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PAGE 6 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN April 2, 2020

PLYMOUTH
PLYMOUTH

State grants to Republican Party leader questioned

Don Howard lic safety. and sewer to the area is $40 mil-
Staff Writer Legislators approved the fund- ” lion. Later the state attorney gen-
ing on the last day of the lame Legislators approved the funding eral's office said the grants were
Individuals involved in what duck Legislature session in legal and should be funded.
Plymouth Township officials December, 2018. The bill includ- on the last day of the lame duck According to Kurt Weiss, a
described as state funding of ed $115 million for small projects Legislature session in December, 2018. spokesman for the state
“urban sprawl” may soon face across the state that were cham- Department of Technology and
public scrutiny regarding the pioned by Republican senators Management, the actual wording
ethics of their actions. and representatives, including included 11 donors who con- according to Township of the grant in the law is open to a
The approval of a 2018 supple- the project headed by Schostak, tributed at least $20,000 each. Supervisor Gary Whitaker. broad interpretation. It calls for
mental spending bill that includ- former chairman of the state Accordingly, the group had to dis- Whittaker said Schostak spending the money “to encour-
ed a $10 million grant to Salem Republican Party. close under federal tax law how approached former Plymouth age economic development and
Township is again being exam- To date, the builder has much it received from individual Township officials a few years future growth in a small portion
ined. The 73 projects placed on received $20 million to start con- large donors, but not who they ago to negotiate a deal for water of the township. There is no men-
the spending bill were said to be struction. were. and sewer usage. He said tion of water and sewer lines;
missing documentation. According to a recent Detroit “One donor gave $150,000, Schostak representatives then with the language vague enough
The grant money was ear- News article, former lawmaker according to the tax filing. asked Salem Township to borrow to suggest the township could
marked as funding to help and Grand Haven Republican Another gave $125,000. There the money through a bond that spend the money on other
Livonia builder Bobby Schostak Arlan Meekhof, who left office at were contributions of $82,800, would be paid off by developer things,” Weiss said.
install water and sewer lines for the end of 2018, and several oth- $75,000 and $60,000. And three fees. He said his township Bridge Magazine reported in
the construction of Salem ers involved in the approval of gave $50,000 each.” declined to participate. 2009 that Schostak's company
Springs South, one of two the grant, including his daughter, Meekhof's nonprofit, The Whittaker added that he believes asked Salem Township to ask the
planned subdivisions located in a were the previously unknown American Jobs Council reported- the developer of the subdivision federal government to fund the
200-acre triangle bordered by M- facilitators with allies who set up ly has three directors, Steve land would be responsible for all project and the township
14, Gotfredson Road, North “social welfare” nonprofit groups Linder, a consultant who has of the cost, as dictated by the declined. That decision added to
Territorial and Napier roads on that raised money from “mystery worked with senate republicans; township master plan for the the contentious relationship
the northeast edge of Washtenaw sources.” Robert DeVries, a lobbyist who area. between the township and
County, just outside Plymouth Secret donors pumped money previously served as Meekhof's Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Schostak Brothers & Co., Inc.,
Township. into the coffers of the former law- chief of staff and Meredith at the time she was frustrated with the Schostak company tak-
Plymouth Township officials maker who served two terms in Beidler, Meekhof's daughter. with the approval of the grant ing legal action against the town-
were guardedly critical of the the Michigan House and was The Schostak project in Salem money just days before she took ship. Whittaker later said the
development and questioned the later elected to the senate and has now stalled for reasons office-but could do nothing to halt township would probably use the
possible impact on the township served for eight years. Records unknown and Salem Township the spending. The current total money for the utilities out of fear
infrastructure, schools and pub- show 2018 financial supporters has not asked for the money, cost estimate of bringing water of more legal action.
Plymouth commissioners recommend local liquor licenses

Plymouth City Commissioners license); City of Plymouth O'Callaghan's, Post Local Bistro, sioners approved the hire of full- Commissioners also agreed that
recently recommended the Recreation, Hermann's Olde E.G. Nicks, Stella Black Dog time employee at the additional work on the design of
renewal of liquor licenses at sev- Town Grill, Mayflower Meeting Tavern (Fralick), Aqua, Westborn Department of Municipal the 2020 road projects continue.
eral establishments in the city. House VFW, Nico & Vali, Market, Greek Islands, Pakwaan Services to replace a retiring State Representative Matt
The recommendation for Bigalora/Arbor Brewing, Barrio - Restaurant, Pizza E Vino and employee. Koleszar also presented an
approval will go to the State 555 Forest, Mayflower- Lt. The Honey Hole. In addition, They also authorized a change administrative update during the
Liquor Control Commission for: Gamble Post 6695, Plymouth commissioners approved a order to the roads infrastructure meeting. He noted that a $250,000
Buon Vino Winery, LLC, Park Knights of Columbus, Penn Grill, change in stockholders at both improvement plan to complete grant had been secured for the
Place Gastro Pub, Plymouth ROC- 1020 W. Ann Stella's Black Dog Tavern and work on Dewey Street between city for Americans with Disability
Compari's/Fiamma/Sardine Arbor Road, Stella's Trackside Stella's Trackside. Byron and Ross. Construction is Act required improvements at
Room (three locations one (Starkweather), Sean In other business, commis- anticipated to begin this spring. the Plymouth Cultural Center.
State officials urge residents to complete census online or by mail

It's never been more important Spanish. Individuals are not can be filled out online, as well as There is $3,000 in federal funding communities and essential serv-
for everyone living in Michigan to required to be a citizen in order by phone or mail, making it more at stake for every person who ices, including public safety,
be counted in the U.S. census, to complete the 2020 Census, and convenient than ever. completes the census. schools, housing, health care, and
according to state officials. there are no citizenship ques- Information is 100 percent The 2020 Census will ask ques- senior programs. Michigan
The census impacts everyone tions on the census form. confidential and by law cannot be tions about the number of people receives nearly $30 billion per
from seniors to students, children The census takes place every shared with anyone. Census data living in the household on April 1, year in federal funding for these
and parents and local businesses 10 years with the goal of counting is only used to produce demo- 2020, and ask their names, ages, and many other critical pro-
and neighborhoods. Participating everyone living in the United graphic statistics and will not be genders, race, dates of birth, rela- grams. Census numbers also help
in the census is a civic duty as States. Invitations to complete used in a way that will identify tionship status, phone numbers determine how many congres-
important as voting in our democ- the 2020 Census began arriving in you or your household, according and whether the home is owned sional seats Michigan will have,
racy, they said in a prepared mailboxes across Southeast to the official census website. or rented. the website states.
statement. Michigan last week. Completing the 2020 Census is Participation in the census To learn more, visit
To help get the word out, the For the first time, the census critical to the future of the state. determines funding for local www.michigan.gov/census2020/.
State of Michigan has launched
the Be Counted campaign to com-
municate the importance of com-
pleting the census, dispel myths
and help ensure every
Michigander is counted in the
2020 Census.
The census form is available
in several different languages in
addition to English, including
Donations

are sought

The Plymouth Canton
Salvation Army and the
Plymouth Community United
Way are seeking donations to
help those in need during the
health emergency throughout
the state.
Donations of food are being
accepted at the Salvation Army
office at 9451 S. Main Street in
Plymouth. Donors should call
(734) 453-5464 when they arrive
for instructions on dropping off
donations with minimal human
contact.
The Plymouth Community
United Way is raising money for
the COVID-19 Relief Fund to
support those who have been
affected by the virus.
“Donations will help provide
basic needs for members of our
local community including sen-
iors, families, children, and com-
munity agencies,” officials said.
Checks can be made out to
the COVID-19 Relief Fund and
mailed to P.O. Box 6356,
Plymouth, MI 48170. Donations
can also be made at the website
or text PCUW to 41444. Make
sure to specify the COVID-19
Relief Fund with the donation.
For more information visit
http://www.plymouthunitedway.o
rg/COVID-19-Relief-Fund or call
(734) 453-6879.