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GYNECOLOGIC SURGERY. COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTIONS. If you or a friend are facing gynecologic surgery, it is important to ask questions and learn about all the options. To help you understand the options, we will be holding lectures in your area to help you learn about minimally invasive surgery.
A LECTURE DESIGNED FOR YOU: Gynecologic Surgery. Comprehensive Solutions. Learn about the options women have for minimally invasive surgery and get nutrition and exercise tips to keep you healthy. Light refreshments will be provided.
Henry Ford Medical Center – Livonia on Thursday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital on Thursday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m.
WOMEN ’S H EALTH SERVICES
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■ inside / may ■ 8: MAIL BAG Tom Markus, Julia A. Slatcher
■ 11: CRIME MAP A locator guide to specific categories of crime in the local area
■ SNAPSHOTS ■ 19: Charley Marcuse ■ 31: Jody Astrein ■ 43: Bill Pulte ■ 71: Ron Rea, Chris Longe
■ 33: ELECTION Bloomfield Hills City Commission race
■ 59: MUNICIPAL Township solicitor checks; library budget; PUD agreement; -medical marijuana zoning; water, sewer charges; park plan postponed; Mobil station redevelopment; township budget;
■ 65: EDUCATION Bloomfield Hills chooses new superintendent; debates school closing
■ 67: COUNTY Cobo study; commissioners refile; Patterson reconsiders on smoking ban; using E-Verify
■ 69: STATE No texting while driving; wastewater; removing water hazards; consolidating fiscal agencies
■ 72: BUSINESS NOTES Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel; Scavolini by Cucina Moda; Barbara's Paper Bag; Got Rocks; Shades Optical; Birmingham Geek; South; Harp's Lingerie; Plant Station
■ 12
■ 75: EATING OUT
THE RAIL DISTRICT
Birmingham's ambitious plans over the last decade have begun the transformation of the city’s Rail District, a formerly industrial neighborhood, into a trendy urban business and residential area now on the cusp of becoming a center of intermodal transit once again.
A directory of places where you can dine out; Main Course (Tallulah's Wine Bar & Bistro) and Quick Bites from the restaurant scene with Eleanor Heald; Focus on Wine with Eleanor and Ray Heald
■ 78: THE COMMUNITY HOUSE The President and CEO of The Community House, Shelley Roberts, on why spring is her favorite time of year.
■ 80: SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK The latest from the society and non-profit circuit
■ 90: FINAL WORD Our opinion on the Bloomfield Hills election
■ OUR COVER
■ 21: POLICE REPORT ON TASER USE
■ 26: EXTRAVAGANZA OF THE SPRING
■ 76: MERGING FOOD AND WINE
The promotion of Tasers in movies and television has altered the tool’s role in local police departments’ law enforcement activities.
More than just a rite of passage, proms are a chance for teens to push the limits of youthful behavior, which is what worries some adults.
Proprietor Mindy VanHellemont says her Tallulah’s Wine Bar & Bistro is all about merging seasonal food and wine in a modern setting.
4
THE PAPER
Looking north from Woodward and Maple. Cover art by Chris Grammer, from photos by Amy K. Lockard.
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THE PAPER
MAY 2010
â– from the publisher
T
his issue of The Paper marks the secord time we have endorsed in a local municipal candidate election in the Birmingham-Bloomfield area, although it is certainly not the second election in which we have offered our recommendations on who we view as the best candidates for a local governing board. Our news organization, publishing in Oakland County for over 50 years, has covered literally hundreds of municipal races. We don't pretend to be able to radically change the course of any election. We view our endorsements as simply one more voice in the community at election time, although we would like to think that our many years of municipal coverage give us a clearer insight into local government. We devote considerable effort to making editorial endorsements. Countless hours are spent discussing each race we cover before we settle on our recommendations, following interviews with candidates running for office. I take the time in this space this month to discuss our editorial perspective because we take our role as a provider of information very seriously. We view the role of our publications, including The Paper, as both a business and at the same time a public trust of sorts where we fill an important role in the community. As hackneyed as that may seem to some, we believe that we have a public responsibility to provide unbiased news coverage, and in the case of the editorial page, a reasoned and consistent opinion on important issues in the community. It's even more important in this election for everyone to understand some additional history about our publishing group, given the fact that at least one of the candidates in the Bloomfield Hills election expressed concern about how we arrive at endorsements. In fact, this candidate questioned whether The Paper was influenced by the fact that one of the other candidates in this race, Douglas Hardy, is a major advertiser (SKBK Sotheby's) with this publication. Hardy is running for the Bloomfield Hills City Commission along with incumbent mayor L. David Kellet and challengers Sarah McClure and Robert Toohey. As a matter of policy, we maintain a strict separation between our advertising and news departments so no one can question our credibility. The news department is sacrosanct. When I arrived in Oakland County in 1973, I realized how fortunate I was to have landed at a news organization that put a high premium on news content and the integrity of the news coverage. Frankly, it was a breath of fresh air to actually link up with my partner, James Fancy, President/Publisher of the SCN Communications Group, because it was rare then, and now, to have an owner who was enlightened enough to understand that a quality news product, where integrity was paramount, and was what ultimately would make for a successful publication. So in the late 1970s, when I was running the newsroom, James Fancy resisted the temptation of so many small newspaper owners to interfere in the news operation, and allowed me free reign to make editorial decisions without pressure from advertisers. This editorial freedom at times proved costly. I can cite a litany of news stories and editorial opinion decisions that directly affected the bottom line. Our advertising account losses to protect the integrity of the news product ranged over the years from smaller $5,000 accounts to as much as a $100,000 account, and each incident involved advertisers who thought they could dictate either story coverage, story placement or editorial opinion. James Fancy set the precedent here at our publishing group, mentored me and passed on the torch, which I passed on a number of years ago to News Editor Tim Dmoch. Put simply, our news space and editorial page are not for sale. If a story is of legitimate interest and fits with our format, it gets published. To allow advertising to dictate news content, as some other county publications do, would be detrimental to our integrity. Our approach on the opinion page (Final Word) is certainly no different. Our integrity allows us to maintain a strong bond with our readers. Ultimately, that relationship proves of more value to advertisers because they know their marketing is appearing in a strong editorial environment, which lends credence and readership to their paid advertising. Enlightened business people understand the value of our editorial philosophy, one of the reasons we have quickly built up a strong following of over 150 local businesses using The Paper. Against that background, take the time to read our endorsements in The Final Word on page 90 of this issue.
David Hohendorf Publisher davidhohendorf@thescngroup.com
PAPER
PUBLISHER / PRESIDENT: James W. Fancy PUBLISHER / VICE PRESIDENT: David P. Hohendorf Administrative Assistant: Carol Barr NEWS EDITOR: Tim Dmoch Staff Writers Lisa Brody, Sally Gerak, Brooke Meier, Leslie Owsley, Michael Shelton Contributing Writers: Eleanor Heald, Ray Heald, Kathleen Meisner, Mike Scott, Mark Stowers Research/Listings Assistant: Cynthia Stawick Staff Photographer: Amy K. Lockard Sales Representatives Jill Cesarz, Dan Neumaier, Jules Haapala, Linda Stickney, Laurie Wasker Sales Assistants Nicole Batchik, Jessica Holstein INSIDE SALES MANAGER: Lori Snyder Inside Sales Representatives Rhonda Libkuman, Cindy Stawick, Leslie Timko GRAPHICS MANAGER: Chris Grammer Graphics Assistants Denise Jungjohan, Karen Polatka, Marcia Reimer Systems Manager: Chris Grammer CIRCULATION MANAGER: Dennis Boggs Circulation Assistant: Dan Griffin ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE MANAGER: Carol Barr Supervisor: Carolyn Petherbridge Accounts Receivable: Mable McCullough MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 14, Union Lake, MI 48387-0014 OFFICE ADDRESS: 7196 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford, MI 48327-4113 TELEPHONE: 248.360.6397 • 248.360.7355 OFFICE HOURS: Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: We encourage letters to the editor, which can be sent via e-mail to news@thescngroup.com, submitted through the website for The Paper (oaklandpaper.com) or by mail to P.O. Box 14, Union Lake, MI 48387. Letters should be submitted by mid-month to appear in the next issue and must include the writer's name, address and phone number for verification. Only the writer's name and community will be printed. DISTRIBUTION: The Paper is mailed free of charge to over 29,000 homes in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills just before the start of each month. Additional free copies are available at newsstand locations. Paid subscriptions are available for $15.00 per year by phoning our distribution department at 248.360.6397.
SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY THE PAPER OAKLAND LAKEFRONT OAKLAND HOMES MONTHLYADVERTISER WEST OAKLAND DIRECTORY 51st YEAR OF PUBLICATION
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■ mailbag Sewer billing editorial From Birmingham City Manager Tom Markus: I would like to respond to the editorial ("Difficult sewer system decision," April 2010 Paper) defending Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner (OCWRC — previously known as the Oakland County Drain Commissioner) John McCulloch's record on the environment. While it may be that the OCWRC office has a number of initiatives under way which are improving water quality, the decision to change to a meterbased billing method in the Evergreen-Farmington Sewage Disposal District (EFSDD) is not one of them. This decision rewards those cities which are routinely discharging stormwater pollutants into the Rouge River, while financially penalizing those that are doing more than their share to clean it up. In the early 1990s, Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, and Beverly Hills began contemplating how to address a court order requiring the cessation of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) into the Rouge River. Concepts were studied, public hearings were held, and the final decision was made that it would be most cost-efficient to build a major sewer system which would collect combined sewage at many overflow locations (36 in Birmingham alone) and transport it to three Retention Treatment Basins (RTBs). Birmingham's share of this project, which we are still paying off today, was $33 million. In addition, we are assessed annual operations and maintenance fees by the OCWRC. As equipment wears out and new environmental requirements increase the demands on these facilities, our annual costs continue to escalate. From 2007 to 2009, the RTB assessments increased over 50 percent. The combined sewer communities are now paying over $1.5 million annually to the OCWRC just for operations and maintenance of these facilities, all in the name of the environment. The CSO communities considered separating their sewers in the
1990s. Many in the public felt it was the right thing to do. The results of the feasibility studies, plus the strong encouragement from Mr. McCulloch's predecessor (George Kuhn) made it clear that the RTBs were the way to go. Ten years and many millions of dollars later, Birmingham discharges only 6 percent of its storm water into the river, making it a model for storm water quality. However, the rules of the game have now changed per Mr. McCulloch. Had we known then what we know now, it is not clear that the decision to go with RTBs would have been made. No one disputes on the surface that it is" fair to have each community pay" for the water they discharge into the sewer system. But let's look at this from the environmental perspective. The large majority of the communities in the EFSDD operate separated sewer systems, meaning virtually all the storm water that hits existing roofs and paved surfaces, including all the dirt, debris, road salt and oils that go along with it, is funneled straight to the river. The separated communities don't have the large RTB construction debts and maintenance bills to pay each year as the CSO communities do. Yet, just as predicted by the OCWRC, they are now rewarded with a lower share of the sewage bill based on the new billing methodology. The CSO communities which are already paying through the nose and demonstrating excellent environmental stewardship get rewarded with sewage treatment bills that will grow an estimated 20 percent for each of the next three years. In Birmingham's case, this represents an increase of $850,000 annually. The editorial states that it is entirely fair for the OCWRC to charge each community its share according to the new system, but in doing so, Mr. McCulloch's office rewards the polluters and penalizes those with the cleanest stretch of the river. Is that being a friend to the environment? The cost to implement this new metering system is not cheap. Sewage meters installed to measure each community's compliance with
discharge limits were never intended for billing purposes. The accuracy of using these meters for billing purposes is debatable and computer modeling is being used by the OCWRC to balance the numbers in this questionable methodology. To create a system that can accurately and reliably measure sewage, and apportion it to the appropriate community, is very complex. It should be noted that changes in billing methodology are to be reviewed and approved by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment. To date, this approval has not been received despite the new system already being implemented. I would concede that over time, Mr. McCulloch's metering system might actually work, but it should have been tried over a longer period of time so that it could have been demonstrated to be accurate over time against comparable data. Mr. McCulloch has three different consulting firms, plus several staff members, devising this new system at the cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars a year — costs which did not exist under the previous tried and true method. The cost of administering this new system (which no one has ever admitted asking for) is added to all our sewer bills, as well. On March 14, in a competing paper, Mr. McCulloch is quoted stating that discharging storm water into the river is "not necessarily a solution I would endorse." Actions speak louder than words. All the separated communities discharge their storm water, the vast majority of it untreated, into the river. By changing the rate structure to reward these communities, it appears that indeed he does endorse this method. Apparently it's alright for the others, but not for the CSO communities. Considering the contradictory comments coming from Mr. McCulloch, and when one looks at the whole picture, Mr. McCulloch's record on the environment appears to have some holes in it. Finally, the OCWRC office claims
that this system is to be revenueneutral, meaning no new net revenues, rather a redistribution of who pays what portion. I am highly suspect of this statement as the OCWRC currently reallocates costs amongst its different projects. Already, the cost of designing and implementing this new system has added costs to all of us, and the ongoing administration is most assuredly going to cost more than the old method. As an aside, I would like to also ask that in the future editorials you give equal opportunity for both sides to express their thoughts to you before you consider your editorial comments. My impression from reading the editorial is that you spoke with Mr. McCulloch but not with anyone with an opposing view. ■
Save a city treasure From Julia A. Slatcher, Birmingham: Having moved to Birmingham last summer from the West Coast, my family has really enjoyed the lens you've provided on our new hometown. Thank you for your excellent pieces; we especially enjoyed Lisa Brody's piece on the 2016 Vision. It confirmed that we'd found a place that fit our values. Today, I've just picked up my 6year-old son from an incredible day of spring recess camp at the Birmingham Environmental Center (BEC). This amazing place is exactly the kind of thing that made Birmingham such an appealing school district for us when we moved to the Detroit area from California last year. I am thrilled that my older son, in kindergarten at Pierce Elementary, has the opportunity to benefit from the BEC — at least for the moment. The BEC is on the chopping block due to the budget crisis. This would be a tragic loss for our children and our community. I hope that the Birmingham community rallies to save this treasure of the city. The BEC "is" Birmingham. ■
Talk to Birmingham-Bloomfield Your opinions are important so let us know what you think. Mail Bag provides our readers with a forum to express their thoughts on important issues. We reserve the right to edit all letters. Letters for Mail Bag should be submitted by mid-month to appear in the next issue and must include the writer’s name, address and phone number for verification. Only the writer's name and community will be printed. Letters can be sent via e-mail to news@thescngroup.com, submitted through the website for The Paper (oaklandpaper.com) or by mail to P.O. Box 14, Union Lake, MI 48387. ■ 8
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MAY 2010
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● Sexual Assault ● Assault ■ Robbery ■ Home Invasion ■ Breaking/Entering ■ Larceny ■ Burglary ▲ Vehicle Theft ▲ Vandalism ● Murder ★ Arson ✖ Drug Offenses ✪ Larceny From Vehicle
The latest crime locations by select categories from mid March through mid April, from information provided by the Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, and Bloomfield Township police departments.
By Leslie Shepard-Owsley
B
irmingham’s ambitious plans over the last decade have begun the transformation of the city’s Rail District, a formerly industrial neighborhood, into a trendy urban business and residential area. The area, which had featured a functioning railway station until the 1980s, has evolved into an eclectic community, with city officials now looking at its future as a hub for intermodal transit. The triangular-shaped Rail District is bounded by Maple Road to the north, Eton Road to the west, Lincoln to the south, and the Canadian National Railroad tracks to the east. While steeped in history, the Rail District didn’t always live up to its current moniker. By the 1840s, railroad companies were pushing into Michigan. They were welcomed by some, since they moved people and goods efficiently and quickly. Others rued the rails, seeing them as an obstruction cutting through the center of their evolving communities. John Hamilton, one of Birmingham’s earliest denizens and businessmen, viewed the railroad as a detriment to his business. He wrangled and fought the Detroit Pontiac Railroad until an agreement was forged to move the rails eastward, bypassing around the community. “It was a highly politicized march,” said William McElhone, executive director of the Birmingham Historical Museum & Park. “Hamilton and other business owners and residents didn’t want the train running through the middle of town. They didn’t mind it east of town, but due to this political movement, it held up the railroad coming into town for about six years.” The tracks were shifted a half-mile east of town, where they remained until the 1920s. It was then that a train station was constructed at the northwest corner of Hunter Boulevard — now known as Woodward Avenue — and East Maple Road, across the street from where a Kroger store stands today. With the emergence of the automobile and growth in the community, the city planned an expansion of Hunter Boulevard. A group of influential men formed a coalition called the “Wider Woodward Avenue Association,” and through their efforts, the State Highway Commission widened and improved Woodward Avenue between Detroit and Pontiac. The railroad tracks were moved further east so Woodward could be expanded. It took 10 years to acquire the land rights of way and complete construction. “It meant moving and creating a super highway in the downtown, and they needed to create a bypass for the downtown to keep traffic moving,” McElhone said. “It cleared the decks for Hunter Boulevard to be built.” In 1931, the Grand Trunk Western Railroad held its highly-anticipated grand opening. Hordes of celebrants participated in the all-day extravaganza, heralding the new commuter rail service and a $125,000 train station located at Eton and Villa. Eventually, several trains ran daily out of what became known as the Eton Street Station. Over time, the two highest-density routes were ridden by blue-collar workers who were employed by either Chrysler or Ford. One route stopped in Highland Park; the other behind Detroit’s Renaissance Center. “We would hop on the train downtown when I worked for Ford and it would drop us at the Renaissance Center,” said Historical Society Treasurer Andy Huebner. “It was a wonderful routine. We would read the paper, converse with our neighbors, or take a nap. It was a wonderful convenience, and ran on time, even when it snowed. It all stopped in the mid-1980s, and was replaced by SEMTA (the Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority) and SMART (the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation).” The novelty of commuter rail service wore off by the 1980s, in large part due to the ease of commuting by car; and the train station subsequently closed its doors. SEMTA allowed its lease with the railroad to expire and the depot on Eton was vacated. The railroad tracks are now owned by Canadian National, while the intercity passenger trains operating on the tracks are owned by Amtrak. “Today it’s a platform like any bus stop, in enclosed glass,” McElhone said. “You can’t buy tickets there — you board the train, and like in older days, the conductor collects your money and gives you a ticket on the spot.”
The trains now moving through town stop in densely populated areas such as Royal Oak, Dearborn, and Ann Arbor, and continue through to Kalamazoo, with a final destination of Chicago. Birmingham’s iconic 1931 railroad station remains the Rail District’s signature landmark. Constructed by Walbridge and Aldinger, Detroit building contractors, the Birmingham station is architecturally noted as a scaled-down replica of the Birmingham, England train station. The former train station’s Tudor Revival edifice now houses The Big Rock Chop House. The depot was purchased and initially reopened as Norman’s Eton Street Station restaurant, and when that run was through, owner and restaurateur Norm LePage renovated the building and reopened it as the Big Rock Chop House. Through the efforts of LePage, the building has been preserved. It features a gabled Vermont slate roof in a patchwork of terra cotta, ivory, and granite with ivy tendrils cascading down limestone exterior walls, to a cobbled circular driveway. It’s fronted by a complementary gabled entryway with a recessed round head entrance of white limestone, lying on a concrete foundation framed by structural steel. “Norm LePage has been an incredible steward of that building, and the restaurant has done well,” McElhone said. “It could have been left vacant, but it’s a viable business and model of historical preservation.” LePage converted Norman’s Eton Street Station in 1997 to try his hand at a new concept that drew an added demographic. “Norm’s was casual but high-end, but people were looking for something different,” LePage said. “We wanted to keep our existing clientele who were decidedly a littler older, yet bring in a younger crowd. It worked out perfectly.” In 2005, LePage built The Reserve banquet facility on the property. “Norm spared no expense to make sure it was spectacular,” said General Manager Vera Day Rizer. “We have a full kitchen and all our pastries are homemade in our own bakery by pastry chefs. The bathrooms are fabulous and the tented patio has heated pavers.” istinct themes resonate throughout Big Rock. The rustic and elegant dining room is designed as an upscale Pacific Northwest lodge accented by game head mounts including bison, bull and water buffalo. The enclosed terrace is akin to a California vineyard with decorative grapes and lighting creating an atrium effect. Doors lead out to an adjacent outside dining patio. Both were added in 2005. Upstairs, plans are underway to cordon off a cigar bar. “Got Rocks” will open this month in response to the state smoking ban in public food establishments, set to take effect May 1. The room features crimson and ebony eclectic patterns subdued by polished woods. LePage opted to add another 2,000 square feet in 1997 for a brewery run by a full-time brewmaster who concocts up to eight hand-crafted specialty beers daily. The basement houses the wine cellar, where Native American etchings along the walls recall the city’s earliest history. It’s an elongated arched gateway where commuter passengers once boarded the north side of the tracks, when the Grand Trunk Western Railroad (GTW) owned the establishment. The city adopted an Eton Corridor Plan in 1998 as a means of guiding future development along Eton. The vision of all stakeholders involved included mixed uses of new, small-scale commercial developments that would satisfy existing and future neighborhood residents while minimizing the impact of traffic on existing residential neighborhoods. Moreover, the appearance of the corridor was a high priority. The development was to be visually compatible with the adjacent neighborhoods, streetscape improvements, quality architecture, and improved screening. “Over the last decade, we’ve done a conversion of industrial into mixed-use and residential,” said City Planning Director Jana Ecker. “The city is now gearing up to develop a master plan for Kenning Park at the southern end to decide the future use of what’s there.” Today the Rail District, defined by its historical preservation, is effervescent, brimming with its own charm, and a portal of possibility. Implementation of aspects of the Eton Corridor Plan, including Eton roadway and streetscape improvements, helped bring the area to its status as a revitalized neighborhood. Yet, there’s more work to be done, and issues to resolve. Just a notch down the road from The Big Rock Chop House at the ➤
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corner of Villa and Eton, a small hamlet of brownstone condominiums and independent businesses make up the District Lofts and Eton Station Developments. People live upstairs, while the street level is reserved for retail or service businesses. While conceptually innovative and unique, visibility is obscured and considered a pervasive problem in the Rail District. “It’s a private area, and people don’t know businesses are there,” said City Planner Sheila Bashiri. “Some businesses have put frame signs along Eton Street, but the city ordinance doesn’t allow for that; however, we don’t want to discourage business. The idea is to keep the streetscape clean and consistent.” The city’s sign ordinance will be tailored for the Rail District to help it capture its own distinctive personality. “The area is eclectic with small industry, retail and services that don’t sit close up to the street, so it calls for a different ordinance,” Bashiri said. “The developments have been struggling with visibility, and need monument signs to show they’re an Eton Street Development.” ePage, also owner of the District Lofts, said originally the 24 units were to be sold as condominiums, but that idea fell through due to the collapse of the housing market. “We built them at the wrong time,” he said. “We sold nine units, but then people couldn’t get the financing. Now we have a 100 percent occupancy rate (for rentals), with people on a waiting list.” Constructed in an open style, the lofts were designed by Birmingham architect Victor Saroki. LePage said he may build and lease out another building in the foreseeable future. “I’m considering it, but haven’t pulled the trigger on it yet,” he said. Crosswind Developments own the Eton Station lofts just south of LePage’s complex. The Rail District Association, a coterie of business owners, has designed a logo including a locomotive graphic symbol, which will be featured on banners, stationery, and business cards in the near future. Stuart Shuster, a Birmingham Historical Society and Museum board member and a former General Motors Design Center staff designer, helped develop the logo. “Just being familiar and interested in railroad history, it was easy to come up with the design,” Shuster said. “We have plans to put the logo on directional signs in the district.” Currently, the Rail District Association is comprised of 60 members and is working to attract even more. “It was formed to bring awareness and traffic to the area, and is working with the city on signage for exposure, as well as the physical elements,” said Carrie Zarotney, president of the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce. “The chamber helped with the bylaws as a baseline for the organization.” ccording to the association’s mission statement, the rail district’s sobriquet is “Birmingham’s Hidden Gem.” The goal is to provide an inviting, welcoming destination for surrounding communities; “a pedestrian and family-friendly area of diverse businesses, activities and amenities; an oasis of relaxed, easily accessible shopping, dining, and recreation in an urban setting; and a unique space to linger and return to often.” Frequent tenant turnover has made it difficult to determine which businesses remain strong. “When we canvas the area, we don’t know which ones are viable businesses,” said Holly Kaiser, the Rail District Association’s president and owner of Studio 5. The Rail District Association is a tight-knit community seeking to draw more business and stimulate growth by taking on one initiative at a time. “We’re starting to have conversations on the sign ordinances,” Kaiser said. “We will work together with local government and businesses so people can find us. It’s been a problem for the back properties, me being one. The district has grown so much and we just don’t get the visibility. It’s a consistent business gripe.” Apart from the Big Rock Chop House, the only other restaurant along the Eton Corridor is the neighborhood-friendly Whistle Stop Restaurant, located on Eton north of Palmer. According to some building owners, the lack of bistros or full-scale restaurants in the Rail District may impede future growth in the area. “We would love to have another restaurant in the area, but the city codes are different here, and to get a restaurant in here would be ➤
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THE PAPER
MAY 2010
difficult due to the parking problem,” said Ara Atesian, owner of Atesian Realty/Artesian Property Inc. LePage emphatically insists that the Rail District needs a more extensive choice of restaurants for patrons, and denounces the city’s move to exclude the Rail District from acquiring bistro licenses. “We need bistros to make it a real walkable area and need to give people a reason to come here besides retail and the Big Rock,” he said. “Competition will bring more action to our town.” According to LePage, Birmingham’s City Commission voted against issuing bistro licenses in the Rail District due to the potential for increased traffic and property devaluation. “Eton is well traveled,” he said. “There’s no question there is a different flavor here and we have a great opportunity to enhance the area. You have all things in place to create alternatives to the downtown, but only by adding bistros.” ity Manager Tom Markus said the City Commission voted against issuing bistro licenses in the Rail District after weighing comments from area businesses and adjacent residents. “Neighbors and some businesses declined to have bistros expanded into the area as part of the whole bistro discussion,” he said. “Individuals in the neighborhood around the district were not in favor of it.” The rail district’s mix of light industrial and more creative businesses presumes a SoHo-like urban style. The Cole Street Business Center is comprised of cinder-blocked buildings housing independent and unique businesses such as interior design firms Colorworks Studios and Arkitektura, and work-out facilities like Coach Me Fit and the Goldfish Swim Club. “It’s a design and creative area,” Atesian said. “Most tenants are in some creative design, but the center also encompasses kids art shops, dance studios, and cooking classes.” Atesian owns four buildings in the Cole Street Business Center, and said tenant turnover is relatively low. He leases 41 spaces, of which 38 are currently occupied. “Most of my tenants are very strong, with only one or two a year moving out, and those are start-up businesses,” he said. Several businesses have relocated from downtown Birmingham’s Central Business District, seeking lower rents, free parking for customers, and a more diverse environment. South of Lincoln are long-time Birmingham institutions such as the Birmingham Racquet Club, Forest Hills Swim Club, and the Birmingham Ice Sports Arena. “The businesses and offerings of service are a great representative of the area,” said chamber president Zarotney. “It’s an eclectic mix. There’s still a number of prospectors looking at the area because of the space available.” arking in the Rail District is considered a problem that hinders any potential for new restaurants. “My site, according to city codes, couldn’t sustain a restaurant because of parking,” Atesian said. LePage built his own parking structure to accommodate his patrons. “We built a structure in the middle of the lofts, Reserve and Big Rock,” he said. “That’s the way we had to do it. In addition, we have underground parking for the lofts.” For the rest of the district, however, parking is a never-ending battle. “There are too many businesses with not enough spaces,” Kaiser said. “The landlord is creating the problem — there are only so many places to park, and we’re landlocked.” Markus said it’s up to the businesses to make parking available. “Each business is required to have on-site parking,” he said. “It’s a pretty eclectic mix of businesses with different types of uses and different parking needs. If parking is strained, then it’s up to them to deal with it.” Asked if constructing a city parking structure in the Rail District would be a possibility in the future, Markus said it would be contingent on how the economy unfolds. “The plan calls for mixed uses in the community,” he said. “There’s a lot of development in the area and we’d have to address that, but it’s economy-driven and we need to wait until the economy straightens out. That being said, we’d like to see a lot of things evolve there.”➤
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ChopShop
MAY 2010
Frontage on the east side of the Eton be prepared for it and add to the equation more bistros to enhance the area.” Road corridor consists of a wide range of Rail District Association President uses, including commercial, office/wareKaiser said she too sees great potential house, industrial, and public uses. The for commerce once the transit center is west side of Eton is predominantly sinHere’s a list of businesses with storefronts currently completed, as long as additional parking gle-family residential buildings, with a operating within Birmingham’s Rail District. is available. multiple-family residential development • Arkitektura In-situ, 2131 Cole and commercial use concentrated just “There will be plenty of land to put up • Art For A Cause, 643 S. Eton south of Maple Road. city parking for the influx of people,” • Auto Europe Auto Europe, 677 S. Eton A bike route runs along the west side Kaiser said. “With land acquisition, the • B&R Auto Repair & Towing, 2330 Cole of the street as part of a regional pathparking situation must be addressed.” • Beauty Collective, 256 S. Eton way system. The transit center is expected to cost • Bednarski Photographics, 2155 Cole Today, the Rail District is on the cusp approximately $7 million, not including • Big Rock Chop House, 245 S. Eton of coming around full circle. What was land acquisition. • Birmingham Door LLC, 2333 Cole once a railway epicenter facilitating the • Bob Adams Towing Inc., 2499 Cole The city of Birmingham has been transportation of throngs to Dearborn, • Bolyard Lumber, 777 S. Eton working to acquire land in the Rail Detroit and Chicago will soon be revived • Budget Blinds, 2254 Cole District for the pedestrian tunnel, as through the Birmingham/Troy Transit • Canine Inn, 2295 E. Lincoln there is no vacant land in the area. • Carnovale Associates Inc., 2006 Cole Center. The Birmingham City Commission • Classic Appreciation, 677 S. Eton “It’s an up and coming area, especially announced in January that it had an • Classic Country Antiques, 2003 Cole with the Transit Center going in,” offer to purchase a portion of the former • Coach Me Fit, 2125 Cole Zarotney said. Birmingham Public Schools transporta• Cole Street Salon and Spa, 2388 Cole he transit center was conceptualized tion yard on Eton. • Colorworks Studio Inc., 2159 Cole in 1999, when developer Grand • CTI Property Services Inc., 2254 Cole “Any land acquisition is discussed in Sakwa of Farmington Hills sought to pur• Dunlap Design Group, 2215 Cole closed session, but we’re certainly workchase the former Ford New Holland • EDE Center For Dance, 2171 Cole ing on it,” said city planning director Tractor site in Troy. They filed a lawsuit • Elite Imaging Systems, Inc., 2231 Cole Ecker. against Troy under the Brownfield • Essentials of Eton Street, 2279 Cole State and local government officials, in Redevelopment Plan to get the zoning • Eton Market, 250 S. Eton they wanted. A consent judgment tandem with Michigan Department of • Faith’s Bookkeeping Services, 3748 Tyler allowed for the development they Transportation (MDOT) officials, • Festivities Studio, 2155 Cole desired, with the stipulation that they announced in January that the proposed • Forest Hill Swim Club, 2410 E. Lincoln give the city of Troy a portion of the land, • Fuzz Athletics, 2223 Cole intermodal transit center has received all approximately 4 acres, at the edge of • Gail’s Darn Yarn, 2028 Hazel of its necessary funding. Birmingham against the railroad tracks, • Gerych’s Graziella Ltd, 2211 Cole Michigan will receive $40 million in for use as a transit center, as long as • Goldfish Swim School, LLC, 2388 Cole federal high speed rail funding from the construction began by June 2010. • Hauley Services, 3026 Horton American Recovery Reinvestment Act It’s called an intermodal transit center • Homework Interiors LLC, 2239 Cole Congress enacted last year, and Michigan • James Douglas Interiors, 2233 Cole since it is designed as a hub for intercity will invest a portion of these funds to • Jones Keena & Co Jones, 2292 Cole train, regional bus routes, taxi, and black build the new Transit Center. • Laurie Tennet Studio, 929 S. Eton sedan services. There is a possibility of “We applied for $8.5 million,” Ecker • Metamora Canine Academy, 953 S. Eton rental cars being available as well. In • Metropolitan Tailor, Inc., 2235 Cole said. “In December, we received $1.3 miladdition to being a train station, there • Miss Kate’s Maids, 2121 Cole lion in federal transportation appropriawill be four full bus slips, room in front • Mollycoddle Studio, 663 S. Eton tion earmarks, which President (Barack) for taxis and black sedan cars, and possi• Moran’s Floral of Birmingham, 2129 Cole Obama signed into law Dec. 18.” bly a kiosk inside for rental cars. • Penzo Penzo B Joglois, 2026 Hazel The Department of Labor, Energy and The transit center building, to be situ• Priss Cosmetics, 2225 Cole Growth awarded the center a $250,000 ated off of Doyle Drive, behind Midtown • Quality Coach Collision LLC, 2300 Cole LED grant, and with combined funding Square in Troy, will be approximately • Red Orange USA, 2139 Cole 2,400 square feet, with a waiting area, sources, will fully fund the transit center. • Restyle Child, 2123 Cole ticket seller space, restrooms, kiosk area, Ecker noted that it is believed these • Saretsky Hart Michaels & Gould PC, 995 S. Eton and janitor space. It is designed as a • Serba Interiors, 2233 Cole grants don’t require matching funds. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental • State Farm, 955 S. Eton city of Troy had set aside $1.3 million in • Studio 5 Inc., 2151 Cole Design (LEED) building, with a green case matching funds were needed. • Swanson Meads Architects, Inc., 2215 Cole roof, recycling for a water irrigation sysWhen asked about timing of the cen• The Chop Shop, 2221 Cole tem, geothermal HVAC, LED lighting, reter’s construction, Ecker said, “as soon • Tiger City Transport, 2145 Cole use rainwater, and will use regional and as possible,” but noted that federal • Transdermal Corp., 2002-B Hazel recycled materials in building the center. paperwork still needs to be completed. • Tweak “The Athletic Edge”, 2135 Cole Passengers will board from the According to Ecker, there’s an operat• Tyler Dumas Reyes, 2388 Cole Birmingham side, necessitating construcing and maintenance plan in place which • Watch Hill, 6455 S. Eton tion of a pedestrian tunnel beneath the • Weiss Antiques Gallery, 665 S. Eton spells out what costs would be split tracks connecting the transit center — to • Whistlestop, 501 Cole between Troy and Birmingham. be built on the Troy side of the tracks — • Wonderworks Art Studio, 2227 Cole “The transit plan is designed with with a Birmingham access site. The • Yoga For Life Center, 502 Lewis Court green systems, so operating costs will be pedestrian tunnel is expected to be built low,” she said. “We haven’t decided 100 in the area of Cole Street. percent on costs because we don’t know if we’re manning the station. “It will be absolutely fabulous when the transit center comes in,” The goal was to lease out kiosks to have income to pay for maintenance LePage said. “If you look at studies, a transit center has the potential to costs. This way, we wouldn’t necessarily have to staff it, just clean it.” ■ increase property values and business by 25 to 300 percent. We need to
Who’s who in the Rail District
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17
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■ snapshot
charley marcuse
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any baseball fans consider Charley Marcuse Comerica Park's most spirited hotdog vendor. He has made quite a name for himself by serenading Detroit baseball fans for the last decade. He began by singing opera while selling hot dogs, and while he may not be Pavarotti, he has acquired quite a following since he began at Tiger Stadium in 1999. "I've taken voice lessons, but my talent is more in the realm of the volume," Marcuse said. "I'm not necessarily a good singer; I'm a loud singer." In 2004 the Birmingham native and Roeper School alumnus was banned from singing at Comerica Park, but fans of Marcuse fought to get his pipes back in the park. Not only did the hush put a damper on Marcuse's spirit, but it affected his sales pitch, something that is key to a commission-based job. "There was a bit of controversy, but everything actually worked out well," he said. "I'm able to sing in a limited way, but maybe not as much as many people would like." Now a Detroit resident, Marcuse has simultaneously been an employee at The Claymore Shop, an upscale men's clothing store in Birmingham, for 12 years. He's also come out with his own brand of mustard to accompa-
ny his zest for all things baseball. Charley's Ballpark Mustard, which debuted in June 2008, has already won over the hearts and taste buds of local food connoisseurs. "Café Via (in Birmingham) uses it," Marcuse said. "It's a full-flavored mustard with a lot of texture and taste; it has a little sweetness and a little bite to it." Marcuse's mustard, also sold at Papa Joe's, Hiller's, and Westborn Market, encompasses the Americana connection, he said. With no glass ceiling in sight, this ambitious businessman intends to grow the brand and create four or five different mustards. While he commutes to his job at The Claymore Shop, he sees a lot more to the city of Detroit than most. "There's a lot going on in terms of art, music and restaurants," he said. "There's a very strong community down there." With a passion for food and fashion, Marcuse's singing voice is all warmed up for the 2010 baseball season while he continues to keep Birmingham's gentlemen looking as dapper as ever. — Katey Meisner — The Paper photo/Amy K. Lockard
TASERS NEW ROLE FOR POLICE TOOL
S
ince the introduction of Tasers in local police departments during the early part of the 2000s, their promotion and demonstrated use in movies and television have altered the tool’s role in law enforcement. Now, officials in local departments state that most suspects need only to see a Taser on an officer’s belt and they will usually comply, resulting in fewer injuries to police officers and offenders alike. Tasers are conducted-energy weapons, like a stun gun, that send thousands of volts of electricity into a person’s body and leave them incapacitated for a short time. Unlike a stun gun, which is generally held against a person’s skin or clothing, Tasers use compressed nitrogen to shoot two small probes into a subject’s skin or clothing, delivering up to 50,000 volts from more than 20 feet away. Movies like “The Hangover” have essentially promoted Tasers, showing characters crying out in pain and collapsing after being subdued with the device. Experts’ descriptions of being hit with a Taser range from painful to uncomfortable, but the results are the same in nearly every instance: Individuals stunned with a Taser almost always seize up and remain immobile for a number of seconds, allowing a police officer to place handcuffs on the individual, or restrain them in some other way. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard watched and examined Taser data for a few years before becoming comfortable with their use as non-lethal weapons by department deputies. After he was convinced of their safety and effectiveness, he became an advocate. In January 2003, state law was changed with Bouchard’s help, and by mid-year the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department received its first batch of Tasers. “Sheriff Bouchard instituted Tasers in our department back in July 2003,” said Undersheriff Mike McCabe. “We were the first department in the state of Michigan to deploy (Tasers throughout the department). It took most of that first year to get every officer trained and equipped.” ➤
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THE PAPER
MAY 2010
All Oakland County Sheriff’s Department deputies now are equipped with Tasers. On average, during the first few years of their use, McCabe said the sheriff’s department deployed Tasers approximately 80 times a year. That figure has decreased substantially in recent years. In 2003, deputies used Tasers 43 times; in 2004 that number grew to 95; 2005 saw 89 recorded uses; 87 uses were reported in 2006, and there were just over 52 recorded uses in 2007, according to McCabe. “There has been sort of a transformation now that Tasers have become so common,” McCabe said. “In 2009 we deployed Tasers less than 35 times.” McCabe said the reason behind the decline in Taser use is simple — now everyone knows what a Taser is. Tasers have gotten so much publicity that now, when a deputy or local police officer rolls up to a scene and there is an unruly subject, all they have to do is show the suspect the Taser and they typically become compliant and the officers don’t have to deploy the devices. “There has been a huge benefit from the use of Tasers,” he said. “There is no doubt that our worker’s compensation claims have gone down, injuries to officers have decreased and injuries to suspects have gone down. It’s been a great tool for our department.” Prior to being issued a Taser, deputies must undergo rigorous training to ensure proper use of a Taser. Once issued, deputies must recertify with classes and hands-on training each year. The sheriff’s department has an internal policy on Taser use; however, McCabe said he couldn’t make that policy available to the public. The same goes for the Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, and Bloomfield Township police department policies on Taser use. The policies are exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which states documents that disclose law enforcement investigative techniques or procedures don’t have to be released to the public. In general, McCabe and representatives of the three local police departments said the policies cover proper use, required training, and penalties for improper use. “We have a very extensive policy that’s been modified over the years as we’ve become more experienced with Tasers,” McCabe said. “This is a living document that we change as new policies or recommendations are released on Taser use.” Bloomfield Township Police Chief Kirt Bowden said all officers in the department are trained to use Tasers and all are equipped with the devices. Tasers have been used in Bloomfield Township since 2004. Township police officers must complete a training program prior to receiving a Taser. They also must go through a retraining process on a regular basis. “We used to require, when officers trained to receive Tasers, that they get Tased themselves to see what it’s like. Now it’s voluntary,” Bowden said. “Tasers give you another level as far as use of force. This is another level before you get to the use of deadly force. Prior to Tasers we had to use fists, feet or elbows, and even night sticks years ago. The only other thing we were equipped with was mace. Tasers keep both suspects and officers from suffering so many injuries. Tasers have been a very helpful police tool.” Like McCabe, Bowden said his department has noticed that simply showing a non-compliant suspect a Taser usually will make them comply. “After we had Tasers for, maybe, three years, one of our guys was chasing a suspect in a larceny,” he said. “The officer yelled, ‘If you keep running I will Tase you,’ and the suspect immediately stopped and hit the ground. The officer didn’t even have to Tase him, just the mere mention of a Taser was enough to make the suspect stop. Many persons have said during arrests that just the mention or sight of a Taser made them comply.” In 2008, Bloomfield Township police officers deployed their Tasers a total of five times. In 2009, Tasers were deployed six times. There were no instances, in either year, of a Taser being used on a suspect under the age of 18. Birmingham Deputy Police Chief Mark Clemence said Tasers were first introduced in the Birmingham Police Department in 2004. “Tasers have been a great tool,” he said. “We use them very infrequently, but they are a great tool to have.” Every Birmingham police officer is equipped with a Taser, and, like in the other local departments, officers must undergo training prior to being issued a Taser. “We have certified instructors that train the officers,” Clemence said. “Each officer has to go through and complete the course in order to be certified by the department. We do retrainings to ensure everyone is up to speed. “I think more and more people know what a Taser is, or they’ve seen videos of people being Tased,” Clemence said. “I think most people, when our officers mention a Taser, think twice about not complying.” In 2008 there was one instance of a Taser being deployed by a www.oaklandpaper.com
Birmingham Police Officer. In 2009, Tasers were deployed three times, including an incident where a minor, under the age of 18, was Tased. The incident involving a minor occurred on Nov. 13, 2009. A Birmingham Police Department report on the incident states officers were dispatched to a home on Devon Lane to help diffuse a family-trouble situation. When the officers arrived, the minor’s father told police that his 17-year-old son had been involved in an incident with his mother prior to the father returning home from work. One officer took the minor into a room in the home for questioning, while another officer waited on the porch for the mother to return from a neighbor’s house, according to the report. When the mother returned she told the officer on the porch that her son had choked her and held her down. She stated the argument began when her son asked for her credit card and she refused to give it to him. She told police that the teen became upset and started to choke her with both of his hands. She kicked at him until he let go, and he then flipped the chair she was sitting in and threw her to the ground. He took her phone so she couldn’t dial 911 and kept her from running out the front door. The son then allowed her to get up and told her to sit back in the chair and not to move. She sat there for approximately 10 minutes until her son became distracted and she was able to escape to a neighbor’s house to call her husband and police. Police officers noted in the report that the mother had light red marks on her neck. An officer told her to stay on the home’s porch while he went inside to arrest her son. The officer who was questioning the suspect was notified by the other officer of the situation and attempted to arrest the 17-year-old. The arresting officer was able to get one handcuff on the teen’s right arm before the teen started to resist arrest. The teen began crying and yelling, and locked his left arm up to his chest. At this time, the arresting officer noted the minor was standing. According to the report, the officer gave the teen a knee strike to the common peroneal nerve on his right leg in an attempt to stun the teen so his left arm could be cuffed. The strike did not work, but brought the teen down to the ground. While on the ground the non-arresting officer stunned the teenager with a Taser. The suspect then complied and allowed his left arm to be cuffed. In his report on the Taser deployment, the police officer who used the Taser stated he took the Taser cartridge off and dry stunned the suspect, meaning the officer touched the Taser to the suspect’s skin in the middle of his back. The teen eventually was placed in a patrol vehicle and taken to the Birmingham police station where he was processed and lodged. Fire department personnel was called in to medically clear the teen from his Taser stun, ensuring he suffered no injuries or lasting affects. On Nov. 14, 2009, the 17-year-old suspect was charged with one count of domestic violence and one count of resisting a police officer. He was taken to the Oakland County jail, arraigned and given a personal recognizance bond. In Bloomfield Hills, Tasers were first introduced in the city’s police department in July 2004. Bloomfield Hills police officials said they believe Tasers have been an excellent tool for officers. “Patrolling in a small area like Bloomfield Hills, we haven’t had to use our Tasers too often — we don’t have as many occasions or instances where they are necessary,” said Lt. Terry McDonnell of the Bloomfield Hills Police Department. “Departments that cover larger areas, like the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, have to use the Tasers more often, because there are more situations where Tasers are needed.” McDonnell said over all, the word is out on Tasers and most suspects comply with officer instructions without a Taser having to be deployed. “When people see the Tasers, or are told our officers have one, they immediately think and stop what they are doing,” he said. “They know about Tasers and, as a result, our use has gone down.” All officers in the Bloomfield Hills Police Department are equipped with Tasers and all must undergo training prior to using a Taser. “The training sessions are held each year and every officer must attend,” McDonnell said. “We review policies and procedures, then do a practical application just like with our firearms. It’s hands-on training. The officers don’t Tase each other, they use targets to practice properly deploying the Tasers.” McDonnell said the department also reviews any updates that may come from sources on Tasers. “We’re always looking to sources to ensure we have the most up-to-date information, best practices, best policy, and that kind of thing.” In 2008, Bloomfield Hills police officers deployed their Tasers one time. In 2009, there was also only one deployment of a Taser. There were no incidents of a Taser being used on a person under the age of 18 in either year. ■
THE PAPER
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By Lisa Brody
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long with daffodils, tulips, and flowering dogwood trees, tuxedos, corsages, and limousines are bellwether signs that it’s spring. With spring comes graduating seniors eager for what has become the annual end-of-high-school rite of passage: the prom. In the not too distant past, prom meant a simple, long pastel-colored gown and a date in a pastel-colored tuxedo. It was a big deal if a girl’s date picked her up in his father’s car — not a limousine. Pictures involved mom with a Kodak camera at the girl’s house. Sexy for a prom dress meant fitted to the body, but not too revealing, low-cut, or slinky. It was the ‘70s, the disco era, which led to the ‘80s, and the decade of big — cascading, ruffled and bowed dresses, topped with big hair. At least the guys got back to black tuxedos, where, by and large, they remain. Attendees may have thought they danced all night long, but really, they got back home while it was still dark, and their parents were still asleep. Fast forward to 2010. Limousines and party buses need to be lined up weeks in advance to transport high school students to and from picture parties, dinner parties, the prom itself, after-parties and sleepovers, some of which are co-ed. Girls’ prom dresses are modeled after Brittany, Lady Gaga, and the cast of Gossip Girl, with very little left to the imagination. Wise parents and chaperones collect the car keys of prom revelers, so they can’t sneak off on their own and get into trouble with alcohol and/or drugs and get behind the wheel of a car. Schools carefully watch over students to make sure that the only thing intoxicating prom-goers is euphoria. Police departments, which once may have turned a blind eye to carousers, now crack down on even the slightest infractions. “They (high schoolers) feel it’s a rite of passage to open up and loosen up,” said Birmingham Police Detective and School Resource Officer Ron Halcrow. “They’re seniors; they’re ready to push the limits. They get on the road, they’re inexperienced, and a lot of bad can happen.” Halcrow said that all of the local schools — public and private — have an absolute zero-tolerance policy for any level of underage drinking. In Michigan, and throughout the United States, the legal drinking age is 21. “The state has the zero-tolerance limit at 0.02 (percent blood-alcohol level) for anyone under 21. But the schools have it at 0.00. If it registers at all, they will take action,” Halcrow said. chools and districts have different policies on how they handle intoxication, drug use, and even slight imbibing at proms, according to Halcrow. Some will institute a student suspension, others will go as far as preventing a senior from participating in graduation. “Every high school is different,” he said. Local school personnel were loath to speak to specifics, stating that they judge each case on its own merits. Public and private schools in the Birmingham and Bloomfield communities take the prom very seriously, recognizing it as the rite of passage it has become; and having a safe, fun, substance-free environment is the priority of every educational institution in the area. “Safety is forefront to our concern and preparation,” said Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School Headmaster Charlie Shaw. “We have a nurse right at prom with a Breathalyzer on hand, because the kids have to get greeted by a long list of administrators and faculty who know them.” Shaw emphasized that the school doesn’t use a Breathalyzer on every student who attends, only those students who raise suspicions. “In 12 years of my doing this, there has has been only one incidence when someone showed up in poor shape,” said Birmingham Seaholm High School Assistant Principal Deb Boyer. Seaholm’s prom was April 23 at the Shenandoah Country Club in West Bloomfield. “We view it as a school activity, so it’s a zero-tolerance policy, just as if it was held on school grounds,” she said. “We only (use a Breathalyzer) if we have a reason to, not randomly.” In addition to students being greeted at the door by Boyer, the school’s principal, and its other assistant principal and administrators, the Birmingham Police Department’s Halcrow attends for the whole evening. “The kids know we’re going to greet them at the door,” Boyer said. Once students are inside the prom, they’re there. “If a student asks to go to the parking lot to a car, limo, or bus, they must be escorted out there,” Boyer said. “Once they leave the prom, they are not allowed back in. We are firm, fair and consistent. We want them to have fun, but we want it to be good, clean fun.” Detroit Country Day School in Beverly Hills also has a zero-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol, according to Angela Fichera, assistant director of communications. The school’s prom, held April 29 at The Townsend Hotel, is chaperoned by administration and faculty.
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Louis Ruggirello, associate principal at Bloomfield Hills Andover High School, said that school’s prom, which will be held on May 15 at the Rock Financial Center in Novi, is also chaperoned by the top three school administrators, 10 to 15 staff members, and a liaison officer from the Bloomfield Township Police Department. Ruggirello also said they don’t routinely use breath tests on students, but reserve the right to do so if they suspect a student or a student’s date of having been drinking. If any transgression happens during prom, “they’re gone,” said Ruggirello. “We keep all of the phone numbers. We keep the student (or guest) isolated, and have their family come and pick the child up.” Ruggirello made it clear: There are no second chances. “We send a letter home beforehand letting students and parents know that after students are dropped off, we will go through limos and party buses to make sure there is no alcohol or drugs in them,” he said. “We confiscate if we find anything. We’ve been checking for about the last 10 years. Interestingly, since we began checking, we have not had an incident.” hristine DiPilato, associate principal at Bloomfield Hills Lahser, said the school is currently exploring the option of checking limos and party buses for intoxicants. School officials haven’t gone through them in previous years. Lahser’s prom is scheduled for May 22 at the Roostertail in Detroit. DiPilato said Lahser doesn’t have a written policy regarding alcohol breath tests for students, and she couldn’t comment on whether students have previously arrived at the prom intoxicated. “I can only say that there were no incidents last year,” she said. At Lahser, to greet the students, as well as to check on their arrival status, the principal and administrative team and faculty advisors for the student council are stationed at the door. “Throughout the prom, we have a lot of staff and faculty acting as chaperones, and a lot of parent volunteers if there is the desire by them,” DiPilato said. She added that, just as at all formal dances for Lahser, students are not permitted to leave and then re-enter the dance. “Once you’re in, you’re in, and once you’re out, you’re out,” she said. “If a student needs something, like a contact lens, we escort the them to the car and then back to the dance.” Fred Proctor, principal of Birmingham Groves High School, takes it even further. Groves’ prom is slated for May 14 at West Bloomfield’s Shenandoah Country Club. “There is only one door to get in and out of, and I greet every person that comes in,” he said. “They are then checked in by the assistant principal and dean, with staff people helping out. Throughout the prom, administrators and teachers chaperone. We only (use a Breathalyzer) if there’s a reason. “Prom starts at 7 p.m., and students must be there by 7:30. It goes until 11:30, and they must stay until at least 10:30,” Proctor said. “We have it as a lock down — they can’t go in and out. It’s also normal for us to inspect every limo or party bus. We make it very well-known to students ahead of time, and the limo drivers are aware also, that security personnel will be inspecting these vehicles. It could be at any point — when the kids are in them, or out of them.” roctor said he feels all of these precautions have contributed to the school’s lack of any problems in the last few years. Additionally, he said the school limits the age of attendance at its prom. “It’s a junior/senior prom, and students can invite a guest as their date, but they must be 20 or under, and must be able to produce identification,” he said. “We don’t want to deal with the legal drinking age.” All of the area schools permit guests to attend their proms. Boyer said that at Seaholm, they only require presentation of the guest’s identification. Cranbrook’s Shaw said students must gain a Cranbrook dean’s permission ahead of time, even if they are bringing an alum as a date to the prom, which will be held June 9, on the last day of finals. Cranbrook’s prom is outdoors in the Quadrangle on the Cranbrook campus. “We just want to know who is on our campus,” Shaw said, adding there’s a form that dates have to pre-sign. Andover will allow guests from other schools attend the prom. “There is a contract that needs to be filled out at the time the student purchases their prom tickets,” Ruggirello said. “It’s then faxed over to the administration of the other school and then faxed back. If they’re collegeaged, the parents have to sign off on it.” Fichera said Detroit Country Day allows students to bring a date from another school, but the guest must have a specific form filled out by ➤
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MAY 2010
their high school, and they need to provide a contact name and phone number. Linda Vernon, student life coordinator at The Roeper School, said that while guests are welcome, 90 percent of the school’s prom attendees are Roeper students. Roeper’s prom is set for May 22 at The Skyline Club in Southfield. “We’re a small school, with only about 50 students in each grade,” Vernon said. “Our prom only started in 1995, when some kids said, ‘We’re small, but we still want to have one.’ If we get 100 kids, it’s a lot. The guests have to sign in with their address and phone numbers. We let them know that if we need to, we’ll call. It’s just as a precaution.” Sacred Heart Academy in Bloomfield Hills doesn’t have a prom, but instead, the school’s tradition is to have a candlelight ball at the end of the year with parents present. Similar to a debutante ball, it’s a dinner party with the senior girls in long white dresses, accompanied by a date. A family member “presents” the girls. “If they are part of a family with a lot of alums, every family member who is an alum is named, along with the year of their Sacred Heart lineage,” said a Sacred Heart staffer. “It’s very moving.” Officials with the Brother Rice and Marion schools didn’t return calls prior to press time. ttire is still the most agonizing aspect of prom for at least half of the prom-going population. For boys, classic black tuxedos remain in fashion, although some are choosing white tuxes, or white coats and black pants. Most boys rent their tuxedos from a local tuxedo or suit rental shop. Recognizing the cyclical nature of proms, most shops rent tuxedos for prom for approximately $100 to $160, depending on the jacket, according to President Tuxedo locations, which offers a $20 prom discount. Color is added through the tie and vest, coordinating with the girl’s dress. Approximately 50 percent of boys are choosing classic bow ties with wing tip collars this year; the other 50 percent are going with a flat collared-shirt and a long tie. For girls today, fashion is very reflective of the dresses seen on starlets and trendy musicians, with some prom-goers pushing the envelope on what is tasteful, and what is left to the imagination. “It’s very awkward,” said Andover’s Ruggirello, regarding monitoring girls’ attire. “We monitor it the best we can. It’s a philosophical question. If it’s borderline, we say to ourselves, ‘Well, if the family condoned the dress, we try to also.’” “I don’t know when it became synonymous with as short as you can go,” said Groves’ Proctor. “Some parents are endorsing it. There are lowcut, exposed backs. We are the victims of fashion. It would be nice to get back to a long gown. We have had, on occasion, to talk with girls. We have had, on occasion, to have a parent bring them something else to wear. They weren’t too happy about it. We endure most of them.” For many students, once prom is over, it’s time to party, hopping from after-party to after-party, and ending up at all-night parties or sleepovers. For schools, it’s a fine line they run in determining their responsibility. For parents, they have to know their level of accountability and how permissive to be with students who will soon be leaving home to live on their own. For local police departments, their work for the night is often just beginning. In Oakland County, more than 78 percent of eighth-graders, 91 percent of 10th-graders, and 95 percent of 12th-graders believe it’s easy to obtain alcohol, according to the Birmingham Bloomfield Community Coalition. Most teenage alcohol use is done at a friend’s house or at a party, or at their own house. ive local police departments — Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Beverly Hills, and Franklin/Bingham Farms — along with the Birmingham Bloomfield Community Coalition, have created a parent mailing informing them that “parents who host lose the most.” Key facts communicated are that it’s against the law to furnish alcohol to anyone under the age of 21, or to knowingly allow the consumption or possession of alcohol by a minor. The parent or other person who knowingly allows or furnishes alcohol or illegal drugs at their home, rented room, limousine, or any other location where young people under the age of 21 congregate, is guilty of breaking the law, and that person may be convicted of a misdemeanor — in addition to the teen receiving a minor in possession (MIP) ticket. If the parent hosts a party at their home with alcohol, and it’s “busted,” everything associated with the violation, including private property owned by the parents, can be confiscated. That’s left to the determination of police. Further, it states that if a parent and their son or daughter is convicted of one of these misdemeanors, the parent could be sentenced to up to 93
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days in jail, fined up to $500, and the parent will end up with a record. Other parents can also sue the parent(s) furnishing the teens with alcohol if the minors hurt themselves, someone else, or damage any property. “Birmingham has an ordinance against open house parties, where even if a minor isn’t drinking, but is just attending — if alcohol or drugs are present, they run the risk of being ticketed,” said officer Halcrow. “We are asking them to take the next step and remove themselves.” According to the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities, it’s important to make sure that if your teen wants to stay overnight with a friend or at a prom after-party, the host parents know about the invitation, and that they approve. Be sure to confirm that the parents will be home and awake when the teens get to their home, and will be monitoring the after-party. The alliance suggests discussing with teens before he or she goes to prom, how to handle a situation where alcohol or drugs may be present. Parents are the most influential presence in their teen’s life — whether the teenager acknowledges it or not. The alliance recommends letting your child know what you as a parent expect, and to devise a code word or phrase that allows them to gracefully get out of a party or difficult situation, and is letting you know they want you to come get them. Whatever time they come home after their prom, it’s advised that parents be awake to have a brief conversation to assess their son or daughter’s condition. It’s also a good idea to give them a hug — not only to let them know you love them, but also to smell them for intoxicants. According to the alliance, new research suggests that alcohol causes more damage to the developing brain of teenagers than was previously thought — 47 percent of those who begin drinking alcohol before age 14 become alcohol-dependent at some point in their lives, compared with just 9 percent who wait until at least 21. The American Medical Association has found that teens who used alcohol scored worse on vocabulary, visualspatial tests, and memory tests. ccording to a recent New York Times article, some schools around the country feel that prom has gotten so out of hand with wild after-parties, they are scheduling their proms in the middle of the week on a school night, with mandatory class attendance first thing the next day. Failure to make it to class on time can result in the inability to make up academic work or participate in a sports event that day, a suspension, or even not being allowed to participate in graduation. Educators in the Birmingham and Bloomfield area say they don’t feel that their proms have gotten that out of hand. “We don’t get any calls from hotels. We do a good job of letting them know when proms are, so they’re not renting to kids, or groups, or parents,” said the Birmingham Police Department’s Halcrow. “Throughout the year, I caution parents to be smart about hosting parties,” said Groves’ Proctor. “Those are the choices families have to make. We expect kids are going to have fun. I don’t think it’s ever a good idea to have a get-together at a hotel. If a few friends want to get together after at a home, it should be planned by a parent, and monitored by a parent. They’re still kids, and they still need to be parented.” “Since the Red Wings incident (a limousine accident on Woodward Avenue shortly after the team won the Stanley Cup in 1997), we are pleased that the drivers of limousines will not transport kids with alcohol in their cars,” said Cranbrook’s Shaw. Regarding the use of limousines and party buses by prom-goers, he said, “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime extravagance on the part of all of our families. While many kids don’t take a limo, we’re able to see kids on any budget have a great time.” Seaholm’s Boyer concurs. “Students rent limos and party buses for many different occasions. As long as it’s appropriate, it’s fine,” she said. “At this time, students can ride in their choice of transportation to prom,” said Lahser’s DiPilato. “As a school, we have not restricted their opportunities.” None of the schools sponsor an all-night party immediately after their prom. “We have an all-night party after graduation,” said Groves’ Proctor. Several other schools also host an all-night party, staffed by parents, the night of graduation. Often they are at the school for one last senior send-off. Even school administrators become nostalgic about prom, and enjoy chaperoning their students on this special night. “My own feelings about prom are always excitement,” said Shaw, who has enjoyed 34 at Cranbrook. “The kids look so beautiful and handsome all cleaned up,” Boyer said. ■
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ody Astrein, Birmingham's resident dog walker and owner of Downtown Dogs, has dedicated her career to her favorite four-legged friends. Astrein, a licensed veterinary technician, has raised and trained dogs all her life. Dog walking is a service-based industry and Downtown Dogs has a lot to offer clients and their pets, she said. Although she is partial to the Belgian Tervurens breed, she walks a wide variety of canines. "I walk Dobermans and (German) shepherds, Pit Bulls and Rottweilers," she said. "I'll take any breed. They can all be worked with and trained." Pink Lily, a Pomeranian, is Astrein's most eye-catching canine. The fluffy pink pooch, dyed with cherry Kool-Aid by her owner, creates quite a stir during walks. "That one is a showstopper," she said. Astrein often takes last minute calls from clients who may be working late and need her to feed or walk their pet. "I don't like to leave my clients in a bind," she said. "It's one of those jobs. You can't get sick or go away a lot. When my good clients go out of town, I take their dogs in. I love having them around; I just love them. I walk from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. most days, and walk a lot of dogs for Birmingham business owners." The city suits the Astrein family just fine, she said, and they love a good meal at Streetside Seafood. "We are a walking family," she said of herself and her spouse, Gary, owner of Astrein's Creative Jewelers in downtown Birmingham. "We both walk to work every day." Having met through the jewelry business, the Astreins have been married for 28 years and have two children. "We enjoy being empty nesters now," she said. "We snowboard and I volunteer at the Humane Society." Just like her favorite breed, Astrein said she's active, agile and loves to work. Though she has a collection of beautiful jewelry from her husband, her precious gems are all the members of Downtown Dogs. So, give a nod to Astrein if you see her on one of her daily canine constitutionals. Just understand if she can't wave back. — Katey Meisner — The Paper photo/Amy K. Lockard
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■ election
Bloomfield Hills City Commission Douglas Hardy, L. David Kellett, Sarah McClure, and Robert Toohey will compete for two open seats on the Bloomfield Hills City Commission during the Tuesday, May 4 city election. City Commissioners serve twoyear terms and are paid $5 a month. The following are questions our staff recently posed to the candidates, and their responses to those questions. BUDGET: A nearly $50-million dropoff in taxable value in Bloomfield Hills has dealt a blow to the city’s revenues. How do you see that affecting city government, and the services offered to Bloomfield Hills residents? If spending or program cuts are necessary, what do you believe should be cut and what should be held harmless? PUBLIC SAFETY CONSOLIDATION: The results of a city staffing assessment and efficiency study presented to the City Commission last November outlined several potential public safety service consolidation options for the city. What, if any, public safety consolidation opportunities do you believe city officials should seriously consider? What potential public safety service consolidations, if any, would you oppose? OTHER SERVICE CONSOLIDATIONS: The city staffing and efficiency study also recommended other potential service consolidations with neighboring communities, such as trade permits and inspections and Department of Public Work duties. What, if any, municipal service sharing or consolidation opportunities do you see as being practical at this time? COMMUNITY CHARACTER: Recent City Commission meetings where new developments were considered drew large crowds, with some people stating that the beauty and character of Bloomfield Hills is under attack. Please explain why you do or don’t agree with that general assessment. How should city officials balance the desire to preserve the city’s current character with the rights of property owners and developers seeking authorization for new projects? PARKING STANDARDS: City officials are reviewing existing parking requirements for possible changes, including the maximum and minimum number of spaces required at a building, provisions for shared parking, screening buffers, and landscaping requirements. What, if any, changes in parking regulations do you feel are necessary at this time? TOP ISSUES: What are the three most important issues for the city at this time, and how do you propose to address them? www.oaklandpaper.com
WHY YOU? Why, specifically, should voters choose you over your opponents? DOUGLAS HARDY BUDGET: It’s really an interesting challenge. You look at our budget, and at our estimated budget, and there’s not really that much of a difference. Certainly our revenues exceed our expenditures. You really have to treat it like a business. In the next few years, based on estimated expenditures and revenues, some things increase, some things decrease, but the most important thing is why are they going down. To me, the clearest reason they are going down is because
Douglas Hardy is the owner and chairman of SKBK/Sotheby's, and the owner and president of Century 21 Today.
people don’t want to live in Bloomfield Hills vs. other communities. People last year chose to live in Birmingham twice as often as they chose to live in Bloomfield Hills. Our property values decreased by double the decrease in Birmingham. Honestly, I think if we could get more people in some kind of active campaign to live in our city, we would correct the problem, and wouldn’t have to deal with it. If you look at the statistics from the regional multi-list service, our homes decreased (in value) 50 percent more than Birmingham’s, and the percentage of sales in our city declined 50 percent more than Birmingham’s. One of our competing areas outperformed us, and we shouldn’t accept that. I think it would be premature to say what you would cut or not cut if you’re still not in that position. Certainly, four years from now, with a $4 million deficit, that would be one thing, but we’re not in that position now. I think we should actively work to make our projected estimates incorrect. PUBLIC SAFETY CONSOLIDATION: There are two areas with regards to the PSOs (public safety officers) where I think we could save money or improve our services. (One is to) make our work force more flexible, and have some cross-training within
the department. We had almost $500,000 in overtime last year, but we’ve got certain people who do certain jobs, who can’t do other jobs because of our obligations to our contracts. We need to really look at that. We hired two people to help with that, and we have more overtime now. I think we have to sit down, and really look at that ... how can we job share within the PSOs, or can someone figure out how to use the dispatch equipment rather than some other job. I think that would be a great area where we can save; and besides, maybe we’d be able to save on some of that $500,000 in overtime. More importantly, as a physician, one thing I noticed (in the study) is that ... in Bloomfield Hills, even though our police and firefighters are cross-trained and share the same functions, we don’t act as medical first responders. We contract out to an outside EMS company that goes on all of our runs with us. I noticed that our average response time is 8 minutes and 49 seconds. Bloomfield Township’s response time, because they have paramedics trained solely for that function, is 4 minutes, 47 seconds. It’s nearly half. (If you have to wait that) extra five minutes, you’ll be dead. That’s something we really need to look at. The way Bloomfield Township looked at it is they’ve taken it back from outsourcing, and they’ve gained another $300,000 in insurance company revenue ... for transporting people to the hospital. So in addition to having a better response time, they also gained $300,000 in revenue. I think that’s really impressive. OTHER SERVICE CONSOLIDATIONS: There’s two parts of that study: our internal work force, and then outside services. You can work internally, like I’ve done with my company, and we reduced our overhead without reducing any services, by about twothirds. And I did it without reducing any people. I would look inside our building, count all of the people — except the PSOs, because they’re separate in the study. Maybe the city clerk can do what the person in the next desk (does), and they could job share when one goes to lunch — somebody could answer the phone just as easily. If you look at surrounding communities, we’re all reinventing the wheel — plumbing inspectors and building inspectors, and the like. When we looked at Bloomfield Township ... I think our trades came out cheaper than the surrounding communities. Bloomfield Township came out more, and we were going to offer them a proposal. We should
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look at what other cities are doing, talk to their planners, and see who can do the best for the least amount of money; but most important, you have to offer the best service, and the cheapest service. COMMUNITY CHARACTER: With regards to the master plan, the hardest part is getting our residents to participate — 400 (survey) responses out of 4,000 residents is 10 percent of the people replying, which is frustrating to the people making plans, because you still haven’t heard from 90 percent of your residents. In regards to those two developments, I’m not a big micromanager. I would trust the City Commission, and everyone should surround themselves with people they trust. Those developments have gone before the Planning Commission a number of times, and they were approved by the Planning Commission. There was a lot of ill will at some of those meetings based on misinformation, and that was very frustrating to me. Even when you argue a building is too high, at its initial grade it’s fine; but it’s built on a ravine, so in the back, of course it’s significantly higher. We need something done with the vacant lot at Woodward and Long Lake, and we have no choice. The Jonna development is approved, and he has great materials, and I think it’s going to fit in with everything around it. There’s a restaurant next to it, or a few doors down from it, and you park in the front (there). The Kingsley Inn, or the Radisson, across the street, you park in front. Honestly, it’s going to look just like the buildings around it. I think more important, is the city commissioners and the city planner put a lot of time into it, and there were a lot of votes. We’ve got to trust (the planning commissioners) and their subcommittees to make us recommendations. Certainly I don’t want to go out as a city commissioner and measure a building or measure the trees. I don’t want to see how far it is from the nearest frog pond. We have to support our committees, and if we don’t ... we really undermine their utility. Bloomfield Hills’ master plan, and what the mayor and commission have done, is a really great job of protecting why we’re all there. Sure, we like trees and we like privacy, and we like low traffic density. Fifty percent of us said we would like sidewalks, and 60 percent said we’d like our own library or (access to the) Bloomfield Township library. Certainly in these economic times, we have to live with the reality of what developers build. But it’s like 33
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■ election any negotiation. We weren’t really (happy) with the solutions. Certainly, the developer wasn’t happy. So that must have been a good solution for both of us. I think we’re on the right track evolving this community. PARKING STANDARDS: There are a number of parking lots that go unused, or don’t have any cars in them at all. It’s probably just evaluating them, and what’s currently the use. There’s just a number of buildings at Long Lake and Woodward whose parking lots are essentially empty all day long. It’s just a sign of the times, or people not commuting as far. I think we should be re-evaluating everything. TOP ISSUES: We’ve got to figure out how to stop the slide in our property values (as compared to) our surrounding communities. That’s what everyone cares about. I don’t think anyone cares if we have an hour-andhalf discussion about Roberts Rules of Order for our minutes, because Roberts says you can do it either way; and frankly, it would be malpractice to essentially publish transcripts of our talks so we could get sued later. We need to look at how we’re going to benefit from economies of scale in a small community. We only have 3,650 residents. Second only to Grosse Pointe Shores, we spend the most per capita from our budget. We spend $880 per resident. Beverly Hills spends $660. Birmingham spends $1,100 per resident. We need new services to attract new residents. My company ... has the unique (opportunity) to work with all of the new Fiat (transferees) in the area, and when I went to the city, we don’t even have a brochure about the city to give to them. We need to play the game better in marketing the city better, getting people to come here, and really help our residents in dealing with their property values. Those are really big global issues, and that’s what I’m really concerned about. WHY YOU? I’m truly the outsider. I’ve not been involved in our city, but I’ve lived here since the mid-1970s. Now I’m in the fortunate position to give back to my community. I think I have a unique set of concerns that maybe the other people in this (race) don’t have. I’m pretty progressive. I sold a software company to a very large company that has 500,000 users. I look at our website everyday, and would love to make it more efficient, truly at no cost to the city. I have no agenda. I don’t think this election is based on any sole issue, but it seems to be focused only on one issue, which is truly behind us. I think it’s necessary to make decisions based on true and accurate decisions provided to us. I’m pretty sure I could help in that cause. It’s time for me to give back to www.oaklandpaper.com
the city that I’ve spent my whole life in. L. DAVID KELLETT BUDGET: Five years ago, we developed a rolling budget where we predicted — and this is backed up by Plante & Moran — that in the years of 2011 and 2012, we will have used up all of our reserves and have a zero balance. So what do you do, where do you go? Do you eliminate anything? The one thing we can eliminate is our PSOs, our police officers. Right now, every police officer we eliminate equates to $100,000. So if we’re down $1 million, at $100,000 a police officer, that’s 10 police officers. We don’t think ... that our residents are going to tolerate that. We feel that we have very effective, dynamic PSOs, and to con-
L. David Kellett is the owner and chief executive officer of Kellett Construction Co. Currently the Bloomfield Hills mayor, Kellett has served on the commission since 2006. He has served on the city's Zoning Board of Appeals, and has been a member of the Planning Commission since 2008.
tinue that, I don’t think there’s any question that the City Commission is going to elect to raise our millage rate — or as I call it revenue recovery action — because we have lost another 7 or 8 percent of taxable value. Many residents, next year, are going to recognize a net decrease ... they will realize their taxes are going down even with a 1.5 mill increase, because of property (assessment) declines in 2010 and 2011. We’ve done a lot of cutting. We’ve gone over and over the budget. The staff has done a remarkable job. They’ve cut things that we didn’t think they could eliminate. Looking at what’s been done, I don’t think we can cut anymore, unless you look at something like the police officers, and I don’t think we want to do that. PUBLIC SAFETY CONSOLIDATION: We are restricted with the PSOs because we signed a contract with them, which will last two years. During those two years, because it was signed, the way it was signed, we can’t even consider a signed contractor or consider consolidation with another unit. It’s a shame that it was done that way, but that’s done, and it’s been done that way over the years. We were ready to sign a contract with our dispatch people, and at the
last minute, one of our commissioners came up with a thought that we have the same wordage. We put in the contract at the last minute that the city would be able to investigate shared services. We’ve been informed by our labor attorney that the union is going to balk at that, and that we may have to go to 312 arbitration, and we may lose. My attitude is, let’s go do it. If these people don’t read the papers and don’t understand that consolidation may be the only way for cities to survive, then something’s wrong. I’m adamant that I will never sign another union agreement where the city can’t negotiate with someone else. I just want to negotiate. I’m not saying we’re going to do it. I’m just saying we’re going to negotiate. That brings up the dispatch — that’s the only one that I would consider going in on with Bloomfield Township and Birmingham. That could be a reality in the next 60 days. I’m very happy with our dispatch. I don’t think we’re going to save a lot of money. If we’re going to save a lot of money, then we want to investigate it. If we can get the same quality and save money, then that’s a no-brainer. I’m in construction. I know what the DPW (Department of Public Works) does. The DPW is probably the most effective unit we’ve got in our city government. We could subcontract from the standpoint of the next time you need a backhoe, don’t just order another backhoe — subcontract out a backhoe service. There’s not a lot of savings. The commission has been very diligent in where we can cut these kinds of costs, and reviewing them. Most of the information that Plante & Moran has come in with, with the budgets, says there’s not a lot you can do with cuts. Taxable value in the community has gone down and the only way to replace it is with a millage increase. Next year, probably 80 or 90 percent of the people are going to realize a net savings on their taxes. I’m not here to say that our police officers aren’t getting paid pretty well, because they are. I often say, when I come back in the next life, I want to come back as a Bloomfield Hills police officer. They get paid very well, but they do a very, very good job. Right now, we’ve negotiated a new contract with the police officers where there’s a twotiered system, which means we have to accept what the existing PSO has gotten. Past commissions have negotiated over 30 years, and (the existing PSOs) have retirements and health programs that are very generous. With any new officer that comes in, we can negotiate with him in a more fair and equitable way for the city, so that in 10, 15 years, the city will be in a better position. OTHER SERVICE CONSOLIDATIONS:
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The staff we have — the manager, the treasurer, the clerk, the assistant treasurer, and the lady who handles the incoming calls for the building department — I’m going to say is probably the most efficient group of people you’ll ever see. I hesitate to do any more to load them up. I want to go on record as saying they are very good at what they do. As far as the building department goes ... we got together with the township, the township came back with an offer, and we said, “This is more expensive than what we are paying now.” So we turned right back around and offered them, and said, “Hey guys, we’ll provide all of your part-time inspectors and mechanical inspectors, and you pay us.” And they might bite. We’re going to make that offer. What everyone has to realize is that there is a state law established about 22 years ago that says every dollar that goes into the building department has to be used by the building department. It can’t be used by the general fund. You can’t take money out of the general fund and put it into the building department. You can’t take money from the building department and put it into the general fund. I think we’re $200,000 in the black in the building department. But we can’t loan that money out. So I wouldn’t cut the staff. COMMUNITY CHARACTER: I think five years from now you’re going to look back, and say there’s not a big difference from 10 years ago. I happen to think it’s going to be better. The master plan allowed us to have PUD (planned unit development) agreements that we have exercised and which developers have exercised. Now there’s some people that feel, and maybe rightly so, that the PUD agreement that we have put in moratorium, was too lenient. We have a new committee going in to look at it. However, it’s extremely disingenuous for anyone to call (the project at the former Fox and Hounds site) a strip mall. That is the most arrogant thing I’ve heard in my life. It’s going to have the most beautiful landscaping of any building from 12 Mile Road up to Pontiac. It’s going to be a beautiful building. The parking is going to be hidden. And what do you want there? The guy is a commercial developer. He could say, “Guys, I don’t want a PUD agreement. I’m going to put a strip mall in, and I’m going to put a CVS on the corner.” Do we want that in Bloomfield Hills? No. The Fox and Hounds had a lot of ambiance, but it was falling down. The (previous) owner admitted he couldn’t keep it going, it needed too many repairs. So he sold it. We get into the situation where a man buys it and he does the best he can on it. The building is going to be terrific. It’s going to have a slate roof. How many commercial buildings do you 35
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■ election see with slate roofs on them? It’s going to have herringbone brick, exposed timbers, and beautiful windows. This is a first-class building. There’s not going to be anything else like it around, and we’re all going to be very proud of it. As for the Damone project, The Woodward, it’s a sliver of land, 7 acres of land; and being an engineer, I did some stats. If you view the grade, the elevation, from the driveway into the place, it’s 911 feet above sea level. The roof height, in the back, where this thing drops back ... is 923 feet. That’s a 12-foot roof height difference from the entrance. Now, no one alive is going to drive by and say, “Look at that 50-foot-high difference in the ravine.” Nobody’s going to see it. If you look at the Northern Bank & Trust building on the northeast corner, I did some numbers on that, and the grade on that at the sidewalk is 833.7 (feet above sea level), and the roof height is 48 feet above that. If you want to talk about height perception, go stand on the sidewalk over there. That’s almost 50 feet. And that’s an in-your-face 50 feet. But it looks great. Traffic-wise, we’ve had traffic studies on this thing, and there’s no problem. Parking is no problem. All of these things have been gone over by planning and the commission. I have a little bit of traffic experience as a civil engineer. I don’t know if Mr. Toohey has experience as a traffic engineer, but it’s disingenuous to have someone say, “Well, we’re going to have traffic problems.” The developer isn’t a crazy person. He’s not going to develop something that he is going to have problems with. I look at him as an expert. If he doesn’t put in enough parking spaces, people are not going to come in and park at the very upscale retail businesses he’s putting in the first floor. PARKING STANDARDS: Our parking ordinances as they stand are pretty antiquated. Bloomfield Township is recognizing the same thing. Their term is “asphalt landscaping.” At the two buildings on the southwest of Long Lake and Woodward, there’s just an asphalt landscape of parking lots that go unused. There’s going to be a parking ordinance that will come through (the Planning Commission) very shortly and that will give recommendations, tweak it, and pass it on to the City Commission to vote on. TOP ISSUES: 1. Develop a five-year balanced, rolling budget. 2. Explore with surrounding local governments to determine the practicality of shared services. 3. Use our new city master plan as a policy guideline for future developments, to both reinforce the existing character of the city and meet the community’s long-term goals. Going back to No. 1, that could mean a millage increase. I don’t www.oaklandpaper.com
want to equivocate. I think it’s got to happen. I hope the other people (in this race) step up to the plate and say that looks inevitable. WHY YOU? My qualifications: 12 years on the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals, with seven years as chairman; four years on the City Commission, with one year as mayor; and two years on the Planning Commission. I have a civil engineering degree. I’m a local business owner. I’m a local builder and remodeler. I have been known to use common sense in my thoughts and looking at developments. I believe in the phrase, by Lee Iaccoca, “Either lead, or you are destined to follow.” I think we’ve got to think of the future. SARAH McCLURE BUDGET: I would disagree with some of the statements that have been made. The city is operating at a deficit currently. We’re going to lose $1.2 million this budget year. Next year, it’s projected to lose $1.6 million. I would disagree that Bloomfield Hills is somehow less attractive. That is a function of higher-end homes, and that is a situation across the country. There was an article in the Wall Street Journal that talked about whether you are in Atlanta or Mill Valley, if you’re in higher-end homes, there’s a compression going on. It has to do with jumbo mortgages, and banks requiring more than 20 percent. Birmingham housing stock on the whole would be less expensive than homes in Bloomfield Hills. That’s a national trend, not (just apparent in) Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills. Our residents typically want basic services and a low millage rate. Historically, the city has had a low millage rate. However, I would argue that the current budget curve is such that they would not accept a 1.5 millage increase. In the past four years, the property tax revenues ... have gone down 6 percent. At the same time, expenditures have gone up 16 percent. And there are some categories that are up 25 and 30some percent. I think it’s an area where we have to go to our residents and ask them what they want to cut. I’m not saying you cut police. I think that’s an emotional thing to say to residents (to explain) why you’re raising their taxes. I think there are areas to cut. Corporations have cut in the last few years. Perhaps we can go back to spending like 2007-08, which is a 5.9 percent budget cut, without impacting city services. For example, a few years ago, two more police officers were hired, and because we were achieving so much overtime, we hired two more police officers, and we still have overtime going through the roof. We have 42 employees, and we’ve had 15 workers’ compensation filings in the last two years. We
need to get a better handle on things. The Plante & Moran study was done last November, and none of it has been adopted. One thing they talked about is we have 11 automobiles, and only three are on the road
Sarah McClure is a former Merrill Lynch financial consultant, and a former Cranbrook and Oakland University economics instructor. She previously served on the Orchard Lake City Council and Zoning Board of Appeals.
at a time. That’s something we should look at. The residents have to feel we have done everything we can to cut costs ... before we talk about a millage increase. General things, like contracts with outside contractors, should be looked at and put out again (for bids). There’s a lot of efficiencies that could be looked at to get under control. Even in the projected budget, it’s basically flat for next year, and then it goes up 3 to 5 percent each year. Some of it is unfunded health care mandates that we have to deal with; but certainly, local governments haven’t had to do this before. They’ve been in a position of property (values) increasing. Those days, at least for the short term, are over. There are ways for us to cut costs, and show residents we’re serious about cutting costs without impacting services. I think the City Commission has a responsibility to look at everything, and then go to the residents. The city does like having its own police department. It may be worth looking at shared services for fire. The residents may come back and say no. The city’s been fortunate and has only had one major fire in the past six years, so we maintain a pretty expensive fire department for only one major fire every six years. PUBLIC SAFETY CONSOLIDATION: I do think that on the whole, residents of the city are happy with public safety, and that is important to them; but I also think there are ways efficiencies can be done without changing the services to residents whatsoever. That means delving into the numbers, and delving into the overtime. This Plante & Moran study mentions 11 cars, and we’re only using three on the road. Is that really the best way to be doing this? I know that at (a recent City Commission) meeting, a few com-
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missioners were starting to get into this a little bit, but I think we have to go into these numbers and it’s a way to demonstrate to residents that you are being as efficient as possible and taking your job seriously. Even with a 1.5-mill increase, it doesn’t solve the problem. Three years out, there’s still a problem. I think you need to cut costs, be more efficient, and find out more about these numbers. DPW has gone up, I think, 30 percent in the last few years. Maybe it’s for legitimate reasons, maybe not. If there’s ways for us to be more cost-effective, we should do it. It’s a different culture now. There are some things to be looked at for shared services — certainly dispatch. Last year we paid overtime, and I know there were some contractual issues, but we paid a lot of overtime for dispatch. We had a lot of police officers out on disability. Long-term, we had to deal with these contract issues. Those kinds of things, over time, don’t make a lot of sense. I’m not saying you put it to a vote of the residents. I think if you are voted in as a commissioner, you have to step up to the plate and make a decision. But I do think you have to communicate it to your residents. I do think the two-tier wage system helps in the long term, but it only helps as you begin to hire new people. OTHER SERVICE CONSOLIDATIONS: Right now, as someone who has just renovated a home in the city of Bloomfield Hills, there are a lot of permits, and they pay for the people to come out and inspect. That pays for itself. The shared services on that, we’ll have to see if that would be worth it with other cities. I’m not sure if there would be much of a savings (there). COMMUNITY CHARACTER: Our master plan was based upon a survey — 400 responses. We have (about) 3,700 residents, including children. That’s actually a pretty good response rate. And some of the issues were pretty clear cut. Ninety percent want low density, and 60 percent don’t want citywide safety paths. When the city votes on a master plan and adopts it, it should become their blueprint. I was at a Planning Commission meeting recently where one of the planning commissioners said publicly that he felt no obligation to follow the master plan. I think that’s where some of the problem is. The Damone project was turned down in July 2008 by the Planning Commission, 8-1. Then it went the next month to the City Commission, and it was (approved), 3-2 — (Kellett), Pat Hardy, and John Utley voted for it, and Michael Zambricki and Mike McCready voted against it, so you guys kept it alive. Then what happened ... when (Kellett) became 37
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■ election mayor, (he) replaced the composition of the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission changed, and it started to make it through the process. I have more of a problem with the Damone PUD agreement. The PUD agreement says you can’t violate the underlying zoning and it has to be a benefit to the residents. You can’t by law say that tax revenues are a benefit. What was the benefit to the residents? If that facility is built, it would include approximately 7 percent of our population. It violates the underlying density. It was just so over the top. Development doesn’t solve your millage problems. The residents that were (at the Feb. 12 City Commission meeting) — I think it was 5 to 1, they didn’t want those buildings. The Jonna project is using higher-end products, and in that regard, I think it’s a better building. But it could have been a better project. The parking may be a problem. PARKING STANDARDS: I think it came up with the two developments, especially the Jonna one. First it was going to have a restaurant, now it has a drive-through bank, so how many spaces are appropriate? Then (there was) this whole buffering thing. According to the master plan, the Jonna project should have had all of their parking in the back. I know he has it buffered by a berm and some landscaping, but some people wanted it in the back ... Whether it’s parking or whatever, ordinances should be reviewed periodically. TOP ISSUES: We should be better about following our master plan. That philosophy is shared by the majority of the residents. This election will say that. Traditionally, we’ve been a city with a AAA bond rating, which was recently affirmed; but we’re in financial difficulty like everyone else. My background is in finance and economics. I have a degree from Cornell in economics, an MBA from the University of Michigan, and most of my career has been in economics. When I was at Merrill Lynch, I worked a lot with municipal bonds and corporate bonds, so I’m pretty knowledgeable there and I think I could be helpful in these discussions. I think the city needs to bend its cost curve down before asking the residents for any kind of millage increase. Third (is) communications. We do need to do a better job of communicating with our residents. I know we have the web page, and we’re cutting back mailings because of costs, but some of our older residents may not be going to our web page as much, so it’s a Catch-22. Our minutes need to be expanded. Not every word needs to be written down, but www.oaklandpaper.com
legally there can be summaries of who said what and for what. That would be more open for the residents. Twenty-some years ago I was on the Orchard Lake City Council and Zoning Board of Appeals, and I noticed on their website they’re faced with some of the same financial issues we are, but (Orchard Lake) commissioners say, “Let me know what you think, here is my email.” We have not done as good a job of that. WHY YOU? A lot of my background has been economics and finance, with Cornell, the University of Michigan, and Merrill Lynch. I’ve taught economics at Oakland University and Cranbrook. In more recent years, I’ve been a community volunteer. I’ve had a variety of experiences, and I think those can be helpful. In the past, I was on the Orchard Lake City Council and on the Zoning Board of Appeals. When I lived overseas years ago, I was trustee of the International School at Dusseldorf. I’ve been a Cranbrook governor. I’m on the Cornell University Council. I understand the issues, and I think I could bring some expertise to a lot to the issues. I care about the city, and I care about following the master plan. I think I could be helpful. ROBERT TOOHEY BUDGET: Before we go to the people and ask for a millage increase, we have to show we’ve done our job. The budget is a very important planning tool for the city, and it determines the allocation of the assets. The assets are what we get from the people. When they pay their taxes, they are investing in the city, and counting on the people on the City Commission to handle that investment wisely. One of the areas I think we should be looking at is our consultants. We currently have three consultants. We have city engineers, city attorneys, and city planners. I think as a practical matter, it would be a good idea to put those contracts out to bid on a regular basis. I think that way we would be in a better position to tell our residents that we are getting them the best people ... for the city. The people we have now, by and large, are doing a good job; but I think we have a fiduciary obligation to the people to make sure there isn’t someone out there who might do a better job. Bloomfield Hills has been thought of as a wealthy community, and by and large, that’s true; but when you look at the information from SEMCOG (the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments), you’ll find that there’s about 20 percent of the people who are trying to get by on about $60,000 a year or less. We have to be extremely careful when we talk about a millage increase.
When it comes to public safety, that’s the No. 1 issue people are concerned about. I would take a look at public safety. At the same time, the people in the city deserve the protection they’ve been getting, which is probably better than in our surrounding communities. I’m very proud of our police department. They’ve done an exceptional job. Sarah mentioned some of the overtime and workers’ compensation, and we should take a look at that, but when you get into the police department, you pretty much have to leave it to the people you retain to get into the contracts. I think it
Robert Toohey is a licensed residential builder, real estate broker and attorney specializing in municipal and corporate law. He served on the Bloomfield Hills City Commission from 2004 to 2006, on the city's Planning Commission from 2006 to 2009, and on the city's Zoning Board of Appeals prior to his election to the City Commission.
would be a mistake for the City Commission to get involved with labor relations. I think you have to be informed, but leave it to the experts on things like workers’ compensation claims and overtime. The budget we have, we could probably call it a line-item budget in a number of ways — this is what we spent last year, this is what we’re going to spend this year. We need to look at more of a performance-based budget. The people who put the budget together — and we have a wonderful treasurer — but what I’d like to see in the budget is, “This is what we spent on legal (services), and these are our options. This is what we spent on police overtime. This is what we could spend on shared services.” We could maybe consider private contractors coming in. I’d like to see more options in the budget so that the City Commission would be in a better position to make choices. PUBLIC SAFETY CONSOLIDATION: I think we’ve got to do a much better job of getting the citizens involved in things. The information I’ve seen has shown that the people in Bloomfield Hills are highly-educated, and we should tap that resource. We should involve them so they know beforehand what the city is faced with, and then the city would benefit from their input. I would advocate for cre-
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ating some sort of a citizen advisory committee. I haven’t talked to anyone at the township about this, but public safety also includes fire, so I’m going to include that. The township practically surrounds us. Given the low rate of responses in the city, and (because) we’ve got some pretty expensive equipment and we’ve got a beautiful facility as part of the City Hall, maybe we should talk to the people in the township and say, “Can we work something out where we work out an arrangement with you where you take over and operate out of our City Hall?” We might lease it to them. Or we might work out an arrangement that would lease out not only the equipment but the personnel. That might be one area where we save some money. I agree with (Oakland County Executive L.) Brooks Patterson. He was asked about intergovernmental agreements, and he said, “Don’t expect too much.” You have to understand that the city of Bloomfield Hills is a home-rule city, as a lot of cities are. Home-rule cities like their geographic limitations, they like their own police departments, and they like their own DPWs. It’s not real easy to say “Let’s share services, like dispatch.” Yes, we need to look at it. We need to do a better job with our budget. The Plante & Moran study is a good study; but tellingly, it didn’t have anything about outside consultants. OTHER SERVICE CONSOLIDATIONS: We’re kind of a small city. The savings we might realize on shared services, I can’t tell you right now what they might be, but we have to look at that. The building inspection system has to be improved. We might want to talk to the township about that. I’d want to look at that as part of a close examination of the budget. That’s the only area of real savings I think we can realize, is in the building inspections. COMMUNITY CHARACTER: I think what we need to do is look at our master plan. Our master plan was developed in May of last year, and it was based, in large part, on a survey of our residents. Our residents were very positive on a number of things. Over 90 percent of our residents said they want to maintain our green corridors in our city, and by that they mean Woodward Avenue from Hickory Grove down to Big Beaver. When you travel in that area, what distinguishes our area from all others is the forestation, the green, the shrubs, the trees ... and this is what the people want to maintain. The other part of the survey that is relevant to your question is the part that discusses the expansion of the commercial area. It was very clear that residents want no part of an expansion in that area. They want to 39
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THE PAPER
MAY 2010
■ election keep the city the same in terms of commercial and retail activities. Of course, the city is known for low density. We have large lots and meandering hills. The reason people were upset at that Feb. 12 meeting is because they saw two developments that were being proposed — the Jonna development at the location of the former Fox and Hounds, and the Damone project up further by Roeper — were not supported by what the people said when they responded to the master plan survey. I don’t care how they say it, the development on the Fox and Hounds site is a strip shopping mall. If the people of Bloomfield Hills want a strip mall — and I don’t believe they do — it’s just minutes away at Square Lake and Woodward. At that location you have three strip malls. If you want to go to a downtown area, you have a nice downtown area in Birmingham. And then, of course, you have Somerset. You don’t need to turn Long Lake and Woodward into a strip shopping mall. It doesn’t fit with the other corners. In those cases, the parking is behind those buildings. I’m not against the development if it had a different arrangement for the parking. That was my objection all along, that the parking should be in the back, away from Woodward. Now you’ve got double rows of parking proposed within about 9 feet of Woodward, and approximately 10 stores planned for the first floor, which is the definition of a strip mall to me. You’re also going to have a traffic problem, especially on the Long Lake side. That’s where the fire hall is, and if you have an emergency, and you have people trying to get out, you’re going to have a traffic problem. They just added a drivethrough bank. I don’t think that’s what the people in the city of Bloomfield Hills want, and I base that on the master plan survey. It’s like an emerald necklace along Woodward Avenue, and this shopping center is going to be like a lump of coal. PARKING STANDARDS: The master plan is not an ordinance, it’s just a view of how the citizens want the city to look, but it does require us to look at all of the ordinances, not just the parking ordinance. What we ought to do, and what we did on the Planning Commission, is I set up a task force. We need that for our ordinances, too, and have representatives from the Planning Commission and the City Commission. The key point is to have your ordinances support your master plan. TOP ISSUES: I think probably one of the most important is to adhere to the master plan. According to our experts, they thought (the survey) was excellent, not something that a www.oaklandpaper.com
Two Great Tastes In One Place small fraction of the people turned in. The other thing I wanted to mention, along the lines of communication ... it’s one thing to say that people have to come out, in terms of these two (development) projects, (but) there was an absolute failure (of) the city to inform the residents of the essential nature of these two projects, which are major projects for the city. That will change the character of the city. Yet, there was very little done to use the lines of communication to alert the citizens to the essential facts. We could have put the plans up on the website showing the facade, showing the strip mall appearance of this project. We could have shown an aerial view of the parking project on site and how it might impact traffic. And (Kellett), at the meeting, said there was a failure of communication, and that (he) would fix it. If you look at the minutes, there is just a list of names, it doesn’t even say what side they’re on, much less what they’ve said. They didn’t come to be silenced. That’s the official record of the meeting. It’s probably required by Roberts Rules of Order. The other is the budget. WHY YOU? Voters watching (and reading) this will have a pretty good idea where we stand, and they’ll make their decision. I personally am concerned. I’d like to give you some of my background. I was the chairman of the Planning Commission. I was the chairman when our master plan was approved. I was on the Planning Commission for three years. Prior to that, I had served one term on the City Commission. And prior to that, I had served on the Zoning Board of Appeals. I’ve lived in the city for 34 years. I love the city. I enjoy serving the people of the city. When I lived in Detroit, I was the executive assistant to the mayor. I was the head of the Department of Public Works for the city of Detroit, a multi-billion dollar corporation. I was the general manager of the public transportation system for the city of Detroit. I served on regional planning and land use committees. As an attorney, as part of my practice, I had corporate and municipal law (experience). I’m the retired general counsel of a multi-state medical services corporation. I believe these are credentials that would help the voters make up their mind (about whether) I am qualified to serve again on the commission. I’m particularly concerned about the neglect of the master plan. It’s in danger of suffering what happens to most plans — they sit on the shelf. It has to be a living document, and it has to be enforced. That’s the reason I decided I would run. I wanted the voice of the people to be heard as expressed by this master plan. ■
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Nestled amongst the trees, this gorgeous lakefront estate is situated on a 1.73 acre beautifully landscaped lot providing stunning lake views and 146 ft. of sandy shoreline. The custom built, ranch home boasts over 5,500 sq. ft. of luxury living featuring 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, formal dining, granite kitchen, magnificent master suite with jet tub bath and private Florida room, finished walk and innumerable upgrades. Offered at $1,495,000. Call 248-366-7200 for a private viewing
This gorgeous lakefront home is situated on a beautifully landscaped lot including paver porch and walk-ways, stone stairway, boulder seawall, and sandy beach. The delightfully remodeled home features over 3,000 sq. ft. of living space with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, hardwood flooring, 2 fireplaces, granite kitchen, master suite with glass rail deck providing stunning lake views and nicely finished walkout with kitchenette. Offered at $590,000. Call 248-366-7200 for a private viewing
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Custom built in 2005; this 3 story Dutch Colonial masterpiece with a premium brick elevation is situated on deep, treed lot with a sandy shoreline. Beautifully appointed with historical works of art, the home exudes Direct: Direct: old world charm combined with all the modern conveniences. Over 3,900 sq. ft. of luxury living features 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, finished lower level walk-out and fabulous Florida room. Offered at steve@TheStocktonTeam.com janet@TheStocktonTeam.com $564,900. Call 248-366-7200 for a private viewing
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Situated on an impeccably landscaped lot, this wonderful lakefront home includes a huge deck with custom awnings providing amazing lake views. The beautifully updated home features an open floor plan with 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, stunning master suite with vaulted ceiling, fireplace and private deck overlooking the lake, and marble surround jet tub bath. The massive 4 car heated garage with second story room supplies ample storage for all the summer and winter toys. Offered at $574,900. Call 248-366-7200 for a private viewing
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THE PAPER
It's that simple. MAY 2010
â&#x2013; snapshot
bill pulte
B
ill Pulte, founder of Pulte Homes, rose to the top from modest beginnings; but, never let it be said that he is a self-made man. According to Pulte, his success is due, in no small part, to the team he has surrounded himself with over the past 60 years. "I don't believe there is such a thing as a self-made man," he said. "It's all the people around you." Pulte was encouraged by his parents to pursue his dreams, although they urged him to be self-reliant. His father worked two jobs in order to support six children. "When I was 16, I bought my first car and my dad said, 'I'm proud of you, Billy, but how are you going to put gas in it?'" he said. "I said, 'How about an allowance?' He said, 'How about getting a job?'" Pulte worked as a carpenter in high school, and took correspondences courses to educate himself in the construction field. Throughout his life, he's taken nothing for granted. He started Pulte Homes by building his first house right out of high school with a loan from his aunt, and sold it for $10,000. His second home was built for his parents, who previously never owned their own home. "I could have gotten a college scholarship," he said. He had a knack for building, and with supportive parents, Pulte went
for his dream. Bloomfield Township's Concord Green was the first subdivision he developed. It hardly has been his last. Just this month, he retired from the company that bears his name and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Pulte has been a Bloomfield Hills resident since 1956, with 14 children and 25 grandchildren. "Ten have worked for Pulte (Homes)," he said. "But, I had a rule that did pay off. Any Pulte that moved up had to be 10 percent better than any other candidate." Pulte had always intended to retire at 80 but, at 78-years-old, he's said he's now ready. Industrious as ever, he has no plans to use his retirement to lounge around on the golf course. As a religious man, he's working on a multi-cultural project to pray for world peace. A devout Catholic, he attends mass every day at either St. Thomas More or Holy Name in Birmingham. He enjoys the occasional trip to Florida, but his work here isn't finished. The fruits of Pulte's work can be seen nationwide, but he says he's enjoyed his life's work so much that he'll be the first to tell you, "I've never worked a day in my life." â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Katey Meisner â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Paper photo/Amy K. Lockard
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Forest Lake Frontage $3,390,000 Custom designed French Country Home Estate in gated community sits on private Forest Lake with access to Lower Long Lake. Enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of the lake and award winning landscape. Updates make this home turnkey with all the amenities. Five bedrooms with 5.2 baths. 29148569 Presented by Ronni Keating
Bloomfield Hills $1,100,000
Birmingham $720,000
Beautifully tucked away within the City of Bloomfield. Built in the late 20's but substantially updated and renovated in the 90's. Exceptional spaces, lovely master suite with two baths & fireplace. Up-to-date kitchen with premuim appliances. Four bedrooms with 5.1 baths. 210031809 Presented by Ronni Keating
Center entrance grand Colonial on extra large lot! Large foyer with all hardwood floors in surrounding large rooms. New bright kitchen in 2010! Master bedroom has fireplace and sitting room/office. Many recent updates including roof. Five bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 210042717 Presented by Ronni Keating
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Bloomfield Hills $1,375,000
Bloomfield Village $1,295,000
Set high upon a hilltop on a private cul-de-sac and in the heart of Bloomfield Hills, this home has been meticulously updated. Style and sophistication, high end amenities and gracious living space. First and second floor master suites, neutral stone baths and gorgeous fixtures. Gourmet kitchen. Four bedrooms with 3.2 baths. 210023765 Presented by Sara Lipnitz
Stunning and stylish décor with great details in this newer construction. Great built-ins, wainscoting and thick millwork. Gourmet kitchen opens to family room, master bedroom with huge walk in closet and spa like bath, second floor laundry and finished lower level. Five bedrooms with 5.1 baths. 210010160 Presented by Sara Lipnitz
Bloomfield Village $1,295,000
Birmingham $1,099,000
Tucked deep into the Estate section, this home sits on three lots. Custom features, first floor master suite with his and her baths. Gracious rooms, granite/cherry kitchen, dual stairwells, mud room with informal powder room. Birmingham Schools. Five bedrooms with 6.3 baths. 210025571 Presented by Sara Lipnitz
Gracious Quarton Lake Estates home. Soaring ceilings, custom details and stylish décor. Gourmet kitchen boasts premium appliances and granite. Generous master suite with a spa-like bath and huge walk-in closet. First floor laundry, finished lower level with recreation room and storage. Four bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 29134475 Presented by Sara Lipnitz
Sara Lipnitz
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Quarton Lake Frontage $5,900,000 Soon to be completed! An amazing location tucked behind some of Birminghamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most important real estate affording complete privacy and stunning views of Quarton Lake. The grand shingle style home has standards well above expectation. Six bedrooms with 8.3 baths. Eight car garage. 29129375 Presented by Mike Cotter
Birmingham $2,850,000
Birmingham $1,950,000
Magnificent shingle style home overlooking Birmingham's Quarton Lake. Designed by C. Longe, built by Kojaian Homes. Exceptional quality home is in pristine order and decorated to perfection. Tailored grounds with large yard and bluestone porch, patio and walkways. Open floor plan with nine foot ceilings on main floor. Five bedrooms with 6.1 baths. 210036052 Presented by Mike Cotter and Paula Law
Exquisite David Lubin designed in-town house. Granite and onyx countertops, slab marble floors and showers in baths, Brazilian Cherry hardwood on first and second floors. Finished walk out lower level with heated tile floors, wet bar, wine cellar, fireplace and media room. Four bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 210026230 Presented by Mike Cotter and Paula Law
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248.644.7000 Equal Housing Opportunity
Bloomfield $2,150,000 Outstanding home in every way! Flowing floor plan with 9,000 square feet of superb living space. Perfect for entertaining and comfortable living. Five generous bedroom suites including a fantastic master retreat with separate sitting room. Resort style lot overlooking magnificent pebble tech pool surrounded by lush landscape. 210040822 Presented by Renee Acho
Birmingham $1,399,000 Masterfully Crafted Newer Construction! This luxurious, impeccably detailed 5100 plus square foot home welcomes you with a two story foyer opening to living/dining room with soaring ceilings, windows and paneled library with fireplace. Second floor features a spacious master retreat with fireplace. Three additional bedrooms with 3.2 baths. 210043184 Presented by Renee Acho
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Birmingham, Michigan
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Birmingham $1,345,000 Surprise jewel on an amazing one acre lot in the heart of Birmingham. The land surrounding it, includes a slice of a river coupled with your own private park. An exceptional home with an elegant interior. Hardwood floors, formal dining room, eat in kitchen, three fireplaces, and year round sunroom with full view of the stunning backyard expanse. Lower level walk out. Six bedrooms, 5.2 baths. 29153614 Presented by Cindy Obron Kahn
Birmingham $1,595,000
Farmington Hills $639,000
Beautifully rebuilt Colonial by Steve Templeton. Extensive use of crown and dental molding, wainscoting, marble and hardwood floors. Kitchen with island features granite center, Viking stove and double oven and sub zero fridge. Four bedrooms with 3.2 baths. Lease for $10,000 per month. 29153654 Presented by Cindy Obron Kahn
Wonderful classic Tobocman Contemporary on approximately 1.5 acres. Bright open floor plan. Stunning kitchen with top of the line appliances. Great use of quality materials and walls of windows throughout. Four bedrooms and 2.1 baths. 29153638 Presented by Cindy Obron Kahn
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Birmingham, Michigan
248.644.7000 Equal Housing Opportunity
Lake Angelus Frontage $2,499,900
Lake Angelus Frontage $1,999,900
Fabulous sunsets surround this newer built home on sandy point. Dead end street. Beautiful views. South Shore with every possible amenity, granite and marble heated. Three and a half car garage. Four bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 210021645 Presented by Lee Embrey
Contemporary Tudor on over one acre with 6,854 sq ft of modern sophistication. Granite kitchen, Subzero, Viking, Thermador and Bosch appliances. First floor junior master. Three fireplaces. 1,800 sq ft Mahogany deck with hot tub. Five bedrooms with five baths. 210021093 Presented by Lee Embrey
Orchard Lake Frontage $1,399,900
Lake Angelus Frontage $1,099,000
Fabulous 4,300 sq ft lakefront home with stunning sunset views. Updates include; new kitchen with all upper end appliances, baths and hardwood floors. Private hot tub. Sandy frontage and wooded lot on 1.3 acres. Four bedrooms with four baths. 210043324 Presented by Lee Embrey
Beautiful South Shore location with 4.06 acres and 124' of lake frontage. Stone pillars at the entrance. Wonderful 2500 square foot 1860's farmhouse. The sale reflects the age of the farmhouse, which could be renovated if desired. Three to four bedrooms with 1.2 baths. 210021106 Presented by Lee Embrey
Lee Embrey
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Birmingham, Michigan
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Northville Township $429,900
Independence Township $1,060,000
Gracious and beautiful estate living on the third hole of Meadowbrook Country Club! Custom built home offers it all, stunning entrance to the incredible walk out. Open floor plan with gorgeous views, wonderful room sizes and custom touches everywhere. Expansive lot offers privacy. Six bedrooms with 5.2 baths. 210032328 Presented by Bill Tracy & Christine Johnson
Spectacular four year old custom built home on 10.7 wooded acres. Tall ceilings, granite, travertine tile and wide plank wood floors. Luxurious master suite. Four fireplaces. Finished walk-out with second kitchen, full bath and bedroom. Six bedrooms and 5.3 baths. 210001716 Presented by Bill Tracy
Farmington Hills $429,900
Orion Township $399,000
Stunning Colonial on private court. Spectacular two story foyer, nine foot ceilings and fabulous architectural details in the living room. Gorgeous kitchen with granite tops and maple cabinets in 2006. Large master suite. Four bedrooms and 2.1 baths. 210018123 Presented by Bill Tracy & Christine Johnson
Situated dramatically on the 2nd fairway of Indianwood Country Club. Brilliant sunsets and panoramic views of water, nature and beautiful landscaping. Updated, well maintained and newly completed finished area (500 sq ft) in basement. City water with well for sprinkler system at no cost. Three bedrooms with 2.1 baths. Also for Lease. 210038923 Presented by Bill Tracy
Bill Tracy & Christine Johnson
SKBK Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty skbk.com
Birmingham, Michigan
248.644.7000 Equal Housing Opportunity
Bloomfield $949,900 Amazing custom features and highest end amenities. Beautiful stunning staircase and elegant foyer. Gracious and open loft overlooks great room. First floor master suite with walk-in closet. Gourmet kitchen with Sub Zero refrigerator and all granite sink. Unsurpassed attention to detail. 29133514 Presented by Lisa Sturdevant
Bloomfield $749,900
Bloomfield $659,900
Well appointed, new construction perfect for family life and entertaining. Featuring crown molding throughout, granite in kitchen, all baths and laundry room. Access to Kern Lake for swimming. Bloomfield Hills Schools. Call for information on Builder's three other Bloomfield New Construction Homes. 29140499 Presented by Lisa Sturdevant
Maplewood Homes Builder ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal residence. Completely renovated in 2008. Gourmet granite kitchen, first floor master, five bedrooms, 4.3 baths, hardwood and crown moldings throughout. Bridge overlooks foyer, Cedar roof, two decks, circular drive and nature trail behind wooded private lot. 29076326 Presented by Lisa Sturdevant
Lisa Sturdevant
SKBK Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty skbk.com Equal Housing Opportunity
Birmingham, Michigan
248.644.7000
Grosse Ile $6,900,000 Magnificent 5 acre waterfront estate, complete with richly appointed executive residence and an exquisite corporate retreat. Glorious grounds of the gated estate unfold to reveal the Detroit Riverfront. 29122472 Presented by Kathy Lyons
Spectacular Indoor Olympic Size Pool
Elegant Conference Room
Enjoy the glass enclosed pool lined with historic Pewabic and silver tile or relax in the hot tub.
An architectural showpiece of handcrafted glass, marble, granite and mahogany has hosted United States Presidents.
Kathy Lyons
SKBK Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty skbk.com
Birmingham, Michigan
248.644.7000 Equal Housing Opportunity
Shelby Township $1,200,000 Exquisite custom built luxury home with amazing European appointments that include a fireplace lit private sitting area in the master bedroom. Outdoor patio with built-in grill, a beautifully finished daylight basement with a full service kitchen, bar style seating and wine cellar just adjacent to the state-of-theart 14 seat movie theatre. Four bedrooms with 5.2 baths. 210044307 Presented by Avery Weisling
Bloomfield $1,199,000 Built by Unis/Deneweth with a growing family in mind, this home is ideal for everyday living and entertaining. Open floor plan with generous room sizes, detailed moldings, hardwood floors, dual staircase and first floor laundry. Lower level retreat complete with great room, second kitchen, exercise room and more. Five bedrooms with 5.2 baths. 210037375 Presented by Jenny Turner
SKBK Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty skbk.com Equal Housing Opportunity
Birmingham, Michigan
248.644.7000
Northville Township
Franklin Village
Birmingham
A private gem nestled on two acres. Beautifully designed center entrance Colonial complete with all imported hardwoods. Four bedrooms, 4.3 baths. Lower Level is a second home with theater area. 29145714 $1,899,000. Joanne McGuire
Part of the Albert Kahn Estate backing to the Franklin River. Finished walk-out and day light windows. Ten and twelve foot ceilings, hardwoods, year round sun room, generator. Four bedrooms with 3.2 baths. 210042901 $1,150,000. Kay Hartwell
Sophistication and style describes this gorgeous in-town residence. Gourmet kitchen, dining area opening to family room with double French doors. Spacious master suite. Three bedrooms and 2.2 baths. 210004479 $950,000. Jill Beshouri
Metamora
Birmingham
Birmingham
Historic country house remodeled with the finest materials. Three bedrooms, 2.1 baths, kitchen with granite. Twenty beautiful landscaped acres. Historic barn, pole barn, 4 car detached garage and heated workshop. 29117304 $879,000. David Busch
Georgian Colonial with hardwood throughout first floor, open kitchen with top of the line appliances, library, two fireplaces, large master suite with his/hers walk-ins. Finished lower level with full bath. Studio over garage. 210026078 $849,000. Chuck Foster
Professionally decorated & perfectly appointed with custom high end finishes. Five bedrooms, 4.5 baths. Second floor laundry, huge pantry and generous rooms sizes. Finished lower level. 210037015 $575,000. Sara Lipnitz
Detroit
East China Township
Birmingham
Historic Indian Village “Ford Honeymoon Cottage”. Edsel B and Eleanor Ford lived here and named it as such. Leonard Willeke later redesigned the home. Six bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 210040986 $499,000. Donna Barlow
Gorgeous views of the river. Premium interior finishes, recessed lighting and oak floors. Stunning master suite with gorgeous bath and huge WIC. Finished walkout LL. Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 210044991 $398,500. Jim Casey
Sophisticated in-town all brick home with extensive updating. New travertine bath. Custom stainless fireplace surround. Skylight fills the home with natural light. Two masters one up and one down. 210044038 $375,000. Maureen Francis
Troy
Bloomfield
Waterford
Lakefront living at its finest in Emerald Lake Village on Emerald Lake. Large updated Colonial on private cul de sac. Beautiful hardwood floors on first floor. Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 210039791 $369,000. Donna Barlow
Traditional Bloomfield Village center entrance Colonial on deep lot. Large room sizes and ample storage. Sunny eat in kitchen with bay window. Newer master bath. Four bedrooms with 2.2 baths. 210044122 $355,000. Maureen Francis
Exceptional 62 foot frontage on bay with access to Otter and Sylvan Lake. Beautifully renovated home. Deck off master bedroom on deep 200 foot lot. Three bedrooms with 1.1 baths. 210043810 $299,000. Karen Atchoo
SKBK Sotheby’s International Realty skbk.com
Birmingham, Michigan
248.644.7000 Equal Housing Opportunity
■ municipal Township staff to run background checks on solicitors
The Woodward PUD agreement gets city’s OK
By Brooke Meier
By Lisa Brody
Bloomfield Township is considering a change in its solicitation ordinance to allow township employees to conduct background checks, at the cost of the applicant, when solicitors apply for a solicitation license at the Township Hall. The ordinance amendment was introduced at the April 12 Board of Trustees meeting. The amendment was expected to be taken up for a final vote at the board’s meeting on Monday, April 26, after press time. “This is really a continuation of what we did two years ago, when we required solicitors to wear ID cards at all times,” said Township Clerk Jan Roncelli. “What we were finding was that when people would come in to apply, they were not always telling us the truth about whether they had a felony or misdemeanor (violation) in the past. Oftentimes, they would leave out information and we would find out about it from one of their colleagues.” The the proposed amendment states the following must accompany an application to solicit in the township: “A statement as to whether or not the applicant has been convicted of any felony, misdemeanor or violation of any municipal ordinance, the nature of the offense and the punishment or penalty assessed therefore. This statement shall be accompanied by a release allowing the township, including the township police department, to access the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT).” Roncelli said ICHAT will allow township employees to conduct a background check, ensuring the applicants have a clean criminal history before being granted permission to go door-to-door in the township. “We have had some very unseemly people applying for solicitation licenses lately,” she said. “This just gives us some better control over who is soliciting on our streets.” In addition to amending the ordinance, the township board is expected to vote on a resolution requiring applicants to pay an administrative fee to the township for the ICHAT use and a license. The processing fee would be $35 per person, and would be paid at the time the solicitor applies for a license. “This will cover the cost of the survey and the time it will take employees to perform the procedure,” Roncelli said. Township attorney Bill Hampton said under previous Supreme Court decisions, the township can’t regulate religious or political solicitation.
The Bloomfield Hills City Commission has approved a planned unit development (PUD) agreement for The Woodward, a senior housing development planned for 41150 Woodward Avenue, just south of Roeper School. The commission voted 4-1 on Tuesday, April 13 to approve the agreement. Mayor Pro Tem Michael McCready voted against the agreement. The commission had previously turned down a proposed PUD agreement for The Woodward project, to be developed by Michael Damone of The Damone Group in Troy, because it felt the time line proposed was outside the parameters the city has set for PUDs. Damone had originally requested a five-year time frame before he would begin construction on the project, which he proposed to be multi-phased. The Woodward is a large project, with a density of 184 units on 7 acres. “This is a senior development where people can age in place,” Damone said. “There will be 104 apartments for independent living, 46 assisted living apartments that they can move into when they need more assistance, 20 skilled nursing beds, and 24 memory care beds.” The project will be developed under a PUD ordinance, which allows developers some flexibility when it comes to zoning requirements. City attorney Bill Hampton worked with Damone’s attorney to craft an agreement under which Damone will comply with the PUD ordinance by beginning construction within 24 months; no property development work will be done before construction begins; Damone must provide Hampton with financing documents before any permits are issued, in order to prove that he has financing lined up; and that if Damone sells the property, the PUD agreement is terminated. Damone said he has been making non-refundable payments on the property to the current owner every six months, and has paid for 20 percent of the property. “This is not a financially-feasible project,” McCready said. “I believe Mr. Damone should reapply when it’s a financially-feasible project.” Commissioner Michael Zambricki went through the agreement with Damone and his attorney to fine tune the provisions, and said he was satisfied with the details, before voting with the majority. ■
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Baldwin library budget 2010-11 plan based on millage hike By Lisa Brody The Baldwin Public Library’s proposed budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year would close the gap between the library’s expenses and revenues. The budget would still rely on dipping into the library’s fund balance for $210,000 in order to make ends meet. Baldwin Library Director Doug Koschik, who took over management of the library in January, said he is examining all aspects of the library’s operations to cut costs and raise new revenue. Revenue for the 2010-11 fiscal year is projected at $2.83 million. The library’s revenue for the current fiscal year is expected to be $2.87 million. Expenditures for the 2010-11 fiscal year are proposed at $3.05 million. Expenditures for the current fiscal year are budgeted at $3.43 million. “We are still grappling with costs,” Koschik said. “We have tried to increase revenue by raising certain patron fees, such as for the new releases for books and DVDs, increasing fines for overdue books and fees for photocopying and computer prints, as well as trying to decrease expenditures. We are reviewing subscriptions. Our staff will go from 21 full-time staffers to 19. They will take nine unpaid fur-
Such solicitation would be exempt from the amended ordinance. A solicitor is defined in the ordinance as a person who solicits when traveling either by foot, wagon, automobile, motor truck, or other means of conveyance from place to place, from house to house or from street to street; and a person who
lough days, when the library will be closed, which will cause staffers to see a 5 to 10 percent decrease in their take home pay. They will see cuts to their health care benefits, with higher contributions on their part and greater deductibles. They will also have to pay for their parking.” “The Finance Committee hasn’t left a single stone unturned,” said Baldwin Library Board of Directors Chairwoman Ann Conigliaro. Koschik said the library will be asking the city to raise the library’s millage from 1 mill to 1.1 mills. He said he has been led to believe the City Commission wouldn’t be opposed to the increase. “Under the Headlee Amendment, the library currently has a legal cap of 1.46 mills for its operation,” Koschik said. “This increase will actually bring in about the same amount that 1 mill brought in last year because of the decrease in property values.” A mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value, which is generally equal to half the property’s market value. The budget was expected to be considered for final approval by the Birmingham City Commission during a special session slated for Saturday, April 24, after press time. ■
hires, leases, uses or occupied any building, structure, hotel, room, shop or any other place for the sole purpose of exhibiting samples or soliciting material and taking orders for future delivery. The word solicitor shall include, but not be limited to, the words canvassers, peddler, and hawker. ■
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■ municipal New water, sewer charges granted local approval By Brooke Meier Despite displeasure over passthrough costs from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department and the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office, the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees has approved new water and sewer rates for 2010-11. “The pass-through costs, unfortunately, aren’t something we can control,” said township Treasurer Dan Devine. “We’ve continually held our costs for our residents and that will show in the new billing for residents.” Customers’ new water and sewer bills will include a breakdown indicating component charges making up the overall bill. Customers will also be able to track bills online and see how the rates have changed over a period of time. As for the pass-through costs, Devine said Bloomfield Township, along with others affected by the new billing method, are brain-storming ways to combat rising costs. “Other municipalities share our concerns,” he said. “We want to make sure what our residents are being charged is fair, based on the methodology, and make sure our residents aren’t bearing the brunt of the costs for the system. We want the charges to be fair to all consumers.” For decades, Bloomfield Township — and many other municipalities — have operated combined sewer and storm water systems. Sewer charges have been based on the volume of water used, not on the amount of sewage and storm water flowing through the combined systems and eventually into a wastewater treatment plant, because there was no way to measure the amount of storm water flowing through the systems. Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner John McCulloch — whose office has jurisdiction over the Evergreen/Farmington Sewage Disposal System that serves the township — has introduced a new sewer billing system based on total sewage and storm water flow, resulting in an increase in costs for the township and other affected municipalities. With new technology now available, McCulloch’s office can now accurately measure the flow of sewage and storm water entering the combined systems. “These new meters are much more accurate, and because they are 60
Medical marijuana Zoning for dispensaries in works By Brooke Meier A 120-day moratorium on allowing medical marijuana dispensaries to open up in Bloomfield Township was unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees on April 12. The moratorium will give township planners and officials time to study areas within the township where medical marijuana facilities might be permissible. At the end of the 120 days, it’s expected that the township will have a final zoning ordinance amendment ready for approval that specifically outlines areas within the township where medical marijuana can be legally grown and sold. Township Supervisor Dave Payne said the ordinance is necessary to help regulate legal marijuana within the township and guide law enforcement efforts in combating any illegal drug activity. “I know our police department has had some confusion with one residence where a person is certified to grow and dispense legal, medical marijuana,” he said. “We want to try and keep dispensaries from popping up in residential areas like this one.” As part of the moratorium, an appeals board was put in place to allow medical marijuana business-
much more accurate, some communities, like Birmingham and Bloomfield Township, are being charged more — that increase is more accurately reflecting the flow they are putting into the pipe,” McCulloch said. “Prior to meterbased billing, it was based on water usage. Birmingham, for example, has been under-billed while neighboring communities were picking up the slack.” The new water and sewer rates will take effect on July 1, 2010. According to Thomas Trice, the township’s director of public works, the variable water rate charged per 1,000 gallons of water used will increase 6.7 percent to $4.43, up 28 cents from the current rate of $4.15. A fixed-rate component of $11.50 per quarter will be applied to every property that has a connection to the township’s water system, regardless of whether the customer uses any water. The fixed-rate com-
es to make their case and possibly receive approval to do business in the township while officials draft the ordinance. Payne said the board doesn’t want to be exclusionary, like some other municipalities, when it comes to medical marijuana. “We understand voters overwhelming approved legalizing medical marijuana,” he said. “This is strictly a land use issue. We want to make sure medical marijuana facilities are located in areas away from residences, schools, and churches, for example.” At the meeting, Payne informed the board that officials are currently discussing limiting all medical marijuana facilities to operation a research park district off Franklin Road, north of Square Lake Road. Prior to any zoning amendments being approved by the township board, a board study session will be held to discuss the matter, a draft will be presented to the Planning Commission for discussion, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and then give its recommendation for either approval or denial, and then the amendment will be presented to the township board for approval. This is expected to take place during the 120day moratorium. ■
ponent is included due to a change in Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) billing methodology. “Since we have approximately 600 water customers that are billed monthly, the fixed component quarterly rate will be broken down to $3.85 a month. Overall, this is a 14.5 percent increase, passing along only the DWSD charge,” Trice said. The new sewer rate is based on the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office new billing methodology, and is an increase in sewer flow charges of 21 percent, according to Trice. Effective July 1, 2010, the new rate, plus the flow increase, will result in a 21.79 percent increase in sewer rates. “The sewer rate has increased approximately 10 percent from DWSD to the (Water Resources Commissioner’s Office), and that rate is passed along by the (county office) to its customers,” Trice said.
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“The new rate for sewer collection/disposal is $4.75 per 1,000 gallons of water used, an increase from $3.90 in 2009.” The total rate for water and sewer service will be $9.18 per 1,000 gallons of water used, plus a fixed rate of $11.50 for water per quarter — equating to a total increase of 17.9 percent. ■
Kenning Park planning initiative will be revisited By Lisa Brody The Birmingham City Commission has withheld action to award a consulting contract to perform boundary, topographic and tree survey work for a Kenning Park Master Plan. The commission declined to adopt a resolution to award such a contract during its April 12 meeting. Kenning Park is located at the corner of Lincoln and Eton roads. It currently is a “pocket” park, according to Birmingham Parks and Recreation Director Bob Fox, because it’s an undeveloped, grassy site. Last spring, city officials began to discuss developing a master plan for Kenning Park, after representatives of the Birmingham Little League and Brother Rice High School baseball programs stated they could come up with $1 million, plus money for a sinking fund for replacement fees, in order to construct fields for baseball games. Each program currently plays their home games at St. James Park at Lincoln and Grant streets, near the YMCA. “No action was taken because we didn’t receive a letter from Brother Rice indicating they were committing to Kenning Park,” said Birmingham City Manager Tom Markus. “At this point, we don’t know how committed they are to this project.” Markus noted that the YMCA’s plans to update and redevelop St. James Park have stalled. There currently is a usable baseball diamond at that park. “That may have caused a relaxation of the process (of committing money towards Kenning Park),” Markus said. “Brother Rice currently plays there, and potentially could stay there for a while without any improvements” at St. James Park. “At this point in time, we don’t have any funds for the the project, other than what Brother Rice had been offering,” Markus said. “We don’t want to create the illusion that the park could be created without private funding.” Markus added that while the City Commission has the capacity to issue more park bonds, “there is no appetite to do so right now in light of today’s economy.” Markus said he expects city officials to revisit the park master plan issue in the future. ■ MAY 2010
■ municipal Township board adopts budget for 2010-11 fiscal year By Brooke Meier The Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees has approved a nearly $40million 2010-11 budget for the the fiscal year beginning on April 1, 2010. The township board voted Monday, March 22 to adopt the budget, which includes over $4 million in revenue from a recently approved 1.3-mill operating millage increase. The 10-year millage will be levied for the first time in December, and will generate approximately $4.4 million in property tax revenue in its first collection year. A mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value, which is generally equal to half the property’s market value. Some residents attending the township board’s March 22 meeting opposed the budget, stating the township hasn’t cut deep enough. Treasurer Dan Devine said he and other board members are confident that the budget is sound, and will get the township through the 201011 fiscal year. Despite claims from some residents that the township isn’t looking to consolidate services, Supervisor Dave Payne said Bloomfield Township has presented a proposed public safety services and dispatching consolidation plan to Birmingham officials for consideration. In addition, the township is looking at the possibility of consolidating dispatching services with Bloomfield Hills. “Consolidation of services is something we are always looking at, and will continue to discuss with our neighboring communities; however, we can’t force others to consolidate with us,” Devine said. “All we can do is continue to present mutuallyfavorable proposals.” Devine said the township will also continue to downsize personnel through retirements, and cross train employees so the township can do more with less. Under the approved budget for 2010-11, revenues are estimated at $39.51 million, and expenditures are set at $37.98 million, leaving an excess of $1.28 million in revenues. The largest revenue sources will be property taxes and state shared revenue, at $31.41 million and $2.7 million, respectively. The largest expenditures are public safety at $23.47 million and general fund expenses at $9.58 million. General fund expenses include $1.03 million in township building and grounds expenses, up from $1 million in 2009-10; and $973,000 in central motor pool expenses, down from $1 million. ■ www.oaklandpaper.com
John Ghafari plans to spend nearly $3 million to redevelop his Mobil gasoline station as a 24-hour, two-story convenience store with an attached drive-through Tim Horton's franchise. The gas station portion of the project will include six two-sided gas pumps.
Mobil station redevelopment a go Commissioners split on special use permit amendment By Lisa Brody
T
he Birmingham City Commission voted 4-3 on Monday, April 12 to approve a special land use permit amendment for a proposed redevelopment of the Mobil gas station at the intersection of Woodward Avenue, Oak Street, and Old Woodward, following a public hearing on the issue. Mayor Pro Tem Gordon Rinschler and Commissioners Mark Nickita, Tom McDaniels, and George Dilgard voted in favor of the permit. Mayor Rackeline Hoff and Commissioners Scott Moore and Stuart Sherman opposed the planned sale of packaged beer and wine at the redeveloped gas station site, and voted against the permit amendment. The site is expected to be redeveloped with a twostory convenience store selling packaged beer and wine, which will be open 24 hours a day; as well as having an attached drive-through Tim Horton’s franchise. Owner John Ghafari said he plans to spend close to $3 million on the project. Jana Ecker, Birmingham’s planning director, said a drive-through is permitted under the special land use permit. She noted that the gas station is currently a 24-hour establishment, and that all of the proposed site changes, which have come before the Planning Commission seven times, have been worked on with city staff. The new gas station will be a completely new building, with a larger convenience store, restrooms open to the public 24 hours a day, screened dumpsters on the north side of the building, six two-sided gas pumps, and trees planted along Old Woodward, Oak, and Woodward. Canopy trees will also be added at the site. Sidewalks will provide pedestrian access to the convenience store and the Tim Horton’s. Mechanicals will be hidden on the building’s roof. In keeping with the look of the 2016 Birmingham Master Plan standards, there will be benches and trash receptacles placed on the property. Two-story glass storefront windows will be on three sides of the building — the side facing the adjacent residential neighborhood won’t feature those windows. Site lighting will be reduced, based on neighboring residents’ requests, with six downward fixtures on the north and south elevations, and three on light poles at the east and west ends. The building is designed to have a tan and beige brick exterior. There will be a small dining area inside the Tim Horton’s, featuring two tables, each with two chairs. Only one sign, at the corner of Woodward and Oak, will have the Mobil and Tim Horton’s logo as part of the building’s awnings.
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Approximately 50 residents on both sides of the project came out for the public hearing, which at many times became contentious. Many residents said they were concerned about having a fast-food establishment at the northern gateway to Birmingham, a gas station at that property, a 24-hour store at the site, the noise and odors that could come from the property, a convenience store selling packaged beer and wine while also selling gas, and drinking and driving. James Nordlie, a 60-year resident of Birmingham, asked commissioners whether the rights of an entrepreneur were more important than the rights of the community. Diane Kovalevsky told commissioners, “I am concerned about crime and safety, and I feel betrayed as a homeowner that you are more interested in business needs.” Gary Howell asked how the project would affect the character of Birmingham. “It’s still a drive-through Tim Horton’s,” he said. “It’s not just the gateway to Birmingham. It’s also the gateway to some of Birmingham’s nicest neighborhoods.” However, Michael Stein, who lives close to the site, said, “I think the city has well-protected the city and the residents. What’s proposed is a significant improvement over what’s there. I support someone who is willing to step up and invest in Birmingham and its future.” Pat Ribiat said she is strongly in favor of changes at the site. “The gas station was there before anyone bought here,” Ribiat said. “The noise isn’t because it’s a gas station — it’s because they’re on Woodward.” “We do care about the citizens,” Hoff said after hearing public comments on the project. “We do care about businesses. We are trying for a balance.” Rinschler concurred. “Our mission is to administer in a fair and balanced way, not to measure by popularity,” he said. “The gas station was there in the first place. There’s an abandoned gas station across the street that isn’t wellmaintained.” A concern among commissioners regarded alcohol sales. When commissioners asked Ghafari if he would decline to get a packaged liquor license, he explained that he will be investing close to $3 million in the renovations and he needs the added revenue that beer and wine sales will provide him. Hoff, Sherman, and Moore made it clear that was the only reason they voted against the special land use permit amendment. ■
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■ municipal Commissioners mulling trial period for garage sales By Lisa Brody Bloomfield Hills officials continue to reconsider a city ordinance prohibiting garage sales, after a middle school student recently came before the City Commission to ask for changes so she can hold a garage sale to raise money for the Michigan Humane Society. Katie Baxter, 11, an East Hills Middle School student, wrote Mayor David Kellett and the City Commission to request a change in the ordinance preventing residents from holding garage sales on their property. On Tuesday, April 13, the commission authorized a three-month trial period for garage sales, pending receipt of additional staff information and recommendations. "We allow for estate sales, especially if a company has a good history with the city," said City Manager Jay Cravens. "They have to get a permit, and give a general list of what they are selling, like 'armoires,' 'paintings,' etc. They have to give an indication of where people will be parking, and how the traffic will be controlled. They have to give us a parking layout. People have to be invited by invitation (to the estate sale), and the parking layout is usually in the invitation. If some people come at the last minute and park on a busy road, they will be ticketed." At the March City Commission meeting, members directed staff to investigate neighboring communities' ordinances governing garage sales. Cravens reported that Birmingham allows garage sales for no charge. A residence can have no more than two garage sales a year, for no more than three consecutive days. Bloomfield Township doesn't require a permit for garage sales, but does have certain requirements regarding signs. In addition, only products from the house may be sold at a garage sale. Troy has no language in its codes regarding garage sales, other than a homeowner can have no more than three a year, for no longer than four consecutive days. Commissioner John Utley said it would be a good idea to first see how garage sales would work in the city before formally changing the existing ordinance. Commissioner
Look for online election night coverage on May 4 With four candidates seeking a pair of two-year terms on the
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Mike Zambricki suggested suspending the existing ordinance for a weekend to try it out. Kellett and Commissioner Pat Hardy said a three-month time frame — June, July, and August — would be ideal, and then the commission could come back and revisit garage sales to see how they had worked out. "I think we need at least three months. Word would have to get out to residents that we are doing this," Hardy said. Sarah McClure, a resident running for an open commission seat, said that some of the residents she has spoken with aren't in favor of garage sales in the city. "One weekend wouldn't work, but three months is too long. I think we need more clarification on signs and other details," she said. "I would like staff to come up with rules of the road to give out to participants, and to come back in May with them," Cravens said. Hardy then addressed Baxter. "I want to applaud you for attempting to change something you did not agree with. We hope as you grow older, you never lose the courage of your convictions," she said. ■
Repaving work planned along Exeter, Andover By Brooke Meier Bloomfield Township will participate in the 2010 Tri-party road improvement program through Oakland County. The township board has voted in favor of participating in the program for another year, with $264,568 allocated for repaving Exeter Road between Telegraph and Andover roads, and repaving a portion of Andover Road south of Exeter Road to Copperwood Drive. The township’s share of the Triparty projects’ costs is $88,481. The projects are slated to begin this summer. The Tri-party program has been in effect since 1989. Under the program, the county general government, road commission and participating local governments annually allocate funds in equal amounts for modest local road projects. Money is allocated to participating communiBloomfield Hills City Commission during the city's Tuesday, May 4 election, The Paper's News Department staff will be working on election night to provide online coverage through the evening. Go to The Paper website at
ties based on road mileage and the number of accidents occurring annually in the municipality. Wayne Domine, engineering and environmental director for the township, said Bloomfield Township has been a long-time participant in the county’s Tri-party program. “We’ve been successful in securing Tri-party funds for several road projects that would, normally, not be a priority for the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC),” he said. Most recently, the township used Tri-party funds to reconstruct Cranbrook Road and resurface Wabeek Lake Road. “We’re glad the county was able to include the program in the 2010 fiscal year,” Domine said. “While the funds aren’t a lot, when compared to other road projects, the funds allocated this year will allow us to finish up our campus improvement.” ■
Nearly $500,000 appropriated for parking deck work Birmingham City Commissioners voted unanimously in late March to spend nearly $500,000 on restoration work at the North Old Woodward parking structure. “The parking structures are highly vulnerable to deterioration,” said Birmingham City Manager Tom Markus. “The contractors go through each floor, check all of the joints, and often have to jack hammer pieces out and replace them.” “This is routine maintenance. We go into one of our parking structures each year to do concrete repairs and put a water-proofing layer on,” said Birmingham Engineering Director Paul O’Meara. The North Old Woodward parking structure is Birmingham’s oldest. It was built in 1966, and provides 745 parking spaces. O’Meara noted that the garage will remain open during the entire construction period, although up to two floors at a time may be closed due to work. The restoration work is considered preventative maintenance, and is primarily corrective. “We try to stay on top of those issues, and prevent any serious problems,” Markus said. ■ www.oaklandpaper.com beginning around 8 p.m. on May 4 for election night posts, including observations and anecdotes; comments from city officials and the candidates; and, of course, unofficial election results after all the ballots have been counted.
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Township selects firm for energy efficiency audit By Brooke Meier The Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees has awarded a contract to Spalding Dedecker and Associates, Inc. and the firm’s building envelope consultant, Avrie Group, Inc., to conduct an energy efficiencies audit on township buildings. The cost of the audit and retrofit program will be covered by funds the township received through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In total, the township applied for and received $169,500 from the federal Department of Energy. Meghan Bonfiglio, the township’s public works manager, said Phase I will involve a comprehensive energy audit with a cost/benefit analysis. Phase II, if pursued, would involve implementation of as many of the recommended building retrofits as the federal funding allows. “We received bids for Phase I from 16 different companies,” Bonfiglio said. “We recommended Spalding because they offered the most for the cost.” The bids were reviewed based upon the qualifications of the firms, the approach presented, and previous work in the field. Spalding Dedecker bid $47,895 for Phase I of the project. The bid amount is a “cost not to exceed” figure. “The scope of work will include interior and exterior building evaluation, utility cost analysis, heating and cooling system evaluation, and comprehensive cost/benefit analysis,” Bonfiglio said. “The township has worked with (Spalding Dedecker) in the past, and we are confident in their ability to preform well on this project. We have also met with the project management team to outline the township’s expectations, should they be awarded the contract.” Prior to seeking bids on the second phase of the project, Bonfiglio said, the township will evaluate the audit to determine if there is any need to retrofit buildings. If there is, then the township will seek bids on the retrofit projects. Costs aren’t expected to exceed the total amount given to the township in federal funds. ■ Our staff will regularly and frequently post new information on the website as it becomes available during the course of the evening, so be sure to visit the website early and check back periodically for fresh posts. ■
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■ education School board in talks to make Glass superintendent
munications and community relations for Bloomfield Hills Schools, said the school board wants to move promptly to negotiate a salary and benefits with Glass. ■
By Brooke Meier
Bloomfield Hills still mulling closure of a high school
Robert J. Glass, a Bloomfield Township resident, has been unanimously selected by the Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education to receive an offer to fill the district superintendent position being vacated by Steven Gaynor in June. “Our board believes that Mr. Glass will very capably fulfill the wishes of our community as its next superintendent,” said school board President Martin Brook. “We are pleased to have achieved consensus to take the next steps with such a highly qualified and respected professional educator, and sincerely thank each of our applicants for their interest in Bloomfield Hills Schools.” Glass was one of two finalists selected to participate in the final round of interviews held earlier this week. Both Glass and Michael Simeck, the other finalist, were asked to meet with community members and answer questions during their second interview, which took place over the span of two days, with each candidate getting an opportunity to impress the Bloomfield Hills Schools community. Following the community events on Monday, April 12, and Tuesday, April 13, the Board of Education held a special meeting, with all members attending, and voted in favor of selecting Glass as Gaynor’s successor. Glass is currently superintendent in the Dexter Community School District, where he has served for nearly two years. Prior to his position in Dexter, Glass was executive director of instruction for Birmingham Public Schools and principal at Quarton Elementary School in Birmingham. He is currently working to complete his Ph.D. in educational leadership at Oakland University. He has master’s degrees in educational administration from Central Michigan University and teaching from Wayne State University. He also has a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from Michigan State University. Glass and Simeck were among four candidates presented to the school board in March by School Exec Connect, a search firm hired by the district, based upon a profile the firm developed. The profile, based on input provided by community focus groups and an online survey, called for the new superintendent to be a collaborative consensus builder with excellent communication and listening skills who can build community trust; to possess decisiveness and resiliency; to provide visionary educational leadership, strategic thinking, fiscal management skills, and unquestionable integrity. Betsy Erickson, director of comwww.oaklandpaper.com
On Thursday, April 22, the Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education directed the administration to further develop a plan for one comprehensive high school with additional community input. The district has two high schools, Lahser and Andover. It became clear at the meeting the district will move ahead with plans that detail the possibilities for a single high school. Betsy Erickson, director of communications and community relations, said the board asked that the plan address site, facility, methods to resolve traffic concerns, and costs to confirm how the plan supports the district’s core mission and values, and improves instructional space. “The resolution also says that the transition and implementation will not begin before fall 2011,” she said. In 2008, the Bloomfield Hills Schools community developed a 2018 Strategic Plan that suggests the district should prepare for one high school in the future. ■
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■ county Most incumbent commissioners filed for re-election By Lisa Brody The filing deadline isn’t until May 4 at 4 p.m., but most of the local Oakland County commissioners have filed to run for re-election in the Nov. 2, 2010 general election. Commissioners will earn $32,055 in 2011, 5 percent less than they are earning in 2010. Current commissioners voted to decrease the pay for future commissioners to keep pay in line with the rest of the county’s employees, who will have a 5 percent salary reduction in 2011 from 2009’s salary. In the 16th District (Bloomfield Township), Democrat Kathy Hagopia, a retailer (but not part of the Hagopian carpet merchants), is throwing her hat in the ring against incumbent Shelley Goodman Taub, a Republican. Taub is a former state representative who was a county commissioner before serving in Lansing. Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bill Bullard Jr. (R-Highland), said Taub is “hard working.” “As a small business owner, I believe I can bring needed experience and a fresh perspective on how we can create jobs and help grow our local economy,” Hagopian said. The 17th District (Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills) is currently represented by Commissioner Marcia Gershenson, a Democrat who has filed to run for re-election. At this time, no other candidate has filed to run against her. Commissioner David Potts, representing the 20th District (Birmingham, Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills) has also filed for re-election, and is currently unopposed. No candidate has filed to seek the county’s 13th District seat, representing portions of Bloomfield Township locally. The seat is currently held by Commissioner Robert Gosselin, a Republican. ■
Patterson rescinds pledge to sue over state smoking ban By Lisa Brody Angry over what he characterized as a massive unfunded mandate forced upon the county, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson announced on Thursday, April 15 that he would sue the state to block a public workplace, bar, and restaurant smoking ban set to take effect on May 1, only to recant later. By 3 p.m. that afternoon, Patterson had rescinded his threat after his office was deluged with “200 to 300” calls opposing his planned lawsuit. www.oaklandpaper.com
Cobo study planned Assessment of project needs pending
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he Detroit Regional Convention Center Authority is expected to hire a consulting firm to assess the need for renovation and expansion of the Cobo Center facility in Detroit. Staff in interim Convention Center Authority CEO Walt Watkins’ office confirmed the authority will hire a consultant to study Cobo Center renovation and expansion. Watkins didn’t return calls for direct comment prior to press time. Last summer, after years of negotiations and occasional periods of bickering, state and southeast Michigan officials reached an agreement on a plan to renovate and expand Detroit’s Cobo Center, and lease the facility to a new regional authority to oversee operations for the next 30 years. The regional convention center authority board includes representatives of Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties and the city of Detroit. Legislation enacted last year called for a 30-year Cobo lease agreement between Detroit and a five-member regional authority. The city will receive $20 million as a lease payment, as opposed getting that sum for selling Cobo Center to the authority. Revenue from extended regional liquor and hotel taxes will be used to pay for expansion and renovation projects.
“The public thought I was against the smoking ban,” he said. “It wasn’t that. I agree with the smoking ban. It’s just that when the Legislature gives you a burden, they are required by the Constitution to fund it. We have no money to fund (enforcement of the pending smoking ban).” Patterson proposed suing the state because the Legislature enacted House Bill (HB) 4377, which will prohibit smoking in public workplaces, including bars and restaurants throughout Michigan on May 1, without providing funding to enforce the ban. Michigan becomes the 38th state to ban smoking in public places. An exemption will allow smoking on casino gaming floors and in smoke shops, cigar bars, home offices, and vehicles. “This is very important legislation that we all need to support,” said County Commissioner Marcia Gershenson (D-West Bloomfield).
The bills also require the regional authority to give hiring and contract preferences under various Cobo operational contracts to those living or doing business within the tri-county region, as opposed to just the city of Detroit, which had been Detroit officials’ desire and a major sticking point for some suburban officials. Cobo Center was expected to benefit from a $288-million expansion and renovation project under the compromise. Construction was expected to add 166,000 feet to Cobo Hall; 24,000 square feet to Wayne Hall; and transform Cobo Arena, which holds about 12,000 seats, into exhibition space. The convention center authority authorized $3 million in Cobo Center renovations prior to the 2010 North American International Auto Show in January. Organizers and promoters of the annual auto show have stated that unless Cobo Center is renovated and expanded, auto manufacturers will pull out of the auto show, which could lead to moving the event to another venue, probably in New York, Los Angeles or Chicago. The authority reportedly wants to hire a firm to look into Cobo Center renovations and expansion before authorizing such work. ■ By and large, it will be up to individual workplaces and food-service establishments to enforce the smoking ban. Ashtrays will no longer be permitted; and owners, waiters, waitresses and bartenders will need to ask patrons who smoke in their establishments after April 30 to step outside. While police can be called if there are problems with individuals who don’t comply with the new law, it’s ultimately up to county health inspectors to make sure that restaurants, bars, and other workplaces are following the specifications of the law. There are 4,600 restaurants in Oakland County. “Under the Headlee Amendment, the state Constitution says that the state must pay local governments for state-imposed mandates,” said Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bill Bullard Jr. (R-Highland). “That, the state of Michigan didn’t do.” “Each and everyone of us who struggle with budgets are frustrated
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that we have more to do with less money,” said Oakland County Commissioner Shelley Taub (ROrchard Lake). ■
County board agrees to expand use of E-Verify By Lisa Brody The Oakland County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Thursday, March 25 to approve a memorandum of understanding outlining Oakland County’s participation in the federal E-Verify Program during all future Oakland County employee hiring. E-Verify is a federal program that is available to any employer. It’s a free Internet-based system that is used to verify that prospective employees are legally documented workers. Its intent is to prevent illegal workers from gaining employment. Oakland County has been using the E-Verify system to check the backgrounds of all contractors and their employees who provide work for Oakland County. With the memorandum of understanding adopted last week, the county will use the program to check the employment eligibility of any employee directly hired by the county. With E-Verify, a candidate for employment must first be hired based on their qualifications. Then their data is inputted into the EVerify system for screening. “I support the E-Verify program for new county employees,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Bill Bullard Jr. (R-Highland). “Do I think it will catch illegal workers? No. It will just discourage them from applying.” “We’re following the same rules we require from those we hire to perform outside work for the county,” said Commissioner Sue Ann Douglas (R-Rochester), chairwoman of the Board of Commissioner’s Human Resources Committee. “It will now be expanded from outside contractors to direct employees of the county.” According to county paperwork, it will take approximately 15 minutes to run each job applicant through the E-Verify system and verify their eligibility status. The start-up cost to the Human Resources Department, which includes research, staff training, administration, clerical, and processing of new hires, is $6,245. The annual cost in fiscal year 2010 to Oakland County’s Human Resources Department to use the EVerify system is $2,200. “The system is not 100 percent perfect, because some of the Social Security data is not good, but it’s still 90 percent good, which is pretty good,” Douglas said. “It sends a good message throughout the county, as well.” ■ 67
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■ state Requirement to file wastewater reports may be eliminated By Brooke Meier Businesses that discharge wastewater into any waters of the state or to any sewer system would no longer have to file an annual report on such discharges, under a bill recently introduced in the state Senate. Michigan’s current Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Public Act (PA) 451 of 1994, states the annual reports must include the nature of the business, and the quantities of materials used in and incidental to its manufacturing processes. The reports must list the business’ production of all by-products and waste products that appear on a register of critical materials compiled by the state Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE). In addition, the reports must cite the annual total gallons of wastewater, including, but not limited to, process and cooling water, discharged into the waters of the state or to any sewer system. Senate Bill (SB) 1247, introduced by Gerald Van Woerkom (R-Norton Shores), would repeal the section of PA 451 requiring the reports. “This bill is what is says it is,” said Cyndi Roper, a special projects director for Clean Water Action. “Why would it be proposed? All I can think is that maybe there are some people in the Legislature who don’t want the public to know about what’s released in sewage at wastewater treatment plants, and that they don’t believe that the public should have the right to know. They will continue to work to eliminate all funding for environmental quality so that we can’t have environmental cops on the beat. We’ve already lost 75 percent of the state’s funding for environmental protection, so maybe they are looking to go after the other 25 percent given statewide for environmental protection.” Roper said if the Legislature is looking to eliminate spending, then it makes sense to reduce the amount of public knowledge about things like clean water resources. “We are Clean Water Action,” she said. “We’ve been working for years to eliminate the amount of raw sewage and partially treated sewage that’s dumped into the state’s waterways — this is a huge step back.” Bob McCann, a spokesperson for the DNRE, said the department hasn’t had a chance to fully analyze the bill and hasn’t yet formed a position on the proposal. Steve Korth, an Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office manager, said the bill probably won’t affect the Water Resources Commissioner’s Office operations. www.oaklandpaper.com
Texting while driving Lawmakers OK primary offense status By Lisa Brody
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egislation approved recently by the Michigan Senate and House would make texting while driving a primary offense. House Bills (HBs) 4370 and 4394, first introduced in the state House of Representatives in September 2009, were amended by the Senate to make texting while driving a primary offense, and to create penalties for offenders. Violators would face fines of $100 for a first offense and $200 for a second or subsequent offense. The House has since amended the legislation to direct all fees raised from citations to the state’s general fund. The bill will now need to return to the Senate for concurrence. Gov. Jennifer Granholm has said she will sign the legislation when it hits her desk. The new law would then take effect July 1. Primary offense status would allow police officers to pull over and ticket motorists for texting violations without witnessing another violation of the state Motor Vehicle Code. The bills were originally introduced in the House to make texting while driving a secondary offense, meaning police could enforce the prohibition only when a driver had been detained for violating another section of the code. HB 4394 was introduced by
“After going over the bill we’ve determined this likely won’t apply to us,” he said. “It sounds like it’s more geared towards industrial operations, not our type of operations, so we can’t really form an opinion one way or another.” SB 1247 has been referred to the Senate Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee. ■
Bill would allow police to remove water hazards By Brooke Meier The state Senate has adopted legislation that allows any peace officer to remove or relocate, or order the relocation or removal of an item or material that presents a hazard to navigation on a lake. Under the legislation, if an anchored raft or other item or material — whether floating free or attached to the bottom of a lake or a shoreline — presents a hazard to
Rep. Gino Polidori (D-Dearborn) and Rep. Lee Gonzales (D-Flint) to prohibit any driver from reading, writing, or sending a text message on a wireless two-way communication device that is located in the person’s hand or lap while operating a motor vehicle that is moving on a highway or street. The use of global positional systems (GPS) and navigation systems affixed in vehicles would be exempt from the prohibition. State Rep. Chuck Moss (RBirmingham, Bloomfield) voted in favor of the legislation as originally introduced in the House, and as amended by the Senate. State Sen. John Pappageorge (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield), a cosponsor of Senate Bill (SB) 468, a similar measure, said he’s in favor of the bills. “It’s estimated that at least 1.6 million crashes every year are caused by drivers using cell phones and texting,” Pappageorge said. “We must act now to help ensure that drivers across Michigan put down their cell phones and keep their eyes on the road.” According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 80 percent of vehicle crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involve some form of driver inattention. The most common distraction is texting while driving. ■
navigation, the state Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) or a peace officer with jurisdiction over the body of water where the item or material is located could remove or relocate the item, or order its relocation or removal. In addition, the person who owns the item being removed or relocated would be liable to pay the actual costs of the relocation or removal. If they do not pay the costs within 30 days, a lien can be placed against the person’s property. Dan Eichinger, legislative liaison for the DNRE, said the department supports the legislation. “Currently state law doesn’t provide the authority for other peace officers to order the removal or relocation of items that present a waterway hazard,” he said. “This would give that power to other marine patrol departments, like the sheriff’s department, and help us in a time when we are understaffed.” According to a fiscal analysis on Senate Bill (SB) 1117, the bill would have an indeterminate impact on
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state and local government enforcement costs. “Costs would include removal, storage and disposal of items, and the success of cost recovery efforts against the person responsible for a navigational hazard,” according to Fiscal Analyst Bill Bowerman. The bill was passed unanimously in the Senate, with one Senator excused from voting. State Sen. John Pappageorge (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield) voted in favor of the legislation. The bill now awaits a hearing in the House Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Committee. ■
Bill consolidates House and Senate fiscal agencies By Lisa Brody New legislation has been adopted in the state House to amend the state’s Legislative Council Act to consolidate the Senate and House fiscal agencies. The act created a legislative service bureau to offer staff services to the Legislature and the council; provides funds; provides for the operation of legislative parking facilities; establishes fees; created the Michigan Commission on Uniform State Laws; authorizes the sale of access to certain computerized data bases; and prescribes the powers and duties of certain state agencies and departments. House Bill (HB) 6016, sponsored by state Rep. Terry Brown (DPigeon), seeks to create a non-partisan legislative fiscal agency which would be of service to the Legislature’s appropriations committees and all lawmakers. HB 6016 states that 60 days after the effective date of the new law, the director of the House Business Office, the director of the House Fiscal Agency, and the director of the Senate Fiscal Agency shall create, develop, and implement a business plan to consolidate and reorganize the House and Senate fiscal agencies into a legislative fiscal agency to assist both the state House and Senate. The new fiscal agency would be overseen by a governing board of six members of the state House and Senate, including the Senate majority and minority leaders; the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; the Speaker of the House of Representatives; the House minority leader; and the chair of the House Appropriations Committee. “I think it’s a great idea,” said Rep. Chuck Moss (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield). “We could streamline (agencies) and save money. It’s something to definitely look at.”■ 69
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■ snapshot
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ron rea chris longe
on Rea and Chris Longe, two esteemed Birmingham designers whose works can be seen throughout the community, attribute their efforts and enthusiasm for the city to their love of the area itself. "Birmingham has been my first and only home for 37 years," Rea said. "The community spirit, from the city right down to my next door neighbor, is just wonderful. It's a tight-knit group." "I've been a Birmingham resident for 27 years," Longe said. "I have remodeled and added on to my current home." Rea and Longe commingled their creativity and ingenuity into the redesign of Birmingham's Shain Park. Though they had known each other for 20 years, according to Longe, they rarely had the opportunity to put their innovative minds together. "Ron contributed the original park plan as the anonymous donor," Longe said. "That's where it initially all started." "Chris assisted and got involved with the Shain Park project because of his prowess and ability," Rea said. "I'm proud that the city made the move to do it, and I was able to assist in getting it approved and built." Both Rea and Longe went to Lawrence Technological University to study architecture. Rea eventually moved on to Wayne State University and earned his degree in industrial design. Similarly, Longe and Rea were both influenced by architecture and design at a very young age. "I knew since sixth-grade that I wanted to be an architect. The idea that
I could influence the environment was fascinating to me," Longe said. Rea began drawing sketches on his father's legal pads at the age of 12. "My gay uncle really influenced me," Rea said. "He was very flamboyant at a time when flamboyancy wasn't in vogue. He would redecorate a room every month. He was a young, free spirit." Longe and Rea both named Café Via as one of their favorite eateries in Birmingham. "My company designed the buildings around (Café Via)," Longe said. "We did the addition on top of Starbucks and the parking structure on Peabody's." Among Rea's achievements are Quattro Cucina Italiana and the Hamilton Room, though both men are responsible for a plethora of commercial and residential projects in Birmingham and the surrounding area. "I have a significant thumb print on the city now and I'm interested in continuing it," Longe said. As for Rea, he would revel in the opportunity to revamp the city of Detroit. "I would love to be given the opportunity to take a block of Detroit to redo it and make it unbelievable for the people who live there," Rea said. "That, to me, would be an exciting challenge." With a great deal of ambition and devotion to the area, and two exceptional talents, one can only hope that Shain Park won't be the last of their collaborations in Birmingham. — Katey Meisner — The Paper photo/Amy K. Lockard
■ business notes Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel will be moving to the former location of Century 21 Town and Country at 294 E. Brown St. in Birmingham. According to Kelly Sweeney, CEO, the new building will encompass their three current Birmingham office locations, now at 298 S. Old Woodward Ave., 500 S. Old Woodward Ave. and 325 E. Brown St. “We closed on the new building in December (2009), and we will be consolidating offices,” Sweeney said. “We’ve been in the 298 (S. Old Woodward Ave.) building for 60 years.” The new building is under renovation and is scheduled to open in mid to late summer, Sweeney said. “We have 125 agents scattered in three buildings,” he said. “This will be much more efficient.” Along with cost savings, Sweeney said he hopes the new three-story, 20,000-square-foot structure will result in excitement and synergy among the sales team. “It will be a much more powerful brokerage,” he said. “We are looking at upgrading the parking lot as part of the renovation plan.” Sweeney said that the market is a lot better than it was a year ago. “Business is great.” Victor Saroki & Associates Architects in Birmingham is the firm on-point for the project. “The interior is going to be updated and renovated to reflect a state-of-the-art real estate agency,” Victor Saroki, president of the architectural firm, said. “We hope to do some nice improvements to the building’s façade. The original building had some good lines and good materials, but we see it as an opportunity to upgrade. We just want to bring it to the 21st century.” ■ Scavolini by Cucina Moda, a cabinetry business, is coming to 202 E. Maple in Birmingham. “We hope to open this summer,” said owner Alisha Serras. “Our fingers are crossed for July.” Serras is partnering up with her husband, Brian Gamache, and her sister, Niki Serras, to bring the cabinetry shop to the area. “I’m thrilled to introduce southeast Michigan to Scavolini,” Serras said. “The cabinetry is like functional art. With 33 different models and countless colors and finishes, the combinations are endless. I have no doubt that we have something for everyone.” Though Scavolini is an international brand,
Serras said it will remain a familyoriented, traditional business. “We’ll offer a huge selection of cabinetry, designs, appliances and installation,” she said. “We will bend over backwards to make sure our customers have the kitchen of their dreams.” The owners considered nearby cities, but ultimately decided on Birmingham. “I just had an overwhelming feeling that Birmingham was where we needed to be,” she said. “Many of our competitors are also in the area and I thought it would be convenient for our customers to check out our competition, but return to us for our style, design and quality.” Serras will be having a soft open in the summer and a grand opening in the fall. “In addition, we will have regularly scheduled events where we will have cooking demonstrations, hold local art shows and be a venue for non-profit organizations.” ■ Barbara’s Paper Bag at 147 Pierce St. in Birmingham has just celebrated its 25th anniversary. “We were next door for the first seven years and we’ve been
Susan Sivak in this space for the remaining 18 years,” said owner Susan Sivak. “It’s my home away from home; we’ve developed great relationships with customers. They feel like family.” Since 1985, when the store opened, Sivak said she’s done birth announcements and has been able to follow customers through life to their wedding announcements. Apart from her customers, Sivak has her 8-year-old
Australian cattle dog, Tory, to keep her company at her Birmingham shop. “She has a little bed in the back of my office, and there are customers who stop by the store to ask about Tory,” Sivak said. “She loves the mailman and the UPS man.” Specializing in invitations, business cards and other paper-related products, Barbara’s Paper Bag offers gifts, memo pads, file folders, notebooks, journals, photo albums and organizers. “We also do wrapping paper, ribbons, gift bags and many personalized items.” With graduations and weddings on the cusp, Sivak said that she is approaching one of her busier times of the year and is looking forward to serving her patrons. “Our customers have been wonderful and loyal and supportive,” she said. Birmingham resident and patron Vanessa Tanghe said she fell in love with the boutique after moving to the area from the west coast two years ago. “From invitations and note cards to special gifts and accessories for the home, Barbara’s Paper Bag offers a very current, tasteful assortment,” Tanghe said. ■ Beginning May 1, Big Rock Chop House at 245 S. Eton St. in Birmingham will offer the Got Rocks Diamond Crown Cigar Lounge, the first operation of its kind in the country, according to general manager Vera Day Rizer. “With the smoking ban, we have a separate room with ventilation in compliance with the law,” said Day Rizer. “Big Rock already had a cigar bar, but now we are partnering with the Diamond Crown brand. We have a lot of customers who enjoy smoking cigars and we thought it would be a shame to end that aspect of the business.” With a second ventilation system and additional humidors, the second floor bar has its own entrance to accommodate cigar smokers without inconveniencing non-smokers. “We also have 30 cigar lockers and, if it’s as successful as I believe it will be, we have room to add more.” Celebrating their 26th anniversary in May, Big Rock Chop House offers a brewery, dining area, patio dining and an award-winning wine list. “The nice thing is that by operating the cigar bar, Big Rock can be a little bit of something for a lot of different people,” she said. “You can have a nice
dinner and a glass of wine, then go upstairs with your buddies and have a cigar and cognac.” ■ Woodward Gardens at 33779 Woodward Ave. in Birmingham has temporarily closed. Owner Bob Feys is shopping for a new location and hopes to reopen in the near future. “We want to stay in the area, but we haven‘t found a new location yet,” Feys said. The gardening resource store has been in business for 14 years and Feys said he is looking forward to serving the area for many years to come. “I really want to thank all our customers and friends for their support over the years and hope to reconnect very soon.” ■ Shades Optical at 193 W. Maple in Birmimgham has recently installed the Eye Terminal, the latest technology in progressive lenses. “The machine was developed by Zeiss,” said Dr. Bill Koppin. “They do the lenses for the Hubble Telescope.” According to Koppin, the measuring of progressive lenses was previously
Dr. Bill Koppin done without the help of any technology. “Before, it was marked by a marker or eye-balled,” he said. “The Eye Terminal is really helping us perfectly place where we put progressive lenses for patients; the placement of the lenses is critical for comfort and vision. We take a picture of the patient with the glasses on and we can calibrate and take all the measurements of the frame relative to
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■ business notes how the eye fits in the frame within a tenth of a millimeter of where the lenses need to be positioned.” With a new and more precise tool to optimize the vision of his patients, Koppin said he is pleased to be able to offer clients technology that few eye care centers can. “In all of metro Detroit, there are only about five of us who have it.” Koppin, who has operated his business out of Birmingham for 22 years, has also been a resident for six years. “I love the sense of community in Birmingham,” he said. “There’s a real investment with us about what is going on within the city.” Shades Optical offers stylish frames and the highest quality prescription lenses, Koppin said. “You can get your eyes checked and pick out the newest, most stylish eyewear.” ■ The Birmingham Geek is opening at 195 W. Maple in Birmingham in May. “We hope to open around May 14,” said marketing director Christina Larson. The computer store will offer PC and Mac training, cleanups and data backups. “We do a lot of different things,” Larson said. “We have onsite services as well as service on location.” The Birmingham Geek will serve the surrounding areas of Birmingham. With another location at 17116 Kercheval Ave. in Grosse Pointe, Larson said they wanted to grow but remain inside a small town base. “We started as a local neighborhood one-stop shop and we wanted to keep that feeling in another similar community.” Larson said the company is mainly service-based with some in-store retail items. “We keep a couple items at the store as a convenience for our customers,” Michael Weinberger, who co-owns the Birmingham Geek with Mac Nutter, said. Weinberger said he loves the area and lived in the Merrillwood Building in Birmingham before moving to Bloomfield Hills in 2005. “It’s the place to be for an up-and-coming service business,” Weinberger said. According to Larson, a grand opening is in the works closer to September. ■ Birmingham is already buzzing with the scheduled premier of South, a high-end bar/restaurant, slated to open at 210 S. Old Woodward Ave. “We’re rolling along really well right now,” said co-owner Steve Puertas. “We’re guessing we’ll open the end of May or early June.” According to Puertas, South will be a trendy but casual bar with a nightclub in the back of the space. “It’s really going to be a little bit of everything. We’ll have a patio and we’ve hired Matt Barkach, a fantastic chef,” he said. The menu will have some Mexican influences, as well as seafood, soups, sandwiches and a variety of desserts. “We’ll have 27 plasma televisions and a patio overlooking Old Woodward; it will be unique in Birmingham.” Puertas cousin, Joe Spadafore, is co-owner of South. “We think Birmingham is the nicest community in all of southeast Michigan and the response has been nothing but www.oaklandpaper.com
positive,” Puertas said. Beth Lickert, Birmingham native and hairstylist at Beauty on Willits Alley, is one of many diners anxiously awaiting the trendy addition to the city. “I’m excited for the opening of South bar because Birmingham needs a fresh scene,” Lickert said. “I spend a lot of time in Birmingham: shopping, eating and enjoying the nightlife.” ■ Despite the recent passing of Elizabeth Harp, owner of Harp’s Lingerie at 265 S. Old Woodward Ave., the family business will go on. “The store was her life. She was in the business for 63 years,” said Doug Hardy, Harp’s son. According to Hardy, a Birmingham realtor, he and his two brothers, Tom Hardy, Birmingham attorney, and Lou Harp, Birmingham chiropractor, will carry on their mother’s work. “We have employees who have been there for 20 years and it’s going to be managed the way it’s always been managed. It was always my mother’s desire that if anything ever happen to her, that the store continue,” Hardy, said. “She’d go to the store every day until two days before she passed away.” Harp’s will continue to carry their quality lines of lingerie, bras from sizes A-J, and mastectomy bras. Harp, a Birmingham institution, was 93-years-old when she died. ■ Plant Station at 720 S. Adams St. in Birmingham is back in business and under new ownership. Theresa Costello, sole owner, said that the property went back to the bank and was sold to an individual who is now leasing it to the Plant Station once again. “Everything is pretty much the same. I’ve been here for 9 years, but now I’m signing the checks,” Costello said. The Plant Station is currently offering its cool weather crop with a selection of flowers, vegetables and cool weather perennials. “Word of mouth has spread and the community is just really supporting us,” she said. “They like to see the mom and pop stores surviving, and we are trying our darndest to keep everything we get in here from Michigan farmers.” Customer Amy Lynn Smith said she’s lived within a couple miles of The Plant Station for nearly a decade and is pleased that it has reopened to the public. “I’ve been a loyal customer of The Plant Station since buying my first home about 10 years ago,” Smith said. “That’s when I took up gardening and their advice was invaluable. I have learned a lot about gardening from them, so they really do help my garden grow.” ■ Business items from the BirminghamBloomfield community are reported by Katey Meisner. E-mails to kateymeisner@thescngroup.com must be received three weeks prior to publication.
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■ eating out The Eating Out directory for The Paper is just that, a guide to dining establishments where patrons can go to eat. Many, if not most, of these eateries also allow for takeout orders. If an establishment serves beer(B), wine(W) or liquor (L), the listing indicates such. Likewise, if breakfast (B), lunch (L) or dinner (D) is served, we indicate by code and then the days it is offered. 220: A one-of-a-kind Birmingham restaurant specializing in steaks and fresh seafood with an Italian flair, complemented by a fine selection of distinguished American, Italian and global wines. Located in the historic Edison Building in the heart of downtown Birmingham. B, W, L. L & D, Monday-Saturday. 220 Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.2150. Akshay Indian Cuisine: Featuring Indo Chinese, South Indian, Northern Indian and Tandoori (Clay Oven) dishes. Spicy flavors compliment the relaxed and elegant atmosphere. Reasonable pricing makes Akshay Indian Cuisine a local favorite. L & D, Tuesday Sunday. 1615 S. Opdyke Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.858.2315. Andiamo: Andiamo’s offers Northern Italian decor amid a chic dining spot. A favorite among many area celebrities. Featuring traditional Italian dishes in an elegant dining room or live music in the lounge. An extensive wine list and selection of desserts. B, W, L. L & D, daily. 6676 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301. 248.865.9300. Beau Jacks: Known for its superior whitefish and popular salads, Beau Jacks offers certified black angus beef as well as vegetarian and heartconscious items. The menu features chili, onion loaf, baked spinach and artichoke dip, croissants and wraps. B, W, L. L, Monday-Saturday; D, daily. 4108 W. Maple, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.626.2630.
Avenue, Ste. 248.594.9730.
105,
Birmingham,
48009.
Bloomfield Deli: With a large selection of sandwiches and wraps, Bloomfield Deli also offers several different varieties of grilled cheese sandwiches, grilled chicken wraps and breakfast sandwiches. Also offering fresh salads and a salad bar with 20 different vegetables and fruits. B & L, Monday-Friday. 71 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.645.6879. Boston Market: Features sirloin, beef brisket, turkey, meatloaf and rotisserie chicken. Boston Market offers soup, steamed vegetables, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and casseroles to pair with a main dish. L & D, daily. 42983 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.334.5559. Brandy’s Steakhouse: A cozy ambiance, private dining room and traditional dishes can be expected at Brandy’s. Offering salads, seafood, pastas and Brandy’s signature steaks. B,W,L. L, Monday-Saturday; D, daily. 1727 South Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.338.4300. Breakaway Deli: Breakaway Deli features a variety of house sandwiches as well as a meatfree zone for vegetarians. B & L, MondaySaturday; D, Monday-Friday. 71 West Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.642.2900. Brooklyn Pizza: Brooklyn Pizza features New York-style pizza by the slice, homemade cookies and ice cream. L & D, daily. 111 Henrietta Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6690. Cafe Via: A high-end downtown eatery featuring an elegant setting as well as a patio courtyard. Grilled salmon, roasted chicken, crabcakes and lambchops are some favorites at Cafe Via. B, W, L. L & D, Monday-Saturday. 310 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8800.
thin crust pizzas, salads, sandwiches and small plates. B, W, L. L and D, daily. 6622 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield, 48301. 248.855.5855. Deli Unique of Bloomfield Hills: A menu featuring eight different deli sandwiches and an extensive breakfast menu. B & L, daily. 39495 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.7923 Dick O’Dow’s: Offering Irish classics and home cooking, including stuffed chicken, wild Irish salmon and, of course, shepherd’s pie. B, W, L. L & D, daily. 160 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.1135. Einstein Bros. Bagels: Featuring a huge assortment of bagels, sandwiches and specialty coffees. B & L, daily. 176 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.9888. Elie’s Mediterranean Cuisine: Lebanese dishes from stuffed grape leaves to taboulee and humus. B, W, L. L & D, Monday Saturday. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2420. Embers Deli & Restaurant: Pita sandwiches, soups, burgers, hot dogs and melts available. An extensive breakfast menu includes egg specials, breakfast roll-ups, omelettes, breakfast sandwiches and sides. B &L, daily. 3598 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.645.1033. Forest Grill: Forest Grill’s seasonal menu showcases house-made charcuterie, raw bar, clay oven-baked pizzas and traditional bistro dishes. Influenced by French, Italian and contemporary American cuisine with an emphasis on simplicity and flavor. Extensive wine list, including a number of regional wines from boutique vinters and Michigan vineyards. B, W, L. L, Monday-Friday; D, Monday-Saturday. 735 Forest Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.9400.
Beyond Juice: Offering Meal-in-a-Cup creations, sandwiches and a variety of desserts. Greek, seasoned chicken, tuna and garden salads also available, along with homemade Belgian waffles and jumbo muffins. B & L, daily; D, Monday-Saturday. 270 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.7078.
Cameron’s Steakhouse: Featuring dry aged and prime steak with an impressive wine list. Cameron’s is a classic steakhouse. B, W, L. D, daily. 115 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.1700.
Forte Restaurant: With beautiful decor and lavish cuisine, Forte offers a complete dining experience, including an extensive wine list. Renowned chefs present a complete breakfast menu as well. B, W, L. B, L & D, daily. 201 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.7300.
Big Boy: Big Boy features its classic diner burgers, breakfast specials and popular dessert menu. With its famous Big Boy sandwich and soup and salad bar, its a hometown diner for the whole family. B, L & D, daily. 6675 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.642.0717.
Chen Chow Brasserie: The decor and menu selection at Chen Chow Brasserie create a most elegant dining experience. Main courses include Pan Seared Tofu, Tamarind Glazed Salmon, Miso Sea Bass, Steamed Halibut, Dashi & Udon and more. Extensive wine list. B, W, L. D, daily. 260 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.2469.
Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: An American steakhouse with a contemporary flair featuring aged prime beef, market fresh seafood and an award-winning wine list. B, W, L & D, daily. 323 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.0134.
Big Rock Chophouse: Big Rock Chophouse’s 4-star, award-winning menu offers flavorful recipes centered around enormous, hand-cut aged steaks, lamb chops and fresh seafood. Featuring an on-site brew house, the restaurant also boasts an extensive wine cellar, complete with more than 400 fine wine and champagne selections. B, W, L. L & D, Monday-Saturday. 245 S. Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.7774. Birmingham Sushi Cafe: Featuring Japanese and American fusion-style fare, the cafe specializes in sushi, beef teriyaki, bibimbap and some kobe beef. The atmosphere is a relaxing, familystyle environment. L & D, daily. 377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.8880. Birmingham Tower Deli: Gourmet delicatessen located in downtown Birmingham features Boars Head meats and cheeses, soups, salads, burgers and pizza. Catering available. B, L & D, Monday-Friday. 280 N. Old Woodward
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China Village: A warm environment featuring China Village’s famous sesame and General Tso’s Chicken. L & D daily. 1655 Opdyke, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.758.1221. Cityscape Deli: Cityscape offers homemade soups and a wide variety of custom carved sandwiches, pasta salads, bean and couscous and Hungarian beef goulash. Homemade healthy sides compliment fresh deli sandwiches. B, L & D, Monday-Saturday. 877 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.540.7220. Cosi: With a signature flatbread, sandwiches, melts, soups, salads and a kids menu, Cosi offers options for all diners. B, W. B, L & D daily. 101 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.9200. Crust: An upscale restaurant, with an open kitchen and dining room decor with natural wood elements. Full menu includes Neapolitan,
Fuddrucker’s: With simple recipes and madefrom-scratch buns, Fuddrucker’s offers burgers, chicken, fish, salad, and a kids menu. B, W. L & D, daily. 42757 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.333.2400. Greek Island Coney Restaurant: Featuring sandwiches, salads and Coney Island classics. Breakfast is available anytime. B, L & D, daily. 221 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.1222. Hogan’s Restaurant: Casual atmosphere and homemade fare, Hogan’s offers steak, seafood, burgers, a vegetarian and children’s menu. A tavern-type environment is also available to patrons. B, W, L. L & D, daily. 6450 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.626.1800. Hunter House Hamburgers: Featuring high quality, gourmet hamburgers. Recently voted Number One Burger in Michigan by Food Network Magazine and “20 Burgers You Must
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Eat Right Now” in June 2009 Gourmet Magazine. B, Monday-Saturday; L & D daily. 35075 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.7121. IHOP: From creatively flavored pancakes to steaks, sandwiches and salads, IHOP is best known for its breakfast fare. B, L & D, daily. 2187 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.333.7522. Kerby’s Koney Island: Kerby’s offers a special chili recipe, lean meats and a wide variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner specialties. B, L, & D, daily. 2160 N. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills. 248.333.1166. Kirk’s Open Pit Bar B Que: Serving barbecue ribs that are slow cooked and covered in a smoky sauce, Kirk’s also offers barbeque and broasted chicken, seafood, homemade macaroni and cheese, peach and apple cobbler, and sweet potato pies. B, L & D, Tuesday- Sunday. 33766 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.7010. Leo’s Coney Island: Greek specialties, burgers and coneys are offered along with omelettes, breakfast specials, soups and salads. B, L & D, daily. 6527 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301 (248.646.8568) and at 154 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.8568. Little Daddy’s Parthenon: Featuring Greek fare, like hand-carved gyros, Little Daddy’s Parthenon offers oven roasted turkey, gourmet sandwiches and house-made food. B, L & D, daily. 39500 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.647.3400. Max & Erma’s: Features a family-friendly environment with a variety of burgers, an assortment of salads and a signature tortilla soup, plus steaks, ribs and fajitas. B, W, L. L & D, daily. 250 Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.1188. Mirage Cafe: Mediterranean fare with healthy options and menu items made fresh daily. Among customer favorites are the chicken lemon rice and lentil soup, chicken shawarma and chicken cream chop. The cafe also offers Caribou Coffee, smoothies and an assortment of desserts. L & D, daily. 297 E. Maple Avenue, Birmingham 48009. 248.731.7768. Mitchell’s Fish Market: Accepting daily delivery of a wide variety of fresh fish flown in from all coasts, the atmosphere is that of an upscale seafood restaurant. Also features a lively bar area. B, W, L. L & D, daily. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.3663. Mountain King: Chinese restaurant serving fried rice, sesame chicken, General Tso’s chicken and standard Chinese favorites. L & D, daily. 469 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.2913. New Bangkok Thai Bistro: Featuring a Thai atmosphere and variety of Thai specialties such as duck, noodles, seafood and curries. Also offering soups, salads, fried rice and appetizers. B, Monday Thursday; L, Monday-Friday; D, daily. 183 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.2181. Northern Lakes Seafood Co: Serving a signature lobster reuben for lunch and a Chilean sea bass for dinner. The seasonal menu includes a soft shell crab, lobster bisque and Columbia river king salmon. B, W, L. L, Monday-Friday; D,
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■ main course As a whole, the wine list features small producers of high-quality wines and avoids mega brands. Wines can be experienced as two-ounce tastes, paired with a menu item for $5. Then there are by-the-glass options from a total of 60 wines. A pichet (French for pitcher) serves two glasses and, of course, there’s the standard by the bottle. “Our servers are trained,” VanHellemont notes, “to guide diners away from just another chardonnay or cabernet to enhance their menu choices.” Unless you’re a connoisseur and recognize some of the lesser-known labels that have global prominence, take the advice of the knowledgeable servers and expand your palate horizons. Appropriate symbols indicate organically grown, sustainably farmed or biodyamically farmed wines.
Tallulah Wine Bar doubles as bistro by Eleanor Heald
T
allulah is all about wine, food and service, says proprietor, 49-year-old Mindy VanHellemont, a Birmingham resident. Her eatery Tallulah Wine Bar & Bistro opened in Birmingham at the end of February. Many unique elements surround Tallulah. First, the name. Tallulah is VanHellemont’s grandfather’s pet name for her. Meet her as she energetically greets diners in the 65-seat restaurant and you’ll sense the name fits immediately. Because wine and food are the primary focus, décor is deliberately minimalist with muted neutral tones. A modern open kitchen is the eye-catching feature of one wall, while on an adjoining wall, the wine bar sets the complementary theme. A large grapevine spreads out on another wall. Completing the 360-degree tour is the city scape of South Bates Street. As weather permits, the scene expands to include a 26-seat sidewalk patio. Aside from being a restaurateur and a Culinary Institute of America (Napa Valley, California) Certified Wine Professional, VanHellemont is a winegrower. Her small St. Helena vineyard had its first harvest of syrah in 2009. The lauded Kirk Venge is winemaker.
FARM TO TABLE Executive Chef, 34 year-old Jake Abraham, first earned a finance degree from Michigan State University. Then following his first love, graduated from Schoolcraft College culinary program at the top of his class. Before becoming head toque at Tallulah, he did stints at several area restaurants, including Seldom Blues, Oakland Hills Country Club and as a personal chef. Abraham shares his kitchen with his mother Dar Abraham, who does prep work for her son and is his pastry chef. Jake also shares VanHellemont’s vision of the farm to table movement, expanding throughout Michigan restaurants. “Our farmers and purveyors,” is a prominent category on the Tallulah menu. Although Michigan farmers are in the majority, VanHellemont expands her vision to Ohio and Indiana.
Tallulah Wine Bar & Bistro proprietor Mindy VanHellemont. The Paper photo / Amy K. Lockard
“Through the end of winter,” VanHellemont says, “Michigan farmers with greenhouses supplied us with a wide range of baby vegetables that made attractive plate presentations. With spring going into summer, we will feature the bounty of Michigan farms. Because I want to eat fresh, healthy food, support the local economy and take full advantage of what Michigan farmers offer, I’m a huge proponent of the farm to table movement. I’m committed to have food speak for itself without heavy sauces, fats or salt overuse. I want Tallulah to celebrate Michigan on our menu every day.” A chef’s table, seating 10 in a room off the kitchen, is available for special dinners. Diners can select from the regular menu and daily specials or request that Chef Abraham create an exclusive menu for the occasion.
MERGING FOOD AND WINE The farm to table concept portends a seasonal menu, changing as farm products do. Thus, the menu is tightly edited to include six to seven appetizers ($4-$12), four salads ($8-$10)and several choices of fresh pasta ($15-$18). Main courses ($16-$24) and sides ($4$5) are skewed to wine selections. To help diners on this score, several dishes are listed with classic wine matches and others that are avant-garde.
daily. 39495 North Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.0370
34965 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.5222.
Olga’s Kitchen: Olga’s offers fresh and unique flavored appetizers, sandwiches, soups and salads. Grilled to-order Olga bread available. L & D daily. 2075 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.451.0500 and at 138 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2760.
Pancake House: Best known for breakfast fare, the Original Pancake House has a varied menu. B, L & D, daily. 33703 South Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5775.
Peabody’s: With rustic beams and subtle lighting, Peabody’s offers unique sandwiches and salads, along with fresh seafood, house prime rib, signature steaks and pastas. B, W, L. L & D, daily.
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Panera Bread: A variety of soups, sandwiches and desserts., plus an on-site bakery. B, L & D, daily. 100 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48309. 248.203.7966 and at 2125 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.253.9877.
ON THE SWEET SIDE Seven desserts and a number of dessert wines complete a meal. When did you last see a Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout Float with vanilla ice cream among desserts on a menu? Add it to the earlier list of unique elements and check out Tallulah Too, the wine shop next door.
UPCOMING Continuing the theme of monthly wine dinners, May 11 will be Rosé Night. Small plates will complement the wines. Check the website tallulahwine.com for more information and reservations. (Tallulah Wine Bar & Bistro, 155 South Bates Street, Birmingham, 248.731.7066. Lunch Wednesday to Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ; dinner Tuesday and Wednesday 5-10 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m. with late night menu until 1a.m.; Sunday, four-course menu at $32 per person served 4-9 p.m. (Check website on Saturday afternoon for menu). Reservations recommended.) ■
QUICK BITES A farm to table emphasis at Tallulah falls in line with a late 2009 announcement by Michigan Department of Agriculture Director Don Koivisto, focused on the launch of a Michigan culinary initiative. Goals are to increase menu offerings of local products at
Phoenicia: A special dining experience, Phoenicia offers all the traditional dishes of Lebanon. 588 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. B, W, L. L, Monday-Friday; D, daily. 248.644.3122. Pita Café: Middle Eastern fare featuring chicken shawarma, sweet salad, fattoush, Greek salad, lambchops, seafood and taboulee. Pita Café is known for its fantastic garlic spread. L & D, daily. 239 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.6999. Pizza Papalis & Rio Wraps: Full menu includes rio wraps, pizzas, salads, soups, pasta
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restaurants across the state, increase sale and profitability for Michigan specialty crop producers and promote Michigan as a destination for culinary travel experiences. “With agriculture and tourism as Michigan’s second and third largest industries,” Koivisto says, “it makes sense to promote Michigan as a rewarding travel destination for educational, healthy and tasty food experiences. This is a tremendous opportunity to create increased business for the state’s specialty crop producers.” ■ Quattro in Birmingham, open only since September 2009 as an authentic, traditional Italian restaurant in the city’s broadening restaurant scene, has done an about-face to casual. Quattro will be closed on May 2 and 3 and reopen on May 4 at 11:30 a.m. after a quick remodel with a new menu as the casual Quattro Pizzeria and Wine Bar (201 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 248.593.6060). “Since opening,” says general manager Zoran Smolcic, “our pizzas and pastas have been the most popular. We’ve been very busy on weekends, but we lacked weeknight diners.” The revamped menu will offer its popular thin crust pizzas for about $10 and pastas from $12 to $15. Quattro’s wine list has had plenty of moderately-priced wines on it, so its new moniker including Wine Bar in its name fits into the area’s preference for great atmosphere, but casual (without white tablecloths), yet with moderate prices and as a place to have fun. ■ Steve Puertas, a partner in South, a new Birmingham restaurant at 210 S. Old Woodward, anticipates an early June 2010 opening. Although the menu teems with Mexican specialties, it expands to Cajun and other southern locales in tune with its name. Small plate aficionados will love the large appetizer section of both lunch and dinner menus. ■ Eleanor Heald is a nationally-published writer who also writes the wine column in a double byline with her husband Ray for The Paper. Suggestions for this feature and specifically for the Quick Bites section can be e-mailed to quickbites@oaklandpaper.com.
and desserts; known for its Chicago-style deep dish pizza. L & D, daily. 4036 Telegraph Road, Ste.106, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.540.7722. Qdoba: A one-of-a-kind Mexican grill restaurant, Qdoba features tacos, salads, nachos, quesadillas and more. L & D, daily. 795 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.988.8941. Quattro Cucina Italiana: A high-end setting offering Osso Buco and Branzino filet among several signature Italian dishes. With a relaxing, open atmosphere, Quattro features a variety of pastas, soups, salads and an extensive wine list.
MAY 2010
■ focus on wine Silverado Vineyards sports a Napa advantage By Eleanor and Ray Heald
N
owadays there’s a head-spinning array of wines on retail shelves. And it’s no secret that some producers in California’s Napa Valley, who jumped into the wine biz in the heyday of only a few years ago, are struggling. Yet, back in the mid-1970s the wine business was very different. That’s when Diane and Ron Miller began purchasing Napa Valley vineyards; planning
to sell their entire grape production as fruit, not wine. By 1981, well ahead of the more recent grower-to-vintner phenomenon, the Millers founded Silverado Vineyards. Their mission-style winery on a knoll is visible from the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District. Since 1990, veteran winemaker Jon Emmerich, a 1987 University of California Davis fermentation science graduate, has crafted the Silverado wines “with the goal of focusing on small production vineyard-designated varietal wines. We want to offer consumers something special and can now ship to most of them.” B, W, L. L, Monday-Friday; D, daily. 203 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.6060 Quiznos: A signature toasting style creates crisp edges, melted cheese, sizzling meat and warm bread. Choose from over 20 oven-toasted subs, five flatbread chopped salads, 10 sammies, five torpedoes & bullets and soups. Offering a full children’s menu and new, on-site catering. L & D daily. 185 N Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.540.7827. Rio Wraps: Features burritos, salads and deli wraps. L & D, daily. 42805 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.540.7722 . Salvatore Scallopini: Salvatore Scallopini offers fresh prepared daily Italian dishes, appetizers and a variety of desserts. B, W. L & D, daily. 505 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8977. Sandella’s Flatbread Café: A casual café offering health-conscious options. Grilled paninis, sandwiches, grilled flatbreads, chopped salads and quesadillas are featured. L & D daily. 172 North Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4200 Steve’s Deli: Classic and popular deli featuring a wide variety of soups, sandwiches and deserts. B, L & D, daily. 6646 Telegraph Road,
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Silverado advantage Ability to source fruit from 400 acres of estate vineyards, divided among six properties, each dedicated to a grape variety selected for the location’s unique soil and climate, is a Silverado advantage. As an example, on a soil montage in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley, the 100-acre Silverado vineyard is planted principally to cabernet sauvignon with a smaller planting of merlot. Each soil profile provides a different fruit character using the same selection of clones and rootstocks. In total, there are about 30 different vineyard blocks of cabernet sauvignon, which when blended yield a complex mosaic of aromas and flavors that can be experienced in the 2005 Estate Silverado Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, $46. Miller Ranch, located in the Yountville American Viticultural Area (AVA), is planted to sauvignon blanc and boasts a unique, fertile, deep river loam soil that holds moisture. To control sauvignon blanc’s vigor, cover crops and a split lyre trellis are used. Emmerich says, “We strive for uniform ripening because we do not want to make multiple passes through the vineyard at harvest, which would not be efficient. We pick at a lower sugar level that allows us to capture the grapefruit, citrus and melon flavors while maintaining good acidity— something that is so attractive in sauvignon blanc,” which you can smell and taste in the Sauvignon Blanc Miller Ranch 2008, $22. Located five miles southeast of the Silverado Winery, Mt. George vineyard has extremely gravelly soil that is well drained and slightly cooler than Stags Leap District. On this site, merlot achieves sugar and flavor ripeness at the same time, therefore not requiring a long hang time, resulting in lower alcohol in the finished wine. So many Napa Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.932.0800. Streetside Seafood: Streetside has developed a reputation for fresh fish, oysters and other seafood on a seasonal menu B,W,L. L, MondayFriday; D, daily. 273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.9123. Sushi Hana: Sushi Hana’s menu includes tempura, teriyakis, yakitori, fried egg, seafood, vegetables and more. Offers traditional Japanese fare as well as some Korean dishes. L, MondayFriday; D, Monday-Saturday. 42656 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.333.3887. Sy Thai Café: A casual dining atmosphere, Sy Thai serves orange duck, noodle dishes, stirfried mussels with onions and all the usual Thai classics. L & D, daily. 315 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.9830. Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: Featuring wine varieties from regions all over the world, Tallulah offers wine by the bottle, half bottle and glass. American fare is on the menu with a farmto-table concept. Dishes are made fresh daily with organic, local products. Indoor and seasonal patio seating available. B, W, L. B, D, Wednesday-Sunday. 155 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.731.7066. The Corner Bar: Part of the Townsend Hotel complex, The Corner Bar offers a lighter fare
Valley merlots are big and brawny; more like cabernets. Silverado Vineyards Estate 2006 Merlot, $32, is 96 percent Mt. George merlot and four percent cabernet, aged 15 months in 38 percent new oak of which 80 percent was French. It is far more Pomerol-like than classic Napa Valley and at a much lower price point than its Bordeaux double! Vineburg in the Los Carneros AVA is Silverado’s coldest vineyard and “it grows great chardonnay,” Emmerich says. “We used close-spaced planting that relates well to a structured wine with good acidity, including a balanced oak treatment.” Fifty percent of the wine was fermented in 75-gallon stainless steel barrels. Lees stirring developed richness without too much oak influence in the Silverado 2006 Vineburg Carneros Chardonnay, $30. The remaining 50 percent was aged in French oak cooperage.
Change of focus Since the Russians and Polish first produced it some 900 years ago, vodka has come a long way. It’s now the world’s number one selling spirit. In the beginning of the 20th century, vodka was relatively unknown outside Russia, Poland and Scandinavian countries. Now, the United States is one of the biggest vodka importers, accounting for 25 percent of all distilled spirits sold. Due to this high demand and popularity, many craft vodkas are now the market buzz and why we decided this month to highlight some of the very best domestic vodkas from Hangar One, where every bottling reflects the distiller’s creative individuality. Aromas of Hangar One Mandarin Blossom Vodka are like peeling a fresh clementine or tangerine. Freshly picked tangerine blossoms offer intensity. Hand redistillation on the pot still gives the vodka delicate complexity. Hangar from 5-7 p.m. that includes sliders and salads. B, W, L. D, Wednesday-Saturday. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2958.
One Kaffir Lime smells like fresh limes. Kaffir limes are rare and native to central Indonesia. Because of their highly aromatic oil content, they are mainstays to Thai cuisine. If you like citrus-accented vodkas, you’ll really like both of these at $36 per 750mL. Michigan Wine Country magazine now available for 2010 touring season. Get a copy of this indispensable guide to touring Michigan’s 71 wineries by requesting online at michiganwines.com or phoning 517.241.1207.
Best bet on the deck •2008 Monthaven Chardonnay $24/3L Octavin. One of the best bag in the box wines at the equivalent of $6 per bottle. Once opened, it stays fresh in the refrigerator for two weeks. Best red bets for barbeque season •2008 Clos de los Siete $19, Argentina. A blend of malbec, merlot, syrah, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. •2007 Morgan Monterey Syrah $20 •2008 Two Hands Gnarly Dudes (Shiraz) $25 •2008 Two Hands Angels Share (Shiraz) $25 •2006 Ferrari-Carano Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $34 •2007 Dutton Goldfield Cherry Ridge Vineyard Syrah, Russian River Valley $35 •2006 Zaca Mesa Z Three, Santa Ynez Valley $42. A blend of syrah, mourvedre and grenache. •2007 Beckmen Purisima Mountain Grenache $48 •2006 Ferrari-Carano Tresor $58. 79 percent cabernet sauvignon. •2006 Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $65 Exceptional Chateauneuf-Du-Pape •2007 Chateau de la Font du Loup $43 •2006 Le Puy Rolland $52 taste, including signature breakfast food to burgers. B, W, L. B & L, daily; D, Monday-Saturday. 203 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6278.
The Gallery Restaurant: Family restaurant in an art gallery environment offering full menu. American fare includes omelettes, sandwiches and a variety of salads. B, L & D, daily. 6683 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.851.0313.
Tokyo Sushi & Grill: A cozy sushi bar offering sashimi, soba noodle dishes, teriyakis, tempura, all the traditional Japanese dishes, and, of course, sushi. L & D, daily. 225 E. Maple Rd., Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6501
The Moose Preserve Bar & Grill: The Moose Preserve features a full menu, including fresh fish, barbecue ribs and certified black angus steak. B, W, L. L & D, daily. 2395 S. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7688.
TOPZ: Offering homemade fare, featuring Michigan vendors and local Michigan products, TOPZ prides itself on its air-baked, non-fried fries, nuggets, onion rings, burgers, chili and soups. L & D, daily. 327 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.220.1108.
The Phat Sammich: Offers 70 different sandwiches, five daily soup specials and salads. Homemade fare is prepared fresh daily and weekday lunch delivery is available. L & D, daily. 34186 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.0860
Whistle Stop Café: Voted among the best diners in America by Good Morning America, this eatery boasts of its local roots and feel. B & L, daily; D, Monday-Friday. 501 S. Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.5588.
The Rugby Grille: Conveniently located inside Birmingham’s Townsend Hotel and offering a luxury dining experience. B, W, L. B, L & D, daily. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5999. Toast: With a modern retro style, Toast offers American dishes with a touch of southwestern
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(Want your eating establishment listed? There is no charge for this directory in The Paper but there are a couple of rules. An eatery must be located in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township or Bloomfield Hills and must have tables where patrons can dine in. Send your information via fax (248.360.1220) to Katey Meisner or e-mail to kateymeisner@thescngroup.com.
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■ the community house
M
ay is my favorite month of the year and for very good reasons. I love gardening and watching the birds. I also love being at The Community House which is buzzing with activity. Enter the House through our beautiful new main and east entrances and enjoy the 45 programs offered during the month of May at The Community House. Highlights include: Stand Up! Speak Up! with Vanessa Denha Garmo on May 1 for those seeking employment or a promotion and want to work on their interviewing skills. Also, the final program in our series Call to Action… Hire Power Solutions will be held on May 18, “Take Charge: The Journey to Personal Excellence,” with Barry Shelley Roberts Demp, Business and Personal Coach. Spring Fruit Desserts taught by Freeman Gunnell on May 5 will prepare you for Mother’s Day! And if you’re in the mood for baking, Baking Basics will be offered by Chef Pam Gustairs on May 12. If you want to be adventurous in the kitchen, attend our class on May 26 when we will offer a techniques class-saute, grilling, roasting, braising and poaching. We are proud to offer the class Healing Raw Food for Diabetics with Chef Andrea McNinch on May 26. Speaking of Mother’s Day, bring your mother, daughter, grandmother, aunt, niece, friend or babysitter to celebrate at our Mother and Daughter Tea on May 8. Guests will enjoy tea sandwiches, sweets, tea and punch and great entertainment and contests. We believe in partnering and supporting our local retailers through our programming. On May 10, Virtuoso Salon will present skin care basics with esthetician Michelle Lynn. Linda Dresner will be interviewed by Lila Lazarus on May 20 at our Influential Women Series Breakfast. On May 24, social media expert Laura McGowan will offer Online Social Networking for Small Business Owners. Something that I recently read came as a surprise to me: as many as half of job positions will be totally different in 5 years as new skills such as social media and viral marketing become essential. For those who want to live healthier, we are offering the program Living with Bipolar Disorder with Jacqueline Castinte, a community education specialist for Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority on May 20. Heather Carmona of Pure Alternatives will teach Organic and Natural Living: How to Make the Transition on May 12. Feel like getting away for the day? Our Travel Director Zelma Gottlieb has lined up fabulous day trips, including the Holland Tulip Festival on May 5; the spectacular Grosse Pointe Farms Designer Showhouse on May 7; the dress rehearsal for Tosca at the Detroit Opera House on May 14; “Our Town” at the Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea on May 16; and a tribute to Eric Kunzel at the DSO on May 23. If you are interested in the economic forecast, don’t miss our program Seven Indicators that Move Markets on May 13. Paul Kasriel, Chief Economist of Northern Trust-Chicago, is the speaker, and he identified early on the formation of the housing bubble and foresaw the economic and financial market havoc that would ensue after the bubble burst. The accuracy of his previous forecasts has been highly regarded by The Wall Street Journal and Forbes. Information about these programs and trips and many others can be found on our website, www.communityhouse.com. We have added a great new feature on our website. It is a calendar that shows you all of the classes and programs that are available on a given day. This means that if you realize on Monday that you have some free time later in the week, you can go on our website, check out the offerings, and register. Amazed that all of these programs and trips are going on at The Community House? Get connected with us! The Community House is on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. Become a fan on Facebook and tell your friends! Tweet and retweet the wonderful programs and events that we offer and network with us and others on Linkedin. Help spread the word about your Community House! ■ Shelley Roberts is President and CEO of The Community House. 78
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Spectacular Lakeside Luxury Birmingham • $3,000,000 Incomparable new construction overlooking Quarton Lake! Elevated site with stunning lake views. Huge master suite, phenomenal kitchen, fully finished lower level, elevator, gorgeous yard and so much more! A signature residence created by Brandywine Construction.
Stunning Interiors In Bloomfield Township • $2,850,000 Newly built dream home in coveted Turtle Lake Estates located in prestigious gated community with 4 bedrooms, 5 full baths and 2 half baths. An amazing residence with first floor master suite. Fully finished walkout lower level and beautiful grounds.
LD O S
Sold Before Completion • $1,900,000 This stunning residence, by Brandywine in the Heart of Birmingham features a fantastic floor plan offering a magnificent master suite plus 3 additional bedroom suites, a truly signature residence created with the most exceptional quality and luxurious details throughout.
Want Privacy, Security and Comfort? Bloomfield Township • $1,449,999 Gorgeous 4 bedroom, 4 full baths and 1 half bath colonial is situated on sprawling 1.5 acres of prime land backing to the Rouge River and walking distance to Cranbrook. Fully finished lower level walkout has additional 3,000 ft. with plenty of extra living space.
Beautiful Downtown Living! Birmingham • $1,300,000 2010 Detroit Home Design, Best Traditional Residential Architecture Award Winner! Spectacular 3 story residence offering the ultimate luxury: Brazilian cherry, granite, limestone, copper bays and kitchen hood, stone fireplace, finished suite over garage, another gorgeous Brandywine residence.
Extraordinary New Construction - Birmingham • $1,250,000 Phenomenal In-Town Birmingham opportunity! Truly spectacular, 3 story Brandywine residence offering the ultimate luxury finishes: Brazilian cherry, granite, limestone, slate and so very much more. Welcome to Birmingham’s newest Hallmark of Excellence.
Custom Built Leads To 5 Acre Pond - Bloomfield Township • $1,150,000 Located in the gated community of Heron Woods is this truly beautiful 5 bedroom, 4 full bath and 2 half bath custom 2 story residence. Features a gourmet country French kitchen, outstanding fully finished lower level walkout and the 5 acre pond in the rear yard.
Outstanding Home On Heather Lake - Bloomfield Township • $1,050,000 Custom Heather Lake home showcases new kitchen and master bedroom in 2001, a brick paver blue stone driveway, walkways and beautiful conifer gardens. Live comfortably in 5 bedrooms, 4 full baths and 2 half baths.
■ social lights / sally gerak ■ Variety’s Top Chefs
Here is the update on the social scene from the past month. Social Lights is posted each week on The Paper’s website at oaklandpaper.com, where readers can sign up for an e-mail alert when the latest column is posted. Many more photos from each event appear online each week, and past columns and photos are archived on the website for The Paper.
Variety’s Top Chefs You know you have a great plan when you sell out a charity event without even sending a formal invitation. Such was the case for Variety, The Children’s Charities’ inaugural Top Chefs event staged March 5 in the ballroom at the Radisson Kingsley. Honorary chair and event coordinator Matt Prentice told the 200 guests, “Most of the chefs here work 60 or more hours each week. For them to come here tonight is huge”. Prentice recruited Plum Market’s Marc Jonna, who got the wine donated, and Sommelier Madelinne Triffon, who lined up a dozen Sommeliers to pour and educate. In addition to Prentice, the chefs who gave up a busy Friday night in their own restaurants to cook tableside at the 20 tables were: Jeff Aquilina, Jim Bologna, Jeremy Grandon, Jason Hayden, Chris Johnson, Jamie Koscizawa, Kelll Lewton, Benjamin Meyer, Jim Oppat, Joe Parrino, Bekim Pellumbi, Louia Sharkas, Eric Sredznski, Frank Turner, Eric Voigt, Eric Ward, Travis Waynick, James Wooward and Don Yamauchi. Even though guests were assigned to tables by lottery, we noticed a sense of pride (“our chef is the best”) at each table. Guests reconvened en masse for dessert, dancing and to compare the menus of their truly exceptional dinners. The event netted roughly $65,000.
Brookside Kaleidoscope VIP Reception
First row, left to right: Plum Markets’ Marc (left) and Eugenia Jonna of Birmingham and event honorary chair Matt Prentice of West Bloomfield. Bryan (left) and committee member Susan Ludwig of Royal Oak with Debbie and sponsor Huntington Bank’s Bruce Kridler of Bloomfield. Second row: Tony (left) and Andrea Vespa of Birmingham with sponsors Lyle and Joyce Shuert of Bloomfield. Steve (left) and Diana Howard of Franklin with Felicia and sponsor Planning Alternatives’ Ed Shaw of Birmingham. Third row: Fair (left) and Steve Radon of Bloomfield with Rick and Penny Persiani of Birmingham. Gordy (left) and Katie Coleman, Variety president Kelly Shuert and Marc and Kim Reuss of Bloomfield. Above: Lauren (left) and Alex Tuckey of Birmingham, Nancy Clark of Bloomfield, Ven Johnson of Birmingham and Jim and Lynn Alexander of Bloomfield. At left: Board member Henry Baskin (left) and Judy Tappero of Bloomfield. Phyllis and George Whitehead of Birmingham. Below: Varity executive director Jennie Cascio (center) of Bloomfield with Andrea and Erik Morganroth of Birmingham. Chen Chow Brasserie’s Sandi Levine (left), Mike Turner and executive chef Benjamin Meyer.
The champagne reception for sponsors and committee members preceding Cranbrook Schools Brookside’s Kaleidoscope auction March 13 was notable for two things. The first was the eight-minute video that Deborah and William Korman produced. It was inspired, Deborah said, when the kids were first introduced to the auction theme Kaleidoscope Saves the Day – A Tribute to Heroes. Their seven-year-old’s answer to the question “Who is your hero?” was, “Mr. Booth, because he built Cranbrook.” The other highlight of the social was Adriana Vlasic’s salute to her co-chair Estelle Kwartowitz’s super powers – creativity, hard work, honesty and loyalty. Among those applauding both presentations were John and Angie Hovey, whose World of Erhard (BMW dealerships) was celebrating 25 years of event sponsorship, and Brady and Meg Ferron, whose pre-K son is the third generation of his mother’s family to attend Brookside.
DAR Piety Hill Chapter Celebration The Piety Hill Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated its 75th anniversary late last month with a luncheon at the Townsend Hotel. Highlights included a celebration cake and recognition of milestone memberships. Among the 100 attendees were regents from surrounding chapters, officers from DAR’s state executive board, past Piety Hill regents like Diane Schrift and Ruby Weidner, 71-year member Annette Carter and her daughter Christine Burns, a 25-year member and presiding Piety Hill regent Virginia Bennett. The local chapter of the women’s patriotic civic organization is the largest in the state (240 members).It takes its name from the 1800s appellation for the village of virtuous settlers living in what has become the City of Birmingham.
Keep the Opera Ball Rolling Party Michigan Opera Theatre’s Opera Ball just keeps rolling along. A recent addition to the list of 17 substitute balls attracted 100 opera lovers to the Roostertail for a soiree that had a sophisticated “spring break” atmosphere. That included lighthearted musical selections by MOT performers. MOT director David Di Chiera said he is thrilled with the success of the series of privately hosted parties. Even before this one, hosted by Dr. Lourdes Andaya, Jo Kessler, Don Jensen, Leo Dovelle and the Kinnie Smiths, Keep the Ball Rolling parties had netted nearly $250,000. Bravo! Bravo!
DIA Benefit Trunk Show at SHE Sharon Eisenshtadt’s boutique SHE was a perfect place for designer Heike Jarick’s trunk show. The collection featured Jarick’s unusual and luxurious fabrics and her trademark soft, flattering draping. Not one to pass up an opportunity to raise funds for charity, Eisenshtadt and pals Nicole Eisenberg and 80
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MAY 2010
Julie Rothstein welcomed their fashionable friends to meet Jarick and make purchases with the knowledge that 10 percent of the sales proceeds would be donated to the Detroit Institute of Arts.
■ Brookside School’s Kaleidoscope’s VIP Reception
JVS Trade Secrets Benefit At JVS’ Trade Secrets dinner event March 18 at the Townsend, honoree photographer Linda Solomon did what she does best – put other people in the focus. After she was introduced by sponsor Huntington Bank’s Josh Eichenhorn, she aimed her camera (so to speak) at people like the nine Women to Work participants whose photographs representing new beginnings were on exhibit, little Alex Burnstein, Gordy Howe, her husband Barry, her mother Mona Rappaport, her sister Jill Rappaport and others from whom she has learned secrets, i.e. valuable life lessons. After the 300-plus guests gave her a standing ovation, they heard from two other compelling speakers - Ruth Spencer, who paid the late Dell Warner a powerful tribute and a Women to Work success story Barbara Berent. “JVS believed in me before I believed in myself,” she noted when she accepted an award from emcee Lila Lazarus and a bracelet designed by Solomon. Guests had been encouraged to bring a photograph to share with table mates. Some participated in a one-item live auction (winning bidder, Hoot McInerney) and raffle, both sponsored by Tapper’s Jewelry. They also bought note cards depicting the photo art created by the women Solomon had mentored. The second annual event raised more than $90,000 for the program that assists women facing financial and career crisis.
Clockwise from upper left: Brookside Head Brian Schiller (left) with Mothers’ Club president Julie Tontapanish of Troy and event co-chairs Estelle Kwartowitz and Adriana Vlasic of Bloomfield. Brady (left) & Meg Ferron and Laura & Alex Kyriakopoyulos of Bloomfield. Michael (left) & Debbie Berger of West Bloomfield and Ellen& Steven Smidlein of Bloomfield. Video makers Deborah (left) &William Korman of Birmingham with Danielle Schiller of Bloomfield. Dr. Eric (left) & Mothers’ Club VP Kelly Kubrak of Northvil;le and Wendy & John Wilson of Birmingham. Mark (left) & Cheryl Heppard of West Bloomfield, Lipsa & Sid Sheth and acquisitions chair Felicity Rafalski of Bloomfield.
■ Keep the Opera Ball Rolling Party
Clockwise from upper left: Event co-hosts Don Jensen (left) and Leo Dovelle of Royal Oak and Dr. Lourdes Andaya of Grosse Pointe with Jeremy Zeltzer of Bloomfield. Committee member Rosemary Bannon (left) and her daughter Contessa of Beverly Hills with Federico & Clara Mariona of Southfield. Joe Papp (left) of Beverly Hills with Roostertail sales director Shawna Eaton-Peplinski of Roseville, Steve Sharf of Bloomfield and Patty Finnegan of Southfield. Bloomfield native Terry Shea (left) of Grosse Pointe, MOT director Dr. David DiChiera of Detroit, Kevin Dennis and Jeremy Zeltzer of Bloomfield.
Next Generation Kick Off Jessica Woll hosted the kick off gathering of Next Generation, a new branch of the Detroit NCJW, at her Bloomfield Hills home. Nearly 50 young women, including Nancy Glen, Karen Sachse, Liz Leshman, Joanne Aronovitz, Abbey Nathan, Lainie Phillips, Maggie Egrin, Jody Boorstein, Wendy Hamburger, Jodie Krasnick, Leslie Moskowitz, Julie Silberg, Ellen Berlin, Sally Hooberman, attended. They heard about the council’s long social action history from NCJW Detroit president Cathy Cantor and, from Woll and her co-chair Allison Parr, about Next Generation’s first initiative with Common Ground. Common Ground’s Jim Perlak outlined his agency’s mission to children and families in crisis before the Common Ground Theater Troupe’s www.oaklandpaper.com
■ DAR Piety Hill Chapter 75th Anniversary Celebration
Clockwise from upper left: Christina Burns (left) of Beverly Hills, chapter regent Virginia Bennett of Bloomfield, Mary Murri of Rochester Hills and Annette Carter of Bloomfield. Past regent Ruby Weidner (left) of Birmingham, Award of Excellence honoree / 20-year DAR member Maggie Allesee of Bloomfield, and past regent Nancy Reed of West Bloomfield. DAR state officer Joyce Ernst (left) of Lansing with Piety Hill member Janet Ashley of Bloomfield.
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■ social lights / sally gerak ■ DIA Benefit Trunk Show at SHE
skit about parent/child communication. However, the most compelling presentation of the meeting was a former Common Ground Sanctuary resident’s account of her experiences there and current successful life. For more information about Next Generation, call the NCJW office at (248) 355-3300, ext. 0.
Early Childhood’s Color My World Left to right: Diane Sotiroff (left) of Bloomfield and Kate Ostrove Fine Jewelry’s Kate Ostrove of Birmingham. Designer Heike Jarick of NYC (second from right) with event hosts Nicole Eisenberg (left) of Bloomfield, Julie Rothstein of West Bloomfield and Sharon Eisenshtadt of Bloomfield. Designer Hieke Janick (right) helps Marlene Cohen of Franklin
■ JVS Women to Work Trade Secrets Benefit
First row, left to right: Event chairs Gwen Weiner (left) of Franklin, Hadas Bernard of Birmingham, Elaine Fieldman and JVS President & CEO Barbara Nurenberg of Bloomfield. Emcee Lila Lazarus (center) of Commerce with John Cueter of Ypsilanti and Hoot McInerney of Bloomfield. Honoree photographer Linda Solomon (left) of Bloomfield with 2009 honoree Linda Dresner of Birmingham. Second row: Karol Ross (left) of Birmingham and her sister award recipient Barbara Berent of WestBloomfield. John Zupanc (left) of Birmingham with Women to Work participant / photographer Suzy Bruckner Friedman and Lois Shulman of West Bloomfield. Doug Clark (left) and Rob Allen of Bloomfield with the Townsend’s Pat Daniels of Clinton Twp. Below: Sher Kaplan (left) of Farmington Hills, Karen Rouff of Bloomfield, Jan Sherman of West Bloomfield and Randie Levin of Bloomfield. Harriett Rotter (left) of Franklin, Patricia Hill Burnett and Ginka Orgega of Bloomfield and Pam Bouchard of Birmingham. Rosemary Bannon (left) of Beverly Hills with Carmen Doumar, and Bob & Millie Pastor of Bloomfield.
The Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center hosts many special events throughout the year, but none could have been more spirited than the Color My World show and reception held there late Sunday afternoon, March 21. It showcased the exhibition and sale of work created by 170 tots and toddlers who attend the BPS Early Childhood Center at the former Midvale School. More than 400, including parents and teachers who had been coordinating the project for six months, crowded the BBAC for the reception. Each artist had three works, skillfully and loving frame matted by event chair Ana Smith and crew, for sale at $10 - $15 each. All the artwork sold but the money did not go into the little artists’ piggy banks. Instead, combined with the proceeds of an auction of group creations and a raffle of jewelry the kids made, the funds ($9,000 gross) will support the Adaptive Playground Fund at the ECC. Kudos also to Smith’s co-chair Lynn Sirich and Cathy Heller, Barbara Boswell, Sue-Chrostek, Meredith Meyer, Sonali Morris, Charlotte Keller, Nicole Comeau, Kristin Mclaughlin, Nicole Mays and their large coterie of parents and teachers who introduced the very young children to the joy of being beneficent through creativity.
Newcomers’ Dinner Dance
■ National Council of Jewish Women’s Next Generation Kick Off
Left to right: Sisters Allison and Jessica Woll of Bloomfield. The event chairs and Founders of Next Generation; Joanne Aronovitz (left) and Jodie Krasnick of Huntington Woods, Julie Silberg of Novi, Laine Phillips of Huntington Woods, Leslie Moskowitz of Bloomfield, Liz Leshman of Huntington Woods, hostess Jessica Woll, Abbey Nathan, and Allison Parr of Bloomfield. Michelle Silbe (left) of Commerce, Shellie Achtman of Walled Lake, Ellen Berlin, Huntington Woods and Stacy Simmons of Bloomfield.
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Before spring arrived the Birmingham Bloomfield Newcomers Club celebrated friendship at a gala dinner dance with a romantic White Nights theme a la “Dr. Shivago”. Silvery branches, white roses and candles, icicles, luminaries, a replica of the famous colorful St. Basils’ Basilica from Moscow and a display of traditional Matryoshka Dolls decked the rooms at Orchard Lake Country Club where the 114 partygoers socialized, dined and danced. They also enjoyed an exhibition by Russian Cultural Center dancers in traditional costume. Favors were miniature bottles of vodka wrapped in Russian newspaper. The BBNC is sponsored by The Community House in Birmingham and hosts a Welcome Coffee at 9:30 a.m. every first Monday of the month at The Community House. For more information, visit www.bbnewcomers.com. MAY 2010
Belle Isle Legacy Luncheon The Sixth Annual Polish the Jewel Luncheon is not until May 19, but Deborah Meade hosted a Cocktail Reception for Benefactors, Wednesday, April 21 at her Grosse Pointe home so committee members gathered on both sides of town to write schmooze notes to insert in the invitations. Elise Hayes hosted one gathering at her Bloomfield Hills home and Marcy Hayes, Glenda Price, Betty Bright, Dorie Shwedel, Nancy Brownrig, Johnnie Roquemore and BIWC founder Sarah Earley attended. More Belle Isle advocates gathered at Malini Vijay Hamo’s Grosse Pointe Shores home for the east side session. Valerie Ellis is chairing the May luncheon that will honor Debbie Dingell and Vivian Pickard. For benefactor tickets ($250 - $1,000), call (248) 435-3560.
■ Birmingham Public Schools Early Childhood Center’s Color My World
Above, left to right: Event chairs Ana Smith (left) and Lynn Sirich of Birmingham. ECC director Cathy Heller of Birmingham. Teacher liaison Sue Chrostek (left) of Birmingham with Delphine McLaughlin of Beverly Hills. Indira (left) Robbie, Rob & Amylia Higgins of Bloomfield. Chrissy and Declan Krempel of Birmingham. James Pearson of Birmingham.
Brother Rice Auction About the only time the 330 guests at Brother Rice High School’s Irish Journey Auction were reverent was during Kellie Rao’s beautiful singing invocation of “An Irish Blessing” before buffet dinner service began. The rest of the event was full of spirited fun and cheers. They cheered when Brian Kalczynski won the raffle for first dibs on a live auction item (people bought 100 tickets at $100 each). He chose a trip for four to NYC donated by BRHS alums – Michael George ’72, Chris Hansen ’77, Tim Harkness ’83, Jim Rattenbury ’89 and Chris Sullivan ’86. They cheered when Jim Weissenborn and Don Noble’s cards were drawn as the winners of the two 52-card raffles for outstanding wine collections. The latter’s tablemate, Greg Fisher, said his table cheered very enthusiastically because Noble promised to share his winnings with them. They cheered when emcee/auctioneer Rip Hayes announced that Tom and Vicki Celani had donated the dinner wine. They cheered when two bidders each paid $6,500 to spend a week in an artisan-built, 5-bedroom home in Big Sky, Montana. This helped bring the live auction total to $60,000. Combined with ticket sales and the $100,000 raised by silent auction bidding, planners expect that An Irish Journey will net about $200,000.
■ Birmingham Bloomfield Newcomers’ Annual Dinner Dance
Clockwise from upper left: Jim (left) & event co-chair Kathy Finley of Bloomfield and Craig & event co-chair Mona Schmatz of Birmingham. Jumala Cooper (left) of Bloomfield and decorating committee Dagma Lembke of West Bloomfield and Heidi Jueckstock of Bloomfield. Immediate past club president Debra Malcolm (left) & her husband Collin of Bloomfield and John & president Cheryl Facchini of Farmington Hills. Valentine (left) & Elvira Haag of West Bloomfield with Kattia & Willy Klier of Bloomfield. Max (left) & Pia Morandi of Bloomfield and Giovanni & Michela Pincetti of Birmingham. Beate Petritsch (left) of Bloomfield with Claudia Osswald and Monika Busch of West Bloomfield.
Roeper School Auction Events Eleven days before The Roeper School’s annual Mosaic Auction at the Ford Conference Center, Mindy Vanhellemont welcomed dozens of school boosters to her new Tallulah Wine Bar & Bistro (155 South Bates) in Birmingham. They sampled the great wines and Chef Jake Abraham’s www.oaklandpaper.com
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■ social lights / sally gerak ■ Birmingham Bloomfield Newcomers’ Annual Dinner Dance
farm-to-table cuisine featured there, checked out the impressive retail store, perused displays of the auction items and got a sneak preview of the school’s new promotional video. The main event with a broadcast news theme (The Roeport) attracted more than 260 loyalists of the school “where gifted children love to learn.” In the silent auction they bid $1,000 each for two classroom projects. A guitar autographed by legendary musicians, a girlfriends’ trip to Napa and a sail on Dennis O’Connor’s America’s Cup yacht highlighted the live auction. During breaks in the action they pledged $14,000 for faculty enrichment and applauded the 50-50 raffle winner Andrea Cousins and IPAD winner Lynn Grunza. They also applauded a comedic skit (a la SNL) starring auction co-chairs Rene Ratchford and Patricia Krzok, and Adam Smock ’87, students and administrators. The Middle and Upper School Jazz Bands entertained the crowd.
Clockwise from upper left: Bill & Molly Markley of Bloomfield. BRHS President John Birney (center) with event coordinator Susan Reid (left) and acquisition coordinator Anne Porritt of Bloomfield. Tom Gotshall (left), Julie & Tim Hildebrand and Bob Cornacchini of Bloomfield. Dads’ Club co-president Ed Holinski (left) of Livonia, Mothers’ Club president Mary Withold of Farmington Hills and Arlene & Ken Alessi of Bloomfield. Jim (left) & Cathy Weissenborn and Susan & Ray Sohn of Bloomfield. Marti Gotshall (left) with Joe and Jeanine Lunghamer of Bloomfield. Bob Stark (left) of Birmingham with Kim Harrison and her husband Jim Tamm of Bloomfield. Michael (left) & Jane Santi of Troy with Jim & Julie Comer and Charles & Marina Gleeson of Bloomfield. BRHS diving coach Hillary Morgan (left) of Beverly Hills, Alan & Angela Korn of Rochester Hills, Charlie & Kerry Dillon of Birmingham. Tom and Jeanne Petzold of Birmingham. Kim Cameron (left) of Bloomfield, Julie Hamaty of Birmingham. BRHS alum parents and grandparents Rudy and Marlene Oliver of Bloomfield.
Junior League Fashion Shows Nearly 1,000 ladies of all ages sashayed to the Townsend Hotel for five American Girl Fashion Shows March 20-21. Nearly 300 young models walked the runway in outfits matching the American Girl dolls they carried. Some of them also fund raised for the JLB by selling tickets and getting donations ($1,000 plus). Lauren Lowers raised the most ($350) with Rebecca Fite, Megan Peltier, Alexis-Rai Mangett and Megan Conlon topping the tallies for their respective shows. The shows were commentated by JLB president Noelle Schiffer and board members Keri Boyd, Michelle O’Brien, Katherine Baldini and Amy Benson, as well as seven high schoolers, including Christina Morelli, the chair’s daughter. Guests also posed for photos, looked over American Girl merchandise and checked out the display of raffle items. The raffle raised about $5,000 and Nadine Jennings, Ruth Jackson and Lori Shannon were at the last show on Sunday to claim their prizes. Not present for the drawing were Julie Yolles, Ruby Allen, Avlyn Smith and Barb Dermody, who won American Girl items, and 14 others who won donations from generous retailers. The months of volunteer effort will likely generate more than $50,000 for JLB programs which currently focus on children’s health and wellness.
Biggby Coffee Charity Opening Bob Gwynn would have liked the scene on March 22 in his former Birmingham haberdashery. Joe and Rose Glendinning, who are siblings, 84
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not spouses, had brightened up the place with art and crafts made by the participants at Variety FAR Conservatory for the Performing Arts, beneficiary of visitors’ donations on the grand opening day. Among those visitors who consumed more than 650 free specialty drinks were celebrities like comedian Lewis Black and author Mitch Albom; FAR board members; downtown Birmingham neighbors like Schakolad’s Doug Cale, Tiffany Florist’s Bob Kupfer, Sandells Flatbread Café’s Adam Brown, Wachler Jeweler’s Link and Gary Wachler; Carl Rose, whose Golfland adjoins the Glendinnings’ Bloomfield Hills Biggby Coffee shop; a contingent from Biggby Corporate; and two very proud parents, Bianca and Peter Glendinning. Never mind that a steady rain dominated the day. The place was packed, especially for the hour that Detroit Lions Stephen Peterman was signing autographs. “His children are some of the neighbor kids that come to my house for cookie handouts,” noted FAR director Arlene Kass, who has been so grateful for the Glendinnings’ continued generosity to FAR’s arts and recreation programs for children with disabilities.
■ Roeper School’s Auction Preview at Tallulah Wine Bar & Bistro
Left to right above: Auction coordinator Tom Huneke (left) of Beverly Hills, board president Steve Milbeck of Dearborn, event host Mindy Vanhellemont of Birmingham and trustee Birmingham’s Festivtities Designs’ Doug and Mary Beth Winkworth of Southfield. Auction cochair Rene Ratchford (left) of Southfield with Roeper’s Denita Banks-Sims of Bloomfield. Auction co-chair Patricia Krzok (let) of Highland with Roeper trustees Mark Krysinki and Allan Rothfeder of Birmingham. Below: Susan Learman (left) of Birmingham with Bloomfield native Scott Weinberg and his wife Rhonda of Farmington Hills. Folk singer Matt Morrow of Birmingham. Joyce Bennett (center) of Huntington Woods with Jan Van Maanen(left) and Tallulah owner Mindy Vanhellemont of Birmingham.
■ Junior League of Birmingham’s American Girl Fashion Shows
Great Lakes Chamber Music Supporters of the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, which will present its 16th season June 5–June 20, are fundraising by staging Festival Vignette events in private homes. The first of these, Opus 1, attracted more than 50 music lovers to Sandi and laude Reitelman’s Birmingham home. In addition to cocktails and supper, they were treated to a performance by the Harlem String Quartet. The crowd applauded enthusiastically the quartets’ version of Winton Marsalis’ “At the Octoroon Balls”, the “Rampart St. Row House Rag” and Billy Strayhorn’s “Take the A Train.” Opus 2 was hosted March 27 by Bridget and Michael Morin at their Bloomfield Hills home. It attracted 55 to hear DSO cellist Robert deMaine play Bach and his own composition “Brazil”, which he said, “…is as hard to play as it sounds.” Guests were also interested to learn that deMaine’s cello was made by J.B. Vuillaume 160 years ago and that cellists consider their bows (“I have 30”) as important as their cellos (“I have 13”). Both vignette events were notable for the very thing that makes chamber music so popular – the intimacy of the performance. And Michael Morin revealed an even more personal experience that he and his wife, who co-chair the festival board, enjoy as hosts of festival performers. “We get to hear them practice.” www.oaklandpaper.com
Clockwise from upper left: Co-chair Kelly Petrocella (left) of West Bloomfield and chair Janet Morelli of Rochester. JLB VP Katie Marinella (left) of Royal Oak, Chloe Wagner of Birmingham and committee member Jessicca Mumaw of Lake Orion. Annabell Geissbuhler (left) and Grace Guise of Birmingham. JLB volunteers Janice Condit (left) of Beverly Hills and Stephanie Spinale of Bloomfield. JLB volunteers Diane Shaheen (left) of St. Clair Shores, Margaret Campbell and Amanda Mason of Birmingham, Marcia Skinner of Royal Oak and Cathy Jeakle of Macomb. Keira Shannon (left) and Ali Bussey of Birmingham, Christina Kucy of Troy.
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■ social lights / sally gerak ■ Biggby Coffee Birmingham opening benefiting FAR
Eton Academy’s Auction
Clockwise from upper left: FAR director Arlene Kass (left) of Birmingham, Biggby co-owner Rose Glendinning of Bloomfield and FAR board member John Ashcraft of Troy. Biggby co-owner John Glendinning (center) of Bloomfield, his mother Bianca of E. Lansing and Eric Wilson of Clawson, a chef at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. Mary Agarwal (left) and Maria Campanale of Birmingham (holding bird houses made by FAR members). Paulette Smith (left) of Beverly Hills and Rita Dallavecchia of Bloomfield. Leanne Sexton (left) of Bloomfield, Anna MacKinnon of Dearborn and Laurel Merz of Royal Oak. Patricia Fild of Birmingham.
Eton Academy’s annual auction attracted 300 to the Birmingham school that believes learning challenges are differences, not disabilities. They enjoyed a superb strolling supper while they bid $25,000 on silent auction items. Then they heard compelling testimonies by an Eton grad and two current students before auctioneer Dan Stall got them to part with $110,000 for 21 live auction items. A raffle and generous sponsorship by Fifth Third Bank, Leo Burnett, Maritz Corp., Aspen Marketing, Austin Financial, Morley and Penske Corporation brought the event net proceeds to $215,000.
U of D Spring Fashion Show
■ Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival’s Festival Vignette Opus 1
Clockwise from upper left: Event hostess / board member Sandi Reitelman (left) of Birmingham with Linda and Scott Sircus of Franklin. Board members Evan (left) and Gwen Weiner of Franklin with event host / board member Claude Reitelman of Birmingham. Sally and Bob Goldman of Birmingham. Sandi Reitelman (left) of Birmingham with Debra Bernstein-Siegel and Nancy Bluth of Bloomfield. Carole (left) and Martin Schock of Bloomfield with Lionel and Florence Finkelstein of Birmingham. Rayna Kogan (left) of West Bloomfield with Maria and board member Ron Hewson of Bloomfield. GLCMF’s Natalie Bruno of Berkley with Irving Shapiro of Bloomfield.
The University of Detroit Jesuit Mothers’ Club’s annual Spring Fashion Show attracted more than 300 to the Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Isle March 27. The social hour featured a Chinese Raffle with more than 40 prizes but the Parisian fashion show was the event highlight, especially for the 20 mothers of seniors who were honored for their service to The High. Accompanied by their sons modeling Steve Petix tuxes, they strolled the runway in After Five ensembles. Event co-chairs Lisa Stanczak and Carrie Moore were decidedly grateful to Rochester Hills’ Parisian’s Lynn McCabe who coordinated the show and did the interesting commentary. A rousing rendition of the U of D Jesuit Fight Song sung by the tuxedo-clad seniors capped off the occasion, which raised nearly $7,000 for the Mothers’ Club’s projects. These include scholarships and family events that promote the school’s mission to develop “men for others.”
Michigan Fine Arts Reception More than 300 art lovers attended the opening reception of the Michigan Fine Arts Competition on April 2 at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center. They marveled at the broad range of work juror Sondra Freckelton selected for the show (193 works of art by 160 artists from 69 Michigan cities) and the intriguing art to which she awarded prizes. Among the eight winners who shared $2,500 in prize money was Jillian Bonahoom of Bloomfield Hills. The exhibit is free and open to the public through May 7 at the BBAC, 1516 S. Cranbrook Rd., Birmingham. More information is available at www.BBArtCenter.org.
House in Bloom Chris Giftos is very good. The retired Metropolitan Museum of Art special events director and master 86
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flower arranger came to town and captivated guests at two different events with two entirely different presentations. The 80 people who attended the Preview Party ($125) hosted by event chair Carolyn Hefner at her special events planning gallery (www.thechinacloset.com) saw Giftos’ slides from museum parties and learned things like the cost to rent the great hall at the museum for a party ($60,000) and the cost per person ($900). They also sipped and supped on Forte Belanger creations and studied Hefner’s studio, a delight for the eyes. When we noticed the yellow cocktail napkins imprinted with a Wordsworth verse about daffodils, Hefner’s brother, Steve Zeiler, confirmed that his sister has always been a detail person. Martha Neumann and Sheryl Kammer, stand-ins for Mary Smart who broke her foot, said they had spent the day driving GIftos to stores like Home Goods and Costco to buy containers and to Nordlie Wholesale for flowers. They marveled at his approach to “winging it” and were anxious to see the results the next day. He did not disappoint. In The Community House ballroom on an elevated platform surrounded by piles of flowers and containers, the personable, master arranger seemed to be in his element under much less pressure than during his years at the museum. The capacity audience of 250 ($50) watched and listened for more than two hours as he created 10 arrangements, chatting easily and dispensing tips (how to open tulip petals) and confessing secrets (“I hate gardening…I love teaching”). The completed floral displays were given by random draw as door prizes to 10 lucky winners. Then guests lunched at gorgeous tables set up throughout The House. Each had been uniquely dressed by Gala Linens and decorated by Bellisario Florist, Blossoms, Breath of Spring, Emerald City Designs, Flowers by Gabrielle, Thrifty Florist and Tiffany Florist. Additionally, The Flowershop at Goldner Walsh did a head turning arrangement for the lobby. All in all House in Bloom was a colorful, inspirational, educational fun way to see old friends after the Easter/Passsover holidays.
■ Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival’s Festival Vignette Opus 2
Clockwise from upper left: Festival board co-chair / event hostess Bridget Morin (left) of Bloomfield, board member Gwen Weiner of Franklin and GLCMF executive director Maury Okun of Novi. Larry Nahigian (left), Florence Brownfain and board member Randy Shein of Bloomfield. Cellist Robert deMaine (center) of Grosse Pointe with Beverly Baker (left) and festival board co-chair / event host Michael Morin of Bloomfield. Cellist Robert deMaine (left) of Grosse Pointe, Ruth Rattner of Birmingham, Michael Morin of Bloomfield. Mike Somand (left), Shay Pendray and Nev Curtis of Bloomfield. Beth (left), Norm and Cathy Schmitt of Bloomfield.
■ Eton Academy’s Viva la Difference Auction
Clockwise from upper left: Matt (left) & Eton advancement director Blythe Moran of Bloomfield with committee member Paula & trustee Mark LaNeve of Northville. Past trustee Celia (left) & Ed Lipsky and trustee Sonia & Tom Pastore of Bloomfield. Kathy (left) & Bob Duffitt with committee member / past event chair Janet Twomey of Bloomfield. Tiffanie (left) & Russ Ehrke of Birmingham with Gayle & Upper School director Tom Hoff of Royal Oak.
■ University of Detroit Jesuit Mothers’ Club Annual Fashion Show
Sacred Heart’s Heart Beats Many of the 200 Academy of the Scared Heart supporters who attended the Heart Beats auction fundraiser late last month seemed to have lots of fun going back in time. The party actually saluted the Beatles and the Brits. A row of Union Jacks and some British sports cars loaned by Gretchen Parks, Andy Dixon and Larry Smith set the stage outside. www.oaklandpaper.com
Clockwise from upper left: Mother’s Club co-vice presidents Denice Vecellio (left) of Commerce Township and Karen Rust of Bloomfield. Julie Fattore and her son Anthony of Bloomfield. Lynn McCabe (left) of Parisian in Rochester Hills with event co-chairs Lisa Stanczak of Bloomfield and Carrie Moore of Grosse Pointe. Laurie Delaney of Bloomfield (center) with Susan Hall (left) and Sue Dery of Birmingham. Linda Silvasi (left) Jean Charboneau, Debbie Tisdel and Sue Fritz of Birmingham and Julie Gates of Bloomfield
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■ social lights / sally gerak ■ Michigan Fine Arts Competition Opening Reception
Left to right: R. L. Polk’s Michelle Goff and Environmental Risk Management’s Kevin Kruszewski of Bloomfield. Max Broock Birmingham Realtors Michael (left) DeForrest of Waterford and Keith Watson of Bloomfield with Julie Smith of Berkley. Dana & Richard Loewenstein of West Bloomfield. (In background “Hope Eternal” by Marie Davis). Patty & MFAC sponsor United Global Sourcing, Inc.’s Ken Eisenbraun of Bloomfield. Honorable mention winner: oil “Slump” by Jillian Bonahoom of Bloomfield.
■ The Community House’s House in Bloom Preview Party
Inside the school‘s field house fashion statements included Go Go boots, head bands, Pucci-style prints and bell bottom jeans. Amid the splendid array of Beatles posters one heard greetings like “…peace and love and all that stuff.” Two hundred guests plus lots of student volunteers - like senior Molly Mayer, who is the fifth generation of her family to attend the academy partied, dined, danced and, with accented cajoling by British auctioneer Charles Wickins, bid on live auction items. Super Bowl tickets brought in the most money, although people also pledged $11,000 for playground equipment. A reserved parking space and front row seating at graduation were the most soughtafter silent auction items. The event grossed nearly $134,000. This included the $7,200 people donated for six red oak trees. The oaks were a symbolic hug for the late athletic director/lacrosse coach Vicki Oakley, a Brit who inspired many during her 15 years at ASH before she lost her battle with ovarian cancer in February. After the bidding concluded, a spirited group ended the evening dancing under psychedelic lights at the Patrons’ Beatles Bash.
Women’s Power Breakfast
Clockwise from upper left: Special guest Chris Giftos of Woodbury, CT with event chair Carolyn Hefner of Beverly Hills who hosted the Preview Party. Event honorary co-chair / sponsor First Michigan Bank’s David Provost (left) of Birmingham with Rick & honorary committee member Karen Williams of Bloomfield. Honorary co-chair Christine Provost and committee member Sue Simon of Birmingham. Honorary committee member Sue Dinger (left) of Bloomfield with Peggy Kerr of Birmingham and Flowershop/Goldner Walsh’s Tim Travis of Waterford. Martha Neumann (left) and Sheryl Kammer of Bloomfield with honorary committee member/artist Julie Dawson of Birmingham who supplied the souvenirs for the main event. Tiffany Florist’s Bob Kupfer (left) & Dave Weir of Bloomfield. (Weir was also on the honorary committee)
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An invitation-only reception at the Bloomfield Hills Radisson to thank sponsors the evening before the 17th annual Gleaners’ Women’s Power Breakfast attracted some three dozen, including featured speaker Anne Thompson and Gleaners Community Food Bank president DeWayne Wells. But the record-setting crowd (more than 400) very early the next morning (April 14) in the Grand Court at Somerset North reportedly had supporters crowing. Honorary co-chairs Vivian Pickard’s original inspirational and Jennifer Fischer’s introduction of emcee Helen Phillips, Season 7 winner of “The Biggest Loser,” kick started the program. Phillips is now putting her determination to work fighting childhood obesity (at Henry Ford Hospital) and fighting hunger (through Feeding America’s Pound for Pound challenge - www.pfpchallenge.com). Then it was Local 4 time. Event cochair Marla Drutz, WDIV-TV VP/GM, introduced WDIV’s Carmen Harlan. She introduced Thompson, who was at WDIV in the 80s. Thompson could have spoken about her successful battle with breast cancer or her NBC assignment as chief environmental correspondent, an increasing challenge as new evidence seems to support the manmade global warming skeptics. But she knew her audience and stayed right on the hunger mesMAY 2010
sage, sharing facts from MIT’s recent food boot camp for journalists and her tour of the Gleaners warehouse. She ended with the observation that if money spent on daily coffees, weekly manicures and occasional designer shoes went to fight hunger instead, it would go a long way toward Gleaners’ goal of providing one-million meals for children in southeast Michigan. This is true especially since the Women’s Power Breakfast raised nearly enough to provide half of those one million meals.
CARE House Pre-Ground Breaking Some 100 supporters of CARE House of Oakland County gathered for a pre-groundbreaking reception April 15. Included in the group were longtime loyalists like Vicki & Tom Celani, Henry Baskin, Denise Alexander, Nina & Bob Cutler, Denise & Herb Abrash, Linda & Dan Bomberski, Roz & Scott Jacobson, Noreen & Terry Keating, Susan Russell, Vince Giovanni and Mary Lou Zieve. They toasted the old North Woodward Ave. landmark Ducky’s Bar which was razed to make room for the new 14,000 sq. ft. facility. It will enable the agency to serve thousands more abused children than the 5,000 per year it now serves. Cathy & Jim Weissenborn and Brier & Gary Neel who are leading the CARE House Campaign for Kids, are thrilled that they’ve already raised enough of the required dollars to start construction. The actual ceremonial digging was scheduled for the next day. Fundraising will continue until the $4-million goal is reached.
■ The Community House’s House in Bloom
Left to right: Chris Giftos of Woodbury, CT with committee member Nancy Peil of Bloomfield.Michelle Otzen (left) of Bloomfield with Denise Bianchini and Gigi Nichols of Birmingham. Happy door prize winner Denise Bianchini of Birmingham with her Chris Giftos arrangement. Committee member Wendy Powers (left) with Barbara Livy and honorary committee member Miranda Burnett of Bloomfield.
■ Academy of the Sacred Heart’s Heart Beats Auction
Clockwise from upper left: Decorations chair Melissa Denker (left) and Fran Smith of Bloomfield. Chip Dawson (left), Ran Jessup and major sponsor excelleRx, Inc’s Gary Kadlec of Bloomfield. Jerry Aaron (left) of Bingham Farms, Joe Campbell and Larry Smith of Bloomfield. Benefactor sponsors Dawn and Howard Fretter of Bloomfield. Drew and Jennifer MacLeod Smith of Bloomfield. Sponsor Penske Automotive Group’s Bud Denker (left) of Bloomfield and Craig Valassis of Orchard Lake. Past event chair Randi Watchowski (left) of Birmingham and Mary Lou Janes of Bloomfield. Marie Kadlec and Patti Jessup of Bloomfield.
Michigan Opera Theatre’s Social One of the many perks of loyally supporting MOT is invitations to some really nice events - like the reception supper and dress rehearsal for Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” The highlight of the reception was the crowd of 240 singing “Happy Birthday” to MOT Director David Di Chiera. Among those in the chorus were board chair Rick Williams, Charlotte Podowski, Mary Lou Zieve, Betty Bright, Shelley & Peter Cooper, Lois & Avern Cohn, Gretchen & Ethan Davidson, Judy & Roger Sherman, Joy & Allan Nachman and Maggie & Bob Allesee, to name just a few. Although “Don Giovanni” which has ended its run enjoyed good reviews, it’s not too late to plan to see Puccini’s “Tosca”. It runs May 1523 at the Detroit Opera House. Check it out at www.motopera.org. Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 or e-mail samgerak@aol.com or call 248.646.6390. www.oaklandpaper.com
■ Gleaners’ Community Food Bank’s Women’s Power Breakfast
Clockwise from lower left: Past co-chair Sue Nine (left) of Bloomfield with featured speaker NBC’s Anne Thompson of NYC. Carla Schwartz (left) of West Bloomfield and Danialle Karmanos of Orchard Lake with event honorary co-chair/sponsor Suburban Collection’s Jennifer Fischer (left) of Bloomfield.Former Gleaners’ board chair Pat Berwanger (left) of Bloomfield with Gleaner’s Anne Schenk and Chantal Oudin of Ferndale and sponsor Trent Design’s Marilyn Trent of Rochester. Past co-chair Lois Cohn (left) of Birmingham with Rosanne Duncan of Bloomfield and past co-chair Florine Mark of Farmington Hills. Past event co-chair Myra Moreland of Birmingham, Marcy Hayes of Farmington Hills, event honorary co-chair/sponsor Suburban Collection’s Jennifer Fischer and Dorie Shwedel of Bloomfield.
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■ final word Picks for Bloomfield Hills voters
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loomfield Hills voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, May 4 to fill two open seats on the Bloomfield Hills City Commission. Four candidates are vying for the positions, which carry two-year terms and draw a payment of $5 a month. No questions or funding proposals will appear on the May 4 ballot. Our candidate endorsement advice for voters is based on a joint interview session with the candidates, and a review of their biographical and professional backgrounds. Both a transcript and a video recording of our candidate interview session have been posted on our website — oaklandpaper.com. The good news for city voters is that each of the four candidates appearing on the ballot have sound qualifications for a seat on the commission — a pair of builders, each with experience in municipal government, a financial analyst and economics instructor who previously served on a city council in another community, and the owner of a couple of real estate firms. With professional backgrounds like that, benefiting from the experiences and insights those careers provide, none of the candidates can be discounted. Yet the very nature of any election is making a choice. We found that the candidates provided fairly similar answers and ideas when responding to our candidate questions, with one significant exception — the issue of land use and development in the community. Two of the candidates believe this election amounts to a referendum on development and adherence to the city's master plan for land use. As the chief issue dividing the field of candidates into two camps, one can view the May 4 election as a vote on the community's future character and nature. Of course, there's more than one issue the city must grapple with now and in the near future. With that in mind, we think voters would be wise to cast one of their two votes for Mayor L. David Kellett. None of the three challengers made a direct, compelling case for a need to replace Kellett, and we haven't otherwise been made aware of a need for voters to make a change. Kellett is the only incumbent in the race. The owner and chief executive officer of Kellett Construction Co. for over 30 years, he has served in various lead-
ership positions for several building industry associations. More importantly for city voters, he has been a city commissioner since 2006. Prior to that, he served on the city's Zoning Board of Appeals. In addition, Kellett has been a member of the Planning Commission since 2008. As a current commissioner and the city's mayor, it's not a surprise that Kellett possesses a commanding knowledge of city affairs and issues. He has a more moderate and flexible view on city business than other candidates in this race, which is an important quality at the commission table. We've seen how Kellett is able to bend or revise his stance on an issue when there's good reason for a change. Kellett's willingness to take a position that may not be popular or politically expedient is a sign of fortitude and leadership that elective office demands. The challengers include Sarah McClure, Robert Toohey, and Douglas Hardy. McClure is a former Merrill Lynch financial consultant, and a former Cranbrook and Oakland University economics instructor. She previously served on the Orchard Lake City Council and Zoning Board of Appeals, so she has some experience in local government. Toohey is a licensed residential builder, real estate broker and attorney specializing in municipal and corporate law. He served on the Bloomfield Hills City Commission from 2004 to 2006, on the city's Planning Commission from 2006 to 2009, and on the city's Zoning Board of Appeals prior to his election to the City Commission. He has also held several high-level administration positions in the city of Detroit, which, in conjunction with his service in Bloomfield Hills, gives him more local government experience than the other three candidates combined. Hardy, who earned a medical degree, left the realm of medicine in 1996 to work in real estate. He is owner and chairman of SKBK Sotheby's, and owner and president of Century 21 Today. McClure and Toohey generally size up this election as being all about honoring the city's master plan. McClure told us that the master plan should be the city's blueprint, and that local officials have an obligation to follow it. According to McClure, that's a philosophy shared by a majority of Bloomfield Hills residents,
and the May 4 election results will show that. For his part, Toohey says it's a neglect by current city officials to enforce the master plan that prompted him to enter the race. We can't abide by McClure and Toohey's rigid view on the role of the master plan in city affairs. Provisions of a master plan aren't etched in stone. A master plan isn't a legal commitment like a contract. It's a planning tool intended to be used by elected and appointed municipal officials as they make a myriad of decisions impacting the community. Logic dictates that officials use the master plan as a road map, and therefore typically follow it. However, local officials have no legal obligation or responsibility to follow the master plan with uncompromising faithfulness. What McClure and Toohey don't acknowledge — or perhaps don't know — is that a master plan has a fiscal dimension. While a master plan outlines a vision for future land uses, it's also used as a means to determine whether that vision makes sense for the city's finances. When a plan is drafted, it needs to be reviewed to determine whether the community's land use goals and zoning designations can produce the tax revenue to adequately provide the municipal services the community needs and desires. Voters who buy into McClure and Toohey's view of local officials' duty to strictly uphold a master plan's provisions, without regard for unique circumstances and conditions related to each individual decision that must be made, will want to cast their votes for them. Those who have a different, tempered view toward making decisions would do well to stick with Kellett and tap Hardy for a term on the commission. We realize Hardy is the only candidate that doesn't have experience in local government, and the absence of that in his background may make voters believe that casting a vote for him is a little risky; but, like each of the candidates in this race, his passion and dedication to the community can't be questioned. Further, he has the skills and potential to bring himself up to speed on the mechanics of local government that he may now lack, and the wherewithal to enter any fray and fully examine individual issues in order to make informed, reasoned decisions. ■
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Upper Long Lake Lakefront
City of Bloomfield Hills Newer Estate
City of Bloomfield Hills
Orchard Lake Lakefront
City of Bloomfield Hills
Newer Construction In Birmingham
Executive custom contemporary. Almost 27,000 sq. ft. of recreational living including pool and sports court. Sophisticated owners suite wing. $4,999,000
On private cul-de-sac street. Uncompromised details. First floor owners suite. Lower level with extensive amenities. Four car garage. $2,380,000
Adjacent to Cranbrook Educational Community. Newer construction. Bedroom suites, gracious floor plan. Seven fireplaces, 4 car garage. Finished lower level. $1,995,000
Lou DesRosier ranch style contemporary with walkout lower level. A visual masterpiece. Water views from every room. An entertainer’s dream. $1,900,000
Country estate with golf course views. Two separate entrance in-law/nanny suites. Private street. Five car garage. Indoor pool. Entertainer’s dream. $1,499,000
With quality appointments and sophisticated details. Exceptional master suite. Finished lower level. Fit and finished decor. $1,190,000
D L SO Custom Newer Construction in Bloomfield Hills
Bloomfield Hills Quarton Lake Soft Contemporary Waterfront Landmark Home
Bloomfield Township Newer Construction
Private Gated Estate Community
Oakland Township’s Finest
Walking distance to Andover High School. Over 9,000 sq. ft. of living with walkout. Seven bedrooms. Four car garage. Upper Long Lake out lot access. $1,190,000
Tranquil water views from every room. Large kitchen, family room and atrium sitting area. Finished walkout lower with bar and guest suite. Bloomfield Hills schools. $1,149,000
With 5 bedroom and baths. Finished lower level with theater, craft and recreation room. 3 car garage. Bloomfield schools. $995,000
New on market. Custom built with almost 6,000 sq. ft. of living. Finished lower level with full kitchen. 4 car garage. Designed for entertaining. $995,000
Designer treatments throughout. Extensive millwork throughout. Open spaces and large rec room walkout. Shows like new. This will not last. $875,000
New on market situated on an almost double lot. Classic design with contemporary conveniences. Kitchen opens to family room. Three car $1,095,000 garage.
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Orchard Lake Lakefront
Bloomfield Village Classic Colonial
Franklin Park-Like 1.2 Acre Setting
Executive Retreat in Bloomfield Hills
West Bloomfield Rare 4 Acre
Birmingham Designer Home
Never on market. Condo alternative living. Partial furnished. Completely updated. Finished lower level. 4 car garage. One plus acre. $795,000
With Dejulio kitchen opens to keeping room. Family room and living room with fireplace. Master suite with dual walk-in closets. $659,900
Completely remodeled with Designer kitchen opening to living areas. Finished lower level. 3 car garage. Walk to Cider Mill. $635,000
Newer Arts and Crafts design with open floor plan. Private setting with tranquil views. 3 car garage. Bloomfield Hills schools. $599,000
Parcel that is a perfect opportunity to build your dream estate. Rolling topography. Water at street and sewer up Maple Road. Birmingham schools. $575,000
From the Designer perfect residence. Kitchen opens to family room with fireplace. Second floor laundry. Finished lower level with full bath and $529,000 bedroom.
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D L SO
Bloomfield Township
Newer Construction
City of Bloomfield Hills
West Bloomfield Ranch Style Home
Detached condo, end unit. Open floor plan and soft contemporary flair. Sleek kitchen with eat-in. First floor master suite. $499,000
Within walking distance to downtown Birmingham. Stop your search. This is a 10. New on market. Quality throughout. $489,000
Rare ranch style detached condo. Large kitchen with deck. Living room with fireplace. Dining room. Library. Finished walkout lower level. $449,000
This one and a half story is located on private setting with many capital improvements. Open floor plan. Private natural setting. $419,000
All-Sports Lake Lakefront
New Construction in Royal Oak
With majestic trees, large lot and 100 ft. of waterfront. Summer cottage or build your dream house. This is a special property! $329,000
Gourmet kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Master suite with Euro bath and walk-in closet. Professionally landscaped with privacy fence. $298,000
K A T H Y BROOCK BALLARD 180 Ft. Lakefront Buildable Site
Spectacular Home
With walkout possibilities. Surrounded by nature with picturesque views from every angle. Bloomfield Hills schools. Bank owned. $399,000
With new Euro-style cooks kitchen with prep island and bar setting, opens to family room. Finished daylight lower level with wet bar, full bath and rec room. This won’t last!! $370,000
D L SO
D L SO
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Sprawling Ranch
Royal Oak Charmer
End Unit with Newer Kitchen
Orchard Lake Lakefront
Situated on an over 1 acre wooded lot. Remodel includes kitchen/family addition with 3 car garage. Bloomfield Hills schools. $290,000
Designer updates throughout. Gourmet kitchen opens to living spaces. Three bedrooms and office. Quiet street adjacent to park and walk to town. $229,000
Opens to step down family room, three bedrooms, formal dining room and living room. Finished lower level. Two car attached garage. $108,000
For lease on quiet street. Kitchen with new appliances. Four bedrooms. Great room with fireplace. Dining room. Sandy beach setting. $2,600/month
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