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SSOCIATED
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EWSPAPERS OF
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ICHIGAN
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July 2, 2015
N
ORTHVILLE
- P
LYMOUTH
Garden Walk Wednesday
Plymouth
Township
Supervisor Shannon Price took
more than an hour last week to
answer critics during ameeting of
the Plymouth Concerned Citizens
group at the Plymouth District
Library.
Price, who has been the object
of much criticismboth frommem-
bers of the group and other resi-
dents, addressed many of the
issues and answered questions
from the 35 or so people in atten-
dance. Following his introductory
remarks, citizens asked him ques-
tions on awide range of topics.
In response to a question about
his moving to the township just
weeks prior to being named
supervisor last April, Price said
that he didn't want tomove before
the county commission election.
“I didn't want to givemy opponent
anything to talk about.”
Many in attendance had ques-
tions or comments regarding the
recent appointment of Mike
Mitchell, Price's former aide dur-
ing his tenure as a Wayne County
commissioner, to a newly-created
$60,000 position as Director of
Parks and Grants in the township.
The parks job requirements
called for an individual with a
four-year degree in engineering, a
valid drivers license and the pos-
session of “interpersonal and
communication skills necessary
to interact with the public, staff
and outside agency personnel.”
Mitchell and two other candi-
dates were recently vetted and
interviewed by Trustee Kay
Arnold, Northville Township
Manager Rick Snider and
Township Human Resources
Director JoAnn Coobitis.
Observers commented that Price
had pre-selected Mitchell for the
job and that his qualifications did
not meet the job description
allegedly posted on the township
website.
Price said that the parks direc-
tor was a needed position as,
“The treasurer (Ron Edwards)
was doing double duty, working
late at night. We askedwhowas in
charge of the grants. The fire
chief has grants sitting on his
desk. It was the same process we
used to get a building foreman.”
Resident Chris Hunter asked
Price why he was not more forth-
coming about the new park direc-
tor. “Your withholding gives the
appearance of impropriety,”
Hunter said. His remarks were
seconded by activist Brian
Bentley who said the citizens
know that Mitchell is treasurer of
the Wayne County Conservative
Political ActionCommittee, which
donated a total of $14,800 to
Price's campaign committee in
2012 and 2014.
“I never denied we were
friends. When we posted the job
he decided he wanted to apply. If
youwant to question integrity, you
can also question Kay Arnold,
ChipSnider and Coobitis.”
State Rep. Kurt Heise, a
Plymouth resident, asked Price if
he was going to ask Mitchell to
resign as the chairman of the 11th
District RepublicanCommittee.
“I don't tell him what to do
after hours,” Price said. “If it
interferes with his work, we'll
address it,”
Resident and Republican
Party precinct delegate Paul
Garon asked Price, “How can you
justify the golf course when
they're constantly losingmoney?”
In response Price said that
there was talk of building a new
club house, adding a driving
range and establishing new
hours. He suggested that a part-
nership with a private operator
could be something to consider at
the facility which operates at a
$50,000 to $100,000 annual loss.
Price said that there would be
a survey regarding recreation in
the township and the golf course
and the proposed amphitheater
would be part of that. He said the
amphitheater plan would not go
forwardwithout citizen input.
Susan Bondie and Carol
Leroue, leaders of the Plymouth
Concerned Citizens group, voiced
their concerns.
Bondie asked Price when a
financial report on the golf course
would be available. Price
responded that the computer sys-
tem is being converted from an
old DOS system to a new operat-
ingmethod.
Leroue asked about the finan-
cial reports in the township, “We
ask questions but we never get
answers. I've been waiting for 10
years now and what we need is a
forensic audit,” she said. “How
much money do we have in the
bank?”
Price responded that he was
meeting with vendors and consid-
ering the bidding of the township
auditing services.
“I think we need to look at that
when we bid out our auditing
services.”
Price also defended the recent
awarding of the township rubbish
hauling contract to a company
whose owner donated to his cam-
paign. Price responded that the
Rizzo Environmental Services
contract was the most financially
sound for the township with the
lowest rate increase.
“Rizzo is a half-million cheap-
er than the next-lowest vendor,”
Price said.
Price denied being opposed to
the Plymouth Area Recreation
Center, (PARC), the plan which
will convert the former Central
Middle School in downtown
Plymouth to an arts and recre-
ation complex.
He said he has met with Don
Soenen, the leader of the PARC
group, several times.
“I've got a lot of questions,” he
said, referring to a proposed mill-
age to fund thePARC facility.
WhimsicalWonderland, the 22ndAnnual
Garden Walk in Northville will take place
from9 a.m. until 4 p.m.Wednesday, July 9.
Visitors to the seven Northville gardens
will be treated to a garden market, live
music and complimentary refreshments in
the theme-decorated tea room of the 19th
century Cady Inn and a chance to win one
of seven items or gift certificates.
Tickets are $10 and available at
Gardenviews Garden Gallery, 117 E. Main
St., (248) 380-8881 or on the day of the walk
at the gate at Historic Mill Race Village, 215
Griswold St. in Northville which is the cen-
ter of thewalk and other activities.
Proceeds from the walk will be used to
help support local and national organiza-
tions that promote environmental and hor-
ticultural causes as well as provide several
scholarships to local high school students
who plan to go on in earth science or other
environment or science careers.
The walk is organized by themembers of
theCountryGardenClub ofNorthville.
she couldn't agree more and has been
coming to Northville for the parade for
nearly two decades.
“I don't think I have missed one in 20
years,” she said.
Not that the pair haven't had some
interesting experiences as they narrate
the passing floats and attractions.
“They love to spray us with water,”
Berry said. “Many of the floats or
marchers have water guns or sprays, and
often, by the end of the parade, we are
drenched. Of course, when it is really
warm, that's not so bad,” she laughed.
The floats with fireworks, too, often
determine that the best place to ignite the
munitions is right in front of Demray and
Berry.
“I know its coming and I still jump,”
Berry said.
The pair agreed that the hometown
flavor of the Northville parade is some-
thing special.
“This parade really shows people
there is real meaning to things like our
Declaration of Independence,” Demray
said. “Everybody feels that spirit of patri-
otism.”
Again this year, the major sponsor of
the parade is St. Mary Mercy Hospital in
Livonia.
In addition to the parade, the
Northville Community Foundation, a reg-
istered 501 c 3 also manages, supports
and operates Maybury Farm. Striegle
said the Foundation exists for the pur-
pose of enhancing and enriching life in
the Northville community and southeast
Michigan. The Foundation supports non-
profits, educational programs, youth and
senior programs, the performing arts and
historical preservation in the community.
(A guide to the parade exhibits is includ-
ed as a special insert in this edition of The
Eagle.)
the groundwork for the event, contacting
sponsors and entries. The real work on the
parade begins in February, he said, and
applications for parade entries aremailed
out inMarchor April.
“There are volunteers on the commit-
tee who get a lot of the work done and on
the day of the parade, there are probably
100 volunteers, handing out water, distrib-
uting programs and performing tasks that
needdone,” he said.
Sponsors for the parade this year
include:
TheWilcoxFoundation
DickScott Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM
PlymouthPhysical Therapy Specialists
Plymouth Community Chamber of
Commerce
Caviston InsuranceAgency
CommunityFinancial Credit Union
Cole, Newton andDuranCPAs
Herriman&Associates
Hines ParkLincoln
Great Clips of Plymouth
HortonPlumbing&Remodeling
PlymouthDental Associates
Bank of AnnArbor
Burroughs, Inc.
CDSparlingCompany
DJLBuilders
MonroeBank andTrust
MorseDental Group
VictoryHonda
Plymouth
FROM PAGE 1
Northville
FROM PAGE 1
I've got a lot of questions.
Don Soenen
”
Watchdog group confronts township supervisor
