SCN82411 by Kingsett

WEST OAKLAND’S NEWSWEEKLY www.spinalcolumnonline.com

8/24/11

WATERFORD • UNION LAKE • WHITE LAKE • HIGHLAND • MILFORD • WIXOM WALLED LAKE • WOLVERINE LAKE • COMMERCE • ORCHARD LAKE • WEST BLOOMFIELD

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AT THE TOP OF THE HEAP Daddy-daughter duo lead Compuware squad to World Series title - pg. 35

HATCHING A RESPONSE? Milford resident may appeal judge’s order to remove chickens - pg. 9

FORD SHIFTS ITS GEARS Wixom plant, originally to be sold, will be leased to energy companies - pg. 3

GOV’T, TO GO

pg. 10

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

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WEST OAKLAND COUNTY

AUGUST 24, 2011

SHOP LOCAL • THINK LOCAL • LIVE LOCAL

❐ The Friends of Highland Township Public Library will host their semiannual used book sale on Saturday, Sept. 17. The Highland Library is located at 444 Beach Farm Circle, just past the post office near Milford Road and M-59. Doors will open at 9 a.m. for Friends members only to preview the books for sale. Memberships may be purchased at the door. Starting at 10 a.m., the book sale will be open to everyone; however, scanners and other wireless devices may only be used after 11 a.m. Also note, stockpiling and clearing will not be permitted at any time during the sale. All proceeds from the sale will be used to fund the purchase of new materials for the library, as well as to support special programs and activities provided by the library. Donations for the book sale may be made any time the library is open. Questions should be directed to the library at 248-887-2218. ❏

That’s what HE said: "I'm not fighting for a henhouse, I'm fighting for a principle that people should provide as much of their own food as possible." — Milford Village resident Archie Noon, who is fighting a village ordinance to keep chickens on his property, but was ordered by 52-1 District Court Judge Robert Bondy to remove them within 60 days.

INSIDE Special Report . . . . . . .10-12 County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Public Safety . . . . . . . . . . .23 Environment . . . . . . . . . .27 State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Lakes Area News . . . . . .7-17 Editorials . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Community Calendar . . . . .33 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . .35-37

248.360.6397

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Ford shifting gears on Wixom plant development plan By Leslie Shepard staff writer

After nearly three years of waiting for two renewable energy manufacturers to get their financing in order to purchase the shuttered Ford Wixom Assembly Plant, the Ford Motor Co. has returned to the drawing board to take the steps necessary to attract renewed interest in the site. First, Ford officials met with the Wixom City Council and Planning Commission on Monday, Aug. 22 to propose a Renaissance Zone and Brownfield Redevelopment Plan for the site before related state laws sunset at the end of this year. “Our needs have changed, so we are adjusting our plan and approach,” said Ford Motor Land CEO Donna Inch. In 2009, Xtreme Power and Clairvoyant Energy unveiled a plan to build a renewable energy park at the site by investing $725 million, a jolt to the local economy that was expected to create approximately 4,000 jobs. The proposals to purchase the site were contingent on state incentives and federal loan guarantees. While the state awarded them

Market Day brings vendors to city on Sunday, Aug. 28 By Leslie Shepard staff writer

Over 100 vendors will pitch their tents and line the streets of Walled Lake to display their creative wares at the 36th Annual Market Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 28 “Every year we pull in different vendors and a variety of entertainment to have a nice family-friendly event,” said Market Day Coordinator Janell Joyce. Shoppers can choose from signature items such as bath and hygiene products, bed sheets, hand bags, laser art, pottery and candles. Besides customized jewelry, lawn art, salsas, dip mixes, honeys and

Xtreme Power and Clairvoyant Energy no longer intend to purchase the closed Ford Motor Co. assembly plant in Wixom (above) for redevelopment as a renewable energy park, but still hope to lease a portion of the site for more modest uses. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)

substantial incentives, $500 million in loan guarantees from the federal Department of Energy (DOE) were still needed. Xtreme Power and Clairvoyant Energy terminated negotiations with Ford in April after the DOE modified the loan terms. In light of reforms to the Michigan Business Tax, the state gave Xtreme Power and Clairvoyant Energy until the end of this year to secure tax incentives. Without DOE financing, the two companies changed course. They have since been soliciting private capital and reduced their planned building footprint

from 2 million square feet to 500,000 square feet. Furthermore, they will no longer purchase the site, but instead possibly lease individual sites on the Ford property, located on Wixom Road just north of I-96. Inch said the time has come to move on and pursue other opportunities to sell or lease the property. “We’re trying to do this step by step,” she said. “We need to get this Renaissance Zone established to use it as a great tool in marketing.” A Renaissance Zone provides a 100percent tax abatement on local real and

various produce, Avon and Pampered Chef products will be on hand. Local merchants such as Audra’s Addictions and Patty’s Sandals will also take part in the event. Product services will include the Mason’s child identification program, the Animal E.R. Center, Camp Bow Wow, and several chiropractors. Apart from the immediate area, Joyce said that vendors come from surrounding communities and neighboring states. A 12-foot-by-12foot vendor booth costs $50. Vendors are responsible for their own awnings, tents, and tables. Patrons can expect a smorgasbord of food, including hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, Greek cuisine, and funnel cakes, in addition to the kid-friendly fare such as snow cones, cotton candy, and caramel corn/apples. The Lakes Area Arts Council has

slated a different entertainment act every 30 minutes from noon to 3:30 p.m. with local talent presented by Big City Dance, Task Karate, Whistle Stop Cloggers, and the Dance Dynamics Performing Company. Registration begins at 3 p.m. for the Walled Lake Downtown Development Authority-sponsored Lakes Area Idol and Talent Search for singers, actors, dancers and musicians to take center stage from 3:30-5 p.m. Prizes will be donated by local businesses. At 8 a.m., police will close off Walled Lake Drive from Witherall to Pontiac Trail, Liberty Street from Pontiac Trail to East Walled Lake Drive, and Ferland. Parking will be available at Riley Park across from Pontiac Trail, on side streets, and in the lot adjacent to City Hall. Handicapped parking will be available on Market Street east of Ferland. ❏

PAGE 7 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW WEST

OAKLAND’S

‘Honor, privilege to serve’

NEWSWEEKLY

51st YEAR OF PUBLICATION Waterford • White Lake • Highland • Milford Commerce • Wolverine • Walled Lake • Wixom West Bloomfield • Orchard Lake • Union Lake PUBLISHER / PRESIDENT: Susan Fancy BUSINESS MANAGER: Dennis Boggs EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: Carol Barr EDITOR: ASSISTANT EDITOR: Tim Dmoch Kirk Pinho Staff Writers: Angela Niemi, Leslie Shepard, Michael Shelton Contributing Writers: Mike Scott, Mark Stowers Staff Photographer: Amy K. Lockard Photography Intern: Stefano Ferri ADVERTISING SALES: Account Representatives: Cindie Audia, Denise Engelberts, Debra Grubb Linda Stickney, Laurie Wasker Sales Assistant/Proofing: Karen Whikehart PHONE SALES MANAGER: Lori Snyder Account Representatives: Rhonda Libkuman, Cindy Stawick, Leslie Timko GRAPHICS: Denise Jungjohan, Marcia Reimer, Stacie Sabady IT MANAGER: Joel Stickney CIRCULATION: Dan Griffin ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE MANAGER: Carolyn Petherbridge Assistant: Mable McCullough PRESS RELEASES: Deadline 10 a.m. Thursday. Mail to P.O. Box 14, Union Lake, MI 48387-0014. Fax 248.360.1220 or bring to office. After-hours drop box. NEWS TIPS: Post at our website MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS: 52 issues - $45 per year.

www.spinalcolumnonline.com OFFICES AT: 7196 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford, MI 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday 248.360.SELL (7355) / 248.360.NEWS (6397) FAX 24/7: 248.360.1220 MAIL ADDRESS: P.O. Box 14, Union Lake, MI 48387 SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY OAKLAND LAKEFRONT OAKLAND HOMES MONTHLYADVERTISER WEST OAKLAND DIRECTORY Member of National Newspaper Association Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce Waterford Chamber of Commerce

The Spinal Column Newsweekly, all rights are reserved. No portion, whole or part, may be reproduced without prior permission. The names Spinal Column, Newsweekly, SportsWeekly, and West Oakland are protected property. The Spinal Column Newsweekly is co-owned by Steven and Susan Fancy, brother and sister; son and daughter of James Fancy, publisher from 1969-2011.

Boji, an Iraqi immigrant, has fulfilled the American Dream

liya (Louie) Boji is an amazing example of an immigrant who came to America and fulfilled his potential. After growing up in Iraq and graduating with a law degree from the University of Baghdad in 1968, Boji came to the U.S. in 1968 before becoming a citizen in 1974. After early partnerships and developments in the 1970s and 1980s, he then formed the Boji Group in 1998 to acquire the Michigan National Tower in Lansing. The Boji Group is now one of the most prominent companies in the state, as it and its affiliates are in charge of businesses ranging from hotels in Michigan to gas stations in North Carolina. Then on July 13, Boji was appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder to serve on the Michigan Education Trust Board of Directors. A father of three and a grandfather of eight, Boji is a former West Bloomfield resident who now resides in Orchard Lake with his wife of 46 years. For more information, visit bojigroup.com. Tell us about The Boji Group, and your role as managing member. What were your goals for the company when you founded it and how, if at all, have they come to fruition? LB: The Boji Group is an umbrella of our many other companies such as the Boji Tower, which is the tallest building in Lansing, the Capitol View Building in Lansing and other office buildings in Lansing. Also, we’ve diversified to cover our shopping center, food distribution and fuel stores in North Carolina. Our company was founded in 1998 when we bought the building of Michigan National Bank, so we put in the Boji Group to cover all of the businesses that we had before and to acquire later. How has your company been dealing with business in a down economy? LB: We’ve been really lucky — we have no issues with this economy. Yes, our customers are struggling, but we try to help them and give them a hand, extend more credit and talk with our tenants and if some them need help, we do help. We have to see this economy through, (and) hopefully people will come back and they’ll get on their feet. Everything that has happened with my company is what I hoped it would be. You are originally from Iraq and you graduated from the University of Baghdad in 1965 with a law degree. Tell us what it was like for you to grow up and go to school in your homeland.

Do you follow what is currently going on in Iraq and if so, what are your thoughts on the direction the country is heading in? LB: It was very difficult. When I went to my kindergarten and through the intermediate school, which is ninth grade, we didn’t have any water at home or any electricity. I had to leave my village at 16 and go to the capital so I (could) finish my education, finish high school. Then I went to law school and finished in 1965. It was quite hard, not easy, but maybe that’s why we are successful — we try so hard. I feel bad that the country is what it is. I have to say it’s the fault of the

•

NE MINUTE

INTERVIEW United States. They didn’t have a plan after taking over. You have also recently been appointed to serve on the Michigan Education Trust Board of Directors. What does the board do specifically, and what did it mean to you to be appointed to this board by Gov. Rick Snyder? What goals do you have for your term of service? LB: To me, it’s an honor and a privilege to serve the public. I hope with my background as a graduate and a businessman I can help that board. I don’t have much details yet. I’ll be meeting with the executive next week. Once I know more, I’ll have another session. I want to use this trust fund money and use it to improve it, hoping we can invest it to get more income so when there is an increase in the tuition, that the fund can support those increases.

What advice would you have for families to save up for their children’s college tuition or other educational pursuits? Explain how much more difficult it is to afford educational pursuits for families these days compared to years past. LB: Definitely as a businessman, I like to put a portion of my wealth and invest it in a way that will grow so when the kids are ready to go to college, that fund is there. It is hard and I feel bad for the parents, whether it’s tuition or other expenses, and in my opinion, the way I see the education here in this country, we waste a lot of time. For example, a kid goes for four years (to college) and doesn’t even know what he wants. Back home (in Iraq), we finish high school, and where you wanted to go, that’s where you start. If you want to be a doctor, from day No. 1, you are in medical school. If you want to be a lawyer, from day No. 1, you go to law school. If you want to be an engineer, you go to engineering school. I finished my law school in four years, and I studied nothing but law. With your extensive resume, what would you say has been your greatest professional accomplishment? LB: Probably the multiple (business) partnerships that I’ve had, because not all my companies are run 100 percent by me. I bring in people that run the day-to-day operations and I give them small partnerships and that will motivate them to work harder and watch every penny that the company has. What do you enjoy most about living in West Bloomfield?

LB: I love the water. I live on the water. I have a boat. But, the most important thing I enjoy is volunteering, whether it’s in my community, in my church, in my relationships with the people around me. I’m on the board of directors of the ACC (Arab-American and Chaldean Council) as the treasurer. I was involved in the parish council of my church for 20-something years, head of the finance committee of my social country club. My office is always open. ❏ By Michael Shelton

Read more of this interview at spinalcolumnonline.com.

AUGUST 24-30, 2011

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PAGE 5

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LAKES AREA NEWS

West Bloomfield looks to clarify noise ordinance By Michael Shelton staff writer

The West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees voted at its Monday, Aug. 15 meeting to approve the introduction of an amendment to the township’s noise ordinance. The amendment was put together by Senior Planner Sara Roediger, along with Township Attorney Gary Dovre and the West Bloomfield Police Department. The amendment would apply to Sec. 15-141, which is listed as “Disturbing the peace and noise regulations” in the township ordinance book. Under the ordinance amendment, sounds coming from a parcel of land or an individual unit in a multi-unit building shall not exceed 85 decibels between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and 75 decibels between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. The new ordinance would clarify that activities such as construction noises, removal of garbage and/or solid waste and unloading of materials could exceed the decibel limits provided that the projects comply with restrictions, limitations and conditions set forth by the township. In the current ordinance, those activities are listed as examples of disturbing the peace. Other activities or noises listed in the amendment that would be permitted — with conditions — include lawn services and home occupant lawn care, as well as emergency work such as snow removal by area agencies. Warning devices, such as tornado sirens and police and ambulance sirens would be allowed, along with bells and chimes from places of worship, which are new additions to the ordinance. Generators, appliances and equipment and human conversation are also listed as permitted activities if they comply with the decibel limit. Township Clerk Cathy Shaughnessy said the amendment is meant to clear up the noise ordinance much like an amendment to the township’s zoning ordinance regarding restaurant types, which was also adopted at the Aug. 15 township board meeting. ❏

Ford announcement ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 3

personal property for 15 years. In this case, it would be an agreement between the state, Ford and Wixom. Ford would continue to pay the taxes until a user asks for the tax credit. A required user must be identified within the first five years to receive credit. If no user is identified within that time, the incentive expires. In tandem with the Renaissance Zone incentive, the property owner would be responsible for a special assessment district (SAD) in lieu of the taxes lost and the costs of municipal services. “The SAD is an integral part of a holistic approach that must be agreed upon in the total package,” said Wixom City Councilman John Lee. The SAD is vital in light of the declining property values over the past nine years. To put in a Renaissance Zone without a means to recoup some of the lost tax dollars would devastate the city budget. “We’ve taken the financial brunt of tax losses as a result of this plant closing, which was the largest assembly plant during its day,” said Wixom City Manager Mike Dornan. In 2002, Ford paid the city $1.453 million in property taxes compared to $153,000 in 2011. The proposed Renaissance Zone would apply to 239 acres out of the total 317-acre site. It would be zoned

SAD for standpipe in Lake Neva clears first hurdle By Angela Niemi staff writer

The White Lake Township Board of Trustees voted Tuesday, Aug. 16 to adopt a resolution setting up a special assessment district (SAD) for the repair of Lake Neva’s standpipe. Earlier this month, the board had called a special meeting to approve the repair of a standpipe — which is a vertical pipe extending from a water supply and, in this case, is near the lake’s dam — in Lake Neva, which is located near Bogie Lake Road off of Biscayne. When the Lakewood Village subdivision was built, the developer of the subdivision turned over the lake’s dam to the homeowners. The standpipe is thus privately owned by the Lakewood

Ford Motor Land seeks the creation of a Renaissance Zone at the auto manufacturer’s former Wixom assembly plant site in order to market the property for redevelopment. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)

for a combination of industrial, manufacturing, research and development, and flex space land uses. Other redevelopment plans call for 46 acres along Wixom Road to include office, R&D or personal service/commercial land uses, and on the west side of the site the remaining 73 acres would be earmarked for green space or potential recreation use. The brownfield designation would

be necessary only if Xtreme Power and Clairvoyant Energy lease the property. That would result in a one-time, one-year tax credit based on a percentage of their investment. “If neither company moves in the Brownfield credit wouldn’t be used,” Dornan said. Ford plans to seek approval from the city’s Tax Abatement Committee on Sept. 27. ❏

Village Improvement Association, which requested that the township set up a SAD to repair the standpipe. Throughout the years, the standpipe has been getting weaker and now is in need of emergency repair as it is not likely to be able to withstand another freeze-thaw cycle through the upcoming winter. Therefore, it was up to the board and county commissioners to act quickly upon this matter, prompting the special meeting earlier this month. County Commissioner Jim Runestad (R-Waterford, White Lake) was present at the special meeting to be able to present the signed resolution at a county meeting later that evening and get things moving as quickly as possible. The cost of the project requires financing of $150,000. Oakland County agreed to assist with the financing, which is to be repaid with SAD funds. The board’s resolution on

Aug. 16 was to set up that SAD, which is a geographic area in which an assessment is apportioned and collected to cover the costs of the public improvement. Over the next month, engineers will be assessing the standpipe project and getting everything in order before the board holds another public hearing on the project. ❏

Bands, brews are stars at Uptown’s first Summer Fest By Angela Niemi staff writer

With Labor Day right around the corner, the end of summer is drawing near. However, there is still time to get in a few summer celebrations, such as Uptown Grille’s

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

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LAKES AREA NEWS

Chicken noodle coop: Henhouse a rules violation By Michael Shelton staff writer

ilford Village resident Archie Noon took his case for housing chickens in his backyard for producing eggs to the 52-1 District Court in Novi, only to have a judge rule against him. On Tuesday, Aug. 16, Judge Robert Bondy ordered the chickens to be removed from Noon’s property within 60 days, and that Noon pay a $50 fine. Bondy also said that Noon can appeal to the village during that 60-day period to amend its animal control ordinance, which currently prohibits farm animals, including chickens, anywhere within the village. Noon has constructed a chicken coop in his backyard, which he said cost $3,500 and would house six to eight hens. The village previously turned down Noon’s request for an amendment to the animal control ordinance last November. Noon has previously said he planned to sell eggs to the public. He argued that the state’s Right To Farm Act, which he said he has researched, was designed to supersede any existing local ordinance. However, Bondy ruled that

Summer fest ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 7

Summer Fest which will take place on Saturday, Aug. 27. The summer fest will be held outdoors in a large tent in Uptown Grille’s parking lot. It will feature 26 Michigan craft draft beers, in addition to multiple food stations. As with any summer festival, there will be live music starting at 2 p.m. Danny D & the Vegabonds, a Rod Stewart cover band, will be performing, as will Zooropia, a U2 cover band. The Backbeats, a Beatles cover band, is another of the groups slated to play, followed by Echoes of Pink Floyd with a laser light show. A few local vendors will also be

Archie Noon will appeal to Milford Village for an animal control ordinance amendment, and may file an appeal with the state Court of Appeals after a district court judge recently ordered him to remove the chickens he keeps in a henhouse constructed in his backyard. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)

Noon’s venture was not profitable enough to be considered a commercial production that would fall under the law’s “Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices.” Noon said he is contemplating filing an appeal in the Michigan Court of Appeals and that he will appeal to the

village again for an amendment to the animal control ordinance. He added that he has expended $3,100 so far and that he has two collection boxes set up — one at Villa Coney Island on South Milford Road and another at Coratti’s on Main Street — where patrons can donate to

present at the festival. Tickets for the event, which cover the cost of admission, are $20 at the door. The ticket includes valet parking on the day of the event. Tickets can also be purchased in advance for $15 at neptix.com, which people may want to do since there is limited seating. “We’re hoping for it to be a success, and that we will continue to hold it year after year,” said Uptown office manager Terri Ahlgren of the first Summer Fest, which is set to last all day and night. Uptown Grille is located on West Maple Road between M-5 and Haggerty in Commerce Township. For more information, visit UptownGrille.com or call 248-9603344. ❏

John Street will be paved thanks to Tri-party funding By Angela Niemi staff writer

The Highland Township Board of Trustees has agreed to move forward with a Tri-party project to pave John Street between M-59 and Livingston Road. While the township board was hoping to have the road paved during this construction season, it looks like that’s not possible. “The road commission said it wouldn’t be possible, so we’re looking at next spring when the project will go out to bid,” said Highland Township Supervisor Triscia Pilchowski. The estimated cost of the project is

help him with his legal fees. “I’m not fighting for a henhouse, I’m fighting for a principle that people should provide as much of their own food as possible,” Noon said. “Navigating the legal system is not cheap. I need every penny I can get.” ❏ $190,000, which will be covered in part by the county, the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC), Tri-party Funds, and the township. “We will be dipping into our fund balance to pay for (the remaining cost),” Pilchowski said. The road is in such a condition that is “not uncommon for people to comment on the poor appearance and the condition of the road” when they come into the Township Hall to pay their taxes, according to a statement made by Treasurer Judy Kiley at a recent township board meeting. Residents of the township seem to be in support of the project. “Since the meeting, I can’t even tell PAGE 14 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

More Lakes Area News on Page 14 ➔

PAGE 10

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

By Angela Niemi staff writer

SPECIAL REPORT

imes are changing. Facebook is no longer just a tool to connect with new and old friends. Twitter is no longer just way to follow the crazy thoughts and actions of celebrities like Lady Gaga and Charlie Sheen. And YouTube is no longer just a frivolous way for college students to put off studying for finals. Instead, social media outlets such as these are turning into powerful tools used by local governments and school districts alike. Cliff Lampe, an assistant professor at Michigan State University in the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media, says there are three reasons why this is true. The first is that Twitter and Facebook each provide a one-stop source for people to get all the information on their own individual interests — without the user having to put in much effort to receive all that information. “Instead of having to draw people to the group’s own individual site, they can send a message out to a channel that people are already using, such as Facebook or Twitter,” he said. “This message will show up in a stream along with other messages from their friends. By doing it this way, the message is found in a place more central to people’s lives. It’s a targeted broadcast.” The second reason involves savvy governments and school districts hoping to “crowd-source” knowledge from user bases and create grassroots participation. Crowd-sourcing is trying to find a way of completing a task or a solution to a problem by asking a wide range of people or organizations if they can help, typically by using the Internet. The third is because social media is “kind of cool,” according to Lampe. “It’s a newer form of technology, and it’s a source of self presentation,” he said. And a larger demographic is beginning to utilize social media. It’s not just for the young kids anymore. “More and more people are using social media,” Lampe said. “A recent survey showed that 61 percent of online adults are using social media, and it’s growing by leaps and bounds, especially as more people get access to computers.” The use of social media also provides a cheap way to get a message out. Twitter and Facebook are both free to join. Essentially, all the governmental unit is paying for is the time it

Social media booms Gov’ts, schools using Facebook, YouTube

takes a person to send out messages. “It provides a space to reach audiences without having a heavy technology base of its own,” Lampe said. “And these sites are where the people are. If you are trying to reach people, you need to go where they are participating.” According to Lampe, another reason social media is popular among the public and governmental agencies is its “interactive nature” and the fact that people are able to put their feedback directly into the system. This becomes even truer with the newest trend: mobile applications, or apps. “This trend towards mobile apps continues to grow as more people continue getting smart phones allowing them to participate in social media wherever they are at,” Lampe said.

Promoting big events and finding lost dogs Tami Flowers of the White LakeHighland Business Association manages multiple Facebook pages, which she said she has found to be a great way to connect with the local community.

“I think in some ways, people have become disconnected with the local community and the news going on there. More people seem connected to the regional and national news as opposed to what’s going on in local areas,” Flowers said. So far, she said she has found social media to be a “great way to reach out” over the past two years. Flowers manages pages for White Lake Township, Highland Township, the Highland-White Lake Business Association, as well as for the association’s big events, such as Sparks in the Park, Women’s Enrichment Day, and Highland Hey Days. The pages have been successful, with the White Lake Facebook page having 2,556 fans and the White Lake page having 1,115. All of Flowers’ pages also sync with a single Twitter account. “I think people are really appreciating the chance to find out what’s going on in the area,” said Flowers, who posts links to local events and news articles. One such post was a link to the Facebook page “Looking for LouieBring Loved Louie Home,” a page dedicated to finding a missing, adopted

rescue dog. The owner of the dog had been visiting her parents in Highland Township when the dog disappeared in early July. With the aid of the Facebook page, the owners were able to spread the message about their lost dog, as well as providing a place for people to contact them and others about sightings. “It was amazing the amount of people looking for the dog because they all were connected through Facebook,” Flowers said. The dog made its way around Highland, Milford, Commerce, and White Lake before it was safely returned to his owners. Meanwhile, Flowers continues to use Facebook and Twitter for connecting with the community, with the possibility of developing more pages for local events and maybe branching into Google+. “I’m curious about it, but I haven’t had the time to explore it yet,” she said. Local libraries have also found Facebook and Twitter useful in connecting with the masses. Marika Zemke, the adult services librarian at the Commerce Township Community Library, said Facebook is a much more efficient way to communicate with patrons as opposed to mailing let-

AUGUST 24-30, 2011

The RCOC is in the process of seeking other interactive venues such as SeeClickFix, an online forum where the public posts concerns, as well as monitoring different forums. “More sites are sure to come along and through constant monitoring we can see if there are any (benefits) to us so we can jump in,” Bryson said. He noted that video blogs and postings through YouTube, Facebook and Twitter are all formats that interact with each other — another added bonus. Each social venue also sets off a chain reaction that sends out postings into the stratosphere.

“Regardless, it’s our responsibility to communicate with the public where they are, so in that respect it’s positive,” he said.

Huron Valley still cautious, but district plans to delve into the world of Facebook later on this year School districts are also linked in to various forms of social media in order to engage students, parents, and the community, and to disseminate infor-

Responding to the decline of daily newspapers and the concerns of county motorists The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) has also availed itself to some of the widely popular social media today as a means of communicating more effectively with the public. “One of our constant challenges has been sharing information with the public and receiving feedback,” said RCOC spokesperson and the road commission’s go-to person in charge of social media, Craig Bryson. “In the past we communicated through traditional media, but it’s kind of a one-way means of communication. The news dailies have experienced a significant drop in circulation, so we were reaching fewer people than what we’d like to.” Over the last two years, the RCOC has tapped into social mediums such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to draw a greater audience, especially the younger generation. “Younger people are less likely to read the paper and more likely to use social media,” he said. “While traditional media will always be critical, we now have other venues to reach people and receive instant feedback.”

“These sites are echo chambers and are hard to monitor — we might get 400-450 postings on Twitter, but they may be forwarded on, so indirectly it could be sent out to many more than we think, and the same goes for Facebook and YouTube,” Bryson said. While the leap into social media has overall been a positive experience, Bryson said at times it can be sobering. “Some people aren’t satisfied with our service or the condition of a road even though we explain our funding issues,” he said. “People can be overly critical in their postings, but we use the venue to explain why we can or can’t do things. We try to inform people and sometimes they are receptive, sometimes they’re not.

mation. However, they must be cautious in their venues given Internet safety laws. “We recognize social media has merit to enhance our communication, but we must be careful about Internet safety laws,” said Huron Valley School District Director of Community Relations and Fund Development Janet Roberts. “We want to build relationship with kids but maintain aspects of professionalism and appropriateness. Facebook, for example, blurs those lines.” Individual Facebook accounts are discouraged, especially teachers “friending” students. The district, as a whole, uses LinkedIn and Twitter for announcements, reminders and school closing

PAGE 11

announcements. Only certain departments — like Recreation and Community Education, and the Athletic Department, which developed a page for alumni — avail themselves to Facebook. The plan is to develop a Facebook account for the district sometime this year. “We’re proceeding cautiously and looking at the benefits and drawbacks, as well as how other districts are using it,” Roberts said. The district currently uses YouTube as a means of engaging kids in the classroom. “We use it, but again must be careful on the sites since YouTube is not as closely regulated,” Roberts said. Other social media the district has found beneficial are Vimeo and SchoolTube, which mimics YouTube but prohibits inappropriate content. “Our aim is to reach students or parents who are not tuning in to us and this is one avenue to do it,” Roberts said. In Wixom, little is being done to pursue social media; rather, city officials rely on Wixom’s updated website as a tool of communication. Currently only the Wixom Business Association uses social media by tapping into LinkedIn. “The website is pretty good and any exchange of communication can be done via the Internet and e-mail or for the business community through LinkedIn,” said City Manager Mike Dornan. “We may begin studying it, but Wixom isn’t big enough to have someone oversee it. Social media is only valuable if you keep up with it.”

Shaughnessy on social media: ‘I think this is going to morph into something more’ West Bloomfield Township is very prominent in the lakes area when it comes to the use of social media. The township has its own Facebook and Twitter pages that can be accessed through the township’s official website, wbtwp.com. “It’s important that the township use technology to its fullest because our residents should be fully informed,” said Township Clerk Cathy Shaughnessy. “We need to let residents know of snow emergencies, downed power lines and other emergencies. We also tell about upcoming events. It’s informational and nonpolitical.” Shaughnessy even has her own offi-

PAGE 12 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

SPECIAL REPORT

ters or even e-mail. “It’s the only way to go now,” she said. “You’re reaching a greater number of people all at once, and more and more people are getting connected to Facebook and Twitter. And you don’t even have to have a Facebook (account) to go read our page. There’s an icon that links right from our library webpage.” Both the Commerce and White Lake libraries started using these two social media tools about a year and a half ago. Both have said it’s a great way to promote the library, its collection, and their programs. “It’s a great way to keep people instantly informed,” said Amy Posen, head of adult services at the White Lake Library. “We were able to do an update that we were closing early because of power outages due to storms. We’ve also been keeping people up to date on the progress of the refurbishment of the library while it’s been closed.” Facebook is also a fun way to connect with the community. “We recently posted something on ‘The Help,’ asking who was going to see the movie as it’s been such a popular book. We post about fun things to do in Michigan or links to summer books to read in 2011,” Zemke said. “It’s the ease of use,” Posen said. “It has a big bang for a little buck. And things are instantly out there. It’s a great way to promote the library, and it’s fun stuff.”

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Obituaries JANE DOE, 88, passed away peacefully, July 1, 2011. Funeral was held July 5th, at First James Baptist Church in New Haven, Michigan.

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JANE DOE (nee SMITH), 88, of White Lake, passed away peacefully, July 1, 2011. Preceded in death by her husband John Doe. Survived by daughter Mary 00 Jones (Tom) and 6 grandchildren;$ extended family and friends. Funeral will be held on July 5th, at First Baptist Church, 2233 Oakland, New Haven.

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JANE DOE (nee SMITH), 88, passed away July 1, 2011 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Born October 18, 1923 to Thomas and Rose Jones of Detroit, Michigan and has resided in Florida since 2005, when she moved from White Lake, Michigan. She was born October 18, 1923 to Thomas and Rose Jones in Detroit, Michigan. Jane was an avid quilter and enjoyed cooking large dinners for her entire family. Jane was preceded in death 00 $ they by her husband John Doe and were married for 62 years. Survived by her 00 $ children Thomas Doe (Mary) of Brooklyn, MI; Karen (Timothy) Potts of Detroit, MI; 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will take place on July 5, 2011 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Brookfield, Michigan.

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Social media

meeting agenda on their iPhone,” Shaughnessy said. “I think all this is going to morph into something more.”

❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 11

cial Facebook page under the name “West Bloomfield Township Clerk’s Office,” and her own Twitter account, @clerkcathy, where she posts items including agendas for township board meetings and notices about future events. “It’s easy for me to post things on my page and I’m encouraging all departments to participate,” she said. “I formed a communications commission with my deputy, Joe Munem; our IT Department; Civic Center TV; our treasurer (Teri Weingarden); and our senior planner (Sara Roediger).” The West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees on July 18 approved a content policy for the township’s website and various other sites. Under the policy, the township’s website and various media sites such as Facebook and Twitter will be used for providing emergency information as quickly as possible, information about basic township services, and upcoming events related to township government. “The IT Department is in charge of the township page. Social media takes time and attention and we have to use it in an efficient way,” Shaughnessy said. The West Bloomfield Township Community Development Department also has its own Facebook page, as does the West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Department and the West Bloomfield Public Library. Shaughnessy said that departments that have their own pages are responsible for them. She added that the township is working with Civic Center TV on the possibility of linking up the township’s website with the station’s meeting archives so that residents can look up past meetings. “We’re trying to make (our social media) more user-friendly. We want a resident who is at lunch to pull up a

Milford’s social media still in its infancy stages Milford Township launched its own Facebook page about a month ago, according to Township Supervisor Don Green and Township Treasurer Cynthia Dagenhardt. A link is available at milfordtownship.com. Currently, the township’s page lets its members know of upcoming events such as Milford Memories and the movie screenings in Central Park. “We’re going to get input from citizens and let them know what’s going on, such as the construction at Milford and Dawson Road,” Green said. “This is a joint effort between the township staff. The clerk oversees the records.” “To think, years ago we got a fax machine and we thought, ‘What are we going to do with this?’” Dagenhardt said. While she said that it’s too soon to tell how the township’s Facebook initiative is faring, she said that the township is working on setting up e-mail and telephone alerts for township residents to receive if they decide to sign up for them. And while Milford Village doesn’t have its own Facebook page, the village’s official website, villageofmilford.com, has a link to the Milford Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA) Facebook page. “It started about 3 or 4 years ago. Basically, we use it on a daily basis to inform people about our downtown revitalization and to have them ask questions,” said Milford DDA Executive Director Ann Barnette. “Most of the time we use (it) to promote events and to communicate to a larger audience. It’s very effective and a very fast, direct way to give a message.” Barnette added that she manages the page along with the Franco public relations firm.

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District: ‘It’s a useful tool. More and more parents are interacting electronically.’ While the Waterford School District doesn’t have its own Facebook page, it does have its own Twitter account and YouTube channel, with links posted at waterford.k12.mi.us. “It started about two years ago and we use them to promote and market our district’s programs and services,” said Rhonda Lessel, school and community services specialist and manager of the district’s social media. The district’s YouTube channel currently has video postings promoting district programs such as Kindergarten Schools of Choice and Fuel to Play. The district’s Twitter account, @wsdnews, shares news and information — such as board meetings and special events — about the district. “It’s a useful tool, and more and more parents are interacting electronically,” Lessel said. Currently, there aren’t any other plans by the district to expand its social media usage, according to Lessel. “Managing and monitoring these sites takes time,” she said. Waterford Kettering has its own Facebook page, as well as Kettering’s Student Council.

Straight from the superintendent’s mouth The West Bloomfield School District currently has its own Facebook page, as well as broadcast e-mail, which allows parents who sign up to receive direct email messages alerting subscribers to school closings, special events and other news. Links to those social media services are on the district’s website, westbloomfield.k12.mi.us, as well as a link to the Talk Sup’t blog, where Superintendent Dr. JoAnn Andrees gives her thoughts on district matters. Pam Zajac, the school district’s public relations and marketing coordinator, said that the Facebook page was put up about two years ago. ❏ Staff writers Michael Shelton and Leslie Shepard contributed to this report.

AUGUST 24-30, 2011

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Paving project ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 9

you the number of people who have come up to me and thanked me for the board taking that action,” Pilchowski said. “It will be a positive improvement for the area. It’s a highly traveled road by people coming into the township. It will be a huge improvement in appearance and safety. I’m really excited about it.” When the road is paved, the township will also be looking to make improvements to their parking lot at the same time. “We figured this would be the most practical way to proceed,” Pilchowski said. “We want to ensure that we have the proper drainage for the parking lot. We get a lot of accumulation in front of the building, which has been problematic with all the heavy rains we’ve had recently.” ❏

Home occupation rules sent back to planners for work The Milford Township Board of Trustees didn’t introduce an amend-

ment to the township’s home occupation ordinance, but instead sent it back to the township Planning Commission for further review after discussing the proposed changes during a Wednesday, Aug. 17 meeting. “The Planning Commission has to come up with some enforcement revisions,” said Township Supervisor Don Green. “How do you enforce the number of trips per day or the number of employees in a business?” The proposed amendment to the ordinance outlines general provisions, such as a limit of 3 home-based occupations or businesses on a premises and a limit of two full-time or part-time employees at one time. The amendment also states that home-based occupations or businesses that produce trash or debris that exceed contracted residential use standards are prohibited, along with the open storage of material, unlicensed vehicles, equipment or refuse associated with or resulting from the business. The Planning Commission previously approved sending an amendment before the township board for introduction, but on July 20 the board tabled the introduction until its August meeting. The Planning Commission began

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discussing changes to the ordinance back in August 2010, with Commissioner and Township Board Liaison William Mazzara saying that the current ordinance is outdated and revisions are in order. Other commissioners also noted that the current ordinance doesn’t address residents working out of their homes, changes in technology, and current economic trends. A copy of the amendment is available at the Milford Township website, milfordtownship.com, in the August board meeting packet, which can be downloaded from the minutes and agendas section. ❏

Voters to decide if city can vacate small land parcel By Leslie Shepard

opens up that building envelope so the city should get some value for it by giving up city land,” McCallum said. The council agreed to put the issue on the 2011 general election ballot and directed the city attorney to draft ballot language that must be turned in by Tuesday, Aug. 30. According to the City Charter, before the council disburses, vacates or abolishes any city property it must go before the public for approval, McCallum said. The petitioner is expected to submit the formal appraisal by the council’s Sept. 15 meeting so the panel can further its discussion and assess the parcel’s true value. ❏

Savings of $215K expected through shuffling of staff

staff writer

By Leslie Shepard

Orchard Lake voters will decide whether the city should vacate a portion of Willow Lane during the Tuesday, Nov. 8 general election. The property, located close to Orchard Lake on Willow Lane, off of Old Orchard Trail near Birchway, was initially platted nearly 50 years ago as part of the Cuthbertson Resort subdivision. Now the 20-foot-by-40-foot road ending is a grassy, non-improved trail that projects into a 1.56-acre parcel currently for sale at 44890 Birchway. The current owner and petitioner apparently has a buyer, but without the Willow Lane property the land sale may not move forward. “Where this property is located on the building site is critical because first, it creates a larger building area without the need for variances, and secondly, without it you couldn’t put in utilities or driveways,” said Orchard Lake Director of City Services Gerry McCallum. “It affects the ability to place a house on the lot because it interferes with setbacks as it protrudes into the lot and interferes with the building envelope,” said Mayor Bruce McIntyre. The Orchard Lake City Council requested the petitioner to conduct an appraisal prior to a public hearing held on Monday, Aug. 15. Given the time constraints, an analysis was submitted that pegged the value of the petitioner’s overall property at $750,000 with the the Willow Lane portion valued at 10 percent or $75,000. “We have no agreement or price,” McIntyre said. “We are waiting for a final appraisal.” “The property has value because it

staff writer

Due to the impending departure of Fiscal and Human Resources Director Robert Seeterlin and the retirement of former GIS Manager Lisa Poisson, the Waterford Township Board of Trustees recently voted to divvy up their duties among current staff members and save dollars in the process. “Everybody will be getting a little bit in compensation for taking over extra duties,” said Waterford Supervisor Carl Solden. “We’ll be farming out more to other people, but eliminating positions while doing so.” In addition to his current duties as Department of Public Works (DPW) Administrative Superintendent, Derek Diederich will assume the tasks of budget director and work closely with Solden. Some of Diederich’s DPW personnel administration tasks will be reassigned to DPW Safety Risk Manager Hugo Cardenas. Seeterlin’s duties as township human resources director — including labor relations and contract negotiations — have been reassigned to former Police Department Administrative Superintendent Lou Feurino. In addition, Feurino will take over as the township’s member representative to the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority and will oversee bargaining groups’ compensation and unemployment compensation programs. Feurino will continue to assist the police department in Freedom of Information Act requests and other PAGE 15 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

AUGUST 24-30, 2011

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PAGE 15

LAKES AREA NEWS

Commerce library rehab under review By Angela Niemi staff writer

he Commerce Township Library has forwarded a proposed renovation plan for the library to the township Board of Trustees in order to better utilize the building’s 20,000 square feet. The library is currently housed in the old El Dorado Golf Course clubhouse and banquet facility off Martin Parkway near Pontiac Trail. The renovation would rehab the library’s interior, and wouldn’t involve a physical expansion of the building. Before now, the township and library have been hesitant to make improvements to the building because officials were unsure if the Martin Parkway design would infringe upon the library. “We didn’t want to invest money and time if the building was going to be demolished to accommodate the parkway,” explained Township Clerk Dan Munro. However, now that the library building and the property it sits upon will be transferred from the Commerce Township Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to the township upon the completion of the Martin Parkway project, the library and township are making preparations to make library improvements. “The library is only currently utilizing 12,000 square feet. And while

Staff shuffle ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 14

internal matters. His Police Department administrative superintendent position will not be filled. A new position has been created for Barb Miller as accounting manager and assistant township budget director. She will assume additional responsibilities in budgeting and financial planning, and work closely with Diederich. Payroll and Benefits Manager Bonnie Verbos will shoulder additional responsibilities associated with new policies and programs thanks to the new laws and regulations imposed over the last few years. Some of these changes have resulted in significant savings to the township via health

Commerce Township officials are considering the above renovation proposal for the interior of the Commerce Township Library, a project that wouldn’t cost more than $300,000. Funding for the project would come from the library’s improvement revolving fund.

the library is doing what it is doing effectively and efficiently, it’s strained and needs extra space,” said Township Supervisor Tom Zoner. While the extra 8,000 square feet has been used by the library for various programs, it has been done so in a makeshift way. These renovations would allow the library to use the space more efficiently. “The expansion would help out the library programs. It would allow the library to open a meeting room that could be used by residents and the care cost rebates that will offset her nominal increase in pay. Finally, Frank Fisher, the DPW’s GIS and information systems technician, has been promoted to GIS manager to take over for Poisson. He will continue to maintain his current technician responsibilities, as well. The cost of the staffing upgrades will be defrayed by the elimination of the management and administrative group positions. The township stands to save over $200,000 in the wake of Poisson and Seeterlin vacating their positions. “We’ll be saving over and above $215,000 taking into consideration not replacing positions and giving compensation to those with more responsibility,” Solden said. ❏

librarians for different purposes. It would also allow for more office space for the staff,” Zoner said. Renovating the building internally would also allow the Youth Services area to be expanded with a larger teen area and youth area. Other plans outlined in the proposal include a circulation office, two unisex restrooms where the old large pro shop restrooms used to be, a lunchroom, and a group study room, among other improvements. Zoner said he expects the cost of these internal renovations — including

Rezoning request for Internet car outfit shot down A business owner has been denied a conditional rezoning request after an influx of residents voiced opposition to the proposal during a Wolverine Lake Village Council meeting held Aug. 10. The office and lot located at 2355 South Commerce, at the the corner of Decker and South Commerce, have been owned for several years by Isay Yususo, who is using the space for a dental supply company that he plans to relocate in the near future. Yususo requested that the site be rezoned from general office use to a commercial/retail use in order to set

furniture — and painting the exterior wouldn’t exceed $300,000. The funds for this project would come from the library’s improvement revolving fund, a fund set up for improvements to the library. “We have been saving up in this fund for different options — to make enhancements or improvements to the building, or even to be used in the case of relocation. We were leaving options open for anything that could come along,” Zoner said. ❏ up an Internet auto sales business where a small inventory would be stored on the site. “He planned to limit the cars to 18, but (the) Planning (Commission) turned him down because they believed it would open up the site to all different uses,” said Village Council President John Magee. In the past, the 1,187-square-foot building had been used for a variety of businesses including a gas station, a bank, and a sign company. During a July 28 public hearing, 15 local residents, including some from Walled Lake, railed against the rezoning. Apart from the residential backlash, Village Planner Sally Elmiger completed a full analysis of the property and its uses. Her findings supported denying the request. ❏

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AUGUST 24-30, 2011

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PAGE 17

EDUCATION

Area high schools fail to meet AYP standards for year Higher proficiency targets required to meet the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act resulted in fewer Michigan schools making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) this year, according to the Michigan Department of Education — including all of the Walled Lake, Waterford and Huron Valley high schools. Under NCLB, states are required to establish annual English language arts and mathematics proficiency targets. Those targets must reach 100 percent by the 2013-14 school year. During the past school year, the percentage of students needing to be proficient on state assessments was raised by an average of 10 percent, in order to be on trajectory to the NCLB target of 100 percent proficiency by the 201314 school year. The number of high schools meeting AYP declined from 81.9 percent in 2009-10 to 60 percent this year. To make AYP, a school must test 95

percent of its students in total and in each required student demographic group defined by the federal law. The school also must attain the target achievement goal in English language arts and mathematics, or reduce the percentage of students in the nonproficient category of achievement by 10 percent (“safe harbor”). In addition, the school must meet or exceed the other academic indicators set by the state. If even one subgroup of students in a school fails to meet AYP standards, the entire school fails to achieve AYP for the year. High school students’ scores on the Michigan Merit Exam (MME) are used to determine whether the school meets AYP standards. Here’s a look at the west Oakland high schools that didn’t achieve AYP this year, and why. West Bloomfield High School achieved AYP standards this year.

in the English language arts; achievement in English language arts; participation in math; and achievement in math except for those in one subgroup — students with disabilities didn’t meet the AYP standards for achievement in math. Meanwhile, Walled Lake Western students didn’t meet overall AYP standards for a similar reason. While they met all other requirements, one subgroup — students with disabilities — didn’t meet the AYP standards for achievement in English language arts. Walled Lake Northern also failed to achieve AYP. While all other subgroups met the requirements in all other categories, one subgroup classified as economically disadvantaged students failed to meet AYP standards for math. Although the group met the standard for achievement in math, it didn’t have enough participation in the testing group to qualify as meeting AYP requirements for the year.

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools

Waterford Schools

Walled Lake Central’s students passed in all the requirements of attendance/graduation; participation

Waterford Kettering and Waterford Mott High School both failed to make the grade when it comes to AYP. According to the state’s report

card, Waterford Kettering didn’t make progress on the state’s reading and math assessments when it came to students with disabilities. Meanwhile, Waterford Mott didn’t make progress in state reading assessments taken by black and Hispanic students, or in math assessments taken by black and disabled students. “People reading these reports need to understand AYP,” said Rhonda Lessel, the Waterford district’s school and community services specialist. “If a subgroup doesn’t make it, the entire school fails. We need to make sure that they achieve. There are interventions in place and data that we look at.” Last month, the Waterford School District saw a majority of its students meet or exceed MME proficiency levels in three of five subjects. Waterford students’ best subject was social studies, with 653 students meeting or exceeding standards and 175 falling short. In reading, 498 students met or exceeded standards, while 329 did not. In science, 479 students met or exceeded standards, while 345 did not. PAGE 18 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

EDUCATION

Area AYP results

Staff will be analyzing low achievement scores and develop a support system in order to bolster test scores. As for Harbor High School, progress wasn’t met in attendance/graduation among all students. Harbor High School is an alternative high school for students who aren’t achieving in a traditional school setting. “These are kids who struggle with attendance, family, special needs and other physical or mental challenges,” Roberts said. “Some districts are getting rid of alternative high schools because of AYP, but not us. We want kids to be successful and have made the commitment to provide that kind of environment. We’ll take the hit in AYP to provide that.” Despite low AYP scores at Harbor High School, the district has realized small strides of success at the alternative high school. “We had the highest graduation class this year at Harbor High and in our adult education program, so to us that is success,” Roberts said. To mitigate the failure to meet AYP standards at Harbor High School, the district will be providing additional support and measuring data via an achievement analysis. “We can always do better — our goal is to make kids successful,” Roberts said. ❏ Staff writers Angela Niemi, Michael Shelton and Leslie Shepard contributed to this report.

❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 17

However, in math testing, 326 students met or exceeded standards, while 496 fell short. In writing, 357 students met or exceeded standards while 469 did not. Mott also received a composite “C” grade while Kettering received a “B” grade on the state’s report card.

Huron Valley Schools Each of the high schools in the Huron Valley School District failed to meet AYP benchmarks, according to the state report card. Students with disabilities at both Milford and Lakeland high schools were unable to meet achievement standards, with Milford falling short in English language arts, and Lakeland missing the mark in math. “On a bigger scale AYP is a federal mandate under No Child Left Behind and we embrace the idea of using data to improve student achievement, but what’s challenging is using it for atrisk students — the whole buildings are being held hostage,” said Huron Valley Director of Community Relations and Fund Development Janet Roberts. Given the scores, there is a dichotomy of Lakeland making the grade as a top high school in the U.S., but missing the AYP mark. “We will be giving additional remediation to sub-populations, whether that be for illiteracy or intervention with math,” Roberts said.

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Twin Beach Elementary and Maple Elementary schools will be closing their doors for good after the 2011-12 school year, following last week’s unanimous vote of the Walled Lake Consolidated School District Board of Education to close the two buildings. “The board did not make this decision lightly; they considered, carefully, the student, staff, and community ramifications and made sure that we are maintaining the requisite attention to the needs of our children while being fiscally responsible,” said Superintendent Kenneth Gutman. “We have intentionally advocated that this decision be made now so we can plan for the redistricting and then the appropriate transition activities.” According to the district, the goal is to establish new school attendance boundaries before the end of February so as to have enough time to prepare for the 2012-13 school year. The building closures were recommended by the auditing firm of Plante Moran after it performed a facility utilization study this past year. Plante Moran also recommended closing down the district’s Community Education Center and the Twin Sun Facility. However, the school board opted to only close the two elementary schools for now. According to Plante Moran’s findings, the elementary schools are at 83 percent capacity with their current total enrollment of 6,618. The current enrollment capacity is 7,884. Over the next five years, enrollment is projected to drop to 5,999 elementary school students. This would lower the enrollment to 76 percent of build-

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ing capacity, with most of the schools being under-utilized. After collecting and analyzing the instructional, operational, and enrollment information for each building, Plante Moran created an evaluation matrix that included building functions, conditions, and operational costs, while also analyzing information gathered from public online surveys, community meetings, and an advisory committee before coming up with recommendations. According to these recommendations, closing Maple would provide the district an annual savings of $350,000 in operational costs, while shuttering Twin Beach would save $305,000 in operational costs each year. All updated facility presentations can be found at www.wlcsd.org. “It is our intention to place the needs of our students first as we proceed with building closures and with the necessary redistricting of our elementary schools, but we will also place a heavy emphasis on meeting the needs of our staff, parents, and community,” Gutman said. ❏

W. Bloomfield ups pay-to-play fees for 2011-12 By Michael Shelton staff writer

The West Bloomfield School District has announced a hike in the pay-toplay fee for high school and middle school athletes. This year, a fee of $100 for a third sport will be in place for a high school athlete, while the third-sport fee will be $50 for a middle school athlete. Middle school athletes will also be charged a $50 fee if they wish to play a fourth sport. The fees of $300 for one sport for a high school student and $200 for a middle school student will remain in place for a second year, along with the $150 second-sport fee for a high school student and $100 for a middle school student. In another move, the pay-to-play family cap has been increased from $600 to $800 for the upcoming year. West Bloomfield Athletic Director Pat Watson said the pay-to-play fees are cut in half for families who qualify for free or reduced lunch. Families can pay the fees through the West Bloomfield High School Athletic Office. A link is posted at westbloomfield.k12.mi.us under the West Bloomfield High School athletics site. Click the “pay to participate” link to pay the fees online. ❏

AUGUST 24-30, 2011

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PAGE 19

COMMUNITY LIFE

50 YEARS AGO Aug. 24, 1961 The first parakeet was brought in to Tom's Furniture and Appliances last week for the Saturday morning WPON broadcast in front of Tom's store in the Walled Lake Shopping Center. Several months ago parakeets were available at Tom's with a prize of $2,000 worth of home furnishings offered to the first person to teach their parakeet purchased at Tom's to say, "The Best at Tom's for Less," on his Saturday morning broadcast. Saturday, Aug. 19, Mrs. Sterling L. Jordan, of 145 Whittemore in Pontiac, brought her parakeet, "Kookie," into Tom's. "Kookie has been saying the slogan at home but failed to repeat it during the broadcast. "Kookie" is expected back next week to try again.

❐ John and Alyce Hopeck of Walled Lake were married on Aug. 26, 1961 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Detroit. They will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary with family and friends at a dinner reception at the Richardson Community Center in Commerce Township, given by their three daughters and sons-in-law (Tracy and Frank Gora, Jodi and Pat Imus, and Amy and Ralph Dubey) and their six grandsons (Andrew, Jacob, Lee, Caleb, Grant and Joel).

community honors ❐ Whitney Bloomfield Learning Center in Orchard Lake is trying to make a “difference” in our community. “I Can Make a Difference” was their theme for the week of August 22-26. The children invited friends from the Sunrise Assisted Living Center to join them for a picnic lunch, games, and song presentation. Their goal was to befriend older citizens and put a big smile on their faces. Other events planned for the week are: decorating grocery bags for Kroger’s customers, collecting and sending “care packages” to service men, and collecting pop cans for money to donate to Josh Popp. who came earlier in the summer with his reptiles. This weekly theme will instill in the young children that they can indeed do something wonderful for someone else. Whitney Bloomfield Learning Center is located at 4500 Arline and can be reached by calling 248-682-0110 or by visiting nurtureyoungminds@sbcglobal.net.

❐ Ervin Vahratian, of Farmington, and Jesse McDonald, of Farmington Hills, camped overnight to be first in line for the much-coveted seasonal tee times at Kensington Metropark in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Fifty years and more than one thousand games later, they are the last two of the seasonal Saturday golfers still playing the game at Kensington Metropark, as the golf course celebrates its 50th Anniversary this summer. To reward their loyalty, Kensington Metropark is giving them each a one-day pass for unlimited golf at the course. McDonald, 86, and Vahratian, 85, both born in Detroit, began their friendship around the ages of 4 and 5, and over time developed an interest in golf, often playing with a group of friends. When the Kensington Metropark Golf Course opened in 1961, the group immediately made the course their own.

40 YEARS AGO Aug. 25, 1971 "No Trespassing" signs posted around the perimeter of Apple Island in Orchard Lake are designed to preserve the natural state of the site for nature study by West Bloomfield School District pupils. The island was given to the district in memory of Marjorie Ward Strong, with the understanding that it would be preserved in its natural state. But some area boaters have been uncooperative. Littering and garbage dumping on the island promoted the school district to post the 25 "No Trespassing" signs and request the Orchard Lake Police Department to enforce the ban on trespassers. 30 YEARS AGO Aug. 26, 1981 Officials in Keego Harbor have decided not to take their case opposing adult movies at the Keego Cinema to the United States Supreme Court, but Oakland County Prosecutor L. Brooks Patterson may soon be entering the fray to continue their cause. The federal Sixth Circuit Court of appeals found a Keego Harbor zoning ordinance which effectively banned adult movie theaters unconstitutional because of violations of the constitutional guarantee of free speech. Since Patterson and the Prosecutor's Office were not parties in the litigation originally brought by the city, he said there are some legal obstacles to be overcome for intervening in the city matter.

Patterson said under state law regarding pornography, a violation must occur before criminal steps may be taken against persons, such as adult movie theater operators. 20 YEARS AGO Aug. 21, 1991 A survey of Union Lake business people regarding the loss of their "unique" identity in a recent postal reorganization includes the controversial question of incorporation. The next chapter in the ongoing saga of Union Lakers who oppose the postal reorganization is a survey expected to be completed this week. Union Lake, never a municipality, was divided July 1 by zip codes and mailing addresses into the four townships of White Lake, Commerce, Waterford and West Bloomfield. One survey question asks if Union Lake should incorporate to provide its own zoning, ordinances, planning and representation. Another asks if the respondent would donate funds for legal representation if the Union Lake residents appeal the recent postal decisions or "move toward incorporation." 10 YEARS AGO Aug. 22, 2001 Resident concerns about a possible amphitheater in West Bloomfield Township's Marshbank Park may be a response to an outdated conceptual plan. Mike McFall, who said his family lives near the 108-acre park off Hiller Road, said that a group of citizens is concerned over a "concept plan" that includes the addition of an amphitheater at the park. McFall said he was told by Parks and Recreation Department Director Dan Navarre that (the conceptual plan) "was just drawn up, and not a viable piece of information."

Headlines of the Past

– A special feature of the Spinal Column Newsweekly –

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

LOCAL MATTERS business notes movers / shakers honors /awards

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❐ Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commissioner Pecky D. Lewis, Jr. of Bloomfield Hills received the National Association of County Parks and Recreation Officials Outstanding Public Official Award in July. The award recognizes one federal, state or local official each year who has contributed significantly to the benefit of parks, recreation, leisure services and open space programs. Lewis has served as a parks commissioner for 30 years and was chairman for 18 years. He received the award for his support of park development with projects such as the acquisition of Lyon Oaks and Rose Oaks county parks, opening of Red Oaks Dog Park and Waterpark, construction of Paradise Peninsula Playscape at Waterford Oaks, opening 36,000 square feet of greenhouse space and adding 4,000 square feet to the Lewis E. Wint Nature Center at Independence Oaks County Park. Lewis is a leader of adaptive recreation, help-

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ing the park system to be accessible to all abilities. He aided in the implementation of the 10-year Strategic Master Plan, which guides future direction within the parks.

anniversaries ❐ Kensington Metropark located near Milford is celebrating its 50th anniversary. In honor of this great event, golfers can expect great deals and prizes on Mondays, Aug. 29 and Sept. 12. Foursomes can play 18 holes, including cart for $50, with a $50 gift card awarded to the 50th golfer, and prizes awarded to the 50th player thereafter. Tee times are required and the offer does not apply to any other discounts or league play. Kensington Metropark Golf Course opened to the public in 1961; help celebrate a halfcentury of great golf on these celebratory golf days. Schedule your tee time today by contacting the Golf Starter at 248-685-9332. A Metroparks motor vehicle entry permit is required to enter Kensington Metropark and is just $25 for an annual, $15 for a senior citizen annual or $5 for a daily.

AUGUST 24-30, 2011

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LOCAL MATTERS chamber notes ❐ The Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce has announced that the following business have recently joined its membership ranks: • Nana’s Niche & Corner, gift shop, Wendi Skolnik, 436 N. Main Street, Milford, Mich. 48381. nanasnichecorner@aol.com. Phone, 248684-1975. • Team Promotions, embroidery/ screen printing, sportswear, promotional products, Stacy O’Bryan, 4495 Darlene Drive, Commerce, Mich. 48382, teampromotions@comcast.net, teampromotionsusa.com. Phone, 248363-4555; fax, 248-363-5486. ❐ The Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce is holding its HVRN Wednesday Group at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 31, at the Comeback Inn located at 1451 S. Milford Road in Highland. For a complete calender of Chamber events, visit www.huronvcc.com. ❐ The Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold the 4th Annual Crazy Putt-Putt Golf Outing Wednesday, Sept. 14 at the Kensington Mills Falls (Holden’s Putt-Putt Course), 2055 S. Milford Road in Milford Township. The event is sponsored by Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital and Hines Park Ford. Check-in begins at 6 p.m., with a shotgun start at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $30 per person or $100 for a foursome. The price includes 18 holes of Crazy Putt-Putt (by the event rules), drinks (wine, beer and pop), and appetizers while you play. After the PuttPutt golfing, participants will enjoy a chicken and potato wedge buffet dinner and mingling. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Western Oakland Meals on Wheels. Reservations are required; 21 and over only. Sponsorships are still available. For more information, call Jennifer at 248685-7129, ext. 102. ❐ 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 lakesareachamber.com. • Expo Committee Meeting, 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, Chamber offices, 305 N. Pontiac Trail, Suite A, Walled Lake. • Ambassador Meeting &

Orientation, 9:15 a.m. Friday, Aug. 25, Chamber offices, 305 N. Pontiac Trail, Suite A, Walled Lake. • Professional Networking Group (LABAT), 8:15 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, Managing Change, 2655 Oakley Park Road, northwest corner of Oakley Park and Martin. • Oakland Chamber Network Mixer (OCN), 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, Bayside Sports Grille, 142 E. Walled Lake Drive, Walled Lake. Join the fun at Oakland County’s largest business card mixer. Admission is $10 for members paid in advance by Tuesday, Aug. 30; $15 for members paid after Aug. 30; and $25 for nonmembers. ❐ 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. • Matha Yoga, ribbon cutting/open house, 4-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24, at 5742 Williams Lake Road in Waterford. For more information, contact marieh@waterfordchamber.org. • Business After-Hours Mixer, 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, Boomer’s Roadhouse’s new location, 6665 Highland Road, Waterford. Appetizers, cash bar, and tons of networking await attendees. The cost is $15 per person. Pre-registered Chamber members pay $10. You can also register online at waterfordchamber.org/event_mixer.asp. • Movies Under the Moonlight, Friday, Aug. 26, Pierce Middle School, 5145 Hatchery Road, Waterford. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the movie begins at dusk. • Membership Orientation, noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, Waterford Township Public Library, 5168 Civic Center Drive. Free admission. ❐ The Greater West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the West Bloomfield Rotary Club, will host the 7th Grub Crawl Thursday, Sept. 15, from 5-10 p.m. One of the goals is to promote area businesses while building a strong business/community relationship. Registration is required. Tickets are $40 per person and sponsorships are available. For more information call 248-626-3636 or visit westbloomfieldchamber.com.

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

AUGUST 24-30, 2011

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PUBLIC SAFETY Man critically injured in alleged assault incident A Walled Lake man was attacked with a mallet on Tuesday, Aug. 9 in the 1400 block of Oakshade. Police have the suspect in custody. He is being charged with assault with intent to do bodily harm less than murder. According to the suspect’s statement, the victim arrived at his residence to sell drugs. The two, who had been acquaintances for a decade, sat around drinking beer and then fell asleep watching television. In the morning the victim demanded the suspect pay him $500 and allegedly tried to stab him with a screwdriver, but the suspect stated he knocked the weapon aside. The suspect said he then picked up a mallet and struck the victim in the face. The fight continued to escalate and the suspect repeatedly pummeled the victim’s face with the mallet until he lost consciousness. Police found blood on the recliner where the victim sat, as well as blood splatters on the wall and comforter. Evidence of crack cocaine use, including a broken crack pipe, was also found at the scene. However, police saw no signs of a struggle. The victim was conveyed to Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital where he was listed in critical condition after sustaining multiple injuries. He has been released from Detroit Receiving Hospital, where he had to undergo emergency surgery. ❏

Teen to another: I will ‘blow off’ your head A 17-year-old Highland Township resident was walking near 1050 Middle Road when a young white male allegedly came up to him with a sawed-off shotgun and threatened to “blow the victim’s head” off before running off toward the nearby woods, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department. The suspect , a 16-year-old from Milford, was found during a K-9 search of the nearby area and was arrested and transported to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Highland Township Substation. Deputies then found a 20-gauge shotgun in a garbage can. The shotgun’s barrel was pointing up, and the shotgun was loaded and cocked, according to deputies. The suspect has been lodged in Children’s Village with charges pending. ❏

Ott loses appeal Murderer to remain in prison for life By Angela Niemi staff writer

ark Ott of White Lake Township, who was convicted of murdering his parents in 2008, lost an appeal in the Michigan Court of Appeals earlier this month. Ott was convicted of two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, with the caveat that he is mentally ill, and two counts of second-degree murder, also with the caveat that he is mentally ill, after a jury trial in 2010. He was sentenced to concurrent terms of natural life imprisonment without parole for the first-degree premeditated murder convictions, and 37.5 to 60 years in prison for the second-degree murder convictions. While it isn’t disputed that Ott stabbed and killed his parents, the appeals court ruled, he maintained in his appeal that he was legally insane at the time of the murder and that there was insufficient evidence to support the jury’s verdict that he was guilty but mentally ill. The difference between legal insanity and guilty but mentally ill is “the substantial capacity to either appreciate the nature and quality or the wrongfulness of his or her conduct or to conform his or her conduct to the requirements of the law.” The trial jury had determined at the time that Ott had this capacity and that there was sufficient evidence to support that he was not legally insane at the time of the killings, which led them to the verdict of guilty but mentally ill. The Court of Appeals found no reason to substitute its judgment for the jury’s, and the Circuit Court sentence stands for the first-degree murder convictions. However, the second-degree murder counts were dropped due to the constitutional protection against double jeopardy, which does not allow for multiple punishments for the same offense. Nevertheless, the first-degree murder convictions stand, and Ott will remain in prison for life without parole. Barbara and Michael Ott, Mark Ott’s parents, were found stabbed to death inside their White Lake home on the morning of Feb. 21, 2008. Their younger son, Christopher, discovered the bodies, according to White Lake Township police at the time of the incident. Mark Ott reportedly suffers from bipolar disorder and had stopped taking his medication prior to his parents’ murder. White Lake police reported at the time that they were familiar with Mark Ott, including through response to domestic calls from the family’s home. He was found and arrested several hours after his parents’ bodies were discovered. Barbara Ott had been a White Lake Township employee for nearly a decade; and Michael Ott was a self-employed electrician who had done work in the township offices. ❏

Suspect charged with drug store break-in A 20-year-old man was arrested Monday, Aug. 22 after allegedly breaking into the Rite-Aid store in the 600 block of Milford Road in Milford and fleeing with a shopping bag full of prescription narcotics. Salvatore Vincent Barone was charged with breaking and entering of a building, a 10-year felony; possession of controlled substance (morphine), a 4-year felony; and possession of controlled substance analogues, a 2-

year felony. He was arraigned in front of 52-1 District Court Magistrate Judith Holtz and is being held on a $25,000 cash bond. According to a Milford Police Department press release, officers responded at approximately 12:30 a.m. to an alarm at the Rite-Aid store. Upon arrival at the scene, officers observed a broken rear window. As additional officers responded, a white male subject fled out a side entrance carrying a hatchet and a plastic shopping bag. The suspect fled on foot and was pursued by officers. It appeared

the suspect ran to a vehicle and left the area. As officers were searching the area, an individual approached and stated that he knew the suspect and could lead officers to his location. Officers, with the assistance of deputies from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, went to the supplied address in Commerce Township and located the suspect, who was identified as Barone. While continuing the investigation, officers were able to locate a shopping bag full of various prescription narcotics, according to police. It appears Barone was able to access the pharmacy section of the store by breaking the gated entry using the hatchet seen in his possession. All of the property taken from the business was recovered. ❏

Man’s van rammed by neighbor down a hill Repeat confrontations between two neighbors in a northern Waterford Township subdivision resulted in one of them allegedly ramming his van into the other’s vehicle, which caused damage to both vehicles and a deck around 1 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 22. When police officers arrived at the scene, they spoke to a 46-year-old Waterford man who stated there has been an ongoing problem with one of his neighbors. The problem neighbor reportedly was angry with the complainant about grass clippings on Sunday, Aug. 21. Later, the neighbor allegedly backed his vehicle into the complainant’s pick-up truck, forcing the truck to go down a hill and strike the complainant’s deck, according to Waterford police. Officers observed tire marks in the area that suggested that the truck appeared as if it was pushed across the street and down the hill. A witness reportedly saw the suspect drive across the street in his van and intentionally ram into the pick-up truck, pushing it down the hill. Both vehicles were damaged in the incident, and officers noticed that the suspect’s van engine was hot. The suspect had also been drinking, according to police. He was given field sobriety tests before being arrested for operating while intoxicated (OWI) and lodged in the Oakland County Jail. According to Waterford police, the suspect has had six prior OWI convictions and was booked for felony OWIthird offense. ❏

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PAGE 25

TRANSPORTATION

‘Into the wild blue yonder’ Open house, air fair to celebrate new terminal opening By Leslie Shepard staff writer

he Oakland County International Airport will be holding an open house and air fair on Sunday, Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as it celebrates the completion of Michigan’s first “green” terminal building. “The (terminal) project was completed within budget and on schedule. I’m sure the public will be very pleased,” said Oakland County Director of Central Services J. David VanderVeen. The cutting-edge, eco-friendly terminal incorporates wind turbine, solar and voltaic power generating technology to offset traditional electrical power use; LED interior lamps; geothermal heating and cooling; an electric vehicle charging station; and bio swell rain gardens for landscape irrigation. The building was constructed using recycled content when possible. Other new amenities in the building footprint include airport offices, a U.S. Customs Service office, and a private meeting/telecommunications room to accommodate about 80 people. The new terminal was built on the same site as the airport’s former terminal building. Although smaller in terms of square footage — approximately 13,500 square feet instead of 17,000 — space has been used more efficiently. The terminal is heralded as one of the first of its kind in the country for a general aviation airport. Oakland International is the 16th-busiest general aviation airport in the United States and the second-busiest airport in the state behind Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Visitors can access the airport open house and air fair via the airport’s main entrance at 6500 Highland Road in Waterford Township. The event is free of charge. Refreshments will be available for purchase, including an early bird pancake breakfast from 7-11 a.m. According to Plane Coordinator Paul Bergholtz, numerous planes will be on display during the air fair along with aerobatic routines performed by the Scream’n Rebel Airshow Team, which will man four T-6 WWII trainers. Patrons can take a ride in a B-17 bomber and peek into C-47 air trans-

Oakland County International Airport’s new cutting-edge, eco-friendly terminal incorporates wind turbine, solar and voltaic power generating technology to offset traditional electrical power use; LED interior lamps; geothermal heating and cooling; an electric vehicle charging station; and bio swell rain gardens for landscape irrigation. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)

ports or the Pitts double-wing. Modern day military Blackhawk hel-

icopters, Turbine Goose flyers and Boeing 727 commercial liners will

Numerous planes — some of them vintage like the bomber pictured above — will be on display during the Oakland County International Airport’s open house and air fair, along with aerobatic routines performed by the Scream’n Rebel Airshow Team, which will man four T-6 WWII trainers. (Photo submitted by Michelle Stover/Oakland County International Airport)

also be on site for viewing. Prior to the public open house, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson hosted a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new terminal for local and state dignitaries on Tuesday, Aug. 23. Patterson and Kirk Steudle, director of the Michigan Department of Transportation, were keynote speakers at the event. The formal red, white and blue ceremony included a U.S. Marine color guard and F-16 flyover. All the hallmark features of the new terminal building were on display, such as the rotating wind spires; the solar panel array; electric car charging stations; the living wall; and a bi-wing plane hanging from the terminal ceiling. “The bi-wing airplane is the feature attraction. It’s a Pitt Special built by PAGE 26 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

TRANSPORTATION

Airport open house ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 25

Henry Haigh, a WWII pilot and United States Aerobatic Champion who was inducted into the International Aerobatic Club Hall of Fame,” VanderVeen said. Costs for the green terminal project are pegged at $5.5 million. Approximately $1 million was assumed by the Federal Aviation Administration, while $1 million was obtained through a U.S. Department of Energy grant, with the balance absorbed by the Oakland County Airport Fund, which has been saving for several years to pay for the terminal and other capital improvements. The fund is self-supported by fees collected from airport users, not from a county property tax. ❏

Cooley Lake Rd. culvert work to be finished today By Leslie Shepard staff writer

The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) began a new culvert replacement project on Cooley Lake Road south of Elizabeth Lake in Waterford Township yesterday, Tuesday, Aug. 23. “The culvert under the road is failing and, like all culverts over time, they eventually rust out, collapse and prohibit drainage. It’s this one’s time to be replaced,” said RCOC Spokesperson Craig Bryson. No road closure is scheduled, but traffic has been reduced to one lane during non-peak hours between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Flaggers will be in the area during this time period to control traffic. “Subsequently each lane will be open to motorists during peak traffic hours,” Bryson said. The project is expected to be completed by the end of today, Wednesday, Aug. 24, weather permitting. “The project is an ‘in-and-out’ operation,” Bryson said. RCOC crews will be facilitating the project. Minimal costs for man hours will be assumed by the RCOC. ❏

M-59 MAINTENANCE PROJECT (Highland and White Lake townships) • Completion Date: Approximately Nov. 15. • Cost: $4 million. • Notes: Highland Road will not be closed at any time during the project. Single-lane closures will be restricted to weekday hours between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and weekend hours between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Resurfacing will be facilitated during overnight hours between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Weekend lane closures will be minimized in central business districts. M-5/PONTIAC TRAIL/MARTIN PARKWAY ROUNDABOUT (Commerce Township) • Closure: Pontiac Trail between M-5 and Welch Road. • Detour: Welch Road to Maple Road to Haggerty Road and back to Pontiac Trail, and vice versa. • Notes: Pontiac Trail east of M-5 will remain open, and traffic will be permitted to travel from northbound M-5 to eastbound Pontiac Trail and from westbound Pontiac Trail to southbound M-5, but traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. • Completion date: Approximately Nov. 1. • Cost: $5 million. PONTIAC TRAIL/MAPLE INTERSECTION MAINTENANCE (Walled Lake) • Completion date: Undetermined • Notes: Work is taking place as crews are available on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. One lane in each direction on Pontiac Trail and Maple east of Pontiac Trail will remain open.

SOUTHBOUND CRESCENT LAKE ROAD RIGHT-LANE WIDENING NORTH OF M-59 (Waterford Township) • Closure: None planned. • Completion date: October. • Cost: $153,000 split between Waterford Township, the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC), and the county government. BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION/I-96 BETWEEN MILFORD ROAD AND KENT LAKE ROADS (Milford Area) • Closure: Single lane closure on I-96 in each direction between Milford and Kent Lake roads on weekends and weekdays during non-peak hours. North and south ramps from Kent Lake to westbound I-96 will remain closed until end of November. • Completion date: Winter. • Cost: $15.5 million. • Notes: The first bridge reconstruction project to be undertaken will be the bridge over the Huron Valley Trail east of Milford Road. MILFORD/DAWSON INTERSECTION WORK (Milford Township) • Closure: None planned. • Completion date: Oct. 28. • Cost: $700,000 split between Milford Township, the RCOC, and the county government. • Notes: Both Milford and Dawson roads will remain open in both directions at all times throughout the project, but there will be lane closures on Milford and, at times, the road will be reduced to one lane between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays with traffic directed by flaggers.

AUGUST 24-30, 2011

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PAGE 27

ENVIRONMENT

Haven Hill Festival to raise funds for restoration work By Angela Niemi staff writer

History and nature will come together this Saturday as the Friends of Highland Recreational Area (FOHRA) organization hosts the Haven Hill Festival 2011 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27. The festival offers a chance for local residents to celebrate the natural and historical resources of the Highland State Recreation Area, which is designated as a historical site, state natural area, and a national landmark. Inside the recreation area are the remnants of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford family estate known as Haven Hill. At one time the estate included a lodge, a gatehouse, a carriage house, a pool, a tennis court, fountains and gardens, a sheep barn, horse stables, a dam, and nature trails. The Ford family broke ground on the estate back in 1923 and visited there until Edsel Ford’s death in 1943. The state Department of Natural Resources acquired the property in 1946. While some structures have been lost to fire — such as the stables and lodge — and other damaged by storms, such as the sheep barn, the FOHRA has been working to bring the gatehouse, carriage house, and the barn back to life while maintaining the integrity of the original designs. The festival is an opportunity for the FOHRA, a non-profit organization, to raise funds by selling beverages and food during the festival. The funds will be used to continue the group’s restoration efforts within the recreation area. And while admission to the event is free, visitors need to have a state Recreation Passport on their vehicle registration to enter the park. If not, a pass can be purchased for $10. The Haven Hill Festival will feature a variety of activities, including a vintage baseball game, summer foods, vintage Model A Ford cars, and walking tours of Haven Hill with a shuttle up and down the hill. The baseball game will be played by the Haven Hill Barn Stormers ball club from White Lake/Highland and the Gate House Gang. Both teams were formed to show how “base ball” was really played “back in the day.”

The Haven Hill Barn Stomers will play the Gate House Gang on the Goose Meadow Ball Field at 1 p.m. in Highland Recreation Area on Saturday, Aug. 27 during the 2011 Haven Hill Festival. Gentlemanly conduct, no gloves, wonderful uniforms, and great gameplay will be on display. (Photo submitted by Friends of Highland Recreation Area)

As such, the players will follow the rules similar to those used in the 1860s, which have some major differences from rules governing the game

played today: • Players in the infield have to have one foot on a base when the ball is pitched.

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 1.08 933.006 949.30 966.70 930.70 949.30 957.50 930.50 942.75 962.83 932.80 949.30 951.00 928.60 927.07 930.80 950.00 1019.10 965.42

8/5/11 +.43 +.40 +.62 –.15 +.29 +.41 +.63 +.40 +.39 Legal +.20 +1.02 +.38 +.35 +.14 +.64 +.31 +1.00 –1.10 +.40 +.29 +.36 Legal +.23 +.30

8/12/11 +.35 +.34 +.80 +.16 +.18 +.32 +.56 +.38 +.39 +.12 +.20 +.48 +.31 +.36 +1.15 +.72 +.42 +.41 –.90 +.29 +.29 +.42 Legal +.12 +.17

*Reading for Loon Lake, in Waterford Township, also applies to Mohawk–Wormer Schoolhouse, Silver and Upper Silver Lakes.

8/19/11 +.03 +.37 +.58 +.12 +.30 +.24 +.56 +.18 +.20 +.02 +.10 +.52 +.11 +.22 Legal +.69 +.39 +.50 –1.00 +.12 +.25 +.40 –.06 +.11 +.19

• No stealing, swearing, spitting, or sliding is allowed. • For batters, there are no balls or strikes called. • Batters cannot overrun first base. They must stop on it. • No gloves are allowed. Players must catch the ball bare-handed. • After crossing home plate, a player must approach the scorer’s table, ring a bell, and politely request that the scorekeeper “tally your ace.” The game will start a 1 p.m. at Goose Meadow inside the Highland Recreation Area. Fans are encouraged to bring picnic blankets, sun umbrellas, and folding chairs for the game. Meanwhile, members from the Livingston A’s will be bringing some of their collector Model A Ford automobiles — which remain in working condition — to this year’s festival. Also making an appearance at the festival will be an exhibit of never before seen photographs from the Ford’s Haven Hill estate. The photographs were taken by Harry and Amy North, the original housekeepers employed by the Fords. The photographs were recently donated to the FOHRA by Mr. and Mrs. George Penney of Ontario, Canada. The recreation area is located off of M-59 between Duck Lake and Bogie Lake Roads with parking available at the Goose Meadow picnic shelter area, which is the first right turn after you enter. ❏

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Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner is calling the county’s Tuesday, Aug. 16 state-mandated land sale “unbelievably successful” after 260 tax-foreclosed homes were picked up out of a slate of roughly 1,200, yielding $5.52 million in gross sales. That figure is up substantially from previous years, the first-term treasurer said. In 2009, there was $450,000 in gross sales; last year in August, there was $2.3 million in gross sales. The Aug. 16 sales figure is a 10-fold increase from 2009, and more than double last August’s sales figure. Meisner cited new marketing and sales efforts, including a partnership with the North Oakland Board of REALTORS, as contributing to the increase in gross sales. “We did a pretty innovative pilot program that really helped us market the properties and bring in a lot

more participation,” he said. Case in point: Last year, there were about 300 people who participated in the August land sale; this year, there were over 800. Plus, the average sales price of the parcels doubled up to about $21,000 In addition, lawn signs, “modest investments in maintenance of the properties,” a website that received “well over 40,000 hits,” and some advertising all resulted in a sucMeisner cessful August land sale. By and large, the properties that didn’t sell during the Aug. 16 sale will go on the auction block again on Oct. 11 for the final land sale of the year, Meisner said. “Prices will be reduced to reflect the fact that they didn’t sell in August,” he said of properties to be auctioned in October. “There were instances where the taxes owed are more than the market value of the home. We had a home in White Lake Township that sold for $200,000 with a tax bill of about $30,000. There was very competitive bidding on that property.” Under state law, the county Treasurer’s Office is required to hold two annual auctions of tax-foreclosed properties that are in their third year of delinquency. ❏

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san approval to an amended resolution requesting that the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) report to the board on its plans to implement a “Complete Streets” policy that conforms with a model policy yet to be drafted by a state panel. The county board’s approval came on Thursday, Aug. 18, after the RCOC expressed concerns about the board’s original resolution which received the support of the General Government Committee on a partyline vote earlier this month. As amended, the county board’s resolution recognizes that state lawmakers have enacted legislation requiring the State Transportation Committee to adopt a Complete Streets policy and develop a model Complete Streets policy or policies to be made available for use by local road agencies. “Really, what changed was that the version that they did adopt acknowledges that the state has a committee that’s studying this,” said RCOC Spokesman Craig Bryson, adding that the approved resolution acknowledges that the road commission has its own panel consisting of RCOC staff and other interested parties studying the Complete Streets concept. The resolution states that Complete Streets “are achieved when transportation agencies routinely plan, design, construct, reconstruct, operate, and maintain the transportation network to improve travel conditions for bicyclists, pedestrians, transit, and freight in a manner consistent with, and supportive of, the surrounding community.” “It was very well received,” Bryson said. “I think some of the commissioners didn’t realize that we were already very involved in the (Complete Streets) process.” ❏

CLOSED DOORS The Milford Village Council at its Monday, Aug. 15 meeting held a closed executive session regarding property acquisition and contract negotiations. After the council returned to open public session, no action was taken on either of those two matters.

AUGUST 24-30, 2011

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PAGE 29

STATE

Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young, Jr. in a press release announcement the report’s findings. “And to have the universal endorsement of the judiciary’s leadership — that has never happened before. This is an aggressive, but achievable, set of recommendations. We are unaware of any reduction of this magnitude attempted anywhere in our country.” SCAO Public Information Officer Marcia McBrien echoed the chief judge’s sentiment. “The scope of the reduction that the (state) Supreme Court is recommending is unprecedented,” she said.

In the 52nd District Court — which has two branches, the 52-1 and 52-2 district courts, serving communities in west Oakland County and two more serving other county communities — the JRR report calls for one less judge, bringing that court system from 11 to 10 jurists through attrition. While the population in communities serviced by the 52nd District Court system has increased by nearly 23 percent in the last two decades, the total number of case filings since 2003 has dipped by 17.4 percent, the report states. In the 48th District Court, which

serves Orchard Lake and West Bloomfield in the lakes area, the current roster of judges could be trimmed from three to two through attrition, the report states, although the court’s case filings since 2003 have gone up by more than 24 percent. “At this point, we are willing to do our part,” said Jim Harkins, administrator of the 48th District Court, who added that he believes the three judges on the court’s bench have reviewed the recommendations. “It’s kind of premature to speculate about what’s going to happen. Right now, we’ve got 48,000 cases a year to handle, and that’s what we are going to do.” Other recommendations for Oakland County district courts include the elimination of two judgeships in the 50th District Court in Pontiac; the elimination of one judgeship at the 44th District Court in Royal Oak; and the consolidation of the 45-A and 45-B district courts in Berkley and Oak Park, respectively, resulting in the elimination of one judgeship. The findings of the 2011 JRR report have been shared with Gov. Rick Snyder, who Young said supports the recommendations, and the state Legislature, which is responsible for passing legislation eliminating or creating judgeships. The recommendations were made based on a two-part analysis that included a weighted caseload formula in which cases that require more judicial work are given higher value, as well as population and case filing trends, according to the SCAO. One of the 17 Oakland County Circuit Court bench seats is set to be restored on Jan. 1, 2015, after it was temporarily eliminated through attrition by the state Legislature. ❏

our State Committee was the culmination of months of communication between our grassroots activists, policy committee members, statewide GOP supporters, and everyone with an interest in ensuring that Michigan sends a Republican president to the White House in 2012,” said Michigan Republican Party Chairman Bobby Schostak. The move comes after months of discussions, according to GOP officials. In May, the party’s Policy Committee did research and culled opinions on the preferred primary process, and on July 12, the com-

mittee unanimously recommended that the State Committee adopt a closed primary, which it did earlier this month in a 92-17 vote. The GOP presidential primary in Michigan, under state law, will be held between Feb. 28, 2012 and March 6, 2012. If the state Legislature doesn’t act to determine a date, the primary will, by default, be held on Feb. 28, 2012. A host of Republicans have entered the race to challenge President Barack Obama, among them U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Waterford, White Lake, Highland,

Milford, Commerce, Wolverine Lake, Walled, Wixom), who recently took third-place in the New Hampshire Young Republicans Straw Poll. After the recent Ames, Iowa Straw Poll that was claimed by Minnesota U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, she, as well as former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Texas Gov. Rick Perry, are considered the front runners in the GOP race by members of the national media. Jim Thienel, chairman of the Oakland County Republican Party, couldn’t be reached for comment prior to press time. ❏

By Kirk Pinho assistant editor

akland County needs a total of eight new judges in its Circuit and Probate courts based on the workload jurists in those courts encounter, but that figure is tempered by various district courts across the county, including at the 48th District Court, where judgeships can be eliminated and financial resources can be saved. At least, that’s what the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) said on Wednesday, Aug. 17 in its biennial 2011 Judicial Resources Recommendations (JRR) report, which recommended a total reduction of 49 judgeships across the state, including four at the state Court of Appeals. While the county as a whole needs the additional judges, the report states 6.5 new judgeships in total are warranted, when taking into consideration that some of the county’s district courts — including the 52nd District Court and the 48th District Court — could operate with fewer judges. But the SCAO, which oversees the Michigan Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and all circuit and district courts in the state of Michigan, stopped short of formally recommending the additional judgeships due to the state’s economic climate. And as a whole, the report recommends eliminating 45 trial court judges and four more from the Michigan Court of Appeals, while also calling for a combined 31 new trial court judgeships. “This is unprecedented, not just in Michigan but nationally, to have a state court system not only recognize that it needs to shrink, but also have a practical plan to accomplish that goal,” said Michigan

State GOP votes for closed primary for the presidency By Kirk Pinho assistant editor

Only Michigan’s registered Republicans will be able to vote in the GOP’s 2012 presidential primary election now that the Michigan Republican Party’s State Committee has voted to close the primary for next year’s presidential campaign. “(The Saturday, Aug. 13) vote by

The State Court Administrative Office (SCAO), which oversees the Michigan Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and all circuit and district courts in the state of Michigan, stopped short of formally recommending additional Oakland County Circuit and Probate Court judgeships due to the state’s economic climate. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)

Bench seat shuffle Report: Nix one 48th District judge

PAGE 30

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

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AUGUST 24-30, 2011

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PAGE 31

IN OUR OPINION

JRR deserves careful review Consider finances, constitutional duty in analysis of report W

ith the release of the biennial 2011 Judicial Resources Recommendations by the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) on Wednesday, Aug. 17, lawmakers are again thrusted in the position to weigh whether judgeships across the state — including at the Circuit, Probate, and District court levels in Oakland County — should be eliminated or added. As state and local financial resources continue to be put at a premium in a dour economic climate, legislators not only from Oakland County, but across the state, should take heed of the report’s advice and seriously weigh, study, and digest the information put forth, which includes — among other things — the recommendation for eliminating a judgeship at a local district court in which the number of cases has increased nearly 24 percent since 2003. The Judicial Resources Recommendations (JRR) report calls for the reduction of 49 judgeships across the state, including four at the Michigan Court of Appeals. The Oakland County Circuit and Probate Courts, the report says, needs a total of eight new judges based on workloads, but that figure is tempered by recommendations for various district courts across the county, including the 48th District Court, where judgeships can be eliminated and financial resources can be saved. While the county as a whole needs the additional circuit and probate judges, the report states that 6.5 new judgeships in total are warranted at the circuit and probate level, when considering that some of the county’s district courts — including the 52nd and the 48th District Courts — could operate with fewer judges. But the SCAO, which oversees the Michigan Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and all circuit and

district courts in the state of Michigan, stopped short of formally recommending the additional judgeships due to the state’s economic climate. The report also calls for a combined 31 new trial court judgeships across the state, after nixing 49 bench seats — a case of musical chairs. In the 52nd District Court — which has two branches, the 52-1 and 52-2 district courts, serving communities in west Oakland County and two more serving other county communities — the JRR report calls for one less judge, bringing that court system from 11 to 10 judges through attrition. While the population in communities serviced by the 52nd District Court system has increased by nearly 23 percent in the last two decades, the total number of case filings since 2003 has dipped by 17.4 percent, the report states. In the 48th District Court, which serves Orchard Lake and West Bloomfield in the lakes area, the current roster of judges could be trimmed from three to two through attrition, the report states, although the court’s case filings since 2003 have gone up by more than 24 percent. “At this point, we are willing to do our part,” said Jim Harkins, administrator of the 48th District Court. “It’s kind of premature to speculate about what’s going to happen. Right now, we’ve got 48,000 cases a year to handle, and that’s what we are going to do.” Other recommendations for Oakland County district courts include the elimination of two judgeships in the 50th District Court in Pontiac; the elimination of one judgeship at the 44th District Court in Royal Oak; and the consolidation of the 45-A and 45-B district courts in Berkley and Oak Park, respectively, resulting in the elimination of one judgeship.

The findings of the 2011 JRR report have been shared with Gov. Rick Snyder, who reportedly supports the recommendations, and the state Legislature, which is responsible for passing legislation eliminating or creating judgeships. The recommendations were made based on a twopart analysis that included a weighted caseload formula in which cases that require more judicial work are given higher value, as well as population and case filing trends, according to the SCAO. We’re not inclined to disagree with Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young, Jr., who in a statement called the possible whittling back of jurists across the state “unprecedented” — just one of the reasons why lawmakers need to seriously and soberly look at the recommendations and come forward with thoughtful analysis of the recommendations. First, there is the financial implication. Cutting the number of judges in the state, and in Oakland County, would certainly save much-needed financial resources in an economy that, while showing some signs of life, is still stuck on a ventilator. But perhaps more importantly is the courts’ abilities to do their constitutional duty — provide fair and speedy jurisprudence. With those two issues front and center, legislators in Lansing should take the report seriously and not just enact its recommendations in a knee-jerk fashion. A critical eye is needed from 148 sets of eyes — 110 in the state House of Representatives and 38 in the state Senate, Democrats and Republicans alike — in order to make sure that the biennial report gets the treatment it deserves, which is thoughtful and dispassionate review, consideration and, if appropriate, implementation, at least in part. ❏

Early millage renewal votes T

axing authorities looking to renew existing millage levies would have to do so within an 18-month window of the millage’s expiration under a bill recently introduced by a Democratic state lawmaker. In years past we would champion such a suggestion, but a new economic climate that includes drastically reduced property values makes us uneasy about the proposal. State Rep. Richard LeBlanc (D-Westland) wants to prevent any taxing unit in the state from submitting a proposal to the electorate that would renew an existing millage if that millage is set to expire more than 18 months after the date of the election at which the proposal to renew the millage is held. LeBlanc’s House Bill (HB) 4870 would amend the General Property Tax Act. He said the issue arose when a community college in his district placed on a ballot a request for a renewal of a millage “that was

not going to be expired for five or six years.” One member of the community college’s board reportedly stated that if the millage renewal failed, the community college “would have enough opportunities to get it passed,” according to LeBlanc. We’ll back up LeBlanc in not looking favorably upon those who utter that kind of foolishness. Such folly provided fodder for the adoption of election reforms to keep taxing units from repeatedly hammering away at voters with multiple elections until funding requests finally get authorized. In addition, we ordinarily would aggressively oppose any attempt to renew a millage prior to its scheduled expiration, especially if a regularly scheduled election will occur prior to the last collection of an existing millage. However, conditions have changed in this state such that the 10-year millages backed by

voters seven years ago, for example, don’t come close to generating the revenue they were intended to for public services. For that reason, we’re not ready to support LeBlanc’s bill just yet. With the significant decline in property values over the last few years, we think taxing authorities should be able to make their case to voters for an early renewal — which could be sought as a restoration of the originally authorized, higher millage rate OK’d by voters before being whittled back by provisions of the Headlee Amendment — well before a millage is collected for the last time. If voters don’t buy into an early renewal, the taxing authority wouldn’t lose anything more than it already has via lower property values, and could seek a renewal or millage hike at the next election. That’s an opportunity that shouldn’t be taken away. ❏

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

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AROUND THE LAKES AREA

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degradation and income disparity. Gerard Anderson, a professor of health policy and management and the director of Johns Hopkins Center for Hospital Finance and Management, attributes the high cost of medical care to the market system. Solving our nation’s multifaceted problems requires citizens, especially business and political leaders, to cooperate and respect each other. As a nation, we need to find our way back to living ethically. ❏

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A special feature of the Spinal Column Newsweekly

What is your tailgating tradition during the football season?

"When a big group of us is tailgating, we make 'thunder shacks' — a brat inside a tortilla filled with refried beans and taco sauce." — Shane Bays, Waterford Township

"Food and beer. My friends (went to) U-M and we graduated five years ago, but still go for games. I make guacamole, pizza dip." — Jamie Aird, Waterford Township

"We are U-M fans. We grill chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, and have cocktails. We bring along a football to throw around." — Jen Smith, White Lake Township

AUGUST 24-30, 2011

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PAGE 33

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ■ English Oaks Montessori Christian Academy: Free children’s nature program and open house, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, 891 Union Lake Road, White Lake. 248363-8100.

Gallery located at 205 W. Livingston Road in Highland, Main Street Art in Milford, or at Millers Artist Supplies on 12 Mile Road in Farmington Hills. Entry deadline is Saturday, Sept. 24.

■ Milford Summer Concert: Gemini, free children’s concert, 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, Central Park, downtown Milford. Refreshments available for sale.

■ American Cancer Society: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, volunteers needed to join the committee, start a team or assist with day-of event needs, 7:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Oct. 1, Independence Oaks County Park, Clarkston. 248-663-3452 or Holly.Soranno@cancer.org

■ Huron Valley Council for the Arts: Friday Night Live, Alan Smith and New Tattoo, including folk and blues, both instrumental and vocal, 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, Milford’s downtown gazebo. 248-889-8660. ■ Movies Under the Moonlight: 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, Pierce Middle School, 5145 Hatchery Road, Waterford. 248-666-8600 ■ Highland Trail Riders In collaboration with the Huron Valley Council for the Arts, “It’s All About the Horse,” Third annual amateur photo contest, entry deadline, Friday, Aug. 26. awards reception from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 11, 205 W. Livingston Road, Highland. Entry Forms and additional information available by calling Jane Brown at 248-685-2545 or the HVCA at 248-8898660. Visit huronvalleyarts.org or e-mail HighlandTrailRiders@yahoo.com. Pick up at HVCA 205 W. Livingston Road, Highland MI 58357 ■ Christ Lutheran Church: Free community family fun fest — games, prizes, bounce house, food, free school supplies, 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, 5987 Williams Lake Road at Airport Road, Waterford. 248-673-7331. ■ City of Wixom: Now collecting school supplies for Hospitality House. Donations may be made now through Wednesday, Aug. 31, 49015 Pontiac Trail, Wixom. 248-624-0870. ■ White Lake Historical Society:Craft spaces available for Fisk Farm Festival, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10-11, 9180 Highland Road, White Lake. 248-240-6503. ■ White Lake Historical Society:Fisk Farm Family Fun Festival, crafts, music, games, live animals, storytellers, food, special Civil War miniature battlefield display, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10-11, 9180 Highland Road, White Lake. 248-360-0188. ■ Waterford Parks and Recreation: HessHathaway Park committee is looking for crafters for the Annual Harvest Happening that will be held Oct. 1. For more information call 248-674-5441 or visit twp.waterford.mi.us/parksandrec. ■ Huron Valley Council for the Arts: 16th annual Views & Visions, call for artists, allmedia art competition and exhibit. A prospectus with all entry information is available online at the VFAA website at milfordvfaa.org. Artists also may pick up a copy at the HVCA

■ 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. ■ Big Chief Chorus: Rehearsals, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Waterford Oaks Activity Center, 2800 Watkins Lake Road, Waterford. 248698-9133 or 248-563-2109. ■ Huron Valley Council for the Arts: Knitters circle, 10 a.m. Wednesdays, Highland Station House, Highland. 248-685-9015. ■ Williams Lake Church of the Nazarene: Angel Food Ministries, food distribution orders taken Wednesdays and Sundays, 2840 Airport Road, Waterford. 248-673-5911. ■ (Breakfast) Optimist Club of Waterford: Meeting, 7:15 a.m. Thursdays, Big Boy Restaurant, M-59 and Airport Road, Waterford. 248-673-3493. ■ Multi-Lakes Conservation Association: Allyou-can-eat fish fry, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays, 3860 Newton Road Commerce. 248-3639109. ■ Grace Hospice: Volunteers with reliable transportation needed to visit terminally ill patients and family members in our communities. Free training and classes are now forming. 1-888-937-4390. ■ Catholic Social Services of Oakland County: Senior Companion Volunteers needed to support adults with developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic mental illness, as well as the physically frail and homebound. 248-559-1147, ext. 3434.

SUPPORT GROUPS

West Bloomfield. 248-738-8101.

White Lake. 1-800-477-3192 or 248-6257280.

❐ Celebrate Recovery: Alcohol, drugs, gambling, sexual addition recovery meetings, 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Life Point Christian Church, 501 Scott Lake Road, Waterford. 248-6821747.

❐ Kensington Farm Center: Horse-drawn hayrides, noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Kensington Metropark, Milford. 248-684-8632.

❐ Divorce Care:Support group meeting for adults and children, 6:30 p.m. Sundays, Brightmoor Christian Church, 40800 W. 13 Mile, Novi. 248-755-9533.

❐ Kensington Nature Center: Calling All Owls, nature hike, 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, Kensington Metropark, Milford. 248-6848632.

❐ Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous:Meeting, 6 p.m. Fridays, Crossroads Presbyterian Church, 1445 Welch Road, Commerce. 248-807-8667 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. w w w. o a . o r g / m e e t i n g s / f i n d - a - m e e t i n g online.php ❐ Postpartum Depression Support Group: Meeting, 6:45 p.m. Thursdays, Huron ValleySinai Hospital, Commerce. 248-937-5220.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

LIBRARY EVENTS

❐ Commerce Township Community Library: International Film Festival, animated Disney films, noon, Fridays now through Aug. 26, 2860 N. Pontiac Trail, Commerce. Registration. 248-669-8108 or commercelibrary.info. ❐ Highland Township Public Library: Warhammer Battle Day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, 444 Beach Farm Circle, Highland. Registration. 248-887-2218. ❐ Milford Public Library: Yoga @ the Library, tween/teen program, 11 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Aug. 25, 330 Family Drive, Milford. Registration 248-684-0845.

❐ Highland Adult Activity Center: Wii Bowling, noon, Tuesdays, 209 N. John Street, Highland. 248-887-1707.

❐ Walled Lake City Library: Learn how to work with your lender to avoid foreclosure with HUD-certified counselors, 5 p.m. Monday, Sept 5; Evening Book Discussion, adult program, 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, 1499 E. West Maple, Walled Lake. Registration. 248-624-3772.

❐ Richardson Community Senior Center: Knitting and crochet group, 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays, 1485 E. Oakley Park, Commerce. Registration. 248-926-0063 or commercetwp.com

❐ Waterford Township Public Library: Evening Book Discussion Group, adult program, 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, 5168 Civic Center Drive, Waterford. Registration. 248672-4831.

❐ Dublin Senior Center: Lunch Bunch, 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, 685 Union Lake Road, White Lake. 248-698-2394.

❐ Sylvan Lake Lutheran Church: Senior Stretch and Tone, 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 8:30 a.m. Fridays, 2399 Figa Avenue, West Bloomfield. 248-682-0770. ❐ Waterford Senior Center: Line Dancing, Wednesdays, 3621 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford. Registration. 248-682-9450. ❐ West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation’s Senior Programs: Line Dancing, 11 a.m. Fridays at the Corners; Eastern Market trip, Saturday, Aug. 20, 4640 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield. Registration. 248-4511900.

❐ Sojourners: Support group meeting for widows and widowers, 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 5, Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian, 5171 Commerce Road, West Bloomfield. 248-681-4814.

❐ Wixom Senior Center:Nifty Knitters, 10 a.m. Tuesdays, 49015 Pontiac Trail, Wixom. Registration. 248-624-0870 or wixomgov.org

❐ Alzheimer’s Association: Caregiver support group meeting, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, Sunrise Senior Living, 7005 Pontiac Trail,

❐ Indian Springs Metropark Environmental Discovery Center: Satellite Season, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, Indian Springs Metropark,

PARKS

❐ West Bloomfield Township Public Library: Star Trax Family Music Event, 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25; Music @ Main — Great Bear Trio, folk music, 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, 4600 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield. Registration. 248-682-2120. ❐ White Lake Township Library: August — Temporary library closing for renovations, 7527 E. Highland Road, White Lake. 248698-4942. ❐ Wixom Public Library: ESL Café — coffee and conversation, free program, 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 4015 Pontiac Trail, Wixom. Registration. 248-624-2512.

RELIGIOUS ❐ Commerce United Methodist Church: Sunday Schools begins 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 9; “God’s Warriors,” boys only, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, 1155 N. Commerce Road, Commerce. 248-363-3935 or www.commerceumc.org.

PAGE 34

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

National title ‘pretty special’ Softball is a family matter for Wixom father-daughter duo By Michael Shelton staff writer

Winning a championship is a special moment for a coach and his players, but it’s more meaningful when it involves a father coaching his daughter. That was the case when Wixom resident Edward Ewald, Jr. led the Compuware 12U Fastpitch Softball team, which included his daughter, Morgan, to the championship of the National Softball Association (NSA) Class A 2011 World Series in Chattanooga, Tenn. on July 30 and a 6-4 victory over the Ohio Classics. “It’s pretty special, and I’m excited for the girls and for Morgan,” he said. “A daughter probably puts up with more grief than most players, but it’s nice to see them rewarded.” Morgan, who plays at first base and in the outfield, said she understood that the championship meant a lot to her father. “It was really exciting,” Morgan said. “Not a lot of teams from Michigan make it there. There are a lot of harder teams from out of state and there’s more competition.” The Compuware team won 8 games during the NSA World Series, which took place from June 26 to June 30 and was comprised of 200 teams from more than 20 states and five age brackets. Morgan, 12, is the youngest player on the Compuware 12U team, which consists of players from across the state, ranging from Garden City to Canton. She started playing softball in the Inter-Lakes softball league as a kindergartner, according to her father, and is

PAGE 36 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

Edward Ewald, Jr. (left) , coach of the Compuware 12U Fastpitch Softball team, led the squad to the championship of the National Softball Association Class A 2011 World Series in Chattanooga, Tenn. on July 30. It was “pretty special,” he said, in part because one of the players on the team was his daughter, Morgan (right), who plays at first base and in the outfield. “It was really exciting,” she said.

PAGE 36

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

digs, 19 kills and 15 aces. Junior Mikaela Beck also had 4 digs and 33 kills while senior Kate Rendi had 10 digs, 14 kills and 7 blocks. After a successful weekend, Central will look to continue its strong play when it comes home this weekend to host the Walled Lake Central Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 27, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The Vikings will defend their home court against the likes of Walled Lake Northern and Walled Lake Western, along with Brighton, Farmington, Fenton, Grand Ledge, John Glenn, Livonia Franklin, Pinckney, Wayne Memorial and Rochester. “The competition should be good,” Johnson said.

SOFTBALL

Ewald family ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 35

in her third year with the Compuware organization and first year with the 12U team. Edward is in his fifth year coaching with Compuware and said that after a softball game, he and his daughter don’t talk about the sport unless she brings it up; and that other coaches assist with any other softball-related issues. Morgan said that having her father as a coach helps her because it pushes her to be a better player. It has been a memorable season for the Compuware 12U team, which finished 47-7, including 33-3 in Michigan tournaments, with four state tournament championships. “We have very good pitching, very good defense and the girls are great competitors,” Edward said. Morgan will be entering seventhgrade at Sarah Banks Middle School this fall and looks forward to playing with Compuware 12U next season with a new group of players and her father as head coach once again. Morgan’s 2011 Compuware 12U teammates were Erika Selakowski, Kaylen Glenfield, Kara Hart, Jordyn Look, Kate Buckland, Michaela Warner, Lauren Holdsworth, Aryanna Dadabbo, Isabella Rocha and Jacqueline Spizizen.

Knights start 2011 at 3-2 with tourney play at Hartland

VOLLEYBALL

Vikings strong out of the gate in ‘11 at TC tournament By Michael Shelton staff writer

Walled Lake Central started its 2011 season on a strong note with a runner-up finish at the Traverse City Central Volleyball Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 20. After going undefeated in pool play, the Vikings won two matches against Traverse City St. Francis (25-13, 2518) and Benzie Central (25-10, 2519). Walled Lake Central then met host Traverse City Central in the championship match and fell in three games, 25-18, 19-25, 5-15. “I’m really satisfied with our performance for this first weekend of the season,” said Central Head Coach Cathy Johnson. “Our team executed our plays well and our serving was very effective. We used this tournament to

SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

concentrate on certain aspects of our game.” In pool play, Central defeated Elk Rapids (25-19, 25-14), Manton (2515, 25-11) and Traverse City St. Francis (25-20, 25-13). “Traveling north to Traverse City was an outstanding event to kick off our season. We enjoyed having the opportunity to play against a variety of teams that we don’t get to see during our regular season,” Johnson said. Senior Colleen Stars had 61 digs and 7 aces on the day and was 79-for-89 in

serve reception, while junior Brittany Guldan had 61 assists, 19 kills, 22 digs and 13 aces. “Colleen played outstanding the entire tournament for us. Her hard work during the off-season is showing as she is leading our defensive effort in the libero position,” Johnson said. “Brittany did a great job for us both as our starting setter and right side hitter and her serving was fantastic, also.” Senior Gia Morianti finished the day with 17 digs, 24 kills, 12 aces and 7 blocks, while junior Katie Lusk had 10

Walled Lake Northern began its 2011 season at the Hartland Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 20, finishing the day with a 3-2 record. The Knights defeated Lake Fenton, Livonia Franklin and Flint CarmanAinworth in pool play. However, Northern’s Achilles’ heel was North Branch, which handed the Knights their only pool-play defeat before knocking them out in the tournament’s Gold Bracket playoffs. Brooke Mayrand had 17 kills and was 41-for-45 serving with 8 aces and 24 assists. Jessica Mutrynowski had 16 kills and was 53-for-59 serving with 6 aces and had 14 blocks. Courtney Scott had 18 kills and 15 blocks, while Meghan Conrad had 14 kills. Melissa Griffiths led the team with 43 digs. “The first tournament of the season is always a great time to get all your players opportunities for playing time so that the players and coaches can see areas of our game that we need to work on to build on our success as the season progresses,” said Northern Head Coach Renee Miller. Northern will next play at the Walled Lake Central Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 27.

Lakers moving on after struggling in opening contests West Bloomfield opened its 2011 campaign by hosting the Laker Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 20. The Lakers finished 0-1-2 in pool play, falling to Novi (9-25, 13-25) and

PAGE 37 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

AUGUST 24-30, 2011

Lakers volleyball ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 36

splitting matches with Pennfield (1825, 25-23) and Davison (20-25, 2522). West Bloomfield earned the eighth seed in the playoffs and faced Novi once again. The Lakers fell to the Wildcats a second time (11-25, 17-25). Midland defeated Novi in the invitational’s championship match. “Our goal today was to try to establish a rhythm on defense that would allow us to run a quick offense,” said Lakers Head Coach Julian Wargo. “Our

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service reception wasn’t as strong as it needed to be. Ball control is an important part of the game. We’ll go back into the gym this week and work harder on team passing.” Senior outside attacker Jackie Pyles led the Lakers with 19 kills, 3 aces and 1 block. Senior middle blocker Elandra McConney finished with 4 kills, 1 ace and 4 blocks and junior middle blocker Tara Heald had 7 kills, 2 aces and 2 blocks. The Lakers will return to action on Thursday, Sept. 8 when they travel to Bloomfield Hills Lahser.

1. Synopsis of the meeting held on: Monday, August 15, 2011

WEST OAKLAND’S

NEWSWEEKLY

OCC/Highland Lakes Campus

7196 Cooley Lake Road • Waterford, MI 48327

248-360-7355

CITY OF ORCHARD LAKE VILLAGE

3. Adopted: Ordinance No. CZ 11-01, to amend the Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 26 of the Charter Township of West Bloomfield Code of Ordinances, to update the definitions of restaurants and associated districts Emergency Ordinance No. C-753, Acceptance of Water Supply System of Planterra Conservatory, Project No. 7-003, Sec. 33 Emergency Ordinance No. C-754, to establish and provide for the uninterrupted continuation of a moratorium on medical marijuana facilities

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at the August 15, 2011 Regular Meeting of the City of Orchard Lake Village Council the second reading and adoption was held on an ordinance to amend Chapter 2, Administrative Services, of the City of Orchard Lake Village City Code to add Section 2.11 to allow for the collection of fees not otherwise provided for in the code.

(1) Office of the Township Clerk 4550 Walnut Lake Road (2) Main Township Library 4600 Walnut Lake Road (3) Township’s website www.wbtwp.com Catherine Shaughnessy Township Clerk SC: 8-24-11

LEGAL NOTICE Lake Improvement Board for Highland Lake Township of Highland, County of Oakland, Michigan NOTICE OF CONFIRMATION OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL Notice is hereby given that the Lake Improvement Board for Highland Lake, Township of Highland, County of Oakland, held a Public Hearing on August 15, 2011 and subsequently confirmed a 3-year Special Assessment Roll for the purposes of implementing a Lake management, Chemical Weed Control, Harvesting and all associated cost for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014. This Notice of Confirmation of the Special Assessment Roll is published pursuant to the provisions of Part 309 of Act No. 451 of 1994, as amended. LAKE IMPROVEMENT BOARD FOR HIGHLAND LAKE S.C. 8-24-11

The Spinal Column Newsweekly seeks volunteer high school students, parents, and community members to help cover high school sports in west Oakland County. Candidates should be familiar with high school sports. Contact Editor Tim Dmoch at 248-360-6397, Ext. 498; or email: timdmoch@thescngroup.com for more information or to be considered.

2 P.M. DAILY PICK-UP Just MON.-FRI. east of

2. Introduced: Ordinance No. C-755, to amend the Township disturbing the peace and noise Ordinance

The above ordinance and synopsis shall be posted (in their entirety) at the following locations:

Hey Sports Fans!

SHIP IT!

Notice of Posting for Charter Township of West Bloomfield Township Board

PAGE 37

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE

The ordinance provisions will take effect ten (10) days following publication of this notice. Complete copies of the full text of Ordinance No. 2.11 and all amendments thereto are available for inspection by and distribution to the public between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except legal holidays, at City Hall. Rhonda R. McClellan CityClerk@CityofOrchardLake.com S.C. 8/24/11

Notice of Posting for Charter Township of Commerce Township Board 1. Synopsis of the meeting held on: Tuesday, August 9, 2011 The above synopsis shall be posted (in its entirety) at the following locations: (1) Office of the Township Clerk 2009 Township Drive (2) Main Township Library 2869 North Pontiac Trail (3) Township’s website www.commercetwp.com Daniel P. Munro Township Clerk SC: 8-24-11

CITY OF WIXOM PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Wixom Zoning Board of Appeals will conduct the following public hearings at their next regular meeting scheduled for Monday, September 12, 2011 for the following topics: ZBA CASE #016-11: WIXOM FUEL STOP, 29330 WIXOM ROAD, WIXOM, MI 48393: The applicant is seeking a 8 ft. height variance to existing pole sign. The Wixom Municipal Code, Section 18.16.070, Table 16.07 requires approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The property is located at 29330 Wixom Road and zoned M-1, Light Industrial. The tax parcel number is 22-08-100-048. ZBA CASE #017-11: JAMES PIERCE, 1442 FLAMINGO, WIXOM, MI 48393: The applicant is seeking an accessory building setback variance in order to construct an addition to the house. The Wixom Municipal Code, Section 18.13.010 (A) (3), requires accessory buildings be a minimum setback of 10 feet from the principal building. The property is located at 1442 Flamingo and zoned R-3, Single Family Residential. The tax parcel number is 17-29-334-036. The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in Wixom Council Chambers, 49045 Pontiac Trail. Persons having any questions regarding these matters are urged to attend this meeting or contact the Building Department at (248) 624-0880. Linda Kirby, City Clerk City of Wixom (248) 624-4557

LEGAL NOTICE

Lake Improvement Board for Lake Neva Township of White Lake, Oakland County, Michigan

HEARING OF PRACTICABILITY

SC: 8-24-11

CITY OF ORCHARD LAKE PLANNING COMMISSION

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission will hold a Special Meeting on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. on site at 5600 Pontiac Trail, Orchard Lake, Michigan. The purpose of the Meeting is to investigate said property and acquire information for proposed lot split to be considered at the September 13, 2011 regular Planning Commission Meeting. You are welcome to attend. Rhonda R. McClellan City Clerk SC: 8-24-11

PAGE 38

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF WHITE LAKE

LEGAL NOTICE

Regular Board Meeting Synopsis – August 16, 2011

Lake Improvement Board for Lake Neva Township of White Lake, Oakland County, Michigan

HEARING OF ASSESSMENT

Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. Six board members and attorney present. Presentation: Presentation: Presentation: Approved: Presentation: Approved: Tabled: Approved: Approved: Approved: Approved: Approved: Withdrawn: Approved: Tabled: Approved: Approved: FYI: Approved: Approved: Tabled: Approved: Approved: Approved: Approved: Approved: Approved:

Special Tribute to the Haines Family Special Tribute to the Kaiser Family Certificate of Completion to Clerk Lilley Minutes of July 19, 2011, July 26, 2011, August 3, 2011 w/corrections Friends of Highland Recreation Area Addition to Consent Agenda, Items 7 & 8 Item 7C7, Consent Agenda Consent Agenda, Items A,B, C 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 Open Public Hearing, Lake Neva Standpipe Repair Close Public Hearing, Lake Neva Standpipe Repair Resolution #11-017, SAD, Lake Neva Standpipe Repair Resolution #11-016, Refund of Overpayment for Village Acres SAD Clearzoning Proposal Clearzoning Proposal, Township Attorney & Officials working out final details of agreement, budget amendments, discussions re: future updates & intellectual property issues. White Lake Presbyterian Church Renewal of Mining Permit Renewal of Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for Root Restaurant and GNC for 90 days White Lake Market Place Re-Tenant, File No. 11-006 Amend Final Site Plan and Development Approval, subject to verification that conditions of review letters have been met. MDOT Update on M-59 Pathways Health Care Agreement w/ Non Union Employees Teamsters Local 214 Union Contract Second Reading, Ordinance No. 132, Cemetery Ordinance Traffic Enforcement Agreements Retaining Craig Fuller to do appraisal review, cost not to exceed $1000.00 Township Attorney to enter into contract RE: Meijer V White Lake Tax Tribunal Appeal Move to Second Reading, Amendment to Ordinance No. 108, Sewer Ordinance w/ appropriate modifications Move to Second Reading, Amendment to Fee Ordinance No. 129 Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 10:03 p.m. Greg Baroni, Supervisor Terry Lilley, Clerk White Lake Township S.C. 8/24/11

Notice is hereby given that the Lake Improvement Board for Lake Neva in the Township of White Lake, County of Oakland, will meet in the Board Room at the White Lake Township Office located at 7525 Highland Road, White Lake, Michigan at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 to review, to hear any objections to, and to confirm an eight year special assessment roll for the purpose of implementing a project consisting of the following: electricity to run the augmentation well pump, pump maintenance, liability insurance, and miscellaneous administrative costs for the years 2012 through 2019 for Lake Neva. The total annual assessment is estimated at $28,800, with individual annual assessments of $16.15 plus township administrative fee. The special assessment roll will be on file at the White Lake Township Offices for public examination. Any person may appeal and be heard at said Hearing, which is called pursuant to the provisions of Part 309 of Public Act No. 451 of 1994 as amended. Act 186 of the 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 assessments 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 by letter filed with the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner, Attention: Mike Walsh, P.E., Building 95 West, One Public Works Drive, Waterford, Michigan 48328-1907 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 has been published in a newspaper of general circulation. Lake Improvement Board for Lake Neva S.C. 8-17 & 8-24-11 VILLAGE OF WOLVERINE LAKE (248) 624-1710

PUBLIC HEARING

SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS WATER INFRASTRUCTURE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT (SAD) NOTICE is hereby given that the Wolverine Lake Village Council will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at Village Hall, 425 Glengary Road, Wolverine Lake, MI 48390, to receive public comment and/or objections regarding the creation of a Special Assessment District (SAD) for City Water Infrastructure. Plans and estimates of costs are on file with the Village Clerk for public examination during regular business hours. The proposed Special Assessment District (SAD) for Sanitary Sewer Improvements includes all of the properties on and abutting Lakeview, Meadowlane and a portion of Ladd Road.

City of Walled Lake Planning Commission

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Pursuant to Section 24.02(c) of the City of Walled Lake Zoning Ordinance, a notice is hereby given that the Planning Commission of the City of Walled Lake will hold a public hearing at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, for the purpose of considering a zoning amendment to rezone the property at 500 Pheasant Lane, specifically Parcel ID number 92-17-27-451-017, from RM-2, Multiple Family Residential District to RM-3, Multiple Family Residential District. The public hearing will be held at the Walled Lake City Hall, 1499 E. West Maple Road, Walled Lake, MI 48390. Additional information is available for review at the City Hall and may be viewed Monday through Friday during regular business hours. You may attend the meeting in person or by representative and ask to be heard or you may send written comment prior to the hearing to:

17-27-151-004 17-27-151-005 17-27-151-006 17-27-151-007 17-27-152-001 17-27-152-002 17-27-152-003 17-27-152-004 17-27-152-005 17-27-152-006 17-27-152-007 17-27-152-008 17-27-152-009 17-27-152-010 17-27-152-011 17-27-152-012

17-27-153-002 17-27-153-003 17-27-153-004 17-27-153-005 17-27-153-008 17-27-153-015 17-27-153-016 17-27-153-017 17-27-153-018 17-27-153-019 17-27-153-020 17-27-153-021 17-27-154-001 17-27-154-003 17-27-154-006 17-27-155-001

17-27-155-003 17-27-156-001 17-27-156-028 17-27-156-029 17-27-157-012 17-27-157-017 17-27-157-020 17-27-157-024 17-27-157-025 17-27-157-026 17-27-157-027 17-27-157-028 17-27-158-003 17-27-158-006 17-27-158-007 17-27-157-010

17-27-158-025 17-27-158-027 17-27-158-028 17-27-158-029 17-27-158-030 17-28-277-005 17-28-277-006 17-28-277-007 17-28-277-008 17-28-277-009 17-28-277-010 17-28-277-011 17-28-277-016 17-28-277-017 17-28-277-018 17-28-277-019 17-28-277-020

17-28-277-021 17-28-277-024 17-28-277-025 17-28-277-026 17-28-278-004 17-28-278-005 17-28-278-006 17-28-278-007 17-28-278-008 17-28-279-001 17-28-279-005 17-28-280-001 17-28-280-002 17-28-280-003 17-28-280-004 17-28-281-026 17-28-281-028

Public comment, written or oral, is encouraged. Sharon A. Miller Village Clerk

SC: 8-24-11

CITY OF ORCHARD LAKE VILLAGE

SUMMARY OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING August 15, 2011

Jennifer Stuart, Building Secretary 1499 E. West Maple Road Walled Lake, MI 48390 248-624-4847 (phone) 248-624-1616 (fax) SC: 8-24-11

At the August 15, 2011 Regular Council Meeting, Council took the following action: • Held a Public Hearing on vacating a portion of Willow Lane and authorized to sell the property if approved by a vote of the people; • Tabled action of a request to the Zoning Board of Appeals for lot coverage for an additional at 3294 Wards Pointe; • Approved a request to the Zoning Board of Appeals for setbacks from the right-of-way and height for a ground sign at 4129 & 4105 Orchard Lake Road; • Approved a request to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a lakeside setback for a retaining wall at 5221 North Bay; • Approved the removal of a landmark tree at 3870 Lakeview; • Adopted the Fee Collection Ordinance; • Authorized a contract with Clinton River Watershed Council; • Authorized a Municipal Credit Contract with SMART; Bruce H. McIntyre, Mayor Rhonda R. McClellan, City Clerk S.C. 8-24-11

AUGUST 24-30, 2011

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WEST OAKLAND SUPER WANT ADS

SUPER RATES! SUPER REACH! PHONE 248.360.7355 â&#x20AC;˘ Mon.-Fri. 8:30-5 FAX 24/7â&#x20AC;˘ 248.360.5308

WANT ADS APPEAR ON www.spinalcolumnonline.com

NOTICES MERCHANDISE 01-08

89-138

REAL LEISURE ESTATE TIME 12-22

142-159

MOBILE RECREATION HOMES BOATS 42-43

NOTICES

Hartland

JUST LISTED! Reunions

West Oakland area school reunions. FREE for 4 weeks within a 13 week period (27 word limit). Other Reunions Published 4 weeks for a total cost of $20 for 15 words; each additional 4 words $2. PONTIAC ST. Frederick All Class Reunion, Sept. 11. Tour of school from 9am-10:30am. Mass at 11. Lunch at Santia Hall, Keego Harbor. Tickets at the Madonna Shop or 248681-3964

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Houses For Sale

162-179

Clarkston

RENTALS

45-57

CARS, TRUCKS CYCLES 181-196

HELP PERSONAL WANTED SERVICES 60-75

JOBS WANTED

77-86

REPAIR IMPROVEMENT

SERVICES

ABSOLUTELY FREE WANT ADS â&#x20AC;˘ 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 noncommercial ads only. â&#x20AC;˘ Items under $25: Advertise an item for $25 or less and a 10word want ad is FREE. Special rates for items over $25. â&#x20AC;˘ 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. â&#x20AC;˘ Found: Found a lost item? We will run an ad for FREE (#3/Found) to help you find the owner. â&#x20AC;˘ Reunions (#4): Published FREE for 4 weeks.

CHARGE IT

DAVISBURG: BEAUTIFUL Well built 20-year old 3 bedroom brick home, 2 full baths, detached garage on sandy beach in Big Lake. By owner, $295,000. 248-625-4581.

Hartland

RARE OPPORTUNITY! Beautiful custom waterfront home on private all sports Long Lake plus 6 stall horse barn w/tack room, water & elec, hay barn & fencing. Peaceful 8.71 acres. Light bright kitchen w/granite counters, snack bar open to great room w/panoramic views. Large deck. Lakeside master suite. In-law quarters in finished walk out lower level w/ bath, sauna, kitchen & fireplace. 4 car garage. Easy access to US-23. $725,000.

England Real Estate (248)887-9736

IN PRINT and On-Line 24/7

DEADLINES MONDAY AT 5 â&#x20AC;˘ Word Ads â&#x20AC;˘ One-Column Ads

FRIDAY AT 5 â&#x20AC;˘ Display Ads â&#x20AC;˘ Free Ads â&#x20AC;˘ Cancellations/Corrections PUBLISHERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 newspaperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

VILLAGE CHARM! Large well kept home with 3 bedrooms, spacious kitchen, formal dining, office, enclosed porches, breezeway/laundry room, 2 car garage & 16x26 barn. $117,000. 3644 Avon St.

England Real Estate (248)887-9736

Waterfront home w/treed setting on all sports Lake Tyrone. 2 bedrooms, updated bath, 3 season room and detached 2 car garage. Land Contract Terms. $159,800.

PAGE 39

EXCLUSIVE ALL SPORT UPPER STRAITS LAKEFRONT OVER 100 FEET OF LAKE FRONTAGE HOME SITS ON OVER AN ACRE 1660 SF plus another 1660 SF finished lower level walkout TWO fireplaces Beautiful fieldstone fireplace in living room Another fireplace in lower level family room. Home sits on one of the nicer lots on much sought after exclusive allsports Upper Straits Lake in West Bloomfield.

England Real Estate (248)887-9736

MOBILE HOMES Mobile Homes for Sale

The house is original and needs some updating and TLC. It was built in 1948 and had updates along the way including a large deck. There are no known major problems. Same owner for 30+ years. The upper level has 2 bedrooms and 1 1/2 baths, living room, dining room and a nice 4 season sun room. The lower level has an additional 2 bedrooms, full bath, family room, laundry and plenty of storage.

Upper Straits Lake is private with no public access. Enjoy all the activities of an all-sports lake without the crowds.

Fawn Lake Pontiac Trail at Maple Pre-Owned Homes: $6,000 - $25,000 Rent: $385 - $400 PLUS MOVE-IN DISCOUNTS On Select Homes

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be listing the house soon, make an offer now for a better price. This is a great place to live, as well as a fantastic investment opportunity. This is a high-end area, check out homes prices on this lake!

SHOWN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY PLEASE THIS IS NOT A DISTRESS SALE!

(248) 624-0709

NO REALTORS PLEASE! We have talked with the Realtor we will use if we list.

RENTALS Commercial/ Industrial

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL

47 OR EMAIL

Boat & Pontoon Storage 20,000 sq. ft. of fenced in area, and 3,000 sq. ft. of shop area.

$3,000/ mo Located on M59 across from Oakland Pontiac Airport.

248-229-3299 Houses/ Condos

Asking $749,900

WALLED LAKE 3 Bedroom house, newly remodeled & freshly carpeted, Walled Lake view & access, fenced yard, petsok, $895 per month.

231-943-4152 Upperstraitshome4sale@charter.net

Â&#x192;Â?Â? Â&#x2122;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020; Â&#x201D;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2019;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2013;Â&#x203A;

$8&7,21 Â&#x2021;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030; Â&#x201E;Â&#x203A; Â&#x201D;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D; Â&#x2018;Â&#x2C6; Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2026;Â&#x192; Â&#x192;Â?Â?

3URSHUWLHV LQ 2DNODQG :D\QH /LYLQJVWRQ &RXQWLHV 0LFKLJDQ 7XHVGD\ Â&#x2021; 6HSWHPEHU Â&#x2021; 3 0 6DOH 6LWH 0DUULRWW &RXUW\DUG 3RQWLDF +RWHO ,QGHSHQGHQFH 7RZQVKLS 0, 'XSOH[ 6LWHV Â&#x2021; /RFDWHG RQ 6WRQHZRRG 3ODFH ,QGHSHQGHQFH 7RZQVKLS 0, Â&#x2021; -XVW 6RXWK RI 'L[LH +LJKZD\ Â&#x2021; 7KH 3DUNV DW 6WRQHZRRG 6XEGLYLVLRQ

:DWHUIRUG 7RZQVKLS 0, ,PSURYHG &RQGR 6LWHV Â&#x2021; /RFDWHG RQ &UHVFHQW /DNH 5RDG :DWHUIRUG 7RZQVKLS 0, Â&#x2021; 3DYLQJ 8QGHUJURXQG 8WLOLWLHV &RPSOHWHG IRU WKH &RQGR 6LWHV

3RQWLDF 0, 9DFDQW /RWV Â&#x2021; 9DFDQW /RW /RFDWHG RQ 6RXWK %RXOHYDUG 3RQWLDF 0, Â&#x2021; 9DFDQW /RW /RFDWHG RQ ,UZLQ $YHQXH 3RQWLDF 0,

2[IRUG 7RZQVKLS 0, $FUHDJH 7UDFW Â&#x2021; $FUHV RQ %DOGZLQ 5RDG 2[IRUG 0, Â&#x2021; ,GHDO +RPH 6LWH Â&#x2021; =RQHG 5

olivermich@mac.com 248-755-5073

Â&#x2021; /FRDWHG DW :HVW -HIIHUVRQ $YH DW (DVW $QFKRU 6W 5LYHU 5RXJH

KEEGO HARBOR

Â&#x2021; /FRDWHG DW (DJHU 5RDG 2FHORD 0, Â&#x2021; $FUHV

1 1/2 story bungalow with appliances, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, fenced yard, shed, basement, West Bloomfield Schools, NO PETS. Great neighborhood with park & bike path near by.

$750 per month

248-363-1231 WEST BLOOMFIELD Lake privileges, 2 bedroom, fenced yard, carport. Brand new, totally remodeled. New kitchen and bathroom. Wood floors, appliances. Lease

$1000/month. Sec. Dep. References. 248-568-6119

WATERFORD

Stunning 5 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2,400 sq. ft. colonial in pristine condition. Nicely wooded backyard, large deck, second floor laundry, kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play bonus room, granite countertops, jacuzzi tub, finished basement, and theater room. $150,000.

248-990-6446 LORI ANDERSON www.SOLDin58days.com

Office 734-662-8600 ext. 120

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$/62 6(//,1* 3523(57,(6 $&5266 0,&+,*$1 &RPPHUFLDO 5HVLGHQWLDO 2IÂżFH /DQG 0RUH 6HSWHPEHU WK WK WK 3URSHUW\ LQ .HQW 0XVNHJRQ 6DJLQDZ 0LGODQG 0DFRPE :DVKWHQDZ &RXQWLHV &DOO IRU D )UHH %URFKXUH %URNHU &R 2S $YDLODEOH RQ $OO 3URSHUWLHV

For More Information Call

800-841-9400 www.hudsonmarshall.com 6WHYHQ / 5HHVHU

Fabulous 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2,300 sq. ft. ranch features large chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kitchen with Corian and center island. Large master suite with jacuzzi tub and ceramic tile, hardwood floors, recessed lighting, large open floor plan with vaulted ceilings, large deck open to private wooded lot. $209,900.

248-990-6446 LORI ANDERSON www.SOLDin58days.com

Office 734-662-8600 ext. 120

PAGE 40

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Apartments

☺ WALLED LAKE 1 Bedroom Apartments 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath Town Homes * $300 Moves You In*

Rooms/Share Quarters

BUSINESS WOMAN looking to share 2 bedroom apartment in Novi, with female. $400 plus utilities. Call for information. 248-787-2059 SMALL COZY Furnished, non smoking room, cable, a/c. $95 per week, White Lake. 248820-1777

1st Month FREE

248-624-6606 EHO www.cormorantco.com * Call For Details *

Pontiac Lake 1 bedroom (newly renovated).

$395 Includes all utilities except electric, Security Deposit, Call after 12 noon for availability:

White Lake Apts 248-626-7857 Apartments For Rent SPECIAL 1 or 2 bedroom apartments. Heat and water paid. No pets. In City of Milford.

(248)477-9192 COME SEE US NOW WIXOM * MOVE IN SPECIAL* 2 BEDROOM ONLY, $595 Will Move You In !

•Playground/Pool •Free Heat & City Water

Town & Country Apartments •48200 W. Pontiac Trail

•Between Beck & Wixom Rd.

CALL US TODAY !

(248)624-3194

HELP WANTED General/ Help Wanted

DRY CLEANER Looking for counter help and shirt presser. Full or Part Time.

Call before noon 248-694-4933 OFFICE CLEANING EVENINGS MONDAY THRU FRIDAY

NOVI AREA 6:30pm-10:30pm shift 6:30pm-11:30pm shift 7pm-12am shift

CORPORATE CLEANING GROUP

248-313-9880 Answer Phones & Warehouse Work $9.00+ per hour FT/ PT good phone skills req. Wixom office.

248-821-3170 CHILD CARE Lead and or assistant child care givers needed, Commerce area. Full or part time. Experience preferred. Flexible, paid holidays. Call Becky or Amy Z

General/ Help Wanted

Let’s Grow Michigan. Are you looking for a new career? Would like to own your own business? We are the largest real estate broker and last year we sold over 17,000 properties. We expect to surpass that in the coming year.

Join us as we grow Michigan. Contact Mary Nicole 800-370-5816 or marynicole@ realestateone.com

DIRECT CARE Instructors to work with disabled adults. Looking for caring people at our vocational program in West Bloomfield, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4p.m.

248-669-5530 WAREHOUSE ASSISTANT Medical Distributor locate in Commerce Township is currently looking for a FT warehouse assistant. This position requires preparation of merchandise for pick-up & delivery. Applicant need to posses a good Michigan Driving record and license.

Please Fax the resume to 888-566-0216 Life Care Supplies Please no phone calls CHILD CARE CENTER Seeking Preschool Teacher & Child Care Provider. Early childhood or child related field degree preferred. 35-40 hrs./ wk. Must be able to work til 6 p.m. Commerce Twp area. Call 10a.m.-3p.m.

248-669-6880 MAIDS

248-360-7743

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.

www.rlckids.com

248-674-5800

General/ Help Wanted

DISPATCHER Any Day - Any Shift

248-666-2110

West Hickory Haven Nursing Center is looking for a well- organized social worker with strong computer skills and a high level of professionalism Experience in Long-Term Care preferred. Email to Spetoskey@ peplinskigroup.com

DIRECT CARE WORKERS Great place to work! Full time and part time D.C.W. staff needed to assist challenged adults.Trained preferred or will train. White Lake, Waterford Lake Orion Twp., Walled Lake areas. 248-335-3547

www.SOLDin58days.com

Administration

To Apply please email: askarhr@yahoo.com or Fax: 248-888-0011

Office Duties Include: Accounting, Clerical, Billing and Administrative Tasks. Must have Proficient Computer Skills and Office Experience. Benefits, Health Insurance and 401K Retirement. Apply in Person & Contact JJ for interview Tues., Wed., & Thurs. 9 am-4 pm

4527 Old Plank Rd. Milford, MI 48381

Office 734-662-8600 ext. 120

Two, full time, entry level Administration positions available in Bloomfield Hills. Michigan. Duties ill include providing general support to office and management staff. computer skills are necessary (Microsoft Office and Microsoft Outlook)

HELP WANTED

248-990-6446 LORI ANDERSON

Director of Social Services

Office/ Clerical

(248) 685-0961 X231

We're doubling our staff!

Full or Part time Day or Night

Medical/ Dental

Sales Positions

Real Estate Career

TAXI & AIRPORT DRIVERS WANTED

FARMINGTON

Stunning 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath, 2,300 sq. ft. cape cod with 2.5 car side entry garage, extra large family room and recreation room. $155,000.

SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

•Do you like working with new people and new situations? •Do you have good problem solving skills? •Do you have a "Sky is the limit mentality"? If you said, "Yes", call me.

Kathy Solan 248-363-8300 248-348-6430 Real Estate One SALES ASSOCIATE Trendy boutique in Novi is seeking an outgoing individual with outstanding customer service & sales skills. Must have 1 year's sales exp., able to work weekends, & holidays. Email resume to missymalesky@gmail.com

Baby/Pet/ House/ Sitting

Senior/Child Care

Used/Wanted

To come to our home 6am to 3:30pm. Three days a week, days will rotate. 2 boys. Beacon hills area. $35 a day for one, $50 if watching both children. Background checks will be required

FREE TO THE COMMUNITY ! August 25, 5-8pm Open House. 6:30pm Children's Nature Program. Pet Adoption. Family Fun. By English Oaks Montessori

Christian Academy, Preschool, Kindergarten, Toddler & Infant Programs. 891 Union Lake Rd., White Lake Mi. 48386

248-363-8100 (1/2 mile N. of Cooley Lake Rd.)

OTHER OPEN HOUSES: August 18, 19, 30, 31. 67:30pm

Day Care in Commerce Twp. Homemade food. Space available for full or part time kids. Great locationLow prices. Hours 7-6pm.

Aluminum .30-.70¢/lb., Copper $2.20-$3.00/lb., Brass 1.10- 1.70¢/lb, Auto Rads. .90-1.25¢/lb. 1123 Decker, Walled Lk

Mann Metals Corp. (248)960-1200 Absolutely Free

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. COLLEGE LOFT Great condition 96"X41"X60" Tall or cut to size. Quick/ easy assembly, you pick up 248-613-2616 SOFA- GOOD Condition, absolutely free, you pick up, White Lake area. 248-8891720

Auction/Estate Sales101

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE Used/Wanted

SCRAP METAL

Call Julie 248-225-6559

Day Care Provider

248-872-5019

JOBS WANTED

SEA-DOO JET Skis wanted dead or dying. 1995 on ups. $200- $1400. Top $ for XP's & 947/951 or larger motors. Call Steve at 231-943-4152

LARGE ESTATE SALE September 9, 10 & 11 on Upper Straits Lake. Watch The Spinal Column Classifieds Aug. 31 & Sept.7th for details. You don't want to miss this sale!

Auction/Estate Sales101

Large ANTIQUE FURNITURE AUCTION Sat. Aug. 27 - 10am Oakland County Fairgrounds, 12451 Andersonville Rd., Davisburg. Purchased to furnish a string of bed & breakfast establishments. Owner called off plans. All antiques must be sold. 100's of pcs. of quality antique & decorator furniture.

Coin collection on Sunday, Aug. 28. Chuck Cryderman & Assoc./ Gary M. Berry Auctioneers Ph. 586-784-8890 or 248-299-5959 for details: garymberry.com or crydermanauctions.com

Garage Sales

103

COMMERCE MOVING. ELLIPTICAL, furniture, books, household items, clothing. 8759 War Bonnet. Thursday Thru Sunday 10-4 THURSDAY, FRIDAY, Saturday, 9a.m.-2p.m. 3149 Greennlawn, 48382. Vending machine, household. FRIDAY, SATURDAY, 9a.m.-4p.m. 8291 Golf Lane Drive off Union Lake Road. Patio furniture, yard tools, household items, etc. THURSDAY, FRIDAY, Saturday, 9a.m.-5p.m. 484 West Beechdale off Carroll Lake Road. Baby items, clothes, toys, etc.

Pre-Licensing Class September 19, 21, 22 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. September 26, 28, 29 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Contact Mary Nicole 248-684-1065 MaryNicole@RealEstateOne.com •Are you looking for a new career? •Would you like to own your own business? We’re Michigan’s largest real estate broker and last year we sold over 17,000 properties. We expect to surpass that in the coming year.

Join us as we grow Michigan.

AUGUST 24-30, 2011

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

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PAGE 41

P. TW RD O F MIL

GE LA VIL RD O F MIL

$649,900

STUNNING 90 FT. OF MAIN LAKEFRONT ALL-SPORTS CASS LAKE •2,778 sq. ft., 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 2 fireplaces •2+ car garage, 3 decks, dock, seawall, shed #211063900 (800) 396-5205 X231

STONE HOLLOW SUB – CUSTOM BUILT 2.62 ACRE LOT •5 bed, 3.5 bath, 3,671 sq. ft. + 1,627 walkout •Attached 3 car, 2.5 car carriage house garage #211019535 (800) 396-5205 X265

2900 Union Lake, Suite 210 Commerce, MI 48382

M XO WI

RD FO MIL

LOO

B W.

$750,000

$759,900

CUSTOM BUILT - ALL-SPORTS MACEDAY LAKEFRONT!! •4 bed, 4 bath, all brick + fin. walkout •5,200+ sq. ft., 1st & 2nd flr. masters, 3 car #211017553 (800) 396-5204 X296

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L ITE WH

$499,900

STUNNING COUNTRY ESTATE ON 2.18 ACRES •3,200 sq. ft. + fin. walkout, 4 bed, 3.5 bath •Huge mstr., fireplace, bar, sauna, 3 car #211086533 (800) 396-5204 X282 . WP ET AK L ITE WH

E AK

248-366-7200 $399,900

CUSTOM QUALITY BUILT 1.14 PRIVATE ACRE ESTATE •4 bedroom, 4 full bath, 2,900+ sq. ft. •Fin. daylight basement, 3 car/workshop, patio #211023447 (800) 396-5204 X241

ST WE

LD FIE OM O BL

$374,900

INCREDIBLE HOME BACKS TO PROTECTED PRESERVE •3,412 sq. ft. + fin. walkout, 4 bed, 3.5 bath •5 car heated garage/workshop, deck #211083152 (800) 396-5204 X240

Lakes Area’s #1 Team! Zillow - Preferred Agent

RD FO TER WA

$329,900

SPRING MEADOW SUB BEAUTIFULLY UPDATED IN 2006 •2,962 sq. ft., 4 bed, 2.2 bath, fireplace •Cathedral master - jet tub, 1st flr laundry #211085166 (800) 396-5204 X252 S ILL NH TO G N MI FAR

$209,900

$324,900

DEEDED BOAT SLIP ON ALL-SPORTS COMMERCE LAKE •3,019 sq. ft., 4 bed, 3 bath, 2 fireplaces •Daylight basement, deck, courtyard garage #211073119 (800) 396-5204 X224 P. TW RD FO R TE WA

. WP ET RC E MM CO

BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED GREEN VALLEY SUB SPECIAL •2,766 sq. ft. + fin. walkout, 4 bed, 3.5 bath •2 kitchens, fireplace, cul-de-sac lot, deck #211074305 (800) 396-5204 X234 P. TW RD O F TER WA

FULL LOG RANCH ON BEAUTIFUL & PRIVATE TREED 1.12 ACRE •4 bedroom, 3 bath, 1,863 sq. ft., fin walkout •2 story fireplace, Florida room, 3+ car attached #211035240 (800) 396-5205 X299

BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED HOME ON LARGE LOT •1,740 sq. ft., 3 bed, 2.5 bath, updated kitchen •Cathedral family rm, fireplace, fin. basement #211089252 (800) 396-5204 X228 P. TW LD E I F OM BLO W.

$149,900

SHARP 2002 BUILT RANCH CONDO •2 bedroom, 3 bath, hardwood flrs, fireplace •Fin. basement, wet bar, bed 3, 2 car garage #210054085 (800) 396-5204 X259

$129,900

steve@TheStocktonTeam.com

M XO WI

L ITE WH

QUIET CUL-DE-SAC & BACKS TO NATURE PRESERVE •1,575 sq. ft. + fin. walkout, 3 bed, 2.5 bath •Isle kitchen, family rm, fireplace, vaulted bath #211079134 (800) 396-5204 X201

$124,900

HOME BACKS TO SUB PARK AND WALKING PATH •1,438 sq. ft. + fin. lower level, 3 bed, great rm •Snackbar kitchen, family rm, 2 car garage #211089004 (800) 290-9994 X247

EL AK

$79,500

UPDATED RANCH - 100 FT. WIDE LOT + TREES AND IMMEDIATE MOVE-IN •Recent paint/carpet, 3 bed, new appliances •Oversized 2+ attached garage, deck, fenced #211074621 (800) 290-9994 X243

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P. TW ND LA H HIG

$149,900

$159,900

WHITE LAKE WATERFRONT FABULOUS RANCH CONDO – RANCH WITH WALKOUT SERENE COUNTRY SETTING •2 bed, 2 bath, vaulted great room, fireplace •1,661 sq. ft., 3-4 bedroom, 2 bath, great rm •Daylight basement, 2 car attached garage •Family room w/fireplace, enclosed carport #211026322 (800) 396-5204 X260 #211079992 (800) 290-9994 X236 . WP ET RC E MM CO

. WP ET RC E MM CO

$299,900 ALL-SPORTS LOWER STRAITS LAKEFRONT SPECIAL •2 houses @ price of 1 •Remod 3 bed, 1 ba, garage •Lake house 1,768 sq. ft., 4 bd, 2 ba, needs TLC #211073682 (800) 396-5204 X232

$259,900 $224,900 CHARMING HOME ON GORGEOUS HOME ON LARGE, ALL-SPORTS WATKINS LAKE NICELY LANDSCAPED LOT •1,170 sq. ft., 3 bed, deep treed lot, fireplace •2,551 sq. ft., 3 bed, 2.5 bath, granite kitchen •Basement, 2 car garage, huge storage loft •Fireplace, mstr w/California closet, fin basement #211078354 (800) 396-5204 X251 #211069940 (800) 396-5204 X220

$184,900

$199,900

GORGEOUS 1.37 ACRES WOODED LOT ON HURON RIVER •2,160 sq. ft., 4 bed, 2 bath, 1st flr. laundry •Great room, formal dining, basement, 2 car #211082673 (800) 396-5204 X233

M XO WI

SHARP RANCH - TREED LOT OVERLOOKING CROSS LAKE •3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,321 sq. ft., updates •Part finished basement, deck, 3 car garage #211064266 (800) 396-5205 X204

Direct:

248-755-7600 248-755-7500

janet@TheStocktonTeam.com

$149,900

$219,900

. WP ET RC E MM CO

Direct:

P. TW CE ER M M CO

RD FO TER A W

GORGEOUS GERUNDEGUT BAY ALL-SPORTS CASS LAKE •Remodeled ranch, stone fireplace, dining rm •Corian counter kitchen, tile, crown molding #211027050 (800) 396-5204 X280

Janet Steve

$274,900

$299,900

ALL-SPORTS OXBOW LAKEFRONT 1.19 TREED ACRE LOT •3,271 sq. ft. + fin walkout, 4 bed, 3.5 bath •Windows galore, multi decks, 3+ garage, dock #211075518 (800) 396-5204 X271 P. TW CE ER M M CO

CE ER MM CO

219 FT. FRONTAGE TO ALL-SPORTS WILLIAMS LAKE •3 bedroom, 2 bath, Florida rm, deck •Great rm w/fireplace, deck/dock, shed #211089314 (800) 396-5204 X248

$374,900

$329,900

BEAUTIFULLY UPDATED CEDAR ISLAND LAKEFRONT •2,302 sq. ft., 4 bedroom, 3 bath, l.c. terms •Great rm w/fireplace, new paint/carpet, 2 car #211089671 (800) 396-5204 X246

. WP DT IEL F OM BLO W.

$89,900 $40,000 ALL-SPORTS COMMERCE LAKEFRONT GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BUILDING LOT BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME •Gated community–Island Club, rare opportunity •3 parcels (90 x 101), sewer & water at street •Sub park, tennis courts, meeting gazebo •Sub beach and boating on Upper Straits Lake #211038619 (800) 396-5204 X207 #211032130 (800) 290-9994 X221

www.TheStocktonTeam.com

PAGE 42

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SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

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211070398 - $95,000

211079839 - $575,000

211036868 - $129,000

211069633 - $325,000

211056180 - $129,900

211043195 - $56,500

UP-NORTH LIVING 1.45 ACRES 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, oak cabinets, newer roof, 3 car detached garage

GORGEOUS HOME 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 2 story great room, gourmet kitchen

MODERN RANCH 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, open floor plan, master suite with walk-in closet

CUSTOM BUILT HOME 4 bedrooms, 3.1 bath, open great room, breakfast nook, hardwood floors, gas fireplace

GORGEOUS SETTING 2.2 ACRES 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, large family room with fireplace, master 2 closets, barn/shed

FOX HILLS CONDO 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, doorwall to deck, clubhouse, pool, tennis court

K OA YAL RO

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RD FO MIL

D IEL MF LOO B W.

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211072511 - $350,000

211075547 - $250,000

211014823 - $239,900

211085668 - $165,000

211079367 - $65,000

211053983 - $87,000

BEAUTIFUL ROLLING 10 ACRE HOME 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, open floor plan, 2 fireplaces, near Kensington, 30’x40’ pole barn

A PIECE OF PARADISE 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, open floor plan, quality decking

UPDATED TUDOR 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, hardwood floors, fireplace, granite kitchen

ARTS & CRAFTS BUNGALOW 4 bedrooms, 1.1 baths, updated, cove ceilings, new roof/furnace/central air

GREAT INVESTOR HOME 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths newer kitchen, natural fireplace

BRICK RANCH 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, large lot, central air

IEL

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TURED HOME A FE OF THE WEEK

D AN STL WE

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D AN STL WE

211037965 - $90,000

211083106 - $94,900

211030129 - $39,900

211043488 - $131,900

UNION LAKE PRIVILEGES 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, huge master suite, needs updating

IMPECCABLE BRICK RANCH 3 bedrooms, 1.1 baths, hardwood floors, oversized 2.5 car garage

RANCH CONDO 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, end unit, nice patio, move-in condition

MOVE IN CONDITION 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, hardwood floors, sprinkler system

E ERC MM O C

M XO WI

E ERC MM O C

D IEL MF OO L B W.

211084725 - $213,900

211047575 - $400,000

211078139 - $99,800

211054757 - $299,900

BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED HOME 3 bedrooms, 2.2 baths, backs to preserve, master suite, vaulted ceilings

COMMERCE LAKEFRONT 4 bedrooms, 3 baths almost 3/4 acres, finished walkout

WELL MAINTAINED RANCH 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, .80 acre, double lot, fireplace, 2 car garage

SPECTACULAR COLONIAL 4 bedrooms, 2.2 baths, spiral staircase, 2 fireplaces, hardwood

L ITE WH

E AK

L ITE WH

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211062309 - $155,000 RD FO TER WA

TON IGH BR

ON GT MIN FAR

OR RB HA GO E KE

211068744 - $890,000

211042316 - $57,500

211058061 - $129,900

211072484 - $67,900

211087729 - $115,000

211048408 - $100,000

WHITE LAKE FRONT 4 bedrooms, 3.1 baths, totally remodeled, finished walkout

TOTALLY UPDATED 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, doorwall to deck, lake privileges

ENJOY RESORT AMENITIES 3rd floor condo, 2 bedrooms, 3 baths, pool, sandy beach

UPPER UNIT CONDO 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, balcony, basement, 1 car garage

GREAT BRICK RANCH 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, beautiful 1/2 acre lot, natural fireplace

ADDITIONAL LOT 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, brick, vinyl ranch, 2 car garage

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211049438 - $74,000

211046016 - $269,000

211047838 - $68,400

211074688 - $110,000

211082623 - $189,900

211084891 - $450,000

NICE BUNGALOW 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, spacious kitchen, open living space

CUSTOM RANCH END OF CUL-DE-SAC 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, maple kitchen, hardwood floor, finished walkout, wet bar

ADORABLE CAPE COD 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, finished basement, many updates

CHARMING RANCH 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, hardwood floors, vaulted ceiling

NEW DETACHED RANCH CONDO 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, hardwood flooring, gas fireplace

LAKEFRONT DREAM HOME 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, gourmet kitchen, 1st floor master suite

Denotes a Real Estate One Virtual Tour

Lakes Area (248) 363-8300

AUGUST 24-30, 2011

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

BECKY KATZMAN McCARTHY 248-790-9915

PAGE 43

BJ JASCHUK

CHERYL YEAGER 248-310-8077

(248) 684-1065, ext. 308

cherylyeager.com cherylyeager@yahoo.com

(248) 891-5159

Lakes Area Specialist

rmccarthy@RealEstateOne.com NE

GREAT RANCH ON 1/2 ACRE LOT! Great brick ranch nestled on beautiful 1/2 acre lot in desirable sub! Features, approximately 1,800 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, spacious kitchen with eat-in area, separate dining room, both living room and family room with natural fireplace, big master bedroom with doorwall and tons of closet space, huge screened in Florida room overlooking scenic, private, fenced yard, 2 car attached garage, close to shopping & freeways. $115,000. Call Becky for details.

ICE

BEAUTIFUL COLONIAL ON ALL-SPORTS LAKE! Spacious kitchen with island and pantry, separate dining room, family room with fireplace, library/den, Andersen windows throughout with views of lake, 3/4 huge bedrooms, master bedroom with balcony with lake views, 3 full baths. 6 panel doors throughout, full basement with 8 ft. ceilings and storage, deep 2 car attached garage, deep scenic lot with sandy bottom lake. Newer home built on old foundation. Immaculate. $459,000. Call Becky 248-790-9915.

W NE

ICE

WHITE LAKE RANCH Desirable Whispering Meadows Sub, cul-de-sac setting, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, hardwood floors, first floor laundry, maple kitchen, vaulted great room with natural fireplace, skylights, Andersen windows, 4 door walls, vaulted master suite, spa tub, awesome finished walkout lower level, huge wet bar, well landscaped, sprinklers. $269,000 (cy1047T)

NICE LAND FOR YOUR NICE NEW HOME. BRING AN OFFER. 2.3 acres in growing area of Howell. Sits on private road with 7 homes. Some trees and gently rolling. 172 ft. of road frontage. Shopping is close by. Offered at $39,900 211034799

Diane & Mary strive to make your transaction seamless from start to finish. Let our TEAM guide you through the process. SELLING REAL ESTATE SINCE 1980

Denotes a Real Estate One Virtual Tour

susigollinger@hotmail.com

TIN

LIS

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TOP PRODUCER

$219,900 - BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED Finished basement. Private setting backs to nature preserve.

4,400 SQ. FT. OF SUMMER FUN! Sandy beach front, 4 beds, 3.1 baths! Plus finished walkout. $450,000

(248) 310-9002

Cell 248-245-6090 realestateone.com/mshields

TRULY A MUST SEE!!!! The only way to describe this home… “BEAUTIFUL”

Associate Broker - A.B.R.

MARY SHIELDS

Cell 248-921-8152 www.realestateone.com/dianeb

OXBOW LAKEFRONT Private all-sports, 105 ft. of main lakefront, estate size lot offering loads of potential, home will require some work, 2 garages, great storage, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, natural fireplace, quiet peninsula street. $178,000 (CY10188L)

SUSI GOLLINGER

MEET THE POWER TEAM DIANE BUCHANAN

O DC

E AK

$890,000 - LAKEFRONT BEAUTY! 100 ft. of frontage on all-sports lake. This home is amazing throughout.

BRING ALL OFFERS $155,000

Private, not all-sports Allen LAKEFRONT. Clean, sprawling brick ranch on large lot. Three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 fireplaces, finished walkout basement, nicely landscaped. Not a short sale or Bank Owned!! 255H

FOR ALL SHOWINGS CALL SUSI

Lakes Area (248) 363-8300 • 8430 Richardson

PAGE 44

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

Visit us at 560 N. Milford Rd., Milford RAL NATU

PL FIRE

ACE

ION! LOCAT

TION! LO CA

$165,000 GREAT FAMILY SUB! •1,800 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 1.2 baths, basement, 2 car attached garage • Open floor plan •Great room with natural fireplace • Walk to downtown •211043331

R STO

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S 102 UN. 8 0 E /28, . CO 1-4 MM PM ERC E

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$28,000 LAKEFRONT CO-OP CONDO LIVING! •780 sq. ft., 1 bedroom, 1 bath, basement •Kitchen and bath updated •Large sunroom •211083873

ES ILEG RI V P LAKE

$170,000

ULAR TA C

$749,999

$135,000 CHARMING WIXOM RANCH! •1,388 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths •Hardwood floors •Patio with private yard with lake privileges •210132913

$344,900

$200,000

RES

AWESOME RANCH ON DUCK LAKE! •2,147 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 3 baths •Many updates, 2nd kitchen in walkout •Patio, covered deck, boat launch •211037456

KE K-LI PAR

$269,900

$226,500 5.03 BEAUTIFUL ACRES! •1,531 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 1.1 baths, basement, 2 car attached garage •Family room with brick hearth •Newer maple kitchen •Oak floors on main level •211063667

A 4.03

SPECTACULAR CUSTOM BUILT! •3,300 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 5.1 baths, basement, 3 car attached garage •Gourmet Brazilian cherry kitchen, granite counter tops •211022713

ES I LEG

AKE KL DUC

LAKE

$67,900

C SPE

PRIVILEGES ON DUNHAM LAKE! •2,280 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, basement, 2 car attached garage •Spacious home on 1/2 acre lot •Living room with hardwood floors •Finished lower level •211069616

LAKEFRONT ON CHARLICK LAKE! •1,765 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, basement, 2 car attached garage •Great room with vaulted ceilings •Gorgeous kitchen and dining area •Lake with dock •211075267

5.03

GREAT INVESTMENT! •Includes 3 structures •Main house: 1,199 sq. ft., 1 bedroom, 2 bath •Guest house: 400 sq. ft., 1 bedroom, 1 bath •2 car garage •211046843

$270,000 CUSTOM BUILT QUALITY HOME! •2,820 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, basement, 3 car attached garage •1.49 wooded acres •Living room with beautiful oak mantle •Open floor plan •211032090

$139,900 MOVE-IN READY! •1,700 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 1.1 baths, basement, 2 car attached garage •Colonial on large lot •Open kitchen and eating area •All appliances stay •211076905

RLI CHA

ALL-SPORTS THOMPSON LAKE! •1,747 sq, ft., 3 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, 2 car attached garage •Vaulted and cathedral ceilings throughout •Brick paver patio •211079387

V PRI LAKE

$169,900

$99,500

EFR LAK

NIAL

$689,900

A CR

$239,900 MOVE TO MAGICAL MILFORD! •1,865 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, basement, 2 car attached garage •Eat in kitchen with granite tops, new appliances, hardwood entry •211023966

LO CO

PRIVACY BY NATURE! •3,683 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 3.1 baths, basement, 3 car attached garage •41 beautiful acres •Horse barn with 5 stalls •Wrap around decking •211075949

A ON L MPS O H T

CUTE HOME AND GREAT LOCATION! •1,000 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, basement •Hardwood floors, open kitchen and eating area •Large deck and fenced in yard •211067202

1.49

$224,900 GREAT LOCATION! •2,300 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, basement, 2 car attached garage •Open floor plan •Master bedroom has 2 walk-in closet •Neutral decor throughout •211050122

$190,000 WALK TO DOWNTOWN MILFORD! •1,650 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, basement, 2 car attached garage •First floor master •Lots of storage space •Hardwood in many rooms •211049087

D F OR MIL

S C RE

BEAUTIFUL PARK-LIKE SETTING! •On 1 acre lot •2,772 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, basement, 2 car attached garage •Ideal floor plan with generous room sizes •211054233

RG 3 CA

$229,900 STUNNING RANCH ON 4.03 ACRES! •1.700 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2.1 baths, basement, 2 car attached garage •Open floor plan with tall ceilings •Hardwood floors •Huge deck •211078296

Serving Milford & Surrounding Areas - 248.684.1065

GE A RA

$499,000 STUNNING HOME AND LAND! •3,691 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 3.1 baths, daylight basement, 3 car attached garage •Custom kitchen •Luxury baths •Master with walk in closet •211024932 ©Real Estate One, Inc., 2011

AUGUST 24-30, 2011 Garage Sales

103

www.spinalcolumnonline.com Garage Sales

103

COMMERCE

WEST BLOOMFIELD

FRIDAY, SATURDAY, Sunday. 9-3. 3049 Woodbury, across from Glengary Elementary. Huge sale, computer cables.

MULTI HOME GARAGE SALE

GARAGE SALE, 1856 Alton Circle, Aug. 25, 26, 27, 9am5pm, books, comics, records, household items, and much more. Follow signs from Pontiac Trail and Welch. 3301 GOVERNORS Lane August 26th, 27th, 9-6. furniture, household items. HIGHLAND 2490 FOXGROVE Cour t. August 26th thru 28th, 9-3 on craigslist.com WATERFORD

Multi Family Garage Sale 3640 Saginaw Trail, Dixie Hwy and Hatchery Thurs. thru Sat. 9-4 Furniture, paddle boat with motor, kitchenware, 35mm cameras. Great for college students or first time home buyers. reasonable price 491 SALUS Drive. Woods of Oakland Manor Subdivision. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 106. Multiple new clothing. Shoes, sweaters and more. Also new small appliances. All 50% to 75% off. Many used items. Antiques and furniture. reasonable priced and clean. WEST BLOOMFIELD 6721 LANGTOFT. Antiques, tools, shoes, clothing, handbags, jewelry, household items. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 95.

Aug. 25, 26, & 27 10a.m.-4p.m. 6619 Locustview Court & Cul de Sac, Green Lake & Commerce Rd Furniture, tools, antiques, kids toys/ clothes, camping equip. FRIDAY: 8A.M.-5p.m. & Saturday: 8a.m.-2p.m. 6356 Odessa, Greer/ Hiller area. WHITE LAKE THURSDAY, FRIDAY, 9a.m.5p.m. 253 Decca, M-59/ Teggerdine. Something For Everyone!

Lawn Tractors/ Mowers

109

ARIENS 911 SERIES Lawn mower - walk behind. 1991. Good condition. $80 248-6263912

Clothing/Apparel

119

5 GIRLS t-shirts and tops $10 248-666-9444

Appliances

122

GE GAS Stove, good condition, almond color, $100. 248802-1878

Furniture/Rugs

125

CRAFTMATIC ELECTRIC Queen size bed, $250. 248681-2260 KITCHEN TABLE with leaf $15 248-666-9444

WIXOM

6 Family Garage Sale Art/Crafts

1 Day Only Saturday 9-3 Women's and kid's clothing, toys, books, home goods, furniture.

4161 Warrington WOLVERINE LAKE ESTATE SALE: New/ old tools, furniture, household items. Thursday Friday. Saturday, 9-4. 800 Alberton.

Building Materials

105

36" PRE-HUNG interior door, $20. 248-960-4678 PELLA DOUBLE window 69inches X 48inches. NEW! New construction. Cost $650. Asking $150. 248-462-4886

Reasons To Use West Oakland Service Firms

128

ANNUAL FINE ART SALE Friday 10-4, Saturday 10-2 Originals painting, hand painted furniture, prints. 361 Walled Lake Drive Walled Lake K. Latimer, Artist

Odds N Ends

138

ART & Calligraphy Studio & Home Goods Sale 8162 Cooley Lake Rd. in Paschke Plaza Thurs. 10-5, Fri. 10-4 Sat. 10-2 Odds N Ends

EUROPEAN TIN Stovetop Espresso maker, new in box, $10. 248-534-7004

LEISURE TIME

15FT. STARCRAFT open bow, 88hp. Evinrude, and trailer. $2000. 248-682-8239

DAVE'S MOBILE MARINE •Pontoon Hauling •Inboard & Outboard Repair "We Come To You" •Buy & Sell Motors

(248)666-9248 Boat & Pontoon Hauling Local & long distance Shrink wrap- Winterization

Tritube hauling specialist Winter storage $199.99 Pontoons for sale Tom 248-681-4250 seaway5@comcast.net 2009 G3 V boat 14.6" long aluminum, 61" beam, v bottom haul gauge .064, bottom width 50". only used 3 times $1,300 OBO 248-363-1210 TRAILER HITCH- Draw Tite heavy duty 2". $25 248-6984168

Campers

176

1977 31' Airstream exella 500 new brakes, tires, bearings, new 21' zippdee awning. $5,000 firm 248-387-0185 2004 MONTANA 5TH Wheel 2 slide outs, used for 1 trip, extras, non smoking $19,900 248-762-0225

CARS/TRUCKS MOTORCYCLES Wanted Parts/ Salvage

181

UNWANTED AUTOS LLC TOP $ Paid For Any: • Junk • Non Running • Wrecked Cars.

Sports/Recreational146

FREE TOWING. SAME DAY PICK UP

DUNLOP GOLF driving iron. graphite $15 248-553-4967

(248)467-0396

BOATS/ OUTDOOR Wanted Boats/Jet Skis/ Parts 162

• They are part of the community

SEA-DOO JET SKIS WANTED DEAD OR DYING. 1995 on ups. $200$1400. Top $ for XP's & 947/951 or larger motors. Call Steve 231-943-4152

• They are ready & eager to serve

Cars 164

138

• Up-to-date listings allow for seasonal or changing conditions • They offer a variety of services to meet your needs

Boats/Motors/ Trailers

Motorcycles

183

2004 YAMAHA R1- 1000 motorcycle. Many extras, must see. $4,500. (248)9789246

MOTORCYCLEGUARANTEE See First Want Ad Page

PAGE 45 187

Auto Auction 9-6 @ 10 am 96 Cavalier 1G1JF5248W7198318 01 PT Cruiser 3C8FY68BX2T209939

909 N Milford Rd Highland, MI 248-467-0396

SALES GUARANTEE Autos, Vans, Trucks See First Want Ad Page CAMARO 1995 red, beige leather interior, V6, automatic, aluminum wheels, original owner $3,800 248-202-5681 CHEVROLET CAPRICE 1986, Loaded, one owner- like new. $7,500. 248-685-0289

HADLEY'S TOWING 24825 HATHAWAY FARMINGTON HILLS Auction: 8-30-11 9a.m 1. 1997 Chevy Astro Vin#1GBDM14W3VB127702 2. 2000 Pontiac Bonneville Vin# 1G2HY54K1Y4206957 3. 1995 Nissan Vin# JN8HD17Y9SWO17456 4. 1999 Pontiac Grand Am Vin# 1G2NE52T9XC533523 CHRYSLER SEBRING Convertible 1996. white body black top gray interior. always been garaged. 32,000 miles. $6,900 248-363-1210 THUNDERBIRD 2003 4,000 miles, never been in weather, triple black $24,900 248-3631210 SMART CAR 2008 4/2. Passion yellow. Many extras. 13,400 miles. $12,800 OBO. 248-242-6346

RC TOWING 46089 Grand River Novi Mi 48374 2000 Mazda 626 1YVGF22C7Y5159414

Motor Homes

193

CHEVROLET CLASS C 1991, Very low miles, $10,000. 248-685-0289

Vans

194

CHEVROLET EXPRESS Van 2005. 3/4ton, V8, air, cruise, tilt, p.s p.b, power windows, power locks, keyless entry, heavy duty locking differential, ziebart, tinted windows, original owner, highly maintained. $12,900 248-622-8910

Also Check Out the Auto Dealer Specials on Pages 47 - 48

Asphalt/Pavement 503

SEALCOATING • NO SPRAY • ASPHALT REPAIR + GRAVEL FILL SINCE 1983

(248)-623-7282 PAGER (248)-452-3240

Carpet Installation

PERSONAL/ SERVICES Tutoring/Lessons

354

HAVE FUN LEARNING TO PLAY THE PIANO

513

★

Quality Workmanship Residential-Commercial Over 30 years Experience STAMPED CONCRETE DRIVEWAYS FOOTINGS GARAGE FLOORS BLOCK WORK FREE ESTIMATES Michael (248)363-4783 MILFORD LOCATION

(248)684-5928 MARCUCCI CONCRETE As Seen on ABC TV "Extreme Home Makeovers" Satisfying Customers for Over 30 Years

BOB'S CARPET Has the best buys on all brand named carpet. Pad 1/2 8 lb $3 yd. Installation guaranteed. Also have heavy plush remnants $4 - 6 per yard

Call Bob (248)681-5771

•DRIVEWAY •PORCHES •FOUNDATIONS •BRICK •BLOCK •STAMPED/ COLORED Lic/Ins Visa/ MC Wixom

248-486-5900

515

Elegant Woodworking •Mantels •Fireplace Surrounds •Furniture •Entertainment Center •Custom Cabinets •Crown Molding •Kitchen Cabinets •Custom Bars Harold Canfield

(248)363-3804

Arrow Concrete Driveway Specials All Phases of Concrete Stamped Concrete 20 Years Experience Fully Lic. & Ins. www.arrowcement.com

elegant-woodworking.com

248-758-4346

Buying a Home? Let us

Look Before You Leap!

Beginners All Ages

248-313-9766

REPAIR/ IMPROVEMENT Appliance Repair

517

C&G CEMENT

KEITH'S

Cabinetry

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Cement/Concrete

502

TONY'S APPLIANCE SERVICE

Auction will be held at Yard 2 on August 29th, 10am

Servicing all Major Appliances. •Hot water tank

1237 E/W. Maple Rd Walled Lake MI 48390

(248)360-0213 (248)698-8819

Afford

able Home Inspections

Up to 170 components inspected in a typical three bedroom home. Computer-generated, comprehensive, easy-to-understand report summary. High resolution, color pictures provide a visual reference of problem areas. Reports are emailed to you and your Real Estate Agent. After inspection questions are always answered, even after you move into your home.

248-881-3478 Licensed Insured

4075 Echo Drive West Bloomfield

PAGE 46

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

LAKES AREA SERVICES (248) 360-7355

www.SpinalColumnOnline.com

Fax (248) 360-5308

IN PRINT and ON-LINE 24/7

Personal • Business • Maintenance • Improvements • Repair Cement/Concrete

517

Arrow Concrete Driveway Specials All Phases of Concrete Stamped Concrete 20 Years Experience Fully Lic. & Ins. www.arrowcement.com 248-758-4346

AFFORDABLE CONCRETE SERVICES Driveways, Patios, Sidewalks, Tear-outs, Replacements, Footings, Block work. Over 30 years experience.

Call Bob

248-579-3979 Doors

524

THE DOOR STOP Since 1980

Garage door springs and door openers repaired and/or replaced.

Call Anytime 248-624-4042 (cell) 248-640-6298 CERTIFIED OVERHEAD DOOR SERVICE

•Garage Doors •Repaired/ Services •New Doors/ Openers •Installed at Factory Pricing •Emergency Service Available

248-624-3161 Drywall

526

R & D DRYWALL •Hang & Finished •Small Repair •Texture Repair •Plaster Repair •Wet Sand

Ron (248)673-7665 Electricians

528

Electrical Specialist

20% OFF ALL LABOR

Master, Lic. & Ins., 25 years Experience. 24 Hour service, Free estimates. Outside plug, service upgrades, generator hook-up, all electrical jobs .

248-343-4238

Electricians

528

MASTER ELECTRICIAN Insured & State licensed, 25 years experience. Prompt, courteous service. Free estimates, All types of work. Competitive prices

(248)683-7985 Excavating

529

J.J.M BACKHOE SERVICE LLC Backhoe service & landscaping. 38 Years Experience. Small or Large Jobs. Fully insured. Free estimates.

(248)624-6458 AFFORDABLE DEMOLITION & SERVICES "Division of Rae Excavating" • BUILDING REMOVAL• • Sewer and Water • Storm Sewers • Trucking & Grading Licensed & Insured

248-624-4473 Flooring

536

EDWARD'S FLOOR COVERING •Linoleum •Ceramic Tile •Hardwood Floors •Laminate Wood 27 Years Exp. Free Est.

(248)684-5983

Handy Person

545

DU-IT-ALL HOME CARE IMPROVEMENTS Specials: •Ceramic Tile •Formica Tops & Kitchens •Exterior/Interior Painting Also, we do complete basements and all other interior work, including electric, plumbing, etc. Call today. Cell #

(248)891-7072 Licensed and Insured

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 QUALITY HOME REPAIR •Carpentery & Painting •Plumbing •Kitchen & Bath remodelingCounter tops, Cabinets •Home Improvements

248-820-1286 Licensed & Insured

Heating/Duct Work 546 Handy Person

545

D&S HOME REPAIRS REMODELING

THOMASON HEATING & COOLING

•Additions •Garages •Drywall •Painting •Plumbing •Electrical •Tile •Marble •Kitchens •Baths •Basements •Decks 33 Years ... Licensed

• Furnaces • Boilers • Air Cleaners •Air Conditioners •Humidifiers Service & Replacements

248-684-4175 810-714-3058

248-363-1615

FREE ESTIMATES ON INSTALLATION

Heating/Duct Work 546 HURON VALLEY HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING •Repair •Replace •Inspections •Humidifiers •Water Heaters •Night service available

(248)887-3666 Home Improvement 547 SHERMAN BLDG CO. •Additions •Garages •Decks •Rough & Trim Carpentry •Wood Siding •Basements •Kitchens •All outside wood repairs

248-682-1393 248-802-6554 Home Inspection

548

Buying A Home? Let Us Look Before You Leap! AFFORDABLE HOME INSPECTIONS Licensed Insured STERLING HOME SERVICES

248-881-3478 Lawn/Garden Services

553

A R T Outdoor Services, LLC Spring Clean-ups •

Lawn/Garden Services

Power Washing 553

College Student Looking for Lawn care, mulch/ stone & odd jobs Shawn Larkins 248-931-0295 Painting/ Decorating

562

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 SUMMER 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 567

DAVID MAROHN

www.artoutdoorservices.com

• Licensed & Insured • Plumbing Repairs Bathroom Remodel Drain cleaning •40 Years Experience •Quality Service

(248)625-5719

(248)363-4976

LADY LIBERTY ENTERPRISES Land Dec-

Premier Plumbing

Mulch Landscaping • Lawn Service Weeding • Fully Insured Residential & Commercial

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

571

Licensed & Insured Complete Plumbing Service

orating & Maintenance, LLC. Flower bed weeding, Mulching, Brick Pavers/Repairs, Boulder Walls, Lawn Maintenance, Spring Clean-ups, Tree & Shrub Pruning. Insured.

New Construction & Remodel Commercial & Residential

248-634-7041

248-363-5864

•Siding •Gutters & Leaf Guards •Soffits & Trimwork •Decks •Windows We accept Credit cards

Doug Dible 248-431-6243

ROOF LEAKS & WATER DAMAGE REPAIRS MAHER RESTORATION www.goMaher.com "Maher Makes It Happen"

248-926-6631 PRICE IS RIGHT ROOFING •Repairs •Re-Roofs •Chimney Repair •Metal Work •Flat Roofs •Complete Roof Packages. •Siding •Gutters

FREE Estimates 30 Years Experience

248-408-8795 ROOF REPAIRS Missing shingles replaced, Chimney flashing resealed, Leaks stopped, Vent stack flashing replaced, Complete roof inspection service, Guaranteed work. 30 yrs exp.

Call Doug Miller 248-360-0344 Siding

Tile

585

577

I.D.C.

Home Service Siding, Trim & Soffitt Guaranteed Professional Installation. Lic./ Ins. References available.

Bob: 248-363-0589 idchomeservice.com

Tree Service

J.M. TILE & MARBLE CUSTOM WORK •Remodeling •Quality Service •New Construction • Repairs •Grout Sealing • Licensed and Insured

John Miller (248)505-8865

D&D ROOFING

FARR'S PAINTING

Plumbing

569

jmtileandmarble.com

Trash/Debris Removal

KODIAK TREE SERVICE 25 years experience •Tree trimming •Tree & stump removal •70ft bucket lift •Free estimates •Insured

248-921-9097 Waterproofing

599

Dry Basements, LLC 586

Progressive Transportation Specializing in: •Appliances •Furniture •Debris Removal

Call anytime for estimates & great service

248-887-4892 Tree Service

587

LOUIE'S TREE SERVICE Tree Removal•Stump Grinding Firewood • Free Estimates 20 Yrs. Exp. • Fully Insured "Will Beat All Competitors" Residential • Commercial

248-240-6143 248-240-6142 248-366-1325

STUMP GRINDING AFFORDABLE

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

Free Estimates

All credit cards accepted

Prompt Services Fenced Yard Accessible

Insured. Call Todd

BOB WYCKOFF

248-425-0155

WELL DRILLING

MAXON'S TREE SERVICE

"If you have questions, we have answers!"

•Trimming •Tree Removal •Stump Grinding •Lot Clearing •Firewood & Woodchips "We now have wood fencing & deliver sand, gravel, top soil."

Licensed & Insured Free Estimates

(248)887-2190

•PUMPS •TANKS • WELL REPAIR

(248)310-0917

Emergency Service EASY PAYMENT PLANS No Credit Check Visa & MasterCard

AUGUST 24-30, 2011

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

PAGE 47

Union Lake Rd.

2199 HAGGERTY RD. At Pontiac Trail across from Lakes Professional Building

Commerce Rd.

www.morrismotorsmi.com R

Oakley Park

WALMART

OIL CHANGE

Must present coupon when order is written. Cannot be combined with any other offers. GM vehicles only. Plus tax and shop supplies. Expires 9/7/11.

GM PROTECTION PLAN Bring your GM Protection Plan Extended Service Contract to the dealer you know and trust! SERVICE CONTRACTS HONORED HERE

25 Off $ 15 Off

$ M

FREE

95*

+tax & dep. fee with coupon

Fuel Injection Service HELP IMPROVE YOUR GAS MILEAGE! Our factory-trained technicians will perform the following:

10% OFF

Any Service Over $175.00 Any Service Over $90.00

Any Make or Model

*Includes up to 5 quarts of oil and oil filter. Excludes synthetic oil and diesel engines. Most vehicles–see service advisor for exceptions. With this coupon. Coupon cannot be combined with any other offer. Expires 9/7/11.

•Pressurized cleaning of fuel injectors •Remove combustion chamber deposits •Clean air intake system •Three Part Fuel System

14 Mile Rd.

WILD CARD SPECIAL

~ COUPON ~

O I OTOR L

ACT NOW BEFORE OFFER EXPIRES

LIMITED TIME ONLY

Maple Rd. Haggerty Rd.

We will perform a complete computer scan and external diagnosis. If your vehicle displays a “Check Engine” or “Service Soon” bring this coupon in for diagnosis.

Walnut Lake Rd.

M-5

Service Special

Trail tiac Pon

Benstein Rd.

Check Engine Light Special or any Warning Light (ABS/Airbag)

ich

ard son 248-624-4500

Fuel filter Replacement

SAVE $30.00

Plus tax. Most GM cars and trucks. All coupons must be presented at time of write up. Offers cannot be applied with any other offers. Expires 9/7/11.

One coupon per customer. Coupons may not be combined with any other offer. Expires 9/7/11. Excludes oil changes, brake promotion, tires and SRTA’S. Valid only in our service department. Must present coupon when order is written. SC

Front End Alignment INCLUDES: • Set toe-in on applicable vehicles • Check tire pressure • Caster or camber and rear adjustments are extra

95 +tax

Must present coupon when order is written. Most vehicles. Cannot be combined with other coupons or discounts. Expires 9/7/11.

We Service All Makes and Models of GM Vehicles and most Domestic and Import models as well

WE OFFER: NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY • Most Repairs Completed Same Day • Enjoy your complimentary coffee while you wait Work With Most Insurance Companies • Expert Mechanics and Technicians • Full Paint or Touch-Ups • Expert Color Matching • We Handle Large or Small Jobs

Service, Parts and Body Shop Hours: Monday & Thursday 7 a.m.-8 p.m. • Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Celebrating

www.morrismotorsmi.com

Your Hometown Car & Truck Service and Maintenance Center for over 42 Years

YEARS 11 9-20 1 96

*Diagnosis extra, brake inspection extra.

FREE Estimates on Collision Repairs!

PAGE 48

www.spinalcolumnonline.com

SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY

Celebrating

YEARS 11 9-20 1 96

We Offer the Best Value for Less! Low Monthly Payments • Highest Quality Vehicles Purchasing a new sub-compact car can easily cost you $18,000 or more, and for that price, you’re still likely to have to compromise on features that are important to you.

Get the most from your car buying dollars, with all the features you need and want with a previously owned vehicle! OTHER FINE CARS & TRUCKS

OTHER FINE CARS & TRUCKS

2009 CHEVY IMPALA

2007 CHEVROLET TAHOE LTZ

Stock #1875

#P1895

29,799

Now

2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING

MANAGER’S SPECIAL Was $13,559

#P1913

12,977

13,980**

2008 FORD ESCAPE XLT

2009 DODGE CHARGER SXT

#P1937

#P1886

18,995

19,488**

2008 LINCOLN MKZ #P1940

17,544**

2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO #P1893

23,995

This Impala is Chevrolet’s flagship full-size sedan offering luxury at an affordable price. Built on a 110.5-inch wheelbase, the Impala is 200.4 inches long overall, 72.9 inches wide and 58.7 inches tall. Inside the Impala, flip-and-fold rear-seat cushions reveal a covered storage area and include grocery bag hooks. The rear seatback folds down to create a pass-thru into the trunk. Check out this featured equipment: remote ignition system, emergency trunk release, tire pressure monitor, alloy wheels, compass, child safety locks, trip computer, traction control system, daytime running lights, CD player, and power driver’s seat. EPA FUEL ECONOMY • City: 17-19 • Highway: 27-29

2007 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED #P2032

19,993**

2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA LTZ #P2023

17,499**

Find us on Facebook

2199 Haggerty Road @ Pontiac Trail Walled Lake • www.morrismotorsmi.com

248-624-4500

Morris Motors Michigan

Complete Inventory At: www.morrismotorsmi.com For Peace of Mind: most of our vehicles have warranty or service contracts available.

**For purchase with qualified credit approval. Prices are plus tax, title, license & doc fee. Call dealer for more details. Offer good thru 8/31/11. Subject to prior sale.

SALES HOURS: Mon. & Thurs.: 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Tues., Wed., Fri.: 8:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.