Special rates for items over $25. • Used Vehicle: Five weeks FREE for private party vehicles. Charge your first week and we schedule it for 5 more weeks. Call to cancel when sold. • Found: Found a lost item? We will run an ad for FREE (#3/Found) to help you find the owner.

MERCHANDISE 89-138

LEISURE TIME 142-159

RECREATION

BOATS 162-179

CARS, TRUCKS CYCLES 181-196

• Reunions (#4): Published FREE for 4 weeks.

HELP WANTED 60-75

JOBS WANTED 77-86

HIGHLIGHT YOUR AD For further emphasis add an icon or shade your ad for only $5.

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GARAGE SALE KITS – With payment for your advertisement you get a FREE Garage Sale Kit with street signs, balloons, price stickers and tips on having a successful garage sale.

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PUBLISHER’S NOTICE Advertising published is subject to rate card or contract conditions, copies of which are available from the publishing group. Ads are subject to approval before publication, only publication constitutes acceptance. We reserve the right to edit, reject, cancel or reclassify any ad. If an error by the newspaper should occur, the newspaper’s responsibility for that portion of the advertisement in error is limited to cancellation of the charge or publication in the following issue. The publishing group shall not be liable for any loss or expense that results from publication or omission of an advertisement.

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NOTICES Reunions

ST. MICHAEL School Pontiac 23rd "All School Reunion" Sunday, September 16th, 11am Mass at Shrine of St. Joseph 400 South Blvd., Pontiac. Noon reunion gathering at Scott Lake Banquet Center 2100 Scott Lake Rd. (Elks Lodge #810). 1:30pm dinner buffet. Reservation required: Lance Butler 248-335-5243

West Oakland area school reunions. FREE for 4 weeks within a 13 week period (27 word limit). Other Reunions Published 4 weeks for a total cost of $20 for 15 words; each additional 4 words $2.

Call 248.360.7355

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Houses For Sale

Commercial/ Industrial

JUST LISTED! Comfortable 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch on Bitten Lake w/ 155' frontage and nice setting. Open floor plan, bright kitchen w/wood floors, family room with gas log fireplace leads to heated lakeside sunroom. Partially finished basement & 2 car garage. $184,500.

Hartland

JUST LISTED! Tastefully decorated 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath brick ranch. Peaceful, private, 2 acre setting. Nice kitchen, dining area w/snack bar shares see through fireplace with comfortable living room, doorwall to 16x20 deck. 1st floor laundry. Full basement, shed & 2 car garage. $185,000.

England Real Estate (248)887-9736

JUST LISTED! Peaceful retreat! Nice 2 bedroom cottage on all sports Maxfield lake. Great views! Convenient kitchen open to living area with wood burning fireplace. Large deck on lake side for enter taining. $162,500.

TOTALLY UPDATED CAPE COD On 12 wooded acres, pole barn. MLS#212057271 $239,000

6365 Carscadden Way, Highland

248-684-1065

560 N. Milford Rd., Milford www.realestateone.com

Fawn Lake Pontiac Trail at Maple Pre-Owned Homes: $6,000 - $25,000 Rent: $385 - $400 PLUS MOVE-IN DISCOUNTS On Select Homes

(248) 624-0709

Warehouse or Industrial space for lease. Loading dock, 3 phase. 14 X 14 overhead door. 1,800 sq. ft $850/mo. 7,000 sq.ft. $4,000/mo. Immediate occupancy

248-496-7652 or 248-496-7648

Apartments

Pontiac Lake 1 bdrm for $459 2 bdrm for $499 Includes all utilities except electric. Security Deposit. For more information & availability call

248-626-7857 WALLED LAKE Mother-in-Law Apt. Modern 840 sq.ft. 1 bdm, all utilities, Direct TV & Wifi inc., A/C, non smoker, pets negotiable.

$795 per month Olivermich@mac.com

HARTLAND Desirable ranch home on 5 acres. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, basement, 3 car garage. $1,750.00 monthly plus 1 1/2 months security.

248-755-5073 Rooms/Share Quarters

FURNISHED SLEEPING room for rent. Waterford area, $100 /week. 810-355-8097

HARTLAND

England Real Estate (248)887-9736

HELP WANTED General/ Help Wanted

General/ Help Wanted

PART TIME OFFICE WORK 3 days per week. Must be professional. Preferably younger female. Must be experienced. $8-10 per hr depending. Ask for Tina 248-390-9092 DEDICATED RUN $62,000 per Year! HOME WEEKENDS Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, 401K Class A CDL + 1 yr OTR Exp Landair Transport

Call Today! 1-866-640-5996 www.landair.com

Now Seeking Lawn Specialist

England Real Estate (248)887-9736 Desirable home w/fireplace, basement, 2 car garage, sub setting. $1,575.00 monthly. Plus one month security.

MOBILE HOMES Mobile Homes for Sale

WATERFORD

Houses/ Condos

England Real Estate (248)887-9736

OPEN SUNDAY 1-3 12

RENTALS

Hartland

SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

Twelve phone lines open 8:30-5:00 Monday through Friday

248-360-SELL (248-360-7355)

$22k-30k depending on experience. Must have a clean driving record, CDL Chauffeur's, State certification 3A, must be able to pass background check and drug testing.

Contender's Tree & Lawn 248-698-4470

General/ Help Wanted

RISING STARS CHILD CARE

MANUFACTURING SUPERVISOR

Now hiring for all positions, must be willing to work varied hours, Milford area.

A privately owned manufacturing company is looking for a Manufacturing Supervisor to carry out day to day functions of it's production facility. Duties include managing employees, monitoring production processes, safety practices, equipment maintenance, grounds and scheduling. Must have management, mechanical and computer experience. Health care benefits available. Wixom area. Send resume only employment@ to:

Send resume risingstars1 @comcast.net

Drivers CDL-A: Your current 10-20 have you down? Why not Get Home, NEW PAY PACKAGE! 2012 tractors/ trailers to boot?

888-406-9046

chasenedrow.com

HELP WANTED LAWN SERVICE & LANDSCAPING

DRIVERS WANTED Full or Part time Day or Night

248-625-5719

248-666-2110

WELL DRILLING HELPER

Material Supply Company Is seeking general labor/ warehouse help. Hours 7am to 3:50pm, M-F, star ting at $8.15 an hour benefits available. Apply in person

CDL needed. Both part & full time entry level positions available.

For info call 248-887-1738

TAXI & AIRPORT

E.C.A Service & Supply 1981 Dallavo Drive Commerce MI 48390

Looking to rent a house or condo?

call Arlene Keller Williams Realty mihome4u.com 248-912-4628

CNC PROGRAMMER AND SET-UP

We are an aggressive and growing CNC machine shop. We are looking for people to Program, Set Up or Run Okuma Mills and Lathes. Overtime, Benefits, Health & Life Insurance, Optical & 401K. Pre-employment Physical Required. Apply in Person and ask for JJ Weekdays 9 am-4 pm

Now Hiring/Training School Bus Drivers/Monitors Openings in West Bloomfield, MI Experience Preferred But Not Required Training Provided Benefits Available

Apply in person:

3340 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield

4527 Old Plank Rd. Milford, MI 48381

(248) 685-0961 X233

HELP WANTED

Mature person wanted for a full time general shop help and machine operator. Wixom or Farmington Hills locations Overtime, Benefits, Health & Life Insurance, Optical, and 401K.

248-865-3680

Pre-employment Physical Required. Apply in Person and ask for JJ Weekdays 9 am-4 pm

Or Apply Online: www.durhamschoolservices.com

4527 Old Plank Rd. Milford, MI 48381

(248) 685-0961 X233

AUGUST 8-14, 2012 General/ Help Wanted

FIT ZONE FOR WOMEN OF WATERFORD Is seeking an energetic and enthusiastic person for a sales & training position. Sales background helpful, we will train. Fun environment, flexible hours, mornings, evenings, weekends.

E-mail resume to: fitzonewaterford@ gmail.com or call : 248-674-9800 for more info.

ASS'T SUPERVISORS For janitorial work in Novi/Farmington Hills & for Brighton/ Wixom. Police clearance & drug screening required. $10/hr plus gas allowance. Complete online application at www.usservico.com or fax resume to 248-926-9595.

www.spinalcolumnonline.com General/ Help Wanted

Sales Positions 65

DRY CLEANER

Looking for Shirt Presser. Full or Part Time. 248-624-4333 Medical/ Dental

DIRECT CARE Both full time & part time. Up to $9.03 per hour to start, with Benefits. Small group home setting. Must be Patient & Reliable. Highland, Oxford, South Lyon, Rochester Hills areas. 248-486-5368 LET US LET YOU FIND that perfect employee to fill that spot on your staff. Give us a call at 248-360-7355 or fax to 248360-5308 or 219-360-5309.

PUBLIC AUCTION “Mini Storage Depot will sell at public auction, contents of Units Numbered (H623/F402, Clayton Smith: household goods, boxes, furniture, sporting goods, tools), (D205, Brett Donohoe: household goods, furniture, boxes, tools), (L1001, Thomas Saunders: boxes, sporting goods, tools), (N1203, Angela Ursin: household goods, boxes, suitcases, sporting goods, tools, inventory), (K937, Marcie Finney: household goods, boxes, furniture, suitcases), (D203, Tammy Paull-Mackenzie: sporting goods, tools), (C169, Brandy Boik: household goods, furniture, boxes), (C166, Darrell McCloud: household goods, furniture, boxes, suitcases, toys, sporting goods, tools, inventory), (M1146, Nicole Hudnall: household goods, furniture, boxes), (O1353, Jeremy Sorrels: household goods, boxes, equipment), (G521, Claudius Hogan: household goods, boxes, furniture, sporting goods, tools), on Friday, August 31st, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. for back storage fees owed. The auction will take place at Mini Storage Depot - 46550 Pontiac Trail, Walled Lake, Michigan 48390. We reserve the right to reject any and all bids.”

SALES POSITION Base salary $15,000 PLUS 10% commissions, vehicle allowance & phone reimbursement. Sales experience necessary (janitorial a plus). Send resume- Attn HR PO Box 930071 Wixom MI 48393

Construction

HARD WOOD APPRENTICE High end flooring company seeks hardwood installer/ finisher, no experience necessary, will train. Must be hardworking & reliable. Walled Lake area.

Absolutely Free

FREE BASKETBALL pole with backboard and net. You remove and pick up. 248-6242954 KITTENS, CATS Fixed rescues. Need loving homes. 248-738-4901 or 248-2149898

Auction/Estate Sales101 HUGE ESTATE Sale! Everything must go! Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 9-5. Furniture china, beds and mattress, and much more. 2142 Helmsford Drive, Walled Lake.

Garage Sales

103

248-366-9600

HIGHLAND

william@yerkefloors.com

HUGE! 3525 Grandview M59/ Milford Road. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 9-4.

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE Used/Wanted

SCRAP METAL Aluminum .30-.60¢/lb. Copper $2.00-$2.60/lb. Brass .80¢- 1.50/lb. Auto Rads. .80¢-1.10/lb. 1011 Decker, Walled Lk

Mann Metals Corp. (248)960-1200 Absolutely Free

Items must be FREE to respondents, ad free to you. Restricted to residential. The publishing group accepts no responsibility for actions between individuals. Sorry, we do not accept ads for free dogs. DINING TABLE & Chairs, solid oak entertainment center with glass doors. You pick up. 248-667-2012 FIVE LARGE Pieces from cut up tree, seasoned.You pick up. Commerce area. 248- 3434239

MILFORD GARAGE SALE, 1412 Timberridge Court. Thursday, Friday 9-5, Saturday, 9-12. WEST BLOOMFIELD FRIDAY, SATURDAY, 9a.m.-5p.m. 4035 Maple Blvd, Haggerty/ Richardson. 48323. Kids' toys, many $1 items. WHITE LAKE

3 Home Garage Sale 837 Farnsworth August 9th, 10th, 11th. 9-5 Toddler Clothes and Household Items.

Twin Lakes Village Subdivision Thursday, Friday, Saturday August 9th, 10th, & 11th 9am -5pm M-59 & Sunny Beach Blvd., across from Walmart

Clothing/Apparel

PAGE 45 119

BRAND NEW Nike shocks, size 7. $24.99. (Retail $120) 248-960-7285 RED WINGS Jersey, "McCarty," authentic, size 48, $24. 248-425-1004

Appliances

122

MICROWAVE OVEN "Emerson" turntable, 12x12, 2007, $24. 248-360-8485

Furniture/Rugs

125

RV CHAIR, wood, folds flat. 16" X 19.5" $20. 248-6984168 SLEEPER SOFA w/matching chair, new. Natural colors. $450 248-797-6400

Household Items

SLIDING GLASS door vertical blinds White, 108'X84" $12 248-881-2031

138

$20 PREPAID Phone card for only $10- I can give you a 1800 number to verify, expires June 13, 2013. 248-6232661. LITTLE TYKES Child's Picnic Table seats 6, $20. 248-3634672 WESTINGHOUSE AUTOMATIC white can opener, brand new in box. $5. 248623-2661

LEISURE TIME Sports/Recreational146

FRIDAY, SATURDAY, 10am-5pm. 2312 Pawnee Drive. Baby stuff, books, more.

POOL TABLE, $25. White Lake. Call after 2 p.m. 248461-6788

YOUR CLASSIFIED AD

You can fax your ad 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to the Spinal Column Newsweekly

248-360-5308 • 248-360-5309

BOATS/ OUTDOOR Boats/Motors/ Trailers

164

14' FIBERGLASS Sailfish sailboat $280 248-363-4672

DAVE'S MOBILE MARINE •Pontoon Hauling •Inboard & Outboard Repair "We Come To You" •Buy & Sell Motors

(248)666-9248

187

HADLEY'S TOWING 25460 TransX Novi, MI 48375

Auction: 8-16-12,10a.m

Snowmobiles, Trailers, RV's Fenced, Gated & Lighted Yard

1. 1992 Ford Taurus Vin 1FACP53U8NG174648 2. 1995 Honda Accord Vin 1HGCD5650SA106447 3. 1999 Ford Crown Vin 2FAFP73W8XX103120 4. 1993 Lincoln Continetal Vin 1LNLM82WPYT56179 5. 2003 VW Jetta Vin 3VWSK69M43M047770

Let us sell your pontoon.

Tom 248-681-4250 www.tomspontoonservice.com

CARS/TRUCKS MOTORCYCLES Wanted Parts/ Salvage

181

UNWANTED AUTOS LLC TOP $ Paid For Any: • Junk • Non Running • Wrecked Cars $275 & Up

(248)467-0396 Tires/ Parts

182

THE CLUB- Auto security bar, red, $15. 248-360-2911

Motorcycles

183

MOTORCYCLEGUARANTEE See First Want Ad Page FULL REPAIR SERVICES Motorcycle parts/ Access. Mention ad for up to 20% off! MX • ATV• P.W.C

Lakes MotorSports 4713 Dixie Highway, Waterford, MI 48329 www.lakesmotorsports.com

Trucks/Trailers

185

2002 F-150, V-6, 2wd, 208K miles. $3500. OBO. 248-8673054

Cars

187

TURBO NEW Yorker 1984, 4 door, A1 inside and out, like new $2,600 248-698-0917 CHEVY CAVALIER 1998 convertible $2,800 OBO 586303-6500

SALES GUARANTEE Autos, Vans, Trucks See First Want Ad Page FORD ESCAPE 2009, White, new tires/ shocks, regular oil change, great conditon, $12,995. 248-520-1740.

Home/ Office Cleaning

368

House Cleaning

Summer Storage-$59.99

248-674-0663

WIXOM

FAX

Cars 164

PONTOON HAULING Local & Long Distance

129

WOODEN PLANT stand w/ graduated shelving. 18" wide x 28" long x 28" high. $10 248623-2661

Odds N Ends

Boats/Motors/ Trailers

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Professionally done by a team weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Long term references available.

Contact Pam 248-636-7126 COLLEEN'S CLEANING SERVICE is coming to your neighborhood. Residential / Commercial 20 Years Experience • Insured • Local References upon request. Call for FREE Quote or questions 9am-5pm

248-974-5104

PERSONAL/ SERVICES Photographers

336

FOCUS - POCUS Photography in Walled Lake

July & August No Sitting Fee for Senior Portraits Call for Pricing

248-631-8707

LET US HELP YOU FIND all those business opportunites that you may be missing. Give us a call at 248-360-7355 or fax to 248-360-5308

MORE ADS ON PAGE 46

Reasons To Use West Oakland Service Firms

• Up-to-date listings allow for seasonal or changing conditions • They are part of the community • They offer a variety of services to meet your needs • They are ready and eager to serve HIGHLAND’S NEWEST AUTO DEALER

Guaranteed Credit Approval 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK XE

Loaded, low miles, 3rd row seat, traction control. $18,500 A must see!

WE BUY CARS! Paying more for your trade

3365 W. Highland Rd. (M-59) at Hickory Ridge Rd.

248-714-6125

woodwardauto.com

PAGE 46

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

LAKES AREA SERVICES (248) 360-7355

www.SpinalColumnOnline.com IN PRINT and ON-LINE 24/7

Fax (248) 360-5308

Personal • Business • Maintenance • Improvements • Repair REPAIR/ IMPROVEMENT Appliance Repair

502

TONY'S APPLIANCE SERVICE Servicing all Major Appliances. •Hot water tank

(248)360-0213 (248)698-8819 Asphalt/Pavement 503

KEITH'S SEALCOATING • NO SPRAY • ASPHALT REPAIR & GRAVEL FILL

SINCE 1983

(248)-623-7282 Cabinetry

515

Elegant Woodworking •Mantels •Fireplace Surrounds •Furniture •Entertainment Center •Custom Cabinets •Crown Molding •Kitchen Cabinets •Custom Bars Harold Canfield

(248)363-3804 elegant-woodworking.com

Cement/Concrete

517

C&G CEMENT Quality Workmanship Residential-Commercial Over 30 years Experience STAMPED CONCRETE DRIVEWAYS FOOTINGS GARAGE FLOORS BLOCK WORK FREE ESTIMATES Michael (248)363-4783 MILFORD LOCATION

(248)684-5928

Cement/Concrete

517

ARROW CONCRETE •Driveway Replacements Free Tear outs •Regular & Stamped •Home Owner Friendly •Residential - Commerical Fully Lic. & Ins. 20 Yr. Exp.

248-758-4346

MARCUCCI CONCRETE As Seen on ABC TV "Extreme Home Makeovers" Satisfying Customers for Over 30 Years •DRIVEWAY •PORCHES •FOUNDATIONS •BRICK •BLOCK •STAMPED/ COLORED Lic/Ins Visa/ MC Wixom www.marcuccicement.com

248-486-5900 524

THE DOOR STOP Since 1980 Garage door springs and door openers repaired and/or replaced.

Call Anytime 248-624-4042 (cell) 248-640-6298 CERTIFIED OVERHEAD DOOR SERVICE •Garage Doors •Repaired/ Services •New Doors/ Openers •Installed at Factory Pricing •Emergency Service Available

248-624-3161 Drywall

526

R & D DRYWALL & PAINTING •Hang & Finished •Small Repair •Texture Repair •Plaster Repair •Wet Sand

Ron (248)673-7665

528

MASTER ELECTRICIAN Insured & State Licensed, 25 years experience. Prompt, courteous service. FREE ESTIMATES. ALL TYPES OF WORK. Competitive Prices

(248)683-7985 Excavating

ARROWCONCRETE.NET

Doors

Electricians

529

J.J.M BACKHOE SERVICE LLC Backhoe service & landscaping. 38 Years Experience. Small or Large Jobs. Fully insured. Free estimates.

(248)624-6458 Flooring

536

EDWARD'S FLOOR COVERING •Linoleum •Ceramic Tile •Hardwood Floors •Laminate Wood 27 Years Exp. Free Est.

(248)241-6913 Handy Person

545

DU-IT-ALL HOME CARE IMPROVEMENTS Specials: •Ceramic Tile •Formica Tops & Kitchens •Exterior/Interior Painting Also, we do complete basements and all other interior work, including electric, plumbing, etc. Call today. Cell #

(248)891-7072 Licensed and Insured

D & S HOME REPAIRS REMODELING •Additions •Garages •Drywall •Painting •Plumbing •Electrical •Tile •Marble •Kitchens •Baths •Basements •Decks 33 Years ... Licensed

248-684-4175 810-714-3058

Handy Person

545

TOTAL HOME SERVICE 35 Years Licensed PLUMBING • HEATING CARPENTRY • DRYWALL ELECTRICAL NEW SERVICE KITCHENS BATHS CERAMIC TILE

"The job your husband will do tomorrow." (248)887-2366 Heating/Duct Work 546

THOMASON HEATING & COOLING • Furnaces • Boilers • Air Cleaners •Air Conditioners •Humidifiers Service & Replacements

FREE ESTIMATES ON INSTALLATION

248-363-1615 CHRISTIAN MECHANICAL CONTRACTING LLC Commercial & Residential "Your one stop shop for all your heating & cooling needs." Mechanical License & EPA Certified

248-660-7685 Home Improvement

547

T SQUARED CONTRACTING • Custom Carpentry • Remodeling Kitchens, finished basements, baths, etc. 25 yrs exp. Lic. & Insurred

248-760-2873 t2contracting@sbcglobal.net

Lawn/Garden Services

553

Painting/ Decorating

Tile 562

A R T

SUMMER SPECIALS

Outdoor Services, LLC Lawn Service •Spring clean up •Gutter cleaning •Landscape •Brick pavers •Mulch & weeding •Insured •Res. & Com.

Lakes Painting

www.artoutdoorservices.com (248)625-5719

LADY LIBERTY ENTERPRISES Land Decorating & Maintenance, LLC. Flower bed weeding, Mulching, Brick Pavers/Repairs, Boulder Walls, Lawn Maintenance, Clean-ups, Tree & Shrub Pruning. Insured.

248-634-7041

College Student Looking for Lawn care, mulch/ stone & odd jobs Shawn Larkins 248-931-0295 Painting/ Decorating

562

FARR'S PAINTING Exterior & Interior Wood Repairs • Caulking Staining • Wallpaper Removal Drywall repairs • Water repairs Free Power Washing w/paint. farrshomeimprovements.com

(248) 477-7764 (248) 345-3308 VS PAINTING SUMMER SPECIAL Save 20% this season on exterior/ interior painting, drywall repair, & wallpaper removal on small or big jobs. 25 years experience. licensed and insured. Same day free estimates.

248-894-3239

All types of Painting Drywall Repairs • Wallpaper Removal & Installation . References • Lakes Area Owner Operated Since 1980

248-762-1534 Plumbing

567

Premier Plumbing Licensed & Insured Complete Plumbing Service

New Construction & Remodel Commercial & Residential

248-363-5864 Power Washing

569

FARR'S POWER WASHING •Deck Cleaning / Staining & Sealing •Brick Cleaning •Rust & Mold Removal •Housewashing. •Painting •Deck Repairs. farrshomeimprovements.com

(248) 477-7764 (248) 345-3308 Roofing

571

D&D ROOFING

•Siding •Gutters & Leaf Guards •Soffits & Trimwork •Decks •Windows

Doug Dible 248-431-6243 ROOF REPAIRS Missing shingles replaced, Chimney flashing resealed, Leaks stopped, Vent stack flashing replaced, Complete roof inspection service, Guaranteed work. 30 yrs exp.

Call Doug Miller 248-360-0344 Siding

577

I.D.C.

Home Service Siding, Trim & Soffitt Guaranteed Professional Installation. Lic./ Ins. References available.

Bob: 248-363-0589 idchomeservice.com

585

Tree Service

587

J.M. TILE & MARBLE CUSTOM WORK

KODIAK AERIAL TREE SERVICE

•Remodeling •Quality Service •New Construction • Repairs •Grout Sealing • Licensed and Insured

Tree Trim Removal and Stumps •Free estimates •Insured 30 years experience

John Miller (248)505-8865 jmtileandmarble.com

Trash/Debris Removal

Waterproofing

599

Dry Basements, LLC 586

Progressive Transportation Specializing in: •Appliances •Furniture •Debris Removal

Call anytime for estimates & great service

248-887-4892 Tree Service

248-921-9097

587

J ROMO TREE SERVICE •Tree Trimming •Lot Clearing •Tree Removal •Experienced •Quality Work •Affordable •Free Estimates •Insured

(248)939-7420 (248)978-1096 jromotreeservice@yahoo.com

MAXON'S TREE SERVICE •Trimming •Tree Removal •Stump Grinding •Lot Clearing •Firewood & Woodchips "We now have wood fencing & deliver sand, gravel, top soil."

Licensed & Insured Free Estimates

(248)887-2190

We Repair: •Poured Walls/ Concrete Block •Waterproofing •Cracked or Bowed Walls •Foundation Repaired Replaced •Underpinning •Crawl Space and Encapsulation •Licensed & Insured •Ron Heck, Builder (248)420-0116

Wells

603

McPherson WELL SERVICE PUMPS •TANKS WELL REPAIR 2, 4, & 5 INCH

Emergency Service 7 days a week 248-

363-6464

aquawells.com All credit cards accepted

BOB WYCKOFF WELL SERVICE "If you have questions, we have answers!" •PUMPS •TANKS • WELL REPAIR

(248)310-0917

Emergency Service Visa & MasterCard

AUGUST 8-14, 2012

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

PAGE 47

Whether you are buying or selling you need a professional!

Call one of these Lakes Area Real Estate Pros! Jennifer Wrobleski

To advertise call 248.360.7355

Beth “Peedee”Freund, GRI

REALTOR®

Associated Broker

248-854-3100 Office 248-360-2900 Cell

office (248) 363-8588 ext. 267 fax (248) 363-5786

www.MichiganHomeMarketPlace.com www.JenniferWrobleski.net

cell (248) 877-9293

jwrobleski@kw.com

www.realestateone.com

Keller Williams Realty 2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 Commerce Township

8430 Richardson Rd., Commerce, MI 48382

Kendra McConnell Hurd

Your Trusted Real Estate Professional

Susan Boggs

REALTOR®, ABR e-PRO, TRC

248-494-1562 Office 248-644-6300 Cell

248-787-7509 susan@susanboggs.com 32900 Five Mile Road Livonia, MI 48154 eliasrealty.com

kmhurd@cbweirmanuel.com Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel www.LinkedIn.com/in/KendraMcConnellHurd

MICHAEL J. STAWIZKY

Susan Kissick

Fine Homes and Lakes Specialist

SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

Classified Connection

Connect with your west Oakland neighbors – over 30,000 households each week.

For over 50 years your neighbors have looked to the Spinal Column Newsweekly as their source for news 248-360-SELL and ad information, the most effective and convenient way to connect with the neighborhoods of Commerce, West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake, Walled Lake, Wolverine Lake, Milford, Highland, White Lake and Waterford. 12 phone lines open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. • Deadline: 5 p.m. Monday.

248-360-7355

Phone Leslie, Cindy, Rhonda or Lori at 248-360-SELL/248-360-7355 or fax your ad to 248-360-5308. WEST OAKLAND’S

NEWSWEEKLY

248.283.8345 248.535.5343

direct cell

248.283.8788 fax

skissick@skbk.com • susankissick.skbk.com

348 E. MAPLE ROAD • BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009 248-644-7000 • WWW.SKBK.COM

Lorrie Bailey Agent

248-884-6723 Fax 248-406-2901

Cell

888.304.1456 fax sellmyhomemike@gmailcom findahomemike@gmail.com

42705 Grand River Ave Ste 201 Novi, Mi 48375

2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 Commerce Township, MI 48382

Rob Sprader

lorriebailey@aol.com kw.com

REALTOR®

248-640-2680 248-360-2900

lorriebailey.com

Cell

Keller Williams Realty

Office

2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 Commerce Township Linda and Rich Mitchell “The Mitchell Team”

ALL WANT ADS ARE INCLUDED ON OUR WEBSITE AND ARE POSTED AFTER 4 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY

248.980.4406 direct 888.304.1447 ext. 360

Award Winning Top Producers Real Estate One 560 N. Milford Road, Milford, MI 48381 Linda’s Cell: (248) Rick’s Cell: (248)

467-1185 467-1184

Office: (248) 684-1065 Direct Fax: (888) 399-5430 LindaMitchell@RealEstateOne.com RickMitchell@RealEstateOne.com www.TheMitchellTeamHomes.com

Michigan’s Largest Real Estate Company

E-mail Robsprader@hotmail.com Website Robsprader.com

REALTOR

“Your Satisfaction is My Reward”

PAGE 48

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

Whether you are buying or selling you need a professional!

Call one of these Lakes Area Real Estate Pros! 248/756-0414 Cell 248/305-1234 Office

www.TheStocktonTeam.com

248/348-1680 Fax

johnobrien@realestateone.com www.realestateonc.com/johnobrien

2900 Union Lake, Suite 21 Commerce, MI 48382

Michigan’s Largest Real Estate Company

248-366-7200 Lakes Area’s #1 Team! Zillow Preferred Agent

John O’Brien

Janet Direct: Steve Direct: 248-755-7600 248-755-7500

janet@TheStocktonTeam.com

Diane Wilson Cell

Real Estate One, Inc.

Associate Broker Notary Public 2003 WWOCAR Realtor of the Year

41430 Grand River Ave., Novi, MI 48375

steve@TheStocktonTeam.com

To advertise call 248.360.7355

Grigoriy Dordik

Royal

REALTOR®

Ann Byer 3050 Union Lake Road, Suite 8A Commerce Township, MI 48382 248-787-7895 cell 248-242-7742 e-fax ANNBYERHOMES@GMAIL.COM Each Independently Owned & Operated

248-212-9771 Fax 248-406-2901

Cell

Broker/Owner

2900 Union Lake Rd., Suite 210 Commerce, MI 48382

dordik@yahoo.com

My goal is result and professional service. I’m available for you any time. Buy, sell or rent house, I can help you. I speak russian.

REALTOR®, ABR, SFR

248-420-3120 248-360-6800

Susan M. Tolstyka

Business

Associate Broker

Direct: (248) 739-1221

www.dianewilsonrealtor.com DiaWil@aol.com

susan@mmrealtors.com 25 S. Main St., Clarkston, MI 48346

Office: 248-625-1010

Prudential Great Lakes Realty 2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 Commerce Township, MI 48382

2000 Oakley Park Rd., Ste. 201, Commerce

Fax: 248.625.5298

www.mmrealtors.com (248) 363-8300 Office (248) 363-5786 Fax (248) 326-4568 Cell www.AskTomB.com Website TomsPalmBeachBiz@yahoo.com Email

Robert Hittinger REALTOR®

Rob Sprader

Residential • Commercial • Investment

REALTOR®

810-602-4128 Office 248-406-2942 Cell

Cell

248-640-2680 248-360-2900

Office

http://RobertHittinger.yourKWagent.com Email RAHittinger@comcast.net

Tom Buchanan

E-mail Robsprader@hotmail.com Website Robsprader.com

Keller Williams Realty 2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 MI 48009 348 E. MAPLE ROAD • BIRMINGHAM, Commerce Township 248-644-7000 • WWW.SKBK.COM

REALTOR® - Associates

Michigan’s Largest Real Estate Company

“MICKIE” 248-891-8667 Cell

Office

248-360-2900

Real Estate One Lakes Office 8430 Richardson Rd. Commerce Twp., MI 48382

Jill Hurley REALTOR® Commerce Market Center Cell

248-747-2708 248-406-2926

Office

mklump@kw.com

www.jhurleyhomes.com E-mail jillsjems3@yahoo.com

Keller Williams Realty 2900 Union Lake Rd., Suite 210 Commerce, MI 48382

Office: 248-360-2900 Mobile: 586-255-2610 Home: 248-618-0189 Fax: 248-406-2901

Rick Reid

Melissa Schmidt

REALTOR®

Real Estate Agent

248-981-8582 Office 248-406-2956 Cell

Email: MissySchmidt@yahoo.com Web: HuronValleyRealEstate.com

www.RickReidProperties.com Rick@kwReid.com

Keller Williams Realty

COMMERCE MARKET CENTER 2900 Union Lake Rd., Suite 210 Commerce Township, MI 48382

Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 Commerce, MI 48382

2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 Commerce Township

PAULA REESE Buying or Selling? I am Your Realtor

248-882-1112 543 N. Main • Rochester, MI 48307

www.paulareese.com paula.reese@gmail.com

AUGUST 8-14, 2012

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

PAGE 49

featured properties:

– MILFORD – OVER 5,000 SQ. FT. EXQUISITE HOME IN DESIRABLE OLD MILFORD FARMS 212079048 $479,900

– MILFORD – SECLUDED HISTORIC HOME ON 1.37 ACRES AND CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN! 212074166 $170,000

– WATERFORD – CURB APPEAL PLUS! HARDWOOD FLOORS, FENCED, WOODED YARD 212061574 $134,900

– WHITE LAKE – STUNNING CONTEMPORARY, 1ST FLOOR MASTER GREAT ROOM WITH FIREPLACE 212079464 $259,900

PAGE 50

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

Has Your Realtor Won This Many Awards? AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

Crain’s Detroit Business 2006-2011 TOP 10 RESIDENTIAL BROKERS

RIS Media 2006 - 2011 POWER BROKER 500

Real Trends 2011 TOP 500 LARGEST BROKERS IN THE UNITED STATES

KELLER WILLIAMS 2008-2011 TOP MARKET SELLER UNITS SOLD

Call us about our new agent and veteran’s scholarship program.

Get a Realtor with the real power to help you buy or sell your property! Expert Realtors for: • Residential • Short Sale • Foreclosure • Investment • Leasing • Commercial

FEATURED LISTINGS THIS WEEK

LAKE PRIVILEGES - CARROL LAKE Boat launch/beach for all day use. Updated 3 bed, 2 bath ranch. Walled Lk. schools. Robert Hittinger 810-602-4128

LAKEFRONT LOT - MANDON LAKE Walled Lake school district. Deep walkout lot w/great view of lake, sandy beach. Robert Hittinger 810-602-4128

WOLVERINE LAKE VILLAGE Investors opportunity - 3 bdrms, 1 bath, 1 1/2 story fixer upper. $22,900 Not a bank owned. Rick Reid 248-981-8582

WOLVERINE LAKE VILLAGE Updated 2 bdrms, 1 bath ranch with full part finished basement. $105,900. Rick Reid 248-981-8582

VACANT LAKE FRONT LOT Lotus Lake, Waterford. 46’ x 277’ lot. Build your dream home. $159,900. L/C available. Rick Reid 248-981-8582

WEST BLOOMFIELD 4 bed Cape Cod on all-sports Middle Straits, lg. lot, panoramic views, Walled Lk. schools. $625,000. Rick Reid 248-981-8582

SEE STEVE FOR ALL YOUR HOME LOAN NEEDS! WONDERFUL 4 BEDROOM COLONIAL 2.5 bath. Spectacular 1/2 acre corner lot. Lake privileges on Sylvan/Otter Lake. $119,900. Robert Schwartz 248-406-2927

ALL-SPORTS LAKE SHERWOOD Waterfront 5 bdrms, 3 baths, 5,500 sq. ft. Finished lower walkout. $729,900. Mickie 248-891-8667

ENTIRELY UPDATED 3,200 sq. ft. 4 bdrms home. Large fenced yard. Bloomfield schools! $339,000. Mickie 248-891-8667

WHITE LAKE - 2000 BUILT 4 BED 3,117 sq. ft., mstr. suite W/2 WIC & bath, hrdwd kitch, 42” cabinets. Walled Lk. schools. David Ridley 248-760-4222

WHITE LAKE 3 bdrms, 2.5 baths. $203,000 NEW CONSTRUCTION, half acre lot. Carol Klein 248-866-1904

WHITE LAKE 3 bdrms, 2 full baths. $245,000 NEW CONSTRUCTION, half acre w/o lot. Carol Klein 248-866-1904

COUNTRY SETTING COLONIAL 3 bed (poss, 4th), 3 bath. Minutes from I-75. Main flr. laundry. 24’x30’ outbuilding. Tim Miller 248-396-2875

BEAUTIFUL 5 BED, 3.5 BATH HOME On 10 acres of secluded land. 6,200 sq. ft. incl. fin. w/o basement w/2nd kitchen. Steven Moore 248-406-3015

COMMERCE - LAKES AREA Laura Prendergast - Team Leader 2900 Union Lake Rd., #210 • Commerce Twp., MI 48382 248.360.2900

WEST BLOOMFIELD - FARMINGTON HILLS Dan Klaper - Team Leader 30500 Northwestern Hwy., #300 • Farmington Hills, MI 48334 248.626.2100

AUGUST 8-14, 2012

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

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$259,900

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CHARMING RANCH HOME ON 1 ACRE PRIVATE PARADISE •2,289 sq. ft. + fin bsmt, 3 bed, 3.5 ba •GR-fp, rec rm-bar/fp, bed 4-egress windows #212079086 EXT. #265•KEY #248360 . WP ET AK

2900 Union Lake, Suite 210, Commerce, MI 48382

248-366-7200

Lakes Area’s #1 Team! Zillow - Preferred Agent

$89,900 GORGEOUS TRI-LEVEL ON BEAUTIFULLY LANDSCAPED LOT •1,484 sq. ft., 3 bed, 1.5 ba, updated kitch •Large family room, 2.5 car, .31 acre lot #212080761 EXT. #294•KEY #248374

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$378,800

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$495,000 STUNNING VIEWS ALL-SPORTS UNION LAKEFRONT •75’ sandy shoreline, 200’ deep lot, seawall •Poss. walkout site, existing 2 br, 2 ba home #212017000 EXT. #205 •KEY #248367

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$514,000 BEAUTIFULLY LANDSCAPED LOT 327’ LAKE FRONTAGE •4 bed, 3.5 ba, DR, granite kitch, GR, FR •Fireplace, 2nd kitch, 3 car, beach, dock #212070498 EXT. #287•KEY #258747

$349,900

$319,900 INCREDIBLE RETREAT ON PRIVATE, WOODED 5 ACRES! •3,049 sq ft + fin w/o, 3 bed, 3 ba, granite kitch •2-sty rms, post/beam construction, patio, 3 car #212064550 EXT. #211•KEY #268871

Janet Direct: Steve Direct: 248-755-7600 248-755-7500

ALL-SPORTS UNION LAKEFRONT SPECIAL •2-3 bedroom brick ranch, fin w/o, brick fp •2 car attached gar, elevated deck, patio #212034479 EXT. #215•KEY #276273

$259,900 127 FT. OF BULLARD WATERFRONT GORGEOUS TREED .43 ACRE LOT •2,116 sq. ft., walkout, 4 bed, 3.5 ba, wet bar •Part fin. w/o, circle drive, elevated deck #212051318 EXT. #234•KEY #248366 . WP ET RC E MM CO

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$309,900 BIRKDALE POINTE - BEAUTIFULLY LANDSCAPED PRIVATE LOT! •2,921 sq ft, 3 bed, 2.5 ba, great rm, fireplace •Dining rm, granite, daylight bsmt, deck, 3 car #212065846 EXT. #214 •KEY #266253

$374,900 BEAUTIFULLY UPDATED HOME ON ALL-SPORTS DUCK LAKE! •2,962 sq ft, 4 bed, 2 ba, vaulted dining, library •Fp, vaulted family rm, 1st flr laundry, bsmt #212060746 EXT. #246•KEY #258416

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BRENDEL LAKEFRONT RANCH WITH FINISHED WALKOUT •1.7 wooded acres, 2,000 sq ft & fin walkout •3 bed, 2 ba, 2 fps, patio, green house, 2 car #212079780 EXT. #236•KEY #248358

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$239,900

GORGEOUS GERUNDEGUT BAY ALL-SPORTS CASS LAKE •Remodeled ranch, stone fp, dining rm •Corian counter kitch, tile, crown molding #212060211 EXT. #280•KEY #248373 P. TW CE R E MM CO

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$174,900

NEW CONSTRUCTION SPACIOUS TRI-LEVEL SEPTEMBER 1ST OCCUPANCY BEAUTIFUL 1.38 ACRE LOT •1,650 sq ft, 3 bed, 2.5 ba, master jet tub bath •1,804 sq ft, 3 bed, 2 ba, Florida rm, living rm •Kitch & dining w/hdwd, doorwall, bsmt, 2 car •Family rm - fp, kitchen appl., shed, 2 car #212075065 EXT. #263 •KEY #268870 #212056167 EXT. #262•KEY #267493

$209,900

$199,900

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$169,900

$109,900 SPACIOUS TRI-LEVEL BEAUTIFUL .62 ACRE, TREED LOT •1,990 sq. ft., 3 bed, 2 ba, Florida room •Family rm, fp, above ground pool, 2 car #212074633 EXT. #253•KEY #266255 P. TW RD O F TER WA

SPACIOUS COLONIAL ON LARGE, FENCED LOT •2,080 sq. ft. + fin bsmt, 3 bed, 2.5 ba, deck •GR-fp, FR, 1st flr laundry, 3 car w/storage #212079251 EXT. #228•KEY #263461

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janet@TheStocktonTeam.com

800-396-5204 + Ext. # for recorded message Text Key # to 90210 for text message Call today for a private consultation.

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steve@TheStocktonTeam.com

LAKEFRONT RANCH HOME ON ALL-SPORTS LONG LAKE •3 bedroom, 1.5 bath, open flr plan, Florida rm •GR, new snackbar kitch, deck, dock, 2 car #212075900 EXT. #241•KEY #248372

$399,900

$385,000 10+ ACRE HORSE/HERB FARM WITH CIRCA 1880 FARMHOUSE •2,200 sq ft 2 sty, 4 bed, 2 ba, full basement •14 stall barn, 10 fenced pastures, coop, 8 car #212034718 EXT. #201•KEY #248379 P. TW CE ER M M CO

BIRKDALE BEAUTY LARGE, NICELY LANDSCAPED LOT! •3,627 sq ft, 4-5 bed, 2.5 ba, LR, DR, jet tub ba •2-story GR, ff laundry, w/o bsmt, 3 car #212073978 EXT. #237•KEY #248341 P. TW CE ER M M CO

$199,900

$79,900 BEAUTIFULLY REMODELED CONDOMINIUM TOWNHOUSE •2 bed, 1.5 ba + fin bsmt, granite kitch •Ceramic & hdwd, LC terms, clubhouse, pool #212009441 EXT. #259•KEY #262565

BEACON HILL GOLF COMMUNITY END UNIT CONDO •2,000 sq ft, 3 bed, 2.5 ba, 2 mstr. suites •Fireplace, ff laundry, bsmt, deck, 2 car #212066997 EXT. #238•KEY #258361

With property inventory down, mortgage rates remain low and home pricing on the rise...

There’s No Better Time To Sell! We are full time professional Realtors... •Meeting Client’s Needs Since 1977 •Dedicated Listing & Buyer’s Agents •160+ Negotiated/Closed “Short Sales”

Our performance speaks for itself!

www.TheStocktonTeam.com

PAGE 52

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

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2006 Chevrolet Impala - 12G3548A .$9,867

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2007 Saturn Ion - 12G2203B

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2009 Chevrolet Avalanche - 12G3472A 27,988

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2008 GMC Yukon Denali - 12G2865A $34,977 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer - 12G2863A 17,977

2005 Chevrolet Uplander - 12G3460A .$7,677 2005 Buick Lacrosse CXL - 12G3924A 9,987 $

2010 Chevrolet Equinox - 12G4052A $18,977 2011 Jeep Liberty - 12G4109A . . . . . . . .$17,988

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2010 Toyota Camry - 12G4015A . . . . . . . . .$15,977 2009 Cadillac CTS - 12G1494A

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