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PARTY LIKE IT’S 2000 Eaglets demolish Oilers, 45-7, in Detroit for first crown in 11 years - pg. 37
COMMERCE BUDGET SPAT Board divided over pay issue for non-unionized township workers - pg. 3
TOWNSHIPS HONORED Waterford, White Lake net award for shared IT operations - pg. 7
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SHOP LOCAL • THINK LOCAL • LIVE LOCAL
Dr. Howard Rosenberg is the first chiropractor in the region to add a registered dietitian to his staff. “I believe it only makes sense that our patients have access to comprehensive care when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” he said. Alissa Thompson, R.D. joined Hiller Chiropractic and Wellness Center effective Nov. 7. She will work with patients on an individual basis in hourly consultations to help with problems like fatigue, loss of energy, diabetes, kidney disease, gastrointestinal complications, nutrition during pregnancies, weight management and general nutrition advice. Hiller Chiropractic, a health care office providing chiropractic care, massage therapy and nutrition counseling, is located on Hiller Road at the corner of Greer in West Bloomfield. For information, visit hillerchiro.com or call 248-681-6804. ❏
That’s what HE said: "It's another layer of red tape and will slow down the process while adding costs to the process." — Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) Spokesman Craig Bryson commenting on a bill that would require that, if a township contributes 50 percent or more to the costs of a road project, the township board can require the road commission to solicit competitive bids on the project before a contract is awarded. The RCOC says it already does that on major projects.
INSIDE Special Report . . . . . . . . .8-9 County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Public Safety . . . . . . . . . . .23 Environment . . . . . . . . . .26 State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Lakes Area News . . . . . .7-17 Editorials . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . .37-39
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Commerce board split on budget over wage issue By Angela Niemi staff writer
The Commerce Township Board Trustees is at a bit of an impasse as the board looks to adopt the township’s 2012 budget. So far, one presented spending plan has been voted down, while another was tabled at a meeting earlier this month. The two budgets were similar, by and large, according to Commerce Zoner Township Clerk Dan Munro. The total revenue for Commerce was proposed at $5.22 million with total expenditures coming in at about $4.5 million, resulting in a spending plan that’s over $700,000 in the black for the next fiscal year, which begins Jan. 1, 2012. While a large part of the
Highland OCSD contract comes in at $1.77 million By Angela Niemi staff writer
There will no longer be a lieutenant at the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Highland Township Substation in 2012, according to the contract with the county’s law enforcement arm approved at the November Highland Board of Trustees meeting. Instead, the substation will be commanded by a detective sergeant. “One of the very important observations to make first of all is that this is not a reflection on the lieutenant (David Pement),” said Supervisor Triscia Pilchowski. “He did a fine job, and we appreciate his service. He’s been a benefit to the community. However, we have a population of 19,212, and that is considerably less
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expenditures are salaries and benefits, $2 million would have been allocated toward debt stabilization for Downtown Development Authority (DDA) bond payments for the Martin Parkway project. “In 2012, the DDA is going to run out of money and be short on making Law their bond payment by about $1 million,” said Trustee Rick Sovell. “Because of that, the township will have to come up with the money to pay the shortfall. But we knew that was happening so we’ve been planning for it. We have the money, so it’s OK.” Prior to a budget being presented to the township board for approval, the township’s governing body discussed reinstating pay rates from a few years back for the non-union employees that had taken a pay cut. However, with another year of declining property values being projected for Oakland County, some board members felt it was not the time to reinstate previous wage levels. “It was not that we felt the individuals affected did not deserve the
raises, for each and every one of them are outstanding employees,” said Trustee Debra Kirkwood. “The timing is just not right to put this back in our budget.” Nevertheless, the first budget presented to the board in October reflected the wage restorations and was defeated in a 4-3 vote, with Supervisor Tom Zoner, Treasurer Susan Gross, and Munro — the township’s three full-time elected officials — voting in favor of adoption. “I just feel that with the tough economic times that people in Commerce Township and Michigan are going through, with many residents losing jobs or taking pay cuts, a budget proposing raises for employees is inappropriate right now and sends the wrong message,” said Trustee David Law. “The trustees view the reinstated wages as a raise,” Sovell said. “I don’t think it’s the right Munro time to give raises given the township’s declining
than any community that has a lieutenant. You have to go up to 30,000 or more to find a contracted community in Oakland County that has a lieutenant.” Asked whether Pement would continue working at the substation, Pilchowski said she isn’t sure what the sheriff’s department protocol is for such situations. Back in the 1990s, Highland operated with a detective sergeant in command, according to Pilchowski, who added that in terms of administration, this is “more in line with how we were” in the past. Highland’s contract with the Sheriff’s Department is roughly $1.77 million and is paid for through a millage. The 2012 contract includes a detective sergeant, one patrol investigator, and 12 road patrol deputies. That is one less patrol investigator and one less road patrol deputy than was contracted for in 2011. Another patrol investigator is also a
part of the contract, but he will serve at Huron Valley Milford High School and is therefore paid for by the Huron Valley School District. Pilchowski said that maintaining the same coverage next year as the township had this year would have put the township in a hole by about $300,000. “We have some fund balance that we expect to have at the end of the year, but it would not be in the realm (to cover $300,000),” she said. “It’s more in a range of about $100,000.” She added that the township planned to finish paying off the current contract with funds from the fund balance. Meanwhile, Pilchowski and the township board hope to put millage language together that would provide sufficient funding for the substation to have more coverage. “My opinion is to bring us to a place where we have outstanding coverage with 14 patrol deputies, two patrol investigators, and one detective sergeant.” ❏
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OAKLAND’S
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Staff Writers: Angela Niemi, Leslie Shepard, Michael Shelton Contributing Writers: Mike Scott, Mark Stowers Staff Photographer: Amy K. Lockard ADVERTISING SALES: Account Representatives: Cindie Audia, Denise Engelberts, Debra Grubb Linda Stickney, Laurie Wasker Sales Assistant/Proofing: Karen Whikehart PHONE SALES MANAGER: Lori Snyder Account Representatives: Rhonda Libkuman, Cindy Stawick, Leslie Timko GRAPHICS: Denise Jungjohan, Marcia Reimer, Stacie Sabady IT MANAGER: Joel Stickney CIRCULATION: Dan Griffin ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE MANAGER: Carolyn Petherbridge Assistant: Mable McCullough PRESS RELEASES: Deadline 10 a.m. Thursday. Mail to P.O. Box 14, Union Lake, MI 48387-0014. Fax 248.360.1220 or bring to office. After-hours drop box. NEWS TIPS: Post at our website MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS: 52 issues - $45 per year.
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LeBlanc made Orchard Lake St. Mary’s a rowing powerhouse
J
ack “Laddie” LeBlanc, 82, is synonymous with Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and has a legacy that continues to be carried out to this day. LeBlanc grew up in Ecorse along the Detroit River and was lured to the sport of rowing by his brothers, becoming a national champion and a Royal Canadian Henley Regatta champion in 1947 with his school’s rowing club before moving to West Bloomfield in 1957. After working in insurance at Metropolitan Life, LeBlanc joined his friend Justin Ross in starting the St. Mary’s rowing program in 1976 before eventually taking over as head coach. From 1978 to 1995, “Laddie” led his program to five state championships in addition to numerous other titles. The success that the St. Mary’s program has had since then, including numerous Hebda Cups, Midwest Championships, state titles, three Canadian Schoolboy titles and the 1998 single-boat national title, would not have been possible without the path that LeBlanc set. Not only is the St. Mary’s rowing clubhouse and the school’s Crew Classic trophy named in LeBlanc’s honor, but three of his grandchildren (Spencer and Parker McInnis and Sean Bauer) are members of the St. Mary’s football team that just won the Division 3 state football championship. LeBlanc has been married to his wife, Julie, for 62 years and has eight children and 29 grandchildren, some of which are either St. Mary’s students or alumni. Tell us how you were introduced to rowing and how it became one of your passions. What was your greatest accomplishment as a rower? JL: My father’s house, where I was born and raised, was on the Detroit River in Ecorse. Right across the street was the boat club and all my brothers started rowing when they were teenagers and continued all through high school. At our high school, they started a rowing club and they were national champions along with me. Winning the national championship and the Canadian National Championship in 1947 (was my greatest accomplishments as a rower). We also understand that your rowing skills came in handy when someone’s life was in danger. Please recall that day for us. JL: I came from work with my dad with my suit on at about 3 o’clock and my son said there’s somebody out there screaming for help on the lake. I looked out the window and I saw a hand sticking out of the water about an eighth of a mile away from my house. So I had the canoe by the
Q
Q
lakeshore, and I pushed it onto the water. There was a thin layer of ice, so I couldn’t put all my weight on the ice. I had to scoot the boat towards this guy and as I got about 40 yards from him, here comes two firemen with a stepladder running out towards him, and about 40 feet from him they caved in. They were in full gear and boots and they came up screaming for help. They were holding onto the thin ice. I hollered to the guy “Grab a hold of my boat and I’ll pull you out.” So I got him out and pulled him to shore and went after the other one and did the same thing. He wanted to come back with me to pick up the drowning
•
NE MINUTE
JL: They think it’s an easy sport, but it’s the toughest sport in the world. You’re using every muscle in your body all the way through the full 3,000 meters and you can’t let go. If you let go, the oar sinks and stops the boat. You gotta be on top of everything (always), and you have to be perfect to win a good race. Well, I’ve got pictures and medals and movies and we got all the boats we need at St. Mary’s for anyone that wants to come out to row. We get them in the boat one time and they love it. You first came to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in 1976 and began the rowing program with your friend Justin Ross. What were the biggest obstacles you and your team had to overcome when your program was just starting out? You later took over as the program’s head coach. How did you deal with the situation of coaching without your friend? JL: Money (was the biggest obstacle to overcome), it’s an expensive sport. The boats cost $3,000. Money, travel and getting good kids that are dedicated (were the biggest obstacles). Mr. Ross was the greatest person in the world. He was taught how to coach by my coach, Jim Rice. Jim was an old fella who coached a lot in college crews, mostly Columbia. He came after he retired and coached at Ecorse and I was his buddy. I was only about 12-years-old then and I’d run errands for him and I got to learn how to coach from him. You ended up leading many successful teams throughout your coaching tenure. What would you say was the best year for St. Mary’s rowing while you were a head coach? JL: All the years were good. We won almost every race we rowed in. You are living what many would consider to be a very blessed life. What do you believe are the keys to happiness and success that you would pass on to someone else? JL: First of all, a good trust in God. All the kids are very religious kids. They stay away from drugs and rough company. They pick good company and they live a good life, thanks a lot to their mother and my wife. Having good leaders at the school, like Father Timothy Whalen and Msgr. Stanley Milewski — they really helped me out a lot. ❏
Q
INTERVIEW Q guy and I said stay in, the ice is too thin. So I went out towards the guy that was holding on for his dear life and I looked to the side and there was this stepladder and it had blown towards him after the fireman let go of it. I put it next to my canoe and I got in the canoe and the guy couldn’t even lift his hands up, he was almost done for. I grabbed him from behind and I could lift him out of the water, put the body on this stepladder and dragged them both to shore and saved his life. It was scary. This was in March 1974. Some people may think of rowing as a fun event out on the lake, but it can be a very physically demanding sport. What do you believe are some of the misconceptions people have about rowing? What are the keys to a successful rowing coach and convincing young men to follow your lead?
Q
Q
By Michael Shelton
Read more of this interview at spinalcolumnonline.com.
NOVEMBER 30, 2011
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PAGE 7
LAKES AREA NEWS
Commerce budget ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 3
revenues, the state of the economy, and that the township has to come up with funds to pay the DDA shortfall.” However, Zoner said he doesn’t look at it as a wage increase. “It’s a restoration of wages for people who took a wage decrease a few years ago,” Zoner said. “We have some people making less money now than when they first started working here.” “What was proposed is not a wage increase,” Munro added. “It’s to return pay cuts that were taken from non-union employees back in 2008 and 2009. It’s just trying to take some folks that have taken a pay cut in 2008 and bringing them back to the level they were at before the pay freeze in 2008.” The last proposed budget presented in November was tabled since some board members felt it was not detailed enough because there was no documentation showing each line item, according to Kirkwood. “Without being allowed to review each line item, I would not vote to pass that budget,” she said. Law said he also would have liked to have had a more detailed budget proposal to consider. The 2012 budget has been tabled until the next township board meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 13. ❏
DDA event brings back holiday spirit to Walled Lake By Leslie Shepard staff writer
In the tradition of a Victorian Christmas, the Walled Lake Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is hosting an event filled with nostalgia and holiday spirit from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. The Season to Remember event will be held at the historic Stonecrest building located at 207 Liberty Street in downtown Walled Lake. “We had it a few years ago and brought it back again,” said DDA Executive Director Charlene Long. “It’s very fun.” To set the scene, Dickens-esque characters will be strolling the streets dressed in 19th century costumes. There will be a mixture of local businesses and outside vendors selling their wares, along with kid-friendly activities and old-fashioned sleigh
Waterford Township Supervisor Carl Solden (left) and White Lake Township Supervisor Greg Baroni (right) sign an agreement under which the communities work together to share various information technology resources, an effort that prompted the Michigan chapter of Government Management Information Science to bestow upon the two communities the Best Technology Project of 2011 award. “(Waterford’s Information Services Department) deserves all the recognition they can get,” Solden said. (Photo submitted by Carl Solden)
Honoring collaborative effort Waterford, White Lake earn award for IT service sharing By Leslie Shepard staff writer
W
aterford and White Lake townships were recognized for their collaborative efforts in information technology when they earned the award for Best Technology Project of 2011 from the Michigan Chapter of Government Management Information Science (Mi-GMIS). Mi-GMIS is the state chapter of the federal organization that is comprised of information system (IS) professionals from cities, townships, villages, counties and states at large. The award specifies that Waterford contracted with White Lake to provide information technology (IT) support and services. The project involved a point-to-point wireless network connection rides. The 12 vendors lined up include Sparkling Elegance, which is selling boutique items; Avon; Miche Bags, which is showcasing purses, wallets,
between the two communities that allows White Lake to use Waterford’s IT infrastructure. “I think our IS Department is topnotch and the award is well deserved from the quality standpoint of the work they do and the perseverance of the occupation of keeping up with the equipment, as well as the established broadband wireless system,” said Waterford Township Supervisor Carl Solden. “They deserve all the recognition they can get.” “Along with Waterford, I am honored to have received this award,” said White Lake Township Supervisor Greg Baroni. “Additionally, I can highly recommend resource sharing to other communities; it’s a win-win situation for all involved.” Waterford, over the years, has and satchels; JewelKade, which will be exhibiting costume jewelry; and Silver Loon Jewelers, which is selling Michigan-inspired sterling silver jewelry. “We’re playing up (the theme of)
invested in sophisticated networking and application infrastructure. Moreover, Waterford houses its own IT department, whereas White Lake does not. In exchange for an annual support fee, Waterford provides White Lake with IT services that White Lake lacks internally. Now the White Lake Township Hall offices are tied into Waterford’s system and able to provide the community with Internet service. “One of my goals upon taking office was to bring White Lake up-todate in computerized technology, including software as well as hardware,” Baroni said. “When we began discussing the assets of sharing resources with our good neighbor, Waterford, it was mutually beneficial to everyone concerned.” ❏ ‘shop local,’” Long said.
FOR MORE LAKES AREA NEWS SEE PAGE 11
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By Kirk Pinho assistant editor
SPECIAL REPORT
A
house on a largely quiet street in Pontiac — right in the heart of the beleaguered city’s historic Indian Village, not even a mile from the eastern Waterford Township border — sits blighted. The overgrown backyard is the equivalent of an urban jungle: the shingled garage roof is caved in. A pair of toys from a children’s playground abut the rear of the house, which seems to have more broken windows than in-tact ones. A basketball hoop sits unused. The back door has been open for months, but no one has entered. The majority of the homes on the block appear well-kept: leaves raked and bagged, lawns mowed, patio furniture on front porches of the two-story homes that were once the dreams and aspirations of millions of American families. A Baptist church three doors down overflows with parishioners and hymns on many nights. Sometimes it seems like they are belting out requiems rather than praise, but they congregate nonetheless, dressed to the nines, overjoyed to have an audience — any audience — listening. For some of them, the American dream has been recalibrated, adjusted almost as quickly as someone would fix a crooked tie, since the economic nosedive of 2007 and 2008, when the American housing market capsized, taking with it livelihoods, savings and retirement accounts, and the roofs over peoples’ heads. And Andy Meisner smells a rat. Or two. The first-term Oakland County treasurer, a Democrat who unseated popular Republican Pat Dohany in the anti-GOP backlash of 2008, has sued mortgage leviathans Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which many point to as the epicenter of the financial earthquake that jolted the very foundation of the American economy, bringing it to its knees. But the crux of the matter — in which millions of dollars for the county and the state is at stake — isn’t exactly malfeasance in the business practices (at least in this case, although that has certainly been alleged) of the two agencies. When you boil it down, it’s really more accurately whether or not to call them “agencies” at all.
Estimated county loss grows to $3 million The lawsuit, which has been mired in what Meisner called “procedural
SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
Leviathans besieged
County suit against Fannie, Freddie moving
wrangling” in U.S. District Court since the summer, alleges that the county is owed unpaid transfer taxes from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which, as government-sponsored enterprises, buy home mortgages from the original lenders, repackage them as mortgage-based securities, and then either sell them or hold them in their own investment portfolios, according to the lawsuit. Original estimates — and county officials at the time stressed that they were estimates — pegged the amount the county was owed at about $1.6 million. However, that estimated figure has ballooned to nearly $3 million since the lawsuit was filed in June. Fannie and Freddie, which received billions of dollars in federal support during the mortgage meltdown three years ago, claimed an exemption from the state’s transfer tax because, they say, as government agencies they don’t have to pay the tax that is added whenever a property changes hands — a reprieve that Meisner and a cadre of county legal minds allege amounts to the two entities shirking their tax liability to the county. Not to mention to the state. In June, county officials estimated that Michigan was owed some $10.5 million in unpaid transfer taxes from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, although one source who didn’t want to be identified in this special report said that figure has now jumped to approximately $12 million. According to the county, the trans-
fer tax amounts to $7.50 for the state for each $1,000 of a property’s value, while the county portion is $1.10 for each $1,000 in value. Fannie and Freddie argue that they are governmental entities legally exempt from the state’s transfer tax, but officials say that’s ludicrous because, among other things, Fannie and Freddie have CEOs bringing in multi-million dollar salaries and boards of directors. Meisner, a former state representative, may have reason to be hopeful this holiday season because of recent developments in the case. First, the Federal Housing Finance Administration (FHFA) — which Meisner called “the big guns,” the regulator and conservator of the two mortgage giants, not to mention the overseer of a dozen federal home loan banks — has been allowed to intervene on behalf of Fannie and Freddie, which is a clue to him that the lawsuit is being taken seriously. “We opposed that motion (to intervene), but not aggressively,” Meisner said earlier this month. “They were granted the right to intervene on behalf of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which I interpret as a positive thing because it shows that there is merit to our lawsuit and they are bringing in the big guns to protect them.” But the state of Michigan is also bringing in the heavy-hitters. State Attorney General Bill Schuette and state Treasurer Andy Dillon — far from political buddies as a Republican and a
Democrat, respectively — have also both filed motions to intervene in the case on behalf of the state, Meisner said. “I appreciate them joining the fight to make the taxpayers whole from the financial institutions that have really ripped us off and helped to really destabilize our neighborhoods and gut our property values,” Meisner said, calling it “a real positive sign.” Both have been granted, and therefore the battle royal can now be pegged as such: Oakland County, Meisner, and the state vs. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the FHFA. Meisner said he expects oral arguments on a motion for summary disposition — which is effectively a motion by the plaintiffs saying that their legal argument is so strong that a trial is not necessary — to begin at the onset of the new year. The source who asked not to be named said oral arguments will commence on Jan. 5, although Rod Hansen of the U.S. District Court of Eastern Michigan said that “it doesn’t appear that any oral arguments have been scheduled yet.” According to Oakland County Deputy Corporation Counsel Keith Lerminiaux, the county came up with the original $1.6 million estimate on its losses by using the baseline of an estimated 2,400 “transactions” a year multiplied by six years at the rate of $110 per transaction. “It could be higher or lower as we go in and do a more definitive analysis,” Lerminiaux said in June. “When we did the initial rollout, we
NOVEMBER 30, 2011
used a very conservative estimate,” Meisner said. “We used an estimate of $100,000 for the average real estate transaction for Oakland County. As we had a chance to solidify those numbers, the average real estate transaction was around $225,000.”
Meisner wants state to fork over suit money
Fannie and Freddie by the numbers Created by Congress in 1970 to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the U.S. housing market, Freddie Mac — which has a chief executive officer, 5,100 employees, a headquarters in McLean, Va., five regional offices, and is publicly traded on the stock market — pumped $259 billion in liquidity into the housing market between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30. With a mortgage portfolio of 1 million single-family homes and 263,000 multifamily rental housing units, Freddie Mac — legally, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation — prides itself on its ability to help homeowners with their mortgages by refinancing or modify those loans. Freddie Mac boasts that it has helped over 30,000 Michigan families
avoid foreclosure since 2008. Founded in 1938 during the Great Depression as part of FDR’s New Deal, Fannie Mae has been a publiclytraded company since the Vietnam Era. With aims of keeping liquidity flowing to mortgage lenders, bolstering the American housing and mortgage markets and supporting affordable home ownership, Fannie Mae — the Federal National Mortgage Association, in its official capacity — securitizes or buys mortgage loans from local and national lenders and financial institutions that originated them. That, Fannie Mae tauts, lets them “replenish their funds so they can lend to other homeowners.” Fannie Mae — which does not lend money directly to homeowners — has provided $1.7 trillion in funding for single-family housing since 2009, all the while establishing stronger and more sustainable lending standards, according to the institution, translating into help for more than 7 million families buying homes or refinancing their loans in that same time frame. It gobbled up $831 million in mortgages targeted specifically to low-income or first-time home buyers through banks and state housing finance agencies last year alone, its website says. Another $944 million in mortgages were purchased for manufactured homes, while another $138 million single-family mortgages in rural areas were purchased. The two financial institutions that help prospective home buyers get more favorable rates by working with mortgage companies had been at the helm of one of the largest housing booms in the nation’s history, save for perhaps immediately following World War II. And then the subprime mortgage crisis hit. And we know what happened after that.
Agencies across the state, nation following suit Oakland County often prides itself on being a trailblazer in a variety of governmental arenas, but perhaps its brass wasn’t expecting to lead the way like this. Or maybe it was. According to Meisner, officials from around the country — the state treasurer of Nevada, for example — have been in touch with him about the lawsuit, perhaps looking to get in on the action. “The sense I got from our discussion is that she (Nevada State Treasurer Kate Marshall) is readying a lawsuit that would mirror our lawsuit
on behalf of the people the state of Nevada,” Meisner said, adding that she requested copies of the legal proceedings from the lawsuit. And given Nevada’s own troubles — it leads the U.S. in foreclosures — that may not be a bad idea. But you don’t have to travel the 2,200-plus miles from the lakes area to the Nevada capitol of Carson City to gauge the interest in the county’s efforts. Just go north across the county line. There, in Genesee County, Treasurer Deborah Cherry is spearheading a class action lawsuit along with Ingham County. The suit that was filed earlier this month against the mortgage behemoths and the FHFA — this time on behalf of all 83 Michigan counties — states Fannie and Freddie failing to pay the transfer tax “either negligent, intentional or intended to defraud.” Cherry said Genesee County estimates that it loses $78,000 annually from the exemption in question — small potatoes in comparison to Oakland County’s $3 million estimate, but that’s money not going to critical governmental operations. “It’s not as big, but you keep adding it up over the years and it becomes pretty significant,” Cherry said. “In addition, there’s a whole lot of money that is not going to schools, for example, because of the waiver. It makes sense to me to have the courts determine (whether counties are owed the transfer tax), even though Fannie Mae says it’s not a governmental agency but it claims the exemption.” Firm numbers aren’t available on how much all 83 Michigan counties may have lost because of the exemption, but Cherry roughly estimates that “it’s got to be in the tens of millions, if not more.”
Meisner: Expect more legal action in time Describing the Fannie and Freddie situation as “the low-hanging fruit,” Meisner and other county officials have noted that this is, in all likelihood, only the first in a series of legal avenues the county is going to pursue, as Meisner described it, “as another means of recovery.” For example, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, son of Vice President Joe Biden, is going after MERS, or the Mortgage Electronic Registration System, along with other attorneys general and local elected officials, although that’s one that still in the “brain-storming process” at the county level due to a complicating factor in Michigan law
PAGE 9
that is “a little bit more loose than other states,” Meisner said. “That’s one I anticipate pursuing.” Furthermore, another avenue of pursuit may be seeking recovery against banks for non-payment of property taxes. “There is a provision in the General Property Tax Act that allows for recovery against an individual or firm for non-payment of property taxes, and in many, many cases, we are seeing banks who are simply walking away from their legal obligation to pay property taxes,” Meisner said. “By walking away from their obligation to pay property taxes, they are shirking their responsibility and shifting the risk of that business decision onto our taxpayers, which is patently unfair. The taxpayers of Oakland County did not make the decision to give that individual a mortgage; that was a decision made by the bank, and the bank should bare the brunt of costs associated with that decision.”
$3M sought dwarfed by overall property losses Whatever the result of the county’s lawsuit or the class action case, an appeal is expected, whether it’s on behalf of the plaintiffs or defendants, according to one source with knowledge of the case who requested anonymity. In addition, whatever the result, it’s not that the outcome will recoup the total property value plummet Oakland County experienced in recent years from $64 billion to $50 billion, nor the staggering decline in market value of county properties. “While the recovery is not going to be $14 or $50 billion (in lost market value in Oakland County), you’ve got to start somewhere,” Meisner said. “I’ve been very proud to take this position for the county and the county taxpayers.” Nor are the parishioners at the Baptist church in Pontiac likely to sing the praises of anyone involved in the lawsuit, whether it’s the plaintiffs or the defendants. But Meisner hopes that they will reap some benefit, tangible or intangible, from the legal efforts against Fannie and Freddie. Repeated messages left with representatives from the Michigan Department of Treasury and the Michigan Attorney General’s Office went unreturned prior to press time. Requests for comment for this special report from the FHFA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac were declined due to the pending litigation. ❏
SPECIAL REPORT
If the first-term county treasurer has his druthers in the event of a successful end to the Fannie and Freddie lawsuit, the state would earmark the $12 million in transfer tax money it would be expected to receive from the two government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) since, as Meisner says, the state wouldn’t have received that money were it not for the efforts of the elected and appointed officials of Oakland County. He said he will be in discussions with Schuette and Dillon in the coming weeks to discuss his request, which, if granted, would be used to combat blight, pay for housing counselors and stave off foreclosures in other ways. “In addition to accountability, this lawsuit is about trying to make the taxpayer whole and trying to undo some of the damage to our property values in that the large amount of the drop in property values comes from the damage of having foreclosed properties in our neighborhoods,” Meisner said. “I’m proposing that the county and state portion be used for preventing foreclosures and paying for certified housing counselors to prevent them, but also to pay for the maintenance, rehabilitation and resale of foreclosed properties in Oakland County. “That’s one of the most direct ways we can boost our property values — caring for these parcels and maintaining them,” he said.
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LAKES AREA NEWS
Lake water tests analyzed after 2010 sewer spill By Leslie Shepard staff writer
W
hen 30,000 gallons of raw sewage overflowed into Wolverine Lake in late November 2010, village officials opted to collect water samples to see if there were any negative effects and have recently analyzed the results which indicate some shortterm residual effects but minimal long-term impact. Water testing was conducted a month after the incident and then again a few months later. The first sampling was conducted while there was ice covering the lake, 20 and 40 feet from the shoreline where the spill occurred. “We bored holes and took samples under the ice and those results showed negligible E-coli (bacteria) results,” said Wolverine Lake Water Management Board Chairman Cliff Yantz. Water samplings were also collected in August from deeper levels in the lake, ranging from 20 to 30 feet in depth. “Lakes stratify so we decided to look deeper and thought maybe the surface wasn’t totally representative,” Yantz said. The results identified 173 colonies of E-coli bacteria per 100 milliliters of water. Officials use a baseline of over 130 bacteria colonies per 100 milliliters of water for closing a beach, according to Yantz. “There’s a five sample minimum for a 30-day geometric average, but we apply it per sample to be conservative,” Yantz said. “That said, no
Walled Lake event ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 7
Pampered Chef will also be on hand selling all kinds of cooking ware, in addition to decorating cookies with the kids in attendance. Walled Lake businesses such as Med-rent will be selling carry-all bags; HydroHarry’s will offer up holiday poinsettias; and Modern Floors will sell Christmas and holiday wreaths. Wreaths and garlands will be for sale at the Walled Lake Vocational School and patrons can also purchase a DDA historic pewter ornament for their Christmas tree.
Results of water testing indicate a November 2010 sewer spill has had a slight short-term impact on Wolverine Lake water quality at depths most lake users never experience, and negligible long-term effects, according to village officials. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
one swims 20 feet down.” The sewage spill occurred when a pump station failed along South Commerce Road and directly across from the lake. Of the pair of pumps operating, only one had developed a blockage in the 10-inch force main that carries sewage from the pump station to the Novi-Walled Lake Treatment Plant. Due to the obstruction, waste water couldn’t be pumped. Eventually sewage flowed out of a manhole cover, into the street and into storm sewers. The event took place at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 28, 2010 and was corrected
by 5:25 p.m. the same day. Yantz stated that while the lake was slightly impacted by the sewage in the short term, in the long run there will be negligible effects. “The lake may have been affected by the sewage in the short term and there may be some long-term effects in deep water, but overall there’s a modest effect,” he said. Village Council President John Magee said he is pleased with the overall trend compared to the problems experienced in previous years. “We used to see spikes of E-coli in
the summer in the Penny Lake and Nantucket Beach areas and had beach closures, but we’ve had better results since we put sewers in along Wolverine Drive and had the Greenaway Drain study that identified erosion problems that were repaired and had road drains properly cleaned,” Magee said. “Right now the trend is good — one sample doesn’t alarm me. I’m confident its clean and safe down there.” Magee added there is an ongoing testing regimen in place to ensure the lake’s health and user safety. ❏
Gift wrapping will also be available for a donation. From 2 to 6 p.m., attends can nestle into an old-fashioned carriage drawn by Percheron horses and ride down at the lakeside for $3 per person. Children under 3-years-old ride free of charge. Santa Claus and Santa’s helper, Christmas Carol, will be stopping by for the children to visit. Visits will be conducted between noon and 2 p.m. From 2 to 3 p.m. Santa will be feeding his reindeer and will return to visit with children from 3 to 5 p.m. Light refreshments such as coffee, hot chocolate and doughnuts will be
available for a nominal fee courtesy of the DDA at its concession trailer. ❏
Shufflebarger said there were several reasons why the buyout increase was turned down on Monday, Nov. 21, but one of them was a bill signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder back in September requiring public employees of schools and local governments to pay more for their own health insurance coverage. “The state law has changed, and employees will now be paying 20 percent of their health care (insurance premiums),” Shufflebarger said. “With
Higher buyout for use of spouse’s insurance nixed By Michael Shelton staff writer
The Milford Village Council has rejected a $641 buyout payment for village employees that chose to obtain coverage on their spouse’s health insurance plan. Village Manager Arthur
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PAGE 13
LAKES AREA NEWS
Insurance opt-out ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 11
that change, employees would have been interested in our current buyout, which is $300 a month. There was the feeling that our current buyout option was sufficient enough.” He added that the current $300 buyout rate has been set for many years and that a new rate of $583 was set for police personnel during contract negotiations last year. Shufflebarger said that a number of employees stated they would use their spouse’s coverage if the higher buyout rate was approved. But with the new law taking effect, the council wants to take a wait-andsee approach on buyout increases. ❏
FY 2012 budget of $3.86M OK’d for White Lake By Angela Niemi staff writer
The White Lake Township Board of Trustees has adopted the township’s budget for the 2012 fiscal year. All six board members in attendance opted to approve the budget. Trustee Mike Powell was absent. White Lake is projecting to have total revenue of $3.86 million for 2012. The top two sources of cash for the township are expected to be state shared revenue at approximately $2 million and from property taxes at $960,000. The board approved appropriations totaling $3.84 million for the 2012 fiscal year, which begins Jan. 1, 2012. Personnel costs such as salaries and benefits are the top expenditure. The township also set aside around $450,000 for capital improvements related to infrastructure. The township looks to have a positive balance of a little under $24,000 for 2012. White Lake’s fund balance stood at $2.68 million as of Dec. 31, 2010. “We’ve got a balanced budget going on here,” said Trustee Carol Burkard. “This was (Supervisor Greg) Baroni’s first budget and I was very impressed with him. In the past few years, we’ve put a freeze on all jobs and slimmed down as far as personnel. We’re right on track here in White Lake Township.” At the meeting earlier this month when the budget was passed, Baroni thanked department heads, as well as the township board for their efforts in getting the 2012 budget together.
Milford Township’s initial six-month ban on all medical marijuana land uses and businesses has been broadened into at least an 18-month moratorium, following the latest township board approval of a six month extension. A 2008 ballot question on medical marijuana use by qualified patients with debilitating medical conditions was approved by a 2:1 margin of Michigan voters.
Medical pot ban extended Milford planners continue to work on marijuana ordinance By Michael Shelton staff writer
T
he Milford Township Board of Trustees voted Wednesday, Nov. 16 to extend the township’s moratorium on medical marijuana establishments and activities for another six months. The moratorium was first enacted by the township board on May 19, 2010 for six months. The board extended the moratorium for another six months on Nov. 17, 2010 and another six months back on May 18. The moratorium denies any use of
Trustee Todd Birkle said he thought the budget process went “very well.” With the economic difficulties that have been present over the past few years, Birkle said the township has been planning ahead in preparation for tougher times.
land in the township for marijuana cultivation or processing, distribution or dispensing, smoking or other administration; marijuana stores; and specialized schools or training involving marijuana. The township board has previously argued that the township’s current zoning and land use ordinances don’t address the proper location of land uses involving medical marijuana because many of the activities previously were illegal and not permitted in any zoning classification within the township. “We’ve had a multi-year budget we’ve already been working on so we were prepared for the coming year,” he said. “We had a few minor adjustments we needed to tweak from the multi-year budget plan. And throughout the year, we will probably be looking at a few things — other efficien-
Township Supervisor Don Green said that the township’s Planning Commission continues to research and work on an ordinance in regards to medical marijuana and that more progress is being made in that regard. State law permits physicianapproved use of marijuana by patients with debilitating medical conditions including cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions as approved by the state Department of Community Health. ❏ cies that can be created by doing shared services with other communities.” ❏
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LAKES AREA NEWS
Holiday festivities kick off Huron Valley parade-goers enjoy annual event in Milford
Participants in the Huron Valley Annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, Nov. 26 enjoyed the mild November weather while ringing in the holiday season. Clockwise, from left: Santa Claus greets parade-goers as a young participant waves; festive tap dancers perform down Main Street in downtown Milford; Members of Brownie Troop No. 74546 from Kurtz Elementary School in Milford pose for a quick photograph while enjoying the event; and a young parade-goer is saddled up for a quick horseback ride. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photos/Amy K. Lockard)
PAGE 16
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LAKES AREA NEWS
Board eliminates furlough days in township budget The West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees held a special budget meeting on Monday, Nov. 28, where it was determined that there would be no furlough days for township employees in 2012. The township has observed nine furlough days throughout 2011.
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The board also approved the township’s drug forfeiture fund budget. Yet to be approved for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 budget year, which begins Jan. 1, 2012, are the general fund, public safety fund, the water and sewer fund, capital projects fund, the drains-atlarge fund, and the retiree health care fund budgets. Township Trustee Gene Farber said he doesn’t see any major issues with the budget moving forward. “It’s a matter of going over pretty thoroughly most of the items,” he
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LAKES AREA NEWS
Wixom council decides on CDBG fund allocations
West Bloomfield ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 16
The township’s U.S. Department of Treasury drug forfeiture fund is projected to bring in $10,500 in revenue. Expenditures were approved at $18,000, leaving $255,400 in the fund balance. The safety path fund is projected to bring in $623,400 in revenue. The budget calls for $1.01 million in expenditures, which will leave $4.25 million remaining in the fund balance. Another special budget meeting will be held by the township board on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. The next regular township board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 12, where the remainder of the 2012 budget could be approved. According to ledgers previously provided by the township, West Bloomfield’s draft 2012 budget projects general fund revenues of about $19.62 million, while the total amount of general fund expenditures is projected at $17.176 million, leaving a $2.44 million surplus and increasing the township’s general fund balance from $5.36 million to $7.80 million. ❏
The Wixom City Council has opted to reprogram past years’ Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in tandem with allocating 2012’s grant disbursement following a public hearing earlier this month. The federal CDBG program provides funds to benefit low- and moderate-income residents through renovating older housing, revitalizing neighborhoods, providing human services, and rebuilding community infrastructure. Projects beneficial to an individual or family are judge based on income and projects beneficial to the community in general may only occur in census tracts which meet federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) criteria for low and moderate income. The city has two census tracts south of Pontiac Trail that meet HUD’s criteria for CDBG allocations. In 2010, CDBG funds were allocated to complete the Grand River Safety Path project, which came in under
budget, leaving a balance of $28,436. Also in 2010, the city began utilizing CDBG funds to convert lighting to LED fixtures along Wixom Road and Pontiac Trail. Total costs were estimated at $60,000, of which $10,969 was used from the 2010 disbursement. To ensure these projects are funded, the City Council voted to reprogram the left over CDBG funding. Therefore, $28,436 will be reprogrammed from 2010 to facilitate sidewalk projects; $10,969 from 2011 will be used for the LED light fixture retrofitting; and $17,271 of the $40,638 allocated in 2012 will be rerouted to retrofit downtown street lighting. This year, the maximum percentage a community can allocate to public services has changed from 30 to 15 percent of a program year’s total allocation, with a minimum allocation of $2,500 per agency required. The city could only fund two agencies out of the five it normally benefits. According to Mayor Kevin Hinkley, the city pulled information from the neighboring communities to see which public services they were doling out dollars to before coming to a foregone conclusion to ensure each agency received some funding.
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“We’re not in the business of picking winners or losers — they’re all winners,” Hinkley said. “When times were good we distributed to all five agencies, but this year it’s not doable, so as a council we looked at where communities were issuing funds and as a result it worked out. Now all agencies are getting something.” Based upon the number of individuals served and the type of urgent need, the council voted to split the 2012 allocation between Lakes Area Youth Assistance and emergency services for food, rent and utilities. Each will receive $3,048. Remaining 2012 dollars will benefit code enforcement ($14,271.50); minor home repairs ($3,000); and street light retrofitting ($17,271). Hinkley said he plans to broach the 2013 CDBG funding with other communities when the city hosts a CW3 meeting in the spring. The CW3 group is comprised of officials from Wixom, Walled Lake, Wolverine Lake and Commerce Township who brainstorm initiatives to benefit the communities. “We’ll make CDBG funding an agenda item,” Hinkley said. “Maybe by collaborating we can cover all five agencies.” ❏
PAGE 18
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EDUCATION
Former district HR chief’s severance may be scuttled A controversial severance package was brought up at the West Bloomfield Schools Board of Education meeting on Monday, Nov. 28, and will be further discussed at the board’s December meeting. Trustee Matt Chase presented a motion calling to cease all payments under the school district’s Voluntary Severance Incentive (VSI) program to the district’s former assistant superintendent for human resources, Anthony Marasco, but the board voted to table the issue until the board’s next meeting on Monday, Dec. 12. The VSI offered $70,000 to district administrators and teachers as part of the 2008-10 contract if they met certain requirements. Fifty teachers took advantage of the VSI, as well as eight administrators. Chase said the teachers’ contract for the VSI is eight pages long while the administrators’ contract is only a few words. “My concern with Marasco is he was our lead negotiator and had years of experience in human resources before coming to West Bloomfield,” Chase said. “The intention was to have the same terms for administrators and teachers. Marasco made this mistake and was not penalized, but rewarded. The teachers’ contract was written three months before the administrators’ contract.” Chase added that he also wanted to make a motion to cease payments to administrators who didn’t retire but still took severance payments while working in other school districts, but he didn’t get the chance to make that motion. ❏
December ‘Alice’ performance has singing, dancing Students at Sarah Banks Middle School in the Walled Lake Consolidated School District will bring a beloved Disney classic to life as they perform “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” The musical is a shorter version of the full-length musical, running about 75 minutes. According to Marjorie Marks, one of the teachers supervising the production, the students have been work-
Kaitlyn Vernon and Steve Schuler of the Walled Lake Central High School marching band entertain a young fan during the 85th annual America’s Thanksgiving Parade on Thursday, Nov. 24 in Detroit. The 161-member band that recently won back-to-back state titles from the Michigan Competing Band Association performed through the streets of the Motor City as part of the parade that drew what organizers said was record-breaking crowds. (Photo by Dave Mexicotte)
ing on the play — which is geared toward all age groups — since late September. “It is magical to watch the transformation of the students into fun characters,” Marks said. “There’s a lot of dancing and singing, and all of the songs are upbeat. Additionally, the message of the show is a positive one — follow your dreams and use your imagination.” The story features daydreamer Alice, who follows a white rabbit down a hole while she and her sister are in the park. Alice ends up in Wonderland, where she meets Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, the Cheshire Cat, a singing caterpillar, and the Mad Hatter — along with the evil Queen of Hearts and her Royal Cardsmen. The musical consists of 45 students on stage with another 40 students working backstage. “This is a student-run show,” Marks said. “The unity and togetherness kids feel while working on the show is priceless. We become a close-knit family, working hard towards the goal of a high-quality, A-plus show. This is our 10th musical at Banks and so far, we never disappoint our audiences.”
Three performances are scheduled. Each performance will begin at 7 p.m., first on Thursday, Dec. 8, then on Friday, Dec. 9, and Saturday, Dec. 10. Tickets are $5, with ticket orders being filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information on tickets, go to www.wlcsd.org. ❏
District will use up to $90K for new learning software The Waterford Schools Board of Education has authorized the purchase of Compass Odyssey software and corresponding curriculum for a total cost not to exceed $90,000. The system is designed to customize a program for individual students to improve in areas where they are struggling. This is done through video lectures, animation and interactive assignments that students can access from any computer with an Internet connection. The computers can be at school, a public library, or at home. Through the work on online activi-
ties, teachers can monitor their students’ strengths and weaknesses through the assessment module that’s built in. The software and curriculum will serve as the main content for students who take classes through the Waterford Cyber Academy. The software will also be available in the district’s secondary schools and will be used for intervention, credit recovery and diagnostic assessment. The district states that Compass will result in greater access to online content for teachers and students and significant annual savings. Waterford isn’t the first area district to utilize the software. In 2008, West Bloomfield Schools approved the implementation of the Compass Learning Odyssey system at West Bloomfield High School beginning in the 2009-10 school year. The academy consists of 130 core, elective and Advanced Placement courses that students can take on their own scheduled time, with no daily attendance required. Courses can be taken at home, in the Covert Center, or at a computer in a public library. ❏
PAGE 20
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
COMMUNITY LIFE community honors
50 YEARS AGO Nov. 30, 1961 The Men's Club of the Walled Lake Methodist Church is sponsoring a dinner Thursday, Nov. 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The evening's program will include Detroit Lions Quarterback Earl Morall as guest speaker. Mr. Morall, who currently resides in Farmington, was formerly a star at MSU and with the Pittsburgh Steelers before coming to Detroit to play with the Lions. Program chairman Cecil Morgan promises a full evening of entertainment. He suggests that reservations be made early so as not to miss this opportunity to hear and meet personally this star of professional football. Game highlights will also be shown. 40 YEARS AGO Dec. 1, 1971 Three West Bloomfield High School students who have contributed extraordinary amounts of time and energy to volunteer service were recently honored for their efforts. Winners of the 1971 voluntary achievement awards presented by the Optimist Club of Pontiac are David North, sophomore; Laura Ricci, junior; and Deborah Scott, senior. Miss Scott was selected for her work with children at Doherty Elementary School on an experimental program during the 1970-71 school year. She also served as a volunteer at Detroit's Jewish Community Center during summer 1970. Miss Scott has donated time to many school organizations, including National Honor Society, where she set up an experimental program. She has assisted in the biology laboratory for two years. Miss Ricci was responsible for funding and organizing the highly-successful Hostess Squad, which greets visitors to West Bloomfield High School and has been largely responsible for developing West Bloomfield’s images as a warm and friendly place to be. The squad has helped out at numerous adult events and meetings since its formation last year. North was chosen for devoting many hours to helping handicapped children and adults in the West Bloomfield School District. As president of the high school's Student Club for Exceptional Children, he has attended state and national Council for Exceptional Children conventions to
lobby for recognition of high school chapters. He has secured a wheel chair, crutches and walker for the club, available to persons in need on a loan basis, and was instrumental in gaining donations of toys and games from businessmen and parent groups. 20 YEARS AGO Nov. 27, 1991 Waterford Township residents united Thursday, Nov. 21 to file suit in Oakland County Circuit Court against the owners and operators of the nowdefunct Waterford Hills Landfill. A total of 29 Waterford residents, including Waterford Township Trustee Katherine Innes, are listed as plaintiffs in the suit. The plaintiffs, mostly residents and property owners living near the landfill, claim the defendants violated state law and licensing provisions by disposing hazardous wastes in the landfill, and contaminating groundwater and nearby drinking water wells. They further allege that solid waste continues to be land filled at the site in disregard of a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) cease and desists order. The suit seeks damages for a reduction in the plaintiffs' property values, mental anguish, future medical examinations to detect ill effects of the contamination, costs, fees and other damages. Water samples collected from wells near the landfill showed the presence of benzene, toluene, xylene, vinyl chloride and other petroleum components. Benzene and vinyl chloride are known carcinogens, while toluene and xylene damage the central nervous system.
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❐ The Waterford Coalition for Youth is seeking nominations for their annual Citizen of the Year and Youth Group of the Year awards. They are asking for the community’s input and guidance toward selecting these recipients and they invite you to participate in one or both of the nomination opportunities for 2011 awardees. Recipients will be honored at the 14th annual Taste of Waterford on Jan. 26, 2012 at the Oakland Schools
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LOCAL MATTERS business notes benefits ❐ The Highland White Lake Business Association is ready to help our local community during this holiday season with the annual Red Box Food Drive which is happening now and will be going on through Thursday, Dec. 15. The donated nonperishable food items will benefit three of our local non-profit food pantries, including the Goodfellows of Highland, Community Sharing and Open Door Outreach Center. Every item helps out those in need, so if you can pick up a couple of things next time you are at the store, there is sure to be a drop-off site nearby. The drop-off locations consist of a variety of our local businesses and the complete list can be found at www.HWLBA.com ❐ Post Bar in Novi is hosting The Motorcity Madmen’s Toys For Tots Drive from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 42875 Grand River. The evening’s fun will consist of top local DJ entertainment, a 50/50 raffle and prizes. Admission per person is one new, unwrapped toy of a non-violent nature. For more information, e-mail motorcitymadmen2005@gmail.com. ❐ ProFlowers, a national online floral service, has announced that thanks to a new partnership between ProFlowers and Easter Seals Michigan (ESM), ProFlowers is donating $10 from every online floral arrangement or gift purchase to ESM in support of the non-profit agency’s mission to help people with disabilities or other special needs so they can live, learn, work and play in their communities. ESM is a leading provider of behavioral health services, offering an array of comprehensive programs and therapies to support the recovery of children and adults with disabilities, serious mental illness or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. The organization’s highly-qualified staff members are skilled in Person-Centered Planning processes, which are used to identify each individual’s dreams, desires, needs, abilities and preferences to determine what services and supports will best meet their needs and wants. To order a ProFlowers arrangement or gift benefiting Easter Seals Michigan, visit www.easterseals.com/flowers. The donation campaign is valid throughout 2012.
❐ Union Lake Pet Services is hosting a special animal event for the holidays. Pet pictures with Santa will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 6547 Cooley Lake Road located behind the Union Lake Veterinary Hospital in Waterford. The price is $6 per picture and 20 percent of the profits will go to the Michigan Animal Rescue League. For more information, call 248-363-6262.
weekly agenda ❐ The Walled Lake Downtown Development Authority’s Season to Remember will be held from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. Join us for downtown Walled Lake’s holiday event! Shop several local businesses, have your gifts wrapped, visit Santa Claus and then enjoy a relaxing Victorian sleigh ride through Walled Lake’s historic lakefront district from 2 to 6 p.m. Sleigh rides are $3 per person. Children under 3 free. For more information, visit wwwDowntownWalledLake.org or call 248-926-9004. ❐ Oakland County Parks and Recreation offers rechargeable gift cards that are ideal for holiday gift giving. Outdoor enthusiasts can give the gift of the great outdoors this holiday season. Purchase a gift card of $50 or more and receive a $10 golf coupon valid for green fees at five Oakland County Parks and Recreation golf courses during the 2012 season. Hurry — the $10 golf coupon promotion is only available through Thursday, Dec. 22. A minimum of $10 is required on each gift card purchased. Cards expire five years from the last date of use. Cards can be reloaded at any time to extend the expiration date; they are not valid for food and beverages. Gift cards can be purchased at Independence Oaks County Park and Wint Nature Center in Clarkston, Glen Oaks Golf Course in Farmington Hills, Lyon Oaks Golf Course in Lyon Township, Red Oaks Golf Course in Madison Heights, Springfield Oaks Golf Course in Davisburg, Waterford Oaks County Park in Waterford, White Lake Oaks Golf Course in White Lake and the Oakland County Parks Administration Building in Waterford. For office hours or park information, contact 1-888OCPARKS or visit DestinationOakland.com or find us on Facebook.
chamber notes ❐ The Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce is holding the following events in the coming days. For a complete calender of chamber events, visit www.huronvcc.com: • 43rd Annual Holiday Gala, 6 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, Dec. 3, Dunham Hills Golf Course, 13561 Dunham Road, Hartland. Celebrate the wonders of the season along with honoring the 2011 Community Award recipients at this annual chamber event featuring dinner, dancing and a silent auction. Cost: $60/person includes dinner and one drink ticket. 248-685-7129. • Off the Clock Connect, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, Sparkies Bar and Grill, 2868 E. Highland Road, Highland. This is an evening networking opportunity hosted by the Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors. • Ambassadors meeting, 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, Milford Police Department conference room, 1100 Atlantic Street, Milford. • The Coffee Club, 8 to 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16, Petrillo GroupRaymond James, 2753 S. Milford Road, Highland. Take a moment out of the holiday hustle and bustle and join us for this free morning mixer. Great networking and holiday cheer are on the agenda. ❐ The Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce has announced the membership of the following businesses: • YMCA Camp Ohiyesa, Douglas Grimm, 7300 Hickory Ridge Road, Holly, MI 48442, dgrimm@ymcametrodetroit.org, www.miymcacamps.org, Phone: 248- 887-4533, Youth – Camps / Sports / Activities • D & G Equipment, Inc. Jolene Gustafson, 1155 S. Milford Road, Highland, MI 48357. dghighland@dgequipment.com, www.dgequipment.com, Phone: 248-8872410, Fax: 248-887-3937. Lawn Equipment Sales & Repair ❐ The Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce (LACC) is holding the following events in the coming days. For a complete calender of chamber events, call 248-624-2826 or visit www.lakesareachamber.com: • LACC Holiday Mixer, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Shark Club located at 6665 Highland
Road in Waterford. Admission is $10 per person. Join us for a fun holiday networking event with 50/50 prize drawing, hors d’oeuvres, networking, cocktail cash bar. Help us help the less fortunate in our community. Bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to one of our local food banks, Hospitality House. $10 prepaid reservations. • Spotlight Lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, Twins Coney, 8374 Richardson, Commerce. Informal networking over an enjoyable lunch. • Studio Artiza Holiday Open House, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, 1224 West Maple, Walled Lake. Join the festivities for refreshments, prize drawings and discounts. ❐ The Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce (WACC) is holding the following events in the coming days. For a complete calender of chamber events, call 248-666-8600 or visit www.waterfordchamber.org: • 25th annual Tree Lighting, 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, Waterford Township Hall, 5200 Civic Center Drive. • Perking-Up, 8 to 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, Greek Jalapeno Restaurant, 6636 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford. $10 for members; $15 for non members. • Business After Hours Mixer, 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, The Fountain Golf Course, 6060 Maybee Road, Clarkston. $10 for members; $15 for non-members. ❐ The Greater West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce is holding the following events in the coming days. For a complete calender of chamber events, call 248-626-3636 or visit www.westbloomfieldchamber.com. • Holiday Social, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, The Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 31525 W. 12 Mile Road, West Bloomfield. The Courtyard Marriott and the Greater West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce invite you to our Holiday Social featuring light hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, music by Gratitude Steel Band along with 50/50 and raffle drawings. This is a warm and wonderful way to start the holiday season. Please bring an unwrapped child’s toy to be donated to Toys for Tots. Admission is free.
PAGE 22
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
NOVEMBER 30, 2011
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PAGE 23
PUBLIC SAFETY Larcenies at businesses prompt Wixom probe Wixom police are investigating a trio of larcenies that occurred at businesses around the city over the last few weeks. Two incidents occurred on Friday, Nov. 18. Police were dispatched to Gen Power, located at 29905 Anthony, where a commercial generator and trailer were stolen. The generator was valued at $45,000. A surveillance video showed a white pickup truck backing up toward the generator. Police are trying to obtain additional surveillance camera footage. The case has since been turned over to detectives for investigation. The second Nov. 18 incident occurred at Semiconductor Hybrid Assembly, located at 28065 Oakland Oaks, where outdoor patio furniture was stolen. Surveillance tapes showed that a larger, older white Ford pickup entered the parking lot and drove behind the building. It showed the driver exit the vehicle and scavenge through a dumpster. He then drove out of view of the camera’s scope. The business has since requested extra police patrols given that it has been a target of larcenies in the past. Lastly, a copper theft was reported Tuesday, Nov. 22. Representatives of
Logex, located at 28003 Center Oaks, stated that an unknown suspect stole $2,500 worth of copper fittings from its storage facility. The perpetrator also took a pile of scrap metal that was on the ground near the building. There currently are no suspects in the cases. ❏
Golf carts stolen from Union Lake Golf Course Two gas carts were stolen from the Union Lake Golf Course in Commerce Township on the night of Saturday, Nov. 19. The following Monday morning, the owner of the golf course, John Schlicht, noticed that the security cables had been cut and the gas-powered carts were missing. Somehow the culprits were able to get the carts started and drove out of the golf course on Golf Lane. Each of the carts costs between $2,000 and $2,500. There are currently no suspects in the case. Anybody with information about the theft is asked to contact the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Commerce Substation. “I just wish it hadn’t happen,” Schlicht said. “Hopefully, someone saw (the culprits) and will call the police.”
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NOVEMBER 30, 2011
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PAGE 25
TRANSPORTATION
Road work bids ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 24
generically because we cover all 83 counties,” said state Rep. Bill Rogers (R-Milford). State Rep. Gail Haines (RWaterford, West Bloomfield) echoed Roger’s sentiments. “The challenge I have in representing my district is that we do things right in Oakland County, but I don’t see this bill doing any harm,” she said. “It makes the statewide economy better and from what I understand townships don’t have jurisdiction on some of their roads and yet pay for the bulk of it. This bill strengthens local control and saves taxpayer dollars.” The RCOC already obtains competitive bids on all road paving and reconstruction projects. Minor repair and maintenance projects are conducted by RCOC personnel. “We’re generally opposed to the bill,” said RCOC Spokesman Craig Bryson. “It’s unnecessary — we do a lot of that already on any major project.” “Road (projects) are big time money and should be competitively bid in all circumstances,” Rogers said. “Even on smaller projects, pricing should be checked periodically and on an annual basis.” Bryson added that mandating a competitive bidding process would be superfluous since the RCOC maintains a positive working relationship with the county’s townships, and works to get the best price on each project. The bill would only create more paperwork and require more administrative personnel to facilitate road work, meaning added costs and time. “It’s another layer of red tape and will slow down the process while adding costs to the process,” Bryson said. “If a township wants us to do a job, we make sure it gets done and get the competitive prices to get that job done well.” Bryson cited the recent Milford Township project at Milford and Dawson roads as one successful collaboration where RCOC worked handin-hand with the township. “Milford Township wanted to do this project so we reviewed it to make sure the plan was up to standards, and then we got out of the way. We made sure it was as cost-efficient as possible,” Bryson said. The RCOC views HB 4790 as an
BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION/I-96 BETWEEN MILFORD AND KENT LAKE ROADS (Milford area) • Closure: Single lane closure on I-96 in each direction between Milford and Kent Lake roads on weekends and weekdays during non-peak hours. Ramps from Kent Lake Road to westbound I-96 will remain closed until end of November. • Completion date: By mid-December • Cost: $15.5 million.
undue approach when smaller fixes could be facilitated to placate problems. “They are using a sledge hammer to do what a fly swatter could do,” Bryson said. “It would just be more
hoops for us to jump through.” The legislation passed the House in late June and has been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee. All lakes area state representatives voted in favor of the bill last June.
Haines said to stay tuned since a substitute bill may be coming down the pike to place caps and thresholds on minimum amounts and make some changes to the bidding and approval process. ❏
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
ENVIRONMENT
Recreation area stewardship day set for Dec. 10
ship day, as well as registration forms, can be found by clicking on the “Calendar of Volunteer Stewardship Workdays” link on the DNR website at michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers. ❏
Working outside in the fresh air, getting exercise during the holiday season, and contributing to the protection and restoration of Michigan’s state parks are all benefits enjoyed by volunteers participating in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) volunteer stewardship days. The Highland Recreation Area will be holding one of these volunteer stewardship days from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. Volunteers will be helping to restore the Highland Recreational Area to open grassland by hauling and piling brush and stacking fire wood. Those wanting to help are asked to meet at the Silo Field Trial Area parking lot on Livingston Road between Pettibone Lake and Beaumont roads. They should come prepared with appropriate clothing for outdoor work, including long pants, boots, gloves and drinking water. More information on this steward-
Board OKs terms of three to parks commission By Angela Niemi staff writer
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners has approved the appointment of Pecky Lewis, Commissioner Gary McGillivray (DMadison Heights), and Robert Kostin to the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission. The commission’s purpose is to preserve park land and to create Kostin recreational, leisure, and learning experiences for county residents. The 10 members of the commission
include a county road commissioner, the county’s water resources commissioner, a member of the regional planning agency, and seven members appointed by the county Board of Commissioners. Not more than three of those seven members can be members of the county board. Lewis, a Bloomfield Hills resident who has served on the Parks and Recreation McGillivray Commission since 1981, said he was “pleased” to be appointed by the full board. “I think in Oakland County we have the best park system in the country for a county this size,” Lewis said. “I visited many park systems over the years, and I believe we do things a bit better. I’d like to see more people get out to the parks. We took a survey and most people don’t know about the parks. We’re trying to get the word out more to let people know about these parks so we can increase attendance and get more repeat visitors.” McGrillivray had served on the
Parks and Recreation Commission for a year before being reappointed. “I just have a real passion for parks and recreation,” he said. “Before getting elected as a county commissioner, I served on the Madison Heights City Council for 24 years, as well as on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board there for 24 years.” Kostin, a lawyer based in Clarkston, will be serving his second term on the parks panel. “I’m kind of humbled by the appointment as it came from both sides of the aisle,” Kostin said. “I’m really an outdoorsmen — I use Independence Oaks Park regularly four or five times a week and have come to be called the ‘expert’ on the (parks) commission regarding Independence Oaks. I can’t imagine a better board to ask to serve on. It’s a great appointment, and I love every minute of it.” Those serving on the Parks and Recreation Commission serve threeyear terms, are paid $35 per meeting, and receive county mileage reimbursement. All three were appointed to a three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2012 and ending Dec. 31, 2014. ❏
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NOVEMBER 30, 2011
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PAGE 27
COUNTY
Ex-OCDP official’s sentencing set for Jan. 12 after plea
New development chief named after Krauss’ departure
By Kirk Pinho
By Kirk Pinho
assistant editor
assistant editor
A former Oakland County Democratic Party employee will face sentencing in Circuit Court on Jan. 12, 2012 on charges that he and the former party chairman concocted a scheme to siphon off conservative vote from Republicans in close races during the 2010 election cycle. Jason Bauer, the party’s former political director who resigned last year, will be sentenced early next year by Circuit Bauer Court Judge James Alexander after he and Michael McGuinness, the former county party chairman, both pleaded no contest to charges including forgery and perjury. Bauer pleaded no contest on Monday, Nov. 22. McGuinness pleaded no contest on his charges last month. Bauer’s additional charges included violations of provisions of the Michigan Notary Public Act stemming from his alleged fraudulent notarization of candidate affidavits for Aaron W. Tyler, who was running for the county Board of Commissioners 2nd District seat; Ruth A. Spearman, who was running for the Board of Commissioners 4th District seat; and Johnathon Michael Young, who was running for the state Senate’s 12th District seat. Uttering and publishing (forgery) is a 14-year felony; perjury is a 5-year felony; and violations of the Notary Public Act are 1-year misdemeanor offenses. The county board’s 2nd District represents Highland Township, the village of Holly, and Holly, Springfield and Rose townships. District 4 represents portions of Waterford and Independence townships, and Clarkston. The pair stand accused of trying to run so-called “Tea Party” candidates in the 2010 election in an attempt to siphon conservative votes from Republican candidates during the 2010 mid-term election cycle. In July 2010, a group identifying itself as the “Tea Party” submitted 59,000-plus voter signatures to the Michigan Secretary of State’s office, as well as the names of 23 candidates seeking legislative positions as Tea Party candidates. ❏
Following the departure of a top county official to take a leadership position with the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce (DRC), Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson has named Irene Spanos to the position of director of economic development and community affairs. This month marks seven years since Spanos, 40, joined Oakland County as an economic developer. Spanos, a Ferndale native, holds a bachelor’s Spanos degree in business administration with a major in marketing from Wayne State University. “Irene has been a key player in developing our Medical Main Street and Emerging Sectors initiatives,” said Patterson in a press release dated Monday, Nov. 21, announcing his appointment to the position previously held by Maureen Donohue Krauss, who will become vice president of economic developPatterson ment and business attraction at the DRC. “(Spanos’) track record of success proves she’s ready to take our job creation strategies to the next level.” “I am truly honored that Brooks asked me to head up Oakland County’s economic development efforts,” Spanos stated in the release.
We’ve Gone
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“Oakland County has some of most innovative companies creating industry-changing products; one of the most globally trained work forces; and some of the most passionate people working here at the county helping people and businesses every day.” Spanos’ most recent position with the county was as a senior business development representative for the Medical Main Street initiative, which seeks to brand the county as a hub of top-flight health care and medical manufacturing. She also brings to the table more than a decade of experience as supervisor of marketing, advertising and public relations for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Spanos, a member of the Michigan Economic Developers Association and the Southfield Healthcare Corridor board, currently lives in Sterling Heights with her husband and two young children. She is also taking to Twitter to keep the community apprised of economic development issues in the county. Those updates can be received by following @IreneSpa on the social networking website. ❏
Saturday, December 3rd 10am - 4pm Sunday, December 4th 11am - 4pm $2 admission • 12 & younger free www.keepsakecollectionshows.com
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PAGE 28
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NOVEMBER 30, 2011
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PAGE 29
STATE
Legislation would cap state loans to school districts By Kirk Pinho assistant editor
With property tax revenues going to school districts in a free-fall over the past few years, many districts haven’t been able to meet the obligations of their existing bond debt. In order to shore up those payments, the state of Michigan has a program that lends school districts money to cover their bond indebtedness shortfalls, one that currently has a liability of about $1.2 billion. State Sen. John Pappageorge (RBirmingham) and a few of his Republican colleagues want to cap that amount at $1.5 billion, a ceiling that would be enacted if Senate Bills (SBs) 770, 771 and 772 — which are tiebarred — receive state House and Senate approval. A joint hearing on the legislation is slated for Tuesday, Dec. 6 by a trio state Senate Appropriations Pappageorge Committee subcommittees, according to staff in Pappageorge’s office, who added that there are roughly nine school districts in Oakland County that currently utilize the state’s assistance in meeting their bond debt obligations, although none of them are located in the lakes area. “We are looking at this as sort of another one of our long-term liabilities that needs to be addressed,” said Kristen Brown, Pappageorge’s chief of staff. “That’s why we took interest in it. If we don’t address this problem in the near future,” the current rate of $60 perpupil out of the School Aid Fund that pays for the program could “skyrocket to $128 (per-pupil) in the next decade.”
“If their millages are not bringing in enough money to pay down the debt service on the bonds, that’s what the loan program is for,” Brown said. Brad Biladeau, associate executive for government relations for the Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA), said that the association has previously opposed similar legislative efforts but the MASA is still in the process of reviewing the slate of bills under consideration. The legislation was introduced on Oct. 20. ❏
CAPITOL NOTES
The state House’s anti-bullying legislation — which did not include controversial language that some said would allow for bullying based on religious or moral beliefs — has passed the state Senate. House Bill (HB) 4163 received broad bipartisan support when it cleared the state Senate yesterday, Tuesday, Nov. 29 in a 35-2 vote. State Sens. Mike Kowall (RCommerce, Highland, Milford, Walled Lake, Wixom, Wolverine Lake, White Lake, Orchard Lake, West Bloomfield) and David Robertson (R-Waterford) both voted in favor of the House bill. State Reps. Hugh Crawford (RWalled Lake, Wixom), Gail Haines (RWaterford, West Bloomfield), Eileen Kowall (R-Highland, White Lake), Lisa Brown (D-West Bloomfield, Commerce, Wolverine Lake) and Chuck Moss (ROrchard Lake) voted in favor of HB 4163 when it cleared the House earlier this month. State Rep. Bill Rogers (RMilford) was among the 18 House members who voted against it. Crawford was a co-sponsor of the legislation. ❏
is Saturday, December 10, 2011 St. Matthew Lutheran Church 2040 S. Commerce, Walled Lake
YOU CAN HELP LOCAL FAMILIES BY DONATING NEW, UNWRAPPED:
Toys and Gifts for kids 0-18 years of age Hats, Mittens, Gloves and Scarves for all ages Books, Games, Puzzles or Arts and Crafts Kits WE ALSO NEED: • Wrapping Paper, Bows, Tape If you would like to help please consider volunteering
• Volunteers for set-up Friday, December 9, 6 p.m.
(This is a great chance for families to volunteer together) • Volunteers (18 and older) for Saturday, Dec. 10, 8:30-6:30
DEADLINE FOR DONATIONS IS DECEMBER 3, 2011 Here is a partial list of drop-off locations - for more information email HHsantashop@gmail.com City of Wixom Offices 49015 Pontiac Trail Citizens Bank 546 N. Pontiac Trail Allstate 39540 14 Mile Mini Storage Depot 46550 Pontiac Trail Wolverine Lake Village Offices 425 Glengary Dance Dynamics 1400 E. West Maple Melvin's Hardware 690 N. Pontiac Trail City of Walled Lake Offices 1499 E. West Maple
Fifth Third Bank 4747 Haggerty Road Talmer Bank & Trust 7950 W. Maple SCN Communications/ Spinal Column Newsweekly 7196 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford Sports Club of Novi 42500 Arena Dr., Novi Prudental Great Lakes Realty 2000 Oakley Park, Ste. 201
Dublin Elementary
Holiday Craft Show 425 Farnsworth, White Lake (Off of Union Lake Road)
Saturday, December 3, 2011 • 9 am - 5 pm $1.00 admission to support our P.T.A.
For more information contact Nancy McHugh at 248-787-4217 or email HHsantashop@gmail.com
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
Did you know...
Santa reads the Spinal Column Newsweekly?
Spinal e h t f i asking e t o n lp him sa e u h t n d l e u s wo girls y l d k Santa n e a e s w News e boy h n t t m a u l h o t C rs int the r e t p t e d l n e a th year umn l s i o h collect C t l a m i n e Spi ding h h n t e f s o e s r e a e pag h t n i s letter happy kly. e o e o w t s y w l on Ne We are Santa out! to help kids letters to: ur ly Send yo mn Newsweek olu Spinal C n: Santa Claus Attentio y Lake Road oole 8327 7196 C 4 I M , d r Waterfo
the tters in t the le n ri ly p k l e il We w ewswe olumn N h the Spinal C allows) throug e 1 issue. c 2 a p r s e (as Decemb s only. , y a d s Wedne t name print firs returned so We will e b t o will n d it! Letters you nee if y p o c a p e e k
NOVEMBER 30, 2011
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MAIL BAG
Story was inaccurate From Daniel J. Stencil, executive officer of Oakland County Parks and Recreation: I’m (writing) to clarify an article that ran in the Oct. 19, 2011 edition of the Spinal Column Newsweekly, “Parks panel mulls severing food and beverage lease.” Specifically, the paragraph I’m referencing is, “The county’s Parks and Recreation Commission was slated to consider terminating Oak Management’s current lease agreement, which is slated to run through Dec. 31, 2015. According to a proposed resolution being weighed by the parks commission, if adopted, the lease agreement — most recently ratified in 2008 — could be modified to have Oak Management transition out of the lease as soon as Feb. 1, 2013, or as soon as a new agreement is approved.” The above statement is not 100 percent accurate. The Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission is not looking to terminate the current contract of Oak Management at this time. The parks system is currently working on a Concession Operation Request for Proposal (RFP) that will include Waterford Oaks Waterpark, Red Oaks Waterpark, Groveland Oaks Campground, Addison Oaks Campground and Springfield Oaks Golf Course. The RFP will be let out by Oakland County’s Purchasing Division in December. We anticipate a new contract will be in place by mid-March 2012 to being operations as each of above-mentioned facilities opens. Additionally, the parks commission is looking to release an RFP for Approved Caterers to service its
activity centers and picnic pavilions. The end result of this process will allow our guests a variety of vendors to choose from to meet their needs for food and beverage service for their special events and allow the county control over which vendors are operating in the parks system. The final RFP will be for Banquet Services at Addison Oaks Conference Center, White Lake Oaks Golf Course, Lyon Oaks Golf Course and Glen Oaks Golf Course. This RFP will be released in 2012 and we expect a new contract will be in place in 2013. The new contract would not start until Jan. 1, 2016. Oak Management will be the provider of exclusive food and beverage service at those locations until Dec. 31, 2015. The current plan is for Oak Management to have the opportunity to bid on the RFP, just like any other catering vendor. The crossover time for the banquet services contract is to allow for a seamless transition for guests who want to book in 2013-2015 for parties that will take place at those facilities in the year 2016 and beyond. Thank you for the opportunity to clarify our approach to securing three different contracts for the various types of food and beverage services to meet the needs of our guests. ❏
CORRECTION An article appearing in the Wednesday, Nov. 23 edition of the Spinal Column Newsweekly under the headline “Not-so-silent nights: Tree lightings in W. Oakland ring in season,” should have stated that Waterford Township is hosting its tree lighting ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. ❏
Mail Bag provides a forum to express your thoughts. Please limit to 275 words or less. Please type and double space. We reserve the right to edit or not publish any letter. Deadline - Friday at 12 noon. Include name, address and phone number for verification, only your name and community will be published. Letters without names will not be considered. Mail to Spinal Column Newsweekly, P.O. Box 14, Union Lake, MI 48387 or fax 24/7 to Editor 248-360-1220.
OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL
Scott
Greimel
A collection of gossip, scuttlebutt, and odds and ends from our reporters’ notebooks. GREAT SCOTTS: John Scott is many things — a hunter who just returned from a trip during which he nabbed a doe; a Republican; and a county commissioner representing portions of Waterford and West Bloomfield — but one thing he is not is a carpetbagger. How does Oakland Confidential know? Well, County Commissioner Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) seems poised to be the next state representative for the 29th State House District, now that its former occupant, Tim Melton, has scurried off to California for another gig. Greimel quashed the competition in the Democratic primary for the party’s nomination on Nov. 2 and he will face a Republican in a district that — let’s face it — eats the GOP for breakfast. Presuming Greimel wins the seat, that could leave the 25-member county board with the unenviable task of finding his replacement. Don’t forget the Board of Commissioners is dominated by the GOP. “Naturally, with a 15-10 majority, it will be interesting to see how commissioners on my side of the aisle react,” Scott said of a potential appointment to fill the vacancy. “It wouldn’t be fair to appoint a Republican in a Democrat’s seat. I would oppose that. That’s the partisan stuff I don’t like.” Amen, John. What will happen? That sort of depends, according to Oakland County Democratic Party Chairman Frank Houston, who said that if Greimel doesn’t relinquish his county board seat by the end of the calendar year, the appointment would fall to the Board of Commissioners. Greimel couldn’t be reached for comment before this edition went to press. ROGER THAT: We hardly knew ye, Bill Rogers. Well, we knew ye since ye were elected in 2008, but after the 2012 election, we’re going to have to take you off of our proverbial radar. It’s nothing personal, though — we promise. If the chairman of the state House Appropriations Education Subcommittee wants to get chippy about it (we don’t suspect that he will, but you never know), he can blame the state House
Rogers
Zoner
and Senate GOP. That’s because the second-term Republican whose 66th state House District currently includes Milford told Oakland Confidential that he is running for re-election — no real surprise there, folks — but it will be in a new district, one that doesn’t include any lakes area communities. Under the new state House district lines, Milford falls in the brand spankin’ new 44th District, which would be Republican state Rep. Eileen Kowall’s fresh milieu. Currently, she represents White Lake and Highland townships; the new 44th District includes those same two communities, as well as Milford and a chunk of Waterford Township. BUDGET BATTLE: Commerce Township Supervisor Tom Zoner enjoys the serenity of paragliding — “It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s ... Tom?” — but getting the township’s Fiscal Year 2012 budget adopted won’t be smooth sailing. Trustees on the board, including Debra Kirkwood, are taking umbrage with higher paychecks for non-union employees under Zoner’s budget proposal; some are saying it’s an increase in wages, while others are calling it a restoration in a move akin to debating the pronunciation of “potato” or “tomato” (which, for the record, we pronounce with a long “A” sound). “The supervisor said he had presented a balanced budget and that we should not question it,” Kirkwood quipped, referring to two budget plans brought forward and defeated in an October vote and then tabled at a meeting earlier this month. “I am not a rubber stamp for the supervisor. I feel it’s my duty to vote in a manner that is in the best interest of the residents of Commerce Township.” The Z-Man said the impasse, if it isn’t resolved by Jan. 1, 2012, “puts us up against the wall” since the township would “have to approve each expenditure on a one-byone basis.” The spat, said Trustee Rick Sovell, will likely produce “an interesting meeting” of the board come next month. And if a consensus isn’t reached? Well, Zoner said he would present five more budgets and have five public hearings if he has to. Talk about determination — which we also pronounce with a long “A.” ❏
PAGE 32
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
CITY OF ORCHARD LAKE VILLAGE
NOTICE OF ZONING BOARD PUBLIC HEARINGS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Michigan Public Act 110 of 2006, the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, as amended, the City of Orchard Lake Village Zoning Board of Appeals will consider the following appeal at their Regular Meeting on Monday, December 19, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Orchard Lake City Hall, 3955 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard Lake, Michigan: Puff Hookah Lounge Appeal – 4127 Orchard Lake Road (Square Footage for Window Signs) Complete copies of the request are available for review at the Office of the City Clerk in City Hall. Written Comments will be received in the City Clerk’s Office, 3955 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard Lake, MI between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, or may be submitted electronically to CityClerk@CityofOrchardLake.com. You are invited to attend the hearing. Rhonda McClellan CityClerk@CityofOrchardLake.com S.C. 11-30-11
WORSHIP SERVICES Lutheran
Lutheran Church of the Ascension 4150 Pontiac Lk. Rd. Waterford, MI 48328 248-674-1212 lutheranchurch.ofthe.ascension@gmail.com Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. We welcome Pastor Mary Duerksen CRAFT SHOW & BAKE SALE Dec. 3rd • 9 a.m.-2 p.m. To Advertise Your Worship Services call the Classified Department at 248-360-7355
ALL THE NEWS ON AREA WATERWAYS www.oaklandlakefront.com December 10th
Snacks with Santa Hosted by the Village of Wolverine Lake Park and Recreation Board
Richardson Community Center 1485 Oakley Park Road 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Includes snacks & a craft $5.00 per child • $2.00 per adult Register at Village Hall – 425 Glengary Road Call 248-624-1710 for more information
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AROUND THE LAKES AREA
WE’RE ASKING…
We’ve Gone
A special feature of the Spinal Column Newsweekly
Do you plan on spending more or less this holiday shopping season?
"My kids are grown, but I will be shopping for my daughter and her boyfriend."
"Yes, I plan on spending more. I've started a DVD collection this year, so I've been going a little nuts."
"Probably less. I'm in the middle of a move. I'm finding that I don't need more stuff in my life."
— Larry Brandenburg, West Bloomfield
— Andrew Crimmins, Wixom
— Jeremy Melton, Waterford
"About the same. I pretty much got everything done already."
— Marv Petsch, White Lake
NOVEMBER 30, 2011
www.spinalcolumnonline.com
PAGE 33
IN OUR OPINION
Establishing speed limits New approach not likely to produce quick results T
wo Michigan lawmakers with backgrounds in law enforcement want to change the process for setting speed limits on city streets to ensure postings are scientific and safe. They hope to put an end to what they believe are unfair speed traps in Michigan, where speed limits are set far below the speed most motorists drive and police linger to write up tickets. The proposed changes reportedly would make roadways safer and minimize the abuse that the bill’s sponsors say is inflicted upon motorists who receive speeding tickets along stretches of road with unnecessarily low speed limits. Those two purported outcomes of the bill are worthy motivations. We know the legislation’s sponsors have the best of intentions; yet, we’re not convinced the proposal would make a rapid, significant impact. Senate Bill (SB) 795, introduced on Nov. 3, is cosponsored by state Sens. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) and Mike Nofs (R-Battle Creek). Jones has 31 years of experience as a police officer; Nofs is a former Michigan State Police (MSP) commander. Under the bill, prima facie speed limits can be changed by local officials if an engineering study is conducted by either a private company or the MSP. A prima facie speed limit is a default speed limit that applies when no other specific speed limit is posted. The proposal states that an established speed limit on state highways shall be posted within 5 mph of how fast the 85th percentile of motorists are traveling in free-flowing traffic. Speeds must not go below the 75th percentile once scientific standards determine the average speed of traffic. To find the 85th percentile speed, one must conduct a study of free-flowing traffic and calculate the
average recorded speed. Eighty-five percent of the average speed would be the 85th percentile speed. Should a highway segment be determined through study to have a design speed lower than the 85th percentile speed of free-flowing traffic (a safe speed based on the road’s design), the road authority in the jurisdiction may post appropriate advisory speed signs. Any new speed limits established under the bill’s provisions must be accepted by the MSP and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The maximum speed limit on all freeways would still be 70 mph unless an engineering and traffic investigation determines otherwise, but can not be less than 55 mph. In addition, the bill calls for the elimination of school speed zones around public and private high schools. However, an engineering study could be conducted to determine the need for an established school zone, and the prima facie speed limit shall be in force no more than 30 minutes before school starts and no more than 30 minutes after it’s dismissed. SB 795 has been assigned to the Senate Transportation Committee for consideration. According to Jones and Nofs, too many jurisdictions have posted speed limits that are too low, sometimes as a means to set up police speed traps in order to generate more ticket fine revenue. They say that using a scientific approach (determining the 85th percentile speed) to establish speed limits is not only the fair thing to do, but also the safer approach. Stretches of roadway where the speed limited is posted at the 85th percentile speed typically have fewer accidents, while there tends to be more accidents along roadways where the speed limit is under-posted, accord-
ing to Jones and Nofs. Jones said if jurisdictions under-post speed limits and issue tickets to motorists traveling the speed they actually should be allowed to drive, the motorist receives a sizable fine and three years of higher auto insurance premiums, two things that he characterized as abuse. We trust Jones and Nofs when they say their experience and national research indicate safer conditions when speed limits are set at the 85th percentile speed. We’re no fans of speed traps, and certainly are proponents of safety, which makes SB 795 sound like legislation that merits expedited approval; however, we question the actual effect the proposed changes would have in the field. Our concern is that most of the changes proposed under SB 795 would require studies by either a private firm or the MSP. We’ve all heard over and over again that the State Police are already overwhelmed and hampered by budget cuts, making that agency an unlikely provider of road studies. That would leave many of requisite studies up to private firms, which aren’t going to conduct these studies for free. We wonder how many of these studies jurisdictions can really afford at one time. We also recall the hubbub created a few years ago when a change in state law ramped up speed limits on many gravel roadways in the state. The outcry from municipal officials and residents was great. The Legislature and public must keep in mind the MSP and local jurisdictions’ limited resources when considering SB 795. Enacting the bill may well draw cheers from motorists, but real change on the street isn’t likely to take place quickly. ❏
Ballot order bill has merits L
awmakers are being asked to consider a proposal in the state House of Representatives that would reorder the non-partisan Michigan ballot to bump the races for community college boards of trustees and intermediate school district boards up higher on the ballot above local school board races. Although there may be some backlash from local school districts already fighting for voters’ attention with their current position on the ballot, adopting such legislation is logical. House Bill (HB) 5127, which was introduced late last month by state Rep. Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan) and is co-sponsored by state Reps. Eileen Kowall (RHighland, White Lake) and Bill Rogers (R-Milford), among others, would make those two contests appear right after where people check the ballot for district court judge races. The ballot for non-partisan races is currently ordered as follows: Michigan Supreme Court justices;
state Court of Appeals judgeships; circuit court judgeships; probate court judgeships; district court judgeships; city officers; certain village officers; local school district boards of education; community college boards of trustees; intermediate school district board members; and district library board members. If the legislation is approved by both chambers of the state Legislature, the non-partisan races would be ordered as follows: Michigan Supreme Court justices; state Court of Appeals judgeships; circuit court judgeships; probate court judgeships; district court judgeships; community college boards of trustees; intermediate school district board members; city officers; certain village officers; local school district boards of education; and district library board members. The way most of the ballot is currently ordered sorts the contested races by, essentially, the hierarchy of the related races. For example, Supreme Court contests are placed higher on the ballot than state Court
of Appeals races, which appear above circuit court and district court contests. However, with the races impacting schools — no matter what the level — the contests appear in the opposite order, with local school board races appearing above intermediate school board contests and community college boards of trustees races. And while we suspect that local districts wouldn’t be thrilled with being bumped farther down the ballot — and perhaps with good reason — doing so brings the ordering for those education races in line with the rest of the ballot. Just as we would hem and haw if the races for county commissioner, for example, appeared above the race for President of the United States, or even state representative or state senator, the current ballot set-up makes little sense when the rest of the ballot order is taken into consideration. Lawmakers should adopt HB 5127. ❏
PAGE 34
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NOVEMBER 30, 2011
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR ■ Oakland County Sheriff’s Department: In conjunction with the village of Wolverine Lake, “Coats for the Cold,” donations accepted 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday through today, Wednesday, Nov. 30 at village offices on Glengary Road in Wolverine Lake. 248-624-2826. ■ White Lake Township: Helping Hands Food Donation Program for lowincome people held now through today, Wednesday, Nov. 30. Containers for non-perishable food items located at township offices, the police department, fire department, and the Dublin Senior Center. For additional information, 248-698-3300, ext. 6. ■ Waterford Garden Club: 57th Annual Greens Market — fresh greens, wreaths, roping, swags, crafts, fresh and silk arrangements, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 1 and 2, Waterford Parks and Recreation building, 2303 Crescent Lake Road, Waterford. All proceeds will be donated to Waterford Parks and Recreation, Drayton Plains Nature Center, Christmas Adopt-a-Family, and miscellaneous community projects. E-mail waterfordgardenclub@gmail.com. ■ Waterford Baptist Cathedral: Holiday Craft Show, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3, 2640 Airport Road, Waterford. 248-599-7306 or 248-673-5022. ■ Huron Valley Council for the Arts: “A Piano Extravaganza,” exciting tour de force on four grand pianos, 7:30 p.m. Friday and 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3, Milford Center for the Performing Arts, 2380 S. Milford Road, Highland. Tickets: $10 to $25. 248-889-8660 or www.huronvalleyarts.org. ■ Dublin Elementary School: Holiday Craft Show, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, 425 Farnsworth, White Lake. 248-376-6354. ■ Commerce Township Goodfellows: Annual Special Edition Paper Sale, Saturday, Dec. 3, Union Lake and Walled Lake areas. 248-738-0064. ■ Davison Wrestling Boosters: 21st annual Davision High School Arts and Crafts Show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3 and 4, Davision High School, 1250 North Oak Road, Davison. 810-658-8080 or 810658-0440
■ Dads of Foreign Service: Bingo, 5:30 p.m. Sundays, VFW Post 4156, 321 Union Lake Road, White Lake. www.vfw4156.org or 248-698-8302.
Volunteers needed part-time for Bingo, coffee chat, walking group, etc., 935 Union Lake Road, White Lake. 248-360-7235.
■ Lakeland High School Athletic Boosters Fund-raiser: Practice ACT test for high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, 1630 Bogie Lake Road, White Lake. Registration, $25 for the test by e-mail, $35 at the door (limited walk-in). 248-360-1252 or e-mail kimlech@comcast.net.
■ Rotary of West Bloomfield: Meeting, 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Henry Ford Medical Center, second floor, southwest corner of Farmington and Maple roads. 248520-0095.
❐ Over-Eaters Anonymous: Recovery from compulsive eating, 12-step program, meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesdays, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 5301 Hatchery Road, Waterford.
■ Waterford Rotary Club: Meeting, noon, Tuesdays, The Shark Club on M59, Waterford. 248-625-4897.
❐ Postpartum Depression Support Group: Meeting, 6:45 p.m. Thursdays, DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, Commerce. 248-937-5220.
■ City of Walled Lake:Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, entertainment, refreshments, Santa, 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, in front of City Hall on E. West Maple in Walled Lake. 248-624-4847. ■ Oakland County Sportsmen’s Club: Desert Angel Miracle Box Packing Party, 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, 4770 Waterford Road, Clarkston. 248-6230444 or ocsclub.org. ■ Holy Spirit Lutheran Church: Free community Christmas caroling with light refreshments, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, 4800 Orchard Lake Road located across from West Bloomfield High School. ■ Jackson Chorale: Annual Christmas concert, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, Central United Methodist Church, 3882 Highland Road, Waterford. Tickets available at the door. 248-651-3085 or 248-682-4992. ■ First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham: Holiday Cookie Walk, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 1669 W. Maple between Southfield and Cranbrook roads, Birmingham. 248851-0698. ■ Church of the Holy Spirit: 50-plus Singles Christmas Dance — DJ Terry Barr, beer, wine, snacks, Friday, Dec. 16, 3700 Harvey Lake Road, Highland. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. 248887-6933, 248-343-4551 or 248872-7140. ■ Lakes Area Rotary Club: Meeting, noon, Tuesdays, Bayside Grill, 142 E. Walled Lake Drive, Walled Lake. 248770-2707.
■ Huron Valley Council for the Arts: Knitters circle, 10 a.m. Wednesdays, Highland Station House, Highland. 248685-9015. ■ (Breakfast) Optimist Club of Waterford: Meeting, 7:15 a.m. Thursdays, Big Boy Restaurant, M-59 and Airport Road, Waterford. 248-6733493. ■ Grace Hospice: Volunteers with reliable transportation needed to visit terminally-ill patients and family members in our communities. Free training and classes are now forming. 1-888-9374390. ■ Catholic Social Services of Oakland County: Senior companion volunteers needed to support adults with developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic mental illness, as well as the physically frail and homebound. 248559-1147, ext. 3434.
SUPPORT GROUPS ❐ Celebrate Recovery: Alcohol, drugs, gambling, sexual addition recovery meetings, 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Life Point Christian Church, 501 Scott Lake Road, Waterford. 248-682-1747. ❐ Divorce Care: Support group meeting for adults and children, 6:30 p.m. Sundays, Brightmoor Christian Church, 40800 W. 13 Mile, Novi. 248-7559533. ❐ Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous: Meeting, 6 p.m. Fridays, Crossroads Presbyterian Church, 1445 Welch Road, Commerce. 248-807-8667 or foodaddicts.org. ❐ Independence Village of White Lake:
SENIOR ACTIVITIES ❐ Calvary Lutheran Church: In conjunction with St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, “Senior Fit,” free exercise program for ages 55 and up, 11 a.m. to noon, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 9101 Highland Road, White Lake. Registration. 1-800-372-6094 or 248-625-3288. ❐ Dublin Senior Center: Lunch, Bingo and cards, 11:30 a.m. Mondays and Fridays, 685 Union Lake Road, White Lake. Registration. 248-698-2394. ❐ Foster Grandparent Program of Oakland County: Volunteers needed ages 55 and older to provide tutoring, mentoring and nurturing youth with special needs. Volunteers receive a non-taxable stipend, mileage reimbursement, a meal or meal reimbursement, training. 248-559-1147, ext. 3424. ❐ Highland Adult Activity Center: Bingo, noon, Mondays and Wednesdays; Sit’N’Stitch, 10 a.m., and movie with popcorn, noon, Fridays, 209 N. John Street, Highland. 248-887-1707. ❐ Richardson Community Senior Center: Knitting and crochet group, 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays, 1485 E. Oakley Park, Commerce. Registration. 248926-0063 or commercetwp.com. ❐ Sylvan Lake Lutheran Church: Senior Stretch and Tone, 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. Fridays, 2399 Figa Avenue, West Bloomfield. 248-682-0770. PAGE 36 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯
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Obituaries BLATNIKOFF- SCHWARTZ, FAYE, a resident of West Bloomfield, died on November 19th, 2011 at the age of 97. Funeral services arranged by The Dorfman Chapel. DECECO, LENORE L. of Walled Lake passed away in the care of her family November 16, 2011. She was 89 years old. DURRANT, DONNA J., of Milford, passed away in the care of her family November 19, 2011. She was 64 years old. ERB, ROBERT C. “Lightning” of Novi was born on May 23, 1938. He died November 18, 2011 at the age of 73.
www.spinalcolumnonline.com 31st Annual
❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 35
(Located on M-59 1/2 mile West of U.S. 23)
“Always the First Saturday in December” SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM ~ Admission - $2.00 (810) 519-2923 Largest Holiday Bazaar in Livingston County. Over 200 booths of hand-crafted and specialty items. Luncheon Available
Santa’s Workshop on Santa Avenue featuring Pictures With Santa Kid’s Make & Take Crafts • Carolers
Hosted by: The Hartland Women’s Club
HALPIN, JOHN ARTHUR, age 82, of Highland, passed away on November 20, 2011 KANE, JAMES A., a resident of Walled Lake, Michigan, died on November 13th, 2011 at the age of 93. Funeral services arranged by The Dorfman Chapel. SCHELLENBERG, DORIS, age 77, a life long resident of Highland entered Eternal Life November 21, 2011. SPENCER, VIRGINIA of Wolverine Lake was born June 22, 1931 in Heidelberg, Kentucky and died November 20, 2011 at the age of 80.
A non-profit community organization. All booth rental and admission proceeds go to benefit local community-based charities and school-affiliated programs
HOPE HOUSES OUTLET MALL “A Beacon Of Hope For Small Business In Walled Lake!”
GRAND OPENING CEREMONY December 2 at Noon
Drawings will be held for items featured by the Small Business Owners located within Hope Houses Outlet Mall
728 N. PONTIAC TRAIL By Melvin’s Ace Hardware
SUIT, EMMA LOUISE, age 90, of Hartland, passed away on November 10, 2011 To place an obituary in the Spinal Column Newsweekly please call the Classified Department at 248-360-7355 or email: lorisnyder@thescngroup.com
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Continued Hartland Educational Support Service Center
WALLED LAKE, MI 48390 FRI & SAT 9am-7pm • SUN 9am-4pm
JEWELRY • PURSES •CLOTHING •CLOCKS •UNIQUE GIFTS
248-960-0390
WE STILL HAVE SPACE FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO LEASE
SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
SENIOR ACTIVITIES ❐ Waterford Senior Center: Art Expression, 9 a.m. Thursdays, 3621 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford. Registration. 248-682-9450. ❐ West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Senior Programs: Line dancing, 11 a.m. Fridays at the Corners, 4640 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield. Registration. 248-4511900. ❐ Wixom Senior Center: Senior Christmas Party, 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15; Meals on Wheels, first and third Monday of the month (must preregister by the Thursday before), 49015 Pontiac Trail, Wixom. 248-624-0870 or wixomgov.org.
PARKS ❐ Independence Oaks County Park needs volunteers to patrol the crosscountry ski trails this winter. An informational meeting will be held 8:30 to 11 a.m Sunday, Dec. 4, Wint Nature Center, 9501 Sashabaw Road, Clarkston. Registration. boydr@oakgov.com or 248-975-9717 ❐ Indian Springs Environmental Discovery Center: “Tot Time – Winter Wonderland,” 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 ; Snacks ‘n’ Crafts with Santa,” 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, Indian Springs Metropark, White Lake. Registration. 248-625-6640. ❐ Kensington Farm Center: Snacks with Santa, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10-11, Kensington Metropark, Milford. Registration. 248-684-8632. ❐ Kensington Nature Center: Jr. Girl Scouts — Sky Search, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3; Brownies — Science in Action, 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, Kensington Metropark, Milford. Registration. 248-685-1561 or 1-800477-3178.
LIBRARY EVENTS ❐ Commerce Township Community Library: Gingerbread Houses, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2860 N. Pontiac Trail, Commerce. 248-669-8108 or commercelibrary.info.
❐ Highland Township Public Library: Wimpy Kid — Cabin Fever, grades 2 through 6, 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, 444 Beach Farm Circle, Highland. Registration. 248-887-2218. ❐ Milford Public Library: American Girls 25th Anniversary, 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 330 Family Drive, Milford. Registration. 248-684-0845. ❐ Walled Lake City Library: Learn how to work with your lender to avoid foreclosure with HUD certified counselors, 5 p.m. and adult book discussion on Chevy Steven’s “Still Missing,” 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1; Classical Music with “Fabs” Kaldobsky, adult program, 2 p.m. and Holiday Tea Party with Pat Sagert, adult program, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6 1499 E. West Maple, Walled Lake. Registration. 248-624-3772. ❐ Waterford Township Public Library: Friends Used Book Sale, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday Special — Gingerbread Kids, ages 3-5, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, 5168 Civic Center Drive, Waterford. Registration. 248672-4831. ❐ West Bloomfield Public Library: 4, 5 Alive — All By Myself Fall 2011, 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, 4600 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield. Registration. 248-851-0463 or www.wblib.org/friends. ❐ White Lake Township Library: Friends of the Library Holiday Book Sale, 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3; Holiday Window Decorating Party, 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, 7527 E. Highland Road, White Lake. Registration. 248698-4942. ❐ Wixom Public Library:Holiday Workshop: Present Making, ages 2-10, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 49015 Pontiac Trail, Wixom. Registration. 248624-2512.
RELIGIOUS ❐ Waterford Community Church:”Walk Through Bethlehem,” 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9 through 18, 3900 Airport Road, Waterford. Free admission. 248-6231340 or www.waterfordwired.org.
SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s celebrates with the state championship trophy after a 45-7 victory over Mt. Pleasant at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 3 state final at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Nov. 26. The Eaglets won their fifth state championship after losing in their previous five state final appearances. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
‘We played St. Mary’s football’ Oilers no match for Eaglets in 45-7 state title thrashing By Michael Shelton staff writer
There was no heartbreak, what if’s or thoughts of what might have been for Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Thanksgiving weekend. Instead there was celebration, an exorcism of gridiron demons and a display of dominance that proved the Eaglets worthy of being called state champions. St. Mary’s claimed the school’s
fifth state football title with a 45-7 victory over Mt. Pleasant in the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Division 3 state championship game at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Nov. 26. Prior to Saturday, the last time the Eaglets (12-2) were able to take a state trophy home was in 2000 when they defeated Coopersville in the Division 4 state title game at the Pontiac Silverdome, which was the second of
back-to-back championships. “It’s great,” said St. Mary’s Head Coach George Porritt. “It’s great for our kids and our kids played good football
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and we’ve been knocking on the door. It’s nice for these seniors to go out with a state championship.”
St. Mary’s had lost five consecutive state title games since 2000, three excruciating losses to East Grand Rapids, starting with a historic 46-39 five-overtime defeat in 2007, followed by a 24-21 loss in 2009 and last season’s 35-27 defeat. Many pundits predicted that the Eaglets and Pioneers would meet once again for the Division 3 title this season. PAGE 38 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯
PAGE 38
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CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF COMMERCE 2009 TOWNSHIP DRIVE, COMMERCE TWP., MI 48390 (248) 624-0110
PUBLIC NOTICE OF BUDGET HEARING A Budget Hearing will be held on Tuesday, December 13th, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. for all interested citizens of the Charter Township of Commerce. The Meeting will be held at the Township Hall, 2009 Township Drive for the purpose of discussion of the proposed 2012 Budget. The proposed Budget may be examined on weekdays at 2009 Township Drive between 7:15 A.M. and 5:30 P.M., Monday through Thursday. DANIEL P. MUNRO CLERK, CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF COMMERCE
The Milford Rams, a local flag football team comprised of second- and third-grade boys from Commerce, Milford, White Lake and South Lyon, won the Michigan Youth Flag Football state championship in the Third Grade Open Division at Walled Lake Northern High School on Nov. 13. The Rams were a perfect 6-0 on the day and allowed no points, shutting out teams from Commerce, Walled Lake, Wyandotte, Otsego and Brownstown before defeating the defending champions from Oak Harbor, Ohio by a score of 7-0. Pictured in the top row from left to right are Coach Todd Porter, Shane Ells, Dorian Armstrong, Brock Porter, Zack Swartz and Coach Bill Malecki. In the bottom row from left to right are Billy Malecki, Garrett Guist and Johnny Stepek. (Photo submitted by John Stepek)
FOOTBALL
SHIP IT!
SC: 11-30-11
This notice is posted in compliance with PA 267 of 1976 as amended (open meetings act), MCLA 41.72a(2)(3) and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The Charter Township of Commerce Board will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting or public hearing upon 10 days notice to the Commerce Township Board. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Commerce Township Board by writing or calling the Commerce Township Supervisor at (248) 624-0110.
SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
Eaglets’ title ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 37
But, Mt. Pleasant (13-1) derailed any thoughts of a rematch with a stunning 38-37 victory over the five-time defending Division 3 champion Pioneers in the state semi-finals on Saturday, Nov. 19. The Oilers came into their first state final appearance undefeated and with a strong, vocal following from Mt. Pleasant backing them. But, the Eaglets have been on the big stage before and their seniors didn’t want to experience the feeling they had the last two seasons. The Eaglets were also battle-tested, having played a regular season that included meeting Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice, which won this year’s Division 2 state title, and twice facing Novi Detroit Catholic Central, which finished as the Division 1 runner-up earlier in the day on Nov. 26. St. Mary’s wasted little time on its opening drive as senior Grant Niemiec rushed up the middle for a 48-yard touchdown run on the drive’s fourth play, for the first points of the game. The Eaglets then forced Mt. Pleasant into a three-and-out on their opening drive. Senior Spencer McInnis then struck on the second play of St. Mary’s
ensuing drive, rushing up the right side for a 69-yard touchdown run and a 14-0 Eaglets’ advantage. “I knew what it felt like to lose, so that gave me the fire and other teammates the fire to win,” McInnis said. “I thought it was going to be a tough game, but our (offensive) line just did awesome blocking.” The Oilers eventually found life as quarterback Ryan Elliott scored on a 5yard touchdown run to complete a 12play, 81-yard drive and bring Mt. Pleasant back to within 7 in the first quarter. However, that score would end up being Mt. Pleasant’s only visit to the end zone. After a 27-yard field goal by Paul Graham of St. Mary’s, Eaglets’ sophomore Jalen Watts-Jackson took an Elliott pass out of the hands of Colton Odykirk for an interception at the St. Mary’s 42yard line. Four plays later, McInnis found the end zone for the second time as he rushed up the middle untouched for a 47-yard touchdown run and a 24-7 Eaglets’ lead. St. Mary’s had the ball at the Oilers’ 21-yard line with a chance to score just before halftime, but Dan Clements was intercepted by Jordan Wilson in the left corner of the end zone with 3 seconds left, giving the Oilers a lift of momentum PAGE 39 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯
NOVEMBER 30, 2011
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PAGE 39
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s senior Spencer McInnis (with ball) scores his second touchdown on a 47-yard run in the second quarter in the Eaglets’ 45-7 victory over Mt. Pleasant on Friday, Nov. 26. Spencer’s younger brother, junior Parker McInnis, also ran for a 60-yard touchdown on the Eaglets’ first play of the third quarter as the McInnis brothers put up 310 yards of offense in helping St. Mary’s win its first state title since 2000. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
Eaglets’ title ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 38
heading into the locker room. Mt. Pleasant had trailed East Grand Rapids by the same 24-7 score the previous week before rallying to win. But, there wouldn’t be a comeback on this night. After the Oilers went three-andout on their first drive of the second half, St. Mary’s landed a haymaker on its first play of the half, as junior Parker McInnis rushed 60 yards for a touchdown.
HOCKEY
Kettering blanks Western; Lakeland falls to Avondale By Michael Shelton staff writer
Waterford Kettering shutout Walled
After another three-and-out by Mt. Pleasant, senior linebacker James Ross, usually known for his defense, got in on the scoring with a 32-yard touchdown run and a 38-7 Eaglets’ lead at the end of the third quarter. “We’ve had pictures of the state runner-ups the last two years,” Ross said. “It’s great to have that championship picture in the locker room. I knew what we were capable of and I had no doubt we would be back in the same place we finished last year. We played St. Mary’s football.” Spencer McInnis then put the game away in the fourth with a 5-yard touch-
down run, and Brad Harris intercepted Elliott as time expired to seal the Division 3 championship as the Eaglets rushed the stands to celebrate with their ecstatic fans. St. Mary’s outgained Mt. Pleasant in total offense, 498 yards to 267, with 478 yards coming on the ground. Spencer McInnis finished with 214 yards rushing and three touchdowns while his younger brother, Parker McInnis, and Niemiec each finished with 96 yards rushing and a touchdown. On defense, senior Dylan Zerki finished with 11 total tackles, while Ross
had 10 total tackles. Senior David Talley tallied 9 total tackles, with 7 of them solo, including a sack. Elliott completed 13-of-23 passes for 145 yards for Mt. Pleasant while rushing for 40 yards and a touchdown. The Oilers’ standout running back, Michael Tweh, was held to 39 yards on 14 carries. Odykirk also caught 7 passes for 94 yards for Mt. Pleasant in addition to garnering 8 total tackles on defense. Cory Williams also had 11 total tackles while Spencer Moran had 10 total tackles.
Lake Western, 3-0, at the Lakeland TriArena in Waterford on Wednesday, Nov. 23. All three Captains’ goals came on the power play, as Kyle Soncrainte scored off an assist from Jay Magnan in the first period, Drew Carnes scored off assists from Brandon Lopez and Ryan Brown in the second, and Brad Stonehouse scored in the third with assists from Magnan and Soncrainte.
Steve Brewer stopped 17 shots in the shutout victory for Kettering (1-2), which then traveled to the Chelsea Showcase over the weekend. The Captains fell 6-1 to host Chelsea on Friday, Nov. 25 and lost 6-4 to Davison on Saturday, Nov. 26. Michael Nye scored against Chelsea while Andrew Lindsey, Ryan Brown, Scott Trosen and Justin Haley each scored against Davison. •
Huron Valley Lakeland fell to Auburn Hills Avondale, 5-4, at the Troy Sports Center on Wednesday, Nov. 23. Bobby Schumacher tied the game for the Eagles on the power play in the second period, while Nick Kobak gave them the lead in the third. But, the Eagles (1-2) surrendered two goals, including the game-winner from Alex Poston, his second goal of the night, on the power play with 54 seconds left.
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ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS December 15, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. White Lake Township 7525 Highland Road White Lake, MI 48383
AGENDA
PUBLIC NOTICE At the request of the Charter Township of West Bloomfield, Oakland County, State of Michigan and by the authority conferred on the Department of Natural Resources by Section 12-17 of Act 451, Part 801, Public Acts of 1994, as amended, and Section 250 of Act 380, Public Acts of 1965, and Section 41 of Act 306, Public Acts of 1969, a hearing will be held at the West Bloomfield Charter Township Hall, 4550 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, Michigan, at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 8,2011. At this hearing the Department of Natural Resources will gather information from the public concerning amendment to DNR ordinance R281.763.67 on Green Lake (entitled: Operator of Vessel Powered by Motor). West Bloomfield Charter Township, Oakland County.
1. Call to Order/Roll Call 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes: a. Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting of October 27, 2011 5. Continuing Business 6. New Business a. File No. 11-012 Applicant: F.D. Stella Alpine Valley, Inc. 7000 Fenkel Detroit, MI 48238 Location: 6685 Highland Rd., identified as 12-20-276-013 Request: Variance to Articles 6 for lot width, lot area, and to Article 4.16 for Frontage. 7. Other Business 8. Next Meeting Date: a. January 26, 2011 9. Adjournment SC: 11-30-11
Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for effective participation in the meeting should contact the Township Clerk at (248) 451-4814, a week in advance to request mobility, visual, hearing or other assistance. All interested persons are invited to attend and offer comments orally at the public hearing. Interested persons unable to attend this hearing may within 30 days after the hearing submit written comments to: DNR, Law Enforcement Attn: Sgt. Al Bavarskas 26000 W. Eight Mile Road Southfield, Michigan 48034 S.C. 11-23 & 11-30-11
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
CITY OF WALLED LAKE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2011 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:30 PM 1499 E. WEST MAPLE ROAD, WALLED LAKE, MICHIGAN Please take note the City of Walled Lake Zoning Board of Appeals will meet as noticed above to consider the following appeal: Case# 2011-08 Appellant: Pontiac Trail Business Center Parcel ID# 17-34-227-009 Location: 861 N. Pontiac Trail, Walled Lake, MI 48390 Request: Re-hearing of Case No. 2011-07 Applicant requests a Re-hearing of the Zoning Board of Appeals denial of Case No. 2011-07 wherein applicant requested use and non-use variances as follows: A use variance from the use restrictions of section 10.02(g) of the City Zoning Ordinance to maintain a detected exterior storage facility consisting of metal sea containers on applicants above parcel located in the C-2 District where no warehouse or storage facilities shall be permitted except warehouse or storage facilities when incident to and physically connected with any principal uses permitted, provided that such facility be within the confines of the building or part thereof occupied by said establishment. A seventeen and one half (17.5’) foot non-use variance from the twenty (20’) foot C-2 General Commercial rear yard set-back requirement as provided by Section 17.01, Area, Height, Bulk and Placement Requirements of the City Zoning Ordinance to maintain a detached exterior storage facility consisting of metal sea containers located two and half (2.5’) feet from the rear lot line. A four and a half (4.5) foot non-use variance from the ten (10) foot set back requirement as provided by Section 21.10C.f. of the City Zoning Ordinance, Distance from other Buildings, requiring detached accessory buildings and structures to be located at least ten (10) feet from any other building, to maintain a detached exterior storage facility consisting of metal sea containers located five and half (5.5’) feet from the rear of the principal structure. Complete details of the proposal are available at City Hall for review. All interested parties are invited to attend. Written comments will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. the day of the hearing. Vahn Vanerian City Attorney
SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
SC: 11-30-11
COMMUNITY LEGAL NOTICES CITY OF ORCHARD LAKE VILLAGE
SUMMARY OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING November 21, 2011 At the November 21, 2011 Regular Council Meeting, Council took the following action: • Approved a request to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a lakeside setback variance for an addition to a home at 4310 South Bay Drive; • Partial approval of a tree removal permit for the Orchard Lake Country Club; • Approved the Greater West Bloomfield Cable Communications Commissions 2012 Budget and the Professional Services Budget for the Civic Center TV/Green Media Center Project; • Approved a business license application for Elizabeth Cleaners at 4165 Orchard Lake Road; • Approved a ITC Holdings Corporation contribution; • Approved request for In-Car Video Camera grant application; • Approved traffic study for Shady Beach stop signs; • Ratified the AFSCME Union Agreement and approved the Opt Out Resolution; • Held the second reading and adoption of the NPDES Storm Water & IDEP Ordinance; • Held a Closed Meeting to discuss sale of Willow Lane and Personnel; and • Accepted all department reports. Bruce H. McIntyre, Mayor
Rhonda R. McClellan, City Clerk S.C. 11-30-11
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WHITE LAKE OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN
NOTICE OF ADOPTION AMENDMENT TO TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE NO. 133 ORDINANCE TO CONFIRM THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PLANNING COMMISSION Notice is hereby given that at a regular board meeting on November 15, 2011 the Charter Township of White Lake adopted Ordinance No. 133, Ordinance to Confirm the Establishment of a Planning Commission. The Ordinance was accepted by the Charter Township of White Lake on October 18, 2011 and adopted at the November 15, 2011 regular board meeting.
SECTION I - SCOPE, PURPOSE AND INTENT SECTION II - ESTABLISHMENT SECTION III - SEVERABILITY SECTION IV - REPEALER SECTION V - EFFECTIVE DATE SECTION VI - ADOPTION This Ordinance will be in effect seven (7) days after publication. This Ordinance is available for purchase or inspection at the office of the Township Clerk at 7525 Highland Road, White Lake, Michigan during regular hours from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Monday through Friday, except holidays. Terry Lilley, Clerk SC: 11-30-2011
NOVEMBER 30, 2011
www.spinalcolumnonline.com
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CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF COMMERCE
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WHITE LAKE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
AMENDMENT TO TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE NO. 58, ZONING ORDINANCE NOTICE OF ADOPTION, ORDINANCE NO. 58-13
2009 TOWNSHIP DRIVE Commerce Township, MI 48390
Notice is hereby given that the Township Board of the Charter Township of Commerce, Oakland County, Michigan, will meet at a Regular Board meeting on the 13th day of December, 2011, at 7:00 p.m., at the Township Hall, located at 2009 Township Drive, Commerce Township, Michigan 48390, to determine if the following Special Assessment District will be established and to receive PUBLIC COMMENTS, if any, regarding creation of the following Special Assessment District: Special Projects No. 33 The proposed Special Assessment District involves the following property located in the Charter Township of Commerce, Oakland County, Michigan: Parcel Nos. Water Sewer 17-25-101-029 17-08-154-004 17-08-117-007 17-11-340-015 17-12-351-016 Plans showing the improvement, the location, and the legal description are on file with the Township Clerk for public examination. In order to appeal the amount of any special assessment, affected owners or parties with an interest must protest the proposed assessment. This may be done by appearing in person at the hearing or having an agent appear at the hearing on behalf of an owner or party in interest, or in writing by filing a letter of protest before the hearing, addressed to the Township Clerk at 2009 Township Drive, Commerce Township, Michigan 48390. An owner or party having an interest in the real property affected by the special assessment may file a written appeal of the special assessment with the Michigan Tax Tribunal within 30 days after the confirmation of the special assessment roll if the special assessment is protested at the hearing held for the purpose of confirming the special assessment roll. Please direct any questions you may have to the Charter Township of Commerce Building Department at (248) 960-7060.
Daniel Munro, Clerk Charter Township of Commerce
SC: 11/30/11; 12/7/11
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The West Bloomfield Township Woodland Review Board will hold a public hearing at the Township Board Room, 4550 Walnut Lake Road on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. to consider the following Woodland Permit Applications: CASE #PWD11-0269 GASSO Parcel: Lot 17, Walnut Creek Estates Sidwell #18-30-227-018 Location: 5603 Victoria Request: A request for permanent disturbance within a recorded woodland preservation area to create a manicured lawn area. Applicant: Nick Gasso CASE #PWD11-0270 CRYSTAL HOMES Parcel: Lot 143, Wyndham Pointe Sidwell #18-30-277-014 Location: 5650 Branford Dr. A request for restoration of disturbance within a recorded woodland preservation area. Request: Applicant: Crystal Homes, Inc. CASE #PWD11-0271 CRYSTAL HOMES Parcel: Lot 141, Wyndham Pointe Sidwell #18-30-277-012 Location: 5658 Branford Dr. A request for restoration of disturbance within a recorded woodland preservation area. Request: Applicant: Crystal Homes, Inc. CASE #PWD11-0272 JABRO Parcel: Lot 25, Walnut Creek Estates Sidwell #18-30-227-028 Location: 5606 Victoria Dr Request: A request for restoration of disturbance within a recorded woodland preservation area and common space area. Applicant: Zack Jabro Detailed plans are available for inspection at the West Bloomfield Township Environmental Department, 4550 Walnut Lake Road, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A staff report, as prepared for the Woodland Review Board, will be available for review the Friday prior to the meeting. If you have any questions on this matter, contact the Environmental Department at (248) 451-4818. John Roda, Environmental Manager
S.C. 11-30-11
The Township will provide necessary, reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at a public meeting upon two weeks notice in writing or by calling the Township Clerk or Environmental Director at (248) 451-4800.
Notice is hereby given that at the Township Board meeting of November 15, 2011 the Charter Township of White Lakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Board of Trustees adopted an amendment to Ordinance No. 58, White Lake Township Zoning Ordinance. The Township Board acted to amend Section 4.01 of the Zoning Ordinance: AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTIONS 4.01 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WHITE LAKE THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WHITE LAKE ORDAINS: ARTICLE 1. Amendment Section 4.01 is amended to read in its entirety as follows: Section 4.01 Conformance with Ordinance Provisions and Other Laws and Ordinances A. Except as hereinafter provided, no building, lot, land or part thereof shall be used, altered, constructed or reconstructed nor shall alterations be made in any existing building in White Lake Township except in conformance with the provisions of this Ordinance which apply to the zone in which it is located. B. Uses for enterprises or purposes that are contrary to federal, state, county or local laws or ordinances are prohibited. SEVERABILITY Should any provision or part of this Ordinance be declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the same shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the balance of this Ordinance, which shall remain in full force and effect. REPEALER All other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed only to the extent necessary to give this Ordinance full force and effect. EFFECTIVE DATE This Ordinance shall take effect seven (7) days following publication in the manner prescribed by law. This Ordinance shall be published in the manner provided by law. ADOPTION This Ordinance Amendment (Ordinance 58-13) to Ordinance No. 58 is hereby declared to have been adopted by the Township Board of the Charter Township of White Lake at a meeting duly called and held on the 15th day of November, 2011, and ordered to be given publication in the manner prescribed by law. A full and complete text of the foregoing amendment is on file in the office of the Township Clerk at 7525 Highland Road, White Lake, Michigan. 48383 and a true copy of this amendment may be inspected and/or may be purchased during regular business hours from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, except holidays. Terry Lilley, Township Clerk Charter Township of White Lake SC: 11-30-2011
CITY OF WALLED LAKE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Community Development Block Grant Notice is hereby given that in accordance with the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) requirements a Public Hearing will be held by the City of Walled Lake on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. at the City Hall 1499 E. West Maple, Walled Lake, MI 48390 to receive written and verbal comment regarding the reprogramming of federal CDBG funds as follows: Existing - 2008 Program Year Activity Number 731745 Activity Description Sidewalks Amount $3,803.14
Proposed - 2009 Program Year Activity Number 731745 Activity Description Sidewalks Amount $3,803.14
This re-programming is merely a description change to the existing sidewalk account. The new description is now for a new ADA compliant 4-foot concrete sidewalk in the location of Ladd Road and Maple Road. SC: 11-30-11
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WEST OAKLAND SUPER WANT ADS SUPER RATES! SUPER REACH! PHONE 248.360.7355 • Mon.-Fri. 8:30-5 FAX 24/7• 248.360.5308
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Lakefront Homes/ Property 3
FOUND BMX bike, off Benstein and Bass Lake Roads, must describe. 248-363-8879
Reunions
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West Oakland area school reunions. FREE for 4 weeks within a 13 week period (27 word limit). Other Reunions Published 4 weeks for a total cost of $20 for 15 words; each additional 4 words $2. REDFORD UNION High School Class of 1962, looking for classmates for 50th Reunion on October 13, 2012. contact Madeline (Rice) Smith: paddoinmadeline@gmail.com or Linda (Horning) Tracy: Lindatracy100@gmail.com
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Houses For Sale
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Looking to purchase or sell your home? Contact Arlene at Keller Williams 248-912-4628 mihome4u.com Hartland
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England Real Estate (248)887-9736
248-318-2752
$1,000 per month 810-227-6097
(248) 624-0709
43
RELOCATE TODAY!! Beautiful 55+ community! We'll pay up to $4,000.00 to relocate your manufactured home to beautiful Cranberry Lake. Rent from $516/month!
Looking to rent a house or condo? Call Arlene Keller Williams Realty mihome4u.com 248-912-4628
WATERFORD Duplex 3 bedrooms, unfurnished, all appliances. $800 a month plus security.
248-343-1666
Brand NEW homes for rent. Appliances. Lake access. MOVE IN SPECIALS!! 15 month lease for $600/mo Cranberry Lake- White Lake
248-698-1120 888-306-2483
RENTALS 47
Waterford Industrial space with offices, loading dock, 14' overhead doors, 3 phase electric, brokers welcome
248-496-7652 248-496-7648
WHITE LAKE
3 bed room, basement, large 2 car garage, appliance, White Lake access,
Pontiac Trail at Maple Pre-Owned Homes: $6,000 - $25,000 Rent: $385 - $400 PLUS MOVE-IN DISCOUNTS On Select Homes
Commercial/ Industrial
Brick Ranch, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, water frontage. Walled Lake Schools. Fireplace, finished walk-out, composite decking. 3 car garage. $1400 per month. 248-529-6373
Highland
BEAUTIFUL 55+ COMMUNITY
Stately colonial on 2 partially wooded acres. Elegant w/2686 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, kitchen with granite counter and unique granite floors. Gas fireplace in family room, living room, formal dining, 1st floor den, full basement with daylight windows, 3 car garage. Bargain priced at $295,000.
42
Fawn Lake
Mobile Homes for Rent
55
Charming waterfront on Cedar Island Lake. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, with finished basement and large deck for entertaining. All appliances included. $1,500 per month plus utilities.
MOBILE HOMES
JUST LISTED!
JUST LISTED!
DEADLINES
$115K cash or OBO.
Mobile Homes for Sale
Houses/ Condos
COMMERCE TWP
4 bed, 2 bath, 3000 sq.ft., with garage and basement. Sandy, deep, lakefront lot on Duck Lake. ARV $350,000 minimum. Bids due by December 30th. Highest & Best. Call Ron. 505-463-7349
England Real Estate (248)887-9736
12
ATTENTION INVESTORS
Call today!! 888-306-2483
Lakefront opportunity! Private hilltop setting with scenic views of all sports Maxfield Lake. Comfortable 1500 sq. ft. ranch w/3 bedrooms. Many updates! A must see! $149,900.
SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
Waterford Condo - close to OCC 2 Bedroom, 2.5 baths, all appliances, nice deck, basement, 1 car garage, no smokers, pets negotiable. $1300.00/mo, 1/2 month security deposit, $100.00 cleaning fee.
248-912-4628 for more details mihome4u.com TOTALLY REMODELED
Waterford Ranch 2 bedroom, 1 bath. basement, 2 car garage. lake privileges, hardwood floors. $850/ month Call: 847-530-3353
Houses/ Condos
Apartments 55
WHITE LAKE DUPLEX Across from Cedar Island Lake Clean, 2 bedroom, all appliances. $685 per month. Walled Lake Schools.
248-640-7960
Union Lake, 2 bed, 1.5 baths, basement, 1 car garage.
$850 per month 1 month free rent Security deposit & references needed
248-821-7476
WALLED LAKE 3 Bedroom house, newly remodeled & freshly carpeted, Walled Lake view & access, fenced yard, petsok, $850 per month.
olivermich@mac.com 248-755-5073 WOLVERINE LAKE 2 Bedroom house with shed, 1 bath, freshly painted, new carpet, new floor in kitchen, stove & refrigerator, washer/dryer hook up. No pets. Lake privileges. $760 per month
248-624-2503 LOVELY COMMERCE TWP. 3 bedroom, 2 bath, basement, lake privileges, fenced yard, appliances, wood floors. New windows. $955 per month lease.Walk to shopping. Near Union Lake & Commerce Rds.
248-568-6119 56
COME SEE US NOW WIXOM * MOVE IN SPECIAL* 2 BEDROOM ONLY, $595 Will Move You In !
•Playground/Pool •Free Heat & City Water
Town & Country Apartments •48200 W. Pontiac Trail
•Between Beck & Wixom Rd.
CALL US TODAY !
(248)624-3194 Apartments For Rent SPECIAL 1 or 2 bedroom apartments. Heat and water paid. No pets. In City of Milford.
(248)477-9192
☺ WALLED LAKE 1 Bedroom Apartments 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath Town Homes * $400 Moves You In* 1st Month FREE on 1 bdr 1/2 month FREE on 2 Bdr
248-624-6606 EHO
Condominium For Rent
Apartments
56
www.cormorantco.com * Call For Details * WALLED LAKE HILLSIDE MANOR APTS 360 ROSEBUD Special Half off Security Dep. 2 Bedrooms$650 per month plus electric 1 Bedroom- $500 per month
(248)335-8988 Rooms/Share Quarters
57
SHARE MY House: Kids & pets, ok. Lake access, $600 plus half utilities. 248-3638131 BUSINESS WOMAN looking to share 2 bedroom apartment in Novi, with female. $400 plus utilities. Call for information. 248-787-2059 FURNISHED SLEEPING room for rent. Waterford area, $100 /week. 810-355-8097
HELP WANTED General/ Help Wanted
65
OFFICE CLEANING EVENING HOURS MONDAY - FRIDAY NOVI / FARMINGTON HILLS/ LIVONIA AREAS
CORPORATE CLEANING GROUP 248-313-9880
TAXI & AIRPORT DRIVERS WANTED Full or Part time Day or Night
248-666-2110 MAIDS Residential cleaning company in Waterford seeking energetic part time employee 15 to 20 hours, Monday through Friday, No evenings or weekends, car required, experience a plus but will train.
248-674-5800
NOVEMBER 30, 2011
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211079746 - $259,900
211113805 - $185,000
211104416 - $415,000
211108317 - $124,900
211104716 - $389,000
SUPERB COMMERCE HOME 4 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, first floor master with bath, close to M-5
CEDAR ISLAND LAKEFRONT 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, 100 ft. of frontage, 2 fireplaces
PRIVATE, CUL-DE-SAC, WOODS 4 bedrooms, 3.1 baths, spacious, 2-way fireplace, walkout basement
GROUND LEVEL UNIT 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, large kitchen and master suite. Private wooded views.
FABULOUS GREEN LAKEFRONT HOME 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, Pella windows, hardwood flooring, lower level walkout, 2 fireplaces
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211108753 - $162,900
211113169 - $85,000
211056180 - $124,900
211068047 - $189,900
211091695 - $185,500
NEW CONSTRUCTION 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen, recess lighting, 1st floor laundry, daylight basement
STOP THE CAR! 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, gorgeous kitchen, finished basement
GORGEOUS SETTING 2.2 ACRES 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, family room with fireplace, master 2 closets, barn/shed
FAIRWAY ESTATES STUNNING 2 bedrooms, 3 bath, granite, new carpet, tile, overlooking 16th hole
WILLIAMS LAKE DEEDED CANALFRONT 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, spacious kitchen, open floor plan
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FOR THE COLD
211095071 - $245,000
211119935 - $80,000
A PIECE OF PARADISE 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, open floor plan, quality decking
PRISTINE CONDITION, READY TO MOVE IN 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, newer roof, upgraded bathroom, 4 car garage, large fenced yard E INT TPO EAS
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COATS Nov 1st thru 30th
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211103967 - $149,500
211114594 - $724,900
ARTS & CRAFTS BUNGALOW 4 bedrooms, 1.1 baths, updated, cove ceilings, new roof/furnace/central air
MIDDLE STRAITS WATERFRONT Spectacular 4 bedrooms, 3.2 baths, kitchen newly remodeled, master suite
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211053983 - $87,000
211119870 - $28,500
BRICK RANCH 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, large lot, central air
MOVE IN CONDITION 3 bedrooms, 1 baths, first floor laundry, living room with bay window
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8430 Richardson • Commerce
211112861 - $135,000
211121503 - $289,000
248.363.8300
MOVE IN TOTALLY REMODELED 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, ceramic floors, maple cabinets, 2 car garage, finished basement
PROFESSIONALLY LANDSCAPED 5 bedrooms, 2.2 baths, master suite with jacuzzi, lower level walkout, brick patio
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211091929 - $795,000
211112421 - $180,000
211101276 - $250,000
211048408 - $100,000
211115899 - $265,000
WHITE LAKE FRONT 4 bedrooms, 3.1 baths, totally remodeled, finished walkout
WELL MAINTAINED RANCH 3 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, kitchen and dining open to family room, deck, patio and large yard
IMPECCABLY MAINTAINED HOME 4 bedrooms, 3.1 baths, great room, island kitchen, finished walkout basement
ADDITIONAL LOT 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, brick, vinyl ranch, 2 car garage
LAKEFRONT GEM 83 FT. ON WOODALL LAKE 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, huge master with bath, doorwall to deck walkout with 2nd kitchen
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211104235 - $110,000
211115490 - $249,000
211099179 - $233,000
211074688 - $110,000
211108984 - $165,000
PICTURE PERFECT 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, open floor plan, cathedral ceilings
CUSTOM RANCH END OF CUL-DE-SAC 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, maple kitchen, hardwood floors, finished walkout, wet bar
TRANQUIL SETTING ON CROSS LAKE 3 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, up north feeling, beautiful clean interior
CHARMING RANCH 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, hardwood floors, vaulted ceiling
CLASSIC TUDOR 4 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, new windows, hardwood floors, third floor, finished attic
Denotes a Real Estate One Virtual Tour
Lakes Area (248) 363-8300
©Real Estate One, Inc., 2011
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. WP DT OR F TER WA
LD FIE OM O L B ST WE
$759,900 CUSTOM BUILT - ALL-SPORTS MACEDAY LAKEFRONT!! •4 bed, 4 bath, all brick + fin. walkout •5,200+ sq. ft., 1st & 2nd flr. masters, 3 car #211017553 EXT. #296 • KEY #248341 GE LA VIL D R FO MIL
$374,900 CUSTOM QUALITY BUILT 1.14 PRIVATE ACRE ESTATE •4 bedroom, 4 full bath, 2,900+ sq. ft. •Fin. daylight basement, 3 car/workshop, patio #211110916 EXT. #241 •KEY #248360 P. TW RD FO R TE WA
Lakes Area’s #1 Team!
$99,900
PLEASANT LAKE BEACH PRIVILEGES •1,870 sq. ft., sq. ft., 3 bed, 1.5 bath, fireplace •Walkout, fenced yard, attached garage, patio #211118494 EXT. #250 •KEY #268869
STUNNING 90 FT. OF MAIN LAKEFRONT ALL-SPORTS CASS LAKE •2,778 sq. ft., 3 bed, 2 .5 bath, 2 fireplaces •2+ car, 3 decks, dock, seawall, shed #211063900 EXT. #231 •KEY #248358 . WP ET AK L ITE WH
P. TW RD FO R TE WA
$249,900
Janet Direct: Steve Direct: 248-755-7600 248-755-7500
janet@TheStocktonTeam.com
$119,900
55 FT. OF FRONTAGE TO ALL-SPORTS CRESCENT LAKE •1,572 sq. ft., 3 bed, 2.5 bath, new kitchen •Ceramic, hardwood, 2 car, seawall, deck, porch #211114249 EXT. #210 •KEY #266255
We are full time professionals... • Meeting Client’s Needs Since 1977 • 4 Dedicated Listing & Buyer’s Agents • 150+ Negotiated/Closed “Short Sales” • 121 Closed Sales, January-October 2011 Including 28 Waterfront Properties
Our performance speaks for itself!
P. TW CE R E MM CO
BEAUTIFULLY UPDATED CEDAR ISLAND LAKEFRONT •2,302 sq. ft., 4 bed, 3 bath, LC terms, 2 car •Granite kitchen & baths, fireplace, ceramic #211089671 EXT. #246•KEY #257017
E AK
WOLVERINE LAKEFRONT RANCH WITH FINISHED WALKOUT •3 bed, 2.5 bath, 85 ft. of sandy shoreline •Family rm w/fireplace, deck, dock, 2 car, shed #211105596 EXT. #267 •KEY #261788
$399,900
HILLS OF BOGIE LAKE SUB CLUBHOUSE & POOL!! •3,303 sq. ft. + finished daylight basement •5 bed, 4.5 bath, ff laundry, 3 car garage, deck #211116381 EXT. #255 •KEY #267493
$299,900
$329,900
$349,900
ALL-SPORTS OXBOW LAKEFRONT 1.19 TREED ACRE LOT •3.271 sq. ft. + fin. walkout, contemporary •4 bed, 3.5 bath, multi-decks, 3+ car #211075518 EXT. #271 •KEY #248363
. WP DT OR F TER WA
. WP DT OR F TER WA
2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 Commerce, MI 48382
Zillow - Preferred Agent
$289,900/ LEASE $1,995/MO.
. WP ET RC E MM CO
$549,900
248-366-7200
. WP ET L AK
EL RIN LVE O W
GORGEOUS HILLSIDE HOME ON ALL-SPORTS SILVER LAKE •1,718 sq. ft., 3 bed, 3 bath + fin. walkout •2 story great room, loft, family room, patio #211112589 EXT. #266 • KEY #266253
LD FIE OM O L B ST WE
$598,000 UPPER STRAITS LAKEFRONT INVESTMENT SPECIAL •4 bed, 3.5 bath, 2,746 sq. ft. + fin. walkout •1st flr. mstr., 2nd buildable lakefront lot #211104723 EXT. #245 •KEY #260513
ITE WH
SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEK44
steve@TheStocktonTeam.com
800-396-5204 + Ext. # for recorded message Text Key # to 90210 for text message
With property inventory down, mortgage rates remain low and home pricing on the rise...
There’s No Better Time To Sell! Call Us and Ask About Our
HOLIDAY LISTING INCENTIVE!
ALL-SPORTS LOWER STRAITS LAKEFRONT SPECIAL •2 houses @ price of 1 - Remod 3 bed, 1 ba, garage •Lake house 1,768 sq. ft., 4 bd, 2 ba, needs TLC #211073682 EXT. #232 •KEY #248367 P. TW CE ER M M CO
$209,900/ LEASE $1,495/MO. $189,900 219’ FRONTAGE TO ALL-SPORTS PERGOLA & HUGE DECK WILLIAMS LAKE OVERLOOKING NICELY TREED YARD •3 bed, 2 bath, Florida rm, huge deck, fireplace •1,922 sq. ft., 4 bed, 2.5 ba, side entry garage •Waterside deck/dock, shed with electric •Cathedral mstr., full bsmnt, Walled Lk. Schools #211089314 EXT. #248 •KEY #256951 #211122204 EXT. #282 •KEY #271596 . WP DT OR F TER WA
. WP ET RC E MM CO
$189,900 $199,900 170 FEET OF FRONTAGE TO GORGEOUS 1.37 ACRES ALL-SPORTS WILLIAMS LAKE! WOODED LOT ON HURON RIVER •3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, fin. daylight basement •2,160 sq. ft., 4 bed, 2 bath, 1st flr. laundry •Huge mtr., jet tub, deck, garage, shed, dock •Great room, formal dining, basement, 2 car #211109029 EXT. #214 •KEY #263461 #211082673 EXT. #233 •KEY #248375
Our Marketing Plan for all listings includes: • Virtual Tour • Home Features Brochure • 24 Hour Recorded Information Hotline • 24 Hour Text Information Hotline • 30+ Real Estate Websites Advertising • All Area Printed Publications • Weekly Email Updates
www.TheStocktonTeam.com
NOVEMBER 30, 2011
www.spinalcolumnonline.com
PAGE 45
Visit us at 560 N. Milford Rd., Milford ER WAT
NT FRO
E ACR 1/2 R E OV
$393,000 ON WHITE LAKE! •2,215 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, basement, 2 car attached garage •Drive in boat house •Beautiful hardwood entry •Formal dining room •211111348
CR 1A
T E LO
ER WAT
C O AT S
Real Estate One 248.684.1065 S ATH
2A
41 A
S C RE
SPECTACULAR CUSTOM BUILT! •3,300 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 5.1 baths, basement, 3 car attached garage •Gourmet Brazilian cherry kitchen •Granite countertops •211022713
VI PRI LAKE
S LEGE
$674,900 PRIVACY BY NATURE! •3,683 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 3.1 baths, basement, 3 car attached garage •41 beautiful acres •Horse barn with 5 stalls •Wrap around decking •211075949
S IEW EV LAK
$129,900
E
$79,000
NT F RO
$555,000
$444,500
E CR
$214,900
$159,999 GREAT FAMILY SUB! •1,800 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 1.2 baths, basement, 2 car attached garage •Open floor plan •Great room with natural fireplace •Walk to downtown •211043331
BEAUTIFUL HOME ON 1/4 ACRE! •2,566 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, basement, 2 car attached garage •Island kitchen opens to family room with cathedral ceiling •Finished basement with wet bar •211091132
ET QUI
$125,000 DUCK LAKE CANAL FRONTAGE! •856 sq. ft., 2 bedrooms, 1 bath •Spacious great room with cathedral beamed ceilings •Gas fireplace •Gorgeous maple kitchen •211091508
Serving Milford & Surrounding Areas - 248.684.1065
NT
ALL-SPORTS LAKE SHERWOOD! •2,478 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 3.1 baths, basement, 3 car attached garage •Finished walkout •First floor master •Large island kitchen •211110654
A 1/4
AL CAN AKE L K DUC
ALL-SPORTS WHITE LAKE! •1,702 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car detached garage •2nd floor master suite with jet tub •1st floor laundry •211064566
ER WAT
$239,400
$132,000
DRY
$2,100,000 ON PRIVATE DOWNEY LAKE! •5,552 sq. ft., 5 bedrooms, 4.1 baths, basement, 5 car garage •24 beautiful acres •Mahogany kitchen •Generator, elevator •211088015
RO ERF WAT
PRIVATE 2 ACRE LOT! •2,168 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2.2 baths, basement, 2 car attached garage •Family room with natural fireplace and oak mantle •Andersen windows •Finished lower level •211098339
C PL A FIRE
CHARMING WIXOM RANCH! •1,388 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths •Hardwood floors •Patio with private yard with lake privileges •210132913
N LA U LR. 1ST F
WHITE LAKE LAKEVIEW! •2,100 sq. ft., 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, basement, 4 car garage •Hardwood floors on entry level •Large open kitchen with granite and eating area •211091388
S CRE
$749,999
$248,300
RES
ALL-SPORTS LAKE SHERWOOD! •3,845 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 car attached garage •Open floor plan •Huge foyer open to great room •1st floor master suite •211116287
560 N. Milford Rd. • Milford
B 5.1
BEAUTIFUL QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD! •1,680 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, basement •1 car attached garage •Kitchen with island •Finished lower level •211114550
CONTEMPORARY WATERFRONT HOME! •2,780 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage •Remodeled and updated •Granite kitchen and all baths •2nd floor laundry •211001443
FOR THE COLD Please drop off COATS Nov 1st thru 30th
$699,000
EN ITCH
C 24 A
$350,000
$149,000 TOTALLY REMODELED! •1,616 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, basement •2 car attached garage •Situated on over 1/2 acre •211118570
AL-SPORTS TAGGETT LAKE! •4,114 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 5.1 baths, basement, 5 car attached garages •Generous 1 acre lot on cul-de-sac •First floor master with office •211115821
K ND ISLA
NT FRO
BAY
$309,900 WONDERFUL WHITE LAKE VIEWS! •1,700 sq, ft., 2 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, basement, 2 car attached garage •On quiet bay to main lake •Maple and granite kitchen •211028656 ©Real Estate One, Inc., 2011
PAGE 46 General/ Help Wanted
www.spinalcolumnonline.com 65
General/ Help Wanted
65
APPLY NOW! FACTORY OUTLET $20.00/ START
SNOW PLOW DRIVERS & SHOVELERS
National manufacturer has locally owned factory outlet. No layoffs. Full-time permanent positions. No experience needed. Training provided, people skills a plus. If you are a hard worker, dependable and can follow directions, call for more information: Mon, & Tues, 9-5, Dec. 5-6
Must be available 24/7 Good pay for hard workers.
877-476-7347 COOK POSITION Experienced in volume food preparation and specialty foods for catering. Must be able to merchandise foods in school lunch program. Safe Serv Certification and knowledge of HACCP required. Apply online: www.bloomfield.org to job 11-FS-08
CARE GIVER AFC Third shift, must be experienced with Alzheimers and can cook. White Lake. 248-866-3984 LOOKING FOR PART TIME COUNTER HELP Responsible hard worker needed. Must be personable and customer friendly. 20-25 hours per week.
248-887-3114
248-310-8678 HAIR STYLIST & NAIL TECH NEEDED Robin's Hair Stylists
248-363-8339 DIRECT CARE
Medical/ Dental
Used/Wanted 67
IN HOME CARE Looking for experienced, mature, responsible, compassionate, In-Home Caregiver, part time or full time.
Helping Hand Elder Assistance 248-669-4446
C.N.A.s APPLY IN PERSON
West Hickory Haven 3310 West Commerce Rd. 71
Real Estate Career
Full time staff needed, working with disabled adults. Looking for caring people at our vocational program in West Bloomfield.
Mon-Fri 8am-4pm 248-669-5530 Medical/ Dental
67
DIRECT CARE Both full time and part time. Up to $9.03 per hour to start, with Benefits. Small group home setting. Must be Patient & Reliable. South Lyon, Farmington Hills, Highland, Oxford, Rochester Hills, & Waterford areas
248-486-5368
SCRAP METAL Aluminum .30-.60¢/lb. Copper $2.00-$2.60/lb. Brass .80¢- 1.50/lb. Auto Rads. .80¢-1.10/lb. 1011 Decker, Walled Lk
Mann Metals Corp. (248)960-1200
Absolutely Free
PART TIME ALL SHIFTS
Sales Positions
89
We're doubling our staff! •Do you like working with new people and new situations? •Do you have good problem solving skills? •Do you have a "Sky is the limit mentality"? If you said, "Yes", call me. Kathy Solan 248-363-8300 248-348-6430 Real Estate One
90
Items must be FREE to respondents, ad free to you. Restricted to residential. The publishing group accepts no responsibility for actions between individuals. Sorry, we do not accept ads for free dogs. FREE hot tub, Calspa, heater needs work, you haul. 248360-8923 FREE 3 KITTENS 8 weeks old To good home, Walled Lake area, 248-894-7037 LOVING CAT needs forever home 248-738-4901
Collectibles
93
4 JOHN DEERE Coffee mugs- new in box, $20. 248360-8485
MERCHANDISE FOR SALE
LIONEL "O-27" Gauge Christmas train set up/ layout, free standing/ 6ftx10ft, animated toy gadgets- ferris wheel, antique trains, etc. $2,000 OBO. 248-366-7044
Used/Wanted
Cemetery Plots
89
SEA-DOO JET Skis wanted dead or dying. 1995 on ups. $200- $1400. Top $ for XP's & 947/951 or larger motors. Call Steve at 231-943-4152
100
CHAPEL MAUSOLEUM, chapel crypts 5 through 10. Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens, Novi. 2/$10,000 248474-7827
Firewood
SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY 112
WOOD BURNING Insert, air tight, ("Old Timer"), $600. 248-895-0100
Pets/Supplies
115
GERMAN SHORT Haired puppies- $300. 248-960-9630 MICHIGAN WILD Bird seed. (No Filler.) 25 lbs. $15. 248736-0254
Clothing/Apparel
119
With a prepaid voucher Contact Mary Nicole 248-684-1065 MaryNicole@RealEstateOne.com •Are you looking for a new career? •Would you like to own your own business? We’re Michigan’s largest real estate broker and last year we sold over 17,000 properties. We expect to surpass that in the coming year.
Join us as we grow Michigan.
STOVE TOP ESPRESSO Maker, European, tin. $10 248-534-7004
BOATS/ OUTDOOR Wanted Boats/ Jet Skis/Parts
162
RETRO 2 tier coffee table. $25. 248-666-9444
Art/Crafts
Snowmobiles
Furniture/Rugs
125
128
CHRISTMAS MARKETPLACE Saturday, Dec. 3 9a.m.-4p.m. Commerce United Methodist Church 1155 N. Commerce Road 248-363-3935 Christmas Cookies & Bake Sale, fresh greens, wreaths & centerpieces, crafts & imported gifts plus a delicious lunch. All proceeds go to local missions
Household Items
129
WHIRLPOOL SIDE by side refrigerator, $300. GE electric smooth top range, $300. Paint ball equipment, $400. Two TV's, 21" and 27", $15 and $20. Toshiba satellite laptop (hard drive removed) $50. Emachine PC (hard drive removed) $50. 248-790-0659
133
Pre-Licensing Class
99
138
SEA-DOO JET SKIS WANTED DEAD OR DYING. 1995 on ups. $200$1400. Top $ for XP's & 947/951 or larger motors. Call Steve 231-943-4152
(3) PAIR gently used jeans, size 14 petite. $25 248-6669444
Stuff/Kids
December Classes Available $ Class only
Odds N Ends
KIDS CHRISTMAS PARTY 14 and younger DECEMBER 17th 1pm-3pm VFW POST #4156 321 UNION LAKE ROAD Please R.S.V.P. by DECEMBER 12th 248-303-9157 A canned good or non-perishable item, appreciated.
Motorcycles
183
2004 YAMAHA R1- 1000 motorcycle. Many extras, must see. $4,500. (248)9789246
Cars
187
SALES GUARANTEE Autos, Vans, Trucks See First Want Ad Page BUICK LESABRE, 2005, 85K, $7,000.Very good condition. 248-363-3457 FORD FUSION 2008, V6, 24,500 miles. Wixom, $16,500. (586) 206-3222 FORD FUSION Sel 2010. Fully loaded, all the bells & whistles. $17,000. 33,500 miles. 248210-9936 or 248-924-7412
Cars
187
CHEVROLET IMPALA SS 1996, 93,000 miles, leather seats, CD changer, always garaged- excellent condition, $10,000 OBO. 248-363-1210 SATURN SC-2 Hatchback 2001, good condition, 5 speed, one owner, 240,000 miles. $2,900. 248-363-5133 TOYOTA SOLARA 1999, leather, sun roof, 85k, one owner. 248-884-7200.
Vans
194
2000 DODGE GRAND Caravan Ramp Van. Low mileage, mint condition. Price negotiable. Call: 248-624-7835
179
Snowmobile Parts & Repairing Discount Prices * Quality Service * PWC Shrink Wrapping & Boat Storage
Lakes MotorSports 4713 Dixie Highway, Waterford, MI 48329
248-674-0663 www.lakesmotorsports.com
CARS/TRUCKS MOTORCYCLES Wanted Parts/ Salvage
Buying a Home? Let us
181
UNWANTED AUTOS LLC TOP $ Paid For Any: • Junk • Non Running • Wrecked Cars $275 & Up
(248)467-0396 Unwanted Autos any year $150 to $2,000
RC Towing 248-770-3333 CAMPBELL'S TOWING AUTOS, CARS & TRUCKS
$200 AND UP
248-698-1062
Look Before You Leap!
Afford
able Home Inspections
Up to 170 components inspected in a typical three bedroom home. Computer-generated, comprehensive, easy-tounderstand report summary. High resolution, color pictures provide a visual reference of problem areas. Reports are emailed to you and your Real Estate Agent. After inspection questions are always answered, even after you move into your home.
248-881-3478 Licensed Insured
4075 Echo Drive West Bloomfield
NOVEMBER 30, 2011
www.spinalcolumnonline.com
PAGE 47
LAKES AREA SERVICES (248) 360-7355
www.SpinalColumnOnline.com
Fax (248) 360-5308
IN PRINT and ON-LINE 24/7
Personal • Business • Maintenance • Improvements • Repair PERSONAL/ SERVICES Disc Jockeys/ Music
332
LMS PRODUCTIONS "Music For The Holidays" •Holiday Favorites •Oldies/ Classic Rock Perfect for small to medium gatherings- Hire radio personality for your next event!
LARRY MATTHEWS 248-505-8792
REPAIR/ IMPROVEMENT Appliance Repair
502
TONY'S APPLIANCE SERVICE Servicing all Major Appliances. •Hot water tank
(248)360-0213 (248)698-8819 Carpet Installation
513
BOB'S CARPET Has the best buys on all brand named carpet. Pad 1/2 8 lb $3 yd. Installation guaranteed. Lots of remnants $4 per yard
516
(248)681-5771
Elegant Woodworking •Mantels •Fireplace Surrounds •Furniture •Entertainment Center •Custom Cabinets •Crown Molding •Kitchen Cabinets •Custom Bars Harold Canfield
(248)363-3804 elegant-woodworking.com
524
•Carpentry •Deck Repair •Int. & Ext. Painting •Custom Woodwork •Powerwashing •To Do Lists •Unfinished Projects
•Garage Doors •Repaired/ Services •New Doors/ Openers •Installed at Factory Pricing •Emergency Service Available
(248)709-6631 anthyam@att.net
Drywall
Cement/Concrete
517
C & G CEMENT Quality Workmanship Residential-Commercial Over 30 years Experience STAMPED CONCRETE DRIVEWAYS FOOTINGS GARAGE FLOORS BLOCK WORK FREE ESTIMATES Michael (248)363-4783 MILFORD LOCATION
(248)684-5928 MARCUCCI CONCRETE As Seen on ABC TV "Extreme Home Makeovers" Satisfying Customers for Over 30 Years •DRIVEWAY •PORCHES •FOUNDATIONS •BRICK •BLOCK •STAMPED/ COLORED Lic/Ins Visa/ MC Wixom
Doors 515
Doors
CERTIFIED OVERHEAD DOOR SERVICE
YAM CONTRACTING
248-486-5900
Call Bob Cabinetry
Carpentry
524
THE DOOR STOP Since 1980 Garage door springs and door openers repaired and/or replaced.
Call Anytime 248-624-4042 (cell) 248-640-6298
248-624-3161 526
R & D DRYWALL •Hang & Finished •Small Repair •Texture Repair •Plaster Repair •Wet Sand
Ron (248)673-7665 Electricians
528
MASTER ELECTRICIAN Insured & State Licensed, 25 years experience. Prompt, courteous service. FREE ESTIMATES. ALL TYPES OF WORK. Competitive Prices
(248)683-7985 Excavating
529
J.J.M BACKHOE SERVICE LLC Backhoe service & landscaping. 38 Years Experience. Small or Large Jobs. Fully insured. Free estimates.
(248)624-6458 AFFORDABLE DEMOLITION & SERVICES "Division of Rae Excavating" • BUILDING REMOVAL• • Sewer and Water • Storm Sewers • Trucking & Grading Licensed & Insured
248-624-4473 Flooring
536
EDWARD'S FLOOR COVERING •Linoleum •Ceramic Tile •Hardwood Floors •Laminate Wood 27 Years Exp. Free Est.
(248)684-5983
Handy Person
545
DU-IT-ALL HOME CARE IMPROVEMENTS Specials: •Ceramic Tile •Formica Tops & Kitchens •Exterior/Interior Painting Also, we do complete basements and all other interior work, including electric, plumbing, etc. Call today. Cell #
(248)891-7072
Heating/Duct Work 546 HURON VALLEY HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING •Repair •Replace •Inspections •Humidifiers •Water Heaters •Night service available
(248)887-3666 Home Improvement 547
Licensed and Insured
SHERMAN BLDG CO.
D & S HOME REPAIRS REMODELING
•Additions •Garages •Decks •Rough & Trim Carpentry •Wood Siding •Basements •Kitchens •All outside wood repairs
•Additions •Garages •Drywall •Painting •Plumbing •Electrical •Tile •Marble •Kitchens •Baths •Basements •Decks 33 Years ... Licensed
248-684-4175 810-714-3058
TOTAL HOME SERVICE 35 Years Licensed PLUMBING • HEATING CARPENTRY • DRYWALL ELECTRICAL NEW SERVICE KITCHENS BATHS CERAMIC TILE
"The job your husband will do tomorrow." (248)887-2366 Heating/Duct Work 546
THOMASON HEATING & COOLING • Furnaces • Boilers • Air Cleaners •Air Conditioners •Humidifiers Service & Replacements
FREE ESTIMATES ON INSTALLATION
248-363-1615
248-682-1393 248-802-6554 Home Inspection
548
Buying A Home? Let Us Look Before You Leap! AFFORDABLE HOME INSPECTIONS Licensed • Insured STERLING HOME SERVICES
248-881-3478 Lawn/Garden Services
553
A R T Outdoor Services, LLC Fall Clean-ups • Snow Plowing • Landscaping • Lawn Service • Gutter Cleaning • Insured Residential & Commercial www.artoutdoorservices.com
(248)625-5719 Painting/ Decorating
Painting/ Decorating
Siding 562
FARR'S PAINTING Exterior & Interior Wood Repairs • Caulking Staining • Wallpaper Removal Drywall repairs • Water repairs Free Power Washing w/paint. farrshomeimprovements.com
(248) 477-7764 (248) 345-3308 Plumbing
567
New Construction & Remodel Commercial & Residential
248-363-5864 Roofing
571
D & D GUTTERS * Snow Plowing* • Leaf Guards • Siding • Windows •Insulation special: Avg. $1500 per house Doug Dible
248-431-6243
ROOF LEAKS & WATER DAMAGE REPAIRS MAHER RESTORATION www.goMaher.com "Maher Makes It Happen"
248-926-6631 562
VS PAINTING FALL SPECIAL Save 20% this season on exterior/ interior painting, drywall repair, & wallpaper removal on small or big jobs. 25 years experience. licensed and insured. Same day free estimates.
248-894-3239
PRICE IS RIGHT ROOFING •Repairs •Re-Roofs •Chimney Repair •Metal Work •Flat Roofs •Complete Roof Packages. •Siding •Gutters
FREE Estimates 30 Years Experience
248-459-7894
Tree Service
587
I.D.C.
KODIAK TREE SERVICE
Bob: 248-363-0589
25 years experience •Tree trimming •Tree & stump removal •70ft bucket lift •Free estimates •Insured •Firewood
Home Service Siding, Trim & Soffitt Guaranteed Professional Installation. Lic./ Ins. References available.
idchomeservice.com
Snow Removal
579
COLLEGE STUDENTS
* Insured * Shawn Larkins
248-931-0295 Tile
585
J.M. TILE & MARBLE CUSTOM WORK •Remodeling •Quality Service •New Construction • Repairs •Grout Sealing • Licensed and Insured
John Miller (248)505-8865 jmtileandmarble.com
Trash/Debris Removal
586
Progressive Transportation Specializing in: •Appliances •Furniture •Debris Removal
Call anytime for estimates & great service
248-887-4892 Tree Service
587
LOUIE'S TREE SERVICE Tree Removal •Stump Grinding Firewood • Free Estimates 20 Yrs. Exp. • Fully Insured "Will Beat All Competitors" Residential • Commercial
248-240-6143 248-240-6142 248-366-1325
248-921-9097 Waterproofing
599
Dry Basements, LLC
SNOW PLOWING * Drives *Sidewalks
Premier Plumbing Licensed & Insured Complete Plumbing Service
577
We Repair: •Poured Walls/ Concrete Block •Waterproofing •Cracked or Bowed Walls •Foundation Repaired Replaced •Underpinning •Crawl Space and Encapsulation •Licensed & Insured •Ron Heck, Builder (248)420-0116
Wells
603
McPherson WELL SERVICE PUMPS •TANKS WELL REPAIR 2, 4, & 5 INCH
Emergency Service 7 days a week 248-
363-6464
aquawells.com All credit cards accepted
BOB WYCKOFF WELL DRILLING "If you have questions, we have answers!" •PUMPS •TANKS • WELL REPAIR
(248)310-0917
Emergency Service EASY PAYMENT PLANS No Credit Check Visa & MasterCard
PAGE 48
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
Union Lake Rd.
2199 HAGGERTY RD. At Pontiac Trail across from Lakes Professional Building
Commerce Rd.
.
morrismotorsmi.com Ric d hard son R
Oakley Park
248-624-4500
WALMART
morrismotorsmi.com
Haggerty Rd.
11 9-20
Maple Rd. M-5
1 96
Benstein Rd.
RIGHT HERE Where You Need Us!
Celebrating
42 YEARS
Trail tiac Pon
2008 SCION XB
2007 SATURN OUTLOOK XR
#P2038
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$
20,999
$
12,995**
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FEATURING
18,995**
$
14 Mile Rd.
2009 DODGE CARAVAN #P2001
Was $14,995
Now
2009 DODGE CHARGER
12,995
$
#P1886
17,995
$
15,995
$
2011 CHEVROLET HHR #P1980
**
16,995
$
15,695**
$
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2008 FORD ESCAPE
2008 LAND ROVER
#P1937
#P1955
30,995
17,995**
$
27,995**
$
19,995
$
$
2007 MAZDA CX7
2010 MITSUBISHI GALANT FE
#P1951
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14,995
$
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Morris Complete Inventory At: www.morrismotorsmi.com Motors Michigan For Peace of Mind: most of our vehicles have warranty or service contracts available.
**For purchase with qualified credit approval. Prices are plus tax, title, license & doc fee. Call dealer for more details. Offer good thru 12/7/11. Subject to prior sale.
SALES HOURS: Mon. & Thurs.: 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tues., Wed., Fri.: 8:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Service Special
BG’s Cooling System Flush
*
95
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OUR FACTORY-TRAINED TECHNICIANS WILL PERFORM THE FOLLOWING:
O I OTOR L
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•Pressurized system leak test •Check belts and hoses •Check heater output $ Was99 129 •Flush cooling system
+tax & dep. fee with coupon
*Includes up to 5 quarts of oil and oil filter. Excludes synthetic oil and diesel engines. Most vehicles–see service advisor for exceptions. With this coupon. Coupon cannot be combined with any other offer. Expires 12/14/11. SC
99
$
Plus tax and disposal. Most GM cars and trucks. All coupons must be presented at time of write up. Offers cannot be applied with any other offers. Chemical cleaning extra. Expires 12/14/11.
$
Any Service Over $175.00 Any Service Over $90.00
Any Make or Model SC
One coupon per customer. Coupons may not be combined with any other offer. Expires 12/14/11. Excludes oil changes, brake promotion, tires and SRTA’S. Valid only in our service department. Must present coupon when order is written. SC
248-624-4500
morrismotorsmi.com
Your Hometown Car & Truck Service and Maintenance Center for over 42 Years *Diagnosis extra, brake inspection extra
Check Engine Light Special or any Warning Light (ABS/Airbag)
WILD CARD SPECIAL
~ COUPON ~
~ COUPON ~
~CHILD FRIENDLY CUSTOMER LOUNGE~
We will perform a complete ACT NOW computer scan BEFORE OFFER and external EXPIRES diagnosis. If your vehicle displays a “Check Engine” or “Service Soon” bring this coupon in for diagnosis.
LIMITED TIME ONLY
FREE
Must present coupon when order is written. Cannot be combined with any other offers. GM vehicles only. Plus tax and shop supplies. Expires 12/14/11.
SC
We Service All Makes and Models of GM Vehicles and most Domestic and Import models as well
WE OFFER: NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY Most Repairs Completed Same Day
Enjoy your complimentary coffee while you wait • Work With Most Insurance Companies • Expert Mechanics and Technicians • Full Paint or Touch-Ups • Expert Color Matching • We Handle Large or Small Jobs
SERVICE, PARTS & BODY SHOP HOURS:
Mon. & Thurs.: 7 a.m.-8 p.m. • Tues., Wed. & Fri.: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
FREE Estimates on Collision Repairs!