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Firm confirms Huron Valley State Bank's 5-Star Rating — page 23
Asbestos at Nike site in Commerce stalls demolition By Kevin Elliott
DNR won't delay Orchard Lake access site project — page 12 Radio tower project in Milford outrages Wixom residents — page 14
That’s what HE said: "We have a funeral to prepare." — West Bloomfield Township Police Lieutenant Tim Diamond after the Sunday, Sept. 8 shooting death of township Police Officer Patrick O'Rourke, 39, a 12-year police veteran. Ricky Coley, the suspect in the shooting, was found dead in his home on Forest Edge Lane following a 20-hour standoff with police on Monday, Sept. 9.
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The discovery of asbestos at the former Nike missile base in Commerce Township has delayed the process of razing structures at the site and increased the cost of demolishing the buildings, according to township officials. The Commerce Township Board of Trustees in July authorized a $70,000 contract with RJ Hoffman Management of Waterford Township to raze structures at the Wise Road property. The township initially indicated the demolition would be done before the end of last month. “We went out for bid and (selected) a contractor, but after he did some checking he found more asbestos, which will cost more to remove,” said township Supervisor Tom Zoner. “We only approved $70,000 (for the demolition), so it has to go back to the board. If they (board members) approve the additional costs, he can start work within a week.” Environmental regulations require materials containing asbestos be removed and disposed in an approved landfill prior to demolishing a building, the township’s engineer, Jay James of
Morgan, Peterson emerge as village manager favorites By Michael Shelton staff writer
The Milford Village Council interviewed the four final candidates for the Milford Village manager position at an open meeting on Saturday, Sept. 8 and a couple favorites have emerged. According to Village Interim Manager Deborah Frazer, the council will officially select the new manager at its next meeting on Monday, Sept. 17 and has rated its top two candidates — Brent Morgan, the city manager for Caro, Mich., and Franklin Peterson, city
A survey of the former Nike missile base in Commerce Township — on land recently purchased by the township from the state — found the presence of asbestos that must be removed before the remaining structures at the site can be demolished as planned. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Damon Tang)
KER Engineering, stated in a memo to the township board. One company had bid $14,200 to remove the asbestos debris, while additional bids are pending, according to the memo. Zoner said the matter was expected to go before the township board at its meeting yesterday, Tuesday, Sept. 11. The township authorized $72,500 in May for the demolition project, with
about $20,000 of that amount coming from the township’s Parks and Recreation Fund. While that amount included an asbestos survey, it didn’t include the cost of removing any asbestos found, James stated in his memo. He said the survey found that asbestos needs to be removed in three
manager of Springfield, Mich., a suburb of Battle Creek. “The council really liked their experience of being a manager,” Frazer said. The other two candidates interviewed were Milford Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Director Ann Barnette and Freemont, Mich. City Manager Bryan Gruesbeck. Each candidate was given a hour and a half for their interview on Saturday at the Milford Civic Center, and were asked a series of questions regarding their management experiences and what they would bring to the table as the village’s new chief executive. Candidates were also asked how they would tackle current village issues such as the closure and possible village
purchase of Baker Elementary School, priorities for the recently approved road improvement millage, and the village’s relationship with Milford Township. Frazer said the council had the option to select the new manager the day of the interviews, but that it didn’t want to make a decision at that time. Additional discussion of the village manager selection is expected. The new manager will replace Arthur Shufflebarger, who passed away on June 11 at his residence on Duke Street at the age of 60 due to natural causes after serving as the village manager since 1990. The council previously opted to have the Michigan Municipal League utilize its executive search service and collect applications for the position. ❏
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Members of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard give a 21-gun salute during the Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial Sept. 11 Remembrance Day Ceremony yesterday, Tuesday, Sept. 11, the 11th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania. Also at the memorial service were the Metro Detroit Police and Fire Pipe and Drums Unit, Color Guard members from the Walker Police Department, Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, and Oakland County Sheriff’s Department. “Taps” was played by Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Deputy James Gregory, and the Pipe and Drums Unit played “Amazing Grace.” Karen Newman sang the National Anthem and the invocation was given by Bishop William Murphy II, chaplain for the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department. Ron Savage of Fox 2 News, also a volunteer firefighter, served as the event’s master of ceremonies. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
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LAKES AREA NEWS
Commerce girl’s 2009 death yields recall of blinds
Over 5,000 books featured at sale benefiting library
By Kevin Elliott
By Kevin Elliott
staff writer
staff writer
A Michigan manufacturer recalled nearly 500,000 window blinds last week following the death of a Commerce Township girl who died after becoming tangled in a blind cord. Commerce parents Wes and Beth Nagara lost their 2-year-old daughter, Isabela, in June 2009 when she was accidentally strangled to death in an unsecured window blind manufactured by Livonia-based Blind Xpress, according to court records. The Nagaras, who filed a lawsuit against the company, claimed the blind manufacturer failed to warn customers of known hazards regarding the window blind cords or follow industry safety standards. Oakland County attorney Wolfgang Mueller, who represented the Nagaras, said the case was settled in April for an undisclosed amount. “We are happy to see that Blind Xpress has finally acknowledged and accepted responsibility for the defective blinds that caused this needless tragedy,” Mueller said. “Retailers also need to educate customers and installers on the availability of cordless blinds that will eliminate the risk of strangulation. It is considered one of the Top 5 Hidden Home Hazards by the CPSC (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission).” The recall, which was made by Blind Xpress on Thursday, Sept. 6, includes 454,000 window blinds, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission stated in a press release. The recall involves all Blind Xpress custom-made vertical blinds that don’t have a cord-tensioning device that attaches to the wall or floor, as well as horizontal blinds that don’t have inner cord stop devices. The blinds, which were sold in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana from January 1995 through December 2011, have an adjustment cord that forms a loop that isn’t attached to the wall or floor. The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that children can become entangled in a cord loop and be strangled. “The (Consumer Product Safety
The Friends of the Highland Library will kick off its fall fund-raising event with a three-day book sale at the Highland Township Public Library that will run through Saturday, Sept. 15. Sue Anderson, treasurer of the Friends of the Highland Library group, said more than 5,000 books will be available for purchase during the annual fund-raiser, including many paperback fiction books and a variety of non-fiction selections. Books donated to the Friends of the Highland Library are checked for quality and sold to benefit programs and services at the library. While the Friends of the Highland Library holds book sales on the first Monday and third Saturday of each month, Anderson said this week’s sale includes a larger selection of books. The sale is one of two seasonal fund-raising events held each spring and fall. Friends of the Highland Library members are invited to preview the sale from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 13. The sale will open to everyone on Friday, Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday’s event will include a combined book-n-bake sale. The sale will take place in the Friends’ store, the library community room and lower level group study room at 444 Beach Farm Circle in Highland. Anderson said this year marks the first time that the sale has been held for three days. Friends of the Highland Library supports the library by raising money to fund services, programs and clubs available at the library. The organization has provided seed money for the library’s collections of DVDs, audio books, video games and other resources. ❏
Commerce Township officials earlier this year approved a contract for the demolition of structures at a former Nike missile base on the south side of Wise Road. The buildings had been slated for razing by the end of last month. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Damon Tang)
Nike site ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 3
areas, including about 12,600 square feet of debris contained in a 9-foot-by 9-foot tiled floor under a carpet in one of the buildings; about 165 linear feet and 60 cubic feet of debris associated with aerocell pipe insulation; and about 650 square feet of debris from transite siding. The township recently purchased Commission) urges consumers to immediately stop using the window coverings and contact the Window Covering Safety Council to receive a free repair kit,” the commission
a 201-acre parcel of state land on the south side of Wise Road as part of plan to obtain about 500 acres of the state-owned Proud Lake Recreation Area. The remaining buildings were part of the U.S. Air Force’s Nike missile base that was active there from 1955 to 1974. The D-87 base housed Ajax and Hercules cruise missiles that could defend against air attacks. The launch area was demolished in 1994. ❏ release states. The Window Covering Safety Council can be reached at 800-5064636 or online at www.windowcoverings.org. ❏
FOR MORE LAKES AREA NEWS SEE PAGE 12
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
By Leslie Shepard staff writer
SPECIAL REPORT
T
here are few high school groups that symbolize pride more than a marching band, with their unified lines, harmonic explosions of sound, and unwavering levels of stamina. Spectators are riveted by the precision of these cohesive groups, forged by hours of dedication and practice. Feet start tapping, and heads begin bobbing in rhythm as each band ignites the crowd. With prep football season now officially under way, the lakes area marching bands are ready to compete with their peers across the nation. Marching bands are comprised of several units, including the band itself, a color guard, and a drumline, but each group is interdependent on the other, and each student’s role is integral to ensuring a stellar performance. Here in the lakes area, high schools are beaming with pride over the accomplishments of their marching bands, ensembles and color guards. Many have earned high recognition for their efforts by marching off with first-place finishes at state competitions. The following is a look at what spectators can expect as the new school year begins and marching band programs are in full swing for football season — and beyond. HURON VALLEY MILFORD The Huron Valley Milford High School Marching Band has consistently placed in state finals at the Michigan Competing Band Association (MCBA) state championships and has made 13 appearances at the Bands of America/Music for All Grand Nationals, a competition held each year in Indianapolis, Ind. One dramatic change in the Milford program this year is Katy Sare, the school’s new band director who joined Huron Valley Milford this spring. “My philosophy is that these students are teachers, all varsity first-string players who are never benched,” Sare said. “While I respect sports, marching band is different and has the edge because every child’s contribution is so important and dependent on each other.” The Milford marching band program continues to draw new students every year. Right now there are 50 students involved: 11 in the Color Guard; nine in the drumline, three drum majors; and 27 who
Halftime and beyond
Marching bands eager for this year's events
The Waterford Mott High School Marching Band’s theme this season is “Dance, Dance Evolution” and will cover three movements — tribal swing, 1960s rock ‘n’ roll, and disco and beyond. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
play wind instruments. The drum majors conduct the band on the field and hold leadership roles among peers. “The drum majors are the ones I can count on and who motivate the students,” Sare said. She added that upper-classmen take the younger students under their wings. “There is an incredible bond and leadership,” Sare said. “The older ones help out the younger ones.” Senior Drum Major Andrew Mikolaizyk is a student conductor, leader, and part of the band’s leadership personnel. His talents extend to the saxophone, piano, and violin. “The people you meet and the friends you make — it’s really amazing how close everyone gets,” he said. “I would recommend it to anyone willing to try something completely different.” The Milford High School Marching Band has been a member of the MCBA for 26 years. Apart from football games, the band performs almost every Saturday at a competition on the MCBA circuit. The band also spends two weeks of pre-camp rehearsal at the high school in
August, and attends a week-long camp before school starts each fall. The band also participates in a pair of competitions, one at Huron Valley Lakeland High School, called Bands Across the Valley, where 15 bands compete on Oct. 13. The other competition is the Huron Valley Invitational, where 30 bands vie for honors the week before the state finals on Oct. 27. The color guard and drumline compete in the winter and spring as part of the Michigan Color Guard Circuit. These groups practice rigorously all year. Currently they practice fours hours a day, Tuesday through Thursday, and all day Saturday, to prepare for the weekly competitions. The full marching band has both a pre-game show, which serves to energize the crowd and the football team for each home game; and a halftime show, the program the band performs at its competitions. This year’s score, arranged by Huron Valley Milford staff member Jacob Turnbow, is “Blueprints: The Architecture of Music,” and features “Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel and “Fantasia in G” by Timothy Mahr.
“It’s quite elaborate with staging and choreography, so there’s a high level of musicality,” Sare said. “Our arranger does a great job of perfectly challenging the kids and this is what we’re judged on during competitions.” The hard work has paid off. The Huron Valley Schools Winter Guard, comprised of beginning students from Huron Valley Milford and Huron Valley Lakeland high schools, as well as Oak Valley, Muir, and White Lake middle schools, took third-place at the state finals earlier this year. The Huron Valley Alliance, made up of the more advanced upper-classmen, also took third-place. These students learn advanced skills in flag, rifle, and saber routines. Senior Paxton McCartney has been with the color guard for seven seasons and loves the thrill of performing. “The feeling of marching onto the football field and looking at the stands is the most surreal feeling,” she said. “I have experienced so much. I’ve learned how to perform and how to be in sync with everyone else around me. It takes a lot of work and time, but the friendships and the lessons learned are worth it.” The Huron Valley Percussion group
SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2012
Walled Lake Northern High School’s Marching Band (above) this year features 169 members in five sections, including winds, a drumline, a color guard, majorettes, and drum majors. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
takes her role seriously as a conductor on the field. “I have to be there to motivate kids and when there’s a problem,” Bailey said. She said she agrees with Shotwell that the friendships formed are what she has gained the most from the experience. “These are the best friends I’ve ever made,” she said. “These are people from all different backgrounds and we stick together. Everyone is close.” WALLED LAKE CENTRAL Walled Lake Central High School has one of the largest and most competitive marching band programs in the area, with 170 student members and back-to-back state competition
championships. “We do a competitive show and it is so complex that we couldn’t take the time to learn another for football games, but obviously the environment is different,” said David Rogers, the director of bands at the school, of the performances the band will give at home football games and competitions this year. The band consists of 100 wind players, four drum majors, 32 percussionists and 34 members of the color guard. That’s about 100 more members than were in the band when Rogers began heading up the program in 1995. “It was a work in progress and still is, but it was much smaller and we
PAGE 9
struggled at competitions in the beginning,” Rogers said. “But, we kept our focus on improving ourselves and staying positive, and that has led to success.” In terms of achievements, the band has since finished in the top four in the state nine times. The band took first-place in the MCBA Flight 1 Championship in 2010 and 2011. Last season’s successes also include first-place finishes at the Novi Invitational; Woodhaven Invitational; Milford Invitational; Plymouth-Canton Invitational; and 40th-place at the Bands of America Grand Nationals. Rogers credits the students, parents and instructors at the middle school and lower levels for making the program at Walled Lake Central High School a success. “Every year we take steps forward and we build, not just at the high school, but at the middle school level and the parents and district. It’s a group effort,” he said. “We stress leadership and spend time making effective leaders, so the standard is high and the kids hold each other accountable to it.” Rogers said this year’s competitive program will blend contemporary music with classic rock, which he said should have wide appeal with audiences. Specifically, he said the show will be based around “The Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin. Using the Viking theme, the band and color guard will convey the song and lyrics to the audience through music and visuals. WALLED LAKE WESTERN The Walled Lake Western High School Marching Band has 98 student members, including 17 percussionists, two drum majors, two majorettes, and 77 wind instrument musicians. Patrick Dudzinski, director of the Walled Lake Western marching band, said that while the band plays at football games and festivals, it isn’t a competitive band. The band will perform at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District 4 Marching Band Festival on Oct. 10 at Royal Oak High School. “We perform the same show for football games and festivals,” Dudzinski said. “We consistently receive First Division Ratings at festival.” The Walled Lake Western band is one of the few in the state that PAGE 10 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯
SPECIAL REPORT
walked away with first-place in its class earlier this year. The Winter Drumline consists of students from Huron Valley Milford and Lakeland high schools. These students can march while playing snare, tenor, and bass drums, and cymbals. They can also perform in the front ensemble or pit while playing marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, synthesizer, and a variety of other instruments. Junior Blake Baareman has played the snare drum for five years in the band and lauds the program for its camaraderie. “What I enjoy most is the friendship and bond that comes from the hours and hours of hard work,” he said. “When you join any of these groups, you join a family. Everybody is brought in, and we all defend each other with a bond that can never be broken.” HURON VALLEY LAKELAND Band Director Bob Green has been overseeing the Lakeland High School Marching Band for 17 years. During his tenure, the band program has realized significant success. “The big thing is we’ve been state champs four times and in 1999 we were a national (championship) semifinalist,” Green said. “We’ve been a state finalist 19 out of the last 20 years.” Last year, the marching band took eighth-place at the state championships and was awarded the grand championship title at the West Bloomfield High School Invitational. There are 68 members of the marching band — 40 who play wind instruments, two drum majors, 20 percussionists; and six color guard members. Apart from the Field Day Competition held this past weekend, the Lakeland High School Marching Band will perform at seven other competitions this year, concluding the season at the national championship in Indianapolis. This year the band’s program score is “Out of Many, One.” It is a trio of songs, including “The Way You Are” by Bruno Mars, “We Are Young” by Fun, and “Paradise” by Coldplay. Being a member of the marching band has made the high school experience a positive one for students like Abbi Shotwell and Katie Bailey. Shotwell, a senior who is the flute section leader, says it’s the cohesiveness that sets the group apart from others. “We get to spend so much time together and become close, even out of marching band practice,” she said. “We continue that relationship as a family where everyone helps one another.” Bailey, a senior drum major, said she
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
SPECIAL REPORT
Marching bands
school, and then we pack everything up and head off to away camp, where we spend the week learning our show,” said Mary Hulliberger, director of bands at Walled Lake Northern. The band, which has 169 members, plays at all home football games and selected invitationals, as well as the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association festival. Hulliberger said the band is student-centered with a great emphasis on student leadership. For instance, she said drum majors Evan Bahm, Ben Schubet, and Nico Laenen lead the band on the field, with section leaders assisting and in charge of all musical aspects of their section. Squad leaders then make sure their specific squads are set with all things marching on the field. “We strive to improve our performance at every rehearsal,” Hulliberger said. “Our students take great pride in their performance, preparation, and traditions.” The band was selected to perform at Disney World’s Electric Light Parade earlier this year, and drum majors earned awards at Michigan State University’s Performing Arts Camp. The Marching Knights also earned a Division 1 rating at the festival for several years. Northern will join Western and Central, as well as Milford High School and West Bloomfield High School, on Saturday, Sept. 15 for a preview show at Walled Lake Central High School. The show allows bands to play for and support each other. All of the bands will perform “America The Beautiful” to close the show. WEST BLOOMFIELD West Bloomfield High School’s marching band is regarded as one of the best in the state, with this year’s edition fielding 90 students, including 30 woodwind players, 26 brass players, 12 drumline members, 10 front ensemble members, 11 color guard members, and drum majors Natasha
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doesn’t incorporate a color guard. Dudzinski said the number of students participating in band is growing. “Our numbers have been influenced by redistricting that has taken place ... we are getting back up to where we need to be,” he said. Dudzinski described the style of the band as a hybrid between a competitive band and a “sort of fun” band. Members rehearse about six hours each week and focus on music pieces that are tailored toward a football audience. By keeping rehearsal hours relatively low, Dudzinski said many band members are able to participate in other fall sports or extracurricular activities that they otherwise may not be able to enjoy. “To (compete) successfully, you really have to rehearse a ton,” he said. “(Not competing) helps keep costs down, and hopefully fewer are excluded ... if we rehearsed more than we did, I know more would have to choose between band and sports.” WALLED LAKE NORTHERN The Walled Lake Northern High School Marching Band also received a First Division Rating at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association Festival in 2011. The school’s marching band is made up of five sections, including winds, a drumline, a color guard, majorettes, and drum majors. Students must audition for all sections, except winds, according to the school’s music booster website. The band performs at all home varsity football games, the annual Walled Lake Memorial Day Parade, and various invitationals. Most high school marching bands require members to attend band camp during the summer, but the Marching Knights at Walled Lake Northern have two band camps. “The first is a day camp hosted at
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Marching bands ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 10
Kamat and Robbie Bell. The Lakers’ season began with the South Lyon Field Day on Saturday, Sept. 8 and will continue with the Walled Lake Marching Preview at Walled Lake Central on Sept. 15. Then on Sept. 29, West Bloomfield will host its 27th annual Laker Invitational, which in the past has featured bands from across the lakes area and the state. Admission to the event is $7, with children 5 and under admitted free. The Lakers will then compete at the Bands of America Regional Championships at the Pontiac Silverdome on Oct. 6, followed by competitions at Clarkston on Oct. 20 and Huron Valley Lakeland on Oct. 27. This year’s MCBA state finals are on Nov. 3 at Ford Field. “We have placed in the top five at state finals the last six years and we also won the state championship in 2008. From 2008 to 2010 we were a Grand National Semi-finalist at (The Bands of America) Grand Nationals,” said Chad Mielens, the band director at West Bloomfield High School and Abbott Middle School. “We field a winter drumline and a winter color guard. Our winter drumline placed 10th this last year at (Winter Guard International) World Championships.” Mielens serves as the co-director of West Bloomfield bands along with Carl Stein, while Pat McLaughlin serves as the director of the percussion unit and winter drumline. West Bloomfield’s winter drumline also took first-place at the Winter Guard International Regional in Troy last season and second-place at the Michigan Color Guard Circuit championship. Last January, West Bloomfield band members Justin Bronstein and Zachary Helm were selected from among students from across the country to play in the U.S. Army AllAmerican Marching Band at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas. In fact, West Bloomfield has seen at least one of its members play at the All-American Bowl the last four years. For more information on West Bloomfield’s band program, log onto the band’s official website at wbbands.info. WATERFORD MOTT This season, Waterford Mott High School’s marching band has 46 students including two drum majors, 25 members who play wind instruments, seven battery percussion players, seven
The Walled Lake Central High School Marching Band’s percussionists (above) rehearse a routine at a recent practice session. In all there are 32 percussionists that are part of the band’s overall 170 members. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Damon Tang)
front ensemble members, four color guard members, and one baton twirler. On Sept. 15, Mott’s band will play at the Wayne Memorial High School Scholastic Invitational, followed by a performance at the Chippewa Valley High School Scholastic Invitational on Sept. 29. On Oct. 3, Mott will play at the Grand Ledge High School Exhibition with Michigan State University, followed by the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association Marching Band Festival at Royal Oak High School on Oct. 10. Then on Oct. 20, Mott will perform at the Jenison High School Scholastic Invitational. “We perform the same show as we do at the halftime show for our football games. We also add more drill and visual effects as the season goes on,” said Mott Band Director David Alan Philipp. “We have participated in many marching competitions around Michigan. Some past venues include Plymouth-Canton, (Huron Valley) Lakeland, Clarkston and West Bloomfield high schools.” “We have performed and done very well in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association marching band festival. We have also performed in the Holiday Extravaganza Parade in Pontiac and the Memorial Day Parade in Waterford.” Philipp added that Mott was nearly able to play at Ford Field for the MCBA state championships last year. Mott’s marching band, drumline and color guard perform together in the fall, but the drumline and color guard members participate in winter ensembles, as well.
Tim Strait, a senior and one of Mott’s two drum majors this year, said that he believes his band can make it to the state championships. “I really think we’ve gotten better. The camaraderie has increased and the overall attitude has improved,” Strait said. “I’m seeing good things from a bunch of people.” Strait has been a member of Mott’s marching band since his freshman year and played the baritone before becoming drum major this year. “It’s really like I was chosen to lead by example. It’s about trying to get everyone to do their best and go 100 percent,” Strait said. In the past, the Mott drumline has competed in the MCBA Flight 1 State Finals, placed in the top three at the Michigan Color Guard Circuit Scholastic A state finals, and the Winter Guard International World Indoor Finals in Dayton, Ohio. Mott’s theme this season is “Dance, Dance Evolution” and will cover three movements — tribal swing, 1960s rock ‘n’ roll, and disco and beyond. WATERFORD KETTERING This year, Waterford Kettering’s marching band has 90 student members, including 29 woodwind players, 27 brass instrument players, 20 drumline members, 12 color guard members, and two drum majors. Scott Atkins, the director of bands at Kettering, said the Captains’ marching band is not a competition band, but does perform at several parades and festivals; and the band, drumline and color guard always perform as a whole. Atkins serves as co-director of the
Marching Captains along with Kathryn Stone, the director of bands at Pierce Middle School. Kyle Gundlach and Eric Ashby are this year’s drum majors, with Gundlach serving as a drum major for the second straight year. The Captains’ schedule first has them performing at the Cedar Point Halloweekends Parade on Sunday, Sept. 23, followed by the Grand Ledge High School Marching Band Invitational on Oct. 3. Kettering will then perform at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District 4 Marching Band Festival at Royal Oak High School on Oct. 10, before hosting the Michigan State University Drumline and Color Guard in a clinic/performance at Kettering on Oct. 22. The Captains will perform at the Pontiac Holiday Extravaganza Parade on Dec. 1 and then will head north next year to play at the Mackinac City Memorial Day Weekend Parade on May 25. This year’s theme for Kettering is “2012: End of the World?” with the selections “Night Watch,” “Yesterday,” “How Far We’ve Come,” and “Thanks for the Memories.” “Our band performs at every home (football) game halftime and we also do a 10-minute pre-game show before each game,” Atkins said. In the past, Kettering’s accomplishments have included Division 1 ratings at past Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association marching band festivals, first-place at the 2010 Battle of the Bands at the America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit, and the 2009 President’s Trophy (first-place) at the Mackinac City Memorial Day Weekend Parade, as well as performances at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. “The Waterford Kettering band has a rich tradition going back to the opening of the high school in 1962. Our school songs (fight song and alma mater) were written by Kettering students,” Atkins said. “Our marching band is a voluntary marching band. Students in band classes at the high school can elect to march or may choose not to march. “There are about 150 in the overall Kettering band program, with 90 in the marching band. Marching band is co-curricular and students and families pay to participate in the group.” For more information, log onto the band’s website at www.waterford.k12.mi.us/kettering/ba nd. ❏ Staff writers Kevin Elliott and Michael Shelton contributed to this report.
PAGE 12
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
LAKES AREA NEWS
Orchard Lake not able to postpone launch site work By Leslie Shepard staff writer
Despite efforts to delay construction at the Orchard Lake public boat access site that’s operated by the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR), city and state officials were unable to sway DNR staff to hold off on the project. Orchard Lake Mayor Bruce McIntyre asked the DNR to delay the start of the improvements to the access site to Oct. 1 so riparians would be given ample time to remove their boats from the lake. He also took issue with the city not being notified of the project with adequate prior notice. A meeting was held on Friday, Sept. 7 between McIntyre and Orchard Lake City Council members Jackie Beach and Norm Finkelstein, state Rep. Chuck Moss (R-Orchard Lake), and DNR officials. A half-dozen riparians also showed up to vent their frustrations. “We were unsuccessful in getting the work postponed, but we gave them an earful that they didn’t consult with us before they launched (the project),” McIntyre said. “The project had already started before the meeting, so literally there’s a giant hole in front of the launch, and so we weren’t able to postpone it. The contractor has already begun,” said Jodi Nieschulz, supervisor at Dodge Park No. 4, which manages the Orchard Lake access site. McIntyre said the DNR has handled projects similarly in the past. “That appears to be the case across the state,” McIntyre said. “Any state agency that starts a project of this magnitude should be required to advise the community before it’s launched and we should have the opportunity to comment on it. If so, it could have been modified.” Even some DNR staff, however, didn’t receive much prior notice. “The day we found out construction was to start (Aug. 21) is the day we went over to speak with (Director of City Services) Gerry McCallum and notify him it would start on Aug. 27,” Nieschulz said. The construction project includes redesigning the boat launch area for increased maneuverability, paving the driveways and parking lot, increasing accessibility and adding landscaping. The landscaping will consist of native
An appearance by Santa Claus, along with the singing of Christmas carols and the National Anthem, children’s crafts and other familyfriendly attractions, has traditionally been a part of the annual White Lake Township Community Tree Lighting event. (Photo from the the White Lake Township Community Tree Lighting Facebook page)
Volunteers needed Tree lighting organizers ask for help By Kevin Elliott staff writer
O
rganizers of the annual White Lake Township Community Tree Lighting event are asking for volunteers to help keep the event an annual prized tradition in the township. Jim Runestad, an Oakland County commissioner whose district includes White Lake and the cochairman of this year’s tree lighting event, said there is a critical need for volunteers in order to continue the event. “We are a fun group,” he said. “We laugh, we joke, we have a great time. There’s a lot of excitement, and you feel good when they put this together ... the community loves it. We just need more people. It’s growing and gets bigger every year.” If more volunteers don’t come forward to help, Runestad said, the tree lighting event may not happen this year. Steve Martinko, owner and president of Contender’s Tree and Lawn Specialists in White Lake, and Julie Strong, director at Gershenson Realty and Investment in Farmington Hills, stepped down as co-chairpersons of the group organizing the event earlier this year. “Steve was the one who coordinated things going on at the mall in terms of getting lights up, the tree and the logistics there,” Runestad
said. “Julie Strong was the contact at the Gershenson mall ... Most have said it was a murderous amount of work. (Martinko and Strong) can’t do it this year.” In an effort to continue the event this year, Runestad said he and Linda Hanneman, manager of Genisys Credit Union in White Lake, will cochair the organizing committee. Committee members met on Monday, Sept. 10 to discuss how to proceed with the event and what needs still have to be filled. Runestad said the group needs volunteers to help with decorating and setting up the tree, fund-raising and contacting local businesses for sponsorships, graphic design, the printing of materials, and other skills. “We can’t do it if we can’t get help,” he said. The event has been held at the Village Lake Shopping Center, located south of M-59 and east of Elizabeth Lake Road, in past years. The tree lighting event includes a host of family activities for the Christmas season. Runestad said plans for next year’s event may include moving the tree lighting event to the Fisk Farm, further east and on the north side of M-59. Individuals or businesses interested in volunteering may contact Runestad at jim.run@comcast.net or by telephone at 248-802-5500. ❏
species and an eco-friendly rain garden that will absorb run-off before it reaches the lake. Bio-logs will help ensure shoreline stabilization. Beach said that if the DNR had worked alongside the city, some of the deforestation at the launch site would not have been necessary. “Part of the design involved excavating a portion of a beautiful wooded hill and old timber trees,” Beach said. “They didn’t take into consideration of our woodlands ordinance, nor do they have to, but they could have brought the city in for some pre-planning and design. Unfortunately it’s another example of (a) one-size-fits-all (mentality).” During the meeting, DNR representatives agreed to replace some trees removed. The site was closed on Tuesday, Sept. 4 and work is expected to be completed by spring 2013. The DNR plans to post signs at the site, and keep Orchard Lake officials apprised of what weekends boaters will be permitted to remove their boats from the lake. ❏
Riverview Park to be renamed after Shufflebarger Milford Village is currently working on a plan to rename one of its parks in honor of its late village manager. Village Interim Manager Deborah Frazer said the village is planning on renaming Riverview Park, which is located across the street from Central Park, in honor of Arthur Shufflebarger, who passed away in June. “We’re still getting estimates on benches and plaques,” Frazer said. “We currently have $1,250 in donations and the village will pay for anything above and beyond the initial costs.” Exact plans are not in place yet, but Frazer said that the idea is to have a bench and a plaque explaining who Shufflebarger was and his contributions to the village. Frazer said that the goal is hold the dedication on Thanksgiving weekend to coincide with Milford’s downtown Christmas parade. Shufflebarger passed away on June 11 at his residence on Duke Street at the age of 60. It was determined that his death was the result of natural
FOR MORE LAKES AREA NEWS SEE PAGE 13
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PAGE 13
LAKES AREA NEWS
Milford park ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 12
causes. He had served as the village manager since 1990. Shufflebarger’s funeral was held on June 15 at the Milford United Methodist Church and he was laid to rest in his hometown of Atchison, Kans. He is survived by his wife, Kelsey, and his two daughters, Kayla and Ieasha. ❏
Polcyn gives class on preservation of food on Sept. 27 The Milford Farmers’ Market will be holding a preserving class with Chef Brian Polcyn of Cinco Lagos on Sept. 27 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. As of Friday, Sept. 7, there were eight spots of the 12 spots made available still open for the class, which will cost $100 for each participant, with proceeds going back to the Farmers’ Market courtesy of Polcyn. The event will be similar to the Shop, Chop and Dine event held in July in which participants will meet with Polcyn at the Farmers’ Market on Main Street in downtown Milford to gather produce before heading to Cinco Lagos for the class, which will involve learning how to preserve items to enjoy through the winter, such as jams, pickles and tomatoes. All supplies will be provided and participants will bring home the items preserved. Polcyn is the chef/owner at the Cinco Lagos Mexican restaurant on N. Main Street in Milford, in addition to being the co-author of the book “Charcuterie: The Craft of Salting, Smoking and Cutting.” He also made a guest appearance on the Travel Channel show “No Reservations” with Anthony Bourdain in 2010. Those interested in reserving a spot can contact Kelley Kirchner at 248-891-8222 or e-mail mfm.eventsinfo@gmail.com. ❏
FOR MORE LAKES AREA NEWS SEE PAGE 14
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Milford Police Lieutenant Matthew Brumm (above) downloads the DriveScribe app onto a smart phone. Milford Police Chief Tom Lindberg endorses the free app, which blocks text messages, updates and calls while a car is in motion and sends the parents of teenage drivers notices when their child has violated any driving laws. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
Newfangled ‘driving coach’ Milford police chief touts mobile app for teenage drivers By Michael Shelton staff writer
P
arents and guardians concerned about their teenage drivers now have a new tool to turn to that is making waves with police chiefs across the country. DriveScribe is a free mobile phone application (app) that can be downloaded onto a smart phone, turning it into a “driving coach” by blocking text messages, updates and calls while a car is in motion through monitoring the speed of a car. In addition, the app also blocks texts and calls through GPS, social media, a jamming function and realtime voice feedback. Drivers can keep their phone on the seat, in a cupholder or a mount in the car and the app will inform them if they are going too fast and need to slow down. The app also allows a parent to
enter the starting point for where their driver is going and their destination. Thanks to the app, parents can be informed through updates if their teen driver has violated any driving laws. But, there are also incentives for teen drivers by accumulating safe points that will allow them to buy gift cards from different establishments, such as Domino’s Pizza, Amazon.com, and The Sports Authority. One police chief raving about the app is Milford’s Tom Lindberg. “We learned about the app just through different networks with police chiefs,” he said. “It’s free, you don’t have to pay for it and it has the best value. I’m also hoping to meet with parents and talk about it as much as I can.” He added that he hopes to
spread the word about the app to the Lakes Area Citizens’ Police Academy, which is a partnership between the Milford, Novi, Walled Lake, Wolverine Lake and South Lyon police departments. The Citizens’ Academy provides 30 hours of instruction to give the public a working knowledge of police department personnel, policies, and procedures. The app was created by Drive Power out of Minneapolis, Minn. to help combat the epidemic of teens texting while driving. The state of Michigan has a law banning texting while driving, with a $100 fine for the first offense and then $200 for each following violation. For more information on the app, visit the company’s official website, drivescribe.com, where you can sign up for the app and download it. ❏
PAGE 14
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LAKES AREA NEWS
Possible Milford radio towers spark static in Wixom By Leslie Shepard staff writer
A Southfield-based company’s proposal to erect seven 199-foot radio broadcast towers on the border of Wixom and Milford Township has caused a stir among Wixom residents and city officials. Birach Broadcasting Corporation owns and operates a network of AM radio stations in the Midwest and on the East Coast. Owner Sima Birach is requesting a rezoning, special use and site plan approval for the towers to be located off Maple Road, just west of the Wixom Public Works facility on Charms Road. The towers would be visible to residents along the roadway and those in the Wexford Mews subdivision, in addition to residents in neighboring Milford Township. Birach purchased two parcels totalling more than 61 acres for the purpose of relocating the towers from Fenton to Milford Township. “(Birach) bought the property before it was rezoned, and what business person would buy with the potential to start up a business without having the knowledge it has to be rezoned? He put the cart before the horse and it doesn’t make good sense,” said Wixom Mayor Kevin Hinkley. Over 40 Wixom residents, in addition to city officials, filled Milford Township’s Thursday, Aug. 30 Planning Commission meeting to voice opposition to the project. “The whole idea of putting in radio towers is against the (Milford) master plan and violates ordinances,” said Wixom resident Jessie Durkin. “I’m not sure if Milford residents are apathetic or don’t know about it, so we’re trying to blanket the area with fliers to get the information out.” However, Milford Township Planning Commission Chairman David Kulp rebuts Durkin’s claim that the project would violate township ordinances. “We heard many issues not in the purview of the Planning Commission,” he said. “The EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) and FCC (Federal Communications Commission) are not our responsibility. We are working
FOR MORE LAKES AREA NEWS SEE PAGE 17
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Lakes Area Optimist Club President Denise Finnerty hopes the annual Run with Attitude 5K/1-Mile on Sunday, Sept. 23 will draw 400 people to help purchase educational materials for at-risk children 2- to 6-year-old in the lakes area. (Photo by Dave Miller/davemillerphoto.com)
Giving back to the children Run with Attitude race will benefit at-risk youngsters By Leslie Shepard staff writer
T
o raise funds for at-risk children in the local communities, the Lakes Area Optimist Club is sponsoring its third annual Run with Attitude 5K/1-Mile that will be held on Sunday, Sept. 23. The event will take place at the Martin Parkway Project, located north of M-5, between Pontiac Trail and Martin Road. The 5K/I Mile course goes through more than 125 acres of trails, trees, ponds and natural beauty. The race will start and end at Commerce Township Hall, located at 8600 PGA Drive. Late registration and packet pickup begins at 8 a.m. on Sept. 23, and participants can register online at www.runwithattitude.com. The event begins promptly at 10 a.m. Entry costs are $25 per individual for the 5K or $20 for the one-mile race; and $35 per family until
Thursday, Sept. 20. After the deadline, costs go up $5. Entry fees include a t-shirt — with two t-shirts going for a family entry — and string backpack if participants finish the mile. There will be free food and coffee donated by Great Harvest Bread and Caribou Coffee in Commerce. Entertainment will include music by a DJ, hula hooping, face painting and kids games. All proceeds raised will be used to purchase educational materials for at-risk children 2- to 6-year-old in the lakes area. “The goal is to give back to the kids,” said President of the Lakes Area Optimist Club Denise Finnerty, who chairs the event. “We’ve done stockings at Christmas for teens, raised money for elementary school recess equipment, and other recognition events such as youth appreciation for character and essay contests, but we hadn’t focused on this
age group and saw a need for early child development. We want to empower moms to help kids out of school be successful.” The Lakes Area Optimist Club is a contingent of local individuals working together to “bring out the best in kids.” The event is also designed to promote family health and wellness, catering to runners, walkers and whole family participation. The first Run With Attitude 5K/1Mile event took place in 2010. All money raised that year was donated to all 14 Walled Lake Consolidated School District elementary schools to purchase new recess equipment. Last year, participation nearly doubled and the proceeds benefited Hospitality House to purchase chicken, a much-needed protein for the families it serves. “Last year we had 250 participants and raised about $3,000, but I’m hoping for 400 participants this year,” Finnerty said. ❏
SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2012
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LAKES AREA NEWS
The Metro Detroit Police and Fire Pipes and Drums Unit performed at the Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial for the Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony commemorating the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2011 terrorist attacks that killed more than 3,000 people in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania. Other musicians at the event included Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Deputy James Gregory, who played “Taps,” and Karen Newman, who sung the National Anthem. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
Radio towers ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 15
within our ordinances.” Milford Township planners voted to postpone any action on the issue until this month because, according to Kulp, the commission felt it needed more information and resident notification of the radio broadcast towers project. The Wixom City Council had previously sent a resolution to the Milford Planning Commission stating its concerns. Kulp disagreed with the concerns outlined in the Wixom resolution, stating that the proposed land use is permitted by Milford Township ordinances. “Elements of the ordinance were read out of context. That is their perspective,” Kulp said. “The resolution also cited elements of our township master plan use, but the master plan is more like a guide and it is not a
regulation. The towers can go in that area if they meet all of the criteria in the ordinance. You have to agree that the area can be rezoned as a wireless overlay zone, provided it meets all of the criteria. “The specific site plan also has to meet all of its criteria,” he said. Hinkley attempted to sway the Milford commission by explaining that the proposed towers’ location is the issue. “I wanted to extend the olive branch,” he said. “We’ve worked alongside Milford Township on many initiatives. (The towers) are wrong for our community and wrong for that location when there are other industrial sites.” Several impacted Wixom residents complained that they were never notified of any Milford Planning Commission meetings in May. “Supposedly Oakland County sent Milford Township a list of property owners within 1,000 feet of the
parcels, but no one we’ve talked to got notified,” Durkin said. Kulp said that it was up to the applicant to notify impacted residents. “We didn’t have to notify residents, but we made sure they were were notified (if they lived) within 300 feet (of the proposed towers) by taking the step to have the applicant notify them,” Kulp said. Bill Durkin said he fears Milford Township will eventually approve the proposal despite area residents’ concerns. “They aren’t denying or approving the proposal, but they seem to be leaning toward approval,” Bill Durkin said. “The developer was told to bring in a photo of what (the towers) would look like and it was a joke. It wasn’t drawn to scale and didn’t account for clear cutting of the trees.” Wixom officials say that the proposal does not meet rezoning requirements since proposals must be “consistent with the adopted master plan”
and “compatible with the existing land use pattern.” Currently, the district is primarily single-family residential and small-scale commercial operations. The reconfiguration would contrast sharply with existing land uses, Wixom officials argue. According to Milford Township’s master plan, the goal is to maintain the rural integrity of the area. “The master plan is a guide, which is not to say someone can’t come in with a land use or alternative to rezoning,” Kulp said. If the proposal goes forward, residents fear that the area as a whole will become an eyesore. “(The towers’ installation would require) a 200-foot radius of clear cutting (trees), which would take it to our wetlands, so instead of looking at pristine land, residents will now look
FOR MORE LAKES AREA NEWS SEE PAGE 19
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PAGE 19
LAKES AREA NEWS
‘Come and get it!’ Food Truck Rally today benefits Waterford police K-9 unit By Leslie Shepard staff writer
A
caravan of food trucks will be headed to the lakes area to serve up tasty fare during a Food Truck Rally today, Wednesday, Sept. 12 from 4 to 9 p.m. The Motor City Street Eats event will take place at the PontiacWaterford Elks, located 2100 Scott Lake Road in Waterford Township. The Food Truck Rally is sponsored by the Pontiac-Waterford Elks in conjunction with the Michigan Mobile Food Vendors Association. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the Waterford Police Department K-9 Unit. “This came about when Officer Annette Miller and her dog were injured in the line of duty,” said Jim Mastrangel, the vice-president of the Michigan Mobile Food Vendors Association. “We originally wanted to work on her behalf, but the department said she’s taken care of and asked for donations to go directly to the K-9 unit.” The last food truck rally event was held in May, and drew between 1,200 and 1,500 people. “Each of the events gets bigger and bigger,” Mastrangel said. “The momentum is growing and we anticipate going to different cities here in the tri-county area, from Port Huron to Ann Arbor, to offer rallies for different fund-raising opportunities.” Mastrangel’s gourmet food truck, Jacque’s Tacos, serves up fresh Mexican cuisine. His truck earned the distinction as both Best Food Truck in the Metrotimes Best
Radio towers ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 17
at seven towers visible from just about anywhere in Wixom,” Bill Durkin said. “It will be atrocious.” According to Wixom City Planner Carmine Avantini, the application fails to meet the intent of Milford Township’s zoning ordinance that seeks to “minimize the negative visual impact of wireless communication facilities on neighborhoods; community landmarks; historic sites and build-
The last food truck rally event in Waterford Township (above) was held in May, and drew between 1,200 and 1,500 people. Today’s rally will be the third in the township this year. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
of Detroit and Real Detroit Magazine reader surveys in 2011. In addition to Mastrangel’s six signature types of tacos — short rib, grilled chicken, slow roasted pork, shrimp, fish, and marinated avocado — he will introducing a new menu item: Chicken or beef chimichangas. He will also be selling a few types of tamales. Mastrangel has lined up a variety of food trucks from southeast Michigan to participate in today’s rally. Big R BQ will be serving up smoked and roasted beef and pork finished off
with various barbecue sauces. Dago Joe will be selling Italian cuisine like pastas and sauces made from scratch. Frank’s Anatra will be serving up hot dogs and Italian sausages. Concrete Cuisine will be offering a slew of delistyle sandwiches and wraps; and Treat Dreams, a microcreamery, will churn out homemade ice cream in gourmet flavors. Added to the line up this time around is Ned’s Travel Burger, which features Michigan-raised beef and other varieties of sandwiches, like pulled pork and veggie burgers.
A pair of other food trucks may be on site. The Green Zebra may be selling its upscale American street fare, and the People’s Pierogi Collective may be on site serving up grilled Polish fare like kielbasa and pierogi. The Pontiac-Waterford Elks will be selling beer, wine coolers, and pop in a beer tent. Up in the Air Disc Golf will be providing disc golf demonstrations on a specially set up 9-hole course, and live music will be provided by the classic rock band The Vintage. ❏
ings; natural beauty areas; and public rights-of-way.” “Our ordinance states that we should encourage co-location whenever possible so towers aren’t spread all over, but that’s not applicable in this case,” Kulp said. Wixom officials also dispute the Birach’s assertion that the towers will not have a negative impact on property values. “The studies they reference are for cell towers and high-tension power lines, not a radio broadcasting tower
farm,” Hinkley said. “Seven 199-foottall radio broadcasting towers at a single, concentrated, semi-rural location will have a greater impact on the value of neighboring houses than a single cell tower or power lines. In addition, the other tower locations they cite in the region were built before the abutting residential homes were constructed, not after.” Other residential concerns relate to public health and communication interference. “There is a health issue that they
gloss over with radio waves,” Jessie Durkin said. “They don’t fade away after 3 feet and studies show different types of cancer and radiation as a result. There is also an interference issue that will mess up telephone service. These should be considered before making a decision.” Kulp added that more meetings are upcoming, including the next Milford Planning Commission meeting and public hearing on Sept. 27. ❏ Staff writer Michael Shelton contributed to this report.
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EDUCATION
Family Fun Night honors military, police, fire heroes By Michael Shelton staff writer
T
he West Bloomfield School District will be holding its second Family Fun Night during the West Bloomfield High School varsity football game against Troy Athens on Friday, Sept. 21. The event will double as “A Salute to our U.S. Military, Police and Fire Heroes,” and will begin in the school parking lot at 5 p.m. with police and rescue vehicles, military vehicles, a fire engine and a patrol boat on hand. There will also be face painting, airbrush tattoos, a rock climbing wall and a dunk tank at the event. Other free attractions will include a bounce house, an inflatable football toss, a Raptor vehicle, a video arcade on wheels and an F-16 miniature fighter jet. A DJ will also be on hand to play music and the G.I. Johnny air balloon will also be at the festival. Free cider and doughnuts will be available and prizes such as flash drives will be given out. In the case of inclement weather, the activities will be moved indoors. At 6:30 p.m., the activities will be stopped and entry to the football game will begin. A tribute ceremony is scheduled
Online learning program to continue in HVS By Leslie Shepard staff writer
The Huron Valley School District will be continuing its online learning programming this year to accommodate specific student needs. Since 2010, the district has utilized curriculum materials from a nationally recognized provider of online education programming, Education2020, also known as e2020. As part of the district’s e100 initiative, students at Harbor, Huron Valley Lakeland and Huron Valley Milford high schools — as well as students in the Adult Education Program — have completed curriculum requirements using this system. “We started the e100 initiative
The Friday, Sept. 21 Family Fund Night will be held before the West Bloomfield High School varsity football game against Troy Athens. The event begins at 5 p.m. This is the second time the district has put on the event, with the first time coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2011 terrorist attacks. (Photo submitted by Pamela Zajac/West Bloomfield School District)
at 6:45 p.m., with the football game kickoff set for 7 p.m. Admission to the game is $5, while attendees with a military, police or fire ID will be granted free admission, as will students from any of the district’s elementary and middle schools who wear shirts with their school’s name on it.
There will be a special family area sectioned off in the bleachers so families and youngsters will be able to sit together. The halftime show will feature performances by the West Bloomfield High School Marching Band and Dance Team, as well as giveaways of t-shirts
and other items. The district advises attendees not to bring any election or political materials or paraphernalia to the festival. The first Family Fun event coincided with the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. ❏
some time ago to look at all ways to use electronic resources to enhance education,” said David Maile, the district’s director of secondary education. This school year will be no exception. The district will continue its e100 initiative by providing students with online learning opportunities, an avenue for students — including students with special needs — to take courses outside of the school day to participate in educational and/or vocational opportunities and credit recovery. “A lot of the programming is used for credit recovery, non-traditional students or those traditional students who want to accelerate,” Maile said. “That’s what’s nice about the program — meeting individual needs, but it’s only one tool in a toolbox.” Maile warned that online learning is not an educational tool that works for everyone. “The politicians make it seem like
it’s a panacea, and it does help some and has been found useful, but others do not (have success with online learning), so we’re always trying to refine who does it and monitor success,” Maile said. In an effort to continue these online learning opportunities, 150 e2020 licenses were purchased for the 2012-2013 school year to provide Harbor High School and Huron Valley Milford High School each with 30 concurrent seats, 60 seats at Huron Valley Lakeland High School, and an additional 30 seats for special education students. “Every license can be used 24/7 a year and it is now centrally coordinated,” Maile said. “We did a usage study to see who is logged in at certain times. We don’t want to pay for licenses we don’t use.” Through consortium pricing with Oakland Schools, the total cost for the program is estimated at $82,500,
plus a 20-percent contingency for usage adjustments to add another 30 seats if needed. ❏
New emergency communication system in district By Michael Shelton staff writer
The Waterford School District now has a new way to reach parents, faculty and staff with news of an emergency within minutes. The district has announced it will immediately utilize the Blackboard Connect communication service, which will allow the district to send personal-
FOR MORE EDUCATION NEWS SEE PAGE 22
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Obituaries
50 YEARS AGO Sept. 13, 1962 The shoreline at 7820 Barnsbury, Union Lake, was the scene of a freak accident proving fatal to one and near fatal to 11 others on Sept. 2, 1962. A heavy wave capsized an 8-by-16foot homemade power-driven raft owned by Roy Dick of Garden City. The accident took place in less than 5 feet of water. The 12 passengers were caged in by the guard rail around the raft, making it particularly impossible to get out from under. Mr. Dick forced a small gate and started pulling the others to freedom. Alert witnesses assisted in getting them to shore and applied artificial respiration and mouth-to-mouth breathing. Dead on arrival at Pontiac General Hospital was 14-month-old Frank Dzbanski of 2108 Burns Street, Detroit. Six others were treated at the hospital and released. 40 YEARS AGO Sept. 13, 1972 The reasons for Gerald Faye's dismissal as provost of the Oakland Community College (OCC) Highland Lakes Campus have been made public after an official silence on the matter that has extended since June. He was dismissed from his $27,270 per year position for allegedly falsifying his expense account report regarding expenses totaling $87.50. The information was released last week in relation to the court fight Faye began waging Monday, Sept. 11, to be reinstated as provost. Although little news came from the initial court session, a number of affidavits filed by the college just prior to the session provided much. In an affidavit by Trustee Lila Johnson, Faye is quoted as having admitted that two expense reports were false and that in both cases he submitted the reports to be reimbursed for "legislative contributions" he made. 30 YEARS AGO Sept. 15, 1982 Preliminary results of a major gypsy moth trapping program in western Oakland County has produced evidence of a moth population in Highland Township. Although a full report on the summer trapping won't be available until Friday, Sept. 24, John Joslyn of the state Agriculture Department's Plant Industry Division office in Detroit
revealed that a "multiple catch" occurred in a trap west of Milford Road near M-59 in the township. Last summer, the department found gypsy moths, whose caterpillar offspring can defoliate and kill trees, in Highland and two other lakes area communities. However, officials believe the moths were blown into the area from heavily infested areas of central Michigan. The major trapping program launched this summer was intended to prove whether a local infestation exists. Adult moths were found last year in Highland, Waterford, and West Bloomfield townships.
20 YEARS AGO Sept. 16, 1992 A decision made last week by the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office to clear two Walled Lake Police Officers of brutality allegations has left two women claiming the boys in blue rule the world. Cherie Zwiesler was one of two women who reportedly approached the Walled Lake City Council last spring accusing the Walled Lake police officers of brutality. She claimed her boyfriend, Charles Lawson, was beaten by one of the officers. Zwiesler and Brenda Brewer, Lawson's ex-wife, brought forth one woman and four men besides Lawson who signed affidavits swearing to brutality by Walled Lake police officers. State investigators ruled out three of the six original complaints and two of the remaining three people refused to talk to investigators. The third individual was examined by investigators but no sufficient evidence was obtained for the State Police to recommend a warrant, Walled Lake Police Chief Kenneth Borieo said.
Headlines of the Past
BAILEY, RANDY; age 65 of Walled Lake was born August 26, 1947 and died August 31, 2012 at the age of 65. Randy is the beloved husband of 10 years to Lori. BERGIN, RAYMOND JOSEPH “SKIP”; age 85, of Milford, passed away surrounded by his family on August 30, 2012. CEBULA, BERNARD R. “BERNIE”; age 85 and a resident of Commerce, died on August 29, 2012. He is survived by Ruth, his beloved wife of over sixty years. GELLER, JANET LEE; age 61, died at West Hickory Haven on September 1, 2012. Janet was born on March 15, 1951. JACOBSEN, GARY EDWARD; of Waterford died August 31, 2012 at the age of 63. “Jake” was happily retired from Local 58 where he was an electrician for 37 years. He is survived by his loving sister Kaye Hillman, nephew Ladd Hillman (Lisa), great niece and nephew Berlyn & Mason Hillman and stepson Robert Golembieski. He is also survived by his loving girlfriend and partner for the past 17 years Carolyn Petherbridge, her large supportive family, and countless friends. He will be remembered for his integrity, his generosity, and especially for his wonderful sense of humor. NOREN, JESSE B.; was born April 18, 1995 in Commerce Township, and died August 29, 2012 at the age of 17. SANDERSON, ARCHIE H.; age of 76, born on May 10, 1936 and passed away on August 16, 2012 in Novi, Michigan. Beloved husband of Joyce for 48 years. STRAUSS, LILO SARA; a resident of West Bloomfield, died on August 29th, 2012 at the age of 92. WERNET, BARBARA HELEN; of Waterford. August 30, 2012 at 87 years of age. WHITAKER, JOAN MARIE, Of Waterford; September 4, 2012; age 81.
To place an obituary in the Spinal Column Newsweekly please call the Classified Department at 248-360-7355 or email: lorisnyder@thescngroup.com
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
EDUCATION
Blackboard service ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 21
ized voice messages to up to six phone numbers and two e-mail addresses per person. Messages will also be sent through text messages. “Today we are forced to prepare for emergency situations that years ago we never could have anticipated happening,” Superintendent John Silveri said in a press release. “We recognize the important role that immediate communication plays in safety as well as with ongoing parent outreach initiatives. “We have selected Blackboard Connect because of its successful track record and multi-modal capabilities that will allow us to keep parents and staff informed.” School and Community Services Director Rhonda Lessel said the project had been in the planning stages for a year and a half. She added that funding for the system was being made possible through a $188,512 grant the district received last year from the U.S. Department of Justice COPS Secure Our Schools Program. The funds went toward improving security measures in the district through things like building surveillance cameras, installing surveillance cameras and GPS tracking systems on buses, and using amplification systems to increase radio signal coverage. “We’re utilizing the system for emergency messaging such as school closures,” Lessel said. “We can also place attendance calls out to parents to inform them of a student’s absence and also send outreach messages informing about PTA meetings and other school events.” She added that the district is testing the system this month by sending messages to parents, staff and faculty welcoming them to the system. ❏
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PAGE 23
LOCAL MATTERS business notes changes ❐ Affinity Private Care in Commerce Township has partnered with a leader in caregiver training, aQuire Training Solutions, to provide 40 hours of caregiver training to every member of their team. This new program offers highly engaging training courses covering topics like nutrition and hydration, emergency first aid, ethics, personal care and mobility, as well as communicating with others. It also utilized best practices in e-learning, making this training available to the busy in-home caregiver online at a time and place most convenient for their learning. With this new venture, Affinity Private care has taken a significant new step to address one of the biggest concerns families have with home care — the level of training and skills of the in-home caregiver. For more information visit www.AffinityHomeCareAgency.com or call 248-363-8650.
honors / awards ❐ Bauer Financial, the nation’s leading bank rating and research firm, confirmed the solid performance of Huron Valley State Bank’s 5-Star Rating. The bank’s 2012 second quarter net income of $162,000, or $0.20 per diluted share, compared to net income of $120,000, or $0.14 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2012, and net income of $47,000, or $0.06 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2011. Net income was $282,000 or $0.34 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to a net income of $118,000, or $0.14 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Key indicators of Huron Valley State Bank’s performance ending June 30 noted that its return on average equity (ROAE) was 6.51 percent with return on average assets (ROAA) of 0.77 percent. Total assets on June 30 were $77,304,000 compared to $63,759,000 at June 30, 2011, an increase of $13,545,000 or 21.24 percent. Total loans were fairly flat year to date at $53,259,000, while retail deposits expanded over 18 percent finishing the quarter at $68,480,000. Asset quality of the Bank remains strong with no loans reporting as past due for the second quarter of 2012. Jack Shubitowski, President and CEO, stated “Huron Valley State Bank’s strong performance to date for 2012 is a direct result of business and individual banking relationships forged within the com-
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. munities we serve. The bank provides financial products and personal service in a manner that truly defines us as a
community bank.” He further noted that “the bank has just opened a loan center in downtown Milford to support the lending activities and provide greater internal efficiencies in the way we operate.” This growth would not have been possible without the continued support of our shareholders. If you are interested in becoming a shareholder or have questions regarding your stock, please call Jack Shubitowski at 248 684-9626. The new loan center is located at 522 N. Main Street and the phone number is 248-387-6080.
chamber notes ❐ The Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce has named Suburban Dental Care in Highland Township as its featured Business of the Month. Suburban Dental Care of Highland offers affordable dental plans designed for small businesses, the self-employed, seniors and families without group insurance. These pre-paid dental plans start at $0.50 per day for individual and $1 per day for a family. The plan covers 100 percent of preventive and diagnostic services and provides additional savings of up to 40 percent on common dental procedures. Same day emergency care and walk-ins
are welcome. They are now accepting new patients, installment options, and CareCredit. Please visit our web site for more details, visit their website at www.suburbandentalcare.com and click on “In-House Plan” or call 248-6857273. ❐ The Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting nominations for the 2012 Huron Valley Citizen of the Year. This award is designed to honor a citizen of the Huron Valley area who has performed outstanding service for the betterment of the community through participation in civic, political, charitable, business, educational or other activities, over and above normal work assignments. Nominations will be accepted until Oct. 5 and must be submitted on an official form, which is available at the chamber office or can be downloaded from the web site at www.huronvcc.com ❐ 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: • Oakland Chamber Networking PAGE 24 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯
Attendees at the Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce Coffee Club meeting on Aug. 17 enjoyed the chamber’s free morning networking event at MediLodge of Milford, located at 555 Highland Avenue in Milford. The next Coffee Club meeting is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 21 from 8 to 9 a.m. at Rodnick Chiropractic, located at 2685 Union Lake Road in Commerce Township. (Photo submitted by Laura Bolyard/Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce)
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LOCAL MATTERS
Continued ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 23
Mixer, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, Holiday Inn and Suites, 37529 Grand River Avenue, Farmington Hills. Chamber members, $10 advance or $15 at the door; non-members, $25 per person. For more information, visit visit www.huronvcc.com. • Chamber Member Orientation, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, Huron Valley State Bank, 130 S. Milford Road, Milford. Learn how to get the most value out of your chamber membership. • The Coffee Club, 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 21, Rodnick Chiropractic, 2685 Union Lake Road, Commerce. Join us for this free morning networking event. • Brewed in Michigan, 7 to 10 p.m., Sept. 28, Bakers of Milford, 2025 S. Milford Road, Milford. Cost, $25 advance purchase, or $35 the week of event. Ticket price includes 12 pours of great local beer, six food taste tickets, and a souvenir mug. Additional pours available for purchase. After Party from 9 p.m. to midnight in the Bakers bar. Wheelhouse will be rocking the crowd, along with great Michigan beer specials. The event sold out last year. Get your ticket today at the Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce, Bakers of Milford or Pine Ridge Market. Presenting sponsors: LaFontaine Automotive Group, thefamilydeal.com, Pine Ridge Winery (home of over 800 beers in stock), and Bakers of Milford. Must be 21 or older to attend. For more information or to purchase your tickets, contact 248-685-7129. ❐ The Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is holding the following events in the coming days. For a complete calender of chamber events, call 248-624-2826 or visit www.lakesareachamber.com. • Ambassadors Meeting, 9:15 a.m., Friday, Sept. 21, chamber offices, 305 N. Pontiac Trail, Suite A, Walled Lake, 248-624-2826.
• Edgewood Biz Connectors (LABAT), 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, Edgewood Country Club, 8399 Commerce Road, Commerce. • Professional Networking Group (LABAT), 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, Managing Change, 2655 Oakley Park Road, Commerce. • 1st Friday, Edible Arrangements, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Oct. 5, 6167 Haggerty Road, West Bloomfield. Complementary early morning networking opportunity. ❐ The Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce is holding the following events in the coming days. For a complete calender of chamber events, call 248-666-8600 or visit www.waterfordchamber.org. • B.U.I.L.D. Leads Group, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, Clarkston State Bank, 66 Highland Road, Waterford. • Canterbury-on-the-Lake 5K Walk Run, 10 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, 5601 Hatchery Road, Waterford. Proceeds will benefit the Life Enrichment Fund for Pavilion Residents. Entry fees, $25 for per-registered runners, $30 for race-day register at www.active.com/running/waterfordmi/canterbury-on-the-lake-5k-fun-run2012 or call Jennifer at 248-674-9292. • Let’s Do Lunch! Lunch, Networking & Intriguing Topics, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, Overtyme Fireside Lounge, 4724 Dixie Highway, Waterford. Life is a Balancing Act. How to Live Your Life to the Fullest… and Still Maintain Balance? Featuring Karen Phelps. This fun interactive program will help you discover who and what holds power over your life and what you can eliminate to find more personal time; why self-confidence is important to creating a balanced life and how you can improve to help you achieve more without secondguessing yourself; how to create monthly, weekly and daily action plans
you can really live with; how your attitude shapes your day and provides you with more potential to get “stuff” done; how gratitude plays an important part in helping us get through busy, hectic days; and much more. • Ribbon-cutting/grand opening at AAA Quality Water Conditioning, noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, 7924 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford. Join us in celebrating the new location of AAA Quality Water Conditioning! They are also celebrating their 25th year in business. ❐ The Greater West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce has announced that they are holding the following events in the coming days. For a complete calender of chamber events, call 248-626-3636 or visit www.westbloomfieldchamber.com. • Grub Crawl 2012, 5 to 10 p.m., tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 13. Sample foods from your favorite local restaurants from 5 to 9 p.m. and then meet us at Champs West Bloomfield (on Orchard Lake Road at 14 Mile Road) for a final snack, raffle prizes, and fun! Admission is $40 per person, which includes free appetizers at participating
restaurants on Orchard Lake Road between Pontiac Trail and 14 Mile Road in West Bloomfield and t-shirt. When you register you’ll be able to choose your t-shirt size (t-shirts will be available for pickup at either Mezza, Champs or Orchard Mall. We’ll let you know which pickup location). The chamber is looking to secure sponsors for this event. Sponsorship levels range from $100 to $1,000. Please contact the office for additional information on how your company can participate. Please contact Suzanne Levine in the chamber office for more information. 248-626-3636 or wbcc@sbcglobal.net • Witbeck Home Appliance Mart, grand opening, 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, 6551 Orchard Lake Road in West Bloomfield. The event will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:15 p.m., a strolling buffet from Plum Market, esserts from Sweet Dreams, music from Laker Express, the West Bloomfield High School acapella group, and a speaker offering a ventilation design CEU course from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. R.S.V.P. by Tuesday, Sept. 18 by calling 248-932-0870 or by e-mail at contact@witbeckappliance.com
Free Home Repairs For Our Neighbors In Need We help low-income seniors, the disabled, veterans, and even families, who can’t afford to make repairs on their homes. They must be single family homes, sorry Oakland County no apartments, condos or mobile homes. Your mortgage, taxes and insurance must be up-to-date. To see if you qualify, your senior center or city or township office may have an application or you can download one at www.rebuildingtogether-oaklandcounty.org or call 248-432-6551 and leave a message requesting one.
Apply now to get on our list for 2013 help! RTOC Application Processing, P.O. Box 768, Farmington, MI 48332 Phone 248-432-6551
Passersby in Wixom earlier this month probably couldn’t miss the Dunkin’ Donuts mascots — a life-sized cup of coffee and doughnut — promoting the new franchise of the national chain located at 28040 S. Wixom Road, just south of the road’s intersection with Pontiac Trail. (Photo submitted by Curtis Drogmiller)
SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2012
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TRANSPORTATION
Construction winding down
PAGE 25
CHILDCENTERED PLAY THERAPY
•Play therapy recommended for children 6-12 to effect change •Specially designed play therapy room for children •Assessment & treatment
Dr. Patricia Armstrong, Ph.D. Child Psychologist PONTIAC TRAIL (Walled Lake) • Notes: The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) is continuing its reconstruction efforts on Pontiac Trail between West Maple Road and South Commerce Road. • Closures: During the project, Pontiac Trail will remain open, but will be reduced to one lane in each direction. West Maple is now open at the west side of Pontiac Trail. West Maple will be closed at the east side of Pontiac Trail for approximately three weeks, though the dates for that closure have not been determined. • Completion date: November. • Cost: $2.6 million. JOHN STREET (Highland Township) • Notes: The project calls for pulverizing the pavement and applying a hot mix asphalt overlay. There will also be drainage improvements. • Closure: The roadway will be closed for the duration of the project. • Detour: Livingston Road to Milford Road to M-59, and vice versa. • Completion date: Sept. 19. • Cost: $228,000. ORCHARD LAKE ROAD (Farmington Hills/West Bloomfield Township border) • Notes: The RCOC has begun work on this resurfacing project on Orchard Lake Road between 13 Mile Road and 14 Mile Road. • Closure: The five-lane road will be reduced to one lane open in each direction, which is expected to cause traffic delays. The road will remain reduced to one open lane in each direction for the duration of the project. • Completion date: Oct. 3. • Cost: $1.4 million. COMMERCE ROAD (Commerce Township) • Notes: The project involves reconstruction of the
roadway, as well as traffic signal upgrades and drainage improvements. Motorists should expect delays. Commerce Road between Carroll Lake and Union Lake roads is now open to traffic. • Detour: Union Lake Road to Wise Road to Carroll Lake Road ,and vice versa. • Completion date: Saturday, Sept. 15. • Costs: $2.6 million. COOLEY LAKE ROAD (Milford, Highland, White Lake, and Commerce townships) • Closure: Cooley Lake Road, east of Duck Lake to Mystic Valley. • Notes: A gravel road paving project is underway on Cooley Lake Road, east of Duck Lake to Mystic Valley, in Milford, Highland, White Lake, and Commerce townships. • Detour: Duck Lake Road to Commerce Road to Carey Road, and vice versa. • Completion date: November. • Costs: $4.4 million. BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: I-96 EAST OF MILFORD ROAD, WEST OF KENT LAKE ROAD (Milford) • Notes: A series of bridge reconstruction projects is being carried out in phases. Crews are currently constructing the inside of the Milford Road bridge and continuing efforts on the Kent Lake bridge (I-96 over Kent Lake Road) as well as the Huron River Trail bridge (I-96 over Huron River Trail). The I-96 driving surfaces of these bridges on the eastbound side are completed. The westbound side will not be finished until mid-September. Crews must also remove all temporary measures in place to retain three traffic lanes, including restoring shoulders and building barrier walls. Therefore, lane restrictions will remain in place until mid- to late-October. Each bridge project is being reconstructed in phases so three lanes are maintained on I-96 at all times. • Completion date: October. • Cost: $15.5 million.
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PAGE 27
PUBLIC SAFETY
West Bloomfield officer slain Suspect dead after lengthy standoff with police Monday
By Kirk Pinho assistant editor
A West Bloomfield Township police officer is dead and the 50-year-old man who police say shot him to death on Sunday, Sept. 9 and barricaded himself in his home for nearly 20 hours after the shooting was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head late Monday, Sept. 10. Police Officer Patrick O’Rourke, a 39-year-old Fenton resident and a 12year West Bloomfield police veteran, was fatally shot on Sept. 9 by 50-yearold Ricky Coley, police say, after officers responded to Coley’s home in the 4000 block of Forest Edge Lane, near Pontiac Trail and Halstead Road, around 11 p.m. on Sunday. O’Rourke and four other officers had responded to the home after responding to reports of shots fired inside the home. Coley’s mother and brother reportedly were inside the home at the time, heard a gunshot from a bedroom in the home and called 9-1-1 after fleeing. West Bloomfield Police Lieutenant Tim Diamond said the five responding township police officers were “immediately” met with gunfire when they entered the house. O’Rourke was shot and transported to McLaren Oakland Hospital in Pontiac, where he was pronounced dead. Diamond said that during Sunday’s incident, officers went upstairs to a second-floor bedroom. Once they arrived at the closed bedroom door, shots were fired through the door and drywall, wounding O’Rourke. Police officers returned fire at that time, but it was not known whether Coley was wounded.
Officer Patrick O’Rourke
What followed throughout the night and well into Monday, Sept. 10 was a 20-hour standoff with Coley, who barricaded himself in the home. The Sheriff’s Department Mobile
Command Center vehicle arrived at the scene on Monday morning just moments before dozens of shots rang out. A barrage of gunfire was heard around 8:30 a.m. and again at 8:45 a.m., including semi-automatic “machine gun-like” fire. Firefighters were also on the scene, as well as police K-9 units. Officers from the Walled Lake, Waterford, Keego Harbor, Sylvan Lake, Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills were all at the scene, Diamond said, as well as the Michigan State Police. Nearby residents were evacuated to West Bloomfield Township Hall. As of 5:15 p.m. Monday, they had all gone to stay with family or friends, Diamond said. According to a West Bloomfield Township Police Department press release issued Monday evening, a robot supplied by the Michigan State Police was used to enter the Forest Edge Lane home to “obtain a visual on
Public safety personnel from around Oakland County came to the scene on Monday, Sept. 10 in West Bloomfield Township where township Police Officer Patrick O’Rourke was fatally wounded by a 50-year-old man. The suspect, Ricky Coley, died in his home after conducting a nearly 20-hour standoff with police following the deadly shooting of the 39-year-old officer who was a 12year police veteran. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Kirk Pinho)
the suspect. He was observed motionless in a bed.” The Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Special Response Team then made entry into the home and found Coley dead, according to the release. A complete investigation will be conducted by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department. Coley apparently had “at the very minimum” semi-automatic and fully automatic weapons in the home, which was in part torn down as part of the response to the situation, according to Diamond. Previous attempts to get Coley out of the house included tear gas and a robot, which Coley fired at, prompting the barrage of gunfire on Monday morning. Court records show that Coley was going through a divorce, and Diamond said that, as well as other possible financial or domestic difficulties, may have been factors in the case. A Facebook page apparently belonging to Coley states that he attended the North Carolina Central University School of Law from 1989 to 1991; Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina; and Georgia Tech in Atlanta. The page says he works at CNC Holdings, LLC. A LinkedIn page apparently for Coley also says that he worked for Ford Motor Co. as the North American plants operations manager/director; North American manager/director of vehicle logistics for Ford; and for UPS and General Motors. The LinkedIn page also says Coley served between 1984 and 1989 in the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant in the PAGE 28 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯
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PUBLIC SAFETY
Officer killed ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 27
infantry reserve in North Carolina, and as a Specialist 4th Class/Corporal with nuclear artillery in the U.S. Army from 1982 to 1984. The department has made “a couple” previous visits to the home in the past in response to burglar alarms going off, Diamond said. “We don’t know all of the details,” he said Monday. “Obviously all of the officers involved are upset. We will not
interview them in detail for a couple days. We have a funeral to prepare.” O’Rourke was described as “a model officer and a good family man” with four children. He had spent four or five years with the department’s Surveillance and Narcotics Unit. West Bloomfield Township Clerk Cathy Shaughnessy said through a press release that the Police Department will establish a fund to help O’Rourke’s family. “We are experiencing tremendous grief over the death of Officer
O’Rourke,” said West Bloomfield Township Supervisor Michele Economou Ureste in the press release. It is the first fatality of a West Bloomfield police officer while on duty in the township’s history. O’Rourke is survived by his wife, Amy, and his four children, Eileen, Mary, Andrea, and Stephen. A funeral mass is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 14 at St. John’s Catholic Church, located at 600 N. Adelaide in Fenton, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m.
today, Wednesday, Sept. 12, and 2 to 8 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 13 at the Highland Chapel of the Elton Black and Son Funeral Home, located at 3295 E. Highland Road in Highland . A Rosary service will be held at 5 p.m. tomorrow at the funeral home, and O’Rourke will lie in state at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service, according to the Elton Black website. ❏ Staff writer Michael Shelton and Editor Tim Dmoch contributed to this report.
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PAGE 29
ENVIRONMENT
Over 4,200 acres of OC land up for oil, gas auction By Kevin Elliott staff writer
Oil and gas rights to more than 4,200 acres of land in Oakland County are expected to be available at auction next month, the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced Monday, Sept. 10. The state routinely auctions oil and gas lease rights it holds on land each spring and fall. Auction proceeds go to the state’s Natural Resources Trust Fund (NRTF), which is used to purchase and develop land for recreational use. Some proceeds may also be used for park maintenance under the state’s Parks Endowment Fund, as well as upkeep to the state’s fishery and wildlife habitat. Oil and gas rights to 4,265 acres of land in Oakland County were nominated for auction by the DNR. The state’s Natural Resources Commission (NRC) will decide
tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 13 whether those rights, as well as rights to another 191,416 acres of land, will be available at an Oct. 24 auction. A map and more detailed information regarding the location of parcels nominated for the auction may be found at http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/1,1607,7-15310371_14793-30912—,00.html, or by calling 517-373-7633. Five-year leases of state mineral and gas rights are typically purchased by oil and gas industry companies, according to the DNR. The high bidders on the leases must obtain drilling permits and other permissions before the land may be tapped for resources. The state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) regulates the drilling and completion of oil and gas wells in order to ward off potential negative impacts on the environment. Concerns raised about potential hazards associated with drilling has resulted in protests by concerned citizens and action by some municipalities. “I haven’t seen this type of
response before in my time here,” said Julie Manson, a property manager for the DNR’s Oil and Gas Lease Management Unit, of the number of people scheduled to speak at tomorrow’s NRC meeting. More than 50 individuals, including about a half-dozen west Oakland County residents, are signed up to speak at the meeting. The DNR reports several protesters attended the DNR’s oil and gas lease auction in May, where some were led out of the room by state officials. In West Bloomfield Township, residents’ concern led to township Board of Trustees adoption of a resolution to try to prevent any drilling for oil or gas in the township. About 18,347 acres located in Oakland County were auctioned in May, contributing to a total of $4.125 million collected by the state for oil and gas lease rights across Michigan during that auction. Two Traverse City companies — Jordan Development and Pteradon Energy — leased all of the land offered in Oakland County during that auction.
The DNR will release an auction catalog with legal descriptions of each parcel offered for auction following the NRC’s meeting tomorrow. ❏
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lake levels LAKE LEVELS Following are the lake level readings for lakes and rivers across the western Oakland lakes area, as compiled by Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner John P. McCulloch’s office. Legal levels are denoted by elevation in feet from sea level; current levels are denoted as plus or minus the legal in hundredths of feet. River depths are measures from the river bottom, at point of measurement. WATERWAYS Cass Cedar Island Commerce Dawson Mill Pond Duck Fox Huron River Long Loon* Maceday-Lotus Middle & Lower Straits Mohawk Oakland-Woodhull Orchard Oxbow Pontiac Shawood-Walled Lake Schoolhouse Scott Sylvan-Otter Union Upper Straits Watkins White Williams
LEGAL LEVEL 929.22 934.00 906.80 928.60 1016.63 930.00 1.08 933.00 949.30 966.70 930.70 949.30 957.50 930.50 942.75 962.83 932.80 949.30 951.00 928.60 927.07 930.80 950.00 1019.10 965.42
8/17/12 +.39 +.46 +.51 +.37 +.12 +.15 +.14 +.30 +.42 +.08 –.35 +.48 +.32 –.30 +.37 –.03 –.60 +.48 –1.47 +.39 +.35 –.32 +.12 +.15 –.30
8/24/12 +.29 +.39 +.23 +.30 +.07 +.08 Legal +.10 +.37 –.09 –.28 +.48 +.18 –.33 +.15 –.12 –.70 +.47 –1.59 +.29 +.21 –.41 Legal +.05 –.30
*Reading for Loon Lake, in Waterford Township, also applies to Mohawk–Wormer Schoolhouse, Silver and Upper Silver Lakes.
8/31/12 +.26 +.37 +.23 +.22 +.01 +.05 –.04 +.12 +.13 –.07 –.42 +.16 +.15 –.38 +.15 –.22 –.79 +.15 –1.58 +.27 +.18 –.50 –.05 –.06 –.32
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 If you purchase from non-locally owned and operated businesses or the internet, tax dollars are going to someone else’s community - possibly in a completely different state. Invest in our future – buy local, live local, and volunteer local too.
You have a choice! Spend it here. Keep it here.
PAGE 30
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
UPDATE
Bentivolio earns GOP nomination in special primary By Kirk Pinho
Patriot Week Events run through Monday, Sept. 17
assistant editor
By Kirk Pinho
It was a light turnout at the polls on Wednesday, Sept. 5, when residents of Wayne and Oakland counties tapped Milford Republican Kerry Bentivolio as the GOP’s nominee to run in the Nov. 6 special general election to serve the remaining weeks of former U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter’s unexpired term. Former state senator Nancy Cassis of Novi had trailed Bentivolio much of the evening but edged closer, eventually narrowing Bentivolio’s margin of victory in Oakland County to just 25 votes. Of the 11,160 ballots cast in Oakland County, Bentivolio secured 3,659 votes (43.79 percent) while Cassis received 3,634 votes (43.39 percent). Yet Bentivolio’s margin of victory was much higher in Wayne County, where he received 6,621 votes (40.38 percent) to Cassis’ 5,170 (31.53 percent), giving the former teacher and veteran of the Vietnam and Iraq wars the victory and the right to take on Democrat David A. Curson of Belleville in the Nov. 6 special general election. In the Aug. 7 regular Republican primary election, Bentivolio also defeated Cassis, who was running as a write-in candidate after been selected by Republican powerbrokers in Wayne and Oakland counties to vie for the GOP nomination following the news that McCotter would not seek re-election to the 11th Congressional District seat after the former five-term congressman didn’t qualify for the ballot because of a petition signature scandal that resulted in felony and misdemeanor charges against four former staffers in his Livonia office. Bentivolio will face Canton Township Democrat Dr. Syed Taj in the regular Nov. 6 general election for a full two-year term in the U.S. House of Representatives that pays $174,000 per year. The special primary election last week also left a sour taste in the mouths of some who balked at the estimated $650,000 price tag for the state and local units of government to hold the election. Among those are Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Bill Bullard, Jr., who requested that the state reimburse Oakland County the $200,000 he said the election would cost local governments — “this albatross of an unfunded mandate ... hung around our necks,” he said. “The special election was called by
assistant editor
W
ith ceremonies and festivities that began yesterday, Tuesday, Sept. 11 and running through Monday, Sept. 17, Constitution Day, Patriot Week has officially kicked off in what is billed as a celebration of the American spirit and American principles. Started in 2009 by Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Michael Warren following a dinner table discussion with his then 10-year-old daughter, Patriot Week has blossomed statewide and around the country since its inception three years ago. The third annual Patriot Week Festival will be held beginning at noon on Saturday, Sept. 15 and run until 5 p.m. at Hoffman Farms, owned by Oakland County Commissioner Robert Hoffman (R-Highland) and located at 2521 Rose Center Road in Highland Township. Additional events around Oakland County and the state are planned, and you can find out more about what events are scheduled by visiting www.patriotweek.org. In addition to its focus on celebrating the American spirit, the event also serves as a way to recognize those who have served or who are currently serving the U.S. Organizers also say it’s a way of remembering what they dub the country’s founding “First Principles.” “We must always remember those who gave their tomorrow for our today,” Hoffman said in a press release. For the event at Hoffman’s farm, there is a $5 donation per car. The donations are used to pay for the event and statewide Patriot Week activities. Patriot Week has been commemorated at the state level in each of the past two years, with bipartisan approval of a resolution in 2009 by the state Senate, and approval in both chambers of the state Legislature in 2010. Two pieces of legislation — one Senate bill and one House bill — that would establish Patriot Week as a holiday statewide have both been approved overwhelmingly by their respective initiating chambers; but both proposals, Senate Bill 282, which is now in the state House Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Committee, and House Bill 4464, which is in the state Senate Government Operations Committee, remain sitting with the other legislative chamber. House Resolution 308, introduced by state Rep. Marty Knollenberg (RTroy), which would declare Sept. 11 to 17 as Patriot Week in Michigan, came before the state House Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Committee yesterday after press time. ❏ the governor on his office’s interpretation of the Constitution at the rough cost of $17.92 per ballot cast in Oakland County,” Bullard stated in a press release. However, that request for reimbursement was promptly denied. The current 11th Congressional District — which Bentivolio and Curson will jostle to represent until the end of the year — includes the west Oakland County communities of White Lake, Highland, Milford, Commerce, Wolverine Lake, Walled Lake, Wixom, and the northwestern corner of Waterford, plus others in Wayne and Oakland counties. The new 11th Congressional District represents Waterford, a por-
tion of West Bloomfield, White Lake, Commerce, Wolverine Lake, Walled Lake, Wixom, Milford, White Lake, and Highland in the lakes area. ❏
Final statewide ballot question roster grows to six By Kirk Pinho assistant editor
Michigan voters on Nov. 6 will decide the fate of a half-dozen statewide ballot questions following a state Supreme Court decision last week to place three additional pro-
posals on the ballot but leave another off. The six proposals the electorate will face in the general election are as follows: • Whether Public Act 4 of 2011, the state’s controversial expansion of powers for emergency financial managers, should be repealed; • Whether the state should require that utilities obtain at least 25 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources; • Whether Michigan should establish the Michigan Quality Home Care Council, provide certain information to consumers, require training of home care providers, and provide limited collective bargaining rights to home care providers; • Whether a statewide vote of the people should be necessary before a new international trade crossing with Canada can be built; • Whether a two-thirds majority approval by the state Legislature or a vote of the people should be required before new or additional taxes are imposed on Michigan residents, or the tax base is expanded; and • Whether the right to collectively bargain should be enshrined in the state Constitution. Failing to secure the high court’s approval for going on the general election ballot was a measure that would have, if approved, amended the Michigan Constitution to authorize the establishment of eight new casinos at specific locations in Detroit, Pontiac, Clam Lake Township, DeWitt Township, Clinton Township, Birch Run Township, Grand Rapids, and Romulus. The state Supreme Court had until Friday, Sept. 7 to issue its opinion on the latter four proposed ballot issues. After all four of those proposals’ ballot question committees went through somewhat different legal channels to get before the high court, all faced similar scrutiny about meeting a constitutional requirement stating that the portion of the state Constitution to be “altered or abrogated” by a proposed constitutional amendment be republished on the petitions used for voter signature collection. The state Board of Canvassers last week also put the finishing touches in the legal process for getting the three added proposals placed on the ballot — the collective bargaining constitutional amendment, the international trade crossing amendment, and the proposed constitutional amendment on tax increases — following release of the Supreme Court’s ruling. ❏
SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2012
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MAIL BAG
Editorial was flawed From Rob Ludwig, White Lake Township: First of all, I want to thank you and your staff for providing the much-needed local news coverage most of our area publications lack. You and your team do a fine job of exploring and answering the tough questions we face in our communities. With that said, I would like to comment on the ‘Frack Pack’ legislation opinion piece (Spinal Column Newsweekly, Sept. 5). Since the Great Lakes watershed contains 20 percent of the world’s freshwater supply, I think some very important aspects of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) were not mentioned in the opinion piece: No. 1, apparently, your article defines hydraulic fracking as it has been practiced for over 50 years in Michigan, with “not one case of contaminated groundwater, or flammable tap water.” Obviously, this is not the kind of fracking being introduced and practiced today. I’m certain you are aware that new forms of fracking, specifically horizontal fracking, are becoming more mainstream because they are more productive and can extract natural gas from up to two miles away. As the opinion clearly states, the old method of fracking was much safer. In contrast, horizontal fracking poses many additional challenges to the extraction and delivery process that have been proven to be problematic. And while your opinion attempts to dispel all of the problems as minor, sprinkling the article with phrases like “sometimes methane can seep naturally...” and “...it was decided that the most likely culprit was gas well coverings that were leaking — a problem easily fixed,” you are clearly misleading the reader. In his white paper on fracking, Duke University’s Robert Jackson also notes that someone living within 1,000 feet of a well head is seven times more likely to find methane in their water — something you failed to mention. No. 2, your opinion states that (House Bill 5149) would require gas and oil companies to follow the same rules in respect to groundwater withdrawal and use. The opinion later states that the Spinal Column (Newsweekly) is at a loss why the bill was introduced. As you know, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 contains a provision that exempts the gas drilling and extraction process of natural gas from the Safe Water
Drinking Act (SWDA) of 1974. The Safe Water Drinking Act also designates each state as the primary body of government in charge of maintaining those standards. Ironically, bottled water companies that extract water for resale purposes are also exempted for from the SWDA but are regulated by the (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). So they are being regulated in some form; whereas, there is no legislation that specifically regulates fracking by any federal agency. More importantly, your opinion fails to mention the recommendations made by the quoted source, Robert Jackson, in his white paper on fracking, which includes regulating hydraulic fracturing under the SWDA of 1974. No. 3, as stated, Duke’s Robert Jackson concluded: “As a cleaner source of energy, and as a bridge to a carbon constrained future, natural gas has many desirable qualities. Despite these benefits, more research is needed to assess the mechanisms of water contamination and possible methane losses to the atmosphere. Moreover, some additional oversight may be needed to protect communities and the environment from water contamination near extraction and disposal sites.” This, I think, does a fine job of explaining why (state Rep.) Lisa Brown (D-West Bloomfield, Commerce, Wolverine Lake) courageously introduced (House Bills) 5150 and 5151. As a reader of the Spinal Column Newsweekly, I find your opinion on ‘Frack Pack’ legislation is lacking and misleading. If you used Robert Jackson as a source for your article, why not mention any of his other statements that question the safety of fracking? Why didn’t you explain the difference between horizontal fracking and traditional fracking when mentioning safety concerns, rather than basing Michigan’s safety record on an obsoleted practice. And finally, why did you proclaim a study and one year moratorium as “foolish” when it was recommended by a source you quoted in your article? The Great Lakes region and lakes area deserves, and expects, better. In short, your opinion is based on flawed reasoning, outdated practices, and without regard for your main source’s other, more important, statements and recommendations. ❏
FOR MORE LETTERS SEE PAGE 32
➥
PAGE 31
9/11 MEMORIAL
Frank Lenz watches an unidentified woman trace the name of Anthony Martin, Lenz’s former partner with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, at the Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial in Pontiac. Martin died on Feb. 3, 2005. Lenz and the woman were at the Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony held yesterday, Tuesday, Sept. 11, the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that hit New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania in 2001. There are 797 fallen heroes whose names are engraved on the memorial wall, which is the only one in the state that honors both law enforcement and firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
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MAIL BAG
Continued ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 31
Free Pyne from jail By Donna Gundle-Krieg, Highland Township There has been another delay in the trial of Jeffrey Pyne, accused of brutally murdering his mentally ill mother last year. This delay is a travesty of justice, and is being done for political reasons. This young man will have been in jail for 13 months before he gets his trial. His trial has been delayed multiple times for various insufficient reasons. He has lost many other rights due to being a guinea pig for the grand jury. I am sorry that (Oakland County) Medical Examiner (Ljubisa J. Dragovic) had a heart attack, but surely he has staff who could testify as to the gardening nicks that were on Jeffrey’s hands. Have all of the trials been delayed until after the election? Does (Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica) Cooper even know when the medical examiner will return?
Jeff is obviously being used as a political pawn. Isn’t it ironic that this trial is delayed until after the election? I think that Jessica Cooper realized that she has no evidence, and will lose the trial and therefore the election if it was finally scheduled for next week. The hundreds of supporters of Jeff Pyne who believe in his innocence are disgusted by this. I have yet to read a single comment or hear a single person say that Jeffrey should still be in jail. Ms. Cooper, you would gain many votes if you would do what is right. Admit that you do not have sufficient evidence against Jeff. Drop all charges and release him from jail immediately. ❏
We can do better From former Wixom City Council member John Lee: The Wixom City Council has put forth a millage request of 3.5 mills for 4 years. What is the rational for that amount and time limit? To quote from the (meeting) minutes: “… personally thought three years would be a satisfactory … amount
somewhere between 3.0 and 3.5 (mills) … three years would give it an end date,” “willing to go to four mills on this … 3.4 or 3.5 mills and he will go along with that,” “…initial gut reaction was 3.5 mills for four years,” “… 3.5 mills would be an amount that the public would be willing to live with …” Read the minutes; there is no rationale other than “we think this can pass.” The administration offers no solutions other than Draconian cuts to service reminiscent of school millages where the pool will be closed if not passed. No changes in structure or methodology are offered with the exception of a privatization query to address management of payroll. This only arose out of the unfortunate death of the employee who performed this work. It is obvious; some revenues will likely be required to address shortages long in coming. At the Aug. 28 meeting, the administration revealed deficits projected out to 2017-18 (Almost $3 million in that year alone). If the budget process is the plan, a process that continues the status quo and only asks for more money... we can do better.
AROUND THE LAKES AREA
To its credit, the council is now meeting to discuss this issue. At the meeting of Aug. 28, they (council members) actually began discussing privatization of the payroll position. The mayor correctly stated it is not their (the council’s) roll to come up with the solutions. But it is their roll to demand the city manager develop an operational plan that examines all possible alternative options for providing service with both the associated positives and negatives. From these options the council can chose the best course of management to be applied. If additional resources are required, there will then be a basis for the request. Wixom, we can do better. ❏
CORRECTION In the Sept. 5 edition of the Spinal Column Newsweekly, the article titled “New village chief may be picked in Saturday meeting,” should have stated that former Milford village manager Arthur Shufflebarger passed away on June 11. ❏
A special feature of the Spinal Column Newsweekly
WE’RE ASKING… Should Michigan ban the sale of sodas larger than 16 ounces? "No, because you buy 32-ounce bottles when you have a party.”
— Sandy Werth, Waterford
"No, because if you are going to drink more, you will buy more, or you are going to go home and drink more."
"No. I think people can make their own choices as far as how much soda they can drink."
"No. If you really want it, you are just going to get more."
— Alowan Wilson, Waterford
— Darren Graunstadt, Waterford
— Patricia Beebe, Clarkston
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SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2012
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PAGE 33
IN OUR OPINION
‘Politicizing’ the NRTF Board Bill adding two new members reeks of political favoritism
W
ith the news that some Republican lawmakers in the state Senate are floating a proposal to modify the way the state’s Natural Resources Trust Fund (NRTF) Board of Trustees operates and its members are appointed, as well as requiring a new annual report to the state Legislature, among other things, we found ourselves perplexed because we aren’t aware that any modifications are necessarily needed in the way the NRTF conducts its business. In addition to what could easily become the politicization of the current five-member board through a proposed appointment process for two new members laid out in Senate Bill (SB) 1238, we’re not convinced that NRTF board procedures need significant changes. Although new reporting provisions in the bill don’t rankle us, what we see as an effort allow high-ranking partisan officials’ to stack the NRTF board with sympathetic appointees should prompt lawmakers from both parties to let the bill die in committee. State Sen. Darwin Booher (R–Evart), who introduced SB 1238 last month, said the legislation — which has been referred to the state Senate Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes Committee, where it awaits a hearing — would provide transparency to the NRTF project and recommendation approval process. The bill would require an annual report on unspent funds and the status of each approved project, including whether it has been started, whether it is currently being developed, and the timeline for completion. It would also direct the NRTF board to give greater consideration to land purchases that would allow for increased recreational use.
Additionally, the bill would add two members to the NRTF board — both of whom would serve fouryear terms and would be selected by the governor from a list of candidates prepared by the state Senate Majority Leader and state Speaker of the House. Former members of the state Natural Resources Commission (NRC) would not be eligible for such an appointment. 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. The NRTF board is administered under the supervision of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It consists of five members — the director of the DNR or a member of the NRC; and four Michigan residents who are appointed by the governor to serve four-year terms. With six meetings annually to conduct its business, the main function of the NRTF board is to annually submit to the Legislature a priority list of lands recommended for acquisition and/or development. The board also provides guidance to DNR staff responsible for evaluating grant applications, making project recommendations and administering the projects funded by the NRTF. Booher said his legislation would “ensure proper legislative oversight of state funds by banning the use of vague ecoregions and require the trust fund board to identify and score each individual project and then submit that full, detailed list for legislative approval.” The DNR divides the state into four regional landscape ecosystems, or ecoregions, as a way of classify-
ing ecological needs and land use patterns. “Proper legislative oversight” is all well and good, and we’re all for the NRTF board being held accountable for the funding decisions it makes. We take no issue with having the NRTF board submit a yearly report to state lawmakers on unspent funds; that, in and of itself, is not the issue. What ruffles our feathers is that some lawmakers see the need to, as some have said, “stack the deck” with appointees who would be named to the board from a list of candidates hand-picked by people holding highly partisan offices (the Senate Majority Leader and the state Speaker of the House). As such, the process for allocating money to specific projects and/or acquisitions could easily be painted as political in nature. And while the argument could be made that the NRTF board is already politicized because the governor currently appoints four NRTF board members, with concurrence of the state Senate, and is also responsible for the appointment of the state DNR director and NRC members, this provision of Booher’s SB 1238 would simply add more partisan tinder to the fire. By it’s very nature, the NRTF board should remain as non-partisan as possible. Adopting SB 1238 and signing it into law would, frankly, create more partisanship and political posturing in Lansing when less of it is what’s needed in the first place. If nothing else, bring the legislation back to the table without the provisions increasing the size of the NRTF board. That, in and of itself, would be a step in the right direction. ❏
Thank you, Waterford police K
udos to the Waterford Township Police Department’s patrol officers and dispatchers represented by the Michigan Association of Police Officers (MAP) for bucking the norm and agreeing to the use of part-time, hourly personnel to bolster their ranks. An agreement between the Waterford Township Board of Trustees and the MAP union approved on Aug. 28 will lead to a 30-percent hike in part-time officers patrolling township streets. The new part-time officers will be drawn from the ranks of currently laid-off Waterford officers and those laid off from other communities, as well as retired police. These officers will be compensated on an hourly basis and will not receive any benefits. They will be deployed strictly for street patrol. Under the terms of the agreement the township can hire part-time officers at the rate of one part-time to three full-time officers.
Similarly, Waterford dispatchers, who also are represented by MAP, have agreed to the hiring of parttime dispatchers at a significant savings to the township. The union members made the concession due to the financial hardship the township is facing. Waterford Township Supervisor Carl Solden characterized the pact as being unique, stating that the concept has been rejected by unionized employees in other communities. Fred Timpner, executive director of the Michigan Association of Police, backs up that notion, stating that the use of part-time officers who don’t receive benefits is typically viewed by union members as being “objectionable.” He said local MAP members believed the concessions were the best way to provide appropriate police protection in Waterford.
According to Solden, several previously enacted costsaving moves within the Police Department make the unusual pact affordable. In addition, the department is expected to see lower overtime costs as a result of using more part-time personnel, thereby freeing up money to pay new part-time patrol officers and dispatchers. We suspect this relatively novel agreement to put more officers on the street will improve public safety and service in Waterford. A greater police presence bodes well for crime deterrence and quicker response times for all kinds of calls for service or help — from accident calls that can be handled by part-time officers to more serious needs that can be addressed by fulltime officers who won’t be spread quite so thin. Thank you, Waterford police officers and dispatchers, for putting the community ahead of professional interests. ❏
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
COMMUNITY CALENDAR ■ Walk for Melanoma: 7th annual KDB Melanoma 5K Run/Walk, Oct. 7, east boat launch, Kensington Metropark, Milford. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk/run will begin at 11 a.m. Register online at www.aimatmelanoma.org, then click on “Participate in a Fund-raiser.” Registering before Sept. 15 will ensure a free T-shirt. All proceeds go to the AIM at Melanoma.
every Thursday through Oct. 18, E. Liberty Street between S. Main and Union streets in Milford. milfordfarmersmarket.org.
■ Sylvan Lake Lutheran Church: Faith in Action of Oakland County Benefit concert, Gratitude Steel Band, spaghetti dinner, silent auction, 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, 2399 Figa Avenue, Sylvan Lake. Admission $8 in advance; $10 at the door; $4 for children. 248-682-0770 or email sllc@sbcglobal.net.
■ Oakland County Market: Open 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, May through Christmas, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford. oakgov.com/cmarket.
■ Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society: Hands-on History archaeological dig, old-fashioned games/crafts for children, photo opportunities, re-enactors, refreshments, 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, Greater West Bloomfield Historical Museum, Orchard Lake and Long Lake roads, Orchard Lake. Admission. 248-757-2451.
■ Walled Lake Farmers Market: Open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays now through Oct. 31, Walled Lake City Event Field on E. West Maple Road between Decker Road and Pontiac Trail, Walled Lake. 248-624-4847.
■ (Breakfast) Optimist Club of Waterford: Meeting, 7:15 a.m. Thursdays, Big Boy Restaurant, M-59 and Airport Road, Waterford. 248-673-3493. ■ Friends of Byers: Byers’ Antique Barn now open noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Volunteers are needed at 213 Commerce Road, Commerce. For more information, visit byershomestead.org or call 248-363-2592.
■ Waterford Genealogical Society: “Using your Computer for Genealogy” with Scott Millbrook, 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, Waterford Public Library, 5168 Civic Center Drive, Waterford. Free and open to the public, 248-625-7731.
■ 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. 1-888937-4390.
■ Four Towns United Methodist Church: All you can eat spaghetti dinner with salad bar, 4-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, 6451 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford. Freewill donation; carry outs available. 248-682-0211 or 248-682-6868.
■ Huron Valley Council for the Arts: Thoughts and Colors of Nature, a group exhibit by members of the Michigan Association of Calligraphers, now on display at 205 W. Livingston Road, Highland.
■ VFW Post 9914:Community Yard Sale, 9 a.m.5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, 3200 N. Duck Lake Road, Highland. 248-887-9914.
■ Milford Police Department: Now taking back unwanted prescription drugs on a continuous basis at 1100 Atlantic Street in Milford. These unwanted prescription drugs may be placed into the secure drop box located in the Police Department lobby. All drugs turned in will ultimately be sent to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for destruction. The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked. For more information, visit www.milfordpolice.com or call 248-676-2089.
■ Huron Valley Council for the Arts:”Van Go Tours” — Tour of Art Prize in Grand Rapids, 8 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, 205 W. Livingston Road, Highland. Fee, $25 plus lunch money. 248-889-8660, www.huronvalleyarts.org or HVCA@comcast.net. ■ White Lake Farmers Market: “FILL THAT BUS!!” can goods, non-perishable items, school supplies collected Saturday, Sept. 29, Huron Valley Lakeland High School, 1500 Bogie Lake Road, White Lake. For more information contact Kevin Lawrence Market Manager at 248 755 1195 or email alaw4196@aol.com or visit www.whitelakefarmersmarket.weebly.com ■ Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Oxbow Post No. 4156: Crafters/vendors wanted for Holiday Craft Show, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 29, 321 Union Lake Road, White Lake. Donations for food drive also being accepted. 810-227-2091. ■ Wixom Farmers Market: Open 3 to 7 p.m. every Thursday through Oct. 4, Sibley Park off Pontiac Trail, across from City Hall. wixomparksandrec.com. ■ White Lake Farmers Market: Open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday now through Oct. 6, Huron Valley Lakeland High School, 1500 Bogie Lake Road, White Lake. whitelakefarmersmarket.weebly.com or 248-755-1195. ■ Milford Farmers’ Market: Open 3 to 8 p.m.
■ Rotary of West Bloomfield: Meeting, 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Henry Ford Medical Center, second floor, southwest corner of Farmington and Maple roads. 248-520-0095. ■ Waterford Rotary Club: Meeting, noon, Tuesdays, The Shark Club on M-59, Waterford. 248-625-4897.
SUPPORT GROUPS ❐ Age with Grace: Caregiver support group meeting, 6 p.m. the first Monday of every month at 2230 E. Highland Road, Highland. Space is limited, please call to reserve your place. 248529-6431. ❐ AA Meetings: 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, Four Towns United Methodist Church, 6451 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford. 248-682-0211. ❐ Celebrate Recovery: Alcohol, drugs, gambling, sexual addiction, for life’s hurts, habits or hangups, meetings, 7 p.m. Thursdays, Woodside Bible Church, 9000 Highland Road, White Lake.
248-698-1300. ❐ Celebrate Recovery: Alcohol, drugs, gambling, sexual addiction, for life’s hurts, habits or hangups, meetings, 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Life Point Christian Church, 501 Scott Lake Road, Waterford. 248-682-1747. ❐ C.A.S.A.: Kleptomaniacs and Shoplifters Anonymous, 7 p.m. Thursdays, Wesley Room, Commerce United Methodist Church, 1155 N. Commerce Road, Commerce. 248-358-8508 or kleptomaniacsanonymous.org. ❐ Divorce Care: Support group meeting for adults and children, 6:30 p.m. Sundays, Brightmoor Christian Church, 40800 W. 13 Mile, Novi. 248755-9533. ❐ Families Anonymous, West Bloomfield Chapter: Twelve-step support group for recovery for relatives and friends concerned about the use of drugs, alcohol or related behavioral problems, 2:30 p.m. Saturdays, West Bloomfield area. 1800-736-9805 or familiesanonymous.org. ❐ Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous: Meeting, 6 p.m. Fridays, Crossroads Presbyterian Church, 1445 Welch Road, Commerce. 866-9143663 or foodaddicts.org. ❐ Over-Eaters Anonymous: Recovery from compulsive eating, 12-step program, meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesdays, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 5301 Hatchery Road, Waterford.
SENIOR ACTIVITIES ❐ Dublin Senior Center: Personal Action Toward Health (PATH) class, 1:30 p.m. Thursdays beginning Sept. 18, 685 Union Lake Road, White Lake. Registration. 248-698-2394. ❐ Highland Adult Activity Center: Blood pressure checks, exercise class, Bingo, Wii Sports, computer class by appointment, Wednesdays, 209 N. John Street, Highland. 248-887-1707. ❐ JCC Active Life Department: Game Day at the J, Mah Jongg, Canasta, Bridge, Scrabble, Thursday, Sept. 13, Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit, 6600 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield. 248-967-4030. ❐ Richardson Community Senior Center: Soup, Sandwich and Movie Day, noon to 3 p.m. Thursdays, 1485 E. Oakley Park, Commerce. 248-926-0063. ❐ R.S.V.P.: Retired and Senior Volunteer Program needs volunteers, age 55 and up to work at hospitals, cultural institution food pantries, schools and more. For more information, contact Carol Heckman at 248-559-1147, ext. 3435. ❐ Sylvan Lake Lutheran Church: Senior Stretch and Tone, 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. Fridays, 2399 Figa Avenue, West Bloomfield. 248-682-0770. ❐ Waterford Senior Center: Art Expression, 9 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays, Room No. 2, 3621 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford. Five-dollar donation toward class supplies; $1 per day to help offset Waterford Senior Center cost. 248-683-9450. ❐ West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Senior
Programs: Line dancing, 11 a.m. Fridays at the Corners, 4640 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield. Registration. 248-451-1900. ❐ Wixom Senior Center: Catered meals, admission $4, 11 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; document shredding, 10 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, Sept. 18; free veterans’ lunch, noon, Sept. 25; Pot luck/New Member Meet & Greet, bring dish to pass, 11:30 a.m., Sept. 27, 49015 Pontiac Trail, Wixom. 248-6240870.
PARKS ❐ Indian Springs Environmental Discovery Center: “Frog Gone-It,” ages 6 and up, 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, Indian Springs Metropark, White Lake. Registration. 248-625-6640. ❐ Kensington Farm Center: “Farmer for a Day,” ages 7-15, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15; Horse-drawn hayrides, noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Kensington Metropark, Milford. 248-684-8632 or 1-800477-3178. ❐ Kensington Metropark: “Birds of Prey: Perception and Intelligence,” ages 6 and up, 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15; “Calling All Owls,” ages 6 and up, 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15; “Fall Nature Detectives for Children,” ages 6 and up with detective clothes, 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, Kensington Metropark, Milford. Registration, 810-227-8917.
LIBRARY EVENTS
❐ Commerce Township Community Library: Exploring the Psychic Realm with Jan Alm, adult program, 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, 2860 N. Pontiac Trail, Commerce. Registration. 248-669-8108 or commercelibrary.info. ❐ Highland Township Public Library: BIG Friends Book Sale and Bake Sale, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, 444 Beach Farm Circle, Highland. Registration. 248-887-2218. ❐ Milford Public Library: The Infamous Purple Gang, adult presentation, 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17, 330 Family Drive, Milford. Registration. 248-684-0845. ❐ Walled Lake City Library: Afternoon Book Discussion, 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18, 1499 E. West Maple, Walled Lake. Registration. 248-624-3772. ❐ Waterford Township Public Library: Adult book discussion, Ann Patchett’s “State of Wonder,” 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17, 5168 Civic Center Drive, Waterford. Registration. 248674-4831. ❐ West Bloomfield Township Public Library: Demystifying eBook Readers, adult program, 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13; Pajama Storytime, “By the Campfire,” birth to age 5, 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, 4600 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield. Registration. 248-682-2120. ❐ White Lake Township Library: Family Movie, 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, 7527 E. Highland Road, White Lake. Registration. 248698-4942.
SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2012
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Walled Lake Western quarterback Kyle Bambard completed 6-of-15 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 125 yards and two touchdowns as the Warriors stunned undefeated Huron Valley Lakeland on the road, 35-21, on Friday, Sept. 7. The Warriors trailed the Eagles 21-7 at halftime before scoring 28 unanswered points in the second half. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
Second-half rally tops Eagles Warriors rebound from sloppy play to clip Lakeland’s wings By Michael Shelton staff writer
With a 21-7 halftime lead at home, undefeated Huron Valley Lakeland appeared to be in control against Walled Lake Western and ready to take its first step toward a division championship.
But then the Warriors erupted for 28 points in the second half, including 21 in the fourth quarter, while holding Lakeland scoreless to stun the Eagles, 35-21, on the road on Friday, Sept. 7 in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) North Division open-
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er for both teams. “We just told our players that the
offense is great, just catch the ball and don’t fumble,” Western Head Coach Mike Zdebski said. “We had three fumbles and two dropped balls in the first half. Defensively, Lakeland gave us one new formation that we haven’t seen, PAGE 39 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
FOOTBALL
Lakers’ offense churns; ‘D’ lacking in 56-41 victory Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes is now 3-0 on the season after a 56-41 victory at Riverview Gabriel Richard on Friday, Sept. 7 to open play in the newly-merged Detroit Catholic League Intersectional Division. “It was a good win, but our defense didn’t play well,” said Our Lady Head Coach Mike Boyd. “It’s not good when you score 56 points and you’re still hanging on for dear life.” After finishing a disappointing 4-5 last year, Our Lady (1-0 in the Intersectional) could be on its way toward not only eclipsing last year’s win total but also possibly returning to the state playoffs. However, the Lakers played last Friday without their standout running back/linebacker, senior Garrett Ross, who has been battling issues with his back and is currently day-to-day, according to Boyd. On offense, Richie Cross, Jake Doetsch and Mitch Laceski picked up the slack by combining for 426 yards rushing and eight touchdowns. However, Ross’ presence was certainly missed on defense as Boyd said that his young players weren’t focused and were not communicating. Gabriel Richard remains winless at 03 and 0-1 in the Intersectional Division. Prior to their win last Friday, the Lakers defeated Britton-Macon Deerfield in their non-league home opener, 10-6, on Saturday, Sept. 1. The Catholic League merged its two C-D designated divisions into the 7team Intersectional Division beginning this season, meaning the Lakers will not only face traditional foes including Allen Park Cabrini and Royal Oak Shrine, but also its new division opponents including Riverview Gabriel Richard, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood, Madison Heights Bishop Foley and the defending C-D league champion, Detroit Loyola. The Lakers will be tested when they next host undefeated Shrine on Saturday, Sept. 15 for the renewal of a long-standing rivalry. Our Lady fell to the Knights last season, 25-7. Shrine is currently 3-0 and 1-0 in the Intersectional Division after its 46-0 thrashing of Hamtramck in a nonleague game on Saturday, Sept. 8. “We have to get our defense together. We’ve battled back and forth with Shrine in the past and this weekend will be no different,” Boyd said.
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, along with quarterback Matt Linehan (No. 12) and running back Anthony Renfoe (No. 5), helped christen the Eaglets’ new completely red football field with a 58-0 victory over St. Marcellinus Secondary School from Ontario, Canada on Friday, Sept. 7. The Eaglets will next play their first homecoming game on the new field on Friday, Sept. 14 when they host Detroit Jesuit to begin their Detroit Catholic League schedule. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Damon Tang)
‘W’ christens Eaglets’ new turf St. Marcellinus no match for defending state champions By Michael Shelton staff writer
It was a night to remember for Orchard Lake St. Mary’s on Friday, Sept. 7 as it won the first game played on its new red turf field, 58-0, over St. Marcellinus Secondary School from Ontario, Canada. For the 2012 Eaglets, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience as the regular-season debut of the newly refurbished field coincides with them celebrating the football program’s 100th anniversary and its fifth state football championship, which it won last season. “It went real well. I was pleased with the effort and it was a wonderful night,” St. Mary’s Head Coach George Porritt said. “I thought under the lights it was a sparkling field and we’re looking forward to the start of league play.” The first touchdown on the new
field came courtesy of a 48-yard touchdown pass from Matt Linehan to Van Jefferson with just over 9 minutes left in the first quarter, during which the Eaglets (2-1) scored 35 points. Linehan would throw two more touchdowns on a 18-yard pass to Jalen Watts-Jackson and a 15-yard pass to Tyson Smith. Grant Niemiec also had two touchdown runs from 8 yards and 15 yards out for St. Mary’s, while Parker McInnis also had a 17-yard touchdown run. “It was hard to prepare for (St. Marcellinus) because we had little film to look at,” Porritt said. “We threw a little bit of everything at our players in practice and tried to prepare them as best we could.” St. Mary’s began construction on its new field after a ground-breaking ceremony at the school in June and continued throughout the summer. A dedication for the field was then
held on Aug. 11, which was then followed by the annual St. Mary’s RedWhite team scrimmage game. The dedication included a blessing of the field by Bishop Francis R. Reese of the Archdiocese of Detroit, who was joined on the field by the school’s chancellor and rector, Fr. Tom Machalski, as well as the school’s headmaster, James M. Glowacki. The Eaglets are just the third football team in the country to sport a red field, joining Eastern Washington University and New Braunfels Canyon High School in Texas. St. Mary’s Athletic Facilities Director Robin Goddard went so far as to fly out to Eastern Washington University to meet with the school’s athletic director, Bill Chaves, as part of his research into the project, and said that the new field has already received national attention. PAGE 39 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯
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FOOTBALL
St. Mary’s Eagles ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 38
Goodard helped start a fund-raiser to generate the $575,000 necessary for the project, which also included a renovation of the football field’s bleachers. One fund-raising initiative was a program to have donors’ names inscribed on bricks at the stadium at $500 a brick. The turf was laid by Oakwood Industries, while the turf was made by Pro Turf of Georgia. Merlo Construction laid the foundation. The construction of the additional bleachers was overseen by Engan Tooley Doyle & Associates of Okemos. St. Mary’s will next play its first homecoming game on its red field when it hosts Detroit Jesuit on Friday, Sept. 14 to start its Detroit Catholic League Central Division schedule. “U of D is always sound and we have to get better and play them well,” Porritt said. “I think we have to improve our passing game and protect Matt (Linehan) in the pocket better and improve our catching.” After losing its season opener at Muskegon, the Eaglets have now won two straight, including its 47-7 victory over Toledo (Ohio) St. John’s Jesuit on Aug. 31. St. Mary’s will next begin its quest to repeat as Catholic League Central champion.
Mavs tamed by Grand Blanc in division opener By Michael Shelton staff writer
After an embarrassing loss on the road a week earlier, Huron Valley Milford looked to rebound with a victory at home in its division opener against last year’s division co-champions. But Grand Blanc had other ideas and handed the Mavericks a 35-13 defeat on Friday, Sept. 14, dropping Milford to a 1-2 record with its second straight loss. Milford (1-2, 0-1 in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West Division) was coming off a 45-0 loss at Plymouth in Week 2, while the Bobcats came into last Friday’s game winless after non-league losses to Flint Carman-Ainsworth and Livonia Churchill, leaving some to wonder if PAGE 40 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯
Huron Valley Lakeland’s Dalton Christie scored on a 20-yard touchdown run to help put the Eagles up 14-7 over Walled Lake Western at home on Friday, Sept. 7. However, Lakeland would surrender a 21-7 halftime advantage and suffer its first loss of the season at the hands of the Warriors, the defending Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) North Division champions. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
Western Warriors ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 37
we just reviewed how to line up front.” Western (2-1, 1-0 in the KLAA North), the defending KLAA North champion, extended its winning streak against Lakeland (2-1, 0-1 in the KLAA North) to three games and did so in a hostile environment against an Eagles team that was coming off two impressive victories to start the season, generating buzz that it may be the team to beat in the division. Lakeland struck early in the first quarter when Ross Heiman threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Laverenz, but the Eagles missed the extra point and settled for a 6-0 lead. Western responded when Matt Carroll scored on a 2-yard touchdown run, giving the Warriors a 7-6 lead in the first. But Lakeland would win the second quarter as Dalton Christie scored on a 20-yard touchdown run and a 2-point conversion run before Heiman threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Beau Wilheim to give the Eagles a 14-point halftime advantage. Both of Lakeland’s touchdowns in the second were set up by recovering Western fumbles.
Then Western showed the mettle and fortitude that was key in its run to the Division 2 state final four last season. Josh Jones started the comeback with a 30-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to pull the Warriors within 7. Western quarterback Kyle Bambard then took over in the fourth quarter by first tying the game at 21 on a 25yard touchdown run. Bambard then threw a 45-yard touchdown strike to Kyle Ford to give the Warriors the lead back. After a key interception by Jones, Bambard then sealed the game for Western with an 18-yard touchdown run. While it only may have been the third week of the season, Western earned an important victory against an up-and-coming contender, stating that it does not plan on giving up its division crown soon. “For us, it was just a combination of not executing as well as we usually do and Western capitalizing on our mistakes,” Lakeland Head Coach John Maltese said. “I told them at halftime that we needed to continue doing what we’re doing. You need 11 guys each doing their part and there was a breakdown here and there.”
Bambard completed 6-of-15 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Carroll also finished with 56 yards rushing while Malik Green had 41 rushing yards. Josh Simmons also had four tackles to lead Western’s defense while Jones had two interceptions. Meanwhile, Heiman completed 5of-13 passes for 94 yards for Lakeland. Anthony Aite had 18 carries for 64 yards and Christie had 12 carries for 44 yards. On defense, Collin Papler, Jack Flynn and Christian Gojaj each had six tackles to lead the Eagles, while Papler and Whilhelm each recovered a fumble. Lakeland will look to recover when it faces winless Waterford Kettering on the road on Friday, Sept. 14. “Our mistakes are correctable, we just have to look at the film. We’re hurt, but it’s not catastrophic,” Maltese said. The Warriors will face another tough test on the road on Friday when they travel to Walled Lake Northern to face the high-scoring Knights. “With their quarterback running, it’s like a 4-back offense and you have to slow down (Jake) Ginster and (Matt) Kosmalski,” Zdebski said.
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FOOTBALL
Milford Mavericks ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 39
they were on the verge of falling off their perch in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) West Division. Things looked promising for the Mavericks early when Zachary Huff pulled off an impressive leaping interception of Grand Blanc quarterback Bart Williams on the opening drive of the game, giving Milford the ball at its own 30-yard line. However, Milford would go four-andout on its first drive before Daniel Wallace fumbled the ball away on the first play of its second drive, which the Bobcats’ Isaiah Collins recovered at the Milford 44. Five plays later, Williams found a streaking Brandon Scott down the sideline for a 32-yard touchdown connection and a 7-0 Bobcats’ lead. But Wallace would redeem himself on Milford’s next drive as he caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Alex Larson to help tie the game at 7 in the first quarter. The second quarter was scoreless before Grand Blanc (1-2, 1-0) took over possession at its own 7-yard line with 3:30 left. Seven plays later, Williams threw his second touchdown on an 8-yard touchdown pass to Malik Fisher with 37 seconds left to cap a 93-yard drive and put Grand Blanc up 14-7 at halftime. The Bobcats would strike again in the third quarter as Williams threw his third touchdown on a 15-yard pass to T.J. Nichols for a 21-7 advantage. Larson responded on Milford’s next drive with his second touchdown on a 40-yard pass to Brandon Williams, but the Mavs botched the extra point attempt and trailed by 8. Collins then took over for the Bobcats in the fourth quarter as he first rushed for a 15-yard touchdown to put them up 28-13. Milford then had a 67-yard touchdown pass from Lawson to Daniel Wallace negated due to a block in the back penalty and the Mavs would turn the ball over on downs that same drive. On the ensuing drive, Grand Blanc would march 50 yards down the field and Collins scored his second touchdown of the night on a 1-yard run to put the game away. Larson finished with 104 yards rushing on 17 carries for the Mavericks. Williams completed 17-of-26 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns for the Bobcats while Scott had seven receptions for 108 yards. Milford will continue its run through
Vikes drop Mott Central overcomes sloppy first games By Michael Shelton staff writer
Walled Lake Central opened its division schedule with a victory at Waterford Mott in four games, 2520, 19-25, 25-23, 25-14, on Thursday, Sept. 6. The Vikings are now 8-2-1 overall and 1-0 in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) North Division. “Our play the first few games was very sloppy. We made a lot of errors and did not play with enough focus or intensity,” Central Head Coach Cathy Johnson said. “Our team needs to clean up our play going forward as our section of the KLAA league is very tough.” Brittany Guldan led Central with 21 assists, 10 kills, 10 digs and an ace, while Catelyn Girard had 13 assists, 11 kills, five digs, and two aces and freshman libero Alex Picardal had 23 digs and an ace. “Alex is picking up all of the nuances of the position along with the speed of the varsity match. In her offseason play last year as an eighthgrader, her club volleyball team had her setting because they needed a setter,” Johnson said. “Alex is just such a natural libero that I’m so excited about her potential in this position.” Johnson added that she should have her entire squad healthy and the KLAA West gauntlet on Friday, Sept. 14 when it travels to face 3-0 Hartland.
Northern cruises past Mott with 499 yards of offense By Michael Shelton staff writer
After two heartbreaking losses at home to start the season, Walled Lake Northern rolled into Waterford Mott and cruised to its first victory of the season, 53-14, on Friday, Sept. 14. With the win, the Knights (1-2, 1-0 in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association North Division) avoided an 0-3 start that could have had their season circling the drain. “I thought we played very well. It was a frustration game,” Northern Head Coach Brett Moore said. “We were frustrated from the previous two
ready to play with the return of its other middle hitter, junior Zoe Rakotz, who is finally released to compete after a broken foot that occurred this summer and a bout with mononucleosis. “It will take Zoe some time to get back into competition condition. However, she is a strong hitter and blocker for us, so I’m sure she will come back up to speed quickly. This will allow me to adjust our lineup and get Mikaela Beck back at outside hitter,” she said. The Vikings hosted Waterford Kettering on Tuesday, Sept. 11 after press time and will travel to face Walled Lake Northern tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 13. Central will then play at the “Lakes vs. Fields” tournament at West Bloomfield on Saturday, Sept. 15 in which Walled Lake Central, Northern and Western will face Bloomfield Hills Lahser, Bloomfield Hills Andover and host West Bloomfield. “We have a ton of potential on this team and when we play serious competitive volleyball, I believe that we can be a high-level opponent to any team,” Johnson said. “I have faith in my team that we can make the commitment to play this game both mentally tough and physically tough. That is what it takes to play against the top teams in the state.” games. We wanted to make sure that we improve on both sides of the ball from here until the end of the season.” Mott Head Coach Chris Fahr said that for the second straight week, his team played well but that he and his coaching staff didn’t execute. “We just have to get used to working with each other,” Fahr said after his Corsairs fell to 1-2 and 0-1 in the KLAA North. Northern grabbed a 22-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to the arm and feet of quarterback Collin O’Donnell, who rushed for a 77-yard touchdown, threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Matt Kosmalski and ran for an 11-yard touchdown. O’Donnell also scored on a two-point conversion, as did Jake Ginster. Alex Moorer scored Mott’s first touchdown on a 32-yard run to pull the Corsairs within 15 at the end of the first quarter. But Ginster would then score on two straight touchdown runs for Northern
SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
from 3 yards and 2 yards out to start the second quarter. After Dakota Kupp threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Justice Bolling for Mott, Kosmalski caught his second touchdown of the night for Northern on a 27-yard pass from Chase Burton and Andrew Fee blasted a 42-yard field goal to put the Knights up 46-14 at halftime. Burton’s 30-yard touchdown pass to Ginster would mark the only scoring of the second half as Northern traveled home with a huge victory that it hopes will put its season back on track. The Knights dominated the Corsairs by garnering 499 total yards, with 350 yards coming on the ground, compared to 169 total yards for the Corsairs. The only blemish for Northern was its 12 penalties, which accounted for 138 yards. O’Donnell finished with 134 yards rushing and two touchdowns while completing 3-of-6 passes for 48 yards and a touchdown. Kosmalski also had 13 carries for 134 yards and two touchdowns while catching three receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown. Burton also completed 4-of-6 passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns for Northern. On defense, Garrett had five total tackles for the Knights while Kosmalski and Gieselman each had four. Kupp completed 10-of-17 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown for Mott, while Bolling had three catches for 55 yards and a touchdown. Moorer had 19 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown, while on defense, Brennan Schneider had 11 tackles. The Knights will now prepare to host defending KLAA North Division champion Walled Lake Western on Friday, Sept. 14. Meanwhile, after a promising season-opening win on the road at Wayne Memorial, Mott has now lost two straight games in blowout fashion. It won’t get easier for the Corsairs as they will face Walled Lake Central on the road on Friday.
Captains bested by Vikings; Lakers fall to Lake Orion Walled Lake Central defeated Waterford Kettering on the road, 30-16, on Friday, Sept. 7. The Vikings are now 2-1 on the season while the Captains remain winless at 0-3 and have now lost 15 straight games. Central will next host Waterford Mott PAGE 41 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯
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FOOTBALL
Football recaps ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 40
on Friday, Sept. 14, while Kettering will welcome 2-1 Huron Valley Lakeland that same night. • West Bloomfield fell at home to Lake Orion, 42-7, on Friday, Sept. 7 to fall to 1-2 and 0-2 in the Oakland Activities Association (OAA) Red Division. The Dragons (3-0, 2-0 in the OAA Red) have now won 11 straight games against the Lakers. West Bloomfield will next play at Rochester on Friday.
VOLLEYBALL
Team effort key in Mavs’ victory over Grand Blanc in 5 By Michael Shelton staff writer
It’s not every day that a head coach describes a match as the most exciting one his team as ever played, but that’s what happened when Huron Valley Milford defeated Grand Blanc in five games on Thursday, Sept. 6. The match served as the Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) West Division opener for both teams. “We were really excited for this year because it seemed like the first time in years we have opened at home. Not only that, we were looking at starting four sophomores and a freshmen; that’s exciting,” Milford Head Coach Jeffrey Stark said. Milford (3-4, 1-0 in the KLAA West) fell in the first game, 25-14, before rebounding to take the next two games, 28-26, 25-14. However, the Bobcats took the fourth game, 25-14, to tie the match at two games apiece. The Mavs had the lead briefly in the fifth game before Grand Blanc tied the game at 14. “I called a time out and talked about our strategy,” Stark said. “Our passing wasn’t as crisp as we needed it to be and we were in our weakest hitting rotation. I encouraged the passing line that they were the ones who needed to make the play; they did.” Whitney Mergens then picked up a key kill off an assist from Jonna Villemure and then closed out the match on a first ball kill to win the game, 16-14. “We could not have asked for a better way for our team and fans to start
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Seniors lead Lakeland to win New coaches face off in their first Bogie Lake Road battle
By Michael Shelton staff writer
The premier volleyball rivalry in the lakes area was renewed on Thursday, Sept. 6, with Huron Valley Lakeland defeating its Bogie Lake Road sister, Walled Lake Northern, in three games, 25-20, 25-15, 25-10. The match was the Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) North Division opener for both teams. The Eagles (8-4, in the 1-0 KLAA North) have won all four North Division titles in the KLAA’s history, while the Knights (4-2-1, 0-1 in the KLAA North) shared the division title with Lakeland in 2009 and last season. Last Thursday’s match was also the first meeting between new Lakeland Head Coach Jean Dukic and new Northern Head Coach Gus Dumlao. While stats for Lakeland were not available at press time, Dukic said his team outplayed Northern in every facet of the game. “Senior setter Kelly Merkle led the way offensively with tremendous serving and she was also very effective with the setter dump. Senior libero Carolyn Neihaus lead the way defensively with almost perfect serve receive,” Dukic said. Gabrielle Bauer, Courtney Sullivan and Peyton Lang each had five kills for the Knights while Katie Simon had four aces and 14 assists. Bauer and Sullivan also each had a block while Melissa Griffiths had 11 digs. “We are determined to move forward from this match and even use this defeat to motivate them to play at a higher level. The players on this team are competitive and they have the ability to learn and become stronger from their experiences,” Dumlao said. On Saturday, Sept. 8, Lakeland then hosted its Lakeland Invitational, during which it went undefeated in pool play as it bested Plymouth Salem (25-8, 25-20), Farmington (25-19, 25-21) and Okemos (25-10, 25-14) and earned the No. 1 seed in out this season. Our young hitters were supported by senior passing and setting and got a taste of varsity volleyball, and it left a good flavor,” Stark said. “Our middles are young but aggressive
Walled Lake Northern’s Keara Boyle goes up against Huron Valley Lakeland’s Blaire Blaszack (No. 7) and Jordan Bromley in a Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) North Division opener in which the Eagles prevailed in three games on Thursday, Sept. 6. Last Thursday’s match was also the first meeting between new Lakeland Head Coach Jean Dukic and new Northern Head Coach Gus Dumlao. Northern and Lakeland shared the KLAA North title last season. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
bracket play. However, the Eagles would fall to eventual invitational champion Northville, 28-26 and 25-20, in the tournament semi-finals. Merkle had 85 assists, eight aces, and 28 kills for the invitational, while Maddie Harris only had two hitting errors on the day and Neihaus had 32 digs. Lakeland hosted Waterford Mott on
Tuesday, Sept. 11 after press time and will travel to Walled Lake Western on Thursday, Sept. 13 before hosting Waterford Kettering on Tuesday, Sept. 18. Northern played at Walled Lake Western on Tuesday, Sept. 11 after press time and will next host Walled Lake Central tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 13 before playing at Mott on Tuesday, Sept. 18.
and athletic. Isabel Lee and Whit are already good, but they are going to be great.” Jillie Butsavich had 13 kills to only three errors in her first varsity match
while Mergens led her team with seven blocks. Villemure also had 30 assists while combining for 44 digs with libero PAGE 42 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯
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ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS September 27, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. White Lake Township 7525 Highland Road White Lake, MI 48383
VOLLEYBALL
Lady Mavericks ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 41
A GENDA 1. Call to Order/Roll Call 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes a. Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting of August 23, 2012 b. Zoning Board of Appeals Special Meeting of September 6, 2012 5. Continuing Business 6. New Business a. File No. 12-017 Applicant: Gin Mill Party Store 8240 Highland White Lake, MI 48386 Location: 8240 Highland White Lake, MI 48386, identified as 12-13-476-008 Request: Variance to Article 6 for lot width, lot size, side yard setback, rear yard setback, and to article 5.11 for off-street parking, and to article 5.11.Q minimum requirements for off-street parking, and to article 5.19.N for trash receptacles, transformer, and mechanical screening location in front yard and setback. 7. Other Business 8. Next Meeting Date: a. October 26, 2012 9. Adjournment SC: 9-12-12
Maddie Carr. “I could not be prouder of this team. They overcame a slow start and a great team that tested them,” Stark said. “This was a total team win and it took us playing 14 of our 16 players to get it done. However, it was the hard work of all 16 in practice that prepared them to earn it.” Milford played at Howell on Tuesday, Sept. 11 after press time and will travel to Brighton tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 13 before hosting Hartland on Tuesday, Sept. 18.
Our Lady falls in quarter-finals; Warriors prevail Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes traveled to Pennfield High School to play in the 23-team Cereal City Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 8. The Lakers (7-6-2) advanced to the Silver bracket and won its first match against Saginaw Heritage, 23-25, 25-21 and 15-11.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING LAKE IMPROVEMENT BOARD FOR WHITE LAKE NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT AND RIGHT TO APPEAL Amount of Special Assessment: 2013 – 2017 Lake Front Lot Owners: $210 2013 – 2017 Lake Access Lot Owners: $25 2013 – 2017 Commercial Lot Owners: $515
Notice is hereby given that the Lake Improvement Board for White Lake, Township of Highland and Township of White Lake, County of Oakland, has been scheduled to meet at the Highland Township Hall (205 North Johns Rd) at 7:00 p.m. on Monday evening, September 24, 2012 to review, to hear objections to, and to confirm a 5-year Special Assessment Roll with respect to the White Lake Special Assessment District for Chemical Weed Control, Maintenance Dredging Program, Oakland County Marine Patrols and all associated cost for the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. The total assessment is estimated at $1,050 for Lake Front Lot Owners, $125 for Lake Access Lot Owners, and $2,575 for Commercial Lot Owners. Pursuant to the Special Assessment Roll, a Special Assessment of $210 or $25 or $515 will be levied in 2013 – 2017 against your property. Such assessments shall be due and payable on the first day of December 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017as part of your winter tax bill. The Special Assessment Roll will be on file at the Highland and White Lake Township Offices for public examination. Any person may appear and be heard at the Assessment Hearing, which is called pursuant to the provisions of Part 309 of Act 451 of Public Acts of 1994, as amended. Act 186 of Public Acts of Michigan, 1973, as amended, provides that the special assessment must be protested at the hearing held for the purpose of confirming the Special Assessment Roll before the Michigan Tax Tribunal may acquire jurisdiction of any special assessment dispute. Appearance and protest of the special assessment at the time and place of review is required in order to appeal the amount of the special assessment to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. An owner of or party in interest in property to be assessed, or his or her agent, may appear in person to protest the special assessment, or may protest the special assessment in writing, submitted to Mr. Ricky A. DeVisch, Secretary, Lake Improvement Board for White Lake, One Public Work Drive, Waterford, Michigan 483281907, at or prior to the time of review, in which case personal appearance is not required. If the special assessment is protested as provided above, the owner or any party having an interest in the real property may file a written appeal of the special assessment with the Michigan Tax Tribunal within 30 days after the confirmation of the Special Assessment Roll.
S.C. 8-29 & 9-12-12
RICKY A. DeVISCH, SECRETARY LAKE IMPROVEMENT BOARD FOR WHITE LAKE
However, Our Lady fell in the quarterfinals to Bronson, 25-19, 12-25, 12-15, finishing with a 1-3-1 record for the day. “We played some tough teams in pool play, one being the Class D state champs: St. Philips from Battle Creek, where we lost (17-25, 12-25),” Our Lady Head Coach Stephanie Swearingen said. “The team was excited, but nervous to play the reining champs, but I’m glad that we got the experience and know what’s ahead of us if we want to make it far in the Class D tournament.” Senior setter Haley Howell had eight aces, 74 assists, 13 kills and three blocks for the day, while freshman outside hitter Courtney Wightman had five aces, 30 kills and four blocks. Junior outside hitter Kristina Krupiak had 12 aces, 22 kills and three blocks, while junior middle hitter Devon Valent had seven aces, nine kills and eight blocks. Our Lady played its Detroit Catholic League East Division opener against Royal Oak Shrine yesterday, Tuesday, Sept. 11 after press time. The Lakers will next play at West Bloomfield Frankel Jewish Academy tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 13 before hosting Detroit Cristo Rey on Tuesday, Sept. 18. • Walled Lake Western won its Kensington Lakes Activities Association North Division opener against Waterford Kettering in three games, 25-17, 25-19, 25-20, on Thursday, Sept. 6. Lizzy Rzeznik led the Warriors with 18 kills, while Laura Barts had 15 digs and Allie Gluchowski had 27 assists and nine aces. Western Head Coach Greg Newton said this is a resurgent season for the Western volleyball program. The Warriors hosted Walled Lake Northern on Tuesday, Sept. 11 after press time and will host Huron Valley Lakeland tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 13 before playing in the “Lakes vs. Fields” tournament at West Bloomfield on Saturday, Sept. 15 and playing at rival Walled Lake Central on Tuesday, Sept. 18. • West Bloomfield traveled to the Huron Valley Lakeland Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 8 and dropped four matches to Northville (15-25, 15-25), North Branch (14-25, 18-25), Rochester (12-25, 16-25), and Farmington (15-25, 25-27). “We played hard all day,” Lakers Head Coach Julian Wargo said. “We struggled with our passing and our serving. We’ll go back into the gym and continue to work on improving these parts of our game.” The Lakers (2-6-1) hosted Southfield on Tuesday, Sept. 11 after press time to open Oakland Activities Association league play.
SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
West Bloomfield will then host the “Lakes vs. Fields” tournament on Saturday, Sept. 15 in which the Lakers, along with Bloomfield Hills Lahser and Bloomfield Hills Andover will face Walled Lake Central, Northern and Western.
SOCCER
Knights, Captains tied for first-place in North Division It’s early in the 2012 boys soccer season, but there is a logjam atop the Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) North Division. Walled Lake Northern, the defending North Division champion, is currently tied for first-place with Waterford Kettering. Both teams have four points. The Knights tied Walled Lake Central, 1-1, on the road on Tuesday, Sept. 4 to open North Division play. Northern then followed up with a 2-0 victory at home over Walled Lake Western on Saturday, Sept. 8. Meanwhile, the Captains started their week with a scoreless tie at rival Waterford Mott on Tuesday, Sept. 4 before shutting out Walled Lake Central, 1-0, on Thursday, Sept. 6. Prior to the loss to Northern last Saturday, Western began its division schedule with a 3-1 victory at Huron Valley Lakeland on Tuesday, Sept. 4 and is currently in third-place in the KLAA North with three points. Mott currently sits in fourth-place with two points while Central and Lakeland each have one point. Lakeland fought Mott to a scoreless tie on Wednesday, Sept. 5. Division play continues this week as matches scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 11 after press time had Northern playing at Lakeland, Mott playing at Central and Kettering playing at Western. Then tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 13, Lakeland will play at Central, while Northern will be at Kettering and Western will travel to Mott. • Huron Valley Milford is off to a 1-1 start to its KLAA West Division schedule The Mavericks fell to Brighton on Tuesday, Sept. 4 before rebounding with a 1-0 victory over Howell on Thursday, Sept. 6. After hosting Grand Blanc yesterday, Tuesday, Sept. 11 after press time, the Mavs will next travel to Pinckney tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 13. • Orchard Lake St. Mary’s dropped two games this past week to Dearborn Divine Child (4-1) on Sept. 4 and Macomb Lutheran North (2-1) on Sept. 6 to fall to 3-3 on the season.
SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2012
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PUBLIC HEARING
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WEST BLOOMFIELD
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF MILFORD PLANNING COMMISSION
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON INCREASING PROPERTY TAXES
Birach Broadcasting Corp. Wireless Communication Facility Rezoning and Special Use Approval Request SECTION 32-603 (c) (2) Milford Civic Center 1100 Atlantic Milford, MI 48381
Thursday September 27, 2012 7:30pm The Milford Township Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing at 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, September 27, 2012, at the Milford Civic Center, 1100 Atlantic, to consider the re-zoning request of Birach Broadcasting Corp., Donald L. Samhat, Esquire on parcel 16-25-401-019 from M-2 zoning to WCF overlay zone Section 32-603 (c) (2). A copy of the proposed wireless communication facility is available during normal working hours at the Milford Township Offices, 1100 Atlantic, Milford, 248-685-8731. Physically challenged persons needing assistance or aid should contact the township offices at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to said meeting. Timothy Brandt Building/Zoning Official
S.C. 9-12-12
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WHITE LAKE OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN
NOTICE OF ADOPTION AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE NO. 32-A TRAFFIC CODE ORDINANCE Notice is hereby given that at a regular board meeting on August 21, 2012 the Charter Township of White Lake adopted an amendment to Ordinance No. 32-A, Traffic Code Ordinance, to specifically adopted MCL 257.625(1)(c) of the Michigan Vehicle Code by reference, and to provide penalties for a violation of that section pursuant to Public Act 8 of 2012. The amendment to the Ordinance was accepted by the Charter Township of White Lake on April 17, 2012, and adopted at the August 21, 2012 regular board meeting. THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WHITE LAKE ORDAINS: ARTICLE I – AMENDMENT ARTICLE II - ADOPTION OF MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE Section 1 – Code Adopted Section 4 – Penalties ARTICLE II – SEVERABILITY ARTICLE III – REPEALER ARTICLE IV – EFFECTIVE DATE ARTICLE V – ADOPTION A full and compete text of this Ordinance, the Uniform Traffic Code, the Michigan Vehicle Code, Chapter 324, Part 821 of the Natural Resource Environmental Protection Act, Chapter 324, Part 811 of the Natural Resource Environmental Protection Act, and the Motor Carrier Safety Act are available for purchase or inspection in the office of the Township Clerk, at 7525 Highland Road, White Lake, Michigan during regular hours from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Monday through Friday, except holidays. Terry Lilley, CMC White Lake Township Clerk
S.C. 9-12-12
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
LEGAL NOTICE
LAKE IMPROVEMENT BOARD FOR WHITE LAKE SCHEDULED HEARING OF PRACTICABILITY
LAKE IMPROVEMENT BOARD FOR HUNTOON LAKE
Notice is hereby given that the Lake Improvement Board for White Lake, Township of Highland and Township of White Lake, County of Oakland, has been scheduled to meet at the Highland Township Hall (205 North Johns Rd) in Highland Township, Michigan at 7:00 p.m. on Monday evening, September 24, 2012 to determine the practicability of a 5-year Lake management, Chemical Weed Control, Maintenance Dredging Program, and Oakland County Marine Patrols and all associated cost for the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. This Hearing is called pursuant to the provisions of Part 309 of Act No. 451 of 1994, as amended. LAKE IMPROVEMENT BOARD FOR WHITE LAKE S.C. 8-29 & 9-12-12
PAGE 43
NOTICE OF CONFIRMATION OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL Notice is hereby given that the Lake Improvement Board for Huntoon Lake in the Township of Waterford, County of Oakland, held Public Hearing on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 and subsequently confirmed a threeyear special assessment roll for weed control program, augmentation well operation and maintenance, and beach improvement for the years 2013, 2014, and 2015. This Notice of Confirmation of the Special assessment Roll is published pursuant to the provisions of Section 30910 of Part 309 of Public Act No. 59 of 1995. LAKE IMPROVEMENT BOARD FOR HUNTOON LAKE SC: 9-12-12
The Charter Township of West Bloomfield will hold a public hearing on a proposed increase of .35 mills in the operating tax millage rate to be levied in 2012. The hearing will be held on Monday, September 24, 2012 at 7:00 PM, at the West Bloomfield Township Hall, 4550 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, Michigan 48325. The date and location of the meeting to take action on the proposed additional millage will be announced at this public meeting. If adopted, the proposed additional millage will increase operating revenues from ad valorem property taxes 1.20% over such revenues generated by levies permitted without holding a hearing. If the proposed additional millage rate is not approved the operating revenue will increase by .27% over the preceding year’s operating revenue. The taxing unit publishing this notice, and identified below, has complete authority to establish the number of mills to be levied from within it authorized millage rate. This notice is published by: CATHERINE SHAUGHNESSY West Bloomfield Township Clerk 4550 Walnut Lake Road West Bloomfield, MI 48323 (248) 451-4848 S.C. 9-12-12
PAGE 44
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WEST OAKLAND SUPER WANT ADS
SUPER RATES! SUPER REACH! PHONE 248.360.7355 • Mon.-Fri. 8:30-5 FAX 24/7• 248.360.5308
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FREE WANT ADS
01-08
REAL ESTATE 12-22
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• Absolutely Free (#90): An item must be offered FREE to appear in this category. The want ad is FREE to you. One item per ad, one ad per family on any given week. Column is for non-commercial ads only. • Items under $25: Advertise an item for $25 or less and a 10-word want ad is FREE. Special rates for items over $25. • Used Vehicle: Five weeks FREE for private party vehicles. Charge your first week and we schedule it for 5 more weeks. Call to cancel when sold. • Found: Found a lost item? We will run an ad for FREE (#3/Found) to help you find the owner. • Reunions (#4): Published FREE for 4 weeks.
SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
NOTICES
Vacant Land/ Acreage
Lost and Found
3
FOUND ORANGE Cat, M-59 near Salvation Army store, White Lake area. 248-9318812
Reunions
4
FARMINGTON HILLS Harrison High School Class of 1982 30th Reunion. Sat., November 24th, 2012, 7pm–1am Uptown Grille, Commerce MI. Details: www.hhs1982alumni.info.com
Pathways
6
ST JUDE Thank you for your blessings E.M.F
LEISURE TIME 142-159
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Houses For Sale
11
Hartland
RECREATION
BOATS 162-179
CARS, TRUCKS CYCLES 181-196
ALL-SPORTS LAKE TYRONE! Beautiful 1 1/2 story home w/3 bedrooms, newer sharp kitchen, dining area with cherry cabinets & granite counters open to great room with soaring ceilings & great views. Walk-out lower level finished with bedroom, walk-in closet & full bath. 4 car gar garage & paved road. $249,900.
England Real Estate (248)887-9736 NEWLY LISTED!
PERSONAL
SERVICES
REPAIR IMPROVEMENT
SERVICES
Comfortable 1550 sq. ft., 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch on Bitten Lake w/155' frontage and nice setting. Open floor plan, bright kitchen w/wood floors, family room with gas log fireplace leads to heated lakeside sunroom. Partially finished basement & 2 car garage. $139,000.
England Real Estate (248)887-9736 Highland FALL IN LOVE!
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PUBLISHER’S NOTICE Advertising published is subject to rate card or contract conditions, copies of which are available from the publishing group. Ads are subject to approval before publication, only publication constitutes acceptance. We reserve the right to edit, reject, cancel or reclassify any ad. If an error by the newspaper should occur, the newspaper’s responsibility for that portion of the advertisement in error is limited to cancellation of the charge or publication in the following issue. The publishing group shall not be liable for any loss or expense that results from publication or omission of an advertisement.
Dunham Lake access w/this gorgeous 1.5 story home.Well planned with 3076 sq. ft. Beautiful kitchen w/butler’s pantry, granite counters & terrazzo floor. Spacious great room w/2 story see through stone masonry fireplace. 1st floor master suite. 1338 sq. ft. in finished walk out lower level includes family room w/fireplace & addl. 2 car garage/ workshop. Peaceful 1 acre setting. $499,000.
England Real Estate (248)887-9736 White Lake
3 BEDROOM RANCH
Apartments
HARTLAND TWP. Hyde Rd., N. of M-59, E. off Fenton Rd. Gorgeous wooded 2.6 acre parcel with walk-out site off private road. Area of beautiful homes. Perked & surveyed. $49,900.
England Real Estate (248)887-9736 WHITE LAKE 3 Beautiful secluded 1.5 acre lots, all wooded walk-out sites. Have survey elevations, road constructions, etc. all completed & built. Land contract terms. $33,900 & $34,900.
E&M Properties 248-887-4514
$299 moves you in 3 bed, 2 bath homes From $799 Call Sun Homes at Meadow Lake (888)883-6121 Some conditions apply WAL, EHO expires 9-29-12
Fawn Lake Pontiac Trail at Maple Pre-Owned Homes: $6,000 - $25,000 Rent: $385 - $400 PLUS MOVE-IN DISCOUNTS On Select Homes
(248) 624-0709
RENTALS 47
WATERFORD Warehouse or Industrial space with office for lease. Loading dock, 3 phase. 14 X 14 overhead door. 1,800 sq. ft & 7,000 sq.ft. Immediate occupancy
248-496-7652 or 248-496-7648 Houses/ Condos
55
Looking to rent a house or condo?
New Bath Full Finished Basement. Beautiful Neighborhood
Call Arlene Keller Williams Realty mihome4u.com
Move in Ready. $89,900
248-912-4628
248-431-0637
Sales/Purchase/ Leasing and Relocation
65
MAIDS
Includes all utilities except electric. Security Deposit. For more information & availability call
248-626-7857 MILFORD VILLAGE APARTMENTS 1 bedroom apartment. Heat and water paid. No pets. In Milford City. Call for specials.
Mother-in-Law Apt. Modern 840 sq.ft. 1 bdm, Direct TV & Wifi inc., A/C, non smoker, pets negotiable. Perfect for elderly person.
Pay No Rent Until Nov 1st
Commercial/ Industrial
1 bdrm for $459 2 bdrm for $499
WALLED LAKE
42
General/ Help Wanted
Pontiac Lake
(248)477-9192
MOBILE HOMES Mobile Homes for Sale
56
20
$645 per month Olivermich@mac.com 248-755-5073 Rooms/Share Quarters
57
FURNISHED SLEEPING room for rent. Waterford area, $100 /week. 810-355-8097
HELP WANTED General/ Help Wanted
65
TAXI & AIRPORT DRIVERS WANTED Full or Part time Day or Night
248-666-2110 The Independence Village of White Lake Is now hiring a P/T Cooks and Servers. Apply in person at: 935 Union Lake Road or fax resume: 248-360-7626 Attn: Dave. EOE
JANITORIAL WORK Permanent part time janitorial cleaning position in Walled Lake for approx. 10-12 hours per week. $8/hr. Complete online application at www.usservico.com or fax resume to 248-926-9595. HOUSE CLEANING Full time, $9-$10 per hour, benefits, paid travel & mileage. No nights or weekends. Experience not necessary but helpfull. Will train. 248-884-6616
Residential cleaning company in Waterford seeking energetic part time employee- 15 to 20 hours, Monday through Friday, No evenings or weekends, car required, experience a plus but will train.
248-674-5800 JANITORIAL WORK 40 yr old commercial janitorial company seeking permanent evening cleaners for Wixom/ Brighton/Novi/Farm Hls areas. Complete online app at www.usservico.com or fax resume 248-926-9595.
EXPERIENCED PLUMBING HELP NEEDED PLEASE CALL:
248-889-0880 CLEANERS Emerging commercial cleaning company is seeking full time & part time. Must be experiencedNeeded for all shifts. Lakes area and Brighton. Immediate positions available. Call Mr. Curtis @ 248-778-7237
Experienced PRESSER Wixom Dry Cleaners 31200 Old Wixom Rd Wixom MI 48393 248-624-4240
Reporter Independent publishing group seeks reporter to cover municipal, school, and community beats for weekly and monthly publications. Experience preferred. Send resume, cover letter, and writing samples to: Editor P.O. Box 14 Union Lake, Mich. 48387-0014
MORE ADS ON PAGE 50
SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2012
www.spinalcolumnonline.com
RICK REID 248-981-8582 2900 Union Lake, Rd. Suite 210 Commerce Twp., MI 48382
DUCK LAKE HOME $328,900
. WP DT AN L H HIG
Clean and cute - great for young family or empty nesters. Not many available for the price, up-north feeling. Huron Valley schools. New roof last spring with many updates in the last 3 years. Call now and make appt. to see. CALL E&M PROPERTIES
Fabulous 3 bedroom, 2 bath lakefront Colonial with fantastic panoramic views of allsports Duck Lake. Completely remodeled inside and out including spacious 2 car garage, professionally landscaped.
248-887-4514
CALL RICK REID or email Rick@kwReid.com.
NICE AFFORDABLE HOME
You can fax your ad 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
Whether you are buying or selling you need a professional!
Call one of these Lakes Area Real Estate Pros!
To advertise call 248.360.7355
REALTOR®
248-854-3100 Office 248-360-2900 Cell
jwrobleski@kw.com
Keller Williams Realty 2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 Commerce Township
Dedicated Service!
Cell:
(248) 408-1511
Office: E-Fax:
(248) 419-3117 (248) 419-3027
E-Mail: mkeoleian@yahoo.com
Real Estate One - West Bloomfield 6960 Orchard Lake Rd., Suite #150 West Bloomfield, MI 48322
Rick Reid
Linda and Rick Mitchell OVER .6+ ACRE OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
“The Mitchell Team”
Close to M-59, US-23 & I-96. Great zoning, many possibilities. Can also be bought with adjacent parcel creating over 3.75 acres. Owner open to very creative terms for developers. Existing building on parcel.
Award Winning Top Producers Real Estate One
REALTOR®
248-981-8582 248-406-2956
Cell
560 N. Milford Road, Milford, MI 48381 Linda’s Cell: (248) Rick’s Cell: (248)
Call Doyle Ross at E&M Properties 248-887-4514
467-1185 467-1184
Office: (248) 684-1065 Direct Fax: (888) 399-5430 LindaMitchell@RealEstateOne.com RickMitchell@RealEstateOne.com www.TheMitchellTeamHomes.com
to the
Michigan’s Largest Real Estate Company
Spinal Column Newsweekly
360-5308 360-5309
®
Jennifer Wrobleski
www.MichiganHomeMarketPlace.com www.JenniferWrobleski.net
FAX YOUR CLASSIFIED AD
PAGE 45
Debby DeHart
Office
www.RickReidProperties.com Rick@kwReid.com
Keller Williams Realty 2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 Commerce, MI 48382
Robert Hittinger REALTOR®
Residential & Horse Farm Specialist
OVER 3 ACRES COMMERCIAL, LOCATED A STONE THROW FROM M-59
Residential • Commercial • Investment
Minutes from US-23 & I-96. Great zoning allows for many opportunities. Owner open to creative terms for developers. Existing office building and outbuildings on property.
Call Doyle Ross at E&M Properties 248-887-4514
810-602-4128 248-406-2942
office (248)363-8300
Cell
cell (248)505-8841 fax (248)363-5786
Office
ddehart@realestateone.com www.debbydehart.com 8430 Richardson Road Commerce, MI 48382
http://RobertHittinger.yourKWagent.com Email RAHittinger@comcast.net
Keller Williams Realty
2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 Commerce Township
Lorrie Bailey
Diane Wilson
Agent
REALTOR , ABR, SFR ®
248-420-3120 Business 248-360-6800 Cell
www.dianewilsonrealtor.com DiaWil@aol.com Prudential Great Lakes Realty 2000 Oakley Park Rd., Ste. 201, Commerce Office: 248-360-2900 Mobile: 586-255-2610 Home: 248-618-0189 Fax: 248-406-2901
248-884-6723 Fax 248-406-2901
Cell
lorriebailey@aol.com kw.com
lorriebailey.com
Keller Williams Realty 2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 Commerce Township
Melissa Schmidt Real Estate Agent
Email: MissySchmidt@yahoo.com Web: HuronValleyRealEstate.com
8430 Richardson Rd. Commerce, MI 48382
GORDON HODGES
COMMERCE MARKET CENTER 2900 Union Lake Rd., Suite 210 Commerce Township, MI 48382
Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated
248-363-8300 Office 248-563-3612 Cell
PAGE 46
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
Whether you are buying or selling you need a professional!
Call one of these Lakes Area Real Estate Pros! 248/756-0414 Cell 248/305-1234 Office
www.TheStocktonTeam.com
Your Trusted Real Estate Professional
Susan Boggs
248/348-1680 Fax
2900 Union Lake, Suite 21 Commerce, MI 48382
Lakes Area’s #1 Team!
John O’Brien
Janet Direct: Steve Direct: 248-755-7600 248-755-7500
Zillow Preferred Agent
janet@TheStocktonTeam.com
steve@TheStocktonTeam.com
Gary Volker REALTOR®
johnobrien@realestateone.com
cell
www.realestateonc.com/johnobrien
(248)330-4086
Michigan’s Largest Real Estate Company
248-366-7200
To advertise call 248.360.7355
Real Estate One, Inc.
Associate Broker Notary Public 2003 WWOCAR Realtor of the Year
248-787-7509 susan@susanboggs.com
office (248)684-1065 fax (248)684-6520
32900 Five Mile Road Livonia, MI 48154 eliasrealty.com
gvolker53@gmail.com gvolker@realestateone.com Real Estate One - Milford 560 N. Milford Road • Milford, MI 48381
41430 Grand River Ave., Novi, MI 48375
“MICKIE”
Jeanine M. Gustin
248-891-8667
REALTOR®
Cell
Office
41430 Grand River Ave. Ste. D • Novi, MI 48375 Office: (248) 348-6430 ext. 1215 • Fax: (248) 348-1680
248-360-2900
mklump@kw.com
Cell: (248) 505-2469 E-MAIL: jeaninegustin@realestateone.com Website: www.realestateone.com/jeaninegustin
2900 Union Lake Rd., Suite 210 Commerce, MI 48382
2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 Commerce Township, MI 48382
Michigan’s Largest Real Estate Company
Kendra McConnell Hurd REALTOR®, ABR e-PRO, TRC Cell
248-494-1562 248-644-6300
Office
kmhurd@cbweirmanuel.com Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel www.LinkedIn.com/in/KendraMcConnellHurd
Jill Hurley
REALTOR® Commerce Market Center
248-747-2708 Office 248-406-2926 Cell
www.jhurleyhomes.com E-mail jillsjems3@yahoo.com
Susan Kissick
Fine Homes and Lakes Specialist
248.283.8345 248.535.5343
direct cell
248.283.8788 fax
skissick@skbk.com • susankissick.skbk.com
Grigoriy Dordik REALTOR®
248-212-9771 Fax 248-406-2901
Cell 2900 Union Lake Rd., Suite 210 Commerce, MI 48382
gdordik@yahoo.com
My goal is result & professional service. I’m available for you any time. Buy, sell or rent house, I can help you. I speak russian.
PAULA REESE
Buying or Selling? I am Your Realtor
248-882-1112 543 N. Main • Rochester, MI 48307
www.paulareese.com paula.reese@gmail.com
Associated Broker office (248) 363-8588 ext. 267 fax (248) 363-5786
cell (248) 877-9293 www.realestateone.com
Keller Williams Realty 2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 Commerce Township
Beth “Peedee”Freund, GRI
348 E. MAPLE ROAD • BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009 248-644-7000 • WWW.SKBK.COM
MICHAEL J. STAWIZKY 248.980.4406 direct 888.304.1447 ext. 360 888.304.1456 fax sellmyhomemike@gmail.com findahomemike@gmail.com
42705 Grand River Ave Ste 201 Novi, Mi 48375
8430 Richardson Rd., Commerce, MI 48382
REALTOR
“Your Satisfaction is My Reward”
Defined Dan DeGasperis Associate Broker / REALTOR® 125 E. Third St. Rochester, MI 48307
Mobile: (248) 410-2416 Office: (248) 256-5436 eFax: (248) 284-6954
SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2012
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NEW CONSTRUCTION MOVE RIGHT IN! •1,650 sq ft, 3 bed, 2.5 ba, master jet tub bath •Kitch & dining w/hdwd, doorwall, bsmt, 2 car #212075065 • EXT. #263
$249,900 127 FT. OF BULLARD WATERFRONT GORGEOUS TREED .43 ACRE LOT •2,116 sq. ft., walkout, 4 bed, 3.5 ba, wet bar •Part fin. w/o, ff laundry, elevated deck #212091684 • EXT. #234
M
MM
$378,800
$385,000
$389,900
ALL-SPORTS UNION LAKEFRONT SPECIAL •2-3 bedroom brick ranch, fin w/o, brick fp •2 car attached gar, elevated deck, patio #212091757 • EXT. #215
10+ ACRE HORSE/HERB FARM WITH CIRCA 1880 FARMHOUSE •2,200 sq ft 2 sty, 4 bed, 2 ba, full basement •14 stall barn, 10 fenced pastures, coop, 8 car #212090502 • EXT. #201
BIRKDALE BEAUTY LARGE, NICELY LANDSCAPED LOT! •3,627 sq ft, 4-5 bed, 2.5 ba, LR, DR, jet tub ba •2-story GR, ff laundry, w/o bsmt, 3 car #212073978 • EXT. #237
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$319,900
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$539,900 •2 separate-buildable lots, newer 2 car gar. •Existing 3 bed, 2 ba, GR, fp, Florida rm, FR #212084822 • EXT. #279
BEAUTIFULLY UPDATED HOME ON ALL-SPORTS DUCK LAKE! •2,962 sq ft, 4 bed, 2 ba, vaulted dining, library •Fp, granite kitchen, 1st flr laundry, bsmt #212093248 • EXT. #246
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$495,000
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$514,000
$499,900
UNION LAKEFRONT PRICES ARE RISING GORGEOUS LAKEFRONT HOME BUY NOW! ON WOLVERINE LAKE •75’ sandy shoreline, 200’ deep lot, seawall •2,514 sq ft + fin walkout, 4 bed, 2.5 ba, GR, fp •Possible walkout site, existing 2 br, 2 ba home •Mstr-jet tub bath, dock/seawall, ff laundry, 2 car #212088077 • EXT. #205 #212089282 • EXT. #255
•Meeting Client’s Needs Since 1977 •Dedicated Listing & Buyer’s Agents •160+ Negotiated/Closed “Short Sales”
80 FT. OF SANDY SHORELINE ON ALL-SPORTS CASS LAKE!
$349,900
$344,900 HURON HILLS SUB WAY BACK IN SUB - TREED PRIVATE LOT •2-sty w/2,594 sq ft, 4 lg bed, 2.5 ba, 9 ft. ceiling •Stone fp, ff laundry, 3+ car, part fin bsmt, deck #212037708 • EXT. #224
We are full time professional Realtors...
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BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED RANCH QUIET, WOODED SETTING •1,796 sq. ft., 2/3 bed, 2 ba, kitch/nook, appl •GR/DR, fp, deck, fam rm, ff laundry, attch gar #212085907 • EXT. #233
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$149,900
$199,900 SPACIOUS COLONIAL ON LARGE, FENCED LOT •2,080 sq ft & fin bsmt, 3 bed, 2.5 ba, GR-fp •FR, 1st flr laundry, 3 car, 2nd story storage #212079251 • EXT. #228 T CE ER
INCREDIBLE RETREAT ON PRIVATE, WOODED 5 ACRES! •3,049 sq ft + fin w/o, 3 bed, 3 ba, granite kitch •2-sty rms, post/beam construction, patio, 3 car #212064550 • EXT. #211
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$299,900 LAKEFRONT RANCH HOME ON ALL-SPORTS LONG LAKE •3 bed, 1.5 ba, Florida rm, GR, new snackbar kitch •New flooring, covered deck, dock, seawall, 2 car #212075900 • EXT. #241
P. TW CE R E
P. TW CE R E MM CO
$199,900 WALKOUT RANCH ON ALL-SPORTS CLARK & CARROLL LAKES •1,353 sq ft + 950 sq ft fin. walkout, 3 bed, 2 ba •2 fp, mstr w/ba, courtyard garage, shed #212091067 • EXT. #243
ITE WH
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$239,900
MM
$199,900 NICELY UPDATED RANCH HOME WALKOUT BASEMENT •1,673 sq ft, 4 bed, 2 bat, kitchen-newer appl •GR-fp, DR-hwf, ff laundry, 3 car side entry gar #212088515 • EXT. #227
MM
BRENDEL LAKEFRONT RANCH WITH FINISHED WALKOUT •1.7 wooded acres, 2,000 sq ft & fin walkout •3 bed, 2 ba, 2 fps, patio, green house, 2 car #212079780 • EXT. #236
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$169,900
$224,900 SPACIOUS COLONIAL ON LARGE, PRIVACY FENCED LOT •2,164 sq ft + fin bsmt, 3 bed, 2.5 ba, GR-fp •Library/den, 2nd flr laundry, 3 car, deck #212082375 • EXT. #230
ITE WH
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Our performance speaks for itself! Call today for a private consultation.
BEAUTIFULLY LANDSCAPED LOT 327’ LAKE FRONTAGE •4 bed, 3.5 ba, DR, granite kitch, GR, FR •Fireplace, 2nd kitch, 3 car, beach, dock #212070498 • EXT. #287
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$79,900 BEAUTIFULLY REMODELED CONDOMINIUM TOWNHOUSE •2 bed, 1.5 ba + fin bsmt, granite kitch •Ceramic & hdwd, LC terms, clubhouse, pool #212092228 • EXT. #259
With property inventory down, mortgage rates remain low and home pricing on the rise...
There’s No Better Time To Sell! 800-396-5204 + Ext. # for recorded message 2900 Union Lake, Suite 210, Commerce, MI 48382
248-366-7200
Lakes Area’s #1 Team! Zillow - Preferred Agent
Janet Direct: Steve Direct: 248-755-7600 248-755-7500
janet@TheStocktonTeam.com
steve@TheStocktonTeam.com
www.TheStocktonTeam.com
PAGE 48
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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
Commerce Market Center David Botsford - Team Leader Call about our new agent and veteran’s scholarship programs. 248-360-2900
Whether Buying or Selling a Home…
Christine Atkinson I Specialize in Referrals and I Appreciate Your Help!
Office 248-406-2909 Cell 248-310-8572
Email: christineatkinsonrealtor@yahoo.com Visit my website
866.784.0917
0
2900 Union Lake Rd., Suite 210 Commerce Township, MI 48382
CHRISTINEATKINSON.COM KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY
Jennifer Wrobleski
2900 Union Lake Rd. Ste. 210, Commerce, MI 48382
www.JenniferWrobleski.net
UNION LAKE WHERE DREAMS NEVER END! Move right into this charing allsports Union Lake front home. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths. 2,410 sq. ft. Wonderful family neighborhood. Family dining and formal living room - all with spectacular views! $499,900
CEDAR ISLAND LAKE 135 SQ. FT. WATER FRONTAGE Spectacular custom multilevel floor plan located on allsports Cedar Island Lake. 3 bedrooms, 3 baths. 2,831 sq. ft. complete with heated ceramic floors, granite counter tops, outdoor hot tub and much more!!! $449,900
BRENDEL LAKE - 380’ OF ALL-SPORTS LAKE FRONTAGE 4 private balconies with electric storm shutters, sound system inside and out. Open floor plan with 3 bedrooms and 2.1 baths compliment this 3,126 sq. ft. home. Located on all-sport Brendel Lake with spectacular waterfront views from every room! $499,900
CEDAR ISLAND LAKE PERFECT FOR ENTERTAINING! 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. 1,092 sq. ft. chef style stainless steel appliances, family room with wet bar, natural fireplace, heated 2 car garage, huge deck and walkout basement that leads directly to all-sports Cedar island Lake! $299,900
COMMERCE MARKET CENTER
Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated
(248) 854-3100 • OFFICE (248) 360-2900 FAX (248) 406-2901 EMAIL jwrobleski@kw.com www.MichiganHomeMarketPlace.com
CELL
REALTOR®
Keller Williams - Commerce “#1 Top Producing Agent” and “Lakes Area’s Specialist”
Historic Farm House on Almost 3.5 Acres In the Heart of Commerce! Gorgeous original hardwood floors in pristine condition. Open floor plan with island kitchen open to dining room, cozy family room with soaring ceilings and exposed beams, spacious living area, master bedroom with loft overlooking family room. Oversized barn with loft area, shed, and garage. Fabulous well maintained property. Horses allowed.
Inventory is low. It’s a great time to sell. Call today for a free market analysis.
DEBRA LENZEN 248-760-5474 - cell 2900 Union Lake Rd., Ste 210 Commerce Twp., MI 48382 Residential & Lakefront Expert Award Winning, Top Producing Realtor L IA RC E MM CO
HARTLAND Beautiful custom home located on the 13th fairway of Dunham Hills Golf Course with privileges on Dunham Lake. 4 bedrooms, 4 full and 2 half baths. First floor master, great room, large family kitchen with hearth room and formal dining. $370,000
MILFORD OFFICE BUILDING Excellent office building, walking distance to downtown. 1,864 sq. ft. comprised of 5 private offices; reception; large open areas; lunch room; updated throughout; storage and mechanical room in unfinished area of lower level. 11 onsite parking spaces. Freshly painted, neat, clean and ready for immediate occupancy. Land Contract terms available to qualified purchaser. Priced at just $239,900
dwlenzen@comcast.net MichiganHomesPro.com
NEW LISTING - 5592 Bentwood Lane, Commerce, MI
. UN ES US 1-4 O H EN 9/17 OP GORGEOUS HURON HILLS BEAUTY - 3,221 sq. ft.! Hardwood floors, casement windows, elegant first floor master with new carpeting and private access to deck. Master bath with steam shower and jet tub. Granite in kitchen with custom built in buffet, bonus room addition with remote motorized shades, lots of room for entertaining in finished lower level (50” big screen TV stays!)
SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2012
– WATERFORD – ADORABLE AFFORDABLE HOME WITH LAKE PRIVILEGES! MANY UPDATES IN AND OUT! MUST SEE! 212080568 $89,900
www.spinalcolumnonline.com
– MILFORD – SECLUDED HISTORIC HOME ON 1.37 ACRES AND CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN! 212074166 $170,000
– WHITE LAKE – OXBOW LAKEFRONT. 2 FIREPLACES, 2 DOORWALL TO DECK. FINISHED WALKOUT 212089623 $230,000
PAGE 49
– WATERFORD – ENJOY RELAXED LIVING, MASTER SUITE, OVERSIZED HEATED GARAGE. 212077158 $120,000
PAGE 50
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Medical/ Dental
Absolutely Free
90
67
CNAs/ HHAs CNAs and HHAs needed with flexible availability needed for Oakland County. 6 months experience or CNA Certification required. Must have current CPR, TB Test, valid Michigan drivers license and proof of auto insurance. Fax resume to Lesli at 248-972-5529 or email to jobs@inspirehomecare.com LET US LET YOU FIND that perfect employee to fill that spot on your staff. Give us a call at 248-360-7355 or fax to 248360-5308 or 219-360-5309.
DIRECT CARE Up to $9.03 per hour to start, with Benefits. Small group home setting. Must be Patient & Reliable. Full time, Rochester Hills, & Novi areas.
248-486-5368
MERCHANDISE FOR SALE Used/Wanted
89
SCRAP METAL Aluminum .30-.60¢/lb. Copper $2.00-$2.60/lb. Brass .80¢- 1.50/lb. Auto Rads. .80¢-1.10/lb. 1011 Decker, Walled Lk
Mann Metals Corp. (248)960-1200 Absolutely Free
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.
CATS - ADOPT a rescue. Youngest is 5 months old. Need loving homes. 248-7384901 or 248-214-9898 CEMENT BLOCKS for decorating around a tree. You pick up. West Bloomfield area. 248-561-4182 ENTRY DOOR, Double panty door, TV cabinet. you pick up. 248-666-2629 LAWN TRACTOR 38" deck, 12hp, with bagger, needs some parts replaced 248-669-4462
Collectibles
Moving Sales
102
COMMERCE, 201 Bobolink Avenue. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 9am-6pm. Furniture, household, tools, sporting goods, fishing, hunting, clothing, records, CD's, lots of books, fishing boat w/trailer. COMMERCE, 5350 INVERRARY Lane, off of Commerce Rd. Furniture, antiques, household, tools. September 13th, 14th, 15th, 9am-4pm ESTATE SALE, 7370 Alpine View Drive, White Lake. September 14th, 15th, 9am-4pm. Antiques, leather couches, bedroom set, household.
93
103
WATERFORD SEPTEMBER 13TH, 14th, 9a.m.-4p.m. 7320 Nor th Shaker Drive. Moving. WHITE LAKE
Community Garage Sale Meadow Lake 3951 Bentwood Circle, Off White Lake Rd
Between Ormond and Eagle Road Sept. 13th-16th Williams Lake Crossing Condo Sub Sale Between Elizabeth Lake & Cooley Lake Roads.
BOBBLEHEAD, RED Wings Johan Franzen, in box, $20 248-425 1004
Auction/ Estate Sales
Garage Sales
September 13th, 14th & 15th, 9am-4pm Many found treasures. Something for everyone
101
PUBLIC AUCTION "Mini Storage Depot will sell at public auction, contents of Units Numbered (G515, Jeanine Gustin: household goods, furniture, boxes, toys), (L1070, Nadia Humphery: household goods, furniture), (M1149, Amanda Logan: household goods, furniture, boxes), (E319, Kyrandia Peters: household goods, furniture, boxes, trunks, toys, sporting goods, tools, equipment), (J8080, Sandra Coutts: household goods, furniture, boxes, toys, tools), (L1038, Sharon Lawrence: household goods, furniture, boxes), (D223, Octavious Gilman: household goods, furniture, boxes, toys, sporting goods), (B57, Regina Lewis: household goods, furniture), on Friday, September 28th, 2012 at 2:00p.m.for back storage fees owed. The auction will take place at Mini Storage Depot - 46550 Pontiac Trail, Walled Lake, Michigan 48390. We reserve the right to reject any and all bids."
WOLVERINE LAKE
Twelve phone lines open 8:30-5:00 Monday through Friday
248360-SELL (248-360-7355)
Duties include: Clerical, Billing, Data Entry and Administrative. Benefits, Health Insurance, 401K Plan Retirement Plan.
GARAGE/ MOVING sale. Sept. 13th & 14th, 9am-4pm, 1410 Sunset Drive (off S. Commerce).
Tools Garage Sales
103
COMMERCE HUGE SALE. Lawn equipment, electronics, 21 speed bicycle, clothes, housewares, American Girl doll, accessories. September 13th & 14th, 9am-4pm. 4994 Greenview Drive.
HUGE MULTI FAMILY GARAGE SALE Toys, clothes, furniture, tools, cabinets, bikes, jewelry, assorted household items, & much more. Follow signs from Pontiac Tr./Welch
1864 Alton Circle Thurs., Fri., Sat., 9-5
HELP WANTED
FRIDAY, SATURDAY, 9-5. Big sale, low prices. Great selection of items- kids, household, toys, decor, clothes, more. 1610 Ladd Road, Wolverine Lake, North of Maple.
8693 COOLEY Beach off Union Lake Road 9/14, 9/15 9-3. SEPTEMBER 14TH & 15th, 9am-5pm. 1474 Wandrei Court. Great stuff. HIGHLAND
Apply in person & ask for JJ Weekdays from 9-4 4527 Old Plank Rd. Milford, MI 48381
3866 KINGSWAY OFF Harvey Lake Road, Sept. 13-15, 9a.m.-6p.m. Furniture, dishes, clothes, & miscellaneous
(248) 685-0961 ext. 233
MOVING SALE 1581 Ludean Drive, in Axford Acres. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 9-5.
106
SCROLL SAW and band saw, good condition, $100 each. 248-390-9943
Clothing/Apparel
119
BRAND NEW Size small women's Nike jacket $15 248960-7285 REAL MINK Cape, excellent condition, $25. 248-553-4967
Appliances
122
MICROWAVE OVEN, clean, "Emerson", 12x12, 2007, $20. 248-360-8485
Furniture/Rugs
125
WURLITZER UPRIGHT piano, $700. Oak dining room set, $800. Oak roll top desk w/ hutch, $500. 248-701-0406
Household Items
SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
LEISURE TIME
Snowmobiles
WANTED: "Vintage" Racing Snowmobiles. 248-682-6486
Fitness Equipment 149 EXERCISE BICYCLE- $25. You pick up, White Lake area. 248-698-4134 PRO FORM 830QT Treadmill, working condition $25 248363-2809
BOATS/ OUTDOOR Boats/Motors/ Trailers
CARS/TRUCKS MOTORCYCLES Wanted Parts/ Salvage
164
Motorcycles
183
MOTORCYCLEGUARANTEE See First Want Ad Page
(248)666-9248
FULL REPAIR SERVICES Motorcycle parts/ Access. Mention ad for up to 20% off! MX • ATV• P.W.C
PONTOON HAULING Local & Long Distance
Lakes MotorSports 4713 Dixie Highway, Waterford, MI 48329
Winter Storage-$199.99 Snowmobiles, Trailers, RV's Fenced, Gated & Lighted Yard
248-674-0663 www.lakesmotorsports.com
Let us sell your pontoon.
Cars
Tom 248-681-4250 www.tomspontoonservice.com
170
BOAT STORAGE BY DEKE PROPERTIES LLC BOATS & RV OCT-APR LESS THAN $1.00 PER DAY Min. 7 month Limited space
M-59 & Airport Rd. 248-714-9558 SAFE & SECURE
187
FIREBIRD 1979 make offer father/ son project 248-6139354 TURBO NEW Yorker 1984, 4 door, A1 inside and out, like new $2,600 248-698-0917
SALES GUARANTEE Autos, Vans, Trucks See First Want Ad Page
129
PROCTOR SILEX Food chopper. Brand new. $7.50 248623-2661
Stuff/Kids
133
SKATEBOARD RAMP, Black plastic. $9.00 248-363-4672
Odds N Ends
138
BROADCAST SPREADER, Plastic hopper, fertilizer or salt, Ortho, $22. 248-3602911 WESTINGHOUSE AUTOMATIC white can opener, brand new in box. $5. 248623-2661
SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOW OPEN! $ 95
19
OIL CHANGE! 3365 W. Highland Rd. (M-59) at Hickory Ridge Rd.
248-714-6125
woodwardauto.com
187
CHEVY CAVALIER 1998 convertible $2,800 OBO 586303-6500 FORD ESCAPE 2009, White, new tires/ shocks, regular oil change, great conditon, $11,995. 248-520-1740. 24825 Hathaway St. Farmington Hills MI 48335
UNWANTED AUTOS LLC
(248)467-0396
•Pontoon Hauling •Inboard & Outboard Repair "We Come To You" •Buy & Sell Motors
Cars
HADLEY'S TOWING 181
TOP $ Paid For Any: • Junk • Non Running • Wrecked Cars $275 & Up
DAVE'S MOBILE MARINE
Boat Storage
179
Auction: 9-26-12, 10a.m 1. 2004 Chevy Malibu Vin IGIND52F44M647985 2. 2000 Mercury Mar. Vin 2MEFM75W4YX647663 3. 2005 Nissan Sentra Vin 3N1CB1D65L476319 4. 2002 Pontiac G. P. Vin 1G2WK52J32F240364 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSE, 1995. Great winter car. $750. 248-363-5994
Classic/ Antique Cars
188
CHEVY BELAIR, 1964. Manual, runs, needs work. $3,000 OBO. 248-240-9438
Vans
194
DODGE GRAND Caravan SXT 2004, 90,000 miles, excellent condition, new tires, $6,200. 586-876-5757
SERVICE DIRECTORY PERSONAL/ SERVICES Home/ Office Cleaning
368
COLLEEN'S CLEANING SERVICE is coming to your neighborhood. Residential / Commercial 20 Years Experience • Insured • Local References upon request. Call for FREE Quote or questions 9am-5pm
248-974-5104
REPAIR/ IMPROVEMENT Appliance Repair
502
TONY'S APPLIANCE SERVICE Servicing all Major Appliances. •Hot water tank
(248)360-0213 (248)698-8819
SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2012
www.spinalcolumnonline.com
PAGE 51
LAKES AREA SERVICES (248) 360-7355
www.SpinalColumnOnline.com IN PRINT and ON-LINE 24/7
Fax (248) 360-5308
Personal • Business • Maintenance • Improvements • Repair Asphalt/Pavement 503
Cement/Concrete
ARROW CONCRETE
KEITH'S SEALCOATING • NO SPRAY • ASPHALT REPAIR & GRAVEL FILL
SINCE 1983
•Driveway Replacements Free Tear outs •Regular & Stamped •Home Owner Friendly •Residential - Commerical Fully Lic. & Ins. 20 Yr. Exp.
ARROWCONCRETE.NET
513
Mohawk Carpet Great buys! Remnants Living room & Bedroom sized $4 per yd. Low prices on restretching, repairs, pad, & installation.
35 years experience Bob (248)681-5771 Cabinetry
248-758-4346
MARCUCCI
BOB'S CARPET
515
CONCRETE As Seen on ABC TV "Extreme Home Makeovers" Satisfying Customers for Over 30 Years •DRIVEWAY •PORCHES •FOUNDATIONS •BRICK •BLOCK •STAMPED/ COLORED Lic/Ins Visa/ MC Wixom www.marcuccicement.com
248-486-5900 Doors
524
Elegant Woodworking
THE DOOR STOP
•Mantels •Fireplace Surrounds •Furniture •Enter tainment Center •Custom Cabinets •Crown Molding •Kitchen Cabinets •Custom Bars Harold Canfield
Garage door springs and door openers repaired and/or replaced.
(248)363-3804
CERTIFIED OVERHEAD DOOR SERVICE
elegant-woodworking.com
Cement/Concrete
517
C&G CEMENT Quality Workmanship Residential-Commercial Over 30 years Experience STAMPED CONCRETE DRIVEWAYS FOOTINGS GARAGE FLOORS BLOCK WORK FREE ESTIMATES Michael (248)363-4783 MILFORD LOCATION
(248)684-5928
528
MASTER ELECTRICIAN Insured & State Licensed, 25 years experience. Prompt, courteous service. FREE ESTIMATES. ALL TYPES OF WORK. Competitive Prices
Excavating
Call Anytime 248-624-4042 (cell) 248-640-6298
•Garage Doors •Repaired/ Services •New Doors/ Openers •Installed at Factory Pricing •Emergency Service Available
248-624-3161 526
R & D DRYWALL & PAINTING •Hang & Finished •Small Repair •Texture Repair •Plaster Repair •Wet Sand
Ron (248)673-7665
529
J.J.M BACKHOE SERVICE LLC Backhoe service & landscaping. 38 Years Experience. Small or Large Jobs. Fully insured. Free estimates.
(248)624-6458 SMALL TRACTOR SERVICE •Back hoe •Loader •Tiller •Rake •Grade Insured
248-770-3140 Handy Person
Since 1980
Drywall
Electricians
(248)683-7985
(248)-623-7282 Carpet Installation
517
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 #
Handy Person
545
TOTAL HOME SERVICE 35 Years Licensed PLUMBING • HEATING CARPENTRY • DRYWALL ELECTRICAL NEW SERVICE KITCHENS BATHS CERAMIC TILE
"The job your husband will do tomorrow." (248)887-2366
HONEY-DO HANDYMAN Honey- Do Lists •Electrical •Plumbing •Drywall •Painting •Carpentry •Tile •Finished Basements •Bathrooms
CALL GARY NOW Office: 248-474-7270 Cell: 248-320-5360 Over 20 yrs exp. LICENSED & INSURED
Heating/Duct Work 546
THOMASON HEATING & COOLING • Furnaces • Boilers • Air Cleaners •Air Conditioners •Humidifiers Service & Replacements
Licensed and Insured
FREE ESTIMATES ON INSTALLATION
D & S HOME REPAIRS REMODELING
Home Improvement 547
(248)891-7072
•Additions •Garages •Drywall •Painting •Plumbing •Electrical •Tile •Marble •Kitchens •Baths •Basements •Decks 33 Years ... Licensed
248-684-4175 810-714-3058
248-363-1615
D&D Construction Roofing• Siding•Windows • Insulation • Gutters • LeafGuards • Soffits •Trimwork• Decks
Doug Dible 248-431-6243
Lawn/Garden Services
553
A R T
Outdoor Services, LLC Lawn Service •Spring clean up •Gutter cleaning •Landscape •Brick pavers •Mulch & weeding •Insured •Res. & Com. www.artoutdoorservices.com (248)625-5719
LADY LIBERTY ENTERPRISES Land Decorating & Maintenance, LLC. Flower bed weeding, Mulching, Brick Pavers/Repairs, Boulder Walls, Lawn Maintenance, Clean-ups, Tree & Shrub Pruning. Insured.
248-634-7041
College Student Looking for Lawn care, mulch/ stone & odd jobs Shawn Larkins 248-931-0295 Painting/ Decorating
562
FARR'S PAINTING Exterior & Interior Wood Repairs • Caulking Staining • Wallpaper Removal Drywall repairs • Water repairs Free Power Washing w/paint. farrshomeimprovements.com
(248) 477-7764 (248) 345-3308 VS PAINTING FALL SPECIAL Save 20% this season on exterior/ interior painting, drywall repair, & wallpaper removal on small or big jobs. 25 years experience. licensed and insured. Same day free estimates.
248-894-3239
Painting/ Decorating
Tile 562
FALL SPECIALS
Lakes Painting All types of Painting Drywall Repairs • Wallpaper Removal & Installation . References • Lakes Area Owner Operated Since 1980
248-762-1534 Plumbing
567
Premier Plumbing Licensed & Insured Complete Plumbing Service New Construction & Remodel Commercial & Residential
248-363-5864 Power Washing
569
FARR'S POWER WASHING •Deck Cleaning / Staining & Sealing •Brick Cleaning •Rust & Mold Removal •Housewashing. •Painting •Deck Repairs. farrshomeimprovements.com
(248) 477-7764 (248) 345-3308 Roofing
585
J.M. TILE & MARBLE CUSTOM WORK
John Miller (248)505-8865
248-425-0155
jmtileandmarble.com
Trash/Debris Removal
Progressive Transportation Specializing in: •Appliances •Furniture •Debris Removal •We haul cars too! Call anytime for estimates & great service 248-887-4892
Tree Service
587
J ROMO TREE SERVICE •Tree Trimming •Lot Clearing •Tree Removal •Experienced •Quality Work •Affordable •Free Estimates •Insured
(248)939-7420 (248)978-1096
MAXON'S TREE SERVICE
Call Doug Miller 248-360-0344
Licensed & Insured Free Estimates
577
I.D.C.
(248)887-2190 KODIAK AERIAL TREE SERVICE
Home Service Siding, Trim & Soffitt Guaranteed Professional Installation. Lic./ Ins. References available.
Tree Trim Removal and Stumps •Free estimates •Insured 30 years experience
idchomeservice.com
248-921-9097
Bob: 248-363-0589
Free Estimates Insured. Call Todd Waterproofing
586
Missing shingles replaced, Chimney flashing resealed, Leaks stopped, Vent stack flashing replaced, Complete roof inspection service, Guaranteed work. 30 yrs exp.
Siding
STUMP GRINDING AFFORDABLE Prompt Service Fenced Yard Accessible
•Trimming •Tree Removal •Stump Grinding •Lot Clearing •Firewood & Woodchips "We now have wood fencing & deliver sand, gravel, top soil."
ROOF REPAIRS
587
•Remodeling •Quality Service •New Construction • Repairs •Grout Sealing • Licensed and Insured
jromotreeservice@yahoo.com
571
Tree Service
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 SERVICE "If you have questions, we have answers!" •PUMPS •TANKS • WELL REPAIR
(248)310-0917
Emergency Service Visa & MasterCard
PAGE 52
www.spinalcolumnonline.com
SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
Largest Selection of Pre-Owned Vehicles in the State!
OPEN SATURDAY
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
1-866-632-9196 Vehicles Under $10,000
2012 GMC TERRAIN Only 5,000 miles! 12G3772A
2005 Pontiac Vibe - 12G7394P
$19,997
$
.......
7,968
2010 Cadillac SRX - 12G1842A
.......
$
2005 Chevrolet Uplander - 12G3460A .$7,677
29,988
2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer - 12G2863A 15,977 $
2009 GMC Acadia AWD - 12G7293A $23,788 2008 GMC Envoy 4x4 - 12G7362P
$
......
15,977
2005 Saturn Vue AWD - 12G7103B . 9,877 $
2003 Pontiac Sunfire - 12G1157A
......
$
5,977
2004 Honda Accord - 12G7439A . . . . . . . . 9,978 $
2004 Chevy Malibu Maxx - 12G3391A 8,788 $
2011 GMC Sierra 4x4 Ext Cab - 12G1782A 2007 GMC Yukon 4x4 - 11G5709B
.. $
......
$
23,688
18,998
2010 Chevrolet Equinox - 12G7368A $13,998 2008 Chevy Uplander Van - 12G4046A .$13,977 2009 Buick Enclave AWD - 12G4010A .$25,977 2008 Chevy Express Passenger Van 12G7407P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$
16,977
Dan Schultz, Regina Woodard and Mike Szettella Credit Specialists at
2005 GMC Envoy XL - 12G4186B 2005 Pontiac Aztek - 12G4521A
....
.....
$
$
8,677 6,977
2003 Mercury Mountaineer - 12G4480A . 8,677 $
NO PAYMENTS UNTIL 2013!!** *See dealer for details
We Are Able to Get You Financed,
WHEN NO ONE ELSE CAN!
S. Milford Rd.
E. Commerce
W. Commerce
S. Wixom Rd.
I-96
Mon. & Thurs. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
N. Wixom Rd.
Hickory Ridge
Pleasant Valley
US -23
M-59
Duck Lake Rd.
1-866-690-1592 ★
Only 5,000 miles! 12G4254A
$16,997
2006 Chevrolet Aveo - 12G7409P . . . .$7,787
TRUCKS, SUVs & 4x4s
Highland Rd.
2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU
CARS 2007 Buick Lacrosse - 12G2628B . . . .$13,977 2009 Pontiac G8 - 12G3778A
.........
2010 Honda Accord - 12G1437A
.....
$
17,977
$
17,988
2009 Chevrolet HHR - 12G606A . . . . . .$12,997 2010 Buick Lacrosse - 12G3590A . . . .$21,997 2010 Cadillac CTS - 12G3964A
.......
$
21,988
$
17,977
2008 Cadillac STS - 13G17A
.........
2007 Chrysler 300 - 12G1438A
..........
2009 Pontiac G5 - 12G4257A
.........
$
$
12,977
11,977
2008 Chevrolet Impala - 12G4301A . .$10,977
BAD CREDIT?
•Repo •Collections •Bankruptcy •No Credit WE CAN WORK WITH YOU GUARANTEED APPROVAL
www.thecreditgospel.com
LaFontaine
Tues., Wed. & Fri. 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
4000 W. Highland Rd. Highland, MI 48357
Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
(866) 632-9196 www.thefamilydeal.com
• LIMITED TIME ONLY • LIMITED TIME ONLY •
995* OIL OIL CHANGE CHANGE
$
Call for Appointment
(866) LAFONTAINE® FREE 19 Point Inspection www.thefamilydeal.com EXPIRES 12/31/12 *Excludes diesel & synthetics • *Make/Model restrictions may apply.