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Waterford Fire Department takes over in Pontiac — page 7 Decision against renaming Kettering ball fields protested — page 16 Volunteers needed to monitor bird nests at Lyon Oaks — page 25

That’s what HE said: "We started rattling some chains."

— Walled Lake City Manager L. Dennis Whitt commenting on how outcry from city officials and the public to the Road Commission for Oakland County on the deteriorating condition of the intersection of Pontiac Trail and West Maple Road prompted the reconstruction project to be bumped up a year from 2013 to 2012.

INSIDE Special Report . . . . . . . . .8-9 County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Public Safety . . . . . . . .22-23 Environment . . . . . . . .25-26 State . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29-30 Lakes Area News . . . . . .7-15 Editorials . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . .35-40

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Walled Lake officials have been in discussions with the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) about this summer’s planned reconstruction project slated to address local concerns about the intersection of Pontiac Trail and West Maple Road in Walled Lake. The project was originally slated to begin in 2013, but outcry from the area prompted officials to bump up the construction date to this year. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)

Preparing for orange barrels

Walled Lake, RCOC meeting on Pontiac Tr./W. Maple project

By Leslie Shepard staff writer

Walled Lake officials and the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) have been holding discussions on the planned summer reconstruction project at the intersection of Pontiac Trail and West Maple Road.

City Manager L. Dennis Whitt, Downtown Development (DDA) Director Charlene Long, City Councilmen Bill Sturgeon and John Owsinek, as well as Department of Public Works Service Coordinator Lisa McGill, met with RCOC representatives on Friday, Jan. 27 to go over preliminary plans.

The intersection has been in a state of disrepair for several years and brutal for motorists to travel. The project was originally scheduled to begin in 2013, but due to persistent vocalization of frustration by city officials, the project was moved up a year.

“We started rattling some chains,” Whitt said. “The RCOC is a pretty good public relations machine and we told them the potholes were killing us.

Subsequently, the project was moved up a year.”

Under the complete reconstruction project, the existing concrete will be removed and new concrete will be poured along Pontiac Trail from South Commerce Road to just south of East West Maple. In addition, an another 1,000-foot section along West Maple east of Pontiac Trail will be replaced.

“This section was done in the earlyto mid-1990s and due to the aggregate used at that time, it caused premature deterioration,” McGill said.

According to RCOC Spokesperson Craig Bryson, in addition to new concrete, there will be curb and gutter replacements, as well as a new traffic signal configuration installed at the

intersection. The railroad crossing will also be removed.

During construction there will be road closures on West Maple and South Commerce, but not simultaneously.

Work will begin after Memorial Day. “We don’t have a construction schedule as of yet,” Bryson said. “It could be sometime in June or later.

We’re still finalizing right-of-way acquisition.”

The project is expected to cost $2.6 million, of which $1.9 million will come from federal sources. The remaining expense of $466,000 will be shared by Walled Lake and the RCOC. “The city can use Tri-Party funds to pay for the reconstruction, so our contribution will be $78,000,” McGill said.

The DDA will be holding a meeting at City Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 7

PAGE 7 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW WEST

OAKLAND’S

PUBLISHER / PRESIDENT: Susan Fancy BUSINESS MANAGER: Dennis Boggs EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: Carol Barr EDITOR: Tim Dmoch

Instilling a love of reading

NEWSWEEKLY

51st YEAR OF PUBLICATION Waterford • White Lake • Highland • Milford Commerce • Wolverine • Walled Lake • Wixom West Bloomfield • Orchard Lake • Union Lake

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Staff Writers: Angela Niemi, Leslie Shepard, Michael Shelton Contributing Writers: Mike Scott, Mark Stowers Staff Photographer: Amy K. Lockard ADVERTISING SALES: Account Representatives: Cindie Audia, Denise Engelberts, Linda Stickney, Laurie Wasker Sales Assistant/Proofing: Karen Whikehart PHONE SALES MANAGER: Lori Snyder Account Representatives: Rhonda Libkuman, Cindy Stawick, Leslie Timko GRAPHICS: Denise Jungjohan, Andrea Martin, Marcia Reimer IT MANAGER: Joel Stickney CIRCULATION: Dan Griffin ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE MANAGER: Carolyn Petherbridge Assistant: Mable McCullough PRESS RELEASES: Deadline 10 a.m. Thursday.

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No portion, whole or part, may be reproduced without prior permission. The names Spinal Column, Newsweekly, SportsWeekly, and West Oakland are protected property.

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Murray Fisher, children’s author, talks about her books, craft

C

olleen Murray Fisher’s life-long aspirations have always been geared toward benefiting children in some way. Today, she not only teaches fourth-grade students in the Livonia school system, but is an up-and-coming children’s book author and illustrator who has collaborated on several books and flew solo on one that earned her acclaim here in Michigan. Fisher wrote and illustrated “The One and Only Bernadette P. McMullen,” a USA News Best Books finalist. She also illustrated “Oh No! Ah Yes!” and “I Can Dance, Too!” Most recently, she wrote “Miss Martin is a Martian,” which was chosen as the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principal Association’s “Children’s Book Award Winner.” Fisher graduated from Michigan State University, where she earned a master’s degree in teaching and curriculum. She has been teaching elementary children for 14 years. She and her husband reside in White Lake Township with their children, Sofie and Sam, who the couple recently adopted children from Ethiopia.

How did you make the transition from teacher to children’s book author/illustrator?

CMF: Actually, I was getting my master’s degree for teaching and my first book was actually a writing assignment for that master’s class, and it eventually became published.

As an educator and literary enthusiast, do you see a lag in literacy in our youth?

CMF: Yes, actually I do. I see kids that you know there’s too much exposure to television, movies and video games. It’s hard to get children to sit down and want to read a book. That’s what I would say. But in terms of the actual amount of literature, there’s a lot of good writing and good books out there.

It’s just that children have to want to read them, and parents and teachers have to want to expose children to that as much as possible.

Do you see a direct correlation between reading and good writing?

CMF: Yes, actually I do. My own mother was a teacher and exposed me a lot to children’s books as a child. From that, you want to be a writer. I was exposed to young authors’ competitions in elementary school. My first book I wrote in elementary school was actually based on one of my favorite books as a child, “Alexander and the Terrible Horrible Very Bad Day.” I wrote a similar story based on that and I kind of looked at my

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ahead of time asking permission to send it, others have certain stipulations. I went on and discovered that most children’s books are 32 pages long. That’s not something that you learn in school — that’s something I connected research to. I went through and did that certain formula of a children’s book and stuck with it and didn’t give up. I looked at each rejection letter as a way to make my writing better.

How do you decide if you will be the illustrator? Do you like writing or illustrating best?

CMF: I will answer the second question first. I actually enjoy writing the most. I also love drawing. I’m not a big fan of the coloring aspect of the illustration.

The first book I wrote and illustrated simply because I wasn’t sure how I was as a writer, and (I) have somewhat of a natural talent for the illustration. When I sent that off, they asked me to illustrate two more books by other authors. Since then, my “Miss Martin,” that I wrote was for a writing contest.

For that one, they already had an illustrator in mind. I have one coming out the spring I was asked to illustrate and someone had already written it. It just depends. I do enjoy the writing part the most.

Since you are a freelancer by trade, how do you prioritize your time? Do you set aside a certain time of day to your craft?

CMF: Yes, as soon as my kids go to bed (is when I write). If I’m currently working on a book or project, then I will sit down and work as long as I can stay awake and still be enjoyable and be a great teacher. I also do that on my vacations from teaching. Of course, my role as a mom, wife and teacher come first, and then the writing.

What do you hope a child walks away with after he/she has read one of your books?

CMF: Both my books that I wrote — I have others I have illustrated — I hope that they first of all enjoy the aspect of reading and they love them both and enjoy them. As far as my “Bernadette” one — being proud of who you are, and my “Miss Martin is a Martian” one is about that relationship between a child and a teacher and that wonderful role between those two. I hope that’s what they walk away with. ❏

Q favorite books to guide my own types of writing, so I believe there is a direct correlation, yes.

Where do you come up with ideas for your books?

CMF: Mostly they’re based on my experiences with my students in my classroom, and just the humorous events that happen, also some of the sad, like the teasing and things like that, as well as some of the funny things that come out of my own personal kids’ mouths, and the relationship between teacher and student, and mother and child.

How did you get your first book published?

CMF: It was initially rejected about 10 years after I wrote it for my master’s

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NE MINUTE

INTERVIEW

class, but I had hopes because it had “maybe” pile written on the envelope and crossed off. I basically sent it around to places, and one eventually accepted it. I went online and made changes to it based on what different publishers wanted and eventually a publisher at Ferne Press accepted it, but it was a rigorous process and didn’t come easily. I sent it probably to 18 different publishers and a few had positive feedback and eventually one accepted it. My next one was part of a writing contest.

For the serious writer, what advice can you offer in regards to getting a book published?

CMF: I would definitely say you need to do research. Get online or get a book about what each publisher is looking for, as well as just the rules for submitting. Some require you send a letter

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By Leslie Shepard

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

FEBRUARY 8-14, 2012

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LAKES AREA NEWS

Intersection ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 3

p.m. to keep business owners in the loop on the project.

“We’re bringing in representatives from the RCOC to explain what will occur, critical timing and how the roadway will be kept somewhat passable,” said DDA Board Chairman and Councilman Casey Ambrose. “Charlene (Long) will be visiting each business with a map of the plans and get their e-mail (addresses) to send them updates so they stay as informed as humanly possible.” ❏

Fire department transition Feb. 1 going ‘smoothly’

By Leslie Shepard staff writer

After roughly 175 years, the Pontiac Fire Department is no more, now that its former crew answers to the Waterford Township Fire Department.

As of Wednesday, Feb. 1, Pontiac is contracting with Waterford Township to receive fire services in a move spear-headed by the beleaguered city’s emergency financial manager, Lou Schimmel.

“The guys are taking to it well,” said Waterford Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Finkbeiner. “Overall, the guys are taking pride in their stations and training and working together.”

Finkbeiner also noted that he has made personal visits to each of the Pontiac fire stations and sees only positive interaction.

“I haven’t seen anybody with any issues,” he said. “It’s all water under the bridge.”

Of the five fire stations in Pontiac, the Pike Street site has been tagged as the main station and is manned by the most personnel. There are a total of five firefighters stationed there, including one lieutenant and one who drives a ladder truck.

The other two stations being used — one on Madison Avenue and one on Walton Boulevard — are manned by four firefighters, including one lieutenant.

The two remaining fire stations in Pontiac are currently unused.

Two captains, one from Pontiac and one from Waterford, oversee the Pontiac district. Each station in both the city and township is staffed in equal numbers of Waterford and former Pontiac fire personnel.

‘One Stop Ready’

Wixom chosen for county pilot program

By Leslie Shepard staff writer

W

ixom has been named one of five communities to participate in an Oakland County economic development pilot program designed to streamline business projects by cutting through red tape to ensure communities are “One Stop Ready” to attract new businesses.

“Wixom has participated with the county in the past with economic development initiatives, training and brainstorming on how to help us develop strategies to best respond to the changing nature of economic development in the region,” said Assistant City Manager Tony Nowicki. “We want to share our experiences with other communities and refine our own business relations programming.”

The county reports that the program is the first of its kind in the state and will be used to attract and retain businesses. Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson identified the five local communities that will be participants: Ferndale, the village of Oxford, Rochester, Lyon Township, and Wixom.

“We want all of our communities to have a core understanding of economic development and to be more efficient,” Patterson said in a press release about the program. “We want them to be more knowledgeable about and integrated with the resources we offer locally and those offered by the state. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is working on a redevelopment readiness program to be launched next month and the (state) Legislature is working on one, too.

One Stop Ready will keep our com-

“That’s so there is a mixture of both in each district,” Finkbeiner said.

Firefighters working out of Waterford stations don uniforms with the Waterford department’s insignia, whereas only Waterford firefighters working out of the Pontiac stations currently wear those uniforms.

Pontiac firefighters have been given license to wear Pontiac uniforms for two more weeks.

“Basically, that’s for transitionary reasons for the citizens,” Finkbeiner

munities out front.”

The One Stop Ready concept is based on a three-prong approach: knowledge, tools and strategy, and implementation. It’s not a rubber stamp for economic development projects, according to county officials, nor does it deride current community practices. Rather, it’s intended to complement a community’s ability to respond quickly and efficiently to economic development opportunities.

“We’re not trying to skirt our ordinances, but review them to determine the most efficient procedures and to help our investors move through the process in the most efficient manner,” Nowicki said.

For example, city administration, the Wixom Planning Commission, and possibly the Zoning Board of Appeals, will be scrutinizing how to ward off unnecessary delays by holding pre-meetings on site plan reviews and code requirements to obtain building permits.

“The program is designed to make our responses fast and efficient to opportunities,” Patterson said. “We are sharing ‘best practices.’ We show them what tools are available and how to use them but we want the communities to develop their own plans based on what they learn.”

Communities would work closely with the county’s Department of Economic Development & Community Affairs, which offers various services including project financing and micro loans, planning services, small business counseling, work force development, Main Street Oakland County and an introduction to a host of state and federal programs. ❏ said.

Waterford Fire Chief Ron Spears said that so far the department hasn’t received any citizen complaints.

“When the guys are out in public and get a question, it’s a matter of explaining what we’re doing and that nothing has changed in service,” he said.

Despite the disputes that took place when talks commenced between the two municipalities, the two firefighter groups are fully supporting

one another.

“We had two incidents while the guys were out in public, but it turned into something positive,” Finkbeiner said. “The Pontiac guys went to the defense of the Waterford guys, so the situation has turned around.”

For an easier transition, Waterford Township hired a pair of consultants, a former captain and a battalion chief from Pontiac, who are assisting with training and have established new policies.

“We’re combining our world and theirs for a hybrid set of guidelines, and putting into place an operating plan that is good for everybody,” Finkbeiner said.

The Pontiac fire stations are also getting facelifts thanks to a state grant. Waterford Township was the recipient of a $567,000 Economic Vitality Incentive Program grant for collaborative service to facilitate improvements and infrastructure renovations at the Pontiac stations. Each station is expected to receive new furniture, computers, appliances, and beds, as well as carpeting, if necessary. Each is also scheduled to be thoroughly cleaned and painted.

“The city had neglected the stations for a long time,” Finkbeiner said.

“In the spring we will work on the outside, from painting to landscaping to asphalt, when necessary,” Spears said.

The contractual agreement came to fruition due to the city of Pontiac facing a $12.5 million budget deficit. The measure is expected to save Pontiac a minimum of $3 million annually.

Waterford Township is expected to receive $6.2 million a year through the agreement.

Of the 58 former Pontiac firefighters, 43 were hired by Waterford Township. The top 13 firefighters were granted early retirement.

“The blending of the two departments at this point is going very nicely and as smooth as can be expected,” Spears said. ❏

Zoner running for another term as Commerce super

By Angela Niemi staff writer

Commerce Township Supervisor Tom Zoner has decided he will run for re-election this year.

FOR MORE LAKES AREA NEWS SEE PAGE 10

➥

PAGE 8

By Angela Niemi

W

SPECIAL REPORT

staff writer

alking on water: Wouldn’t that be an amazing feat to accomplish? Of course, that type of talent is reserved by one of a divine nature and is only a remote possibility for us mortal beings, but an exhibit at the 54th annual Detroit Boat Show beginning this weekend, Saturday, Feb. 11, and running through Sunday, Feb. 19 at Cobo Center in downtown Detroit, will offer the rare chance to tread across the water.

With the aid of Waterwalkerz — a fully enclosed ball filled with air that allows people to roll across the water for a fee of $5 — people can attempt to fathom what it could be like to walk (or at least roll) across a pool while remaining completely dry.

However, for those whose idea of fun doesn’t include partaking in an activity akin to being a hamster running around in a plastic ball on water, a tour of the Queen of the Show, a 45-foot Sea Ray from Colony Marine, may be more to their liking.

“For many people in Michigan, the opportunity to climb onboard a 45foot boat happens only once a year at the Detroit Boat Show,” said Michigan Boating Industries Association (MBIA) President and Detroit Boat Show Manager John Ropp.

This year’s Queen of the Show features an array of electronics, including an LCD HD-TV with DVD player and sound system, abundant storage and space for entertaining in the salon — which itself has wing chairs and a leather sofa — and a raised dinette next to the galley containing a refrigerator, freezer, microwave oven, a two-burner stovem, and a pull out pantry.

The vessel — which carries a price tag of just under $800,000 and is the largest featured at the Detroit Boat Show this year — also includes master and guest staterooms.

One couple will even have the chance to get married aboard the boat by a licensed captain on Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, Feb. 14. For more information, visit detroitboatshow.net.

While the boat show runs from Feb. 11 to Feb. 19, the Waterwalkerz exhibit will only be there from Feb. 11 to Wednesday, Feb. 15.

The Detroit Boat Show is owned and produced by the MBIA, a nonprofit trade association dedicated to the promotion, protection, and advancement of the recreational boating industry in Michigan. Revenues

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

‘Packed and exciting’ Detroit Boat Show at Cobo runs Feb. 11-19

Over 60,000 consumers are expected to flock to Cobo Center in Detroit to look over and buy boats of all types and sizes during the 54th Annual Detroit Boat Show. Some of the boats featured this year are brand new 2012 models, while others are from 2010 and 2011. (Spinal Column Newsweekly file photo/Amy K. Lockard)

generated from the event are used to fund the MBIA’s various programs and services.

Although this year’s Queen of the Show is a large, luxurious vessel, the Detroit Boat Show caters to all different types of marine purchasers.

The show features hundreds of boats for fishing, skiing, wakeboarding and cruising. Paddle boats, kayaks, paddleboards and inflatables are also available.

“While larger boats are certainly a highlight for show-goers, they don’t necessarily represent the typical boat purchase in Michigan,” Ropp said.

“Although the Queen of the Show has traditionally been sold each year, the average boat length sold in Michigan is between 18 and 20 feet — a boat, motor and trailer package which retails for much less, $11,000 to $30,000, depending on the manufacturer. Entry-level boat packages can be as low as $7,995 for a 16-foot boat, motor and trailer.”

The Detroit Boat Show is a onestop shop for all boating needs with “extremely competitive show prices,” according to the MBIA. And a February purchase ensures boats will be ready for an early summer launch in May. The boat show also caters to those looking for gear and marine services, in addition to many exhibits

selling boating accessories, including motors, dockage, water toys, skiing and wakeboarding gear, boating and fishing accessories, electronics, boat gear, nautical gifts, and artwork.

According to the MBIA, the boat show has sold out of bulk space and continues growing for the second year in a row, which translates into more boats and more brands for boating enthusiast to purchase.

“Space sales and sponsorships are all trending in the right direction,” Ropp said. “And it’s going to be a packed and exciting show this year.”

Over 60,000 consumers are expected to flock to the Cobo Center to look over and buy boats of all types and sizes. Some of the boats are brand new 2012 models, while others are from 2010 and 2011.

“We’re hearing positive news coming from early boat shows of the season around the country,” Ropp said.

“Attendance is up at shows and pent up demand is driving sales. We expect nothing less from Detroit after a successful (North American International) Auto Show, positive energy surrounding the area, and the promotion element we’re bringing to the Detroit Boat Show for serious buyers — and boaters who just want to come down and see what’s new.”

According to the MBIA, more than 1,500 boats, worth an estimated $50

million, traditionally sell during the Boat Show’s nine-day run. The MBIA also reports that dealers say they can attribute up to 50 percent of their annual business to sales and leads generated at the show.

While some local vendors participating in the show say that percentage is a bit ambitious, they all agree that the exposure at the show is helpful for business.

“This is an opportunity for use to showcase our new products, No. 1, and No. 2, to get before 75,000 people in a nine-day time frame, which is tough to do in your own showroom,” said Tom Haag, vice president of sales at Colony Marine, chairman of this year’s boat show and a member of the MBIA board.

“But it’s not only a selling event, it’s an opportunity for a buyer to look at every vendor out there all under one roof, rather than driving around town and going to 10 showrooms.”

According to Haag, the amount of business the vendors do at the boat show varies based on the business and the products being sold.

“Some sell strictly pontoons and can do 50 percent of their annual sales at the show,” he said. “For multi-range dealers selling 13- to 62-foot boats, the percentage may not be that high from a unit standpoint, but from a dollar standpoint, (show sales represent) a big number. Not all people go down

FEBRUARY 8-14, 2012

count.”

Wonderland Marine West will be showcasing what Michael called “the hottest boat on the market,” a new 19-foot Yamaha jet boat.

“This is going to take the market by storm, due to its combination of size and price,” Michael said. “We can get customers into a fully equipped one of these with trailer at about $24,999. Competing manufacturers’ similar boats go for about $35,000.”

Wonderland Marine West will also

cutting edge of technology now and for the future.”

Show visitors will find more than boats and accessories at the show.

On-site financing and marina boat slips in southeast Michigan will also be available.

“We try to make it all a turn-key operation,” Colony Marine’s Haag said. “We want to meet everyone’s needs and make it as easy as possible to enter the world of boating.

“As a dealership, (Colony Marine) has been at the boat show — this is

As they have in past years, those attending the 2012 Detroit Boat Show will find vessels of all kinds and sizes, including boats for fishing, skiing, wakeboarding and cruising. Paddle boats, kayaks, paddleboards and inflatables are also available. (Spinal Column Newsweekly file photo/Amy K. Lockard)

feature Ranger, Stratos and G3 aluminum fishing boats, Sun Catcher pontoons, Larson runabouts, and Monterey bowriders — about 65 boats in all, with some discounted by over $10,000.

One of the exciting unveilings at this year’s boat show will be the Super Air Nautique 230 E, Nautique’s first all-electric wakeboard boat at the Silver Spray Sports dealership exhibit.

The boat has two automotive electric motors which offer 160 kilowatts of peak output, according to Nautique.

“MBIA and all of our boat shows promote the protection of Michigan’s greatest resource, our fresh water,” Ropp said. “We are proud and honored that Nautique will unveil their innovative, first all-electric boat at our show.”

“I was fortunate to be in on the ground floor with the initial stages in the development of the Ski Nautique ‘E,’” said Jeff Smith, president and CEO of Silver Spray Sports. “The introduction of the Nautique 230 ‘E’ wake boat in our booth at the show simply shows the level of commitment to the water sports industry that Nautique has in staying on the

the 54th — each year, from day one,” he said. “We’re a family-owned business and this is our best opportunity to show off our product lines and an array of services, and provide the best boating experience to the people.”

For those uninterested in buying or even browsing the plethora of boats and water paraphernalia available, the Detroit Boat Show also offers also a variety of events and activities to educate and entertain the crowd.

Anglers will have a chance to catch some trout in the indoor Mountain Trout Fishing Pond that will be stocked with over 400 pounds of fighting fish, for a $3 fee. Some fish will even be tagged for special prizes.

In addition, the Detroit Boat Show will be partnering with the state Department of Natural Resources and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Marine Division to offer a free boating safety class with show ticket purchase on Saturday, Feb. 18.

“Not only is it smart to take a course to keep your friends and family safe on the water, but remember,

PAGE 9

passing this exam also often accounts for discounts on your boat insurance,” Ropp said.

The free seminar will be six hours long, with registration starting at 11 a.m. followed by the course from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. If boaters have already completed a safety course and need to sit for the proctored exam, they may do so at 4:30 p.m. Space is limited, so pre-registration is recommended at www.detroitboatshow.net. Walk-ins will be accepted if space allows.

Even Nickelodeon’s Dora will be doing some exploring at the Detroit Boat Show, from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, and Sunday, Feb. 12. Children will have a chance to get their picture taken with the intrepid girl adventurer.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Van Schoonhoven, five-time National Champion Bike Trails rider and a finalist on NBC’s hit reality TV show “America’s Got Talent!” will also be there the second weekend of the Detroit Boat Show, from Friday, Feb. 17 to Feb. 19. He will perform for the crowds on a self-designed course and will be signing autographs for fans after each performance. His performances are on Feb. 17 at 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Feb. 18 at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; and Feb. 19 at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

A centrally located Tiki Bar will also be present at the Detroit Boat Show, in addition to the myriad of hands-on interactive exhibits around the show designed to entertain and educate boaters of all ages, promotions, and giveaways.

Admission for the show is $12 for adults, while children 12-years-old and under are admitted free with an adult.

Show hours are as follows: Saturdays and Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Monday through Thursday, 3 to 9 p.m.

Special admission days include Senior Day on Monday, Feb. 13, in which seniors 65-years-old and over get in free; Ladies Day on Valentine’s Day, in which women are admitted free; and A Boat Load of Food Day on Feb. 15, in which bringing in five cans of food for the Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan between 3 and 6 p.m. gets you in the doors for free; and half-price ($6) tickets on Thursday, Feb. 16 between 3 and 6 p.m.

Parking is available at Cobo Center and surrounding lots.

For more information, visit www.detroitboatshow.net or call 1800-932-2628. ❏

SPECIAL REPORT

expecting to spend a bunch, but some do, and we make important contacts there that make it worth the time and cost of being there.”

Colony Marine will be featuring 13to 45-foot vessels at this year’s show, including the Queen of the Show, a new model that’s making it’s debut at the boat show. Colony will also showcase the new Sea Ray 190 Sport and a couple of new Crest pontoon models.

“We feel it’s pretty important to participate in the community,” said Joe Wolf, the co-owner of Skiers Pier in Waterford Township, which will be showcasing Malibu waterskis, wakeboards, and Tahoe pontoons at this year’s show. “This is obviously an opportunity to see the public and kick the season off. And we get to meet new customers and see some old ones, as well, which is a positive.”

Other local vendors participating at the show include White Lake Township’s American Marine Shore Control, which will feature wheeling docks along with winter discounts for docks and accessories; Colony Marine, with locations in Pontiac, St. Clair Shores and Algonac; Wonderland Marine West in Howell; Anderson Boat Sales in Waterford Township; Wilson Marine, with locations in Commerce Township, Harrison Township, Brighton and Howell; and Aqua Weed Control out of Howell, in its first appearance at the Detroit Boat Show.

Brad Wilson, business development manager for Wilson Marine, said the business “certainly” does 50 percent of its annual business volume at the boat show.

“This is a chance for use to get in front of loads of clients that aren’t necessarily walking through the door in February,” he said. “The boat show sets the tone for the whole year. We can see what the buying consumers are comfortable with and what’s moving. The Detroit Boat Show is the main key to our whole year.”

According to Wilson, Wilson Marine will have the largest booth at the boat show, featuring over 80 boats.

“It takes a full week to take everything down there and get it all set up,” he said. “We’ll also have accessory specials and a raffle to win a free Starcraft fishing boat.”

Boat show attendees expect to find the best deals, rebates and extended warranties at the boat show, and they won’t be disappointed this year, according to Scott Michael of Wonderland Marine West.

“The manufacturers do that on purpose to get customers’ interest piqued in the off months,” he said. “The boat show is also the last chance to buy one of last year’s models at a deeper dis-

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PAGE 10

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

LAKES AREA NEWS

Zoner running ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 7

“The township is in good health with some good projects coming up,” Zoner said of his decision to seek another term as the township’s chief executive. “I think the township is moving forward in a time that has been quite a historic time in our lives, what with the depression or recession.”

This year will mark Zoner’s 16th year as Commerce’s supervisor.

“As always, I would like to accomplish some more goals (in the township) before I really want to terminate my (tenure) as supervisor,” he said.

The filing deadline for those interested in running for an elected position is May 15.

The Commerce Township supervisor serves a four-year term and currently earns $79,039 annually. ❏

Traffic at issue in Milford’s proposed rules amendment

By Michael Shelton staff writer

The Milford Village Council approved the introduction of an amendment to the village’s home occupation ordinance, in a vote taken during its Monday, Feb. 6 meeting.

The amendment will add a new subsection to the existing ordinance which states: “No traffic shall be generated by such home occupation or home-based business in greater volumes than would normally be expected in a residential neighborhood, and any need for parking generated by the conduct of such home occupation or home-based business shall be provided by an off-street area, located other than in a required front yard.”

Village Manager Arthur Shufflebarger the council had a disagreement with the village’s Planning Commission on a clause in the ordinance regarding traffic, which allowed for only 16 trips (both coming to and leaving the business) each day.

Shufflebarger said that it would have been hard to enforce that part of the ordinance.

This issue came up at the village’s Dec. 5 meeting, when Planning Commissioner Dave Ebert said that the commission felt that it’s language was less restrictive than the original language.

Village Attorney Jennifer Elowsky said that a limit of 16 daily trips could

The Lakeland Players Community Theatre youth cast (above) will be performing “E/R,” the play, originally produced in 1982, that spawned the idea for the “ER” television show. Pictured above, from left to right, are Trevor Stark of Pontiac (Dr. Sherman); Owen Woitrya of Lake Orion (Mr. Surath); Fee Christoph of Lake Orion (Mrs. Surath); and Kaitlyn Rode of West Bloomfield Township (Nurse Thor). The youth cast will perform the play at Central United Methodist Church, located at 3882 Highland Road in Waterford Township, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11; Saturday, Feb. 18; and Sunday, Feb. 19; and at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10. Tickets can be purchased at the door, online at ticketderby.com or lakelandplayers.net, or by phone at 1-888-663-3729. The adult cast will be performing at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 11, Friday, Feb. 17, and Feb. 18; and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12. (Photo submitted by the Lakeland Players Community Theatre)

result in lawsuits if citations were issued, and that an undefined limit on trips was less risky.

The ordinance was then amended by the council to insert the original language regarding traffic.

Now, the council is expected to vote on adopting the amendment at its Tuesday, Feb. 21 meeting. ❏

Village may live stream meetings via Skype software

By Leslie Shepard staff writer

The Wolverine Lake Village Council is mulling whether to stream video of committee and council meetings on the Internet so those who are unable to attend can watch them live.

The administrative committee — comprised of Village Council President

John Magee, Village Administrator/Clerk Sharon Miller, Village Council President Pro Tem Ed Sienkiewicz, and Councilwoman Linda Champagne — forwarded its recommendation to the council to begin the process by purchasing a webcam so the meetings can be streamed using the Internet service called Skype.

A Skype service would allow the village to communicate via voice and video over the Internet. It provides features akin to those of mid-range video conferencing systems.

“We want to Skype these meetings on a regular basis so residents can have access to Skype-cast to watch them live or afterwards as a podcast,” Magee said. “By seeing the meeting as it unfolds, it’s more helpful than just getting the minutes afterwards.”

Using Skype also serves as a virtual interactive tool in cases where a council member is unable to attend meetings.

“This way, they can still interact if out of state, for example,” Miller said.

“However, since that council member would not be present physically, he or she would not be able to vote — just keep up to speed on what’s going on.”

The Village Council is expected to take the issue up at its meeting tonight, Wednesday, Feb. 8.

Miller is currently looking into costs of web cameras. ❏

Highland looking for input on senior center’s direction Highland Township Supervisor Triscia Pilchowski is asking for township residents’ input on the town-

FOR MORE LAKES AREA NEWS SEE PAGE 13

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PAGE 13

LAKES AREA NEWS

Senior Center ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 10

ship’s Adult Activity Center and how it should be utilized.

The request stems, in part, from the current Adult Activity Center director vacancy that was created when the previous director, who was hired in January 2011, was terminated from the position in November.

Since then, the center’s activity coordinator and assistant to the director have been running the center on a daily basis, according to Pilchowski.

However, before they decide whether to hire another director for the center, township officials must first determine how they wish to utilize the facility.

“We’re trying to establish if hiring a new director is even necessary,” Pilchowski said. “The fact of the matter is that, for several years now, the center has basically just been used for coffee in the morning and the lunch crowd that takes advantage of the on-site Meals on Wheels program. It seems foolish to try and fill the position until we have a clear direction (of where we’re going).”

While specials events and trips to casinos through the center have seen great success, the other daily activities at the center have not been as widely utilized.

“Basically, there isn’t a whole lot of activity going on there,” Pilchowski said. “We are trying to see how we can better market the events there, while trying to recognize the changes in the senior (citizen) population. When we built the senior center, there was a greater audience for it. At this point, we are trying to see if the seniors today want to attend the center.

“It’s not our intention to close the center,” she added. “We are just trying to find a way to be more efficient with the funds that we do have. We still have a small group that loves to come in and have coffee, and we want to continue to accommodate them. But it’s just frustrating to know that we are providing a clean, staffed, and maintained center, and we’re not getting any interest from the community.”

While she said she hopes to eventually have a forum on the situation with the public, until then, Pilchowski said she wants to hear what people think, either by e-mailing her at pilchowski@twp.highland.mi.us or calling 248-887-3791. ❏

The Waterford Mott (purple jerseys) and Waterford Kettering (pink jerseys) met on Saturday, Feb. 4 for their annual fund-raising game benefiting the American Cancer Society. The commemorative jerseys included the names of people who have been touched by cancer on the back and were auctioned off. Together, the teams raised $5,600. Read more about the game on page 39 in the Sportsweekly section. (Photo submitted by Dawn Cuthrell)

Orchard Lake financial plan to go before council

By Leslie Shepard staff writer

The Orchard Lake Finance Committee has crafted its 2012-13 financial plan spanning five years as a precursor to the city’s budget planning process and will be presenting it to council at its Feb. 20 meeting.

The Finance Committee is comprised of Director of City Services Gerry McCallum, former mayors Dave Boerger and Jim Talpos, former councilman Tim McCabe, Treasurer Frank Copeland, and Councilmen Mark Hoffman and Jerry Kosmensky.

Orchard Lake’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.

The city’s budget for 2012-13 is estimated at $2.5 million with an assumption of a .05 percent decrease in taxable property values, a 2.5 percent increase in state revenue sharing, a 2 percent wage increase, a 3 percent benefit cost increase, an addition-

al .03 percent for contracted fire and EMS service expenditures, and a 2 percent increase for supplies and services equating to a 6.4 percent yearover-year increase in expenses once state tax tribunal contingencies are considered.

“Since we first did the plan, taxable values are down just slightly (twotenths to three-tenths) of a percent less than a .05 percent decline, so they are basically flat,” Boerger said.

“We’ve bottomed out, so it looks positive for next year.”

Property taxes are expected to be 71 percent of the city’s revenues at $2 million, with state revenue sharing expected to be $151,495, and miscellaneous revenues anticipated at $335,121.

The Police Department represents 28 percent of expenditures ($726,075), followed by employee and retiree benefits at 26 percent ($661,155) and the Department of Public Works at 11 percent or $284,805.

The proposal calls for a decrease of 1.41 mills in the overall millage collection due primarily to the retirement of

the sanctuary debt in tandem with added revenue sharing that offsets tax reductions and cost increases.

“The financial plan and budget indicate the sanctuary debt is now paid off, so that will lower residents’ property taxes by 15 percent,” Boerger said.

Costs are projected to rise 6.3 percent mainly due to a wage and benefit increase, tax tribunal contingencies and a 1 percent increase in the fund balance.

The financial plan also makes accommodations for pension and retiree healthcare, and reinstituting road repaving work. The water and sewer debt is scheduled to be paid off in two years.

“We are in the last stages of the water and sewer debt and because of that, debt costs are going down, so the city can reinstate the road paving and those deferred services including building up the fund balance and build-

FOR MORE LAKES AREA NEWS SEE PAGE 14

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Financial plan ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 13

ing up the capital fund,” Boerger said.

By end of the 2013 fiscal year, the general fund balance is expected to be $353,636 or 17 percent of operating expenses, according to McCallum.

“Council adopted a resolution to try to maintain 20 percent (in the fund balance), but due to the economic times we couldn’t. The state of Michigan recommends at least a 13 percent (fund balance),” McCallum said. ❏

Board split in delaying paving work set for ‘12

By Michael Shelton staff writer

The West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees voted 4-2 at its Monday, Feb. 6 meeting in favor of postponing until next year a proposed paving project at the West Bloomfield Civic Center to repair deficiencies in sidewalks around the site.

This comes after a presentation on the project was given by Marshall Labadie, the township’s development services director, at a special board meeting held on Thursday, Jan. 26.

Clerk Cathy Shaughnessy, Treasurer Teri Weingarden and Trustees Gene Farber and Howard Rosenberg voted in favor of postponing the project until 2013.

Farber said that, with the primary elections coming up, construction would limit Civic Center use during that time, especially when residents have to drop off absentee ballots.

“We also don’t have the final cost of the project,” Farber said. “We have to make more changes based on the Americans With Disabilities Act. When we talked about (the project) last year, we didn’t assume that many changes.”

Township Supervisor Michele Economou Ureste and Trustee Steve Kaplan voted in favor of starting the paving project this year.

“The township needs to move forward with this project because labor rates could be more next year,” Ureste said. “Any delays could cost us, the parks and recreation department and the library tens of thousands of dollars.”

She added that the library had already altered its calender in anticipation of the project.

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PAGE 15

LAKES AREA NEWS

Paving project ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 14

“We have over $650,000 set aside for this project in capital improvement (funds),” Kaplan said. “The Parks and Recreation Department and the library are also contributing. The roadway is in desperate need of repair. There is no temporary measure. It’s a matter of aesthetics and it’s a reflection on the township.”

Kaplan also disputed that the project would interfere with the primary elections.

“Most absentee ballots are mailed,” he said. “There would be plenty of signage directing people and we could have a (police) cadet monitoring traffic.”

He added that the township already has the engineering costs and proposed construction costs, and that it would cost 10 percent more to conduct the project next year.

“Anytime a cost is estimated, you can say that you don’t have a final cost, but our engineer (Nowak and Fraus) says that our estimations are within 5 percent,” Kaplan said.

The proposed start of the project’s construction this year was May 1, with a target completion date of Aug. 24. The presentation indicated a projected cost of $1.5 million.

The first phase of the project would have focused on the sidewalks near the West Bloomfield Public Library and Parks and Recreation Department offices.

The next two phases would would have focused on the Township Hall and the Police Department headquarters, with the fourth and final phase focusing on the Civic Center’s boulevard and entrance. ❏

New planning panel candidate expected in March West Bloomfield Township Supervisor Michele Economou Ureste postponed bringing a new township Planning Commission nominee before the Board of Trustees at its Monday, Feb. 6 meeting.

According to Trustees Steve Kaplan and Gene Farber, Ureste will now wait until the board’s March 5 meeting to present a nominee.

Ureste had previously brought forward five nominees in the past four months to replace Don Jackson, who was first appointed to the

The White Lake community gathered last Saturday to honor the township’s firefighter and police officer of the year. Pictured from left to right are White Lake Police Chief Edward Harris, state Rep. Eileen Kowall, state Sen. Mike Kowall, Police Officer of the Year Jon Kirken, White Lake Supervisor Greg Baroni, White Lake Trustee David Lewsley, and White Lake Clerk Terry Lilley. (Photo submitted by White Lake Police Department)

First responders honored

White Lake celebrates police officer, firefighter of the year

By Angela Niemi staff writer

W

hite Lake Township’s firefighter and police officer of the year were both honored on Saturday, Feb. 4 in a ceremony hosted by the White Lake Township Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

“It was a very nice event,” said Police Chief Ed Harris. “It was the 6th annual Police and Firefighter of the Year Award Dinner sponsored by the VFW.” “We want to thank the men and women of the White Lake Township VFW for a great evening this past Saturday, and for helping us honor our police officer and firefighter of the year,” said Fire Chief Anthony Maltese.

Rob Sturdevant, who has been

Planning Commission on July 26, 2006, was reappointed on Oct. 6, 2008, and whose term expired on Oct. 31, 2011.

All of those nominees were

with the fire department since 2001 and was distinguished with this honor at the Fire Department’s annual Awards Social this past May, once again was celebrated as the Firefighter of the Year.

“He is a great guy, very well-liked, a true team player and valued member of our department,” Maltese said. “He is always ready to help others, whether it is mentoring new recruits, helping at the Citizens’ Academy, the Fire Department Open House, etc. He has taken the initiative to become fully certified in all disciplines within the department and recently became a station officer.

Sturdevant is the strong, silent type.

On emergency scenes, he is always ready to do whatever it takes to get the job done and he does it with a rejected by the same 4-3 board vote, with Ureste, Kaplan and Treasurer Teri Weingarden each supporting the nominees.

Clerk Cathy Shaughnessy and

quiet confidence that is admired by others. I am proud to say he is one of our team members.”

Meanwhile, Jon Kirken, who has been with the police department since 1985, was chosen by his peers as Police Officer of the Year.

“He was chosen because of his positive attitude and his dedication to the community and the department,” Harris said. “Jon’s ability to solve problems, relate and empathize with those he has contact with, and his service to this community are just a few of the reasons he is deserving of this award.”

Kirken has received four departmental citations and commendations for meritorious actions performed in the line of duty. ❏ Trustees Larry Brown, Howard Rosenberg and Farber each voted against the nominations, reiterating that their votes were in support of the reappointment of Jackson. ❏

PAGE 16

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

EDUCATION

Decision not to rename Kettering fields protested

By Michael Shelton staff writer

A number of Waterford residents, including Waterford Kettering High School alumni, recently voiced their displeasure with the Waterford Board of Education’s decision not to rename two of Kettering’s athletic fields in honor of a pair of former coaches.

Back on Jan. 19 the board voted 4-3 against naming Waterford Kettering High School’s football and baseball fields in honor of former long-time Kettering football coach Jim Larkin and former Kettering baseball coach Tom Bryce, who also each later served as district administrators and school board trustees.

Joan Sutherland, John Himmelspach, Heather Halls and Robin McGregor each voted against the proposal.

Sutherland, the school board president, said previously that the name change would set a precedent with other community members requesting

name changes for different buildings, leading the district down a slippery slope.

In response, a total of 10 people spoke about the matter near the end of the school board’s Thursday, Feb. 2 meeting.

Former Kettering teacher Hal Farah, who originally recommended the named change and is one of the organizers of Waterford Kettering’s 50th anniversary celebration this year, was the first to speak.

He stated he believed the board didn’t give him the time or the chance to properly present his argument for the name change and that the public was not notified that it would be an agenda item.

“I’m most disappointed that several of you had your mind made up before I even presented, which seems undemocratic to me,” Farah said.

He also disagreed with some of the reasoning behind the dissenting votes.

A Facebook petition was started by 1994 Kettering graduate Greg Fogleman, encouraging people to attend the Feb. 2 school board meeting.

Fogleman spoke right after Farah

at last week’s board meeting, saying as a resident of Waterford that he was astonished by what happened at the previous meeting and pointed out that Durant High School was recently named after someone not affiliated with the district.

He also pointed out that Kettering alums Kirk Gibson and Jim Miller were also behind the name change.

Keith Patten, a 1980 Kettering graduate, noted that Larkin and Bryce were icons that don’t come around often and that the school board should follow the lead of the people.

Kesley Beach, a Kettering student and reporter for Kettering’s student newspaper, said even though she doesn’t know Bryce or Larkin, there was no reason for the change not to gain board approval.

Superintendent John Silveri spoke at the end of the meeting, saying that people are hesitant to pick and choose names for district facilities and that the board was interested in doing what was best.

The board then adjourned the meeting without a response on the matter, which upset some in the audience.

Patten said out loud that the peo-

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Sutherland said that she had spoken with Patten on the phone for an hour and that the situation was becoming akin to “bullying.” ❏

WLCS board will make redistricting choice this month

By Angela Niemi staff writer

With Maple and Twin Beach elementary schools in the Walled Lake Consolidated School District set to shutter their doors before the new school year, Superintendent Ken Gutman formally concurred on Thursday, Feb. 2, with a redistricting plan recommended from a series of options by the district’s Middle School Subcommittee.

Of the three plans under consideration, Gutman and the subcommittee both recommended moving forward with Plan B-C, and the school board is scheduled to make a decision on the redistricting effort later this month.

“My recommendation is that you

PAGE 17 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

FEBRUARY 8-14, 2012

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PAGE 17

EDUCATION

Walled Lake districts ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 16

adopt Plan B-C, allowing transfer (students) and Schools of Choice students to remain in their current school, as it is the most thorough, complete and comprehensive plan of the three,” Gutman told the school board last week. “Please understand that I do not mean to diminish the work of the other committees. They were diligent and focused and I commend them for their work. Plan B-C, though, directly addresses transfer students and Schools of Choice students, and it does not reset them to home schools.”

Last month, the Middle School Subcommittee endorsed Plan B-C because of the equitable distribution of students over the next several years.

Currently, the district also has 238 transfer students, those students who live in the attendance area of one elementary school but were granted permission to attend another one.

The district also plays host to 118 Schools of Choice students, those who live outside of the school district.

“Adopting Plan B-C also pays special attention to our students from Maple Elementary and Twin Beach Elementary schools,” Gutman said.

“Already experiencing the closure of their schools, B-C sends them to only three different schools while Twin Beach students would go to two different schools, as is the case in all three plans. Plan B-C expressed a compelling rationale to move as few students as possible (which it does) and when it moves them it does so in large groups rather than isolating individuals.”

The closure of Maple and Twin Beach effectively means that 700 students will need to attend one of the 12 remaining elementary schools in the district.

A couple weeks ago, the Board of Education was presented with the three recommendation plans to redistrict students after months of thought and preparation by various advisory subcommittees.

Various factors were taken into consideration including enrollment data; transportation considerations; facility configurations; budgetary implications; feeder patterns; continuity of neighborhoods and municipalities; and phasing-in of boundaries.

The main goal of the redistricting plans was to establish a balance at each of the remaining elementary schools.

The current plan presentations — Plan A, Plan B-C, and Plan D — can be found at www.wlcsd.org. The presen-

Students from Abbott Middle School in the West Bloomfield School District will be performing their production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” on Friday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The role of Joseph will be played by Ethan Murray and Chris Leonard, while Lauren Alo and Maddie Hughes will play the narrators, and the role of Pharaoh will be played by Danny Snook and Drew Warnecke. (Photo submitted by Pam Zajac/West Bloomfield Schools)

Students heading for stage

Abbott’s ‘Joseph’ scheduled for Feb. 24-25 at high school

By Michael Shelton staff writer

A

bbott Middle School students will be performing their production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” at the West Bloomfield High School Auditorium on Friday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

tations show which students by zone are affected and how under each plan.

For more information on the redistricting process, visit www.wlcsd.org or e-mail redistricting@wlcsd.org.❏

HVS compliance with new state law nets district $1M The Huron Valley Schools Board of Education has certified the district has complied with “best practices” requirements, a move that allows the district to receive an addition $100 per-pupil incentive payment from the

The show features the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and the lyrics of Tim Rice. The play is based on the story of Joseph from the book of Genesis in the Bible.

The role of Joseph will be played by Ethan Murray and Chris Leonard, while Lauren Alo and Maddie Hughes will play the narrators, and the role of Pharaoh will be played by Danny Snook and state — about $1 million total.

As required by law, the district met four of five criteria in order to become eligible for the incentive payments, including holding the medical benefit plan policy; transparent school data with specific indicators; obtaining competitive bids on non-instructional services; and developing and implementing a service consolidation plan.

Some examples in the consolidation plan include a new Internet connection, an innovative alternative high school program, and newly obtained food service nutrition analysis software in collaboration with nine other Oakland County school districts.

“Currently we receive our Internet

Drew Warnecke.

The play is directed by Ryan Moore with musical direction by John Deierlein and choreography

by Kelli Smiecinski.

Tickets are available online by visiting showtix4u.com, or by calling 248-865-3670.

All tickets are priced at $11 for advanced purchase and $12 at the door. ❏ connection from the (Oakland Intermediate School District) as part of their services to locals,” said Director of Communications and Community Relations Kim Root. “They have recently connected to MERIT, which allows us to access other districts and ISDs through their Internet connection. We are now accessing our finance and student management software through the Internet, since it is provided through a neighboring ISD.” “We knew we would complete these best practices,” Root said. “It’s not a windfall and doesn’t change the budget that was built last spring.”

The $1 million in incentives is included in the 2012 budget. ❏

PAGE 18

Obituaries BILKOVSKY, BERT, age 65, of White Lake; passed away on January 29, 2012. Mr. Bilkovsky proudly served in the US Navy. Beloved husband of JoAnn.

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BYRKA, HELEN A., of Walled Lake was born on July 23, 1940 and died January 24, 2012 at the age of 71.

DELL, MICHAEL J., age 66, of Highland; passed away peacefully with his family by his side on January 30, 2012. Mr. Dell was a Captain for 28 years for the City of Detroit Fire Department.

KERR, JOHN “JACK”, a longtime resident of the Huron Valley area, died at his home in Highland on Saturday, January 28 after a long struggle with depression and a broken heart. He was 60 years old.

PARRISH, KAREN LEE, of Hartland, formerly of Walled Lake was born on June 28, 1962. She passed away January 29, 2012 at age 49.

RIGGS, ALBERT WAYNE, a resident of Milford since 1978, died at his home in the care of his family on Saturday evening, January 28. He was 83 years old.

ROBBINS, DOROTHY A., of Novi, formerly of West Bloomfield, was born on November 27, 1915. She died January 27, 2012 in Novi at the age of 96.

TALISA JEANNE WATERMAN, 23, formerly of White Lake and a student at Saginaw Valley State University, died unexpectedly, Saturday afternoon, January 28, 2012. She was born November 3, 1988 in Midland to Tana Waterman and raised by her adoptive parents, Myles “Mike” and Tammy (Sampier) Waterman of White Lake. She lived there for eight years. Talisa then moved to Elliston, Montana for two years before returning to Michigan and living in White Lake. She graduated from Walled Lake Northern High School in 2006. She then attended Delta College and was currently attending Saginaw Valley State University pursuing a degree in nursing. Talisa was currently employed at Caretel Inns of Tri-Cities, an assisted living facility in Bay City. She reveled in taking care of others and especially liked spending time with children. Talisa was wonderful with the developmentally disabled and the elderly and she also loved animals.

Surviving besides her mother, Tana Aspin, and her husband Timothy and her adoptive parents, are her grandparents, Patricia Waterman of Midland, Ronald and Geraldine Sampier of Midland and Patricia and Richard Aspin of Gladwin, and her special 8 year old cousin, Sequoia Angel Sampier. She was predeceased by her grandfather, Richard Waterman in 2006.

Funeral Services were held Friday, February 3, 2012 at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Chapel, 1200 West Wheeler St. in Midland. Rev. John Pohanka officiated with burial at the Midland City Cemetery. In honor of Talisa’s grandfather who died from pancreatic cancer, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.

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

www.spinalcolumnonline.com FAX: 248.360.5308/248.360.5309

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

COMMUNITY LIFE academic honors ❐ Tuesday Musicale of Greater Pontiac has announced that four talented young musicians will make solo debuts in Waterford as winners of its annual award competition. These musicians will be introduced in a formal concert at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 13, at Waterford Central United Methodist Church. Admission is free. For more information, call June Harting at 248661-6310.

Lyndsay Burke, a soprano, won the Dora Dawson Award of $800 for her outstanding vocal performance. She is a private voice student of Barbara Wiltsie at Madonna College. In the spring, she will graduate from Walled Lake Central High School, where she has been active in music theatre productions. She has been accepted to study vocal performance at the University of Michigan.

Haeji Kim, a 14-year-old high school freshman and a sensational violinist, won the Clarence Phillips Memorial Award playing the music of Mozart and Tchaikovsky. Her private teacher is Stephen Shipps. She expects to use the $1,000 Clarence Phillips Award to attend a special summer music clinic for string players in England.

Pianist Christopher Soon Petersmark, a graduate of Waterford Kettering High School who studies with Giuseppe Lupis at Grand Valley State University, prepared a 30-minute program with music

by Bach, Clementi and Liszt for his audition. In 2011, he performed Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” as winner of the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony’s Piano Concerto Competition. He will receive the $3,000 Rosamond Haeberle Award at the concert on March 13.

Abraham Rusch, a remarkable homeschooled pianist from Davisburg, won the Dora Dawson Award of $1,200 for performing the music Beethoven and Rachmaninoff. He studies piano under the tutelage of Pauline Martin of West Bloomfield. Following his completion of high school this spring, Abraham expects to study music education in college. ❐ The University of Hartford in West Hartford, Conn., has announced that Christopher Hendricks of Highland Township was named to the fall 2011 dean’s list. ❐ The University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio, has announced that the following students were named to the fall 2011 dean’s list: Nicholas Bosio (bioengineering) and Rachel Johnson (pre-business) of Milford; Kishon Wilcher (pre-business) of Novi; Meghan Topolewski (undecided) of Waterford; and Matthew PAGE 19 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

FEBRUARY 8-14, 2012

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PAGE 19

COMMUNITY LIFE

Continued

military honors

❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 18

academic honors Rubin (political science) and Connor Unrath (marketing) of West Bloomfield.

The dean’s list recognizes full-time undergraduate students who earn a 3.5 or above GPA for the semester.

community honors

❐ Private First Class (PFC) Jacob Smith of Walled Lake was promoted and graduated from the Marine School of Infantry in Camp Lejeune, N.C. on Jan. 20 as part of Echo Company, Infantry Training Battalion. He has already been transported to his permanent duty station in California, and has begun the rigorous training for potential deployment overseas. PFC Smith is a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Walled Lake; loves (and misses) hunting and fishing; is looking forward to Friday night scorpion fights; and enjoys the care packages he gets from home — especially if there is enough to share with his brothers-in-arms. Jake is looking forward to the continued challenges of being a United States Marine, but misses his family, friends, and girlfriend.

10TH ANNUAL

WINE TASTING ❐ The Huron Valley Council for the Arts has announced that the works of Wendy Willihnganz of Highland Township will be on display now through Monday, Feb. 27, at its gallery located at 205 W. Livingston Road in Highland. Wendy has a strong reputation of being an artist, teacher and volunteer extraordinaire. Her art will most certainly brighten up these dreary February days. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. For more information call 248889-8660 or e-mail HVCA@comcast.net.

Who: Age 21 and up When: Fri., Feb. 10, 7-9 p.m.

Where: Wixom Community Center 49015 Pontiac Trail, Wixom Fee: $15 per person Come with your sweetheart for a special night out, or just a fun evening out with friends! We will be working with Colasanti’s who will bring a delicious (red & white) assortment of wines, complimented by an array of cheese, crackers & fruit.

Pre-registration required

248-624-2850

Office hours Monday - Thursday 7:15 - 5:30

50 YEARS AGO Feb. 8, 1962 The former Cooley Lanes Bowling Alley which is located near the intersection of Union Lake and Cooley Lake roads, is in the process of being converted into a very plush indoor miniature golf course complete with four driving ranges. All equipment for participation in this game will be regulation golf clubs and balls. For the driving range, golfers may bring their own clubs to practice with, but clubs will be available if they are desired.

A patio is being constructed for teenagers and younger children while adults will enjoy the two-terrace sidewalk café.

The grand opening of this golf course and driving range will take place in about one month, according to Marty Jensen, the owner.

Plum trees and miniature waterfalls will give a tropical effect to the course while 300 stars embedded in the ceiling will give light as well as the feeling that golfers will be playing under the stars as if at night in the outdoors.

40 YEARS AGO Feb. 9, 1972 With none of the fanfare that might have surrounded such an event, a 24year-old auburn-haired beauty walked to the oblong stage of the Camelot Inn two weeks ago, danced one rock number, then slowly stripped to the waist for the second.

In doing so, Pat, a buxom young woman from Royal Oak who holds a college degree in commercial art, became Oakland County’s first topless dancer.

The event was so low-key and unadvertised that Pat and her two sisters were able to perform relatively unnoticed …

“That’s the way we wanted it,” said Ben Bundo, owner of the Camelot Inn. “We knew the people who would want to see the show would find out about it and we didn’t want to offend anyone.”

Apparently the move offended the Walled Lake City Council, which hustled through an amendment to its anti-smut ordinance to define obscenity. The council left no doubt it plans to make sure Bundo is ticketed under the strengthened ordinance.

30 YEARS AGO

Feb. 10, 1982 The lakefront property owners should not be asked to pay the costs for restocking Pontiac Lake with fish, according to a report by a state fish biologist.

The Oakland County drain office may be among the groups asked to bear the brunt of the costs, Pontiac Lakebased Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Biologist Ron Spitler said.

Spitler forwarded his report to Lansing last week. He would not release any details until his superiors have completed their review.

The vast majority of the fish in the lake were killed off last month when oxygen in the water was allowed to fall below levels necessary to sustain fish life, while the lake was being drawn down 10 feet below its legal lake level.

20 YEARS AGO Feb. 5, 1992 Sometime next month, the Sand Bar Tavern in Commerce Township — which closed down after the township refused to renew its liquor license — should have a new owner.

The Michigan Group Realty firm plans to move into the Sand Bar, located on Union Lake Road, from its current South Commerce Road location within 60 days of closing a deal on the old bar.

The bar has been vacant since last summer when former owner Jim O’Connell lost a lawsuit he filed against the township when it denied renewal of his liquor license. The bar was known for the number of times police were called to the scene on reports of noise, parking lot disturbances, serving alcohol to minors and serving patrons beyond the point of intoxication. One woman was killed trying to cross Union Lake Road after drinking at the bar.

Headlines of the Past

– A special feature of the Spinal Column Newsweekly –

PAGE 20

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LOCAL MATTERS business notes movers/shakers honors/awards ❐ lia sophia recently announced top honors for its excellent Beginning Program Achievers for their outstanding sales accomplishments and professionalism. Having just joined the fashion jewelry business, the following local advisors, Heather McIntosh and Rachel Wherritt of Waterford Township have earned this prestigious accomplishment in their first 15 weeks by attaining certain sales levels and by sharing lia sophia with other new advisors. To reach Heather, visit www.liasophia.com/offthehookmom, and Rachel can be e-mailed at raemw22@yahoo.com.

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: • Off the Clock Connect, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, Main Street Grill & Tavern, 327 N. Main Street, Milford.

Hosted by the HVCC Ambassadors, come and enjoy networking and light appetizers (cash bar).

• Coffee Club, 8 to 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17, Cryderman ConnectionRE/MAX Classic, 1042 Milford Road, Suite 201, Milford. Free morning mixer and find out about this member business while mingling with friends and meeting potential customers.

• Trade Show Workshop, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 23, Highland Station, 205 S. Livingston Road, Highland.

Facilitated by Colleen Kilpatrick. Cost: $20 for chamber members; $25 for non-members (cost goes up $5 per person after Thursday, Feb. 2).

Register now for this workshop designed to help you get the highest return on your trade show investment.

Space is limited, RSVP to the chamber office by calling 248-685-7129 or visiting hvexpoworkshop.eventbrite.com. ❐ The Huron Valley Community Showcase, hosted each year by the HVCC, is designed to showcase local businesses and area restaurants. The showcase provides business owners and organizations a cost-effective way to personally meet hundreds of potential customers from the Huron Valley area.

This year’s event will be held on March 25, at the Huron Valley Milford High School Field House located at 2380 S. Milford Road, Highland. For contact information, call 248-685-7129.

and 28, Edgewood Country Club, 8399 Commerce Road, Commerce.

• Professional Networking Group (LABAT), 8:15 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15 and 29, Managing Change, 2655 Oakley Park Road, northwest corner of Oakley Park and Martin, Commerce.

WEST OAKLAND COUNTY

SHOP LOCAL • THINK LOCAL • LIVE LOCAL

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 Invest in our future – buy local, live local, and volunteer local too.

You have a choice!

Spend it here. Keep it here. ❐ The HVCC has announced that the following businesses have joined its membership ranks: • Coloures Salon, Cheryl Frescoln/Diane Weddle, 947 E. Summit, Milford, colouressalon@comcast.net, Phone: 248-390-7011, Hair Salon • RE/MAX Classic – Mike and Gail Bailey, 1042 N. Milford Road, Suite 201, Milford, mgbailey@realtor.com, www.baileyhomes.com, Phone: 248762-9020, Phone: 248-762-9010, Real Estate / Realtor • Jackson Hewitt, Mike Amin, 525 N. Main Street, Suite 220, Milford, jacksonhewittmilford@gmail.com, Phone: 248-714-6121, Fax: 248-7146123, Financial Services.

• Real Estate One - Mary Nicole, 560 N. Milford Road, Milford, marynicole@realestateone.com, www.realestateone.com, Phone: 248-684-1065, Phone: 248-921-2386, Fax: 248-6841520, Real Estate.

• Perfect Water Co., LLC, Greg Durbin, 25227 Dequindre, Madison Heights, 48071, info@perfectwater.us, www.perfect-water.us, Phone: 248-629-9590, Phone: 248-760-4817, Fax: 248-850-8115, Water – Sales / Services /Testing ❐ The Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce (LACC) 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: • Edgewood Biz Connectors (LABAT), 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14

❐ The Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce is holding the following events in the coming days. For a complete calender of events, call 666-8600 or visit www.waterfordchamber.org: • Walk for Warmth, 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, Great Lakes Crossing Outlets.

Presented by Genisys Credit Union, Walk for Warmth will be held at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets on Saturday, Feb. 11, with registration at 8 a.m. and a kick-off ceremony at 8:30 a.m.

Walkers will enjoy two live bands, children’s activities, health screenings, and new this year: a discount shopping pass good at many of the outlet stores and a $5 Olga’s Kitchen coupon, both good for the whole day Feb. 11.

• Free Beauty and Wellness Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, Physiotherapy Association, 7500 Highland Road, Waterford. For more information, please call 248-674-8855.

• Business After Hours Mixer, 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, O’Tooles,

4000 Cass Elizabeth Road, Waterford.

Join us for appetizers, cash bar, and lots of networking! Ten-dollar advanced member reservations, $15 at the door and for non-members. Register at www.waterfordchamber.org, or call 248-666-8600.

• Calypso’s Salon third annual Customer Appreciation Night. 7 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, Feb. 18, Buck Shots Bar & Grill, 7048 Gatway Park Drive, Clarkston. Appetizers, cash bar, raffle, door prizes. The staff of Calypso’s thanks you for your years of loyalty. Stop on by and mingle with staff and friends. RSVP by Thursday, Feb. 9 to the salon at 248-683-3360. ❐ The Greater West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce is holding the following events in the coming days.

For a complete calender of events, call 626-3636 or visit westbloomfieldchamber.com.

• Mingle Mix & Meet, 8 a.m. Feb. 22, Allan Sefton Insurance, 31700 W. 13 Mile, Farmington Hills. Bring business cards and come on out to network! Get the opportunity to do a 60 second “Spotlight” about your business to everyone in attendance. Free for chamber members, $5 for non-members. Registration.

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

PUBLIC SAFETY Pedestrian struck, killed in Feb. 4 accident

ly scratched his head to the point of bleeding to create an injury to blame on his wife.

The alleged incident occurred on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 4:05 a.m. at a residence on Hunters Lake Court.

Police received a call from a woman who said that her husband had choked her. When police arrived at the subdivision, she was waiting in her vehicle and they drove her back to the house. Officers entered the home, went into the kitchen, and found the suspect holding his 3-yearold daughter.

The man was arrested and handcuffed while he questioned why police were called. He denied a physical altercation. Police stated that he appeared to be intoxicated.

The woman, 31, said that they argued, and that he was drinking prior to and after she came home.

She told police that he continued to yell at her when she asked him to leave her alone. She said she was sitting on the edge of their bed when he allegedly pushed her back with an open hand, stood over her, and tapped her repeatedly on her forehead with his finger.

When she sat back up, the man

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White Lake Township resident Calvin Bacon, 21, was walking along Carroll Lake Road at around 9:40 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4 when a southbound vehicle struck and killed him.

The driver was a 60-year-old Commerce Township woman who was uninjured in the accident.

According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, it’s currently undetermined what Bacon was doing in the roadway, as it appears he was struck while in the middle of the southbound lane.

The crash remains under the investigation by the sheriff department’s Crash Reconstruction Unit.

It’s currently unknown whether alcohol was a factor in the crash. ❏

Man allegedly choked wife following argument

By Michael Shelton staff writer

Milford police arrested a 39-yearold male resident after he allegedly assaulted his wife and later reported-

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PUBLIC SAFETY

Assault ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 22

then allegedly grabbed her by the throat with both hands and squeezed for 10 seconds before leaving the room and slamming the door.

Officers noted minor redness on the side of the woman’s neck.

The man claimed that the woman threw a baby monitor at the side of his head, but officers could find no injury and he was taken into police custody.

While being booked, officers noted that the suspect began scratching at his head with his fingernail and started bleeding from an abrasion.

He claimed that it was from being hit with the baby monitor, but the suspect was lodged in a cell, where he began yelling, becoming noisy and obnoxious, according to police.

He was issued a misdemeanor ticket for assault and battery and was arraigned in 52-1 District Court, where he was assigned a $500 personal bond. ❏

Man sustains burns in Walled Lake house fire Walled Lake firefighters extinguished a blaze in the 1200 block of Leon on Saturday, Feb. 4 in which a man sustained severe burns to his upper body and was transported to an area hospital.

Police and firefighters arrived on the scene to see smoke emanating from the burning house. They approached a man standing in the front yard who indicated that no one else was in the home.

Apparently the man was working in the basement with a propane torch when he got burned and the house caught fire.

Approximately 50 percent of the

exited the vehicle to the home on Irwindale Court. The track continued east toward the area of Pontiac Lake Road and Highland Road into a business parking lot, where the suspect was located and arrested without incident. ❏

Church vandalized Man trashes Our Lady of the Lakes

By Leslie Shepard staff writer

W

aterford police last week apprehended a suspect for his alleged role in vandalizing the chapel at Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes Church, located at 5481 Dixie Highway.

On Monday, Jan. 30 at 9:05 p.m., the suspect allegedly broke an altar candle and caused extensive damage to the chapel by discharging a fire extinguisher.

Officers identified the suspect as Norman Joseph Ochelski, a 31-year-old Royal Oak resident. Ochelski had reportedly been asked to leave a neighboring business several hours before the incident at Our Lady. He was located a short distance from the church and arrested without incident.

Ochelski was arraigned before 51st District Court Judge Jodi Debbrecht on one felony count of malicious Ochelski destruction of property less than $20,000 and one misdemeanor count of malicious destruction of property less than $1,000.

He is currently being held on $100,000 cash surety bond on the felony charge and a $10,000 cash surety bond for the misdemeanor. ❏ house, mostly the interior, was damaged in the fire, according to city officials.

The victim sustained first- and second-degree burns to his upper body and was subsequently transported to DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.

The case has been turned over to the Walled Lake Fire Department, which will be working alongside the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Fire Investigation Unit. ❏

Pair arrested for home invasion in Waterford Waterford Township police have apprehended a pair of suspects in a

Man beaten following fight over his girlfriend

By Leslie Shepard staff writer

Jan. 31 home invasion incident that occurred on Irwindale Court.

Officers responded to the area of Irwindale Drive and Irwindale Court to investigate a suspicious vehicle.

An alert citizen called 911 after observing the passenger of the suspicious vehicle walk behind a home.

Arriving officers located the suspicious vehicle and arrested the driver, a 30-year-old man from Waterford, on outstanding traffic warrants.

Officers subsequently located a home on Irwindale Court that had been broken into through a sliding glass door.

A Waterford police K-9 unit began a track from where the passenger

Walled Lake police are investigating an assault and battery incident that took place on Tuesday, Jan. 31 in the 830 block of North Pontiac Trail, where the victim allegedly was choked and struck open-handed until he fell into unconsciousness.

When police arrived at the scene, the male victim was lying on the ground and a girl was screaming for help.

Once the victim was revived, he said that just prior to the altercation he was visiting with his girlfriend, the homeowner, and the suspect. The suspect then began making advances toward the victim’s girlfriend and the victim confronted the suspect about it.

The suspect allegedly began choking the victim and a fight erupted, according to a Walled Lake police report. The pair ended up in the front yard. The suspect reportedly jumped on top of the victim, hitting him with both hands until he was unconscious.

Two witnesses reportedly corroborated the victim’s story.

After the incident, the victim opted not to press charges.

Officers had prior knowledge of the suspect, who reportedly was arrested for domestic assault on Jan. 6. ❏

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A familiar face in the lakes area has been tapped to lead the Oakland County Airport Committee as that panel’s chairman.

Oakland County Commissioner John Scott (R-Waterford, West Bloomfield) will now take charge after serving almost six years on the committee. He will continue to assist the committee in its responsibilities related to the county’s airports, which include the Oakland County International Airport in Waterford; the Oakland/Southwest Airport in New Hudson; and the Oakland/Troy Airport in Troy.

“I am honored to be selected by my fellow Airport Committee members to serve as their chairman,” said Scott, who was first elected to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners in 2002. He is one of five members to serve on the Oakland County Airport Committee.

Scott will continue to work with every facet of the county’s airport division, along with the committee, which includes establishing rental rates for the hangars, “T” hangars to the fixed-based operations, as well as monitor all the county’s airport activities. These activities consist of fuel sales, grant acceptance for airport improvements, and meeting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulation guidelines.

Oakland County Director of Central Services J. David VanderVeen, also a member of the Oakland County Airport Committee, said he is pleased Scott was named to the post.

“Commissioner John Scott has served on the Oakland County Airport Committee for the past six years,” VanderVeen said. “He has a unique perspective in that the Oakland County International Airport is located in his district. During his tenure he has been a supporter of this important county asset and has overseen the beautification of its highway frontage, completion of the noise compatibility program, and construction of Michigan’s first ‘green’ terminal building.” ❏

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PAGE 25

ENVIRONMENT

Volunteer monitors needed

County parks department seeks people to check nest boxes

By Angela Niemi staff writer

M

ale bluebirds have it pretty easy. All they have to do is find a prime piece of nesting site and then attract a female to come build a nest for the family.

That’s right: Once the female is suckered in by a little song and dance, she is then on the hook for building the nest alone and incubating the eggs.

Of course, male bluebirds haven’t had it easy finding natural nesting sites in Michigan over the last couple decades or so.

“For a while the bluebird population plummeted,” said Kathleen Dougherty, the education resources specialist with Oakland County Parks and Recreation. “A lot of it had to do with loss of habitat and a change of landscape, as these birds are associated with the farming communities. And as farms went to suburbs and urban areas, a lot of open landscape was lost.”

The bluebird also faces steep competition from non-native species — the house sparrow and weaver finch — for nesting sites.

Luckily, the bluebird population can be easily recovered, provided people put up nest boxes to provide the bluebirds an opportunity to reproduce.

Bluebirds are cavity nesters and typically nest in old woodpecker holes in the wild. As such, they are a prime candidate species to use a nest box.

Oakland County Parks and Recreation’s Nestbox Monitoring Program puts up and maintains nest boxes for three native species of birds, including the eastern bluebird, the house wren, and the tree swallow.

It follows the program developed

HEC vision session will educate on how to go ‘green’ It may be easier being green than is often lamented by a certain popular puppet frog.

Lyon Oaks County Park off of Pontiac Trail, just west of the Wixom border, is looking for volunteers to monitor its bluebird nest boxes. Volunteers are expected to attend a two-hour training session annually, follow the code of conduct for monitoring, and report their field observations and results. In addition, they must visit their assigned nest boxes at least once a week during the nesting season, which is from April through July or August. Anybody interested in volunteering should contact Kathleen Dougherty, the education resources specialist with Oakland County Parks and Recreation, at 248-858-0704 or doughertyk@oakgov.com. (Photo submitted by Kathleen Dougherty/Oakland County Parks and Recreation)

by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology — NestWatch — which tracks the survival and reproductive success of all North American breeding birds.

Oakland County has run its monitoring program since 2003 with the help of volunteers.

“The nest box monitoring program at Oakland County Parks and Recreation is only possible through the efforts of wonderful and dedicated volunteers,” Dougherty said. “It’s a very labor-intensive program.”

Volunteers are expected to attend a two-hour training session annually, follow the code of conduct for monitoring, and report their field observa-

tions and results. In addition, they must visit their assigned nest boxes at least once a week during the nesting season, which is from April through July or August.

Oakland County Parks and Recreation was recognized by NestWatch as one of the top 20 reporting programs in the country during 2011, with 125 nest attempts.

Last year, 147 eastern bluebirds were fledged along with 198 tree swallows and 70 house wrens.

The program is still looking for volunteers for the upcoming monitoring season.

Volunteers are especially needed at Lyon Oaks County Park off Pontiac

Trail, just west of the Wixom border.

Anybody interested in volunteering should contact Dougherty at 248858-0704 or doughertyk@oakgov.com.

A volunteer training session will be held on Sunday, March 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Winter Nature Center at Independence Oaks County Park.

“Promoting native birds not only adds to the viewing enjoyment of the public at parks, but they also eat insects and thus help control the insect population,” Dougherty said.

“Tree swallows in particular eat mosquitoes, which can only make the public’s visits better.” ❏

At least, that’s the message Sharon Greene, public relations director for the Highland Equestrian Conservancy (HEC), is hoping to get across with the organization’s Green Sustainability in Our Communities visioning session on Monday, Feb. 27.

“We will be talking about how residents, small farms and businesses,

and even township officials can focus on saving energy and learning tools to reduce energy consumption,” Greene said.

There will be presentations from both Nina Misuraca of Oakland County’s Planning & Economic Development Services and Jason Iacoangeli from the White Lake

Township Planning Department.

“It just made sense to promote both what the county and our local communities are doing to help our sustainability and land preservation, as well as what they are doing to support green and energy efficient ideas,” Greene said.

“This will give us a chance to share PAGE 26 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

PAGE 26

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NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR

OUTSTANDING STUDENTS OF WEST OAKLAND COUNTY

The Spinal Column Newsweekly is looking for West Oakland County students deserving special recognition.

Do you know of a student age Kindergarten through High School, who has done something special for their community? For instance: • Do they donate their time and effort to help someone else?

• Do they work hard to excel at something? (School, music, sports, etc.)

• Do they go above and beyond to reach out to another, or extend themselves in some other way?

If you think that a student deserves special recognition, tell us why. The winners will be featured in the first annual edition of “The Yearbook,” a special section of the Spinal Column Newsweekly being published and distributed on Wednesday, June 6, 2012. The Spinal Column Newsweekly is locally owned and operated with the largest distribution of any newspaper in the Lakes area.

In addition to being featured in a story, the first place prize winner will receive: A limousine ride (compliments of Blue Diamond Limousine of Wixom) to a fabulous dinner, compliments of The Root Restaurant in White Lake for the student and 4 guests of their choice.

The six top runners up will receive $20.00 gift certificates donated by Papa Romanos of Richardson Rd., Commerce, Happy’s Pizza, Marco’s Pizza of Highland and Windmill Market.

Winners will be chosen by a panel of local senior citizens.

Student’s Name: ________________________________________________________ Age:____________ Name of School: _________________________________________________________ Grade:_________ (Can be public school, private school or homeschooled student)

Your Name: ______________________________________________________________________________ Your Phone: ____________________________ Your Email: ______________________________________ Please attach 1 or 2 paragraphs to explain why this student deserves to be recognized.

Fax to: Attention Outstanding Students of West Oakland Fax: 248-360-5308

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ENVIRONMENT

HEC seminar ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 25

ideas and begin networking to begin to make changes to improve homes and businesses in the community.”

Misuraca will be discussing the county’s OakGreen program, an initiative to share information, encourage collaboration, and connect county residents, businesses, and communities to resources that can advance environmental stewardship, economic growth, and strong communities. She will also be talking about the business/residen-

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tial energy challenge, as well as the county’s multi-community sustainability planning efforts.

Meanwhile, Iacoangeli will be discussing White Lake’s master plan, which has a “high sustainability component,” as well as incentives for both residents and businesses to go green.

“White Lake’s master plan encourages green practices in future developments with an incentive program that really is revolutionary for the area,” Greene said. “And we felt this was a concept that needed to be recognized.

It doesn’t matter if someone is from a small rural community or an urban area. The message is worth sharing.”

Iacoangeli also plans to dispel a common misconception about those who follow green practices.

“I’m going to try to explain that being green doesn’t always have to be associated with the left-leaning stereotypes out there,” he said. “Sometimes sustainability and going green gets people’s hackles up. But you don’t have to be a Democrat to be green. You can be green and a Republican, too.”

The visioning session starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Highland Station House, located at 205 W. Livingston Road in Highland Township. A $2 donation at the door will go to support the Huron Valley Council for the Arts. ❏

MURRAY’S PARTS CITY

Walled Lake DDA February Business of the Month

T

he Walled Lake Downtown Development Authority (WLDDA) Urban Design Committee awards the efforts of those businesses that add to the beautification and economic vitality of Downtown Walled Lake. This month, the Urban Design committee recognizes Murray’s Parts City as an example of excellence in urban design, overall appearance and a valuable contributor to the Downtown’s burgeoning artistic culture.

Murray’s is a well known destination sport in Downtown Walled Lake for anyone needing auto parts; now they are also attracting history buffs and art lovers who come to admire the artwork on their building’s façade. Owner, Steven Blair, commissioned artist Peter Flores to paint a mural on the north wall of the Murray’s building depicting the boat rides offered at the Walled Lake Amusement Park many years ago. This mural has generated much conversation and reminiscing for many of the people who can still remember the “good ol’ days” of the amusement park and an opportunity to inform the public about Walled Lake’s rich history. This mural is even showing up on several Facebook pages.

Murray’s Parts City was awarded a WLDDA Design Committee Façade Grant for the mural.

Murray’s Parts City is located at 707 N. Pontiac Trail on the corner of Pontiac Trail and West Maple Road and are open seven days a week, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; they can be reached at 248-624-8767.

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FEBRUARY 8-14, 2012

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

PAGE 27

COUNTY

Novi Democrat to run for 9th District seat on OC board

By Kirk Pinho assistant editor

Although the new district lines for the Oakland County Board of Commissioners are still up in the air, as a ruling is expected today, Wednesday, Feb. 8, in a legal challenge against a new state law allowing the county board to redraw them, Gwen Markham has filed as a Democrat to run in what is currently the 9th District, representing Wixom.

Commissioner Kathy Crawford (RNovi) currently lives within that district’s boundaries. She said she “absolutely” will be running for a job on the county board again.

Markham said a need for “a more regional approach to government” prompted her to get into the race.

A former automotive manufacturing operations manager and current piano teacher, Markham has previously run for a slot on the Novi City Council, and has served a pair of stints on the city’s Planning Commission.

She pointed to transportation as a key regional issue that should be dealt with by various governmental stakeholders across metro Detroit.

“We should be facilitating transportation across the region,” she said. “There are good ways to do it.

When cities opt out of the (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation) system and then they build their own little regional transportation system for whatever it may be, that is wasteful.”

Markham added that, although she lived in Arizona and Wisconsin for periods of time, she was born in Pontiac and has “a good understanding of Oakland County, and its history and future are tied together.”

She said the uncertainty over how the new county board districts will fall “really doesn’t matter to me.”

“I had decided to run for the seat before the new districts were drawn.

I don’t live too far from the current commissioner (Crawford), so my guess is that however they redraw the districts” she will be squaring off with Crawford if she gets the Democratic Party’s nomination.

“I want to have my voice heard,” she said.

The filing deadline for candidates is May 15.

County commissioners serve twoyear terms and earn $32,093 annually. ❏

County board OKs new ‘very strict’ policy on ethics

By Kirk Pinho assistant editor

The Oakland County Board of Commissioners has adopted a new ethics policy for elected officials and county employees after over a year of work by an ad hoc committee that studied and proposed changes to the county’s 20-year-old ethics rules.

The board’s action came on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

According to Oakland County Commissioner Tim Greimel (DAuburn Hills), who has championed ethics policy reform in recent years, the new policy establishes “very specific” prohibitions on the giving of gifts to county employees or officials in a pertinent decision-making position by people who are currently contracting with the county or seeking to do so.

Although there are some exemptions to that provision — such as for meals under $25 — it’s “generally a very specific and very strict policy,” according to Greimel.

Conflict of interest provisions are also tightened up to include “a wide range of family relationships that constitute a conflict of interest,” Greimel said earlier this month.

However, he said the most important part of the updated policy is that it includes a “new mechanism by which to hold employees accountable if they violate the policy.”

According to Oakland County Commissioner John Scott (RWaterford, West Bloomfield), it will cost about $6,000 to disseminate the policy changes to county employees and officials, a cost that he said should come out of the Board of Commissioners’ travel budget. ❏

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STATE

Robocall reform in Lansing Bills would require ‘do not call’ list, additional disclosure

By Kirk Pinho assistant editor

L

awmakers on both sides of the aisle in Lansing are working to reign in so-called “robocalls” — unsolicited and automated phone communications, typically from political campaigns — in the lead up to the 2012 election cycle.

A pair of proposals released on the same day — House Bill (HB) 5254, sponsored by state Rep. Steven Lindberg (D-Marquette); and Senate Bill (SB) 896, sponsored by state Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R-Antwerp Township) — would institute a “do not call” list for robocalls, and require additional disclosure on who pays for the robocall and whether it is authorized by a political candidate, respectively.

The free “do not call” list, called for under HB 5254, would by administered by the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office. Every quarter, an updated list would be published for use by political solicitors. Ninety days after the list is initially established, the people on that list could not be contacted from within Michigan.

Each violation would be punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.

Schuitmaker’s SB 896 would require that a robocall paid for by an independent expenditure not made by a political candidate’s committee would have to include the following language in the call: “Not authorized by any candidate committee.”

Likewise, robocalls authorized

Billington seeking Democratic nod for state House

By Kirk Pinho assistant editor

Neil Billington may have found another way to get Gail Haines out of office.

The Waterford Township resident has filed candidate paperwork to seek the Democratic Party’s nomination for the new 43rd state House of Representatives District, which

by a political candidate or candidate committee would have to include the following verbiage: “Authorized by (name of the candidate or name of the candidate committee).”

Knowingly violating the provisions of the proposed law would constitute a civil infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 for each violation.

State Rep. Lisa Brown (D-West Bloomfield, Commerce, Wolverine Lake) said she is in favor of both pieces of legislation, adding that she

sponsored a bill like Schuitmaker’s in light of a 2008 Republican primary election robocall in her district that was placed to some homes at 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.

“I think it’s a good idea,” she said.

“I know people are bothered by those phone calls.”

Proposals at least as far back as five years ago have called for robocall “do not call” lists, although those pieces of legislation — introduced in the early stages of the 2007-08 legislative session — failed to gain a sig-

nificant amount of traction among state lawmakers.

HB 5254 has been referred to the House Redistricting and Elections Committee, which is chaired by state Rep. Peter Lund (R-Shelby Township); while SB 896 has been forwarded to the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee, which is helmed by state Sen. David Robertson (R-Waterford).

A message left for Robertson on Monday, Feb. 6 was not returned prior to press time. ❏

includes the bulk of Waterford Township, along with Independence Township, Clarkston, and Lake Angelus.

This comes after Billington challenged Haines — whose current district includes portions of Waterford and West Bloomfield townships — as a Republican in the 2010 GOP primary election, a contest in which he fell 76 percent to 24 percent to Haines, who is in her second term in the state House and chairs the Health Policy Committee.

In addition, last year, Billington also embarked on a recall effort tar-

geting Haines, citing her vote in favor of an expanded emergency financial manager law that has drawn criticism from many on the left and public employee unions, and faces a petition drive seeking to repeal it.

On Aug. 4, a three-member county panel voted to approve the following petition language to be circulated in his effort to oust Haines: “State Representative Gail Haines on February 23, 2011, voted YES on Michigan House Bill 4214 now Public Act 4 of 2011.”

PA 4 of 2011 is the Local Government and School District Fiscal

Accountability Act, known largely for giving state-appointed emergency financial managers greater authority in dealing with financial crises in municipal governments and school districts.

Billington’s Tuesday, Jan. 31 deadline to turn in recall petition signatures passed without any petitions being filed, according to county Clerk/Register of Deeds’ Elections Division staff.

Haines confirmed earlier this week that she will be seeking a third and final term in the state House of Representatives.

PAGE 30 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

STATE

39th House race ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 29

“There’s a lot of stuff I want to finish,” she said.

The filing deadline for candidates is May 15.

State representatives serve two-year terms and are currently paid $79,650 per year.

A woman who answered the phone at Billington’s house last week said he would not comment to the Spinal Column Newsweekly.

Haines was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 2008. ❏

Potts, Lawrence will square off in GOP primary race

By Kirk Pinho assistant editor

Robert Lawrence is looking to make the jump from the Birmingham Public Schools Board of Education to the state House of Representatives.

The Birmingham school board’s current treasurer, who was first elected to the board in 2003, is running as a

Republican in the new 40th state House of Representatives District that includes the eastern portion of West Bloomfield Township, in addition to Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills.

A former commercial banker and current owner of a consulting and real estate development business, Lawrence’s entry into the Republican primary fray means that the Aug. 7 race will be a contest between at least him and Oakland County Commissioner David Potts (RBirmingham), who announced last month that he is also seeking to represent the new district.

“I think this is a critical time for our state, especially as it relates to education and how we move the business of the state forward,” said Lawrence, who filed candidacy paperwork last week.

He said his nine years on the Birmingham school board and “guiding this district through some of our tough financial times” has lead him to want to bring that experience to Lansing.

While he said that the GOP-controlled state Legislature and Gov. Rick Snyder, also a Republican, have done “many things at the state level that

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will benefit education in the long-run,” he added that some of the proposals related to how the state’s children are taught “just aren’t well thought-out and they are going to have detrimental impacts.”

He cited, specifically, a proposal — Senate Bill 619 — that would do away with a cap on the number of online public cyber schools, as well as the limit on the number of students that can be enrolled in such a school. Under that bill, restrictions on the organizations or entities that run those cyber schools would also be reduced.

Lawrence said a date hasn’t been set for a formal announcement of his campaign for the state House.

The filing deadline for candidates is May 15.

State representatives serve two-year terms and are currently paid $79,650 per year. ❏

Democrat looks to take on Kowall in 2012 House race Milford Democrat Tom Crawford is making a run for the state House

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of Representatives.

Crawford filed candidate paperwork with the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Elections Division last week to seek the Democratic Party’s nomination to represent it in the general election for the new state House of Representatives 44th District seat, which covers the southwest portion of Waterford Township, along with all of White Lake, Highland, and Milford townships.

As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the district had 92,893 residents, making it the second-largest of the new state House districts in the lakes area that were drawn following the decennial tally of the nation’s residents.

Crawford said he has previously run in primary elections for the state House of Representatives in 2008 and the state Senate in 2010.

Crawford, who described himself as “highly-functioning autistic,” said he was running on a platform of standing up for the disabled community.

“I’m trying to run to represent them,” said Crawford, who is employed by both Meijer and Bob Sellers GMC. “I think that special education teachers should be paid more because they have to deal with a lot more. I just want to stand up for (the disabled community’s) rights so they are not bullied.”

State Rep. Eileen Kowall (R-White Lake, Highland), first elected to the state House in 2008 and re-elected in 2010, is also running for the new 44th District seat, she said last week. She plans on filing her campaign paperwork this week.

“It’s a long ways between (the filing deadline of) May 15” and the election, she said.

State representatives serve twoyear terms and are currently paid $79,650 per year. ❏

FEBRUARY 8-14, 2012

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

PAGE 31

IN OUR OPINION

Accountability and oversight W

Bipartisan ‘robocall’ bills deserve support from lawmakers

hat some call “the silly season” is nigh.

Translation? Bone up for the 2012 election campaign, west Oakland residents. It’s going to be a doozy. Not only will we be bombarded with political ads from presidential, congressional, and U.S. senatorial campaigns, but also those from local candidates — some of whom will be deploying an array of so-called “robocalls,” which are automated political telephone calls designed to sway voters. Much like telemarketers, they have developed a reputation — among lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle — as being a nuisance to the electorate. Not only that, but there are serious and gaping holes in the way they are regulated at the state level, some argue. We couldn’t agree more. That’s why legislators need to take the first step in adding some oversight and accountability — as well as a significant measure of protection to Michigan residents — by adopting legislation proposed by Democrats in the state House of Representatives and Republicans in the state Senate.

House Bill (HB) 5254, sponsored by state Rep. Steven Lindberg (D-Marquette) would institute a free “do not call” list relative to robocalls, which would be administered by the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office. Every quarter, an updated list would be published for use by political solicitors. Ninety days after the list is initially established, the people on that list could not be contacted from within Michigan.

Each violation would be punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.

State Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker’s (R-Antwerp Township) Senate Bill (SB) 896 would require that a robocall paid for by an independent expenditure not

made by a political candidate’s committee would have to include the following language in the call: “Not authorized by any candidate committee.” Likewise, robocalls authorized by a political candidate or candidate committee would have to include the following verbiage: “Authorized by (name of the candidate or name of the candidate committee).”

Knowingly violating the provisions of that proposed law would constitute a civil infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 for each violation.

At least as far back as January 2007, lawmakers have been calling for reforms on the way robocalls can be used. Back at the start of the 94th legislative session, 2007-08, a similar “do not call” list was proposed by former Republican state Sen. Tony Stamas.

And state Rep. Lisa Brown (D-West Bloomfield, Commerce, Wolverine Lake) said she introduced last session a measure with similar required disclosures for robocalls.

What that signals to us is that lawmakers are — in what may seem like a shock to some — somewhat on the same page with regards to the oversight and regulation of robocalls. That gives us a modicum of optimism that these proposals have legs, although we aren’t holding our breath for legislative action due in part to lawmakers’ unwillingness to tackle such common-sense reforms in the past.

Why? The cynical side of us believes legislators are convinced that robocalls work, no matter what public face they put on their trumpeting of stricter disclosure requirements and “do not call” lists. So it’s time for them to put their money where their mouth is and adopt these proposed guidelines in the name of

increased transparency and increased respect for their respective constituencies.

For example, Brown said that in the 2008 Republican primary race for the 39th state House District that she represents, one Republican paid for robocalls to be placed to district homes at around 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. — not advocating for him or herself, but instead the other candidate in what was seen as an attempt draw the ire of voters, therefore driving the GOP voting bloc away from the candidate being advocated for in the robocall.

That’s not run-of-the-mill politics. That move, if true, in particular is mean-spirited, not to mention completely devoid of concern for the district that candidate was trying to represent. If these proposals had been law at that time, whoever paid for and authorized that robocall would be known, and — perhaps even better yet — district residents may not have received it in the first place if they were signed up for a robocall “do not call” list.

These bills are not controversial, as evidenced by the fact that their premise has generally received sponsorship from members of both parties throughout the years. They are, instead, rational and common-sense reforms to address what seems to be a growing concern — the true nature of how money is spent, and who spends it, in our politics and campaigns — not only here in Michigan, but also nationwide.

Lawmakers need to enact these proposals once and for all to shine a light on who is behind, and not behind, the robocalls that will soon be invading our homes, and to give Michigan residents an option for preventing them from doing so. ❏

Use ‘net’ to stream meetings

W

olverine Lake officials are contemplating whether to use the Internet and a web camera to stream video of the village’s various public meetings. Given the relatively small cost of the necessary equipment and the potential benefit of streaming meeting sessions to the community, we’re encouraging village officials to give the initiative a stamp of approval.

The Village Council is expected to take up the proposal at its meeting tonight, Wednesday, Feb. 8. At issue is whether to stream video of committee and council meetings on the Internet so those who are unable to attend can watch the sessions live.

The village’s administrative committee — comprised of Village Council President John Magee, Village Administrator/Clerk Sharon Miller, Village Council President Pro Tem Ed Sienkiewicz, and Councilwoman Linda Champagne — has forwarded its recommenda-

tion to the council to begin the process by purchasing a web camera so the meetings can be streamed using the Internet service called Skype.

A Skype service would allow the village to communicate with members of the public via voice and video over the Internet. It provides features akin to those of mid-range video conferencing systems.

According to Magee, the administrative committee would like to use Skype and a web cam to stream video of the meetings on a regular basis, so all residents with Internet access can watch meetings live, or later as a podcast.

Really, we can’t think of a good reason not to implement the administrative committee’s recommendation. The costs would be nominal: The Skype service is free, and anyone can use it. Web cams can be purchased from under $50 to as much as $500; and, frankly, the cheaper ones work just fine.

We’re hoping the council will agree to make use of such modern technology to bring the community’s public affairs to the public. This would allow people to watch meeting sessions from their homes, or even while they’re out of town on a business trip or vacation.

While the village might be able to go the route of broadcasting meetings on community access cable television channels, we suspect that approach would cost far more than what’s now on the table. In addition, most communities that have their public meetings on cable television tape the meetings for broadcast later, rather than have live broadcasts; and with so many communities already using public access channels, it may prove difficult at this late stage for the village to secure programing time.

Hopefully it will be an easy decision for the Village Council to authorize the streaming video proposal. ❏

PAGE 32

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

MAIL BAG

Right-to-work flawed From Mike Jackson, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters: As recently reported in our Detroit media, Michigan’s unemployment rate continues to decline, now at the state’s lowest level since September 2008. Michigan also added 67,000 net new jobs in 2011, including in manufacturing and professional and business services.

Yes, we still have our work cut out for us. However, the future does look stronger with the resurgence of our domestic automotive industry and supplier networks, as well as ongoing and prospective investments in areas like Big Three plants, high-tech, health care and construction, which includes much-needed transportation infrastructure.

Unfortunately, amidst progress, right-to-work advocates, with their anti-democratic, anti-middle class, anti-union agenda, look to be making another run at having Michigan become a right-to-work state.

Activity is heating up in Lansing even after Gov. (Rick) Snyder has said repeatedly that he has no interest in right-to-work legislation, this misguided and dangerous “solution” for which no problem exists.

(Here’s) a fresh look at the “stats.” The truth is that there is no credible evidence that right-to-work states, which allow workers to opt out of union dues even when their compensation, benefits and job protections have been collectively bargained for by a union, do better economically or foster business attraction. Presently, 22 states have rightto-work laws.

In fact, as reported recently by money.msn.com, of the 15 counties in our nation with the highest

poverty rate according to the most recent U.S. Census data, 14 are in right-to-work states.

Looking at the top 10 states with the highest rates of unemployment, six of the 10 are right-towork states.

Recent studies by Lonnie Stevans of Hofstra University, utilizing data from the U.S. Small Business Administration, and Gordon Lafer for the Economic Policy Institute have determined that: • A state’s right-to-work law has no impact on economic growth or influence on employment and business capital formation; • The average real state (gross domestic product) growth rates are not significantly different between right-to-work and non-right-to-work states; • After accounting for cost of living, right-to-work laws lower wages by $1,500 per year — for both union and non-union employees; and • Right-to-work decreases the odds of getting employer-supported health care insurance by 2.6 percent and a pension by 4.8 percent, again, for both union and non-union employees.

Other studies find significantly higher wages for women and minorities in union jobs, as opposed to non-union.

(This is) a better approach.

Perhaps most disturbing is the continued delusion of right-to-work fanatics (advocates) that the road to economic progress is somehow paved with lower wage, lower benefit, less-incentivized, less-career inspiring employment.

Interestingly, the 2010 State New Economy Index, published by the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, found that three-fourths of the top 20 states

for high-tech companies, Michigan among them, are in non-right-towork states. Only one state in the top 10, Virginia, was a right-towork state.

Moreover, unions are not the enemy of economic progress or worker productivity. Unions increase productivity by encouraging new technology, labor-management coordination and increased training. The right-to-work camp will never admit to it, but many progressive, highly competitive businesses prefer the overall value of a unionized work force derived through collective bargaining.

Clearly, we must look beyond labor laws as a determinant of business attraction and job growth, as Gov. Snyder has done. Our emphasis should be on infrastructure improvement, transportation, education and work force development.

The Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters agrees with Gov. Snyder that it is time for labor, government, and the private sector to partner and work toward solutions that benefit Michigan as a whole. With all parties now focused on building a stronger, more-resilient, modern economy for our state, now is not the time to focus on divisive issues that hurt our state. ❏

Youth tobacco use From Judy Rubin, Tri-Community Coalition Executive Director; Tobacco Free Oakland Coalition Covice Chairperson: It can be difficult talking to your kids about risk behaviors like tobacco use, and it’s easy to feel as if your words don’t make a difference. But, in fact, research shows that parents are a very influential factor in their children’s decision-making. Positive identification with parents is associ-

AROUND THE LAKES AREA

ated with decreased cigarette use.

That’s why it’s so important to start talking about tobacco use while your kids are young, to tailor your approach to their stage of development, and to continue the conversation throughout adolescence.

While it can be tough to start the conversation, open communication is the key to making sure your children make smart choices about tobacco use and other risk behaviors. By starting early, you can help lay the foundation that will help your child develop the resistance skills needed for staying tobacco-free.

It can be especially difficult to talk to your kids about tobacco use if you smoke or use other forms of tobacco — you may feel like you’re being hypocritical or that your words won’t be effective at all. But don’t let that stop you. Although it’s tough, it’s still important that you talk to your kids about tobacco use. You also need to be especially watchful for warning signs of your child smoking, as children of smokers are much more likely to become smokers themselves.

However, parental disapproval of smoking is a consistent protective factor against kids’ future smoking.

Talking to your kids about tobacco use is hard. And it can be even harder if you smoke. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have positive, insightful conversations about tobacco use with your child. ❏

CORRECTION An article appearing in the Feb. 1 edition of the Spinal Column Newsweekly under the headline “Aiming for Lansing” (pg. 28) should have stated that Commerce Township Democrat Pam Jackson is running in the newly-drawn 39th state House District. ❏

A special feature of the Spinal Column Newsweekly

WE’RE ASKING… Do you support the legalization of marijuana?

"Yes, we should tax it and make money."

— Tom Lyons, Westland

"I'm neutral. Either way, people are going to smoke it, whether it be medicinal, legal or recreational."

— Susan Padot Commerce Township

"No. It's a drug and messes people up. Basically it's legal now. I'm a business owner and hire guys who show up stoned and say, 'You can't do anything. We have a (medical) marijuana card.' It's easy to get marijuana cards, so all these guys have them. This is the unintended consequence."

— Bob McKay, Commerce Township

"Yes. We're spending so much tax money against it."

— James Ross, White Lake Township

FEBRUARY 8-14, 2012

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

PAGE 33

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ■ Huron Valley Council for the Arts: Nick Palise’s Sovereign Blues Band, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, Steeple Hall Performance Center, 205 W. Livingston Road, Highland. Tickets. www.huronvalleyarts.org or 248-8898660.

the entire family! The grand prize is randomly selected from all the names from both dances. The cost is $25 a couple, and just $10 for each additional child. Sign up by going to www.huronvalleyrec.com. Space is limited, do not delay!

■ Detroit Model Railroad Cluband Model Railroad Museum: Open House, Michigan’s largest O-scale model trains operating on 5,000 feet of track, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 and Sunday, Feb. 12, 104 N. Saginaw, Holly. 248634-5811 or www.dmrcc.org.

■ West Oakland Democrats: Speaker Garrett Arwa, Michigan Director of Organizing for America, meet and greet, hot pizza and snacks at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 21, Comfort Suites, intersection of Wixom Road and Grand River Avenue near Exit No. 159 off I-96, Wixom. E-mail kkuehnel@yahoo.com

■ Southeast Michigan Modelers: 33rd biannual model car and toy fair, 8:30a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, Baker’s of Milford, 2025 S. Milford Road, Milford. Four-dollar admission, free for children under 12. A portion of the profits will be used to support the Youth Scholarship Fund of the Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution. 248-684-5636.

■ Lakes Area Rotary Club:Valentine Celebration, Tuesday, Feb. 14, Bayside Grill, 142 E. Walled Lake Drive, Walled Lake. 248-770-2707.

■ Huron Valley Numismatic Society: Coin collecting Merit Badge Workshop, 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 15, Highland Adult Activities Center, 209 N. John Street, Highland. R.S.V.P. 248529-6646.

■ Mothers & More: Quarterly meeting, “Children & Money,” 7 to 9 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 15, DMC Huron ValleySinai Hospital, Commerce. 248-3607702.

■ Four Towns United Methodist Church: All you can eat spaghetti dinner with salad bar, 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, 6451 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford. Adults, $7.95, children eat free. Carry-outs available. 248-6820211 or 248-682-6868.

■ Huron Valley Recreation and Community Education: Daddy/Daughter and Mother/Son dances, 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, Milford High School. Those who register prior to Friday, Feb. 10 will be eligible for a grand prize that includes a gift basket from Décor Wedding that includes various games and movies for

■ Huron Valley Council for the Arts: Three Sopranos – Kimberley Dolanski, Karin White, Barbara Wiltsie, concert, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, Steeple Hall Performance Center, 205 W. Livingston Road, Highland. Tickets. www.huronvalleyarts.org or 248-8898660.

■ MSU Extension: Shoreline Class, 9 a.m., March 17, Wint Nature Center, Independence Oaks County Park, Clarkston. Register by Thursday, March 9, 2012. 248-858-5198 or bhaktabi@anr.msu.edu.

■ 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 www.byershomestead.org or call 248-363-2592.

■ Dads of Foreign Service: Bingo, 5:30 p.m. Sundays, VFW Post 4156, 321 Union Lake Road, White Lake. www.vfw4156.org or 248-698-8302.

■ 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.

■ Waterford Rotary Club: Meeting, noon, Tuesdays, The Shark Club on M59, Waterford. 248-625-4897.

■ Big Chief Chorus: Rehearsals, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Waterford Oaks Activity

Center, 2800 Watkins Lake Road, Waterford. 248-698-9133 or 248-5632109.

■ Huron Valley Council for the Arts: Knitters circle, 10 a.m. Wednesdays, Highland Station House, Highland. 248685-9015.

■ (Breakfast) Optimist Club of Waterford: Meeting, 7:15 a.m.

Thursdays, Big Boy Restaurant, M-59 and Airport Road, Waterford. 248-6733493.

■ Multi-Lakes Conservation Association: All-you-can-eat fish fry, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays, 3860 Newton Road, Commerce. 248-3639109.

■ 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.

■ 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. 248559-1147, ext. 3434.

SUPPORT GROUPS ❐ 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. 248698-1300. ❐ Divorce Care: Support group meeting for adults and children, 6:30 p.m.

Sundays, Brightmoor Christian Church, 40800 W. 13 Mile, Novi. 248-755-9533. ❐ Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous: Meeting, 6 p.m. Fridays, Crossroads Presbyterian Church, 1445 Welch Road, Commerce. 248-807-8667 or foodaddicts.org. ❐ Independence Village of White Lake: Volunteers needed part-time for Bingo, coffee chat, walking group, etc., 935 Union Lake Road, White Lake. 248-3607235.

❐ Over-Eaters Anonymous: Recovery from compulsive eating, 12-step program, meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesdays, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 5301 Hatchery Road, Waterford. ❐ MOMS Club of Waterford South: Support group for mothers at home, weekly activities, monthly meetings, third Friday of the month, Waterford area. momswaterfordsouth.webs.com. ❐ Postpartum Depression Support Group: Meeting, 6:45 p.m.

Thursdays, DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, Commerce. 248-937-5220. p TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly): Meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesdays, weigh-in at 5:30 p.m., new meeting site, DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital Conference Room 1-C, 1 Williams Carl Drive, Commerce. 248-363-6369 or e-mail jr.h@att.net.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES ❐ Calvary Lutheran Church: In conjunction with St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, “Senior Fit,” free exercise program for ages 55 and up, 11 a.m. to noon, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 9101 Highland Road, White Lake. Registration. 1-800-372-6094 or 248-625-3288. ❐ Dublin Senior Center: Lunch, Bingo and cards, 11:30 a.m. Mondays and Fridays, 685 Union Lake Road, White Lake. Registration. 248-698-2394. ❐ Foster Grandparent Program of Oakland County: Volunteers needed ages 55 and older to provide tutoring, mentoring and nurturing youth with special needs. Volunteers receive a non-taxable stipend, mileage reimbursement, a meal or meal reimbursement, training. 248-559-1147, ext.

3424. ❐ Highland Adult Activity Center: Bingo, noon, Mondays and Wednesdays; Sit’N’Stitch, 10 a.m., and movie with popcorn, noon, Fridays, 209 N. John Street, Highland. 248-887-1707. ❐ Richardson Senior Center: Knitting & crochet group, 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays, 1485 E. Oakley Park, Commerce.

Registration. 248-926-0063.

PAGE 34

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Wednesday Night Bible Study 7 p.m.

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1403 N. Pontiac Trail Walled Lake, MI 48390 248-624-4600 www.walledlakecoc.com

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To advertise your Worship Services in the Community Worship Services Directory please call the Inside Sales Department at 248-360-7355

SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

COMMUNITY CALENDAR SENIOR ACTIVITIES

Continued ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 33

❐ 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: Meals on Wheels lunch, Wednesdays, Feb. 15 and 23; “After Valentine’s” Senior Dinner, 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, 3621 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford.

Registration. 248-682-9450. ❐ 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.

PARKS ❐ Indian Springs Environmental Discovery Center: Cardboard Classic two-person sled competition, Sunday, Feb. 12, Indian Springs Metropark, White Lake. Registration. 810-4946026. ❐ Kensington Farm Center: Horsedrawn hayrides or sleigh rides, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Kensington Metropark, Milford.

Registration. 248-684-8632 or 1-800477-3178. ❐ Kensington Nature Center: “Ice Fishing for Beginners,” 1 to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 11; “Chickadee ChowDown,” 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, Kensington Metropark, Milford.

Registration. 248-685-1561.

We’ve Gone

DIGITAL! If you’d like to receive our full edition in your email box, send your request to: signmeup@thescngroup.com

LIBRARY EVENTS ❐ Commerce Township Community Library: Un-Valentine’s Day Party: Chocolate fondue, duct tape crafts, movie, teen program, 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, 2860 N. Pontiac Trail, Commerce. 248-669-8108 or commercelibrary.info. ❐ Highland Township Public Library: A Kid, a Lap & a Good Book, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 16, 444 Beach Farm Circle, Highland. Registration. 248-8872218. ❐ Milford Public Library: Adult Book Discussion: Robert Hicks’ “Widow of The South,” 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb.13, 330 Family Drive, Milford. Registration.

248-684-0845. ❐ Walled Lake City Library:How to select or evaluate your financial services provider, adult program, 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, 1499 E. West Maple, Walled Lake. Registration. 248-624-3772. ❐ Waterford Township Public Library: Preschool story and craft time, 10 a.m.

Thursday, Feb. 8, 5168 Civic Center Drive, Waterford. 248-674-4831. ❐ West Bloomfield Township Public Library:Adult book discussion: Daniel Woodrell’s “Winter Bone,” 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 15 or 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17; Music @ Main- North Oakland Dixieland Jazz Band, 3 and 5 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 19, 4600 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield. Registration.

248-682-2120 or www.wblib.org. ❐ White Lake Township Library: Movie Matinee, 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9; Adult book discussion: Mary Ann Shaffer’s “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society,” 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, 7527 E. Highland Road, White Lake.

Registration. 248-698-4942. ❐ Wixom Public Library: Adult book discussion: Malcom Gladwell’s “Blink,” 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, 49015 Pontiac Trail, Wixom. Registration. 248624-2512.

RELIGIOUS

❐ Sylvan Lake Lutheran Church: Special Valentine’s Day service, “Standing on the Side of Love,” 9 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, 2399 Figa, West Bloomfield. 248682-0770.

SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

Title secure

Captains earn second North crown in a row

By Michael Shelton staff writer

Waterford Kettering clinched its second straight Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) North Division title with a 57-30 trashing of rival Waterford Mott on the road on Friday, Feb. 3.

The Captains (13-1 overall, 8-0 in the KLAA North) have now won nine straight games, as well has 18 straight games in North Division play.

With two more wins this week, the Captains can finish undefeated in the division for the second straight season.

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Kettering led 12-9 after the first quarter before jumping out to a 30-19 halftime lead.

The Captains then went on a 14-4 run in the third quarter to lead 44-23 and closed out the game with a 13-7 run in the fourth.

Allison Bicknell finished with 16 points for the Captains, including 4 of the Captains' three-pointers, while Arjanai Washington and Erica Schwartz each added 8 points.

Lauren Hung led Mott (7-7, 3-5) with 17 points in the Corsairs' defeat.

PAGE 34 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

Waterford Kettering’s Hannah Huff (No. 11) fights for a rebound against Waterford Mott’s Claudia Crake on Friday, Feb. 3. The Captains defeated the rival Corsairs on the road, 57-30, to clinch their second consecutive Kensington Lakes Activities Association North Division title. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)

PAGE 36

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and Lexie Robak each had 10 points.

Cottrell also had 9 points, while Duffey had 8 points and 6 rebounds.

The Lakers played at Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood on Monday, Feb. 6 after press time and will host Dearborn Divine Child today, Wednesday, Feb. 8.

Our Lady will then turn its attention to the Catholic League tournament, as it will seek its fourth consecutive C-D Division title. The Lakers will face Cristo Rey at Detroit Jesuit on Saturday, Feb. 11.

The tournament semi-final will be held either Wednesday, Feb. 15 or Thursday, Feb. 16 at a site to be determined.

The tournament final is at Calihan Hall on the campus of the University of Detroit Mercy on Sunday, Feb. 19.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

‘Best all-around’ performance gives Lakers East crown Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes is once again at the head of the class in the Catholic League East Division as it clinched its fourth straight division title with a 53-40 victory at home over rival Marine City Cardinal Mooney on Thursday, Feb. 2.

"Every girl that played gave us good minutes and played hard. It was our best all-around game of the season and we have made some progress recently by taking better shots in the flow of our offense," said Our Lady Head Coach Steve Robak. "When we do that, we make it hard on the defense and we also tend to shoot a better percentage from the floor."

The Lakers moved to 12-1 overall and 7-0 in the East Division with the win and have now won nine straight games.

The Lakers led 21-9 in the second quarter and went into halftime with a 27-18 advantage.

But the Cardinals (10-3 overall, 5-2 in the East Division) fought back, trimming Our Lady's lead to 35-27 at the end of the third quarter and then to four points in the fourth.

But, Coach Robak said his team did a nice job of keeping possession of the ball, getting good shots, and getting fouled.

The Lakers shot 11-of-12 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter and 13-of-18 for the game.

Ava Doetsch finished with 18 points and 8 rebounds for Our Lady.

Tori Duffey had 15 points and 6 rebounds.

"Both of these players had a great game for us, and Ava used her speed to get into the open floor for good shots or layups and Duff was patient on offense and made open shots when they were there," Coach Robak said.

Carlee Cottrell also finished with 11 points, while Lexie Robak scored 7 points. Anna Robb had 7 rebounds.

Before Thursday's division-clinching game, the Lakers hosted Detroit Cristo Rey in a league crossover game and posted a convincing 68-21 victory.

"This was a great game for our bench players to get extended minutes. (Sophomore) Lindsay Ross was the leading rebounder off the bench with 11 boards and also contributed 7 points, both career highs," Coach Robak said.

Doetsch led the Lakers with 10 points, while sophomore Gabby Troy

SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

Western, Lakeland vanquish foes; Lakers suffer losses

By Michael Shelton staff writer

Waterford Kettering's Erica Schwartz (No. 23) drives to the hoop as the Captains were victorious over Waterford Mott on Friday, Feb. 3. Kettering has won nine straight games and 18 straight Kensington Lakes Activities Association North Division games. With two wins this week, the Captains will finish undefeated in division play for the second straight year. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)

Kettering Captains ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 35

As the North Division champions, the Captains will have a No. 1 seed in the upcoming KLAA Tournament, in which they will face the KLAA West Division's No. 4 seed in a first-round game on Tuesday, Feb. 14.

Kettering played at Huron Valley Lakeland yesterday, Tuesday, Feb. 7 and will finish division play by hosting Walled Lake Northern on Friday, Feb. 10.

Meanwhile, Mott hosted Walled Lake Western on Tuesday, Feb. 7 and will play at Walled Lake Central on Friday, Feb. 10. The Corsairs currently hold the fourth and final seed in the North Division and are looking for two wins to assure themselves a spot in the KLAA

Tournament.

Kettering began its week with a 6628 victory at home over Walled Lake Western.

Washington led the Captains with 15 points, while Bicknell chipped in 9.

Meanwhile, the Corsairs fell in a nailbiter on the road, 66-62, at Walled Lake Northern on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Northern led 14-11 after the first quarter and 29-27 at halftime before jumping out to a 48-38 lead in the third.

The Knights held on to win despite being outscored by Mott 24-18 in the fourth quarter.

Hung once again led Mott, as she finished with a game-high 34 points, including shooting a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line.

Rachael Waynick scored 8 points.

Walled Lake Western defeated Walled Lake Central, 53-44, on Friday, Feb. 3 at home.

Western (8-6 overall, 5-3 in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association North Division) had an 1814 lead at the end of the first quarter and a 28-23 advantage at halftime.

The Warriors outscored the Vikings 25-21 in the second half.

Erickah Woods led the Warriors with 19 points while Ciara Sims had 10 points to lead the Vikings (6-8, 4-4).

Central began the week with a 4130 victory over Huron Valley Lakeland at home on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Caitlin Starrs led Central with 14 points while Dominique Zigo had 9 points to lead the Eagles.

Meanwhile, Western fell 66-28 at Waterford Kettering on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Western played at Waterford Mott yesterday, Tuesday, Feb. 7 and will host Huron Valley Lakeland on Friday, Feb. 10.

Central played at Walled Lake Northern on Feb. 7 and will host Waterford Mott on Feb. 10.

• Huron Valley Lakeland defeated Walled Lake Northern at home, 36-25, on Feb. 3.

The Eagles trailed 7-5 at the end of the first quarter before going on an 82 run in the second quarter to take a 13-9 halftime lead.

Lakeland (5-9, 3-5 in the KLAA North) then went on a 15-7 run in the third quarter to grab control of the PAGE 37 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

FEBRUARY 8-14, 2012

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Warriors

❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 36

game.

Caitlin Crowley led the Knights (311, 1-7) with 13 points, while Dominique Zigo led Lakeland with 15 points.

Walled Lake Northern was coming off a 66-62 victory over Waterford Mott back on Tuesday, Jan. 31 in which Crowley scored 21 points and Ashlyn Davis scored 13.

Lakeland was coming off a 41-30 loss to Walled Lake Central on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

• West Bloomfield lost two games last week, bring its losing skid to four straight.

The Lakers began the week with a 54-36 loss to Pontiac on the road on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Kheri Motley led West Bloomfield with 11 points, while Kasey Brown had 8 points.

The Lakers then fell at Troy, 47-28, on Thursday, Feb. 2.

West Bloomfield (6-8, 0-8 in the Oakland Activities Association Red Division) was led by Brown with 13 points.

Milford’s struggles continue in losses to KLAA West foes Huron Valley Milford lost two games this past week in Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) West Division play.

The Mavericks began the week with a 39-37 loss at home against Howell on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Milford (2-12, 1-7 in the KLAA West) fell behind by 10 early, but cut Brighton’s lead to 3 at halftime.

The score was tied at 27-27 at the end of the third quarter before Milford took a 37-32 lead.

But, Milford was held scoreless for the rest of the quarter, as Howell hit a 3-pointer and a pair of field goals to win the game.

Elise Gustafson had 10 points and 10 rebounds while Claire Slaughter had 9 points and 5 rebounds.

Howell is 3-11 and 2-6 in the KLAA West.

Milford then hosted Hartland on Friday, Feb. 3 and fell to the Eagles, 4640.

The Mavs had a 10-6 lead at the end of the first quarter and increased it to 16-6 before going into halftime with a 21-17 lead.

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PAGE 37

Milford grinds out victories Mavs on the cusp of first KLAA North Division championship

By Michael Shelton staff writer

Somehow, someway, Huron Valley Milford finds a way to win and is now on the verge of its first Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) West Division title, after two thrilling wins last week.

The Mavericks first erased a 17point deficit, with the game climaxing when Brandon Wallace stole an inbounds pass and scored on a buzzer-beating layup to defeat Howell on the road on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Then, Milford fought tooth-andnail against a winless Hartland team before pulling out a 31-29 victory at home in double overtime on Friday, Feb. 3, despite shooting 9-of-23 from the free-throw line.

“I can’t recall a week like this, where we didn’t shoot like we should but we still grinded out two wins,” said Milford Head Coach Chip Lutz.

The Mavs are now 12-1 overall and remain in first-place in the KLAA West at 7-1, a full game ahead of second-place Grand Blanc (6-2) with two division games remaining this week.

Milford played host to Brighton (1-7 in the KLAA West) yesterday, Tuesday, Feb. 7 after press time, and will wrap up division play by traveling to Pinckney (5-3) on Friday, Feb. 10.

Things didn’t start off well for Milford against Howell last Tuesday, as the Mavs trailed by 17 in the second quarter and the Highlanders led 26-12 at halftime.

“Our goal was to get it down to 10 and see where it goes from there,” Lutz said about his team’s second-half strategy. “Howell did a great job of guarding the (threepoint) arc. They have 6-foot-7, 6Milford led 29-27 in the fourth, but the Eagles stepped up by shooting 7of-8 from the free-throw line and hitting 3 field goals and 2 three-pointers.

Slaughter led the Mavs with 7 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals.

Gustafson had 7 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals. Maddy Kurtz also had 7 points and 2 rebounds.

Hartland is 12-3 and 7-1 in the KLAA West, which ties the Eagles with Brighton for first-place.

Milford played at Brighton on Tuesday, Feb. 7 and will finish division play at home against Pinckney on Friday, Feb. 10.

foot-8 guys in the post, so it’s hard to score.”

Milford cut the deficit to 9 with four minutes left in the game. Joshua Corey drew a foul and was going to shoot a one-and-one, but then Howell was given a technical foul for arguing with an official.

Corey sunk all four ensuing free throws and would then drain a threepointer to cut Howell’s lead to two.

Both teams would go scoreless for the next three minutes before Stephen Sloboda tied the game at 34 with 18 seconds left.

After Milford’s defense forced the ball out of bounds on Howell’s next possession, Wallace stole the ensuing inbounds pass and raced down the floor to score the game-winning layup for the Mavs in what may have been the most memorable moment of its season so far.

Alex Larson led Milford with 8 points. Corey and Wallace each added 7.

Howell is now 7-5 overall and 5-3 in the West Division.

Milford then looked to carry its momentum into Friday’s matchup with Hartland. It was Hall of Fame night at Milford, in which the school inducted its newest members of the Milford Athletics Hall of Fame.

But the game didn’t start as Hall of Fame-worthy, as both teams struggled to connect on their shots and Hartland took an 11-10 lead into halftime.

Milford bounced back to take a 2018 lead at the end of the third quarter and had a 24-21 lead with 29 seconds left in the fourth after Chris Orr split two free-throws.

But, Hartland (0-13, 0-8) didn’t wither, as the Eagles found a wide-open Grant Klopfenstein in the left corner and he sank a 3-pointer to tie the game

BOYS BASKETBALL

Vikings still in the mix; Eaglets split pair; Lakers win

By Michael Shelton staff writer

Walled Lake Central remained in the hunt for its second straight Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) North Division title after two wins last week.

at 24 and force overtime.

Milford didn’t help its cause in the fourth by shooting 2-of-9 from the free-throw line.

“It was a physical game and we shot awful. We shot 26 percent from the field and 2-for-18 from threepoint land,” Lutz said.

In the first overtime, Sloboda shot 3-of-4 from the line and Milford had a 27-25 lead.

But, Stephen Milarch tied the game with a layup and was fouled. Yet he couldn’t hit the free-throw to complete the three-point play and the game went to double overtime tied at 27-27.

Hartland’s Ian Whitehead gave Hartland a 29-27 lead on a steal and layup.

Wallace answered for Milford after being held scoreless until the second overtime, as he scored on a layup while being fouled to tie the game at 29. He sank the free-throw to complete the three-point play and give Milford a one-point lead.

Hartland had a chance to take the lead with 10 seconds left, but had the ball slapped away and it went out of bounds off of Hartland.

Wallace was fouled and would add another free-throw with 2 seconds left, and Hartland could only muster a long-distance shot at the buzzer that was off the mark.

Milford was again led by Larson with 8 points, while Sloboda and Orr each scored 8. Milarch led Hartland with 10 points.

The Mavs now will focus on possibly clinching the KLAA West crown this week.

“It’s just a matter of us having to show greater attention to detail,” Lutz said.

The Vikings (11-2 overall, 7-1 in the KLAA North) began the week with a 4840 victory at Huron Valley Lakeland on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Central led by 3 at halftime and by 2 at the end of the third quarter before putting the game away with an 18-12 run in the fourth.

Tai Abiola led the Vikings with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks, while Zac Leimbach chipped in with 10 points.

Nick Troxell had 11 points to lead the Eagles (2-11, 1-7).

Central then hosted rival Walled Lake PAGE 38 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

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BOYS BASKETBALL

Boys round-up ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 37

Western on Friday, Feb. 3 in front of a sold-out crowd and didn’t disappoint, as it came away with a 54-46 overtime victory.

The Vikings had a 12-point lead in the third quarter before Western stormed back to tie the game at 45-45 and force overtime.

But, Central outscored the Warriors 9-1 in the extra session to earn the win.

Leimbach led Central with 20 points. Abiola and Chuck Taylor both chipped in with 10 points.

Miroslav Jaksic led Western with 16 points, while Korey Wade scored 12.

Central is now in a first-place tie with Waterford Mott at 7-1 with two division games left to play.

The Vikings hosted Walled Lake Northern yesterday, Tuesday, Feb. 7 after press time and will face Waterford Mott on the road on Friday, Feb. 10.

• Orchard Lake St. Mary’s fell to Warren De La Salle, 66-58, on Friday, Feb. 3 on the road.

The Eaglets trailed 23-12 at the end of the first quarter before pulling within one, 30-29, at halftime.

But, the Pilots put the game away by outscoring St. Mary’s 36-29 in the second half.

Chibunna Ukandu scored 20 points for the Eaglets, while Sam McClendon had 14.

The Eaglets began the week with a 55-30 victory at home over Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard.

Ukandu led St. Mary’s with 20 points. McClendon had 11 points.

The Eaglets played at Novi Detroit Catholic Central on Tuesday, Feb. 7 and will host Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice on Friday, Feb. 10.

• Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes picked up two wins last week, including a 58-49 victory at home over Marine City Cardinal Mooney on Friday, Feb. 3.

The Lakers (6-7, 4-3 in the Catholic League East Division) trailed 17-15 at the end of the first quarter and 36-23 at the half.

But, Our Lady bounced back to take a 36-31 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The Lakers then put the game away in the fourth with clutch free-throw shooting, as they shot 18-of-25 from the line for the night.

Garrett Ross had 18 points and 8 rebounds to lead Our Lady while Jake

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

Mott moves past Northern

Bragging rights go to Corsairs after win against Knights

By Michael Shelton staff writer

Waterford Mott and Walled Lake Northern squared off looking to separate themselves in the race for the Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) North Division title last week.

In the end, it was the Corsairs who prevailed with a 62-47 victory at home over the Knights on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Mott (11-2 overall, 7-1 in the KLAA North) and Northern (10-3, 6-2) began the week as part of a three-way tie, along with Walled Lake Central, for first-place in the North Division, as all three teams had 5-1 division records entering Tuesday’s schedule.

The game was closely contested early on, as Northern led 14-13 at the end of the first quarter before Mott took a 27-26 lead at halftime.

The Corsairs then took control with a 20-11 run in the third quarter to lead 47-37.

Mott then closed out the game with a 15-10 run in the fourth.

Khalil Malone had 14 points, 6 assists and 3 steals to lead Mott, while DaVonte Daniel had 13 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks.

Jared Sheena had 13 points for Northern in the loss.

Mott then defeated rival Waterford Kettering at home, 78-34, on Friday, Feb. 3. Daniel had 22 points and 12 rebounds. Hunter Reiche contributed 12 points on 4 three-pointers.

Meanwhile, Northern bounced back from last Tuesday’s loss with a 62-58 overtime victory at home over Huron Valley Lakeland on Friday, Feb. 3.

The Knights led for most of the game, including 34-27 at halftime and 44-38 at the end of the third quarter.

But, the Eagles forced overtime by going on a 13-7 run in the fourth quarter.

In the extra session, the Knights outscored the rival Eagles, 11-7, to secure the victory.

Sheena led Northern with 21 points, including 8-of-9 free-throw shooting and the game-winning shot with 1.6 seconds left, while Gage Throgmorton had 15, including shooting a perfect 7for-7 from the line.

Joe Smigielski and Leo Sussick also combined for 15 points and 15

rebounds for the Knights in their second overtime victory in three games.

Entering the final week of division play, Waterford Mott and Walled Lake Central are tied for first-place in the North Division at 7-1, while Northern is a game back at 6-2.

Mott played at Walled Lake Western

yesterday, Tuesday, Feb. 7 after press time, while Northern played at Central.

On Friday, Feb. 10, Mott will host Central in a showdown that could decide the division race, while Northern will host Waterford Kettering.

Doetsch had 12 points and 9 rebounds.

Vinny Puma scored 12 points. Nick Robak had 10.

The Lakers began the week with a 3727 victory at the West Bloomfield Frankel Jewish Academy.

Puma led Our Lady with 10 points, 4 assists and 3 steals, while Ross and Josh Grenn each had 9 points.

The Lakers are two games behind first-place Clarkston Everest (6-1) for the division lead.

Our Lady hosted Detroit Cristo Rey on Tuesday, Feb. 7 and will play at Riverview Gabriel Richard on Friday, Feb. 10 before hosting Everest on Tuesday, Feb. 14.

Waterford Mott senior guard Andrew Hovsepian flies past Walled Lake Northern’s Joe Smigielski (No. 21) and Trent Lansaw (No. 25) on Tuesday, Jan. 31. The Corsairs defeated the Knights, 62-47, to remain in a firstplace tie with Walled Lake Central in the KLAA North. The Corsairs and Vikings will meet on Friday, Feb. 10, in a game that could decide the title.

(Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)

PAGE 39 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

FEBRUARY 8-14, 2012

BOYS BASKETBALL

Boys round up ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 38

• West Bloomfield fell at home to Clarkston, 70-41, on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Brandon Cole led the Lakers (3-9, 15 in the Oakland Activities Association Red Division) with 19 points while Daryn Byrd had 10.

• Walled Lake Western (7-5, 3-5 in the KLAA North) defeated Waterford Kettering (0-12, 0-8) at home, 60-35, on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

William Gibson scored 14 points.

Jamall Rhodes had 13 points.

HOCKEY

Knights ice Eagles; Vikings and Mavs each earn ‘Cups’

By Michael Shelton staff writer

Walled Lake Northern defeated rival Huron Valley Lakeland, 5-1, in the “Battle of Bogie Lake” on Friday, Feb. 3.

Austin Gateman scored Northern’s first goal in the first period before Kevin Lechner scored for Lakeland to tie the score at the first intermission.

Austin Sansom scored for Northern (16-3-1 overall, 9-1-1 in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association North Division) with just over a minute left in the second period off an assist from Eric Wolf to give the Knights a 21 lead.

The Knights put the game away in the third with goals from Wolf, Tommy Luzynski and Rob Luzynski.

Adam Ranck made 11 saves in net for Northern, while Mitch Leist made 23 saves for the Eagles (5-13-1, 3-8 in the KLAA North).

Northern began the week with a 2-2 tie with Hartland at the Hartland Sports Center.

Meanwhile, Lakeland began the week with a 4-2 victory over Fraser on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Anthony Kobak scored on the power play in the first period before Nick Kobak added an unassisted goal before the first intermission.

Jackson Grey scored for Fraser for the only goal of the second period.

Kevin Lechner scored for Lakeland in the third period off assists from Bobby Schumacher and Mesclier.

Connor Gordley scored on a 5-on-3 power play to cut Lakeland’s lead to a goal.

But Trent Lloyd scored Lakeland’s

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PAGE 39

Pink and purple face off

Corsairs top Kettering in fund-raising game for cancer society

By Michael Shelton staff writer

Waterford Mott defeated rival Waterford Kettering, 5-2, at Lakeland Ice Arena on Saturday, Feb. 4 in the fourth annual cancer fund-raiser game for both schools.

Max Vancil scored the Corsairs’ first goal off an assist from Tyler Dearing in the first period.

In the second period, Mott (10-91 overall, 7-4-1 in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association North Division) turned up the heat as Austin Sereno scored off an assist from Scott Cuthrell.

Then, Cuthrell scored unassisted to put Mott up 3-0 before Vancil scored his second goal off a pass from Chase Sereno to put Mott up 40 at the second intermission.

Austin Sereno then scored his second goal of the night to start the third period.

But, Ryan Brown would spoil Mott’s shutout bid as he scored two goals for the Captains (1-17-1, 1-10) in the final period.

Jon Furton had 14 saves in net for the Corsairs.

The game also served to benefit the American Cancer Society, as Mott wore purple jerseys and Kettering wore pink jerseys that had names of people who have been touched by some type of cancer on the back.

Altogether, the teams raised $5,600 for the American Cancer Society and a portion of those funds will be given to a Waterford Mott family who recently lost their mother/wife to pancreatic cancer, according to Dawn Cuthrell.

Mott swept the season series from the Captains, having also won 7-3 back on Dec. 10.

The Corsairs also defeated

Clarkston, 7-5, on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Scott Cuthrell finished with 2 goals and 4 assists, while Austin Sereno had 2 goals and 2 assists and Tyler Vaughn had 2 goals and 1 assist.

Vancil also scored and Chase Furton had an assist. Jon Furton made 38 saves in net for the Corsairs.

Meanwhile, Kettering fell to Milford, 7-0, on Friday, Feb. 3.

fourth goal off assists from Schumacher and Lechner with 1:45 left in the game.

Trevor Kalinowski had 31 saves in net for the Eagles.

• Walled Lake Central defeated Walled Lake Western for the Walled Lake Cup on Saturday, Feb. 4.

The first period was scoreless before the Vikings (7-11, 2-8 in the KLAA North) scored two goals in the second, first on a goal from Eric Rosteck and then on a 5-on-3 power play goal by Drew Kocoves.

Rosteck then scored his second goal for the Vikings in the third period.

Western (3-11-2, 1-8 in the KLAA North) tried to mount a comeback with two goals in the third, but Central would hang on to win back the City Cup that it lost to Western last season.

Jake Segedi made 23 saves in net for Central, while Nick Malles had 29 saves for Western.

The Warriors outshot the Vikings 29-25.

Earlier in the week, the Vikings fell to Hartland, 8-0, on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

•

Huron Valley Milford defeated rival Huron Valley Lakeland 2-0 at the Hartland Sports Center on Saturday, Feb. 4 to clinch the Barber’s Cup. The Mavs’ Trevor Tierney scored at the 11-minute mark of the first period before Kyle Hamilton scored on a power play in the second period.

Tyler Skulley made 16 saves in net to preserve the shutout for the Mavericks (13-7, 6-4 in the KLAA West), who also shutout Waterford Kettering the night before, 7-0, on Friday, Feb. 3.

Trevor Kalinowski made 36 saves in net for the Eagles.

Waterford Mott team captain Scott Cuthrell (left in purple) and Waterford Kettering team captain Ryan Brown (right in pink) square off in a ceremonial faceoff for the teams' annual game to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. Dave Calme (center left), who recently lost his wife to pancreatic cancer, and his son Griffen Calme dropped the puck. (Photo submitted by Dawn Cuthrell)

PAGE 40

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CITY OF WIXOM

WIXOM, MI 48393 The City of Wixom will receive proposals at the Office of the City Clerk; 49045 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, Michigan 48393, until 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at which time placed proposals will be opened and read for the following:

HVAC MAINTENANCE/ PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT There will be a mandatory pre-bid meeting and walk-through at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 13, 2012 at Wixom’s City Hall; 49045 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, Michigan 48393.

Request for Proposal packages may be obtained from the Office of the City Clerk, Monday through Thursday, 7:15 am to 5:30 pm.

The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals it may deem to be in the best interest of the City. If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Public Works at 248-624-0141 S.C. 2-8-12

ADVERTISEMENT FOR REQUEST FOR BID

HOCKEY

Eaglets stonewall GP North in 4-0 shutout victory Orchard Lake St. Mary’s picked up a 4-0 shutout victory over Grosse Pointe North at St. Mary’s Ice Arena on Friday, Feb. 3 to sweep both games of a homeand-home series.

Brendan Tracy scored the Eaglets’ first goal in the first period off an assist from Deion Muller, before Luke Rodgers

“Good Times - Good Friends”

Drink Specials MONDAY - $1 Domestic Drafts EVERYDAY - $3 Well Drinks THURSDAY - $2 Domestic Bottles FRIDAY - $5 Jager Bombs FREE POOL Sun. & Mon.

CITY OF WIXOM

on the Lake

WIXOM, MI 48393 The City of Wixom will receive bids at the Office of the City Clerk; 49045 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, Michigan 48393, until 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at which time placed proposals will be opened and read for the following:

WATER AND SEWER MAIN REPAIRS AND SERVICE CONNECTIONS Request for Bid packages may be obtained from the Office of the City Clerk, Monday through Thursday, 7:15 am to 5:30.

The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals it may deem to be in the best interest of the City. If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Public Works at 248-624-0141 S.C. 2-8-12

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

CITY OF WIXOM WIXOM, MI 48393

The City of Wixom will receive bids at the Office of the City Clerk; 49045 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, MI 48393, until 10:00 a.m. on February 16, 2012 at which time and place bids will be opened and read for the following vacant lot properties: 2330 Roseworth (parcel no. 17-29-227-003) 2906 Shewbird (parcel no. 17-29-379-015) To obtain the bid information, call Debra Barker (248) 624-3280 Monday through Thursday, 7:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

S.C. 2-1 & 2-8-12

Open daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

10070 Elizabeth Lake Rd. White Lake

248-698-4800

SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

scored off an assist from Stephan Beauvais to give St. Mary’s a 2-0 lead at the first intermission.

Rodgers then scored unassisted in the second period for a 3-0 Eaglets’ lead.

Cody Milan then scored a short-handed goal off assists from David Muth and Mitchell Vanderburg in the third period.

St. Mary’s went 0-for-6 on the power-play while the Norsemen were 0for-7. The Eaglets also outshot Grosse Pointe North, 25-24.

Austin Julevezan stopped all 24 shots he faced in net for St. Mary’s.

The Eaglets are now 10-6 overall and 9-3 in the Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League with 18 points, 9 back of first-place Novi Detroit Catholic Central.

They will next take on Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice today, Wednesday, Feb. 8 at Kennedy Ice Arena in Trenton.

St. Mary’s will then play in the Trenton Showcase at Kennedy Ice Arena by first facing Trenton on Friday, Feb. 10 before taking on Warren De La Salle on Saturday, Feb. 11.

SPORTS NOTE

Waterford Mott senior hockey player Scott Cuthrell has been nominated for the Suburban Collection High School Hockey Player of the Year by State Champs!

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

CITY OF WALLED LAKE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 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# 2012-01 Appellant: Karol Drabek & Ronald Burgh Parcel ID# 17-35-302-003 Location: 138 Leon, Walled Lake, MI 48390 Request: Non-Use Variance Applicant requests non-use variances from the side and rear yard setbacks and lot coverage requirements of Article 17, section 17.01, Schedule of Regulations as follows to construct a new single family dwelling: a) A one-half ft. (0.5’) variance from the three and one-half ft. (3.5’) minimum side yard setback requirement pursuant to note (n) Section 17.01, Schedule of Regulations; b) A two and one-half ft. (2.5’) variance from the twelve and one-half ft. (12.5’) combined total side yard requirement pursuant to note (n) Section 17.01, Schedule of Regulations; c.) A twenty ft. (20’) rear yard variance from the thirty five ft. (35’) rear yard set-back requirement pursuant to Section 17.01, Schedule of Regulations; d.) An eight percent (8%) lot coverage variance from the thirty percent (30%) lot coverage maximum pursuant to Section 17.01, Schedule of Regulations.

Compete 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: 2-8-12

Cuthrell currently has 19,882 votes, which trails the current frontrunner, Trenton goalie Blake Wojtala, who has 43,926 votes.

Other players nominated include Brett White of East Kentwood, James Nahikian of Troy, Mackenzie Maceachern of Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice, Tyler Groat of Wyandotte Roosevelt, Cameron Heath of Bloomfield Hills CranbrookKingswood, Levi Erkkila of Calumet, Nolan Gluchowski of Novi Detroit Catholic Central, and AJ Bradley of Northville.

To vote for Cuthrell, visit statechamps.tv and click on the hockey net icon in the left corner to go the voting page.

SKIING

St. Mary’s edges W. Bloomfield at Alpine Valley

By Michael Shelton staff writer

Orchard Lake St. Mary’s picked up a victory over West Bloomfield at Alpine Valley on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

The top four overall finishes were Matt Recker of St. Mary’s (40.35 seconds), West Bloomfield’s Zach Helm (41.83) and Jason Tisdale (42.25), and Brandon Fagnani of St. Mary’s (43.13).

The top four slalom times were Recker (22.25), Tisdale (23.37), Helm (23.59) and Fagnani (24.53).

The top four giant slalom times were Recker (18.10), Helm (18.24), Fagnani (18.60) and Jake Presto of St. Mary’s (18.60).

CITY OF WALLED LAKE NOTICE OF PUBLIC ACCURACY TEST FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF WALLED LAKE, COUNTY OF OAKLAND, STATE OF MICHIGAN: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Public Accuracy Test for the February 28, 2012 Presidential Primary Election has been scheduled for February 14, 2012 at 9:00 am. at the Walled Lake City Hall, 1499 E. West Maple Road, Walled Lake, Michigan 48390.

The Public Accuracy Test is conducted to determine that the program and the computer being used to tabulate the results of the election are counting the votes in the manner prescribed by law.

Tamara Williams, Deputy Clerk City of Walled Lake 1499 E. West Maple Road Walled Lake, MI 48390 S.C. 2-8-12

FEBRUARY 8-14, 2012

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

PAGE 41

NOTICE

NOTICE OF PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION FEBRUARY 28, 2012 CITY OF ORCHARD LAKE VILLAGE

To the Qualified Electors: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Presidential Primary Election will be held in: City of Orchard Lake Village, County of Oakland, State of Michigan

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012 THE POLLS will be open 7 o’clock a.m. until 8 o’clock p.m.

THE POLLING PLACE IS HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE BRAILLE AND AUDIO VERSIONS OF VOTING INSTRUCTIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE POLLING PLACES LISTED BELOW: PCT 1 – Orchard Lake City Hall, 3955 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard Lake, MI 48323 FOR THE PURPOSE OF NOMINATING CANDIDATES OF ALL PARTICIPATING POLITICAL PARTIES FOR THE FOLLOWING OFFICES: PRESIDENTIAL President of the United States Absentee Voter Ballots may be obtained from:

SC: 2-8 & 2-15-12

COMMERCE TOWNSHIP

BOARD OF REVIEW

The Commerce Township Board of Review will meet at the Commerce Township Hall, 2009 Township Drive, Commerce Township, Michigan on the following dates for the purpose of reviewing the 2012 property tax assessments Tuesday, March 6th, 2012, 9:00 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. Organizational Meeting 9:30 A.M. to 12:00 Noon - 1:30 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 7th, 2012, 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon - 1:30 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Thursday, March 8th, 2012, 1:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Monday, March 12th, 2012, 1:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 14th, 2012, 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon - 1:30 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Thursday, March 15th, 2012, 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon - 1:30 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Residential Developmental Personal

1.00 1.00 1.00

Any Taxpayer wishing to protest their proposed assessment may do so by calling Oakland County Equalization Division, Toll Free, 1-888-350-0900, Ext. 84655 or 248-858-4655 for an appointment to be scheduled. Written appeals must be received at the Commerce Township Office, Attn: Board of Review, By March 15, 2012.

SC. 2-8-12, 2-15-12 & 2-22-12

CITY OF ORCHARD LAKE VILLAGE

PUBLIC ACCURACY TEST NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Public Accuracy tests for the February 28, 2012 Election will be conducted on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in the City Hall located at 3955 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard Lake, Michigan.

The Public Accuracy test is conducted to demonstrate that the program and computer that will be used to tabulate the results of the election have been prepared in accordance with law.

Rhonda R. McClellan City Clerk S.C. 2-8-12

CITY OF ORCHARD LAKE VILLAGE

ABSENTEE BALLOTS NOTICE

TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF ORCHARD LAKE VILLAGE: Absentee Ballots for the February 28, 2012 Election may be obtained from the City Clerk at the City Hall, 3955 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard Lake, Michigan from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday, February 25, 2012 from 9:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Emergency Ballots ONLY may be cast on the date of the Election – February 28, 2012.

CITY OF ORCHARD LAKE VILLAGE Rhonda R. McClellan City Clerk

Properties classified as Agricultural and Residential must protest at the Board of Review to protect your right for further appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal for valuation and exemption appeals and/or State Tax Commission for classification appeals.

Please use the Parcel Identification Number when referring to your property so that your records can be quickly located.

An Organizational Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Note: No appeals are heard at this meeting.

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

March 7, 2012 March 8, 2012 March 9, 2012 March 12, 2012 March 13, 2012 March 14, 2012 March 15, 2012 March 16, 2012

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

to to to to to to to to

12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

If you have any questions regarding your assessment, please call or visit the Assessor’s Office at (248) 451-4850 for an informal Assessor’s Review beginning Wednesday, February 22, 2012 and concluding Friday, March 2, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If you wish to appear before the Board of Review for a formal appeal, contact the Assessor’s Office for an appointment beginning February 22, 2012 and no later than 4:30 p.m. on March 2, 2012.

Appointments are 5 minutes each on the above published dates. Due to time constraints, appointments may not be rescheduled. Appointments are available in date order. Scheduling must be done in this manner to accommodate all residents wishing to appear before the Board.

Board of Review appeals by letter will also be accepted, in place of a personal appearance, if received

by March 2, 2012.

All properties will be subject to the following Tentative State Equalization factors by 1.00 1.00 1.00

The exemption of certain local school operating taxes for “qualified agricultural properties” may be appealed to the local Board of Review. The exemption of certain taxes for “Principal Residence Properties” may be appealed to the Michigan Department of Treasury.

The West Bloomfield Township Board of Review shall meet on the following dates at the Township Hall, 4550 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, Michigan for the purpose of hearing appeals:

Rhonda R. McClellan, City Clerk City of Orchard Lake Village 3955 Orchard Lake Road Orchard Lake, MI 48323 248-682-2400

Agricultural Commercial Industrial

TO ALL PROPERTY OWNERS AND TAXPAYERS OF CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WEST BLOOMFIELD MARCH MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF REVIEW

S.C. 2-8-12

PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE EXEMPTION AFFIDAVIT INFORMATION: If you purchased your principal residence during the calendar year 2011 and have not claimed the principal residence exemption, you are required to file an affidavit on or before May 1, 2012 to receive this exemption for the calendar year 2012.

ASSESSOR’S OFFICE WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP

S.C. 2/8/12, 2/15/12 & 2/22/12

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WHITE LAKE

NOTICE OF BOARD OF REVIEW The annual meeting for the Board of Review for White Lake Township will be held at the Township Hall, 7525 Highland Road (M-59) TUESDAY - March 6, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

MONDAY- March 12, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY - March 14, 2012, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

NOTE: Board of Review meetings will be held by appointment only on the above dates. For information call the Assessor’s Office at (248) 698-3300 Ext. 3.

The tentative Ratios for 2012 50% all classes Estimated multipliers for 2012 1.00 all classes Jeanine A. Smith, Assessor White Lake Township

SCN: 2-8-12, 2-15-12, 2-22-12

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

PERSONAL

HIGHLIGHT YOUR AD

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

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IN PRINT and On-Line 24/7

MONDAY AT 5 • Word Ads • One-Column Ads

FRIDAY AT 5 • Display Ads • Free Ads • Cancellations/Corrections

CHARGE IT

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.

FEBRUARY 8-14, 2012

CE ER MM CO

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N RIO MA

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212005851 - $259,900

211101478 - $149,900

212000534 - $350,000

211129312 - $172,000

212004866 - $162,900

SUPERB COMMERCE HOME 4 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, first floor master with bath, close to M-5

OLD WORLD CHARM TUDOR 4 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, coved ceilings, lake privileges

FABULOUS GREEN LAKEFRONT HOME 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, Pella windows, hardwood flooring, lower level

NEW CONSTRUCTION BRICK RANCH 3 bedrooms, 2.1 bath, cathedral ceilings, fireplace, granite master suite. Almost complete.

NEW CONSTRUCTION 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, kitchen, recessed lighting, 1st floor laundry, daylight basement

LLY

RD FO TER WA

RD FO TER WA

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RD FO TER WA

LD FIE OM O L B W.

212001791 - $60,000

212000049 - $124,900

211120853 - $152,900

211091695 - $139,900

211126420 - $70,000

STOP THE CAR! 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, gorgeous kitchen, finished basement

GORGEOUS SETTING 2.2 ACRES 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bath, family room with fireplace, master 2 closets, barn/shed

GOLF FRONTAGE Corner unit condo, 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, finished basement, fireplace

WILLIAMS LAKE DEEDED CANALFRONT 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, spacious kitchen, open floor plan

PRISTINE CONDITION, READY TO MOVE IN 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, newer roof, upgraded bathroom, 4 car garage, large fenced yard

D IEL MF LOO B W.

FEATURED HOME

RD FO TER WA

E INT TPO EAS

RD

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MIL

OF THE WEEK

211114594 - $724,900

211125980 - $189,900

SPECTACULAR MIDDLE STRAITS WATERFRONT 4 bedrooms, 3.2 baths, kitchen, newly remodeled, master suite, theater room, many extras

ALL-SPORTS WILLIAMS LAKE 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, summer getaway/possible walkout, nicely landscaped brick pavers

D

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211123452 - $234,900

VACATION AT HOME 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, pool, hot tub, acreage, cathedral ceilings LEY RK BE

ITE WH

KE LA

LD FIE ING SPR

211121503 - $279,000 PROFESSIONALLY LANDSCAPED 5 bedrooms, 2.2 baths, master suite with jacuzzi lower level walkout, brick patio

211131493 - $160,900 RD FO TER A W

ER EST CH O R

211119870 - $28,500

211121712 - $174,900

MOVE IN CONDITION 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1st floor laundry, living room with bay window

COME ON OUT TO THE COUNTRY!!

3 bedrooms, 2 baths, hardwood floors, woodstove. Almost 2 acres, 3 car garage

CE ER MM CO

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212006877 - $69,900

211112421 - $180,000

CORNER LOT 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, large fenced yard, finished basement

WELL MAINTAINED RANCH 3 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, kitchen and dining open to family deck, patio and large yard

D AN STL WE

RD FO TER A W

211108336 - $59,900

212002138 - $299,900

211115899 - $259,000

212002111 - $60,000

211129544 - $66,000

CHARMING BUNGALOW/RANCH 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, updated kitchen and bath, fenced private yard

CORNER LOT BACKS TO POND & WOODS 4 bedrooms, 3.2 baths, spacious floor plan, fin. walkout basement, natural and gas fireplaces

LAKEFRONT GEM 83 FT. ON WOODALL LAKE 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, huge master with bath and doorwall to deck, walkout with 2nd kitchen

BROWNSTONE UNIT 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, large living room, 1 car attached garage

UPDATED RANCH 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, property consists of 3 lots, 2 car garage and separate workshop

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211099179 - $229,000

211128969 - $190,000

211107874 - $54,900

211124998 - $235,000

212007609 - $39,900

TRANQUIL SETTING ON CROSS LAKE 3 bedrooms, 2.1 bath, up north feeling, beautiful clean interior

CENTENNIAL FARMHOUSE 3 bedroom, 2 baths, family/parlor with fireplace, over an acre

A RARE GEM 3 bedroom condo, 2.5 baths, large master open floor plan

EXPANSIVE LAKEFRONT! 3 bedrooms, 1.1 baths, remodeled and updated, new furnace, Florida room, fireplace

MOVE IN CONDITION & POTTERY BARN STYLE 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, cathedral ceilings and balcony, updates and 1 car attached garage

Denotes a Real Estate One Virtual Tour

Lakes Area (248) 363-8300

ŠReal Estate One, Inc., 2012

PAGE 44

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

BECKY KATZMAN McCARTHY 248-790-9915

AUDREY STOREY

rmccarthy@RealEstateOne.com

audreystorey@yahoo.com

Lakes Area Specialist

248-363-8300 Ext. 233 248-496-1846

SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

SUSI GOLLINGER

MEET THE POWER TEAM

Residential & Waterfront Specialists SELLING REAL ESTATE SINCE 1980

DIANE BUCHANAN

Cell 248-921-8152 www.realestateone.com/dianeb

Associate Broker - A.B.R.

MARY SHIELDS

Cell 248-245-6090 realestateone.com/mshields

S IAM ILL ONT W R F ED ED AL DE CAN

WILLIAMS LAKE DEEDED CANALFRONT RANCH!!

Just a few steps through a gate to your private dock and just a few houses off the main lake. Great view from yard of main lake and beautiful surrounding lakefront homes! Open floor plan, master suite, spacious kitchen, great deck. Priced to sell and won’t last!! Not a short sale!!

W

NE

OPEN SUNDAY Feb. 12th 1-3 PM

PICTURE PERFECT HOUSE NESTLED ON 1 ACRE LOT!!

House features, approx. 1,800 sq. ft., open floor plan, 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, oak hardwood floors throughout, eat-in kitchen includes all appliances, cozy fireplace in living room, master bed with private bath and jacuzzi tub, 2.5 car garage, pole barn, sprinkler system, fenced backyard, privileges to Stony/Squaw Lakes. $110,000. Call Becky for details!

CHERYL YEAGER

248-310-8077 cherylyeager.com cherylyeager@yahoo.com

GR

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Old World Charm Tudor overlooking White Lake. Coved ceilings, hardwood floors in dining room, 4 bedrooms, master suite with jetted tub, full basement, newer kitchen with maple cabinets. All for $149,900 AS3761C

Marie & Associates Hadley, Tessa, Thad, Quinn, Stella & Zoe 248-470-6196

SMALL TOWN ATTITUDE

E

susigollinger@hotmail.com WATERFORD $152,900 Beautiful condo with a fantastic golf course setting. Per fect location, corner unit.

Vaulted ceilings, open floor plan, large “eat in” kitchen. Lovely loft area, perfect for office or media room. Master suite dream bath, jacuzzi tub and large separate shower. Finished basement, first floor laundry, attached 2 car garage. Low maintenance fees make this the perfect home! (SG4575F)

Gorgeous home features 2 master suites, one-of-a-kind kitchen, theater room, hardwood floors throughout, finished basement with bar. Custom throughout! $724,900

ING

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MUST SEE LAKEFRONT BEAUTY ON ALL-SPORTS LAKE

(248) 310-9002

MILFORD VILLAGE $100,000 Charming and adorable Gem!! Recently updated kitchen with lots of cabinets and counter space. Large picture window overlooking backyard. Living room has natural fireplace all bedrooms have generous closet space. Part-finished NEW LISTING! Location, private setting, spacious updated interior and lake basement and a short walk to town. Four bedrooms, 1.1 privileges on all-sports lake. Four bedrooms, 3 full baths, 2 car baths and one car attached garage. (SG746L) attached garage. Huron Valley schools. Great opportunity. $162,900

SANDY JONES

248-320-3531 Visit: sandyjoneshome.com for all available properties

For All Showings Call Susi

CAROL WAGNER

586-612-5995

“Dedicated to Servicing all your Home Buying and Selling Needs” cwagner@realestateone.com

GREAT NEWS for my Seller Clients “EVERYTHING” has SOLD!

I would love to make more sellers happy!

“WESTACRES” LAKESIDE NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT…I need to get your house listed FIRST! All-Sports Middle Straits Lake for social, If you have given any thought clubhouse, beach, boat, tennis, ballfield plus to selling your house?

West Bloomfield Library entry from sub.

Call me…let’s get busy!

Buyers, We are busy getting out and looking at everything that comes on the market right away, so you will be “Home Owners” real soon!

Sandy Jones

WHITE LAKE RANCH Desirable Whispering Meadows Sub, cul-de-sac setting, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, hardwood floors, first floor laundry, maple kitchen, vaulted great room with natural fireplace, skylights, Andersen windows, 4 door walls, vaulted master suite, spa tub, awesome finished walkout lower level, huge wet bar, well landscaped, sprinkling system. $239,900 (cy1047T) Denotes a Real Estate One Virtual Tour

“WESTACRES” original with updates: basement and garage on an acre. Great room dining, living room and family room fireplace, eat-in kitchen…lots of cove ceilings, hardwood and built-ins. Enjoy $158,500

It seems as though it was just yesterday, in reality it has been 10 Years.

HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY KEVIN We Love You so much and are very proud of the young man you are becoming

Lakes Area (248) 363-8300 • 8430 Richardson

MAINTENANCE FREE LIVING This beautiful 1,600 sq. ft., 2 bedrooms, 2 bath condo has hardwood floors in the foyer, kitchen, and laundry room. Additional features include a large great room with a fireplace for additional living space there is an unfinished daylight basement plumbed for a bath ready. For your private showing call Carol. $139,900 ©Real Estate One, Inc., 2012

FEBRUARY 8-14, 2012

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

PAGE 45

Visit us at 560 N. Milford Rd., Milford EN OP

PM -3 Y1 DA N SU

– MILFORD VILLAGE – CHARMING AND WELL UPDATED HISTORIC HOME JUST 2 BLOCKS FROM DOWNTOWN! 210111484 $249,900

– WIXOM – BRIGHT AND CHARMING RANCH WITH LAKE PRIVILEGES! 210132913 $125,000

– WHITE LAKE TOWNSHIP – GORGEOUS WATERFRONT CONTEMPORARY ON BOGIE LAKE PENINSULA! 211001443 $345,000

– MILFORD VILLAGE – DESIRABLE MILFORD VILLAGE ON A CUL-DE-SAC! BACKS TO WOODS! 211043331 $159,999

– LYON TWP. – LAKEFRONT LIVING IN THIS 55+ SENIOR LIVING CONDO!

– HIGHLAND – PRIVATE 23 ACRE LAKEFRONT ESTATE!

– HIGHLAND – JUST MINUTES FROM MILFORD THIS ESTATE AWAITS YOUR REVIEW! 211088932 $1,350,000

– HIGHLAND – GREAT 5 BEDROOM, 3 BATH HOME ON DOUBLE LOT! 211091388 $119,900

– NORTHVILLE – SHORT DISTANCE TO QUAINT DOWNTOWN NORTHVILLE!

– HIGHLAND – BEAUTIFUL BRICK 4 BEDROOMS, 5.1 BATHS LAKEFRONT HOME! 211115821 $669,000

211083873

$27,000

211088015

$1,500,000

PM 1-3 AY D N SU EN OP

– COMMERCE – 4 BEDROOMS, 3.1 BATHS ON ALL-SPORTS LAKE SHERWOOD! 211110654 $444,500

211111348

– COMMERCE – MAIN LAKE WATERFRONT HOME ON ALL-SPORTS, PRIVATE LAKE SHERWOOD! 211116287 $499,900

– HIGHLAND – SPECTACULAR HOME WITH MILFORD MAILING AND HIGHLAND TAXES! 211118570 $134,900

– HIGHLAND – PERFECTLY MAINTAINED BRICK AND VINYL HOME IN DESIRABLE SUB! 211126432 $135,000

– HIGHLAND – STUNNING HOME ON 540 ACRE ALL-SPORTS WHITE LAKE! 212002362 $319,000

– MUNDY TWP. – NICE 3 BEDROOM RANCH ON 5+ ACRES WOODED!

– HIGHLAND – GORGEOUS CUSTOM HOME ON ALMOST 2 ACRES!

212006861

– HIGHLAND – ENDLESS CAPTIVATING VIEWS OF WHITE LAKE!

$389,900

$145,000

211114550

212007291

$248,300

$234,900

Serving Milford & Surrounding Areas - 248.684.1065

211130790

– HIGHLAND – PRISTINE UPDATED 4 BEDROOM COLONIAL!

$174,900

– HIGHLAND – ALL UPDATED COTTAGE WITH 125 SQ. FRONTAGE ON DUCK LAKE CANAL! 212007826 $125,000 ©Real Estate One, Inc., 2012

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

– WEST BLOOMFIELD – GRAND, CUSTOM WALNUT LAKE VIEWS, BLOOMFIELD SCHOOL! 29005020 $1,194,999 248-851-4100

– BLOOMFIELD TWP. – ELEGANT 4 BEDROOM HOME W/CUSTOM KITCHEN & FINISHED LOWER LEVEL! 211120731 $1,100,000 248-851-4100

– BLOOMFIELD – TOTALLY UPDATED WITH FINISHED WALKOUT LOWER LEVEL! 211126840 $674,900 248-851-4100

– BLOOMFIELD TWP. – SPECTACULAR LAKEFRONT CONDO WITH WINE CELLAR 210104364 $500,000 248-851-4100

– WEST BLOOMFIELD – CUSTOM 3,800 SQ. FT. LAKEFRONT HOME. GREAT VIEWS 210061488 $449,900 248-851-4100

– WEST BLOOMFIELD – BEAUTIFUL CONDO WITH POND VIEWS AND LARGE ROOMS 212007159 $400,000 248-851-4100

– HUNTINGTON WOODS – OLD WORLD CHARM WITH MODERN CONVENIENCES 210099446 $350,000 248-851-4100

– BLOOMFIELD TWP. – GREAT CONDITION WITH 2-STORY FOYER AND GRANITE KITCHEN! 211102030 $349,000 248-851-4100

– WEST BLOOMFIELD – SPRAWLING RANCH HOME ON ALMOST 1/2 ACRE 211128658 $330,000 248-851-4100

– WEST BLOOMFIELD – 4,400+ SQ. FT., RANCH HOME, FULLY FURNISHED! 29147684 $325,000 248-851-4100

– FARMINGTON HILLS – TERRIFIC 4 BEDROOM HOME WITH SPACIOUS ROOMS 212003833 $295,000 248-851-4100

– FARMINGTON HILLS – BEAUTIFUL 3 BEDROOM, 1.5 BATH RANCH GREAT LOCATION 211054994 $275,000 248-851-4100

– COMMERCE – CUSTOM BUILT 2 BEDROOM, 2 BATH, END UNIT RANCH CONDO 211033381 $209,900 248-851-4100

– FARMINGTON HILLS – FANTASTIC 4 BED, 2.5 BATH, FIN. WALKOUT LOWER LVL W/REC ROOM 211053404 $209,900 248-851-4100

– FARMINGTON HILLS – SPRAWLING RANCH WITH UPDATED KITCHEN ON .5 ACRE 211093882 $185,000 248-851-4100

– WEST BLOOMFIELD – SPACIOUS CONDO WITH PRIVATE DECK AND 2 CAR GARAGE 212010886 $159,900 248-851-4100

– WEST BLOOMFIELD – BEAUTIFUL DETACHED CONDO IN GATED COMMUNITY 212010190 $149,900 248-851-4100

– WEST BLOOMFIELD – BEAUTIFUL CONDO WITH LOTS OF UPDATES! 212010798 $135,900 248-851-4100

– FARMINGTON HILLS – COMPLETELY REMODELED 4 BEDROOM, 2 BATH HOME WITH HARDWOOD FLOORS 29141083 $128,000 248-851-4100

– WATERFORD – SPECTACULAR 3 BEDROOM RANCH ON OVER .5 ACRE LOT 211123910 $125,000 248-851-4100

– SOUTHFIELD – FANTASTIC 3 BEDROOM HOME WITH FINISHED LOWER LEVEL FAMILY ROOM 211118544 $113,500 248-851-4100

– BLOOMFIELD – UPDATED 5 BEDROOM HOME ON CUL-DE-SAC WITH FINISHED BASEMENT 211120203 $1,199,000 248-851-4100

– WEST BLOOMFIELD – GREAT HOME WITH NATURAL FIREPLACE, FINISHED BASEMENT AND DECK 211122390 $169,000 248-851-4100

– WEST BLOOMFIELD – OPEN FLOOR PLAN WITH FINISHED BASEMENT AND LARGE DECK! 212004786 $130,000 248-851-4100

– ROYAL OAK – ATTRACTIVE HOME WITH UPDATES AND LARGE YARD 211119871 $119,900 248-851-4100

Far mington Hills 851-4100 Farmington Hills/West Bloomfield • (248)(248) 851-4100 • (248) 851-1900 6960 Orchard Lake32961 Rd. • Ste.Middlebelt 150 • West Bloomfield • 48322 A

®

®

denotes denotes virtual virtual tour tour

©Real Estate One, Inc., 2012

PAGE 46

FEBRUARY 8-14, 2012 LD FIE OM O L B ST WE

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WP

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MI

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$725,000

STONE HOLLOW SUB – CUSTOM BUILT 2.62 ACRE LOT •5 br, 3.5 ba, 3,671 sq ft + 1,627 sq ft w/o •Att 3 car gar + 2.5 car carriage house gar #211127827 EXT. #265 •KEY #248347 P. TW CE ER M M CO

GE LA VIL

VI NO

2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 Commerce, MI 48382

248-366-7200

Lakes Area’s #1 Team!

Zillow - Preferred Agent

ST WE

$224,900

P. TW RD FO R TE WA

$159,900 $149,900 SHARP RANCH - LARGE BEAUTIFULLY SHARP, CONTEMPORARY HOME LANDSCAPED LOT WITH OPEN FLOOR PLAN •1,408 sq ft, 3 br, 2 ba, oversized 2 car gar •4 br, 2.5 ba, 1st flr mstr, hdwd flrs, 2 fp •1st flr laundry, lg shed, patio, Walled Lk schools •Granite snack/bar kitch, bsmt, 2 car, deck #212011148 EXT. #288 •KEY #fm256j #212007440 EXT. #227•KEY #248372

THANKS

LAKES AREA RESIDENTS FOR A GREAT 2011 • 142 Closed Sales in 2011

Including 34 Waterfront Properties

Our performance speaks for itself!

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

janet@TheStocktonTeam.com

steve@TheStocktonTeam.com

800-396-5204 + Ext. # for recorded message Text Key # to 90210 for text message

PLEASE NOTE THE I.R.S. TAX RELIEF ON SHORT SALES DEADLINE IS 12/31/12.

If you ever thought you might need to do a Short Sale - now is the time

150+ Successful Short Sales closed over the last 6 years!

Call today for a private consultation.

STUNNING 90 FT. OF MAIN LAKEFRONT ALL-SPORTS CASS LAKE •2,778 sq ft, 3 br, 2.5 ba, 2 fp, jet tub mstr.

•2+ gar, 3 decks, dock, shed, W. B. schools #211105126 EXT. #231 •KEY #248358 .

WP ET AK L ITE WH

LD FIE OM O BL

EL RIN LVE O W

SPRAWLING RANCH ON LARGE LOT BACKING TO WOODS •2,349 sq. ft. + f-bsmt, 3 br, 3 ba, grt rm w/fp •Deck, 1st flr laundry, 2 kitchens, 3 car gar #212008128 EXT. #283•KEY #276271

• Meeting Client’s Needs Since 1977

STUNNING CUSTOM BUILT PRESTWICK GOLF FRONT •3,765 sq ft + 1,450 lower level, 5 br, 3.5 ba •Dramatic open floor plan w/all the extras #212005328 EXT. #264 •KEY #256951

$349,900 STATELY BRICK HOME ON QUIET CUL-DE-SAC & BACKS TO TREES •2,950 sq. ft., 4 br, 2.5 ba, 2-sty GR, 2-way fp •Granite kit, cath mstr, 1st flr laundry, 3 car #212007823 EXT. #290 •KEY #276273

$374,900 CUSTOM QUALITY BUILT 1.14 PRIVATE ACRE ESTATE •1st flr mstr, 4 bed, 4 full baths, 2,900+ sq. ft.

•Fin. daylight basement, 3 car + workshop #211110916 EXT. #241•KEY #248360

$299,900

METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED

BY ORIGINAL OWNERS •2,768 sq ft, 4 br, 2.5 ba, daylight bsmt, fp •Vaulted GR & DR, granite kitch, Ff laundry #212006635 EXT. #275 •KEY #263460

$499,900

$499,900

$589,000

P. TW CE ER M M CO

M XO WI

LD FIE OM O L B ST WE

.

WP DT AN L H HIG

UPPER STRAITS LAKEFRONT INVESTMENT SPECIAL •4 br, 3.5 ba, 2,746 sq ft + f-bmt, 1st fl mstr •Wet bar, deck, 2nd buildable lot + 4 other lots #211104723 EXT. #245 •KEY #260513

RD FO MIL

$399,900 HILLS OF BOGIE LAKE SUB CLUBHOUSE & POOL!!

•3,303 sq ft + fin daylight bsmt, ff laundry •5 br, 4.5 ba, 3 car gar, large raised deck #211116381 EXT. #255•KEY #267493

PAGE 47

E AK

$299,900

BEAUTIFULLY UPDATED CEDAR ISLAND LAKEFRONT •2,302 sq ft, 4 br, 3 ba, LC terms, GR w/fp •Granite kit & ba, new paint, carpet, 2 car gar #211089671 EXT. #246 •KEY #257017

M XO WI

$224,900 WOLVERINE LAKEFRONT RANCH WITH FINISHED WALKOUT •3 br, 2.5 ba, 85’ sandy shoreline, FR w/fp •Doorwall to patio, dock, 2 car, shed, WL schools #211105596 EXT. #267 •KEY #261788

$169,900 SUB PLAYGROUND, BASKETBALL COURT & WALKING PATHS! •Spacious colonial 1,831 sq ft, 3 br, 1.5 ba, fp •1st flr laundry/mud rm, basement, deck, gar #212012935 EXT. #228 •KEY #1f0y92 .

WP ET RC E MM CO

.

WP ET RC E MM CO

$96,900

MAPLE CROSSING – PREMIUM UPPER RANCH CONDO •Open flr plan boasts 1,568 sq ft, 2 br, 2 ba •Vaulted GR & DR, deck, lg utility, att’d gar #211130482 EXT. #224 •KEY #247017

$79,900 BEAUTIFULLY REMODELED CONDOMINIUM TOWNHOUSE •2 br, 1.5 ba + fin-bsmt, granite kitch •Ceramic/hdwd, LC terms, clubhouse, pool #211107248 EXT. #259 •KEY #262565

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

There’s No Better Time To Sell!

Call Us and Ask About Our

WINTER LISTING INCENTIVE!

www.TheStocktonTeam.com

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!

DAVID RIDLEY

SUSAN BOGGS

REAL ESTATE CONSULTANT Where Exceptional Service and a Focus on Results - Make a Difference!

Willie Ray III, SFR, AHWD

Office (248) 380-8800 Cell (248) 787-7509 Fax (866) 882-6326 E-mail susan@susanboggs.com Website www.susanboggs.com

REALTOR®

Changingstreets.com 810-733-3374 Genesee 248-812-0125 Oakland 248-778-6275 Direct

LACC AMBASSADOR

www.mihomesales.com

Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

Kendra McConnell Hurd

248-363-8300 x 253 586-612-5995 Cell 248-363-5786 Fax

REALTOR®, ABR e-PRO, TRC

cwagner@realestateone.com www.CAROLWAGERHOMES.COM

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

Michigan’s Largest Real Estate Company

Carol Wagner

Real Estate One, Inc.

8430 Richardson Rd., Commerce Twp., MI 48382

Jennifer Wrobleski REALTOR®

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

www.MichiganHomeMarketPlace.com www.JenniferWrobleski.net

jwrobleski@kw.com

Keller Williams Realty 2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 Commerce Township

Professionals

875 S. Ortonville Rd. P.O. Box 746 Ortonville, MI 48462

STAN KINNEY Cell:

248-895-6091

Email: stankinney@realestateone.com www.stankinney.com

Diane Wilson Cell

REALTOR®, ABR, SFR

248-420-3120 248-360-6800

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

www.dianewilsonrealtor.com DiaWil@aol.com

“Your Trusted Professional”

Cell 248.672.4800

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

Business 248.360.9100

Keller Williams Realty 2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 Commerce Township

JM@Century21.com JimMandeville.com

TODAY

Rick Reid REALTOR®

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

www.RickReidProperties.com Rick@kwReid.com

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

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

Michelle Yurich, MBA

Fine Homes and Lakes Specialist

c 248.346.6381 • d 248.283.8170 myurich@skbk.com michelleyurich.skbk.com

Robert Hittinger REALTOR®

Residential • Commercial • Investment Cell

810-602-4128 248-406-2942

Office

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

lorriebailey.com

Keller Williams Realty 2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 Commerce Township

Jim Mandeville

248-747-2708 Office 248-406-2926

248-640-2680 Office 248-360-2900

lorriebailey@aol.com kw.com

ALL OF OAKLAND COUNTY

Independently Owned & Operated

Cell

Cell

248-884-6723 Fax 248-406-2901

2900 UNION LK. RD. COMMERCE TWP., MI 48382

REALTOR® Commerce Market Center

REALTOR®

Cell

COVERING

Jill Hurley

Rob Sprader

Agent

248-760-4222

2000 Oakley Park Rd., Ste. 201, Commerce

2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 Commerce Township, MI 48382

Lorrie Bailey

ASSOC. BROKER www.RidleyRealty.com

Business

Prudential Great Lakes Realty 39500 Orchard Hill Place, Ste 100 Novi, MI 48375

To advertise call 248.360.7355

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

Keller Williams Realty 2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 Commerce Township

Don’t miss out on the next chance to advertise on this page, March 14th.

Call Your Inside Sales Representatives for all the details.

248.360.7355

FEBRUARY 8-14, 2012

CONVENIENT CATEGORY LISTINGS NOTICES 1 2 3 4 5 6 8

Bulletin Board Happy Ads Lost and Found Reunions Legal Notices Pathways Obituary

REAL ESTATE 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Lakefront Homes/Property New Houses Open Houses Condos/Flats/Co-ops Vacation Homes/Cottages Commercial/Industrial Michigan/Other Areas Other States Vacation Land/Acreage Investment/ Income Properties Business Opportunities

MOBILE HOMES 42 43

Mobile Homes for Sale Mobile Home for Rent

RENTALS 45 46 47 49 50 52 55 56 57

Banquet/Party Facilities Vacation Homes/Cottages Time Shares Commercial/Industrial Shopping Center Units Office Space Storage Houses/Condos Apartments Rooms/Share Quarters

And Lots of Others!

Phone Rhonda, Leslie or Cindy for Affordable Rates 248-360-7355

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Houses For Sale

11

Looking to purchase or sell your home?

Contact Arlene at Keller Williams 248-912-4628 mihome4u.com Hartland

MUST SEE!

Mobile Homes for Sale

42

MOBILE HOME In Novi- 2 bedroom, 1 bath, $6,000.

Email for details/ photos: sullidan45@hotmail.com.

Mobile Homes for Rent

43

BEAUTIFUL 55+ COMMUNITY Brand NEW homes for rent.

Appliances. Lake access.

MOVE IN SPECIALS!!

15 month lease for $600/mo Cranberry Lake- White Lake 248-698-1120 888-306-2483

Elegant home on 2 partially wooded acres. Spacious w/ 2686 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, kitchen with granite counter and unique granite floors. Gas fireplace in family room, living room, formal dining, 1st floor den, full basement with daylight windows, 3 car garage. $285,000.

Beautiful 55+ community! We'll pay up to $5,500 for a single section home & $8,500 for a multi section home. Relocate your manufactured home to beautiful Cranberry Lake.

Call for special pricing!

England Real Estate

RENTALS

(248)887-9736

RELOCATE TODAY!!

248-698-1120

Houses/ Condos

Highland

55

HIGHLAND TWP.

WALLED LAKE

Fabulous 3 bedroom home w/ 3000 sq. ft. Privileges on Dunham Lake. $2,500.00 per month plus security. No smoking, no pets.

3 Bedroom house, newly remodeled & freshly carpeted, Walled Lake view & access, fenced yard, petsok, $745 per month.

England Real Estate

20

MILFORD TWP. Honeysuckle Lane, W. of Milford, S. of Rowe. Rolling & treed 1.81 acre parcel for your future home. $59,000.

England Real Estate (248)887-9736

MOBILE HOMES Mobile Homes for Sale

42

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

Houses/ Condos

55

Looking to rent a house or condo?

Call Arlene Keller Williams Realty mihome4u.com 248-912-4628 Apartments

56

MILFORD VILLAGE APARTMENTS 1 bedroom apartment.

Heat and water paid.

No pets. In Milford City. Call for specials.

(248)477-9192 BEACH HOUSE

56

☺

APARTMENTS One bedroom apartment on Wolverine Lake. All lake privileges included. Heat & A/C included. $700 per month Call for details

248-669-2432

WALLED LAKE 1 Bedroom Apartments 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath Town Homes * $400 Moves You In* 1st Month FREE on 1 bdr 1/2 month FREE on 2 Bdr

248-624-6606 EHO www.cormorantco.com * Call For Details *

Pontiac Lake 1 bdrm for $425 (newly renovated).

Includes all utilities except electric, Security Deposit. For more information & availability call

248-335-7368

Apartments

COME SEE US NOW WIXOM * MOVE IN SPECIAL* 2 BEDROOM ONLY $595 Will Move You In !

•Playground/Pool •Free Heat & City Water

Town & Country Apartments •48200 W. Pontiac Trail

•Between Beck & Wixom Rd.

CALL US TODAY !

(248)624-3194

Rooms/Share Quarters

57

General/ Help Wanted

COMMERCE TWP Lake access, 3 bedrooms, full basement, Walled Lake schools.

$1050 per month mjbt@sbcglobal.net.

BUSINESS WOMAN looking to share 2 bedroom apartment in Novi, with female. $400 plus utilities. Call for information.

248-787-2059 FURNISHED SLEEPING room for rent. Waterford area, $100 /week. 810-355-8097

HELP WANTED General/ Help Wanted

Experience in event planning & balloon work a plus, but not required. Must be customer service oriented.

E-mail resume to: unclebucksparty@gmail.com with Sales Position in the subject line.

FAST GROWING Lawn care company in Walled Lake, seeking self motivated sales person. Previous lawn sales experience not required, will train. Hourly plus commission & benefits. Please call 248387-6296 or email resume to: duncan@gogreenlawnco.com

OFFICE CLEANING

65

Full Time General Maintenance Journeyman Bloomfield Hills Schools Qualified Candidates must be H.S. graduate or equivalent and pass aptitude testing.

Must possess a Journeyman’s license w/3 years experience in Building Maintenance.

EVENING HOURS MONDAY- FRIDAY

Apply at: www.bloomfield.org to job 12-M-01

NOVI AREA CORPORATE CLEANING GROUP

248-313-9880

COMMERCE 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, totally updated house, Commerce Lake privileges, Walled Lake Schools, $1200 per month includes lawn service & snow removal.

248-318-4305

Waterford Condo - close to OCC 2 Bedroom, 2.5 baths, all appliances, nice deck, basement, 1 car garage, no smokers, pets negotiable. $1300.00/mo, 1/2 month security deposit, $100.00 cleaning fee.

248-912-4628 for more details mihome4u.com

WATERFORD Duplex 3 bedrooms, unfurnished, all appliances. $750 a month plus security.

248-343-1666

65

Retail Sales.

olivermich@mac.com 248-755-5073

(248)887-9736 Vacant Land/ Acreage

PAGE 49

Steve Stockton, Kristine Lambrecht & Mike Proctor

Congratulations Steve & Kristine!

On Friday, January 13th, Steve Stockton of Keller Williams Commerce and Kristine Lambrecht of Real Estate One Clarkston were the recipients of North Oakland County Board of Realtors Annual Distinguished Service Award for 2011. This award is given to leaders in the local real estate industry for exemplary professional and ethical behavior. They are chosen by their peers out of thousands of Oakland County Realtors.

PAGE 50 General/ Help Wanted

www.spinalcolumnonline.com 65

EIDEMILLER PRECISION MACHINING is seeking a CNC Lathe Operator for the night shift. At least 1 year experience required. Salary will be $10 $14 plus premium an hr based on experience. Please email resume to:

jdominick@epmachining fax to 248-684-0402 or apply in person @ 4998 McCarthy Drive Milford, MI 48381

TAXI & AIRPORT DRIVERS WANTED Full or Part time Day or Night

248-666-2110 BAR & WAIT STAFF Now hiring for full and part time positions. Experience necessary.

APPLY IN PERSON

CJ's Upper Deck 3270 W. Huron

Waterford, MI 48328

Accounting/Financial 66 FINANCIAL SERVICE REP Metro North Federal Credit Union is seeking an experienced financial service representative for its Waterford branch.

Send resume to jr@mnfcu.com

Medical/ Dental

67

CARE GIVER Experienced ONLY Experienced only care give with background in dementia. Small residential setting

248-685-8660 PHARMACY TECHNICIAN

Part/full time position available. Must be experienced & able to type. Call

Milford Sav-Mor Pharmacy 248-685-8363 Sales Positions

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE Used/Wanted

89

SCRAP METAL

Mann Metals Corp.

(248)960-1200

89

SEA-DOO JET Skis wanted dead or dying. 1995 on ups. $200- $1400. Top $ for XP's & 947/951 or larger motors. Call Steve at 231-943-4152

71 Absolutely Free

Real Estate Career We're doubling our staff!

•Do you like working with new people and new situations?

•Do you have good problem solving skills?

•Do you have a "Sky is the limit mentality"?

If you said, "Yes", call me.

Kathy Solan 248-363-8300 248-348-6430 Real Estate One SALES POSITION Local sales reps needed to sell new lighting technology products. Opportunity to make good income, commissions paid on sales, must have transportation, sales experience a plus.

WOODLAND 248-863-3990

93

33RD MODEL CAR & TOY FAIR Bakers of Milford 2025 S Milford Road Milford, MI 48381

Feb 12, 8:30 -1:30

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

Used/Wanted

Collectibles

90

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.

FREE KITTENS- Need good homes. Highland area. 248887-0114 FREE PIANO. Works well, must pick up. 248-842-3719 FREE: NON-HD 52” TV. Still works. You will need to pick it up. 248.330.8437 2 KITTENS NEED to stay together, no toddlers. 248-7384901 MEDIUM SIZED box of Halloween/ dress up items 248669-1357

$4 admission- free for children under 12. Carlton Hobbies' Model contest. Portion of the profits will be used to support the Youth Scholarship Fund of the Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution. Call

248-684-5636 Cemetery Plots

100

OTTAWA PARK- 2 Cemetery plots, block 6, lot #336, graves 3 & 4. Paid $1,200 will sell for $1,000. Call 231-775-1006 or cell- 231884-0675.

Auction/Estate Sales101 ESTATE SALE- Saturday, Sunday, Feb. 11-12, 9a.m.4p.m. 3385 Boyer. Take Buss Drive, north off Oakley Park Road, Walled Lake/ Commerce. Follow signs- CASH ONLY!

PUBLIC AUCTION "Mini Storage Depot will sell at public auction, contents of Units Numbered (O1309, Marc Robbins: household goods, furniture, boxes, toys), (L1001, Thomas Saunders: boxes, sporting goods, tools), (K924, Audrey Vasquez-Page: household goods, furniture, boxes, suitcases), on Wednesday, February 29th, 2012 at 2pm, 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."

Pre-Licensing Class February Classes Available $ Class only

99

With a prepaid voucher Contact Mary Nicole 248-684-1065 MaryNicole@RealEstateOne.com •Are you looking for a new career?

•Would you like to own your own business?

We’re Michigan’s largest real estate broker and last year we sold over 17,000 properties. We expect to surpass that in the coming year.

Join us as we grow Michigan.

Auction/Estate Sales

SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY 101

ESTATE SALE WATERFORD 1193 WIND CHIME DR. FRI. FEB. 10, 10-5, NMBRS AT 9.

SAT., FEB. 11, 10 – 2.

Furniture, Woodard, China, Art, Violin, Baldwin Piano, vintage clothes & furs, & more.

ESTATESALES.NET For More Info.

WONDER WOMEN ESTATE SALES 517-256-0695

Art/Crafts

128

LOVELY FRAMED Antique jeweled Christmas tree picture 20X25 $50 248-623-2661

Home Care Equipment

130

NEBULIZER BY Health Dynemodel 323, compressor driven $24.50 248-425-1004

Odds N Ends

138

$20 PREPAID Phone card for only $12.50- I can give you a 1-800 number to verify, expires June 13, 2013. 248-6232661.

STOVE TOP ESPRESSO Maker, European, tin. $10 248-534-7004

BOATS/ OUTDOOR Wanted Boats/Jet Skis/ Parts 162 SEA-DOO JET SKIS WANTED DEAD OR DYING. 1995 on ups. $200$1400. Top $ for XP's & 947/951 or larger motors.

Call Steve 231-943-4152

Boats/Motors/ Trailers

164

REESE HITCH- Heavy duty 2inch draw bar, $25. 248698-4168

Snowmobiles

179

Snowmobile Parts Sale Mention ad for up to 50% of!

FULL REPAIR SERVICES MX • ATV• P.W.C

Lakes MotorSports

4713 Dixie Highway, Waterford, MI 48329

Trucks/Trailers

185

Cars

Cars

24825 Hathaway St. Farmington Hills, MI 48335

187

SALES GUARANTEE Autos, Vans, Trucks See First Want Ad Pg. DODGE CALIBER SXT 2007 excellent condition. $8,450 detail call 248-624-5272 EXPLORER XLT 2002, 4X4, 8- Passenger, 6 cylinder, 115K. 248-420-7500 F-150 1993 runs good, needs some work $1,300 248-2558701

187

HADLEY'S TOWING

CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1996, Extended cab, $2,000 OBO. 248-363-0338

Auction: 2-14-12 - 9a.m 1. 1999 Chevy Vin 1Y1SK5482XZ433711 2. 1996 Chrysler Vin 4C3AU52N9TE298816 3. 1991 Ford Vin 1FAPP37U3NK124897 4. 2003 Ford Vin 2FAHP71W93X185462 5. 2002 Ford Vin 1FAFP34322W222525 MAZDA 626 LX 2001, 136K, gold, clean- must sell. 248884-7200

248-674-0663

www.lakesmotorsports.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

Unwanted Autos any year $150 to $2,000

RC Towing 248-770-3333 CAMPBELL'S TOWING AUTOS, CARS & TRUCKS

$200 AND UP

248-698-1062

CITY OF WIXOM The Wixom Fire Department is seeking paid-on-call firefighters.

Experience preferred. Qualifications: H.S. diploma or equivalent, pass background investigation, physical agility test, psychological and physical exams and drug screen.

Applications available at: Fire Station #1, 1345 N. Wixom Road or at: www.wixomgov.org For more information call: Fire Department Administration at 248.624.1055 New Deadline: April 1st

Buying a Home?

Let us

Look Before You Leap!

Afford

able Home Inspections

Up to 170 components inspected in a typical three bedroom home.

Computer-generated, comprehensive, easy-tounderstand report summary.

High resolution, color pictures provide a visual reference of problem areas.

Reports are emailed to you and your Real Estate Agent.

After inspection questions are always answered, even after you move into your home.

248-881-3478 Licensed Insured

4075 Echo Drive West Bloomfield

FEBRUARY 8-14, 2012

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

PAGE 51

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 PERSONAL/ SERVICES Appliance Repair

502

TONY'S APPLIANCE SERVICE Servicing all Major Appliances.

•Hot water tank

(248)360-0213 (248)698-8819

Carpet Installation

513

$

Great prices on plush & berber carpet. Low prices on pad & installation. Living room & bedroom sized remnants $4 per yd. Restretching &repairs.

35 years experience.

Bob (248)681-5771 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

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

BOB'S CARPET

Cabinetry

Doors

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

Drywall

526

R&D DRYWALL & PAINTING

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

529

AFFORDABLE DEMOLITION & SERVICES "Division of Rae Excavating" • BUILDING REMOVAL• • Sewer and Water • Storm Sewers • Trucking & Grading Licensed & Insured

248-624-4473

Flooring

536

#

EDWARD'S

529

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

Fully insured. Free estimates.

(248)624-6458

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."

FLOOR COVERING

(248)887-2366

•Linoleum •Ceramic Tile •Hardwood Floors •Laminate Wood 27 Years Exp. Free Est.

Heating/Duct Work 546

(248)684-5983

•Hang & Finished •Small Repair •Texture Repair •Plaster Repair •Wet Sand

Electricians

Excavating

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

THOMASON HEATING & COOLING

• Furnaces • Boilers • Air Cleaners •Air Conditioners •Humidifiers Service & Replacements

Lawn/Garden Services

553

A R T Outdoor Services, LLC * Snow Plowing * Salting Landscaping • Lawn

(248)625-5719 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

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

Plumbing

" PRICE IS RIGHT ROOFING •Repairs •Re-Roofs •Chimney Repair •Metal Work •Flat Roofs •Complete Roof Packages. •Siding •Gutters

Siding

577

I.D.C.

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

Bob: 248-363-0589 idchomeservice.com

Tile

567

585

Premier Plumbing

STERLING HOME SERVICES

Licensed & Insured Complete Plumbing Service New Construction & Remodel Commercial & Residential

248-363-5864

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

John Miller (248)505-8865

jmtileandmarble.com

Trash/Debris Removal

Waterproofing

586

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

Call anytime for estimates & great service

248-887-4892

599

Dry Basements, LLC 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

J.M. TILE & MARBLE CUSTOM WORK

Licensed Insured

248-881-3478

248-926-6631

248-459-7894

VS PAINTING WINTER SPECIAL

AFFORDABLE HOME INSPECTIONS

MAHER RESTORATION www.goMaher.com "Maher Makes It Happen"

FREE Estimates

248-363-1615

Buying A Home?

Let Us Look Before You Leap!

WATER DAMAGE REPAIRS

30 Years Experience

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

548

571

ROOF LEAKS &

Service •Insured Residential & Commercial www.artoutdoorservices.com

FREE ESTIMATES ON INSTALLATION

Home Inspection

Roofing

603

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

Emergency Service

Wells

603

!

BOB WYCKOFF WELL DRILLING "If you have questions, we have answers!"

•PUMPS •TANKS • WELL REPAIR

(248)310-0917

Emergency Service

7 days a week

EASY PAYMENT PLANS

aquawells.com

No Credit Check

248-

363-6464

All credit cards accepted

Visa & MasterCard

4

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 & eager to serve

PAGE 52

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

2010 Chevrolet Impala

P2016

14,995

$

P2071 Featuring P2004

2007 G3500 CHEVROLET CUBE VAN White, 4.8 V-8, ready for business Priced to Sell This Week!

Call Tom Morris for Special Pricing

2005 Chevrolet Malibu

6,450

$

Featuring P1940A

2001 Chevrolet Venture Runs, drives and handles

P2018

2010 Ford Fusion

14,995

wonderfully.

$

Priced to Sell This Week!

Call Ed Rogan for Special Pricing

2007 Chevrolet Cobalt

P2029

8,495

$ Their prices are for ONE week only! They also include a one-year Service Plan (4 oil changes, 2 tire rotations, and free diagnostic on any check engine or warning light during the first year).

P2038

12,450

$

Our goal is to ‘KEEP YOU DRIVING”, whether it is with one of our late model preowned vehicles or to keep your current vehicle running and safe. We believe in preventative maintenance, but not spending money for unnecessary repairs. I am proud of all the people working in our service department “They’re the Best!”

Morris Motors and myself, Dave Prosak are committed to providing the highest quality of service to our customers.

Find us on Facebook

2008 Scion

P2052

2000 Olds Silhouette

6,881

$

Morris Complete Inventory At: www.morrismotorsmi.com Motors Michigan For Peace of Mind: most of our vehicles have warranty or service contracts available.

**For purchase with qualified credit approval. Prices are plus tax, title, license & doc fee. Call dealer for more details. Offer good thru 2/15/12. Subject to prior sale.

19

$

95*

M

OIL CHANGE

O I OTOR L

SALES HOURS: Mon. & Thurs.: 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tues., Wed., Fri.: 8:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. ~CHILD FRIENDLY CUSTOMER LOUNGE~ Battery Service BG’s Cooling System Flush Service Special MORRIS BONUS BUCKS 43 YEARS FAMILY OWNED & Charging System Check ~ COUPON ~ ~ COUPON ~

+tax & dep. fee with coupon

*Includes up to 5 quarts of oil and oil filter. Excludes synthetic oil and diesel engines. Most vehicles–see service advisor for exceptions.

With this coupon. Coupon cannot be combined with any other offer. Expires 2/22/12.

SC

OUR FACTORY-TRAINED TECHNICIANS WILL PERFORM THE FOLLOWING:

•Pressurized system leak test •Check belts and hoses •Check heater output $ Was99 129 •Flush cooling system

9995

$

Plus tax and disposal. Most GM cars and trucks. All coupons must be presented at time of write up. Offers cannot be applied with any other offers. Chemical cleaning extra.

Expires 2/22/12.

SC

10 Off 20 Off 30 Off

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

•Service battery and fully charge •Clean cables and connections •Check alternator output

Was 8500

$

19

$

95

WITH COUPON

*Dead battery or draw concerns require added diagnosis Must present coupon when order is written. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Plus tax and shop supplies. Expires 2/22/12

248-624-4500

SC

Any $100 Service Any $200 Service

Any $300 Service ANY MAKE OR MODEL

$ $ $ $ $

One coupon per customer. Coupons may not be combined with any other offer. Expires 2/22/12. Excludes oil changes, brake promotion, tires and SRTA’S. Valid only in our service department. Must present coupon when order is written.

SC

2199 HAGGERTY RD. WALLED LAKE

We Service All Makes and Models of GM Vehicles and most Domestic and Import models as well

At Pontiac Trail - across from WE OFFER: NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY Lakes Most Repairs Completed Same Day Enjoy your complimentary coffee while you wait • Work With Most Professional Insurance Companies • Expert Mechanics and Technicians • Full Paint Touch-Ups • Expert Color Matching • We Handle Large or Small Jobs Your Hometown Car & Truck Service and Maintenance Center for over 42 Years or SERVICE, Building PARTS & BODY SHOP HOURS:

morrismotorsmi.com

*Diagnosis extra, brake inspection extra

Mon. & Thurs.: 7 a.m.-8 p.m. • Tues., Wed. & Fri.: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

FREE Estimates on Collision Repairs!