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SSOCIATED
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EWSPAPERS OF
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ICHIGAN
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AGE
5
May 2, 2013
B
ELLEVILLE
- R
OMULUS
New officer welcomed
to Romulus department
Clerk cautions voters regarding new poll restrictions
Eric Smith, who earned honors during
his nine years of work as a police officer in
Detroit, is the newest patrolman in the City
of Romulus.
Smith was sworn in by City Clerk Ellen
Craig-Bragg. Mayor Alan R. Lambert and
Deputy Chief John Leacher. Several other
city and police officials welcomed him to
the Romulus Police Department and
praised him for his energy and experience
during a recentmeeting of the city council.
Smith grew up in Detroit and went to
work for the Detroit Police Department
where he earned awards for meritorious
service and the prestigious Compstat award
given to officers who produce at an excep-
tional level. Smith is credited with being
involved in a high number of arrests involv-
ing narcotics seizures, weapons offenses
andwanted felons.
Smith said he applied to work in
Romulus after learning that the city police
department was an excellent organization
that was verywell structured.
“Officer Smithwill be another fine officer
in our outstanding police department,
which is truly one of the finest police
departments in the State of Michigan,”
Lambert said. “He'll be a fine addition to the
force.”
Leacher said he had “high expectations”
for Smith, based on his enthusiasm and his
previous accomplishments.
“During the interview process, the thing
that stuck out with Eric is that he has such a
great attitude,” Leacher said. “Heworked in
multiple precincts in Detroit, including No.
2, which can be pretty busy. Yet, he's smiling
now. He comes in eager and eager to learn.
He has the energy of a rookie, but has nine
years of incredible experience. That combi-
nation will be outstanding in our depart-
ment.”
Smith, who lives in the downriver area,
thanked the city and police officials and
family members who were present for his
swearing in. He said he looked forward to
“serving the citizens and the citywell.”
Van Buren Township Clerk Leon Wright
is hoping local residents are aware of the
newelection laws now in effect in the state.
Wright issued a statement this week
reminding voters that the new law, PA523 of
2012, took effect March 28 and includes
changes that may impact many voters.
Voters are now required to present identifi-
cation at the polls or sign the Affidavit of
Voter Not in Possession of Picture
Identification form when registering to
vote or obtaining an absentee ballot in per-
son.
Wright said that acceptable forms of
identification are specifically listed in the
state laws regarding voter identification
requirements now and poll workers must
abide by those rules. Voters, according to
the news release, can satisfy the require-
ment by showing a Michigan driver's
license or a Michigan personal identifica-
tion card. Voters who do not possess either
document may show a driver's license or
personal identification card issued by
another state, a federal or state govern-
ment-issued photo identification, a U.S.
passport or military identification card
with a photo. A student identification card
with a photo froma high school or accredit-
ed institution of higher education or tribal
identification card with a photo are also
acceptable,Wright said in the release.
Voters who do not have a photo identifi-
cation can register to vote or obtain an
absentee ballot by singing the affidavit,
Wright explained. Now, however, the law
also requires that absentee voter ballots
from voters that obtain ballots in person
and sign the affidavit must be processed as
a challengedballot onElectionDay.
Wright said that question about the new
law and process can be directed to his
office, (734) 699-8909 or at the State of
Michiganwebsite, www.michigan.gov/vote.
The new signalized intersections will
mirror the aesthetics of the equipment
being constructed and installed as part of
the Ecorse and Belleville roads intersection
reconstructionproject whichwill include::
• All traffic signals replaced from Tyler
Road south to the South I-94 Service Drive
will include mast arms and illuminated
street name signs.
• Six existing traffic signals will be
replacedwithmodern equipment.
• A new traffic signal will be added
between Meijer and Wal-Mart as part of the
township access management plan for
BellevilleRoad.
• The project will also address deterio-
rated pavement areas, broken curbs, emer-
gency prep timing, and noncompliant
pedestrian ramps.
“The DDA board is eager to address the
safety issues on Belleville Road and the
potential for attracting a thriving business
community to downtown Van Buren on
Belleville Road, connecting it to the City of
Belleville's downtownproper,” Ireland said.
“This expansive project is able to be per-
formed because of the conscientious and
fiscally responsible DDA board, which was
able to financially match and even enhance
the project without seeking loans or bonds
to fund the endeavor. The Belleville Road
renovation project will bring safety to its
pedestrians and travelers and promote an
attractive thriving business community in
downtown Van Buren Township,” she
added.
The project will be jointly funded with
Wayne County and will begin in July,
Ireland added.
Grant
FROM PAGE 1
Mayor Alan Lambert, new patrolman Eric Smith and Deputy Police Chief John Leacher were
all smiles at Smith's official swearing in recently.