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12/21/11
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CIAO, CHIEF CALLAHAN Milford’s top cop putting away badge after 33 years on the force - pg. 3
BON APPETIT, WATERFORD Leo’s, Five Guys eateries expect to open next year at M-59 locations - pg. 11
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DECEMBER 21, 2011
SHOP LOCAL • THINK LOCAL • LIVE LOCAL
The Greater West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce is holding the following events. Call 248-626-3636 or visit westbloomfieldchamber.com for more information. • The chamber’s annual meeting and installation of new board members will be held in the Jewish Community Center’s Greenberg Suite at 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 11. There will be a breakfast buffet and networking from 7:30 to 8 a.m., with new board members installed at 8 a.m. Tickets are $25 and advance registration is required. Register at westbloomfieldchamber.com or call 248-626-3636. • A Mingle, Mix & Meet networking and coffee session will be held at 8 a.m. on Jan. 25, hosted by Touch of Europe Spa at 4301 Orchard Lake Road in West Bloomfield. Bring business cards to hand out. Free to members, $5 for non-members. Register at westbloomfieldchamber.com or call 248626-3636.
That’s what HE said: "Now it's up to Ford to sign the dotted line. The stars and moon are aligned." — Wixom Mayor Kevin Hinkley on the prospects of Townsend Energy Solutions occupying a portion of the shuttered Ford Motor Co. assembly plant in Wixom. The company netted $20 million in brownfield tax incentives from the Michigan Economic Growth Authority last week.
INSIDE Special Report . . . . . . . . . . . .8-10 County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Public Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . .27-29 Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Lakes Area News . . . . . . . . . .7-15 Editorials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Community Calendar . . . . . . . . .39 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Letters to Santa . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40-44
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After 33 years on the force, Milford police chief retires Milford Police Chief Tom Callahan, 55, has announced that he will retire from his post at the end of January, citing personal reasons and family obligations. “It’s just time to go,” Callahan said. “This job goes beyond 40 hours a week and I would like to do something different.” Callahan took over as the interim police chief in August 2010 after the retirement of Wayne Walli and was soon awarded the position outright. Callahan has spent 33 years in the Milford Police Department. On Monday, Dec. 12, the Milford Village Council approved an allocation of $8,000 to go towards placement services for the search for a new police chief. Village Manager Arthur Shufflebarger said that he doesn’t think the village will spend the total amount.
Ford Wixom plant project nets new state tax incentive By Leslie Shepard staff writer
Wixom officials are pleased now that Townsend Energy Solutions is one step closer to setting up shop at the shuttered Ford Motor Co. assembly plant in the city. On Tuesday, Dec. 13, the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) board approved two tax incentives to make the transition easier. “We’re pleased and optimistic that, coming off the backside of 2.5 years of working with Ford and other companies and having them withdraw in October, we’ve got another company that has stepped in and is prepared to use $273 million of its own money to complete this project,” said Wixom City Manager Mike Dornan. “Not only do they have the money, but the knowhow, and hopefully they have the technology to go along with it.” Townsend Energy Solutions was given $6.3 million in high-tech
Milford Police Chief Tom Callahan, who will retire at the end of January, has been with the Milford Police Department for 33 years. He has served in his current position since August 2010. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
He added that he doesn’t believe the police department has an in-house candidate for chief at the moment. “We have many well-qualified police officers, but we just don’t think they
are ready for the next step,” he said. The village hopes to have a new chief named before Callahan departs. However, if not, Lt. Michael Lauridsen would serve as the interim chief. ❏
employment tax credits with the obligation to create 875 jobs by 2016. Townsend will receive a 200 percent high-tech employment tax credit for the first three years, and a 100 percent tax credit for the remainder of the tax credit’s existence for up to 875 net new employees. “It’s a good indication,” Dornan said. “They have experience in redevelopment and repurposing manufacturing and are still willing to invest their own money and leverage dollars with state incentives.” In addition, the MEGA board granted Ford Land $20 million in brownfield tax credits. The site will be divided into two industrial areas with $10 million in brownfield tax credits allocated to each section. Townsend Energy Solutions, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Townsend Ventures, LLC, which was established in 2007 to invest in emerging technologies that focus on the energy sector. Townsend Ventures has invested in oil and gas explorations, commercial lighting control companies and multiple advanced battery companies, including Dow Kokam. The company proposes to locate at
the former Ford plant advanced manufacturing operations for technologies and products related to energy efficiency for use in advanced fuel-efficient vehicles, smart grid management applications, and the power electronics industry. Townsend Energy is currently in negotiations with Ford Land to purchase or lease a portion of the Wixom assembly plant site. The plan is to redevelop some of the existing facilities as well as construct new manufacturing facilities as determined by production requirements. “We’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster since September 2009 and, hindsight being 20-20, the city was really looking at an opportunity similar to this and then Ford Land thought it had a better mouse trap with Xtreme,” Wixom Mayor Kevin Hinkley said. The company plans to invest approximately $237 million, none of which is for lease costs, and create up to 875 jobs over the next five years, with 36 jobs projected in the first year as a result of the project. The average weekly wage for the newly created jobs PAGE 7 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW WEST
OAKLAND’S
Reliving a celebrity’s youth
NEWSWEEKLY
51st YEAR OF PUBLICATION Waterford • White Lake • Highland • Milford Commerce • Wolverine • Walled Lake • Wixom West Bloomfield • Orchard Lake • Union Lake PUBLISHER / PRESIDENT: Susan Fancy BUSINESS MANAGER: Dennis Boggs EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: Carol Barr EDITOR: Tim Dmoch
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Staff Writers: Angela Niemi, Leslie Shepard, Michael Shelton Contributing Writers: Mike Scott, Mark Stowers Staff Photographer: Amy K. Lockard ADVERTISING SALES: Account Representatives: Cindie Audia, Denise Engelberts, Linda Stickney, Laurie Wasker Sales Assistant/Proofing: Karen Whikehart PHONE SALES MANAGER: Lori Snyder Account Representatives: Rhonda Libkuman, Cindy Stawick, Leslie Timko GRAPHICS: Denise Jungjohan, 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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Nadelberg on his new Sundance show, ‘Mortified Sessions’
W
est Bloomfield native David Nadelberg, 37, is sitting down with celebrities to revisit their childhood. That is the premise of “The Mortified Sessions,” a new show airing on the Sundance Channel on Monday nights at 8 p.m. In each episode, Nadelberg sits down with personalities ranging from Megan Mullally of “Will & Grace” to Oscar-winning actress Monique as they look back at the past through items such as childhood photos and diaries, revealing how their childhood shaped them into the people they became. The show is the latest offshoot of the “Mortified” brand Nadelberg helped create after he found an old love letter he wrote. That led to stage shows across the country and two books in which people open up about their childhood, drawing laughs but also connecting with others. With a cult following stretching across the U.S. and even to Sweden, Nadelberg shows no signs of slowing down. He spoke with the Spinal Column Newsweekly from Los Angeles about his past and his TV show. First of all, congratulations on your new show, “The Mortified Sessions,” airing on the Sundance Channel. Please give our readers an idea of what the show’s premise is. DN: “The Mortified Sessions” is a weekly series on the Sundance Channel where we sit down with noteworthy people, everyone from celebrities to CEOs, and talk to them about their most embarrassing childhood writings and photographs, things that they’ve saved in a shoebox since childhood and have dared to unearth on television. You have an impressive list of guests lined up for the show’s first season. How do you approach these celebrities and other personalities about opening up their childhood memories to you? Which interview that you’ve conducted this season really stood out to you? Who are other personalities that you hope to have on the show in the future? DN: Well for starters, the television show is really a companion piece to a series of stage shows and books that we have been running for about 10 years called “Mortified.” Some of the guests we’ve had are just fans of “Mortified” in general, people like Danny Pudi from NBC’s “Community,” and Eric Stonestreet from “Modern Family.” And then other people are sort of new to the “Mortified” family and it’s just a matter of approaching them and having them
Q
Q
spark at the idea. (All the interviews) stand out to me and they’re all really unique and that’s part of what makes “Mortified Sessions” special, that we’re celebrating what makes everybody unique and at the same time celebrating how those unique traits are shared by so many. There’s this sort of collective identity that I think we all have, that we were all that same awkward kid when we were younger. But, in terms of just a few specifics, we recently sat down with Danny Pudi and I find his upbringing very fascinating. He grew up in Chicago, he’s a Midwest kid who is half-Indian and half-Polish and that’s a
•
NE MINUTE
INTERVIEW unique combination and I think it gave him a unique life perspective that I think helped him become a great comedic actor today and a unique actor. Other people like Cheryl Hines — you might know her from “Suburgatory” or “Curb Your Enthusiasm” — she shared some stories of going on a date, going to prom, and when her prom date gets up and leaves the table for a minute to go to the bathroom. She’s so interested in kissing this guy but is so intimidated by boys at her age that she takes her finger and dips it in his Coke and then takes her finger out of the soda and puts it in her mouth as if to somehow mix their saliva together as if that’s kissing. It’s that kind of neurotic behavior that we have and that obsessive behavior that I think that we do as kids and probably still in some weird
way do as adults that our show loves to celebrate. In our show, the message is that it’s okay to be who you are and it’s really one of the real reasons I think people do this show. Our show can humanize people in a way that I think very few other shows are able to do and I think there’s something kind of exciting about that. Somebody on Twitter or Facebook said, “What I like about your show is that you’re not treating celebrities as though they are entertainment machines, but as human beings,” and I like that compliment because certainly that’s a goal of ours. I would absolutely, absolutely be fascinated by to sit down with somebody like Mark Zuckerberg or Tina Fey. I’m really interested in people who have unique achievements because what we like doing on the show is picking somebody who’s known for something. Tell us what inspired you to start “Mortified” and how growing up in West Bloomfield played a part in that. What were your ambitions growing up and was it your goal to work in the entertainment industry? DN: Well, I think the Midwest is a breeding ground of teen angst. There’s not a heck of a lot to do in the suburbs when you’re a teenager at least. It can feel really confining and I think often times people turn to the page and they write in diaries, they write poetry. I was never a diary kid — I was really the pretentious performance poet type. But “Mortified” began actually when I returned home and found inside an old cardboard box a love letter that I had written to a girl. Funny enough, I had written it on the back of an entry form to a poetry magazine and I never submitted it and I had never given the letter to this girl. But, I found it years later as an adult and I thought it was ridiculous. I thought it was hilarious — unfortunately, unintentionally. And I thought it was fascinating because I was interested in the relationship between my past and present self. I started wondering what other people had saved from their childhoods and started encouraging other people to dig up their pasts and share them on stage with me one night. And it snowballed. What I didn’t know at the time, what was supposed to be a little fun turned into a strange movement. ❏
Q
By Michael Shelton
Read more of this interview at spinalcolumnonline.com.
DECEMBER 21-27, 2011
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PAGE 7
LAKES AREA NEWS
Former White Lake grant writer gets $85K in settlement By Angela Niemi staff writer
Lawsuits filed against White Lake Township and its clerk in the fall of 2010 quietly came to a conclusion a few months ago. Kelly Knight, a former employee of White Lake Township, sued the township for alleged violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993, and Clerk Terry Lilley in both his individual and official capacities as township clerk. This past July both suits were dismissed after Knight and the township reached a settlement agreement paying Knight $85,000, which included all of Knight’s attorney and court costs, according to White Lake Township Attorney Greg Need. The township didn’t have to cut Knight a check: The Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority (MMRMA), the township’s insurance provider, covered the settlement payment. Need said it’s unknown how, if at all, the payment will impact the township’s insurance premiums. Knight began working for the township in April 2008 as a grant and community administrator. According to her lawsuit, Knight was diagnosed in June 2010 with a “cyst-like structure” on her spinal cord which required a leave of absence from work, which she was granted under the FMLA. Knight had been three weeks into her medical leave when she was fired. The White Lake Township Board of Trustees held a special meeting on July 13, 2010, at which time the board unanimously voted to eliminate the position of grant writer — Knight’s position — effective July 14, 2010, according to the minutes for that meeting. The board also decided at that meeting to eliminate the secretarial positions in the Clerk’s Office and the Assessing Office, in addition to other measures to help trim the township budget. Knight and her attorney then filed suit in federal district court against White Lake Township for allegedly engaging in conduct prohibited under the FMLA. She was also suing the
FOR MORE LAKES AREA NEWS SEE PAGE 11
➥
Townsend Energy Solutions’ quest to redevelop the former Ford assembly plant site in Wixom (above) moved closer to fruition last week with the awarding of state tax incentives. Townsend is currently in negotiations with Ford Land to purchase or lease a portion of the site. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
Townsend MEDC ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 3
is anticipated to be $651. The company also offers healthcare benefits and plans to pay a portion of the benefit costs. According to the economic analysis done by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation utilizing Regional Economic Models, Inc. software, it’s estimated that the development will generate a total of 5,331 jobs in the state by the year 2018. Total state revenues through 2018 would be increased by $37.4 million due to the presence of the facility. “We’ve done our part to bring Townsend to the table and communicate our needs to the county and state,” Hinkley said. “Now it’s up to Ford to sign the dotted line. The
stars and moon are aligned.” Without the state incentives, it was expected that the cost of goods produced at the project site would not be competitively priced to enter the market. The company is also considering locating manufacturing operations in Missouri and Vermont. “This project, like others, if it doesn’t go through — none of the tax credits will be utilized, and if it does, then we have a new taxpayer in Michigan and almost 1,000 jobs created,” Dornan noted. Additionally, Townsend Energy is awaiting approval of a battery manufacturing tax credit of up to $50 million via Senate Bill 855, which has passed the upper chamber and is now in the hands of the state House of Representatives. If passed by the Legislature, it
would reduce the previous battery credit from $100 million to $50 million while increasing the job creation requirement from 500 jobs to 750 jobs. The legislation has also been expanded to allow for credits on battery-related components and equipment. The U.S. Department of Energy recently issued a $161 million incentive to Dow Kokam to develop battery technology. Half of the previously approved battery credits for a previous Ford site redeveloper would be reassigned to Townsend, but they must be secured by Saturday, Dec. 31. In the foreseeable future, Wixom will more than likely apply for a Renaissance Zone tax abatement on behalf of the project. “We’ll look at applying and the merits of it,” Dornan said. ❏
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
By Leslie Shepard staff writer
SPECIAL REPORT
C
ross over the rickety bridge and one can be sure to find flocks of waterfowl frolicking in the river, nibbling on bits of bread tossed by children. The picturesque scene is complemented by the quaint antique and old-fashioned candy store across the way, reminiscent of a Charles Dickens novel. Take a stroll into those years gone by, in which pioneers labored from sun up until sundown and simplicity was the way of life. Step into the Byers Homestead, one of the great historical landmarks in the lakes area. Stretched across 2.5 acres in Commerce Township, the “miniature Greenfield Village” is being revitalized and tended to with care to preserve its stake in history. The Byers Homestead site, located at 213 Commerce Road, near South Commerce and Carroll Lake roads and nestled along the banks of the Huron River, is believed to be the site of the first white settlement in Commerce Township. Initially the site only to a humble log cabin built by German immigrant Abram Walrod in the 1820s, the property later sprouted multiple structures thanks to the Byers family. “It’s one big woven tapestry of history,” said Mary St. Louis, a member the Friends of Byers group and an event planner for the site. The Friends of Byers, a not-forprofit group of volunteers, was formed to preserve the historic Byers Homestead as a cultural, educational, and recreational resource. The 14member group espouses an allegiance to the legacy of June Byers, who was the last of the Byers lineage to own the property privately. “It was June’s dream to always have a museum for kids — a place to learn and play,” St. Louis said. “We want to make the homestead into a walking museum for teas, weddings, historical events and school projects for children to learn history.” According to a recent homestead preservation report by Ronald Campbell, a principal planner with Oakland County Planning and Economic Development, that was adopted as the site’s master plan, Walrod sold the property to the Gould family in 1850 and a farmhouse was built afterward, sometime between then and 1860. The property traded hands several times before the Byers family purchased it in 1949. For decades after the Byers family
Preserving the legacy Newfound cooperation benefits Byers site The existing white farmhouse at the Byers Homestead site is believed to have been built around 1949 or as early as 1837, in Greek revival style. It recently received a new furnace. Planned improvements including rehabilitating the home’s kitchen, repairing water damage, scrapping and repainting the exterior, electrical work, drainage work, a door replacement, and tree removal. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
bought the property, the family gradually added several structures to the farm. The homestead site is currently comprised of a farmhouse; the main barn; a duck barn; a pantry; an outhouse; and a storage shed. The Byers family owned the property for the second-longest amount of time since it was developed, and under their ownership, made the largest contributions to the homestead. Their daughter, June, later became synonymous with the site and was thought of as an icon in the community. Before moving back to Commerce, June was a voice-over and sound effects actor for the “Lone Ranger” radio show, and a writing and acting instructor who reportedly taught Academy Award-winning actor George C. Scott. Working on the “Lone Ranger” radio program that aired on WXYZ radio from the Fisher Building in Detroit between 1935 and 1942, Byers became an acting instructor based in Ferndale. She eventually moved into the township with her parents and became a beloved figure while running the country store on the Byers Homestead site.
Byers sold the property to Commerce Township for $300,000 in 1998. She died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease in May 2007. Between 2004 and 2006, the township and the Friends of Byers group were embroiled in a feud surrounding June’s residence, not the familiar white house that’s still on the banks of the Huron River and visible from Commerce Road. The group wanted to maintain the home where she resided, whereas township officials thought the residence should be demolished and removed from the historic site off of Commerce Road. By August 2005, only June Byers’ residence — not the farmhouse or barn at the Byers Homestead site — was targeted for demolition. A report by Sanit-Air, an Oakland County company which specializes in air quality systems, suggested that the house be deemed “unacceptable for human habitation” due to the presence of toxic black mold. Subsequently in February 2006, Byers’ home was demolished and the historic marker at the site referencing the Byers Homestead was sent back to Lansing.
“Without that house, there is no connection to the Byers name,” state Historical Preservation Society Director Laura Ashlee said at the time. Friends of Byers Secretary Ellen Smith said the bad blood that had been between the township and the Friends of Byers is a figment of the past. Both groups have set aside their grudges and have entered into a collaborative relationship. “We’re all on the same page now and the township is moving forward and working with us as partners,” Smith said. “Emily England, director of senior programs and parks and recreation, has been extremely helpful making sure things run smoothly and as a liaison between the township board, parks and recreation and our group.” Commerce Township Supervisor Tom Zoner echoed Smith’s sentiments. “The relationship has changed because their stewardship and philosophy changed based on them realizing it’s township property and (they’re) following the rules and regulations,” he said. England said her main objective was to build up rapport between township officials and the Byers group so they focus on restoring the property, which
DECEMBER 21-27, 2011
The main barn at the Byers Homestead is not original to the site, but was moved there in the early 1900s. The gambrel roof-styled barn was built with hand-hewn lumber mortise and tenon construction, a method commonly used during the 1830s. It now serves as the site’s antique and candy store. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
and we have to take the water from the river,” St. Louis said. It’s also in need of additional parking to accommodate event visitors. “Without parking it’s very difficult to hold festivals,” Zoner said. The adjacent vacant lot on the front, north side of the Huron River would be a perfect site for patron parking, and was included in the township’s master plan should that property be available for purchase. “It’s never come up for sale so we just watch it,” Zoner said. The existing white farmhouse at the site is believed to have been built around 1949 or as early as 1837 in Greek revival style. It recently received a new furnace. The lower level was remodeled in the 1960s, with the most notable
changes occurring in the kitchen. However, apparently this room has the greatest amount of deficiencies, including kitchen flooring. “We envision getting the kitchen completed in the house and possibly bringing in a whole Michigan section to help our locals out, including jams, jellies, and photos, and we also need to fix the water damage in the upper quarters of the home,” St. Louis said. A new roof was installed on the house in the late 1990s. The farmhouse exterior also needs to be hand-scraped and the wood needs repair, in addition to repainting due to excess moisture in the wood siding. Water damage has seeped into the home’s bedroom, which also needs repair. Other needs include electrical work,
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drainage work, a door replacement, and tree removal. It also requires landscaping such as trees and bushes. Some of the repairs will begin soon. On Tuesday, Dec. 13, the Commerce Township Board of Trustees approved repairs to the northeast corner of the farmhouse, based on Parks and Recreation Committee recommendations. The $5,600 project will include wood replacement, paint and sill plate work, gutters with underground drainage, block repairs, and replacement of the kitchen door. “The first priority of the 10 priorities Campbell recommended was the northeast corner of the farmhouse,” England noted. “We will continue with improvements to restore the house and keep it to period. We don’t want to lose it.” Campbell also recommends converting the upstairs bedroom into a restroom to service the farmhouse, since it isn’t handicap-accessible, nor does it have a toilet or shower facilities. St. Louis said the plan is also to add period furniture to the farmhouse. A spinning wheel was donated and sits in the second-story bedroom. Some of the other notable items currently in the farmhouse include an 1800s Regina music box, a 114-yearold organ, and a 1900s pie safe and Greek revival stove. The rest of the property is maintained by the Friends of Byers. “We want to keep the other buildings restored to the periods they were built, but they are not a priority because they’re in good condition,” England said. “The main focus is the farmhouse.” The duck barn, built in the mid1970s, was partially destroyed by a fire in 2008 and rebuilt in 2010 on the same location. “Kids were smoking in the barn and it caught fire,” St. Louis explained. “The kids were caught and the parents had to pay. Volunteers from the fire department rebuilt it.” Byers used the duck barn to nurse injured waterfowl to recovery, releasing them back into the wild after they were rehabilitated. The shanty also stored supplies and grain. The pantry building, or Granny’s Pantry, was built by Forest Jewel and Earl Croten, caretakers and friends who lived in the farmhouse from the late 1960s until the late 1980s. “They built it as a gift to June. It was a melding from many barns,” St. Louis said. Granny’s Pantry was used as a kitchen/concession stand for baked goods which were sold during on-site events that Byers regularly held, PAGE 10 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯
SPECIAL REPORT
is part of Commerce Township Park. “I tried to keep everything positive and have both groups agree on projects and move forward with those projects,” England said. Zoner added that the Friends of Byers group continues its mission of preserving the site. “The obvious and reasonable thing they are doing is preserving the farmhouse and barn, and doing proactive fund-raising because the township can’t do it all,” he said. “It certainly helps that the group is maintaining the property. They’re certainly doing their part.” Today, plans are under way to improve the sites buildings — and some upgrades have recently been completed — thanks to Campbell’s report. Now that the township owns the property, renovations can be completed using Parks and Recreation millage funds. Bids are required for any project. “The Byers group has limited resources, so we might agree to pay a lot more than what they have in their piggy bank,” Zoner said. No formal audit has been conducted on how much money the group has in its coffers. “There’s been no evaluation of how much money they’ve made there, but I do know they have $8,000,” Zoner said. “We get one project approved at a time,” Smith said. “It’s an on-going process. The only reason there’s money now is because of the parks and open spaces millage.” The millage is set to expire in 2014. Smith is encouraging people in the township to approve a millage renewal down the line to help prevent the property from deteriorating. “The township is doing the right thing right now, but we will need the parks and recreation millage renewed or we won’t have the money again,” Smith said. Some project costs are split between the township and the Friends of Byers group. The non-profit organization solicits funding from local businesses for food at events and building improvements. “We kick in money when we have it and donate labor and services because we’re a 501(c)(3) and have skilled tradesmen willing to do the work,” Smith said. St. Louis has been making the rounds throughout west Oakland County soliciting other skilled workers to help with improvements at the site. The most important necessity that the homestead lacks is running water. Before the Byers residence was demolished, there was a well on the property, but it was capped during the Byers home demolition. “Right now there’s no running water
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ranging from teddy bear picnics and animal rescue events to gardening and arborist interests. “Structurally it’s OK, but it has carved beams that are rare and need to be protected,” Smith said. The outhouse building was one structure not built under the lineage of the Byer family. Initially built in the 1800s, it was later reconstructed sometime between the late 1920s and 1940s, and was functional until the early 1960s. It only needs to be repainted. A pair of sheds are located on the rise just south of the main barn. The larger shed is known as the “Teddy Bear Barn,” and the other is referred to as the storage shed, both constructed by Jewel and Croten during the 1980s. Neither are historically significant, but both are in good condition. The Teddy Bear Barn was used to store and sell teddy bears. Ultimately that led to the popular children’s activity on the site — the teddy bear picnics — during the 1970s. “It needs to be repainted to reflect an old vintage or rustic look,” St. Louis said. The main barn is not original to the site, but was moved there in the early 1900s. The gambrel roof-styled barn was built with hand-hewn lumber mortise and tenon construction, a method commonly used during the 1830s. It now serves as the site’s antique and candy store. “Much of the items (there) June donated to the store,” St. Louis said. St. Louis visits estate sales looking for prime inventory to acquire for the site. She recently acquired an 1860s Grand Opera advertisement with Abraham Lincoln’s picture on it, a rare find. The barn was once rumored to have been a blacksmith shop at one point, but the evidence for such a claim is not available. In July, the barn received a new roof. The $10,000 expense was split between the township and Friends of Byers group. Immediate concerns include repainting the barn and recovering the south side with plywood. “We’re hoping this will be done this year,” St. Louis said. Other needs such as safety lighting are on the wish list, and the barn received a new furnace and new door last year. The Byers Homestead is known across the lakes area for its seasonal events like the Easter Egg Hunt held each spring and a Boo Bash held each October. “This year we had 100 kids for the
Easter Egg Hunt and 400 kids on the grounds for the Boo Bash. We’ve never had so many,” St. Louis said. Every summer Friends of Byers holds a mid-summer fest complete with an ice cream social, food, entertainment, crafts and games. In keeping with the Christmas holiday, the friends group holds visits with Santa in the barn. This year the event was held on Sunday, Dec. 11. “We made over $300 from snapping photos. We sold corn for (feeding) the ducks and had hot chocolate and oldfashioned penny candy and took (the children) on a mini-tour,” St. Louis said. Scavenger hunts and group tours are also conducted at the site. “The big goal when the weather gets better is for younger children to come down and have reading sessions and then come into the store and have candy before heading out to feed the ducks,” St. Louis said. “Still we would like to get more ideas from other groups,” she added. “We hope to add tables outside to bring in more crafters to sell their wares.” The Friends of Byers group would also like to expand their 14-volunteer membership so fresh ideas are generated. In the meantime, St. Louis has been working with Milford Historical Society member Lee Johnson. “She has been showing up at our events and talking to other members and is thrilled to help us out,” St. Louis said. “They also are talking to scout groups to help us with the repainting and replacing wood on the barn.” Conversations between St. Louis and Johnson convened after Johnson mentioned she knew how to operate a spinning wheel and offered to take a peek at the one in the farmhouse to make sure it was operational. “I’m going to be an extra body to help out,” Johnson said. “There’s not a formalized deal but I’ve spoken with some of our members. I don’t think a lot of people knew (the Byers site) was even open. It’s a magical place to be.” The Milford Historical Society has also extended its help by donating antiques for the farmhouse and barn. Those items placed in the barn will glean dollars to help build up the Byers fund. The Friends of Byers is encouraging community members to pitch in to help preserve and operate the historic site. Talented people are needed to help in a variety of ways, including organizing events; public relations; operating the barn country store; carpentry, plumbing and painting; fundraising; tree trimming and gardening; and graphic arts. “We feel very optimistic about where we are going from here,” Smith said. ❏
DECEMBER 21-27, 2011
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Settlement ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 7
township for violation of her civil and constitutional rights under the Articles 1 and 17 of the Michigan Constitution, as she claimed she was “terminated without proper notice or hearing.” Knight also claimed she had been deprived of her rights guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, as the board allegedly engaged in conduct “publicly stigmatizing her, not allowing her an opportunity to publicly answer Defendant Lilley’s accusations, thus interfering with her career and depriving her of her liberty interest in her reputation.” At the time the township denied all allegations. However, now that the case has been settled, both parties agree that neither has done anything wrong, according to Need. “They decided to settle the suit to avoid the uncertainty and costs of litigation,” Need said. Knight’s attorney, Jeffrey Buehner, was unavailable for comment prior to press time. ❏
After stalemate, Commerce board approves budget By Angela Niemi
A 4,000-square-foot Leo’s Coney Island, along with a 2,500-square-foot Five Guys Burger and Fries, is expected to open at the Waterford Plaza located at Highland Road and Crescent Lake Road in Waterford Township next year. “Waterford is just a great area and M-59 (is) a good road that meets our criteria,” said Mike Abrams, coowner of Five Guys. “Thankfully the store is just about done.” The Leo’s Coney Island is expected to open in the early spring, according to Sarah Turton, a Broder & Sachse Real Estate Services, Inc. property manager. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
Five Guys, Leo’s in Waterford Eateries expected to open at M-59/Crescent Lake plaza
staff writer
After having one budget voted down and another tabled earlier this fall, the Commerce Township Board of Trustees has adopted a budget for the 2012 fiscal year that begins Jan. 1, 2012 and ends Dec. 31, 2012. The total revenue for Commerce is projected at $5.02 million with total expenditures coming in at about $4.5 million, resulting in a spending plan that’s over $500,000 in the black for the next fiscal year. While a large part of the expenditures are salaries and benefits, $2 million will be 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 their bond payment by about $1 million,” said Trustee Rick Sovel. “Because of that, the township will have to come up with the money to
FOR MORE LAKES AREA NEWS SEE PAGE 13
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By Leslie Shepard staff writer
W
aterford Township residents will have more restaurants to choose from when a pair of popular eateries move into the Waterford Plaza in the near future. Construction is under way with hopes of opening Leo’s Coney Island and Five Guys Burger and Fries sometime early next year. The plaza is located on Highland Road at Crescent Lake Road. “Five Guys has had its rough and installation inspections, they just need their final inspections; and the Leo’s has submitted plans and are in the building approval process,” said Waterford Director of Building and Engineering Doug Bradley. Five Guys Burger and Fries will occupy 5134 Highland Road. The 2,500-square-foot restaurant will be the owner’s 16th franchise in the state. “We own the rights to 40
stores,” said Mike Abrams, co-owner of Five Guys. “Waterford is just a great area and M-59 (is) a good road that meets our criteria. Thankfully the store is just about done.” As of Jan. 30, 2012, the Waterford Township Five Guys Burger and Fries will be part of a national franchise chain. The first Five Guys location opened in Arlington, Va. in 1986 and by 2003, Five Guys sold out their franchise territory and within 18 months began opening their franchise rights to the rest of the country. To date the chain has expanded to over 900 locations in 46 states and six Canadian provinces. “The beauty of Five Guys is they all look alike and sell exactly the same thing,” Abrams said. Five Guys can prepare their ground beef burgers in thousands of ways and pride themselves on selling only the freshest products. Moreover, their menu is trans-fat
free. Menu items range from burgers to hot dogs, sandwiches and French fries. Likewise, township residents have been waiting for doors to open at the Leo’s Coney Island a couple doors down from Five Guys Burger and Fries location. The advertisement of its opening has been plastered on a billboard for months. “We’re looking forward to it and getting nothing but positive feedback. Both restaurants will be part of a good line up,” said Sarah Turton, a Broder & Sachse Real Estate Services, Inc. property manager. The 4,000-square-foot Leo’s storefront located at 5076 Highland Road is expected to open in the early spring, if all falls into place. “It’s going to happen but we don’t know a precise date — more than likely sometime early next spring,” Turton said of an opening. ❏
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New budget
IT evaluation
❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 11
pay the shortfall. But we knew that was happening so we’ve been planning for it. We have the money, so it’s OK.” Added Clerk Dan Munro, “We continue to have the DDA bond debt as a serious financial issue to deal with, but our actions have stabilized our future liquidity beyond 2016. Considering the situation we found ourselves in, I’m not sure we could have done better.” However, the biggest point of contention with the previous two proposed budgets was the restoration of wages from a few years back for the non-union employees that had taken a pay cut. Yet, 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. Although the reinstatement of wages still remained a point of dispute throughout the Tuesday, Dec. 13 board meeting, the budget still passed. “The issue was resolved. Basically there was no restoration of any wages,” said Township Supervisor Tom Zoner. “But the township did pass a wage increase for the library personnel. And while there may be some hard feelings with the decision, the bottom line is anything that passes, passes. That’s the policy of the township. We all have to move forward.” While the pay increases recommended for the library employees were approved with Trustee Deb Kirkwood, Zoner, Treasurer Susan Gross, and Munro voting in favor, pay increases for the senior and parks and recreation director, the finance/human resources director, and the Fire Department secretary were denied. The four trustees — Robert Long, David Law, Sovel, and Kirkwood — voted it down. Nevertheless, the general feeling about the budget is a positive one. “My opinion of the overall budget is very positive,” Munro said. “We have a significant budget surplus, the police and fire SADs (special assessment districts) are funding services independent of the general fund and have not been assessed at the highest level authorized.” Added Zoner, “(The budget) is good to go. It’s a budget that is in favor of the township. We expect to save money and to have some to put aside, as well, as we did last year.” ❏
E-mail failure prompts review in WB By Michael Shelton staff writer
T
he West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees voted Monday, Dec. 12 to search for an information technology (IT) consultant to do a full and complete evaluation of the township’s IT Department in response to a failure of the township’s e-mail system that took place during the end of September and the beginning of October. As part of the motion, an IT committee was formed, consisting of Township Supervisor Michele Economou Ureste, Clerk Cathy Shaughnessy, and Trustee Howard Rosenberg, in order to develop a request for proposals (RFP). The motion also stated that the final two IT consultant candidates will be brought before the township board for review and that the consultant will be asked to bring back specific recommendations for changes. The board then waived a purchase moratorium that was passed on Nov. 14 regarding software support renewal and emergency tech-
Orchard Lake OKs tree removal at local country club Orchard Lake Country Club representatives have bridged a compromise with the Orchard Lake City Council so the club can carry out an infrastructure restoration project that includes removing a significant number of landmark trees, which specifically violates city ordinance. The private club had appealed to the council for relief of the woodlands ordinance so it could take out the trees in November. The proposal called for selectively removing 145 dead or diseased tress; 16 landmark trees more than 24 inches in diameter; and 96 smaller non-landmark trees. At that time, the council voted to approve the removal of the dead or diseased, and protected trees, without requiring replacements, but denied the request for removing the landmark trees. However, the removal of the 16 landmark trees is crucial to the playa-
nology purchases made by other departments. This comes after the board voted on Oct. 10 to authorize Ureste to provide a full written evaluation from an outside professional source, including source recommendations from the evaluation. The report was presented at the board’s Nov. 14 meeting, and it was complete with Waterford IT Director Jared Black’s evaluation of the West Bloomfield IT Department and hardware failures in the virtual environment involving two redundant hardware controllers. Shaughnessy said that while the report was specific in some areas, it didn’t explain why the system failed and the board ended up passing a moratorium on future IT purchases. The township’s e-mail system failed on Thursday, Sept. 29. Shaughnessy said at the Oct. 10 township board meeting that the township government was handicapped and that the integrity of records was compromised by the failure. ❏ bility and function of the golf course, according to Orchard Lake Country Club member and spokesperson Dave Boerger. The club went back to the drawing board and came back before the City Council on Monday, Dec. 19 with a new proposal re-emphasizing the various reasons why the landmark trees must be removed. Those reasons include their location in an area where a restored bunker is to be placed, that the area is impacted by poor drainage, and the trees encroach over the fairway blocking shots to the green. In a 4-2 vote, the council approved the landmark tree removal based on the club’s two-prong replacement strategy. The club offered to remove between 10 and 15 dead trees in heavily wooded areas on the property that have been randomly falling and causing power outages. “There have been a lot of power outages and structures jeopardized and now they are willing to take these dead trees out,” said Director of City Services Gerry McCallum. The club also will be contributing
$10,000 to the Green Vision Program so the city can facilitate supplemental plantings in the right-of-way along the Old Orchard Trail. “It will help maintain and provide future growth of those trees along Old Orchard Trail and residents benefit by protecting that canopy,” McCallum said. “These are old but very beautiful trees, but there are some dying areas that must be replaced and the club can’t plant them via ordinance, but the city can,” Boerger noted. The Orchard Lake Country Club has over 7,000 trees on the 160-acre course — roughly 50 trees per acre. The city’s woodlands ordinance states that a minimum density of 35 trees per acre must be maintained. The club’s proposal noted that 72 new trees have been planted over the last three years on club grounds, primarily along the Old Orchard Trail perimeter. Tree removal would commence this winter; the remaining work would take place in August 2012. ❏
Medical pot rules could be put forth next spring The Wolverine Lake Village Council has agreed to continue a review of another community’s medical marijuana ordinance in order to craft one of its own. The village’s Planning Commission recommended that the council, as well as Acting Police Chief/Captain John Ellsworth, analyze an ordinance adopted this year by Northfield Township, a community north of Ann Arbor. “(The) Planning (Commission) thought we might use this as a template, but we may tweak some sections to see if the format might work,” said Village Councilman and Planning Commission Liaison Brian Nedrow. “We will be discussing it more in February.” The council extended its medical marijuana moratorium another six months on Nov. 9 in order to explore Northfield’s medical marijuana cultivation, use and distribution ordinance in detail at its planned work session in February. “Northfield Township designed theirs to allow individuals who need this medically to get it, grow it, and
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Marijuana ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 13
conduct business discreetly without creating dispensaries around it, which would not be appropriate for our community,” said Village Council President John Magee. The moratorium on the sale, cultivation or dispensing of medical marijuana in the village was slated to expire on Dec. 14. The extension approved on Nov. 9 was the third time council extended the moratorium. “I think we’re all optimistic that this will be the last extension,” Magee said. Ellsworth will be gathering information on the subject while he attends the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police Conference in Grand Rapids on Feb. 8. “They are having a seminar on MMMA (the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act) and all the police chiefs around the state will be discussing the different problems they see and how they’ve handled registration and local ordinances, so we hope to get additional direction,” Ellsworth said. The MMMA was enacted and took effect on April 4, 2009 after state voters authorized the use of medical marijuana in 2008. Since that time the law has been criticized for its ambiguity on some key issues, such as the conditions under which marijuana cultivation is allowed. One ruling was handed down this August by the Michigan Court of Appeals. The unanimous decision by the Court of Appeals states the MMMA does not provide legal grounds for the operation of so-called dispensaries to facilitate patient-to-patient sales of medical marijuana. The village’s Planning Commission is expected to craft a final zoning ordinance amendment proposal early next year. “Whatever Planning then decides, it will require a public hearing and council’s approval,” Nedrow said. “We want to finalize (the language for) this in February and put this thing to rest.” The goal is to introduce the ordinance in late spring. “We want sick individuals to reap the benefits of the MMMA without adverse consequences to the village,” Magee said. ❏
Audit: Accounting controls need to improve in city Leslie Shepard staff writer
Pfeffer, Hanniford and Palka auditors presented the 2010-11 audit report to the Walled Lake City Council on Tuesday, Dec. 6, illustrating that the
city has taken steps to reign in spending but needs to improve internal accounting controls. “The city had fallen behind on much of the work in the Treasurer’s Office and that is why I recommended changes to the council,” said City Manager L. Dennis Whitt. “The council responded by bringing in an outside consultant and restructured the city offices dealing with finance.” Auditors noted that the city doesn’t have the proper segregation of duties over cash receipts and disbursements, accounts receivable and accounts payable. Corrections were deemed necessary to reduce the risk of errors or fraud. Moreover, bank reconciliations were not performed in a timely manner, leaving numerous items being carried forward, according to the auditors. Balance sheet accounts were also not reconciled on a timely basis. A reliable system to detect and identify missing, incorrect, or untimely retiree health care payments for premiums in excess of the maximum amount was not in place. Other areas of concerns included payroll tax returns that were not filed in a timely manner; fuel costs inconsistently allocated by department; and interfund administrative charges going undocumented. Most of the issues identified by the independent auditors’ comments have been rectified by the consultant and newly appointed Finance Director Colleen Coogan, according to Whitt. Net assets at the end of the 201011 fiscal year totaled $17.3 million, a decrease of $308,774 from the previous year, primarily due to large losses in the city’s utility system. The Water and Sewer Fund continues to realize significant operating losses, though those were smaller during 2010-11 than the previous year. Losses were pegged at over $470,000. “This department paid little attention to the revenue side of the city’s budget in years past,” Whitt said. “There has been scant monitoring or managing by (the) DPW (Department of Public Works) or by any other city official. The City Council has begun studying the past failures of that department to manage the revenues side of the budget.” The auditors noted several problems with the Water and Sewer Fund accounts, namely the general ledger accounts for billings and accounts receivable were not being reconciled; utility billings were not covering current operating costs; and the number of gallons of water purchased vs. the number of gallons billed were not being reconciled.
General fund revenues exceeded expenditures by $437,175, of which $244,055 was added to the city’s fund balance. “The city did not authorize any union salary increases and the city cut back on cost for outside labor attorneys for labor negotiations and cut back costs for outside accounting firms to do the daily work of the treasurer and finance offices,” Whitt said. “But there are millions of dollars in unfunded liabilities that offset any warm feeling I get when I look at a healthy fund balance. The city will necessarily have to make adjustments in the immediate future.” The beginning fund balance as of July 1, 2010 was roughly $1.77 million. By June 30, 2011, that amount rose to about $1.99 million. Total general fund revenues were estimated at $5.19 million. Property taxes comprised the lion’s share ($2.97 million), followed by charges for services ($1.25 million) and stateshared revenues ($600,939). Total General Fund expenditures were approximated at $4.75 million. The city doled out $2.78 million for public safety, $967,929 to general government operations, and $571,701 for public works. ❏
Council extends by six months its medical pot ban The Milford Village Council voted on Dec. 5 to approve an extension of the village’s moratorium on medical marijuana facilities for another six months, a move that now pushes the moratorium’s expiration date to June 4, 2012. The village originally passed its moratorium for six months back in June 2010, and this marks the third time that the moratorium has been extended for six months.
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248-926-3810 Fax: 248-926-3812
47448 Pontiac Trail At Beck Road
Wixom, MI 48393
Open: Mon. - Fri. 9-7 • Sat. 8-4
The moratorium forbids land uses for growing and distributing medical marijuana or allowing schools to provide training on the cultivation, processing, and distribution of the drug. Medical marijuana use was legalized for qualified patients following authorization by Michigan voters in the November 2008 general election. The Michigan Medical Marijuana Act went into effect on April 4, 2009. Village Manager Arthur Shufflebarger previously said that conflicts between the state statute authorizing medical marijuana use and federal law are confusing. This move comes after the Milford Township Board of Trustees voted last month to also extend the township’s moratorium on medical marijuana for another six months. The Milford Township Planning Commission discussed the moratorium at its meeting on Dec. 6. Commission Chairman David Kulp said that the commission discussed what other communities are doing in regards to medical marijuana. “We’re waiting for the state Legislature to clean up the current statute,” Kulp said. “We don’t want to put something in place that will be negated (in court). We’re waiting for action on things such as dispensaries and lawsuits with the state and various communities to settle.” State law permits physicianapproved use of marijuana by patients with debilitating medical conditions including cancer, glaucoma, AIDS, hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions as approved by the state Department of Community Health. ❏
VFW Post 4156 321 Union Lake Rd. White Lake, MI 48326 248-698-8302
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ALL YOU CAN EAT
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Fridays 5 – 8 p.m. $8 Adults • Senior Discount
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PAGE 16
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
Christmas Worship Ser vices
Christmas at St. Patrick 2011 9086 Hutchins White Lake
BEST WISHES FOR A BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR ST. PATRICK PASTORAL TEAM: Fr. Thomas Meagher, Fr. John Peter Arulanandam, Deacon Michael Chesley, Deacon Ken Bark, Deacon Robert Dreyer, Deacon Ed Meyer Gay Pousho, Mary Domine, Diane Miller, Dawn Shiner, Carol Budchuk
CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Saturday, December 24, CHRISTMAS EVE 3:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m. – Christmas Liturgies 8:00 p.m. – Carol Singing • 8:30 p.m. – Christmas Liturgy
Sunday, December 25, CHRISTMAS DAY 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. – Christmas Liturgies
NEW YEAR’S EVE Saturday, December 31, 2011 Mary, Holy Mother of God 5:00 p.m. NEW YEAR’S DAY Mary, Holy Mother of God Sunday, January 1, 2012 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. Season’s Greetings Catholics in the Union Lake area have been celebrating the birth of Christ for over 170 years – and we hope you will be part of our parish celebration in 2011. St. Patrick is your parish, and we invite you to “come home” for the holidays.
BEST WISHES FOR A BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
Calvary Lutheran Church 9101 Highland Rd. • White Lake (on M-59, 1 mile W. of Williams Lake Road)
248-625-3288
CEDAR CREST LUTHERAN 485 FARNSWORTH, WHITE LAKE (248) 698-3820 Founded in 1934
Christmas Eve • 5 p.m.
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT
Carols & Candlelight family-oriented celebration of Jesus’ birth
CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE
(Calvary is one Church in 2 locations, another campus is in Clarkston, MI. Call for worship times)
7:00 p.m. 10:30 a.m.
WEDNESDAY ADVENT SERVICES 7:00 p.m. Potluck dinner before Advent Service 6:00 p.m. - Soup, Salad, Dessert
First Congregational Church 5449 Clarkston Road, Clarkston Just east of Sashabaw 248-394-0200 firstcongregationalchurch.org
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services 4:00 p.m. Family Service 7:30 p.m. Traditional Service Child Care available at 4:00 & 7:30
Lutheran Church of the Ascension
4150 Pontiac Lake Rd. Waterford 48328
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service Dec. 24, 6:00 pm Christmas Carol Hymn Sing Dec. 25, 10:30 am
There’s always room in the inn for you
248-674-1212
UNION LAKE BAPTIST CHURCH 8390 Commerce Road Commerce
New Hope
Christian Fellowship
6020 Pontiac Lake Rd. Waterford, MI (248) 886-1500
248-363-9600 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 7 p.m. Sat., Dec. 24, 2011
Christmas Day Service 11 a.m. Sun., Dec. 25, 2011
www.AllNewHope.org Christ Centered - Family Focused
Join us for our Christmas Services: Sat., Dec. 24th @ 6 p.m. – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Sun., Dec. 25th @ 10 a.m. – Christmas Day Service We wish you a very Merry Christmas and A Blessed New Year!
Christmas Eve Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011 5 PM - Twilight Service 7 PM - Festival Service 11 PM - Service of Lights
Christmas Day Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011 9:30 AM - Christmas Morning
DECEMBER 21-27, 2011
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PAGE 17
Christmas Worship Ser vices
St. William Parish 531 Common Street • Walled Lake, MI 48390-3417 (248) 624-1421 (Rectory) • Website: www.stwilliam.com
Mission Statement: Live the good news so joyfully that you can’t help but proclaim it!
st. matthew walled lake campus 2040 s. commerce, walled lake.248.624.7676 Christmas Candlelight services - a classic worship service with carols and candlelight (*communion service) 3:30, 5:30, 7:30 & 10:30* - december 24 prayer and praise family services - “Christmas Hang-ups”: A Christmas musical for all ages 1:00 & 3:00 pm - december 24
st. matthew wixom campus 48380 pontiac trail, wixom.248.624.9525 “Christmas Hang-ups” - A Christmas musical for all ages 4:00 pm - december 24 Candlelight and communion - Worship led by the Wixom Campus Band 7:00 pm - december 24
Christmas day - december 25 - walled lake campus: 11 am • wixom campus: 10:00 am st-matthew.org
Christmas Schedule: Wed. 12-21 7:00pm Communal Penance Service Thurs. 12-22 12 Noon Penance Service Sat. 12-24 4 pm Children’s Mass 6 pm Evening Mass 11:00pm Choir/Carols 12:00 Midnight Mass Sun 12-25 9 am Mass 11:30am Mass (No 6:00 evening Mass)
Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US!
Christmas Eve Services Children’s Christmas Musical Pageant at 5:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve at Crossroads 7:00 p.m. Communion Candlelight Nursery Available
Crossroads Presbyterian Church
Carols, Candlelight, and Communion
Christmas Eve: 4pm and 6pm Christmas Day: 11:15am
9:00 & 11:00 p.m. Regular Worship @ 9:00 & 10:30 a.m. (Childcare, Sunday School, Adult Classes)
5171 Commerce Road Orchard Lake
1445 Welch Road, Walled Lake (248) 624-3821 www.crossroadspc.org
Candlelight Services
orchardgrove.org l 850 Ladd Road l Walled Lake
(248) 682-0730 www.orchardlakechurch.org
PAGE 18
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Christmas Worship Ser vices Commerce United Methodist Church 1155 N. Commerce Road Commerce Township
(Just south of intersection of Bogie Lake & Wise Rds.)
(248) 363-3935 CHRISTMAS EVE 7:00 p.m. Contemporary Family Candlelight Service
WALLED LAKE CHURCH OF CHRIST 1403 N. Pontiac Trail Located between Decker and S. Commerce Rd.
248-624-4600
Bible Classes (all ages) 10 a.m. Worship with attended nursery - 11 a.m. Sermon by Minister Roger Woods www.walledlakecoc.com
10:00 p.m. Traditional Candlelight Service with Communion
First Baptist Church of Walled Lake
CHRISTMAS DAY WORSHIP 309 E. Market St., Walled Lake 10:00 a.m. 248-624-2483 Email: office@fbcwalledlake.org Christmas Eve Day Special Service with Communion 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011
“Jesus is the reason for the season”
WALLED LAKE UNITED METHODIST 313 Northport (behind Lynch & Sons Funeral Home) Walled Lake, MI 48390
248-624-2405 December 24 - 7:00 p.m. Service of lessons & carols with candlelight Regular Sunday Service • 9:30 a.m. Sunday School for all ages • 10:45 a.m.
HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR!
The lakes area churches appearing on these pages, their staff and congregation hope you will join them for their holiday ser vices.
SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
EDUCATION
District OK’s new requirements for earning diploma By Michael Shelton staff writer
The Waterford Schools Board of Education voted Thursday, Dec. 15 to approve changes to the school district’s graduation requirements that will begin with the class of 2013. Secondary students will still need 24 credits to graduate, but the changes include students needing two of those credits to be in a world language course, beginning with the class of 2016 and beyond. The number of credits that can be earned in open electives will fluctuate from 5.5 credits for the class of 2013, six credits for the class of 2014, 6.5 credits for the class of 2015, and five credits for the class of 2016. Meanwhile, the number of credits that can be earned in seminar will decrease over the years, starting with 1.5 credits for the class of 2013, one credit for the class of 2014, 0.5 credits for the class of 2015, and none for the class of 2016. All students will still be required to take four credits of language arts courses, four credits of mathematics, three credits of science, three credits of social studies, one credit in physical education, and one credit in performing and visual arts (PAVA), in addition to receiving a valid score on the Michigan Merit Exam (MME) and an additional credit in either a PAVA course or a career and technical education course. The district states that the changes to structure and programming will meet the needs of all students, encourage students to take academic risks and explore career pathways, and enable them to earn college credit. The district also states that the changes will provide for preparation for CITY OF ORCHARD LAKE VILLAGE
NOTICE OF MEETING DATE CHANGE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the January 3, 2012 Regular Planning Commission Meeting has been cancelled. The next regularly scheduled Planning Commission Meeting is February 7, 2012 7:00 p.m. at the Orchard Lake City Hall, 3955 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard Lake, MI. All are welcome to attend Rhonda R McClellan CityClerk@CityofOrchardLake.com SC: 12-21-11
the ACT and MME tests and increased opportunities through the Career and Technical Education Program. ❏
HVS elementaries may change start times next month By Leslie Shepard staff writer
The Huron Valley School District may be adjusting some of its elementary school hours to mitigate transportation concerns and, if changes are implemented, it would more than likely impact families when students return to school in January following the holiday break. “We are collecting more data regarding how the bus runs are coming in, and tracking late buses and drop offs,” said Huron Valley Communications Director Kim Root. “We are still assessing the situation and deciding whether we should adjust any start times.” The district had rolled out changes to the bus route schedule and school start times this past summer to accommodate the Highland Middle School closure. Currently start times occur in three tiers: high school classes begin around 7 a.m.; middle schools begin around 8 a.m.; and elementaries start at roughly 9 a.m. If start hours are adjusted, it would mean between a 5 and 10 minute change, although it’s unknown whether the school day would start earlier or later than is currently the case. The district employed an outside consultant, Management Partnership Services, to review the day-to-day transportation operations in light of busing problems and a Nov. 1 bus accident in which an Oak Valley Middle School bus careened into a ditch while traveling on Commerce Road between
PAGE 19 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯
BINGO
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AY FRID
Proceeds go to St. Williams parish’s general Funds.
Non-smoking Bingo
Bingo at 6:30 p.m. Air Conditioning
Call before 5 PM
248-624-1421
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DECEMBER 21-27, 2011
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PAGE 19
EDUCATION
Two Walled Lake students honored for citizenship By Angela Niemi staff writer
Out of 139 nominees and 22 winners, Pleasant Lake Elementary School had the honor of having two of its students win Citizenship Awards at the Urban League of Detroit & Southeastern Michigan’s (ULDSEM) annual “Do The Right Thing” awards event held Dec. 3 in the Renaissance Center’s Ambassador Ballroom. The program is open to fifththrough 12th-graders and is a way to make sure youths are recognized for making great decisions. Fifth-graders Ryan Hawley and Carly Kowalsky were both honored, making Pleasant Lake Elementary School the only participating school with two winners. “I am very proud of Ryan and Carly who were honored in the category of citizenship for the many things they voluntarily do to assist fellow students and our school,” said Nayal Maktari, the principal of Pleasant Lake Elementary School, part of the Walled Lake Consolidated School District. “These young children for setting a positive example for their peers and their contributions are making our school community a better place to learn. Most
Elementary hours ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 18
Duck Lake and Burns roads in Milford. The single-vehicle accident occurred around 4:30 p.m. All children and the bus driver safely exited the bus after it rolled into the ditch. However, some children experienced minor injuries and one was transported to DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital for shoulder pain. The bus driver was a substitute and put on leave while the district conducted an investigation. The children’s parents or guardians were immediately called. The district also sent out an advisory to parents and all buildings via e-mail. Police determined that neither speeding nor alcohol were factors in the crash. However, the bus driver was issued a citation at the scene. To compound transportation problems, the district has been short on bus drivers, particularly substitute bus
Fifth-graders Carly Kowalsky (left) and Ryan Hawley (right) flank Pleasant Lake Elementary School Principal Nayal Maktari after receiving Citizenship Awards from the Urban League of Detroit & Southeastern Michigan. Kowalsky and Hawley were recognized for tutoring other students and helping kids feel better about themselves, being respectful and kind to everyone, and being leaders at their school. (Photo submitted by Walled Lake Consolidated Schools)
of the winners were predominantly from secondary schools. There normally is not a lot of elementary school kids recognized.” Nevertheless, both Hawley and Kowalsky received recognition for
tutoring other students and helping kids feel better about themselves, being respectful and kind to everyone, and being leaders at their school. “Both of these students are a part of our school’s Leader and Me
Character Education Program, which teaches kids to be leaders in school. These two children are the perfect example of what the program is about. We are very proud of their accomplishments,” Maktari said. ❏
drivers, and subsequently has been advertising for replacements. The goal is to have a stronger contingency of substitute bus drivers, especially given the high number of bus driver absences during the winter. “We’ve gotten a number of applications after beefing up our efforts,” Root said. Currently the district deploys about 100 buses on the roads. To replace the aging fleet, dollars are used from last year’s voter-approved bond issue. Just recently, the Board of Education voted to purchase seven buses. The district typically needs to replace seven buses each year based on a 10year cycle, although there are 13 buses between 14- and 17-years-old. The consultant determined that buses should not exceed 15 years in age and therefore, the school board will mull whether more should be replaced in the near future. The consultant also noted that the district has incorporated a best prac-
tice of ensuring bus drivers receive their commercial driver’s license, and undergo drug testing and training prior to driving a bus by themselves. Each must be evaluated at 30, 60, and 90 day increments. ❏
ify for additional funding, including making itself the designated policy holder for medical benefit plans and developing a service consolidation plan, which the district sent to the MDE in January 2010. The district has also stated that it has obtained a competitive bid on noninstructional services and that the district provides a link on its website, westbloomfield.k12.mi.us, to the Michigan School Data Portal which contains a Dashboard report card providing information on the district. In addition, West Bloomfield Education Association members now pay $60 a month for single-person health care coverage, $80 for two people, and $100 for full families, along with deductibles of $200 for singles and $400 for families. This comes after the Waterford Schools Board of Education voted last month to approve its own best practices application to be sent to the MDE. ❏
WBS looks to reap additional $100 in per-pupil funding The West Bloomfield Schools Board of Education voted on Monday, Dec. 12 to approve a best practices incentive resolution to be sent to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), in a quest for additional per-pupil funding in light of the district’s efforts to consolidate a variety of services. The application could net the district an additional $100 in state funding per pupil. The district says that it has met four of the five criteria needed to qual-
PAGE 20
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
COMMUNITY LIFE
50 YEARS AGO Dec. 21, 1961 The ladies belonging to the Business & Professional Women of Union Lake gave a party for the girls at the Oakland County Youth Home on Dec. 11. There was a special demonstration on correct and becoming attire given by Mrs. George Kroesing. She was assisted by Juanita Glasspole of the Phyllis Lee Shop in Union Lake. The latest in fashion and design were shown with the emphasis on style and color to fit each girl's personality. This was given in hopes that it would help the girls now in their wardrobe selections, as well as after high school graduation when they would be working in offices, or stores, etc. 40 YEARS AGO Dec. 21, 1971 Winds which gusted up to 60 mph ripped through the lakes area last Wednesday for the second time in two weeks. The winds, accompanied by about a half-inch of rain and temperatures in the 60s, knocked down a least one telephone pole and interrupted electrical service to several thousand homes. The previous Friday, a similar storm, which registered an all-time Michigan high temperature for the day — 64 degrees — knocked out power for up to 24 hours. Several telephones are still reported out of order as a result of that storm. In West Bloomfield, a bolt of lightning struck a pole, burning it down and leaving about 5,000 residents without power for six hours. Houses affected were in the vicinity of Orchard Lake and 13 Mile roads.
accident until an investigation is completed. City officials said the nationwide interest in the accident stemmed from Bill Bonds' previous work on network news programs. 20 YEARS AGO Dec. 18, 1991 Teachers and staff in the West Bloomfield School District will no longer be allowed to smoke in the buildings or on buses as a result of a new policy passed this week. Schools and buses will be smokefree, according to Superintendent Seymour Gretchko, but the policy will not prevent adults from smoking at outdoor events such as football games. The implementation date is still to be decided, Gretchko said, since he must confer with the school union and report back to the board in January or February.
10 YEARS AGO Dec. 19, 2001 The Wolverine Lake Village Council last week conceded to more than 30 village residents protesting the repeal of an existing ordinance section allowing open leaf burning, and approved the holding of a public hearing prior to the scheduled first reading of a revised open burning ordinance. The council approved a motion to institute a ban on leaf burning beginning next August, by a 4-3 margin at a Nov. 14 meeting, following extensive discussion and at the behest of many village residents with concerns related to smoke inhalation. Several village residents, in addition to the three dissenting council members, expressed discontent with a leaf burning ban, and some joined forces in the weeks prior 30 YEARS AGO to the December meeting to encourage Dec. 21, 1981 reconsideration on the part of the counThe teenage daughter of Detroit tel- cil. evision newscaster Bill Bonds was killed in an automobile accident in Orchard Lake early Wednesday morning. Joan Bonds, 18, was traveling on Commerce Road just west of Indian Trail when her Volkswagen Rabbit collided head-on with a car driven by Lowell Crown of Union Lake at 1 a.m. Brown was driving a mid-sized Mercury. He suffered a minor concussion in the accident. Orchard Lake police, after being deluged with calls from across the country, said Thursday they would release no more information on the
Headlines of the Past
– A special feature of the Spinal Column Newsweekly –
Letters to Santa
Thank you to all who sent us their Santa Letters. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year too!
DECEMBER 21-27, 2011
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PAGE 21
LOCAL MATTERS to Chef Jeff’s current position as Corporate Executive Chef for O’Tooles. O’Toole’s in Waterford is located at 4000 Cass Elizabeth Road and can be reached by calling 248-683-3494
business notes movers/shakers changes ❐ O’Toole’s Restaurant welcomes award winning Chef Jeffrey Jepko Valente as it’s new Corporate Executive Chef for both the Waterford and Royal Oak locations. They are so excited to have Chef Jeff on board to help them make thier return to a family friendly dining and banquet eatery while maintaining a great bar atmosphere. Gone are the late nights and bar-only style food. Chef Jeff’s extensive background has placed him at one time or another in virtually every position in the operations of food service, from carry-outs and catering to casual and fine dining. Over the years he has garnered many awards and recognitions both locally and nationally in relation to food, wine and dining. In 2008, after 20 years of successful operation, Jeff sold his Northville-based Little Italy operation lock, stock, and barrel, which allowed him to spend more time with his family. In 2010, Jeff decided to help set up and operate as opening manager, Pizzeria Biga in Southfield, created
openings WEST OAKLAND COUNTY
SHOP LOCAL • THINK LOCAL • LIVE LOCAL
Support yourself and your community – shop locally! The choices that you make about where to shop are powerful statements to your community. By choosing locally owned & operated businesses, you support: Schools • Police and Fire • Libraries • Parks & Recreation • Roads Invest in our future – buy local, live local, and volunteer local too.
You have a choice! Spend it here. Keep it here. and owned by his longtime friend Chef Luciano Del Signore, also the owner of Bacco Ristorante. This led
❐ Recently opened, 210 Main, LLC in the Village of Milford is quickly becoming a popular venue for local artists and small business owners. This quaint stone building dating from 1848 to the mid-1900s is now a perfect setting for creative work of all kinds, providing the small business owner/artist an outlet to market and sell their products. The venue is open daily as a working studio and all members will be participating in the weekly “Made in Michigan Market” events that will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. For more information, call or e-mail Tammy TappanLenhardt, 210 Main’s creative entrepreneur, at 850-687-4052 or tammy@210main.com.
benefits ❐ Dolly’s Pizza, a Michigan-based restaurant franchise established in 1966, is encouraging customers to donate food to Gleaners Community
Support small business, without you there is no us.
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Family Owned and Operated.
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Come in & experience great service Happy in a relaxing environment. Holidays!
Food Bank this holiday season. Each of the chain’s 20 locations will accept non-perishable food donations through Saturday, Dec. 31. Gleaners Food Bank distributes more than 40 million pounds of food annually throughout its five-county service area. Approximately 502,000 residents, including more than 200,000 children and 35,000 seniors, receive emergency food assistance each year from the food bank and its member agencies. “Gleaners is grateful to Dolly’s, its franchise operators and customers for helping our hungry neighbors,” says W. DeWayne Wells, president of the food bank. “The holidays are especially rough for struggling families. Heating bills stretch already tight budgets, and parents with kids in school must provide extra meals or pay for day care during holiday breaks. This support from Dolly’s and its customers will help Gleaners ease the burden for many families this holiday season.” Dolly’s locations can be found at www.dollyspizza.com and for more information about the food drive, call Anne Schenk at Gleaners Community Food Bank at 313-9233535 or e-mail aschenk@gcfb.org .
Chap, Garment & Tooling Leather, Hardware, Tools and Supplies Looking for new Hobby or activity, why not try out leatherwork we offer Free Beginners Carving Class (check out our website for schedule). Just don’t blame us when you become addicted to it. We also offer Advance Project Classes. We Are Certified Merit Badge Counselors. Group Classes are Available.
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PAGE 22
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
We Look At The Big Picture When It Comes To
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DECEMBER 21-27, 2011
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PAGE 23
LOCAL MATTERS
Teaming up for the Skybox Things are looking brighter for formerly struggling bar, grill By Angela Niemi staff writer
W
hen people go to a restaurant, they mainly are looking for three things to make dining a pleasant and worthwhile experience: good food, good service, and a good atmosphere. Those three key ingredients weren’t always in abundance at the Skybox Sports Grill since it opened in Highland Township in April 2009. “We were known for inconsistency and long waits,” explained owner Kim Kibner. “We were relying on the wrong people.” Kibner first got into the restaurant business a few years ago. It had been her ex-husband’s dream, but Kibner admits they weren’t really familiar with the restaurant business. And over the past year, the Skybox has been struggling. However, the restaurant is now looking to make a comeback and has a game plan to do so, according to Dave McManamon, Kibner’s new business partner who joined the Skybox team after he heard about the restaurant’s recent troubles. “I see this restaurant as an opportunity. I see a lot of possibility, lots of potential. I want to help turn this place around,” said McManamon, who is no stranger to restaurants. He got started in the business back in the 1980s and is the “Dave” in Dave and Amy’s, located in White Lake Township. “Dave brings a lot of experience and knowledge. He also brought in a new chef, which has already made a significant change,” Kibner said. Bringing in a new chef was all part of McManamon’s game plan for the Skybox Sports Grill. “Fresh food and prompt service ... we want to focus on good service, food, and atmosphere,” he said. One of the first things McManamon eliminated was pre-prepared entrees and frozen foods. “We’re doing a fresher approach,” he said. “Anything breaded is now hand breaded to order. We are focusing on the basics for bar food — keeping the sports theme of the place — with wings and such.” While the new menu continues to have all the main staples of all-
With the help of Dave McManamon (left) — "Dave" of White Lake Township's Dave and Amy's — Skybox Sports Grill owner Kim Kibner (right) has reason to be hopeful this holiday season. The Highland Township restaurant had struggled since opening in April 2009, but McManamon and Kibner are optimistic that things have turned around at the sports bar located at 2825 Highland Road. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
American bar fare, it has been revamped to reflect the fresher approach, including the newly added shrimp and oysters as part of the appetizer lineup. For the main event, Skybox offers prime rib and steaks, fish and pasta, burgers and sandwiches, not to mention Mexican cuisine. In keeping with the sports bar theme, each table is served a basket of freshly popped popcorn. “That’s our bread,” McManamon said. “Instead of a loaf of bread, we give popcorn. It fits the atmosphere of the place.” There is also a “Little League” menu for those 10-years-old and under. And on Sundays, the kids eat free. For every adult entree purchased, one
Little League meal is free. That’s another thing Kibner and McManamon would like to bring back to the restaurant — family dining. “We want families to come in and enjoy dinner together,” McManamon said. And it’s not just families that Kibner and McManamon are hoping to lure back. “We want to get the people back who used to come in here all the time,” Kibner said. “We’re focused on getting them back.” Added McManamon: “There’s a new atmosphere here where the customer is key — the way it should be.” Skybox also offers a full bar with 10 different beers on tap, and has different specials depending on the game and the day.
Physically, the atmosphere has elements of openness and warmth with a variety of seating options that include booths, short tables, high tables, bar seating, and even couches. “It’s a nice, cozy atmosphere,” Kibner said. “We even have a VIP area with couches, so it’s like sitting in your living room watching the game. It was very popular during the Super Bowl.” The Skybox provides a fun atmosphere for any sports enthusiast, with memorabilia everywhere you look — flags and jerseys, photos and plaques, and even stadium seats from Tiger Stadium. There’s even a working scoreboard from the recently-closed Highland Middle School. Jerseys from local middle and high schools hang from the ceiling, including those from Highland Middle School and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. “We have local kids who bring in their jerseys to hang up, and we are always looking to add more,” Kibner said. And of course, no sports bar would be complete without TVs. The Skybox has 14, including in the bathrooms so you never miss any of the action, according to Kibner. Perhaps one of the most unique and fun aspects of the Skybox Sports Grill can be heard during Red Wings games. “We have horn like the one in Joe Louis (Arena),” Kibner said. “And when the Red Wings score, we sound it. If we don’t blow it right away, we get chants for the horn.” With a new partnership and menu, the Skybox is aiming for fresh start. However, it has another challenge that is not so easily remedied. Its location at 2825 Highland Road just west of Duck Lake Road isn’t bad, except there’s a building that blocks it from the view of Highland Road (M-59) motorists. “We get people all the time who say they drive by here every day and had no idea we were here,” said Kibner. But that’s just one challenge that can be remedied by word of mouth. For now, Kibner and McManamon are focused on getting back to basics. “If we get the basics down, the rest will just take care of itself,” McManamon said. ❏
PAGE 24
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LOCAL MATTERS
Continued ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 21
weekly agenda ❐ Highland White Lake Business Association’s (HWLBA) 9th annual Women’s Enrichment Day... Ladies Day Off is fast approaching and will be held from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 17, at White Lake Middle School located at 1450 Bogie Lake Road in White Lake. The purpose of Women’s Enrichment Day is to provide a day full of information, entertainment and inspiration. At the same time the HWLBA will be providing businesses with opportunities to reach out to the key decision makers and network within the community. The format will again provide four 45 minutes sessions, limited to 10 workshops in each session, with 30 minute breaks between sessions for browsing. The association is now accepting reservations for booth vendors and workshop presenters. If you don’t have a workshop topic that you’d like to teach, the HWLBA can match you as a sponsor with a presenter who can provide an enjoyable topic. Members of the association are offered a discount of $25 — another $25 discount will be available for vendors who bring at least five attendees to the event. They have limited availability for electrical connections at the booths, so requests will be handled in the order received. Registrations will be accepted until Jan. 14 and for an additional $50, workshop presenters now have an opportunity to present the same workshop in two different sessions, subject to approval and space availability. Event sponsorship opportunities with various sponsorship levels and benefits are also offered. Please visit their event website to find out more at www.Enrichment-Day.com. To register for request more information, call Kim Lucas or Heather Marquis at 248889-1422 or e-mail at HWLBA@comcast.net.
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: • HVRN Tuesday Group, 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, Milford Fire Station, 325 W. Huron, Milford. • The Coffee Club, 8 to 9 a.m. Jan 6, Gregory J. Hicks, 1203 N. Milford Road, Milford. Start the new year off
Bev’s Canvas Covers in Waterford was recognized with the 2011 International Achievement Award (IAA) for design excellence in specialty fabrics applications for its Camouflaged Duck Boat project. This project was recognized in the competition’s Marine Powerboat Tops Hard Enclosure category. The ceremony took place at the IFAI Expo Americas 2011 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore on Oct. 25. The annual IFAI Expo Americas is the largest specialty fabrics trade show in the Americas, and for more than six decades, IAA has recognized excellence in design and innovation, highlighting truly spectacular work in the specialty fabrics industry. Entrants were encouraged to submit projects and compete in 35 categories in this 64th competition. In all, IFAI received 385 entries from 16 countries. Entries were judged by industry experts, editors, architects, educators and design professionals who were selected for their knowledge in a particular field of study or product area. Winners were selected based on complexity, design, workmanship, uniqueness and function. IFAI encourages specialty fabric projects of all sizes and type. The goal of IAA is to promote awareness of the specialty fabrics used in thousands of products and applications. All entries receive prominent recognition at IFAI Expo Americas. Entrants receive additional publicity through coverage in IFAI magazines, as well as press releases distributed to media professionals. Bev’s Canvas Covers is located at 2260 Scott Lake Road and can be reached by calling 248-674-4492 or visiting bevscanvascovers.com
right at this free morning mixer. • Ambassadors meeting, 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, Conference Room, Milford Police Department, 1100 Atlantic Street, Milford. • Ribbon Cutting for 2 Moms & A Mop, 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, new suite location, 317 Union Street, Milford. Check out the new world headquarters of 2 Moms & A Mop. • New Member Meet and Greet, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, Conference Room, Huron Valley State Bank, 130 S. Milford Road, Milford. • Hosted by The Plum Door Teas, The Coffee Club will be held from 8 to 9 a.m., Friday, Jan. 20, at 210 S. Main Milford. Join us for this free morning mixer where you’ll enjoy coffee, tea and some of the best scones in town. ❐ The Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce has announced the beginning of its 2012 Membership Renewal Drive. Save $25 if you renew your
chamber membership now before Saturday, Dec. 31 — effective Jan. 1, 2012, membership dues increase by $25. If you need a copy of your renewal invoice and updated information, please contact Jennifer at jennifer@huronvcc.com or call 248-6857129, ext. 102 ❐ The Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce has announced that the following have joined its membership ranks: • The Village Florist, Kathryn Brock, 401 N. Main Street, Milford, villageflorist@comcast.net, www.milfordvillageflorist.com, Phone: 248685-9012, Fax: 248-684-4474. Florist/Greenhouse/Home Decor. • Milford United Methodist Church, Doug McMunn, 1200 Atlantic Street, Milford, pastordoug@milfordumc.net, Phone: 248-684-2798. Churches. • Tallon Construction, Dennis and Cathy Tallon, 25407 Van Born, Taylor,
tallonconstruction1@gmail.com, www.tallonconstruction.com, Phone: 248-684-1555 or 800-537-3399, Fax: 313-295-2830. Roofing. • Schupan Recycling, Mike Soboleski, 2619 Miller Road, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001, msoboleski@schupan.com, www.schupanrecycling.com, Phone: 269-382-0000, Fax: 269-382-4309. ❐ 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: • Each One - Reach One Reception, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, Comfort Suites, Wixom. Invite non-members to “come check us out.” Compelmentary appetizers and refreshments. Enter a drawing for a free one-year chamber membership. Sposored by Comfort Suites, Wixom. Call for reservations, 248-624-2826.
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
DECEMBER 21-27, 2011
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PAGE 27
PUBLIC SAFETY Suspect, 17, in theft of pot, cash arraigned By Angela Niemi staff writer
A teenage suspect has been charged in connection with two breakins that occurred earlier this month in the 200 block of West Glengarry Court in Highland Township. The 17-year-old suspect was arraigned in 52-1 District Court in Novi for two breaking and entering incidents that occurred on Dec. 1 and Saturday, Dec. 10. During the first break-in, dried marijuana and $350 in cash had been taken. In the second breaking and entering incident at the same residence, two marijuana plants were stolen from the home. While the owner of the residence, a licensed medical marijuana caregiver, had identified a possible suspect, detectives were unable to locate him because he had no known valid address. On Wednesday, Dec. 14, the suspect’s name came up when a White Lake Township Police Department unit requested a warrant check on the teenager. When a Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Highland Township Substation deputy contacted the White Lake Police Department, he was told the suspect was in possession of marijuana and scales when he was encountered by White Lake police. While at the White Lake police station, the suspect was interviewed by Sheriff’s Department detectives from Highland. He reportedly admitted to the Highland break-ins. He was then transported to the Oakland County Jail. On Friday, Dec. 16, the suspect was charged with two felony counts of second-degree home invasion for the break-ins. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and/or a $3,000 fine. Bond was set at $20,000 or 10 per-
Fatal hit-and-run OCSD seeks leads in Dec. 13 accident By Angela Niemi staff writer
A
Commerce Township resident was seriously injured and later died from his injuries after being struck in a hit-and-run accident on Tuesday, Dec. 13 around 10:49 p.m. William Golembeski, 53, reportedly was walking eastbound in the roadway along West Maple Road, east of Benstein Road, when he was struck from behind by a black pickup truck. The truck didn’t stop at the scene and no plate was seen, according to an Oakland County Sheriff’s Department press release. The vehicle was last seen traveling east on West Maple Road. The make and model of the truck is unknown, but the vehicle may have damage to its driver’s side near the front. Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the crash. Golembski was transported to Botsford Hospital, where he died from his injuries. The crash remains under investigation by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Crash Reconstruction Unit. Anyone who witnessed the crash or anyone with information on the suspect vehicle is asked to contact the Crash Reconstruction Unit at 248-858-5044. ❏ cent cash/surety. The suspect remains lodged in the Oakland County Jail. No preliminary exam date has been set. ❏
W. Bloomfield B&E may be the work of teens West Bloomfield Township police officers are investigating a home invasion that took place in a residence at Highland Court and resulted in the destruction of property. The incident was reported on Thursday, Dec. 15 after a resident noticed an open door and windows at a neighboring residence. Police report that someone used bricks to break a basement window in order to get into the home. Once inside, the perpetrator or perpetrators caused damage the house.
Bottles of wine were partially consumed, and an axe was used to chop up walls, cabinets, pool tables and the ceiling. A glass china cabinet was also destroyed and portraits that were hanging on the walls were found smashed on the floor. Police are not sure what was stolen from the house and perceive the incident to be the work of teenagers. The homeowners were out of town at the time of the incident. Police state that a similar incident took place about a month ago inside the same subdivision. ❏
F-150, handgun stolen from Highland home Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Highland Township
Substation deputies responded to a report of a home invasion in the 600 block of Hickory Ridge Drive around 6:26 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17. According to the incident report, the complainant reported coming by the house to check on it and, while doing so, discovered an open window. A Ford F-150 pickup truck, a 9-millimeter handgun, and cash were discovered to be missing from the house. There are currently no suspects in the case. ❏
Police investigating theft of woman’s wallet The Salvation Army store in Orchard Lake Village has been the site of thefts in the past and on Friday, Dec. 16, another patron was victimized. A woman stated she was shopping at the thrift store, located at 3232 Orchard Lake Road, when she left her purse unattended momentarily. When she attempted to pay for her merchandise, she noticed that her wallet was missing. That same afternoon, several purchases were charged to the woman’s missing credit cards before she could cancel them. The case is currently under investigation. ❏
Credit cards, checks taken from purse Wixom police are investigating a case of fraud where a resident claims a pick-pocket stole credit cards and a checkbook from her purse. The woman stated she had shopped at the Meijer store located 49900 Grand River Ave. before heading over to Total Soccer, located at 30990 S. Wixom Road. She is PAGE 29 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯
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PAGE 28
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
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PAGE 29
PUBLIC SAFETY
Pick-pocket case ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 27
Man makes off with pair of TVs from Wixom CVS
unsure where the theft occurred. The perpetrator stole only credit cards and the woman’s checkbook. The woman was unaware of the crime until her credit card was declined later that day. She is determining whether any checks are missing. The case has been turned over to detectives for investigation. ❏
Wixom police are trying to identify a man caught on surveillance video who allegedly stole two high-definition televisions from the CVS pharmacy at 1585 N. Wixom Road on Wednesday, Dec. 14. According to police reports, the store manager stated he noticed the two HD televisions missing from behind a cash register when he arrived at work. He checked the store’s sur-
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veillance video and observed a heavyset man lifting one of the televisions and exit the store. Within minutes, the man returned to the store, took the second television and fled. The subject was thought to be in his 50s, with short hair and wearing a red and black flannel shirt, blue jeans, and a brown baseball cap at the time of the theft. Cameras in the parking lot recorded the man driving a green Chevy S-10 pickup truck. Each stolen television was valued at $150. ❏
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PAGE 30
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
Obituaries AULD, EILEEN THERESA (nee Darcy), a resident of Commerce, passed away December 10, 2011. She was 71 years old. COMBS, DARRYL, of Hartland, passed away December 11, 2011 in the care of his family. He was 61 years old. FUNDERBURK, KENNETH G., of Commerce Township was born March 25, 1956 in Detroit, Michigan and died December 9, 2011 at age 55. GOLEMBIEWSKI, WILLIAM “BILLY”, in loving memory, a long time resident of the Walled Lake area. Born January 5, 1958 and died December 14, 2011. GREENBAUM, ELLEN, a resident of West Bloomfield, Michigan, died on December 11th, 2011 at the age of 72. Funeral services arranged by The Dorfman Chapel. HERSH, MARSHALL, a resident of West Bloomfield, Michigan, died on December 7th, 2011 at the age of 72. Funeral services arranged by The Dorfman Chapel. MARKS, GEORGE ERWIN, of Commerce, passed away on December 9, 2011. He was 69 years old. MEROLA, GERARD "JERRY", a resident of Highland Twp., passed away after a brave battle with cancer on December 10, 2011. QUALLS, CHRISTINA MARIE, a resident of Wixom, passed away on December 11, 2011. She was 32 years old. WARSHAW, LOUIS, a resident of Waterford, Michigan, died on December 11th, 2011 at the age of 81. Funeral services arranged by The Dorfman Chapel. ZIEMIANIN, EDWARD, age 89, passed away on December 6, 2011. ZOERNER, JAMES R., of New Hudson, formerly of Commerce Township, was born May 1, 1931 and died December 8, 2011 at age 80. To place an obituary in the Spinal Column Newsweekly please call the Classified Department at 248-360-7355 or email: lorisnyder@thescngroup.com
www.spinalcolumnonline.com FAX: 248.360.5308/248.360.5309
DECEMBER 21-27, 2011
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PAGE 31
ENVIRONMENT
Planned improvements to Kensington Metropark’s Nature Center Overlook area include adding a large viewing and seating area to accommodate groups, installation of viewing scopes and interpretive signs, replacing a seawall and railings, and revamping some paths and walkways. (Image courtesy of the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority)
Metropark improvements Kensington up for $94K in NRTF funds for nature center By Angela Niemi staff writer
T
he Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority (HCMA) has been recommended to receive $94,000 from the state’s Natural Resources Trust Fund (NRTF) to help pay for improvements at Kensington Metropark in Milford Township. On Wednesday, Dec. 7, the NRTF Board of Trustees recommended to the state Legislature that 99 recreation development projects and land acquisitions totaling nearly $39.7 million be funded in 2012. The board this year had considered 145 applications for development and
acquisition projects totaling roughly $63.75 million, which were competitively evaluated based on scoring criteria developed by the NRTF board. The NRTF is a restricted fund that was established in 1976 to provide a source of funding for public acquisition of lands for resource protection and outdoor recreation. The funding is derived from royalties on the sale and lease of state-owned mineral rights. According to Jim Knopp, the supervising park planner with the HCMA, many of the improvements involve Kensington’s Nature Center Overlook. “We’re looking to enhance the pond overlook with a large viewing
and seating area so group activities can take place at that location. We’re going to add some viewing scopes and interpretive educational signage.” Knopp said the park’s nature interpreters use Kensington’s ponds for taking samples of the native water bugs and aquatic inhabitants. Another part of the project will be adding benches for more seating — at least enough for 30 people. “This way the interpreter can talk about things in the pond or about the birds flying by as people sit around him,” Knopp said. Each year, Kensington educates students as schools bring classes to visit
and learn. Knopp said 229 school groups visited the nature center this year. Over 48,500 students visited. Other improvements include replacing a seawall and railings, in addition to revamping some paths and walkways. The improvements are expected to cost $135,000. Knopp said the HCMA is matching the additional funds needed for the project. “This is something we’ve had in our five-year plan, but we had to cut back on it with the loss of tax revenue seen in the last three years. The grant money will fill in for that loss. It’s going to be a nice place to sit, relax, and enjoy the King Fisher Lagoon.” ❏
PAGE 32
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
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PAGE 33
COUNTY
DIA testing waters for Aug. 2012 tax proposal in region By Kirk Pinho
Another lawsuit expected Democrats may target county board redistricting bill
assistant editor
By Kirk Pinho
Oakland County voters may be asked to weigh in on an August 2012 ballot question that would raise funds for the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). County officials and DIA representatives have been in discussions about a possible millage to support general operations at the 126-year-old museum on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. There are no concrete details about the possible property tax proposal as of yet, DIA officials said. The Oakland County Board of Commissioners would have to approve placing a ballot proposal before voters, an action that would have to take place by May 29, 2012, according to staff in the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office. “We are essentially testing the waters,” said DIA Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Annmarie Erickson, adding that the DIA won’t start working on ballot language, length of the levy, and its rate “until we are reasonably certain we’ve got the political support to move this through.” According to Erickson, the DIA’s roughly $25 million operating budget is funded largely from donations — 44 percent from private contributions, and another 39 percent from memberships and admissions, which are considered contributions to the museum — while another 15 percent comes from investment income. Approximately 2 percent of the institute’s revenues came from a “small operating grant” of about $375,000 from the city of Detroit. County Commissioner David Potts (R-Birmingham) has had discussions with DIA representatives about the potential levy, and he agreed with Erickson that there is, at this point, nothing specific. “They are generally exploring the concept of a ballot issue,” Potts said. Erickson said she expects more details on the proposal in March or April, and that the DIA is looking at getting the question on the ballots in Macomb, Wayne, Oakland and Washtenaw counties, although a final
assistant editor
D
emocrats have every intention of challenging the legality of legislation passed in the last two weeks giving county Republicans the chance to redraw new commission district lines after a new Board of Commissioners district map was approved earlier this year. The map, which withstood a legal challenge by Republicans in the state Court of Appeals last month, was drawn and approved by Democrats in May. The GOP contends that it is gerrymandered for Democrats’ political gain, a charge Democrats have repeatedly denied. But the effort earlier this year by the Houston five-member Oakland County Reapportionment Commission — which the county appropriated up to $77,000 for — may be for naught if House Bill (HB) 5187 becomes law. If that happens, “without question” Oakland County Democratic Party Chairman Frank Houston said he expects a court fight. “I’m confident that there will be a lawsuit,” Houston said. “(County Democrats) could be a potential (party in the suit), and I’ve had Republicans offer to sue. I think there will be a long list of people looking to sue.” The bill, which now heads to Gov. Rick Snyder after the GOP-con-
decision on that has yet to be made. Taxes for the arts have been floated in the past, including in 2006 when then-state Sen. Shirley Johnson, a Royal Oak Republican, introduced a bill that would have added a 5-percent tax to the ticket price for a variety of arts performances, cultural attractions such as museums and zoos, and collegiate and professional sporting events. The proposal, Senate Bill 1031, died in the state Senate Finance Committee.
trolled state Legislature rapidly passed the legislation in the final weeks before its holiday break, gives redistricting authority to the Board of Commissioners, which has a 1510 Republican majority, and reduces the size of the county board from 25 Patterson to no more than 21 commissioners. Snyder’s office didn’t return repeated calls for comment on his intentions for the legislation, but other media reports have quoted administration officials as saying that the first-term Republican governor has not yet seen the bill. Proponents of the legislation, including the lakes area’s entire Republican delegation to the state House, contend that it saves the county money by reducing the size of the board and creates a redistricting system more in line with what is in place at the state level. Supporters say it would save Oakland County about $250,000 annually. “As Oakland County Executive I support the Michigan Legislature’s enactment of HB 5187, a bill that addresses several issues important to Oakland County government and its taxpayers,” said Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson in a statement supporting the bill. “First and most importantly, HB 5187 requires a reduction in the size of Oakland County government.
However, the 95th state Legislature enacted the Art Institute Authorities Act (Public Act 296 of 2010), which allows a county government to establish an art institute authority. The art institute authority could then go before voters to ask for a tax of up to 0.2 mills for up to 20 years. If the tax is approved, the authority would be required to reimburse an effected county and municipalities for election costs. A mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value.
“The current law required Oakland County have at least 25 elected county commissioners. In fact, it allowed for the election of an additional 10 commissioners, or a total of 35 possible slots. We agree with the majority of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners: there is no need for Oakland or any other county to elect and pay for more than 21 elected commissioners.” Democrats counter that it’s purely a political maneuver in an attempt to wrangle control of the redistricting process after a 2008 election that handed control of the county Reapportionment Commission to a Democratic majority, a first for Oakland County. Republicans deny political motivations behind the legislation, which received the blessing of the state Senate last week. State Sens. Mike Kowall (RCommerce, Highland, Milford, Walled Lake, Wixom, Wolverine Lake, White Lake, Orchard Lake, West Bloomfield) and David Robertson (RWaterford) both voted in favor of HB 5187 on Wednesday, Dec. 14. It was presented to Snyder on Friday, Dec. 16. In a 58-50 vote earlier this month, state Reps. Hugh Crawford (R-Walled Lake, Wixom), Gail Haines (R-Waterford, West Bloomfield), Eileen Kowall (R-White Lake, Highland), Chuck Moss (R-Orchard Lake) and Bill Rogers (R-Milford) supported the legislation in the state House of Representatives. State Rep. Lisa Brown (D-West Bloomfield, Commerce, Wolverine Lake) voted against it. ❏ The owner of a property with a taxable value of $100,000 would pay $20 a year in property taxes under a 0.2-mill levy. PA 296 was put into law by thenGov. Jennifer Granholm on Dec. 16, 2010. The 658,000-square-foot DIA features more than 100 galleries, a 1,150-seat auditorium, a 380-seat lecture and recital hall, an art reference library, and a state-of-the-art conservation sciences laboratory, the institute’s website states. ❏
PAGE 34
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PAGE 35
TRANSPORTATION
Roundabouts may get more safety beacons per suit By Leslie Shepard staff writer
As part of a revised lawsuit settlement between the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) and local attorney Richard Bernstein, there may be more installations of High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) beacons at roundabouts in the Northwestern Connector project area in West Bloomfield Township and Farmington Hills. The agreement, announced Thursday, Dec. 15, is intended to enhance safety roundabout pedestrian crossings, including for blind or otherwise disabled individuals. It’s based on a study recently completed by Western Michigan and North Carolina State universities. “Safety is our top priority,” said RCOC Board of Road Commissioners Chairman Eric Wilson. “That includes the safety of all road system users, including pedestrians. We’re pleased to be on the cutting edge of new pedestrian-safety advancements, like the HAWK crosswalk beacons.” The study reviewed two types of pedestrian crosswalk beacons installed by the RCOC at two roundabouts on Maple Road in West Bloomfield Township. It concludes that both are beneficial, but that the HAWK beacon system provided more benefit for pedestrians. The RCOC has agreed to seek Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) approval to install HAWK beacons at the roundabout at the intersection of 14 Mile and Farmington roads, as well as at any future multi-lane roundabouts constructed as part of the Northwestern Connector project. The Northwestern Connector project is being implemented through a partnership of the RCOC, MDOT, West Bloomfield Township and Farmington Hills, and is intended to help relieve traffic congestion caused by the ending of Northwestern Highway at Orchard Lake Road by moving traffic to the west. The HAWK configuration was proposed by the RCOC after the lawsuit was adjudicated in March 2008. Bernstein represented three plain-
New road boss Kolar will replace Bair as RCOC chief By Leslie Shepard staff writer
T
he Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) has named Dennis G. Kolar the agency’s new managing director now that Brent Bair is set to retire from that post on Thursday, Dec. 29. Kolar, who previously served as the road commission’s deputy managing director/county highway engineer, was appointed to the managing director’s position on Thursday, Dec. 15 by the Board of Road Commissioners. He will officially start the new position on Jan. 1. “This is a large responsibility, and I will have large shoes to fill,” Kolar said. “Fortunately, Brent is leaving a very well-run operation, and I appreciate that our board has given me this opportunity. These are challenging times for road agencies in Michigan, given our decades of under-funding, but I am committed to continuing to provide the highest level of service possible for our customers — those using the road system, with the resources available.” Bair decided to retire at the end of the year after more than 34 years with the RCOC, 19 of which were spent as its managing director. “Brent did an excellent job of putting in place a Kolar group of managers who would be able to take over when he left,” said Board of Road Commissioners Chairman Eric Wilson. “I am confident that Dennis will carry on the traditions of excellence, transparency and accountability that Brent engendered for so many years.” Board of Road Commissioners Vice Chairman Greg Jamian said he is confident Kolar is prepared for the job. “We have worked closely with Dennis in his role as deputy managing director/county highway engineer,” Jamian said. “I am confident he will be able to transition smoothly into the managing director’s role.” Road Commissioner Ron Fowkes echoed Jamian’s sentiments. “We had some very qualified candidates for this position,” he said. “But Dennis was clearly best suited to the position, given his experience and the fact that he worked closely with Brent for many years.” Kolar’s experience in the field spans 32 years. He began his career with the Michigan Department of Bair Transportation (MDOT), where he was employed for six years. After joining the RCOC, he spent 11 years in the Engineering Department’s Design Division, starting as a staff engineer and serving as a design squad leader before being promoted to design engineer in charge of the division. Following his service in the Design Division, Kolar transferred to the RCOC Highway Maintenance Department, where he spent six years as the maintenance operations engineer before being promoted to director of the RCOC’s Central Operations Department. He was then promoted to the deputy managing director position. Kolar is a registered professional engineer and holds a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering from Lawrence Technological University. He is a current member of the American Public Works Association and the Transportation Research Board, where he served eight years on the Maintenance and Operations Management Committee. ❏ tiffs who filed a federal lawsuit in August 2007, claiming the RCOC was building roundabouts that impeded disabled pedestrians from
safely crossing busy intersections. The lawsuit stated that the county was in violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) because
its road construction specifications omitted stoplights or other mechanisms necessary for the blind or those in wheelchairs, and other disabled citizens to safely cross the street. “This case is a real benchmark for how roundabouts will be used in the future so the disabled, blind pedestrians, bike riders, senior citizens and parents with their children can safely cross the streets at roundabouts,” Bernstein said. “We are very pleased with how cooperative the Road Commission for Oakland County has been as we work together to resolve the issue.” The RCOC previously installed the HAWK beacons at the Maple Road/Drake Road roundabout and rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs) at the pedestrian crosswalks at the Maple Road/Farmington Road intersection. The HAWK beacons were installed in 2009, and the RRFBs were installed in 2010. The two universities issued their report on the crosswalk beacons in October of this year. “We wanted to find out which of these pedestrian crosswalk beacons was more beneficial, and this study has done that for us,” Wilson said. The United States Access Board — an independent federal agency devoted to ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities and developing and maintaining design criteria — is also reviewing the issue of pedestrian crossings at roundabouts. The universities’ study concluded that the HAWK beacons were more effective at reducing crossing delays for both sighted and blind pedestrians than the RRFBs. “The analyses presented in this report offers evidence that the installation of (HAWK beacons) … reduced delays and crossing risk for blind participants at both the twolane and three-lane crosswalks at the Maple and Drake roundabout,” the study reads. Additionally, the report pointed out that driver-response rates were greater at the HAWK beacons than at the RRFBs. The RCOC has submitted the report and its comments to the Access Board for its consideration regarding pedestrian-crossing designs. The Access Board’s decision will impact pedestrian crossings at roundabouts across the country and will determine if additional HAWK beacons may be installed. ❏
PAGE 36
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
STATE
Bill looks to alter criteria for liquor license revocation By Kirk Pinho assistant editor
A slate of Republican and Democratic lawmakers in the state Senate are looking to clarify existing law relative to how frequently a business has to be caught selling alcohol to someone under 21-years-old before the business’ liquor licenses can be suspended or revoked. Senate Bill (SB) 874, which is sponsored by state Sen. Tory Rocca (R-Sterling Heights), has been referred to the Senate Regulatory Reform Committee, where it awaits a hearing. The bill stipulates that a business that sells alcohol to a minor in three separate instances — if those instances did not involve the use of falsified or fraudulent identification by the minor — in a consecutive 12month period could have its liquor license suspended or revoked by the state Liquor Control Commission (LCC). State law currently says that the
three violations would have to take place in a calendar year. “There are some bad actors who basically have three violations in a 12-month period, but not in a calendar year,” Rocca said. “We just want to make sure it’s tightened up.” Rocca said he suspects there would be “a relatively small number” of businesses affected by the bill, should it be enacted into law. “My guess is that it’s not going to be a large number of people, but this is just to make sure that we keep tabs on some of the worst violaters,” Rocca said. With new blood at the LCC coming in the form of new Chairman Andrew Deloney, a White Lake Township resident who formerly was the vice president of public affairs for the Michigan Restaurant Association, many are expecting significant changes in the way the LCC approaches the liquor licensure process — namely, simplifying it. But this effort is not “related to that in any way,” Rocca said. Although it’s still early in the legislative process of considering the bill, Rocca expects little opposition. “This is the sort of thing that you tend to get a lot of support for,” he
said. State Sens. Mike Kowall (RCommerce, Highland, Milford, Walled Lake, Wixom, Wolverine Lake, White Lake, Orchard Lake, West Bloomfield) and David Robertson (RWaterford) are both co-sponsors of the legislation, which was introduced on Thursday, Dec. 8. ❏
CAPITOL NOTES Legislation that would amend the state’s battery tax credit available under the Michigan Business Tax has cleared the state Senate in a move that proponents say will allow Townsend Energy Solutions, LLC, to occupy and renovate a portion of the shuttered Ford Wixom assembly plant. The measure, Senate Bill 855, passed last week in a 30-5 vote. State Sens. Mike Kowall (RCommerce, Highland, Milford, Walled
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Lake, Wixom, Wolverine Lake, White Lake, Orchard Lake, West Bloomfield), the bill’s chief sponsor, and David Robertson (R-Waterford) voted in favor of the bill. Specifically, the bill would allow the Michigan Economic Growth Authority to enter into an agreement to provide a tax credit of up to $50 million over four years for the manufacture of certain battery and electronic products. It now heads to the state House of Representatives for consideration. • Gov. Rick Snyder has signed into law legislation that liberalizes the types of fireworks that can be bought and sold without a permit in Michigan. House Bills (HBs) 4293 cleared the state House of Representatives a final time in November. State Reps. Hugh Crawford (R-Walled Lake, Wixom), Gail Haines (R-Waterford, West Bloomfield), Eileen Kowall (RWhite Lake, Highland), Chuck Moss (R-Orchard Lake), Bill Rogers (RMilford) and Lisa Brown (D-West Bloomfield, Commerce, Wolverine Lake) all voted in favor of the legislation. Rogers and Brown co-sponsored the bill, which also received the support of Sens. Kowall and Robertson when it passed in the state Senate last month. Previously, state law only allowed Michigan residents to purchase certain low-grade fireworks — sparklers, for example — without a permit, while a permit was required in order to acquire consumer-grade fireworks, which are effectively more powerful aerial devices. “These bills would allow for the sale, use, and transportation of consumer-grade fireworks in Michigan and carefully balances public safety concerns with the prospects of economic development for our state,” said state Rep. Harold Haugh (DRoseville), the legislation’s lead sponsor, in a Dec. 13 statement. “I have watched for years as many Michigan residents travel out of state to purchase consumer-grade fireworks and in the process, funding schools and services, and creating jobs in Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin. With the signing of these bills today, it places Michigan on an equal playing field and generates much needed revenue and jobs for our state.” The law takes effect on Jan. 1, 2012. ❏
DECEMBER 21-27, 2011
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PAGE 37
IN OUR OPINION
Governor’s veto is needed Stand up to blatantly partisan redistricting legislation
O
n wings made of feathers and wax, Icarus-like Republicans in the state Legislature have flown too close to the sun with a narrowly-carved out piece of legislation that — retroactively, mind you — gives the GOP-controlled Oakland County Board of Commissioners redistricting power in a hubris-laden and blatantly political boondoggle under the guise of fiscal responsibility and limited government. And a guise it is, nothing more than a thinly veiled ruse bandied about with ridiculous talking points that no one believes are the true motives for the bill the state Senate approved last week. It doesn’t take a MENSA-level IQ to figure that one out. But this is where Gov. Rick Snyder needs to step up and be a leader — since apparently the state Legislature has been hoodwinked into taking action on behalf of county Republicans who can’t handle the thought of Democrats redrawing the Board of Commissioners district lines — by using his constitutionally-granted veto authority on House Bill (HB) 5187. Politics aside, slapping down this legislation would save the state some money defending the bill in court — a likely scenario if it’s enacted into law, local Democrats say. Shepherded through earlier this month at a speed typically only afforded resolutions applauding Little League baseball teams or Girl Scout troops, HB 5187 winnows the 25-member county board down to no more than 21 commissioners, thereby necessitating a new commissioner district map, one different from what was approved in a party-line vote by Democrats
on the Oakland County Reapportionment Commission in May. A legal challenge is expected if the bill becomes law, according to county Democratic Party Chairman Frank Houston, who chaired the five-member panel responsible for rejiggering the district boundaries under state law — or at least, what should remain state law. Proponents of the bill argue that it saves Oakland County $250,000 per year. That’s not chump change, but it’s money that, as we noted on this page last week, could be saved if the Republican majority on the county board had the guts to cut commissioners’ own $33,000 yearly salaries by one-third for part-time work. Fat chance of that happening, though. Democrats controlled the redistricting process this time around following the 2010 U.S. Census after Andy Meisner and Jessica Cooper won 2008 elections for the county treasurer and county prosecutor posts, respectively. Under existing state law, the officials holding those jobs sit on the county Reapportionment Commission, along with the heads of the county Republican and Democratic parties and the county clerk, giving that panel a 3-2 edge this time around to the Democrats, apparently nothing short of blasphemy to the GOP. So here’s some terse advice to those Republican members of the lakes area’s delegation to the state Legislature, all of whom voted for the bill: Get over it. This deus ex machina to an imagined problem is particularly offensive since the GOP had no qualms before with the Republicans controlling the process during past redistricting efforts, nor did the existence of a 25-member county commission ruffle the
feathers of the small-government conservatives who are now, suddenly up in arms over the size of the county board. It was only when Democrats — gasp! — held the redistricting reins and put together a district map that the state Court of Appeals upheld last month that this partisan gamesmanship was dreamt up in what we imagine was not exactly a Newtonian epiphany. And we would say that if the situation was reversed. If Snyder wants to demonstrate that he isn’t simply a GOP marionette and prove his willingness to politically flip off those standing in the way of what’s right — as he has in other battles during his first year in office, one replete with acerbic backlash from a bevy of well-oiled and moneyed interest groups — he would be off to a good start by using the veto to neuter this bellicose power grab, something the Ann Arbor Republican hasn’t done often given that the powers that be in the state Legislature just happen to be his ideological kinsfolk. A veto of this folly of a bill — which we’ve described privately using exponentially more abbrasive (and yes, more profane) language than you’re reading here in the pages of our family-friendly newspaper — may not make the self-described “tough nerd” many friends in the House and Senate Republican caucuses, but it would be a feather in his cap that he could point to when defending that moniker. Let’s hope Snyder does the right thing and listens to the angel of so-called “post-partisanship” whispering in his ear, rather than the political devil. We’re crossing our fingers. ❏
Keep pushing for trail funding Y
ears of dedicated and tenacious work by a west Oakland trailway council appear to have finally paid off, as an effort to further acquire and develop a railroad line as a non-motorized trail is in line to receive nearly $4 million in grant funding to acquire over 5 miles of railway. We now look forward to the trailway council turning its attention toward acquiring additional grant awards, this time to construct the trail. Earlier this month, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (NRTF) Board of Trustees recommended to the state Legislature that the Commerce, Walled Lake, and Wixom Trailway Management Council receive $3.75 million to acquire a stretch of railroad that is considered the missing link in a trail that would eventually traverse the county and connect to a corridor spanning the entire Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The 5.33 miles of Michigan Air-Line Railway corridor extending through the trailway council communities
would be converted into a recreational trail linked to the Huron Valley and West Bloomfield trail segments. The trailway council’s efforts to obtain a grant for acquiring the rail corridor have been stymied twice before. A grant application was previously submitted to the NRTF board in 2009, but it was denied due to a lack of matching funds. Another application that addressed that issue was resubmitted in 2010; but, the project wasn’t selected for a grant after a local business protested the effort. Since then the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) has granted Michigan AirLine Railway’s petition for an abandonment exemption, giving the owners of the railroad until Nov. 30, 2012 to pull up the ties and rails that run across M-5. Commerce Township Planner Kathleen Jackson, who also serves as administrator of the trailway management council, deserves praise for staying the course and working diligently over the past few years to secure a
land acquisition grant. She’s had to trek to Lansing on many occasions to lobby on behalf of the project, and navigate through a sea of paperwork. Yet, we believe all that time and work were worth it, as the NRTF grant will allow the trailway council to take advantage of a rare opportunity to obtain a corridor for a trail that will be part of a grand statewide system. Unfortunately for Jackson, her reward for that hard work will be getting right back at it. A pedestrian bridge will have to be built over M-5 to connect the proposed trailway segements. You can bet that won’t be an inexpensive endeavor, which makes acquiring one or more additional state grants necessary in order for the project to be completed. We hope to see the trailway council maintain its diligence and continue to aggressively pursue trail development through acquisition of more state grants and/or gifts. ❏
PAGE 38
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MAIL BAG
Art is for everyone From Graham W. J. Beal, Director of the Detroit Institute of Arts: On behalf of the Detroit Institute of Arts, I would like to thank the leaders of Milford for taking part in our Inside|Out program, which placed reproductions of some of the museum’s most popular works in communities throughout southeast Michigan. Inside|Out provided the opportunity for people to engage with art where they live, work and play, and an ele-
ment of surprise was often present as works appeared in unexpected places. Milford’s community leaders were great to work with, and we were excited to see so many Milford area residents visit Inside|Out. We invite you to come to the DIA to see the original versions of “your” works and to enjoy the varied activities the museum offers. If you visit by Feb. 12, you will be able to see the outstanding special exhibition “Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus.”
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What do you think of the proposed federal ban on all cell phone use while driving?
"(Ban) all except hands-free. I see too many people eating and talking and driving, even with kids in the car." — Jeannine Nelson, Waterford
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DECEMBER 21-27, 2011
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR ■ Huron Valley Council of the Arts: Highland Festival of Trees Artist Market, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays now through Friday, Dec. 23, 205 W. Livingston Road, Highland. 248-889-8660. ■ Jewish Ensemble Theatre: “God of Carnage,” Tony Award-winning comedy for Best Play 2009, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays now through Jan. 1, 2012, 6600 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield. 248-7882900 or visit jettheatre.com. ■ Oakland Schools Technical Campus Southwest: 40th Annual 2011 Winter Holiday Season Sale- Poinsettias, wreaths, grave blankets, 8 to 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1000 Beck Road, Wixom. 248-668-5634 or e-mail bailey.garwood@oakland.k12.mi.us ■ Lakes Area Rotary Club: Meeting, noon, Tuesdays, Bayside Grill, 142 E. Walled Lake Drive, Walled Lake. 248-770-2707. ■ 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. ■ Rotary of West Bloomfield: Meeting, 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Henry Ford Medical Center, second floor, southwest corner of Farmington and Maple roads. 248-5200095. ■ Waterford Rotary Club: Meeting, noon, Tuesdays, The Shark Club on M-59, Waterford. 248-625-4897. ■ Big Chief Chorus: Rehearsals, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Waterford Oaks Activity Center, 2800 Watkins Lake Road, Waterford. 248698-9133 or 248-563-2109. ■ 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. 248-673-3493. ■ Multi-Lakes Conservation Association: All-you-can-eat fish fry, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays, 3860 Newton Road, Commerce. 248-363-9109. ■ 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. 1-888-937-4390.
■ Catholic Social Services of Oakland County: Senior companion volunteers needed to support adults with developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic mental illness, as well as the physically frail and homebound. 248-559-1147, ext. 3434.
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. 248-755-9533. ❐ Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous: Meeting, 6 p.m. Fridays, Crossroads Presbyterian Church, 1445 Welch Road, Commerce. 248-807-8667 or foodaddicts.org. ❐ Independence Village of White Lake: Volunteers needed part-time for Bingo, coffee chat, walking group, etc., 935 Union Lake Road, White Lake. 248-360-7235. ❐ Over-Eaters Anonymous: Recovery from compulsive eating, 12-step program, meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesdays, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 5301 Hatchery Road, Waterford. ❐ MOMS Club of Waterford South: Support group for mothers at home, weekly activities, monthly meetings, third Friday of the month, Waterford area. momswaterfordsouth.webs.com. ❐ Postpartum Depression Support Group: Meeting, 6:45 p.m. Thursdays, DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, Commerce. 248-9375220. ❐ TOPS (Take Off Pounds See nsibly): Meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesdays, weigh-in at 5:30 p.m., new meeting site, DMC Huron ValleySinai Hospital Conference Room 1-C, 1 Williams Carl Drive, Commerce. 248-3636369 or e-mail jr.h@att.net.
SENIOR ACTIVITIES
❐ Calvary Lutheran Church: In conjunction with St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, “Senior Fit,” free exercise program for ages 55 and up, 11 a.m. to noon, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 9101 Highland Road, White Lake. Registration. 1-800-372-6094 or 248-625-3288. ❐ Dublin Senior Center: Lunch, Bingo and cards, 11:30 a.m. Mondays and Fridays, 685 Union Lake Road, White Lake.
Registration. 248-698-2394. ❐ Foster Grandparent Program of Oakland County: Volunteers needed ages 55 and older to provide tutoring, mentoring and nurturing youth with special needs. Volunteers receive a non-taxable stipend, mileage reimbursement, a meal or meal reimbursement, training. 248-559-1147, ext. 3424. ❐ Highland Adult Activity Center: Bingo, noon, Mondays and Wednesdays; Sit’N’Stitch, 10 a.m., and movie with popcorn, noon, Fridays, 209 N. John Street, Highland. 248-887-1707. ❐ Richardson Community Senior Center: Knitting and crochet group, 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays, 1485 E. Oakley Park, Commerce. Registration. 248-926-0063 or commercetwp.com. ❐ Sylvan Lake Lutheran Church: Senior Stretch and Tone, 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. Fridays, 2399 Figa Ave., West Bloomfield. 248-682-0770. ❐ Waterford Senior Center: Poker, 9 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays, 3621 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford. Registration. 248-6829450. ❐ West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Senior Programs: Line dancing, 11 a.m. Fridays at the Corners, 4640 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield. Registration. 248451-1900. ❐ Wixom Senior Center: Meals on Wheels, first and third Monday of the month (must pre-register by the Thursday before), 49015 Pontiac Trail, Wixom. 248-624-0870 or wixomgov.org.
PARKS ❐ Indian Springs Environmental Discovery Center: “Tot Time – Animals in Winter,” 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7; “Design Your Own Animal Track Stamps,” 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, Indian Springs Metropark, White Lake. Registration. 248-625-6640. ❐ Kensington Farm Center: Farmer for a Day, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28; “Horse-Drawn Hayrides or Sleighrides,” noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Kensington Metropark, Milford. Registration. 248-6848632 or 1-800-477-3178. ❐ Kensington Nature Center: Meet a Bird of Prey, 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28; Chickadee Chow-Down, 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 29 and 30; New Year’s Bird Count, 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7; Animal Tracks on TShirts, 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, Kensington Metropark, Milford. Registration. 248-6851561 or 1-800-477-3178.
❐ Waterford Oaks County Park:Family sledding hill is now open pending good snow at 1702 Scott Lake Road in Waterford. Entry is free. Guests should bring their own sleds. The hill is open daily from sunrise to sunset or as posted. Portable restrooms are available. For details, maps and more, visit DestinationOakland.com or on Facebook.
LIBRARY EVENTS
❐ Commerce Township Community Library: “eBooks for you,” 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21; Movie matinee — children’s special event, 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13, 2860 N. Pontiac Trail, Commerce. 248-669-8108 or commercelibrary.info. ❐ Highland Township Public Library: Bargain Book Sale, 10 a.m to 7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 9, 444 Beach Farm Circle, Highland. Registration. 248-887-2218. ❐ Milford Public Library: Adult book discussion — Karen’s Joy Fowler’s “The Jane Austen Book Club,” 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9, 330 Family Drive, Milford. Registration. 248-684-0845. ❐ Walled Lake City Library: Adult discussion — Aimee Bender’s Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake,” p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, 1499 E. Maple, Walled Lake. Registration. 624-3772.
book “The 6:30 West 248-
❐ Waterford Township Public Library: Genealogy 101, adult program, 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, 5168 Civic Center Drive, Waterford. Registration. 248-672-4831. ❐ West Bloomfield Township Public Library: “The Spoon Man,” interactive comedy program, all ages, 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27; Drop-in Open Gaming, teen programs, 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 3 and 4, 4600 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield. Free admission for both book review and concerts. 248-682-2120 or www.wblib.org. ❐ White Lake Township Library: Computer Club- Identity Theft- presentation from the Michigan Senior Brigade, Attorney General’s Office, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan5, 7527 E. Highland Road, White Lake. 248-698-4942. ❐ Wixom Public Library:Children’s “New Year’s Dance Party,” all ages, 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28; ESL Café informal coffee/conversation, 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 49015 Pontiac Trail, Wixom. Registration. 248-624-2512.
SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
Rivalry game Eagles corral Mavs after suffering loss By Michael Shelton staff writer
Huron Valley Lakeland traveled to face its rival, Huron Valley Milford, on Thursday, Dec. 15 and came away with a 46-40 victory to keep the Mavericks winless at 0-4. Lakeland (2-4) led 11-9 at the end of the first quarter and 20-19 at halftime. The Eagles then outscored the Mavs, 13-9, in the third quarter before hanging on in the fourth for the win. Dominique Zigo led the Eagles with View VIDEO CLIPS relative to this story at www.spinalcolumnonline.com
16 points, while Kaitlin Wojichowski and Marlayna Malvich each scored 7. Claire Slaughter led Milford with 16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 assists, while Lane Andres and Lindsay Smith each had 8 points. “For the first time this year, we played a complete game,” said Milford Head Coach Jennifer VanGoethem. “We made runs and Lakeland made theirs, but overall, we played hard and competed for 32 minutes. We made progress and if we keep moving in this direction, we will be successful.” Lakeland began its week with a 39PAGE 41 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯
Huron Valley Milford’s Claire Slaughter goes for a shot over Huron Valley Lakeland’s Jessie Clink on Thursday, Dec. 15. Despite 16 points from Slaughter, the Mavericks fell to the Eagles, 46-40, and are 0-4 to start the season. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
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21 loss at home to Hartland on Tuesday, Dec. 13. The Eagles trailed 13-9 at halftime before Hartland went on a 17-9 run in the third quarter. Zigo led Lakeland with 9 points. Malvich had 7. Meanwhile, Milford fell on the road to Waterford Mott, 42-34, on Tuesday, Dec. 13. The Mavs led 16-12 at halftime, but the Corsairs went on a 15-6 run in the third quarter to take control of the game. Paige Smith led Milford with 11 points and 6 steals. Lane Andrews and Slaughter each had 8 points. “Mott made a run to start the second half and through hard work and scrappy defense we made a good effort but could never overcome the deficit,” VanGoethem said. “Defensively, we executed just like we practiced. We wanted to keep their top scorers in check and off the free-throw line.” Milford will next play in the Northville Holiday Tournament on Wednesday, Dec. 28, while Lakeland is off until Friday, Jan. 6 when it hosts Waterford Mott.
Lakers’ pressure gives Adrian fits in ‘lopsided’ victory By Michael Shelton staff writer
Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes took care of business at home with a 71-41 victory over Adrian Lenawee Christian on Thursday, Dec. 15. The Lakers showed no mercy as they jumped out to a 23-0 lead with 2:30 left in the first quarter. “In the first half, we started with a full court press, but because it was lopsided right away, we pulled off the press and started subbing within the first 3 minutes of the game (when it was 160) at that point,” said Our Lady Head Coach Steve Robak. The Lakers (2-0) led 39-10 at halftime and 56-26 at the end of the third quarter. “With the game out of reach, we lost our focus in the second half and allowed (Adrian Lenawee Christian) to make some baskets and we also got sloppy with the ball, with unforced turnovers,” Robak said. “I felt we could have done a better job of taking care of the ball, and that will give us something to work on PAGE 42 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯
Waterford Mott’s Khalil Malone lets loose a high-arching shot against West Bloomfield on Wednesday, Dec. 14. Malone finished with 17 points and 5 rebounds as the Corsairs defeated the Lakers, 56-52, in a non-conference matchup. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
Mott, new coach net first win Corsairs eke out a close victory over Lakers on the road By Michael Shelton staff writer
Waterford Mott traveled to West Bloomfield on Wednesday, Dec. 14 and came away with a 56-52 victory in a non-conference, cross-town matchup for its first win of the season, which was also the first for its new head coach, Jeff Jayson. The game was evenly contested as the score was tied at 20-20 at the end of the first quarter and 3030 at halftime. The Corsairs (2-2) then grabbed a 43-42 lead at the end of the third quarter before pulling out the victory in the fourth. DaVonte Daniel had 19 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks for Mott. Khalil Malone had 17 points and 5 rebounds. Andrew Hovsepian also scored 9
points for Mott, which also shot 15of-18 from the free-throw line to earn the win. The Lakers (1-3) were led by Nikhil Mankushy with 10 points, while Daryn Byrd and Jake Daniels each had 9 points. The Corsairs then followed up by hosting Hartland on Friday, Dec. 16 and won in impressive fashion, 69-35. View VIDEO CLIPS relative to this story at www.spinalcolumnonline.com
Hunter Reiche had a career-high 16 points for Mott, while Daniel had 11 points, 16 rebounds and 5 blocks. Meanwhile, West Bloomfield welcomed Saginaw Buena Vista on Saturday, Dec. 17 and fell to the Knights, 65-57.
The Lakers trailed 14-10 at halftime before rallying to take a 28-26 lead at halftime. But, the Knights went on a 21-9 run in the third quarter to take a 4737 lead and the Lakers could not recover in the fourth quarter. Malik Humes had 15 points for the Lakers, with 12 of them coming in the fourth quarter. Mankushy had 9. Dwayne Fairris led the Knights with 23 points while Jaleel Hogan had 17 points. The Lakers will next play in the Falcon Classic at Roseville on Wednesday, Dec. 28 before hosting Berkley on Tuesday, Jan. 3. Meanwhile, Mott is off for the holidays and will return to the court on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at Stoney Creek.
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in the upcoming games because we can’t afford to give away scoring opportunities.” Lexie Robak led Our Lady with 23 points, 7 steals and 2 assists as she shot 3-of-5 from behind the threepoint arc and was a perfect 7-for-7 from the field. Tori Duffey, a transfer from Walled Lake Central, also had 15 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals; while Ava Doetsch had 10 points. Carlee Cottrell had 9 points, 4 steals, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Marina Anderson also contributed 5 points off the bench. “We are trying to get the girls to make the safe pass and possess the ball and they need to do a better job,” Coach Robak said. “Overall, we were pleased with the win and now we get ready for the next game.” Last Thursday’s game was a rematch of the 2010 Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Class D state championship in which the Lakers won the first of their backto-back state titles. Our Lady hosted Oxford on Monday, Dec. 19 after press time and will travel to Portland High School on Friday, Dec. 30 to take on Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart.
Western employs aggressive ‘D’ to defeat Howell By Michael Shelton staff writer
Walled Lake Western split two games last week and is now 3-2 on the season. The Warriors started the week with 42-31 victory at home over Howell (04) on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Jayla Nichols had 14 points to lead Western. Madison Schram scored 9 points. “Madison and Julia Venegas provided a lot of defensive pressure and Shelby Turnquist provided a spark off the bench with 5 steals,” said Western Head Coach Dave Walther. “Our aggressive defense caused 25 turnovers, which gave us the boost we needed because our offense was struggling.” Western then traveled to Brighton on Friday, Dec. 16 and fell to the Bulldogs, 51-26. The Warriors trailed 35-10 at halftime, a deficit they couldn’t recover
Walled Lake Northern High School held a College Signing Event for five of its student-athletes on Wednesday, Nov. 30 in the Northern Media Center. Pictured from left to right are Alexandra Chretian, who will be on the gymnastics team at Brown University; Amy Roemmele, who will be on the gymnastics team at the University of Kentucky; Kait Kluz, who will be on the gymnastics team at Auburn University; John Mullane, who will play tennis at Michigan State University; Courtney Scott, who will play volleyball at Northwood University. (Photo submitted by Walled Lake Northern Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Chuck Froning)
from, as Brighton moved to 3-1 on the season. “We picked up our efforts on both ends of the court in the second but we’d dug ourselves too big of hole to climb out of. We played them even 16-16 in the second half,” Walther said. Nichols led Western with 8 points. Brooke Schwandt had 6 points. Western hosted Livonia Stevenson on Monday, Dec. 19 after press time, and will play in the Walled Lake Holiday Tournament at Walled Lake Northern today, Wednesday, Dec. 21 against North Farmington.
Kettering wins in rout; Knights split pair of matchups Waterford Kettering moved to 3-0 on the season with an impressive 67-18 win on the road at Pinckney. Kettering will next play over the holidays in the Motor City Roundball Classic at Birmingham Detroit Country Day on Wednesday, Dec. 28 against Detroit Mumford, and on Friday, Dec. 30 against Romulus. Kettering was scheduled to play at
home against Grand Blanc on Tuesday, Dec. 13, but Head Coach Scott Woodhull said that the game has been pushed back to Jan. 24. • West Bloomfield dropped two straight games at home last week, with each loss coming by two points, after opening the season with two wins. The Lakers (2-2) started off the week with a 47-45 loss at home to North Farmington. West Bloomfield then fell at home to Troy, 57-55, on Friday, Dec. 16. Sydney Davis and Kheri Motley each scored 15 points for the Lakers in the loss to Troy. West Bloomfield is off until Thursday, Jan. 5, when the Lakers play at Stoney Creek. • Walled Lake Central fell at Grand Blanc, 39-28, on Friday, Dec. 16. The Vikings (1-3) will play in the Walled Lake Holiday Tournament at Walled Lake Northern against Farmington Hills Harrison today, Wednesday, Dec. 21. • Walled Lake Northern split two games last week, including picking up its first win of the season. The Knights started off the week on
the wrong foot, falling at home to Brighton, 77-36. But, Northern rebounded with a 4840 victory at home over Howell on Friday, Dec. 16. Caitlin Crowley led the Knights with 20 points in the victory. Northern will host Farmington today, Wednesday, Dec. 21 as part of the Walled Lake Holiday Tournament.
Corsairs earn victories over Milford, Hartland By Michael Shelton staff writer
Waterford Mott picked up two victories last week to improve to 4-1 on the season. The Corsairs began their week with a 42-34 victory at home over Huron Valley Milford on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Mott trailed 16-12 at halftime, but went on a 15-6 run in the third quarter to pull out the victory over the Mavericks (0-4). Lauren Hung led the Corsairs with 14 points. Rachael Waynick added 8
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All-Area Boys Soccer Team Spinal Column Newsweekly honors this year’s best players By Michael Shelton staff writer
The Spinal Column Newsweekly is proud to present its very first All-Area Boys Soccer Team, honoring the best of west Oakland’s male student-athletes on the pitch this fall. Team selections were not only based upon players’ individual statistics, but also on nominations from area coaches, and other honors a player has received, such as conference awards. Making the final player selections is a difficult process when composing an all-area team for any sport, but with so many talented soccer players in the lakes area, putting together the inaugural All-Area Boys Soccer Team was an arduous task. Walled Lake Northern proved itself to be the cream of the crop of the lakes area as it won its fourth consecutive Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) North Division title before winning its second KLAA Lakes Conference crown and advancing to a Division 1 regional final, where it fell just short of advancing to the state’s final four. The Spinal Column Newsweekly’s AllArea First Team includes four Knights who helped lead Northern to its best season in school history. Not to be outdone, West Bloomfield won the Oakland Activities Association (OAA) Blue Division championship by holding off tough competition including Birmingham Seaholm and Oxford. Two Lakers are included on the AllArea First Team. Walled Lake Central came up just a point short of sharing the KLAA North title with Walled Lake Northern, but the Vikings are represented by three AllArea First Teamers after a strong season. Also on the 2011 Spinal Column First Team are Waterford Mott’s go-to striker and Huron Valley Lakeland’s super senior.
ALL-AREA FIRST TEAM Mark Shaoana Senior Forward West Bloomfield Shaoana was a catalyst for West Bloomfield’s success this season as he racked up 25 goals and 3 assists in helping the Lakers win the OAA Blue Division title. For his efforts, he was rewarded with All-OAA and All-District honors. Alex Besh Senior Forward Walled Lake Central Finishing with 16 goals and 3 assists, Besh’s play was key in helping the Vikings contend in the KLAA North Division this past season. “Alex is a team captain and a 3-year varsity player. He played defense the last two years, but we put him in at forward in the second game and there was no going back,” said Central Head Coach Joel Sharpe. The move turned out to be the right one, as Besh earned KLAA AllLakes Conference honors. Nicholas Brown Junior Forward Waterford Mott Finishing with 16 goals and 11 assists, Brown shined while helping the Corsairs fight through a tough regular season before pulling off a first-round district tournament upset of OAA Blue champion West Bloomfield. Brown, a member of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, was rewarded with a Division 1 All-State Honorable Mention from the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association (MHSSCA), in addition to KLAA AllLakes Conference honors. Troy Baertson Senior Forward Huron Valley Lakeland Finishing the 2011 season with 8 goals, Baertson helped the Eagles finish in a tie for third-place in the KLAA
North and earned KLAA All-Lakes Conference honors. Gage Coder Junior Midfielder Walled Lake Northern An MHSSCA Division 1 All-State Honorable Mention selection, Coder scored 2 goals and had 5 assists during Northern’s district championship run this season. “Gage was a key part to our midfield play. He has been a 3-year starter and really performed very well in his junior year. He played mainly defensive (midfield) and helped dictate the pace of play for our team,” said Northern Head Coach Chris Stevanovic. Bryan Maxwell Junior Midfielder Walled Lake Central Finishing 2011 with 6 goals and 8 assists, Maxwell was awarded an MHSSCA Division 1 All-State Honorable Mention for his strong play. “He’s a 3-year varsity player and he’s one of the strongest, most composed players I’ve coached,” Sharpe said. “He’s a player that teams try to mark out, but it’s very hard to do because he’s all over the field.” Alex Hays Senior Midfielder Walled Lake Northern An MHSSCA Division 1 Honorable Mention, Hays finished with 4 goals and 5 assists in what his head coach said was his best season this fall. “He was a great senior leader and helped our team be successful both offensively and defensively,” Stevanovic said. Nick Asker Senior Midfielder West Bloomfield Finishing 2011 with 6 goals and 5 assists, Asker was a key component in the Lakers’ run for the OAA Blue Division championship. Asker earned All-OAA and All-
District honors for his efforts. Tyler Caswell Senior Defender Walled Lake Central Earning KLAA All-Lakes Conference honors, Caswell’s patrol on defense helped the Vikings stay in the hunt for the KLAA North title until the end of the division schedule. Brent Juhnke Senior Defender Walled Lake Northern Playing in his first year as the Knights’ center back, Juhnke proved to be very effective as he earned KLAA All-Lakes Conference and All-District honors. “He was a key component to our back line and did very well,” Stevanovic said. Mitchell Thompson Senior Goalkeeper Walled Lake Northern Posting 14 shutouts and allowing only 16 goals on the season, Thompson was a fortress in net and was recognized by the MHSSCA with a Division 1 All-State Third Team selection. “Mitchell has been a huge part of our program’s success over the past three years. We could always rely on him back there in key games and key moments,” Stevanovic said. ALL-AREA SECOND TEAM • Jimmy Hague, goalkeeper, sophomore, Walled Lake Western; • Mark Leo, midfielder, senior, Waterford Kettering; • Kyle Richards, midfielder, senior, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s; • Rob Woodward, midfielder, senior, Walled Lake Central; • Ryan Stern, midfielder, senior, West Bloomfield; • David Cubr, forward, junior, Walled Lake Northern; • Brandon Fagnani, forward, junior, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s;
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points and Kelly Herndon had 7. Mott then took a road trip to Hartland on Friday, Dec. 16 and came away with a 51-47 victory over the Eagles. Mott trailed 5-0 early in the first quarter before going on a 21-6 run. The Corsairs led 30-26 at halftime and 43-40 in the fourth quarter before Hartland (3-1) took a 45-43 lead. After Waynick tied the score at 45, Hung scored 6 straight points to clinch the win on the road. Hung finished with 20 points, while Waynick had 14 points and Carly Banchiu had 6 points and 8 rebounds. Mott is off for the holidays and will return to the court on Tuesday, Jan. 3 when it hosts Pontiac.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Throgmorton nails 5 three-pointers in Northern’s victory Walled Lake Northern won its only game last week, 64-59, at home over Howell on Friday, Dec. 16 to move to 3-0 on the season. The Knights fell behind, 10-2, in the first quarter before cutting the Highlanders’ lead to 14-13. Northern then trailed 27-25 at halftime, but Gage Throgmorton scored 10 points in the third quarter to help give the Knights a 43-41 lead. Northern then went on a 14-8 run to start the fourth quarter thanks to two 3-point plays by Jared Sheena. Howell (1-1) responded with a pair of three-pointers of its own, but Northern’s strong free-throw shooting down the stretch from Ryan Soulet and Throgmorton sealed the win for the Knights. Throgmorton led Northern with 25 points, including 5 three-pointers, along with 5 rebounds and 4 steals. Sheena had 13 points, while Soulet had 7 points and 3 steals in addition to effectively guarding Howell’s 6foot-7 star, Brandon Nazione. Joe Smigielski also scored 7 points and had 6 rebounds, while sophomores Trent Lansaw and Brennan Williams combined for 10 points and 6 rebounds. Howell was led by Nazione’s 21 points and Tyler Johnson’s 16. Northern will next play in the Dexter Holiday Tournament on Thursday, Dec. 29 against Saline.
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• Steven Massie, forward, junior, Walled Lake Western; • Colin Larkin, forward, senior, Waterford Mott; • Kanshu Mori, defender, senior, Walled Lake Western; and • Richey Capriccioso, defender, senior, West Bloomfield. HONORABLE MENTION Nolan Masserman, Huron Valley Lakeland; Connor Carrigan, Huron Valley Lakeland; Tom Kemennu, Huron Valley Lakeland; Dylon Polcyn, Huron Valley Milford; Alex Brown, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s; Bruno
Mavs, Warriors win pair; Central goes 1-1; Kettering falls Huron Valley Milford moved to 3-0 on the season with two victories last week, including a blowout win over its biggest rival. The Mavericks stunned Huron Valley Lakeland on the road, 42-18, on Friday, Dec. 16. Milford led 13-0 at the end of the first quarter and 20-8 at halftime before outscoring the Eagles 22-10 in the second half. Chris Orr led Milford with 10 points, while Steven Sloboda had 8 points. Chuck Sanders scored 8 points for Lakeland (1-2). Casey Palanca had 6 points. Milford began the week with a 4223 victory at South Lyon East on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Sloboda had 10 points to led the Mavs, while Brandon Wallace and Josh Corey each had 7 points. Lakeland will next play in the Livonia Franklin Holiday Tournament on Wednesday, Dec. 28. Milford will play in the Northern
Thompson
Strzelewicz, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s; Tyler Hoffman, Walled Lake Central; Nick Cundiff, Walled Lake Central; Josh Kominars, Walled Lake Central; Austin Servo, Walled Lake Central; Brett Kowalski, Walled Lake Northern; Revie Gill, Walled Lake Northern; Chris Armstrong, Walled Lake Northern; Kyle Boulier, Walled Lake Northern; Zach Schinzing, Walled Lake Northern; Michael Camilleri, Walled Lake Western; Matt Klink, Walled Lake Western; David Espinal, Walled Lake Western; Reed Morgan, Waterford Kettering; Dylan Larkin, Waterford Mott; Ricky Smith, Waterford Mott; Joe Rosenthal, West Bloomfield. Holiday Tournament on Wednesday, Dec. 28. • Walled Lake Western remained undefeated at 3-0 with two wins last week, including one win on a buzzer-beating shot. Korey Wade hit the game-winner to give the Warriors a 48-46 victory over previously unbeaten Brighton at home on Friday, Dec. 16. Jalin Gardner had 11 points to lead Western. Wade and Cam Vieaux each scored 8 points. Western began the week with a 5144 win at Farmington Hills Harrison on Tuesday, Dec. 13. William Gibson led the Warriors with 15 points, while Wade had 12. Western is off until Friday, Jan. 6 when the Warriors play at Walled Lake Northern. • Orchard Lake St. Mary’s moved to 21 on the season with a 56-51 victory at home over Flint Powers Catholic on Friday, Dec. 16. Sam McClendon had 13 points, while Ethan Woelke had 12 points and Chibunna Ukandu scored 9. The Eaglets will next play at the L’Anse Creuse North Classic on Tuesday, Dec. 27.
• Walled Lake Central split two games last week to move to 2-1 on the season. The Vikings defeated Grand Blanc at home, 58-50, on Friday, Dec. 16. T.J. Warren led Central with 15 points. Chuck Taylor had 14 points and Tai Abiola scored 13. Central started the week with a 34-33 loss at Northville on Tuesday, Dec. 13. The Vikings played at Grosse Pointe North on Tuesday, Dec. 20 after press time and will be off until Wednesday, Jan. 4 when they play at Farmington Hills Harrison. • Waterford Kettering is 0-2 on the season after two losses last week. The Captains began the week with a 56-40 loss at Bloomfield Hills Lahser on Wednesday, Dec. 14. Justin Santana led Kettering with 10 points, while Maurice Scott had 9. The Captains fell to Pinckney, 5234, at home on Friday, Dec. 16. The Pirates led 15-2 at the end of the first quarter and 28-18 at halftime before going on a 13-5 run in the third quarter. Santana led Kettering with 11 points. Drew Stephens had 20 points for Pinckney. The Captains are off until Tuesday, Jan. 3 when they play at Brandon.
SPORTS NOTES The West Bloomfield Jewish Community Center (JCC) is offering leagues and classes for all ages and skill levels. Registration runs through today, Wednesday, Dec. 21 with leagues starting the week of Jan. 15 and classes starting the week of Feb. 5. The JCC offers adult open and house leagues, youth open and house leagues age’s 6U-17U and youth classes. League cost is $185 per individual and $1,100 for a team and includes 10 games with one guaranteed playoff game and 2 practices. Classes cost is $65 each and run once a week for five weeks. “Like” the JCC on Facebook and receive a free drop-in session. For more information, contact Theresa Fulgenzi at 248-432-5584 or Vinny Jalaba at 248-432-5584 or visit www.jccdet.org.
DECEMBER 21-27, 2011
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Invitation to Bid
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WHITE LAKE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED: that the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Charter Township of White Lake, Oakland County, Michigan, does hereby establish that there will be one (1) regular meeting held monthly as follows: 1. All regular meetings will be held at the Township Hall, 7525 Highland Road (M-59), White Lake, Michigan 48383. 2. All meetings will be held the fourth Thursday of each month except for the month of November due to the holidays and will commence promptly at 7:00 p.m. 3. Dates of the meetings mentioned in paragraph two above will be as follows: Cut Off Date December 28, 2011 January 26 February 23 March 22 April 26 May 24 June 28 July 26 August 23 September 27 October 25 November 29
Regular Meeting January 26 February 23 March 22 April 26 May 24 June 28 July 26 August 23 September 27 October 25 November 29 December 27
PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED: that the Planning Commission of the Charter Township of White Lake, Oakland County, Michigan, does hereby establish that there will be two (2) Regular Meetings held monthly as follows: 1. All regular meetings will be held at the Township Hall, 7525 Highland Road (M-59), White Lake, Michigan 48383. 2.
All regular meetings will be held the first and third Thursday of each month. Both meetings will commence promptly at 7:00 p.m.
3.
Dates of the meetings mentioned in paragraph two above will be as follows: (Third Thursday) January 19 February 16 March 15 April 19 May 17 June 21 July 19 August 16 September 20 October 18 November 15 December 20
• Public Services-Emergency food, clothing, shelter, payment of utility bills, rent/mortgage payments, medical expenses, and transportation to low-moderate income and disadvantaged residents. Funding will be derived from the program years: 2009 - Public Services $4,561.00 2010 - Public Services $7,313.00 2012 - Public Services $3,016.95
CITY OF WIXOM PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Wixom Zoning Board of Appeals will conduct the following public hearings at their next regular meeting scheduled for Monday, January 9, 2012 for the following topics: ZBA CASE #001-12: ARANEAE INC. 29350 WALL STREET, WIXOM, MI 48393: The applicant is seeking a variance to erect a ground sign within the right-of-way. The Wixom Municipal Code, Section 18.16.020 (D) (1) requires signs to be setback minimum of fifteen ft. from right-of-way. The property is located at 48553 West Road and zoned M-1, Light Industrial. The tax parcel number is 22-08-100-049. The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in Wixom Council Chambers, 49045 Pontiac Trail. Persons having any questions regarding these matters are urged to attend this meeting or contact the Building Department at (248) 624-0880. Catherine Buck, City Clerk City of Wixom (248) 624-4557
SC: 12-21-11
Notice of Posting for Charter Township of West Bloomfield Township Board 1. Synopsis of the meeting held on: Monday, December 12, 2011 2. Adopted: Ordinance No. C-758, to amend the Solicitors Ordinance #275 The above ordinances and synopsis shall be posted (in their entirety) at the following locations: (1) Office of the Township Clerk 4550 Walnut Lake Road (2) Main Township Library 4600 Walnut Lake Road (3) Township’s website www.wbtwp.com Catherine Shaughnessy Township Clerk SC: 12-21-11
VILLAGE OF WOLVERINE LAKE
NOTICE OF ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS PUBLIC HEARING
Special meetings will be called and held at the discretion of the Charter Township of White Lake Planning Commission, with due and proper notice of such meetings to Board members and posted on the Township Hall bulletin board at least 18 hours prior to meeting.
This schedule was approved at the Planning Commission’s Meeting of December 1. 2011. Sean O’Neil, AICP Planning Director
The City of Walled Lake is accepting bids from qualified service providers to manage and administer the following separate Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program:
The City of Walled Lake reserves the right to accept any or all alternative proposals and award the contract to other than the lowest bidder; to waive any irregularities or informalities or both; to reject any or all proposals; and in general to make the award of the contract in any manner deemed by the City of Walled Lake, in its sole discretion, to be in the best interest of the City of Walled Lake. S.C. 12-21-11
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WHITE LAKE
4.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
The deadline for submission is January 16, 2012.
SC: 12-21-11
(First Thursday) January 05 February 02 March 01 April 05 May 03 June 07 July 05 August 02 September 06 October 04 November 01 December 06
CITY OF WALLED LAKE
When awarded the contract length will be two (2) years. The administrator must be familiar with and comply with all applicable CDBG requirements.
4. Special meetings will be called and held at the discretion of the Charter Township of White Lake Zoning Board of Appeals, with due and proper notice of such meetings to Board members and posted on the Town Hall bulletin board at least 18 hours prior to meetings. This schedule was approved at the Regular Zoning Board of Appeals meeting of December 15, 2011. Sean O’Neil, AICP Planning Director
PAGE 45
SC: 12-21-11
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Michigan Public Act 110 of 2006, the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, as amended, the Village of Wolverine Lake Zoning Board of Appeals will consider the following appeals at their Regular Meeting on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 425 Glengary, Wolverine Lake, Michigan 48390. ZBA CASE #12-600 Jeffery Hearn,17-21-483-011 Benstein Rd, Wolverine Lake MI 48390. BASIS FOR APPEAL: 1282.03 (a) Repairs and alterations. Repairs proposed for nonconforming use building exceeds the value of the structure. ZBA CASE #12-601 Jeffery Hearn,17-21-483-012 Benstein Rd, Wolverine Lake MI 48390. BASIS FOR APPEAL: 1282.03 (a) Repairs and alterations. Repairs proposed for nonconforming use building exceeds the value of the structure. ZBA CASE #12-602 Karen Taylor, 1580 Connecticut, Wolverine Lake, MI 48390. BASIS FOR APPEAL: 1252.06 (a) Setback from property lines. R1-B zoning requires 25’ front yard setback. Applicant proposes an 18’2” front yard and setback to construct an attached carport onto home. Sharon A. Miller Village Clerk
SC: 12-21-11
PAGE 46
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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
WANT ADS APPEAR ON www.spinalcolumnonline.com
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FREE WANT ADS
01-08
• Absolutely Free (#90): An item must be offered FREE to appear in this category. The want ad is FREE to you. One item per ad, one ad per family on any given week. Column is for non-commercial ads only.
REAL ESTATE
12-22
MOBILE HOMES 42-43
45-57
• Items under $25: Advertise an item for $25 or less and a 10-word want ad is FREE. Special rates for items over $25.
HELP WANTED
• Used Vehicle: Five weeks FREE for private party vehicles. Charge your first week and we schedule it for 5 more weeks. Call to cancel when sold.
RENTALS
60-75
• Found: Found a lost item? We will run an ad for FREE (#3/Found) to help you find the owner.
JOBS WANTED
• Reunions (#4): Published FREE for 4 weeks.
77-86
HIGHLIGHT YOUR AD For further emphasis add an icon or shade your ad for only $5.
MERCHANDISE 89-138
LEISURE TIME 142-159
RECREATION
BOATS 162-179
Houses For Sale
11
Looking to purchase or sell your home? Contact Arlene at Keller Williams 248-912-4628 mihome4u.com
CARS, TRUCKS CYCLES 181-196
Stately colonial on 2 partially wooded acres. Elegant w/2686 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, kitchen with granite counter & 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.
England Real Estate (248)887-9736 LET IT SNOW!
England Real Estate (248)887-9736
MOBILE HOMES
PERSONAL
SERVICES
Mobile Homes for Sale
SERVICES
MONDAY AT 5 • Word Ads • One-Column Ads
CHARGE IT
• Display Ads • Free Ads • Cancellations/Corrections
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE Advertising published is subject to rate card or contract conditions, copies of which are available from the publishing group. Ads are subject to approval before publication, only publication constitutes acceptance. We reserve the right to edit, reject, cancel or reclassify any ad. If an error by the newspaper should occur, the newspaper’s responsibility for that portion of the advertisement in error is limited to cancellation of the charge or publication in the following issue. The publishing group shall not be liable for any loss or expense that results from publication or omission of an advertisement.
47
Waterford Industrial space with offices, loading dock, 14' overhead doors, 3 phase electric, brokers welcome
248-496-7652 248-496-7648
42
(248) 624-0709 43
Houses/ Condos
55
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
Wolverine Lake
55
Looking to rent a house or condo? call Arlene Keller Williams Realty mihome4u.com 248-912-4628
4 bed 2.5 bath Ranch in Commerce Twp $1,250 per month
3 bedroom raised ranch, partial finished full basement, all appliances included, Walled Lake Schools, lake access.
$1,200 per month 248-787-1477 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
248-342-4754
WATERFORD Duplex
WHITE LAKE DUPLEX
3 bedrooms, unfurnished, all appliances. $750 a month plus security.
Across from Cedar Island Lake Clean, 2 bedroom, all appliances. $675 per month. Walled Lake Schools.
WALLED LAKE
Pontiac Trail at Maple Pre-Owned Homes: $6,000 - $25,000 Rent: $385 - $400 PLUS MOVE-IN DISCOUNTS On Select Homes
Mobile Homes for Rent
Commercial/ Industrial
248-640-7960
Fawn Lake
REPAIR IMPROVEMENT
RENTALS
Houses/ Condos
Hartland
Lakefront opportunity! Private hilltop setting with scenic views of all sports Maxfield Lake. Comfortable 1500 sq. ft. ranch w/3 bedrooms. Many updates! 149,900.
☺ ★ FRIDAY AT 5
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
DEADLINES IN PRINT and On-Line 24/7
SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
3 Bedroom house, newly remodeled & freshly carpeted, Walled Lake view & access, fenced yard, petsok, $795 per month.
olivermich@mac.com 248-755-5073 TIRED OF BEING A LANDLORD? JMZ Management takes the hassle out of being a landlord.
RELOCATE TODAY!! Beautiful 55+ community! We'll pay up to $5,5,00 for a single section home & $8,500 for a multi section home w/ $299 site rent for the 1st year. Relocate your manufactured home to beautiful Cranberry Lake. 248-698-1120
•10% Management Fee •Tenant Screen Included •Rent Collection •24 Hour Emergency Line
BEAUTIFUL 55+ COMMUNITY Brand NEW homes for rent. Appliances. Lake access. MOVE IN SPECIALS!! 15 month lease for $600/mo Cranberry Lake- White Lake 248-698-1120 888-306-2483
Very sharp, 3 bdr, 1.5 bath, den, 2 car att. garage, C/A, lake privileges on private lake. Large corner lot, door wall off of dining room to backyard patio. New berber carpet, cabinets & flooring $1100/ mo
Call 248-284-6990 www.jmzmangement.com
WALLED LAKE
Call : 248-425-4853
248-343-1666 Apartments
56
☺ WALLED LAKE 1 Bedroom Apartments 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath Town Homes * $400 Moves You In* 1st Month FREE on 1 bdr 1/2 month FREE on 2 Bdr
248-624-6606 EHO www.cormorantco.com * Call For Details *
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
DECEMBER 21-27, 2011 Apartments
56
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 Apartments For Rent SPECIAL 1 or 2 bedroom apartments. Heat and water paid. No pets. In City of Milford.
(248)477-9192 Rooms/Share Quarters
57
FURNISHED SLEEPING room for rent. Waterford area, $100 /week. 810-355-8097 BUSINESS WOMAN looking to share 2 bedroom apartment in Novi, with female. $400 plus utilities. Call for information. 248-787-2059
HELP WANTED General/ Help Wanted
www.spinalcolumnonline.com General/ Help Wanted
65
CALL TO FIND OUT How to potentially earn
OFFICE CLEANING EVENING HOURS 6:30PM-11:30PM MONDAY - FRIDAY NOVI AREA
CORPORATE CLEANING GROUP 248-313-9880
Companies desperately need employees to assemble products at home. No selling, any hours. $500 weekly potential. Info:
$700 to $1,200 per week. Incredible opportunity! Will train. Commerce area.
1-985-646-1700 DEPT. MI-2319
(413) 297-5980
West Bloomfield Day Care
MAINTENANCE PERSON
Seeking p/t helper. Dependable, reliable and a love for children a must! References required.
Needed for apartment community. Good salary & benefits for qualified applicants.
Call Kelly at 248-366-8082
Fax resume to: 248-960-7656
New Great Clips salon now open in White Lake needs both part time & full time hair stylists. No clientele needed, hourly wage plus commission. Fun team environment.
Ask for Bridgette
248-330-6402 Medical/ Dental
67
71
Real Estate Career We're doubling our staff! •Do you like working with new people and new situations? •Do you have good problem solving skills? •Do you have a "Sky is the limit mentality"? If you said, "Yes", call me. Kathy Solan
248-363-8300 248-348-6430 Real Estate One
EXPERIENCED INFANT Toddler caregiver, seeking full time employment. $10/hr. 248705-0357
MERCHANDISE FOR SALE 89
SCRAP METAL
DIRECT CARE
JANITORIAL HELP Cleaning specialists wanted, part time, evening shifts available to clean office buildings and banks placed within ten mile radius of home. Hiring immediately for Bloomfield Hills & Birmingham
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, Novi, Oxford, Holly Rochester Hills, & Waterford areas
248-486-5368
90
Items must be FREE to respondents, ad free to you. Restricted to residential. The publishing group accepts no responsibility for actions between individuals. Sorry, we do not accept ads for free dogs. FREE KITTENS 9 weeks old. To good home, Walled Lake area, 248-894-7037
Collectibles
84
Used/Wanted
Absolutely Free
MAGNAVOX TV 248-6236282
JOBS WANTED Babysitting
HAIR STYLISTS
DRY CLEANER Looking for Counter Help
(586) 759-3700
Sales Positions 65
NOW HIRING:
and Presser. Full or Part Time. 248-624-4333 65
General/ Help Wanted
PAGE 47
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 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
93
LIONEL "O-27" Gauge Christmas train set up/ layout, free standing/ 6ftx10ft, animated toy gadgets- ferris wheel, antique trains, etc. $1,000. OBO. 248-366-7044
Pets/Supplies
115
MICHIGAN WILD Bird seed. (No Filler.) 25 lbs. $15. 248736-0254
Clothing/Apparel
119
GENTLY USED Jeans- two pair, size 14. $10 each. 248666-9444 MEN'S SHOES- "Florshein Canfield," dress, leather, size 10, $25. 248-698-4168
Furniture/Rugs
125
BAKER'S RACK- Brass & green enamel, $25. 248-6669444
Household Items
129
"COKE" GLASS Tiffany hanging lamp, never used, paid $300- asking $150; Pioneer stereo with speakers, $125. 248-363-5679
Home Care Equipment 130
Pre-Licensing Class January Classes Available $ Class only
99
With a prepaid voucher Contact Mary Nicole 248-684-1065 MaryNicole@RealEstateOne.com •Are you looking for a new career? •Would you like to own your own business? We’re Michigan’s largest real estate broker and last year we sold over 17,000 properties. We expect to surpass that in the coming year.
Join us as we grow Michigan.
NEBULIZER BY Health dyne model 323 compressor driven $24.50 248-425-1004
Odds N Ends
138
MARY KAY Rochelle Koloff Independent Beauty Consultant 1-248-568-1750 Twin5801@aol.com marykay.com/rkoloff
LEISURE TIME Fitness Equipment 149 HEALTHRIDER EXCELLENT Condition $24.99 248-5347004
BOATS/ OUTDOOR Wanted Boats/Jet Skis/ Parts 162 SEA-DOO JET SKIS WANTED DEAD OR DYING. 1995 on ups. $200$1400. Top $ for XP's & 947/951 or larger motors. Call Steve 231-943-4152
CARS/TRUCKS MOTORCYCLES Wanted Parts/ Salvage
Cars
187
BUICK LESABRE, 2005, 85K, $7,000.Very good condition. 248-363-3457 TOYOTA SOLARA 1999, leather, sun roof, 85k, one owner. 248-884-7200.
HADLEY'S TOWING 24825 HATHAWAY FARMINGTON HILLS Auction: 12-27-11 10a.m 1. 1995 Ford Vin# 1FDKE30G4RHB96009 2. 1993 Ford Vin 1FDWH70PXPVA08933 3. 2001 Pontiac Vin 1G2NF52T31C193726 4. 1997 Chevy Vin 1G1JC5244V7253595
Cars
187
CHEVROLET IMPALA SS 1996, 93,000 miles, leather seats, CD changer, always garaged- excellent condition, $10,000 OBO. 248-363-1210 FORD FUSION Sel 2010. Fully loaded, all the bells & whistles. $17,000. 33,500 miles. 248210-9936 or 248-924-7412
Vans
194
2000 DODGE Grand Caravan Spor t. 76K. 3.3L V-6. Power windows, locks, drivers seat. A/C, 4 captains chairs. Excellent condition. $6,200 248-320-1969
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 Motorcycles
183
2004 YAMAHA R1- 1000 motorcycle. Many extras, must see. $4,500. (248)9789246
MOTORCYCLEGUARANTEE See First Want Ad Page Trucks/Trailers
185
2007 CHEVY Classic 4X4, V-6 manual.. 8ft bed. 79K. Very clean. $11,500 OBO 248-363-6987
Cars
187
JEEP LIBERTY 2007, 4x4, chrome addition, 37k, excellent, $12,500 248-770-3828
SALES GUARANTEE Autos, Vans, Trucks See First Want Ad Page
Buying a Home? Let us
Look Before You Leap!
Afford
able Home Inspections
Up to 170 components inspected in a typical three bedroom home. Computer-generated, comprehensive, easy-tounderstand report summary. High resolution, color pictures provide a visual reference of problem areas. Reports are emailed to you and your Real Estate Agent. After inspection questions are always answered, even after you move into your home.
248-881-3478 Licensed Insured
4075 Echo Drive West Bloomfield
PAGE 48
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
LAKES AREA SERVICES (248) 360-7355
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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
Cabinetry
515
Elegant Woodworking •Mantels •Fireplace Surrounds •Furniture •Entertainment Center •Custom Cabinets •Crown Molding •Kitchen Cabinets •Custom Bars Harold Canfield
(248)363-3804 elegant-woodworking.com
Carpentry
516
YAM CONTRACTING •Carpentry •Deck Repair •Int. & Ext. Painting •Custom Woodwork •Powerwashing •To Do Lists •Unfinished Projects
(248)709-6631 anthyam@att.net Cement/Concrete
(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
Call Bob (248)681-5771 MB QUALITY FLOOR COVERING
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 Doors
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
517
C & G CEMENT TONY'S APPLIANCE SERVICE Servicing all Major Appliances. •Hot water tank
Drywall
524
THE DOOR STOP Since 1980 Garage door springs and door openers repaired and/or replaced.
Call Anytime 248-624-4042 (cell) 248-640-6298 CERTIFIED OVERHEAD DOOR SERVICE
•New Carpet & Pad Sales •Installation, Repairs, & Restretches •28 years experience •Free estimates WE WORK FOR YOU
•Garage Doors •Repaired/ Services •New Doors/ Openers •Installed at Factory Pricing •Emergency Service Available
248-561-5667
248-624-3161
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
Handy Person
545
DU-IT-ALL HOME CARE IMPROVEMENTS Specials: •Ceramic Tile •Formica Tops & Kitchens •Exterior/Interior Painting Also, we do complete basements and all other interior work, including electric, plumbing, etc. Call today. Cell #(248)891-7072 Licensed and Insured
D&S HOME REPAIRS REMODELING •Additions •Garages •Drywall •Painting •Plumbing •Electrical •Tile •Marble •Kitchens •Baths •Basements •Decks 33 Years ... Licensed
248-684-4175 810-714-3058
TOTAL HOME SERVICE 35 Years Licensed PLUMBING • HEATING CARPENTRY • DRYWALL ELECTRICAL NEW SERVICE KITCHENS BATHS CERAMIC TILE
FLOOR COVERING •Linoleum •Ceramic Tile •Hardwood Floors •Laminate Wood 27 Years Exp. Free Est.
"The job your husband will do tomorrow."
(248)684-5983
(248)887-2366
Heating/Duct Work 546
THOMASON HEATING & COOLING • Furnaces • Boilers • Air Cleaners •Air Conditioners •Humidifiers Service & Replacements
FREE ESTIMATES ON INSTALLATION
Lawn/Garden Services
Outdoor Services, LLC * Snow Plowing * Salting Landscaping • Lawn Service •Insured Residential & Commercial
Painting/ Decorating
(248)887-3666 Mitch's Mechanical 248-302-1808 Furnace & Boiler Repair
562
FARR'S PAINTING Exterior & Interior Wood Repairs • Caulking Staining • Wallpaper Removal Drywall repairs • Water repairs Free Power Washing w/paint. farrshomeimprovements.com
(248) 477-7764 (248) 345-3308 VS PAINTING WINTER SPECIAL
Home Improvement 547
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.
SHERMAN BLDG CO.
248-894-3239
$50 Service Call Open 24 hours www.mitchsmechanical.com
•Additions •Garages •Decks •Rough & Trim Carpentry •Wood Siding •Basements •Kitchens •All outside wood repairs
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
Plumbing
567
Premier Plumbing Licensed & Insured Complete Plumbing Service New Construction & Remodel Commercial & Residential
248-363-5864 Roofing
571
ROOF LEAKS & WATER DAMAGE REPAIRS MAHER RESTORATION www.goMaher.com "Maher Makes It Happen"
248-926-6631
Tree Service
587
KODIAK TREE SERVICE
•Repairs •Re-Roofs •Chimney Repair •Metal Work •Flat Roofs •Complete Roof Packages. •Siding •Gutters
25 years experience •Tree trimming •Tree & stump removal •70ft bucket lift •Free estimates •Insured •Firewood
FREE Estimates 30 Years Experience
248-921-9097
248-459-7894
www.artoutdoorservices.com
(248)625-5719
571
PRICE IS RIGHT ROOFING
A R T
248-363-1615 HURON VALLEY HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING •Repair •Replace •Inspections •Humidifiers •Water Heaters •Night service available
Roofing 553
Siding
577
I.D.C.
Home Service Siding, Trim & Soffitt Guaranteed Professional Installation. Lic./ Ins. References available.
Bob: 248-363-0589 idchomeservice.com 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 • Free Estimates 30 Yrs. Exp. • Fully Insured "Will Beat All Competitors" Residential • Commercial
248-240-6143 248-240-6142 248-366-1325
Waterproofing
599
Dry Basements, LLC We Repair: •Poured Walls/ Concrete Block •Waterproofing •Cracked or Bowed Walls •Foundation Repaired Replaced •Underpinning •Crawl Space and Encapsulation •Licensed & Insured •Ron Heck, Builder (248)420-0116
Wells
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
DECEMBER 21-27, 2011
CE ER MM CO
www.spinalcolumnonline.com
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PAGE 49
L ITE WH
E AK
RD FO TER WA
211079746 - $259,900
211104416 - $400,000
211104716 - $389,000
211108753 - $162,900
211125557 - $70,000
SUPERB COMMERCE HOME 4 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, first floor master with bath, close to M-5
PRIVATE, CUL-DE-SAC, WOODS 4 bedrooms, 3.1 baths, spacious, 2-way fireplace, walkout basement
FABULOUS GREEN LAKEFRONT HOME 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, Pella windows, hardwood flooring, lower level walkout, 2 fireplaces
NEW CONSTRUCTION 3 bedrooms, 2 baths,kitchen, recess lighting, 1st floor laundry, daylight
STOP THE CAR! 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, gorgeous kitchen, finished basement
HO
RD FO TER WA
RD FO TER WA
LLY
RD FO TER WA
D
IEL
MF
W.
O BLO
211056180 - $124,900
211068047 - $189,900
211120853 - $152,900
211091695 - $185,500
211095071 - $245,000
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
GOLF FRONTAGE Corner unit condo, 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, finished basement, fireplace
WILLIAMS LAKE DEEDED CANALFRONT 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, spacious kitchen, open floor plan
A PIECE OF PARADISE 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bath, open floor plan, quality decking
LD FIE OM BLO . W
FEATURED HOME
K OA YAL RO
LD FIE OM BLO . W
VI NO
OF THE WEEK
211126420 - $70,000
211103967 - $149,500
211114594 - $724,900
211053983 - $87,000
PRISTINE CONDITION, READY TO MOVE IN 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, newer roof, upgraded bathroom, 4 car garage, large fenced yard
ARTS & CRAFTS BUNGALOW 4 bedrooms, 1.1 baths, updated, cove ceilings, new roof/furnace/central air
SPECTACULAR MIDDLE STRAITS WATERFRONT 4 bedrooms, 3.2 baths, kitchen newly remodeled, master suite
BRICK RANCH 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, large lot, central air
TE OIN STP EA
211119870 - $28,500
MOVE IN CONDITION 3 bedrooms, 1 baths, first floor laundry, living room with bay window D AN STL WE
RD
RD
FO
FO
MIL
MIL
211121712 - $179,000 COME ON OUT TO THE COUNTRY!! 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, hardwood floors, woodstove almost 2 acres, 3 car garage
211123433 - $164,900 D IEL MF LOO B W.
LD FIE ING R P S
CE ER MM CO
211123452 - $234,900
211047575 - $400,000
VACATION AT HOME 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, pool, hot tub, acreage cathedral ceilings
COMMERCE LAKEFRONT 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, almost 3/4 acre, finished walkout
R BO AR OH G E KE
RD FO TER A W
211112861 - $135,000
211121503 - $289,000
211112421 - $180,000
211048408 - $100,000
211115899 - $259,000
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
WELL MAINTAINED RANCH 3 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, kitchen and dining open to family room, deck, patio and large yard
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
RD FO OX
L ITE WH
LD FIE OM O L B W.
E AK
VI NO
EL RIN LVE O W
E AK
211126471 - $110,000
211115490 - $249,000
211099179 - $233,000
211074688 - $110,000
211124998 - $235,000
PICTURE PERFECT HOUSE 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, fin. walkout, wet bar & full bath
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
EXPANSIVE LAKEFRONT! 3 bedrooms, 1.1 baths, remodeled and updated, new furnace, Florida room, fireplace
Denotes a Real Estate One Virtual Tour
Lakes Area (248) 363-8300
ŠReal Estate One, Inc., 2011
PAGE 50
www.spinalcolumnonline.com
SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
BECKY KATZMAN McCARTHY 248-790-9915
AUDREY STOREY
CHERYL YEAGER 248-310-8077
Lakes Area Specialist
248-363-8300 Ext. 233 248-496-1846
rmccarthy@RealEstateOne.com
audreystorey@yahoo.com WILLIAMS LAKE DEEDED CANALFRONT RANCH!!
S IAM ILL ONT W ED FR ED L DE CANA
Just a few steps through a gate to your private dock and just a few houses off the main lake. Great view from yard of main lake and beautiful surrounding lakefront homes! Open floor plan, master suite, spacious kitchen, great deck. Priced to sell and won’t last!! Not a short sale!!
PICTURE PERFECT HOUSE NESTLED ON 1 ACRE LOT!!
House features, approx. 1,800 sq. ft., open floor plan, 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, oak hardwood floors throughout, eat-in kitchen includes all appliances, cozy fireplace in living room, master bed with private bath and jacuzzi tub, 2.5 car garage, pole barn, sprinkler system, fenced backyard, privileges to Stony/Squaw Lakes. $110,000. Call Becky for details!
G
TIN
W NE
LIS
Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year to all My Clients, Customers and Friends and a Special Merry Christmas to My Family… J.W., Irene, Eleanor, Linda, Glen, Chuck, Mike, Sue, Nora, Jack, Jimmy, Nick, Josh, Ben, Anne, Jennifer, Isaak, Bailey, Cassidy, Scout and of course Lucy
susigollinger@hotmail.com
CT TRA ON ABLE C D IL L AN AVA
WHITE LAKE RANCH Desirable Whispering Meadows Sub, cul-de-sac setting, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, hardwood floors, first floor laundry, maple kitchen, vaulted great room with natural fireplace, skylights, Andersen windows, 4 door walls, vaulted master suite, spa tub, awesome finished walkout lower level, huge wet bar, well landscaped, sprinkling system. $249,000 (cy1047T)
SOLD OXBOW LAKEFRONT Private all-sports, 105 ft. of main lakefront, estate size lot offering loads of potential, home will require some work, 2 garages, great storage, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, natural fireplace, quiet peninsula street. $178,000 (CY10188L)
MEET THE POWER TEAM
SUSI GOLLINGER Associate Broker - A.B.R. (248) 310-9002
cherylyeager.com cherylyeager@yahoo.com
RESIDENTIAL AND WATERFRONT SPECIALISTS
Diane & Mary strive to make your transaction seamless from start to finish. Let our TEAM guide you through the process.
TOP PRODUCER
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Festive Season Greetings to All
DIANE BUCHANAN
SELLING REAL ESTATE SINCE 1980
Cell 248-921-8152 www.realestateone.com/dianeb
MARY SHIELDS
Cell 248-245-6090 realestateone.com/mshields
LAKEFRONT LIVING
Gorgeous all-sports lakefront. 2 master suites, theater Spectacular all-sports lakefront. Furnished optional. $795,000 room. $724,900
CONDO LIVING
COMMERCE WATERFRONT - $164,900
Serene, quiet setting on 100 ft. canal, seawall, boatlift included, leading to all-sports, private Commerce Lake. Dead end street, woods across, almost 1/2 acre, beach, play area, boat launch…lovely, well maintained 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch, open floor plan, updated kitchen, all appliances, sitting room by water, spacious living room and cozy family room with brick gas fireplace, large deck and more…surprise; large workshop attached to 2 car garage. Walled Lake schools. NOT A SHORT SALE OR BANK OWNED!!! (SG3385 B)
FOR ALL SHOWINGS CALL SUSI Denotes a Real Estate One Virtual Tour
Just Reduced! 2 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, 2 car, attached Beautiful!! Home has been totally remodeled. 3 full baths, garage, finished basement. $152,900 walkout lower level. $189,900
Wishing all our past & present clients & friends a wonderful Holiday Season & a Happy New Year
Lakes Area (248) 363-8300 • 8430 Richardson
©Real Estate One, Inc., 2011
DECEMBER 21-27, 2011
www.spinalcolumnonline.com
PAGE 51
Visit us at 560 N. Milford Rd., Milford EA LAK
ES CR 13 A
SS CCE
$145,000 LAKE ACCESS ON CRYSTAL CLEAR DUNHAM! •1,456 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 1.1 2 car attached garage •Open & airy •Kitchen and breakfast room with heated ceramic floors •211126432
P LAKE
ES ILEG RIV
ACRE 1/2 R OVE
NT F RO
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
$248,300
N LA U LR. 1ST F
DRY
$69,000 ALL-SPORTS WHITE LAKE! •1,702 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car detached garage •2nd floor master suite with jet tub •First floor laundry •211064566
NT F RO
BAY
$309,900
FRO
NT
$555,000
$669,000
NT FRO
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 •First floor master suite •211116287
WS V IE E K LA
$444,500 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
D ATE UPD
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 •211122345
$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
ER WAT
ALL-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
$749,999
ET QUI
E OUS
$239,200
ER WAT
SPECTACULAR CUSTOM BUILT! •3,300 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 5.1 baths, basement, 3 car attached garage •Gourmet Brazilian cherry kitchen •Granite counter tops •211022713
WATERFRONT LEASE ON LAKE SHERWOOD! •1,764 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car attached garage •Family room with fireplace •Granite baths and laundry room •Dock included • 211080636
TH BOA
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
ER WAT
HS BAT 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
LOT RE
$345,000
$139,900
HEN KITC D N ISLA
2 AC
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
ER WAT
TOTALLY REMODELED! •1,616 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, basement •2 car attached garage •Situated on over 1/2 acre •211118570
GREAT INVESTMENT! •Includes 3 structures •Main house 1,199 sq. ft., 1 bedroom, 2 baths •Guest house 400 sq. ft., 1 bedroom, 1 bath •2 car garage •211114072
$159,999
$125,000
$2,150/MO.
$55,000
$1,350,000 GREAT INVESTMENT! •5,552 sq. ft., 5 bedroom, 4.1 baths, basement, 5 car garage •13 beautiful acres •Mahogany kitchen •Generator, elevator •211088932
E LAC EP FIR
CHARMING WIXOM RANCH •1,388 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths •Hardwood floors •Patio with private yard with lake privileges •210132913
T R ON ERF T A W
S TURE RUC T S 3
$129,900 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
ER WAT
$249,900 UPDATED HISTORIC HOME! •1,980 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, basement, 2 car detached garage •Open entry level floor plan •Granite kitchen •Great backyard •210111484
Serving Milford & Surrounding Areas - 248.684.1065
NT FRO
$157,000 ON LAKE GEORGE! •1,721 sq, ft., 3 bedrooms, 3.1 baths, basement, 2 car attached garage •Open floor plan •Finished walkout basement •First floor laundry •211097045 ©Real Estate One, Inc., 2011
PAGE 52
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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 Trail tiac Pon
WALMART
Benstein Rd.
Maple Rd. M-5
Haggerty Rd.
RIGHT HERE
E FOR TH WE YS A ID L O H T LOSE A WILL C 3 AND -2 2 1 1PM SED BE CLO 12-26
Where You Need Us!
morrismotorsmi.com
2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA #P1921
2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING
13,400
$
11,995
13,995
$
#P1913
$
14 Mile Rd.
12,495**
$
FEATURING
**
2008 SATURN AURA
#P2033
Now
#P2035
15,995
13,995
$
$
14,995
$
2008 FORD TAURUS SEL
Was $15,995
2008 SATURN VUE **
#P1915
13,995
$
**
11,995**
$
2007 JEEP WRANGLER #P1945
2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE
5,700
$
18,995**
$
3,995
$
21,995
$
#P1940A
**
2005 GMC YUKON DENALI #P2046
2008 PONTIAC G6
19,995
$
#P2042
15,995
$
18,995**
$
13,995
$
** Find us on Facebook
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 12/28/11. Subject to prior sale.
System Flush MORRIS BONUS BUCKS BG’s Cooling ~ COUPON ~
& Charging System Check
10 Off 20 Off 30 Off
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
•Service battery and fully charge •Clean cables and connections •Check alternator output
Was 8500
$
19
$
95
WITH COUPON
*Dead battery or draw concerns require added diagnosis Must present coupon when order is written. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Plus tax and shop supplies. Expires 1/4/12
SC
Any $100 Service Any $200 Service
Any $300 Service ANY MAKE OR MODEL
$ $ $ $ $
One coupon per customer. Coupons may not be combined with any other offer. Expires 1/4/12. Excludes oil changes, brake promotion, tires and SRTA’S. Valid only in our service department. Must present coupon when order is written. SC
95 $
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 1/4/12.
morrismotorsmi.com
Your Hometown Car & Truck Service and Maintenance Center for over 42 Years *Diagnosis extra, brake inspection extra
99 19
$
248-624-4500
~ COUPON ~
OIL CHANGE
OUR FACTORY-TRAINED TECHNICIANS WILL PERFORM THE FOLLOWING: •Pressurized system leak test •Check belts and hoses •Check heater output $ Was99 129 •Flush cooling system
Service Special
SC
95*
M
Battery Service
~CHILD FRIENDLY CUSTOMER LOUNGE~
O I OTOR L
SALES HOURS: Mon. & Thurs.: 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tues., Wed., Fri.: 8:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.
+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 1/4/12. 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!