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February 3 – 9, 2022 NEWS YOU CAN USE, NEWS YOU CAN TRUST 75¢

No. 05 www .associatednewspapers.net

THE BELLEVILLE School cleaning service criticized by board
ENTERPRISE
ENTERPRISE
In addition to preparing les-
Vol. 137, No. 05 son plans and grading papers, ” firm is attempting to hire
employees and offering $1,000
Members of the Sumpter some teachers in the Plymouth I do not want to be sitting here signing bonuses, $500 referral
Township Board of Trustees Canton Community Schools are bonuses and $150 monthly atten-
approved the $81,212.80 pur- now cleaning their classrooms during your second quarter dance bonuses in an effort to
chase of two Ford Police before students arrive. presentation hearing about the same issues. increase staffing. She said that
Interceptor Utility vehicles Members of the Plymouth hourly wages for custodians are
during the Jan. 25 meeting. Canton board of education $16.15, an increase from the
See page 2. expressed their dissatisfaction $14.21 per hour previously paid.
with that situation and the per- She said that ABM had a
formance of current janitorial ABM Account Manager Melissa part,” Kehoe told Mascarello. turnover rate of only 18 percent,
THE CANTON provider, ABM Industry Group. Mascarello that while they “We expect better. I do not want or 13 employees during the past
EAGLE Currently, board members said, understood the impact of to be sitting here during your seven months, far less than the
EAGLE
second quarter presentation
general 40 percent rate.
staffing problems caused by the
there is an unsatisfactory level
Vol. 75, No. 05 of cleanliness in the 15 elemen- pandemic, current services hearing about the same issues.” “Once we hire more people,
tary, five middle and four high were not as agreed or within the ABM janitorial staffing is at it will relieve some stress on
The Canton Police schools in the district. Six staffing limits expected when about 60 percent of the antici- employees we have, Mascarello
Department has released a schools had not been formally the contract was awarded to pated 104 cleaners assigned to told the board members.
composite sketch of the sus- inspected by ABM employees ABM in July of 2021. Plymouth Canton schools, She said the company cur-
pect in an attempted during the first quarter, a statis- The failure to formally according to Kehoe. He said rently has 16 potential employ-
abduction of a 12-year-old tic board members said was inspect the schools was espe- that rather than the 104 person- ees in the final stages of the hir-
boy recently. unacceptable. cially problematic for board nel, there were only 70 as of Jan. ing process which should help
See page 4. Board members expressed Treasurer Patrick Kehoe. 11. to alleviate the current prob-
their dissatisfaction and told “That's a big miss on your Mascarello explained the lems.

THE INKSTER 35 and out…
LEDGER STAR
LEDGER STAR

Vol. 75, No. 05 Veteran officer leaves Northville after 3 decades of service
A teen missing since the
day after Christmas has been Northville Township Police
reported seen in the Inkster Officer James Beamish, who
and Romulus area. once wrestled a deer while on
See page 3. patrol, was on duty for the last
time Jan. 25. He officially
retired from the department
after 35 years of service Jan. 30.
THE NORTHVILLE Beamish has been a constant
EAGLE
EAGLE fixture in the department since
Vol. 22, No. 05 joining as a dispatcher in
1987,
when
September
Visitors to the Northville Northville Township still had an
District Library will notice active Angus cattle farm and
some bright new signage in Beck Road was unpaved dirt
the building, designed from Five Mile to Eight Mile.
specifically to aid visual After seven years as a police
communication about dispatcher, Beamish enrolled at
library services. Schoolcraft College Police
See page 5. Academy, fulfilling his dream to
become a sworn police officer,
following in his father's foot-
THE PLYMOUTH steps.
EAGLE 32 years for the Wixom Police
EAGLE
“My father, who worked for
Vol. 22, No. 05 Department, is the person who Northville Township Police Officer James Beamish has retired from the department after 34 years of
Nominations are now has been the most influential of service. Beamish, the first certified computer forensic investigator in the department. said he is looking
being accepted in Plymouth my career,” Beamish said. forward to his “next chapter.”
for the Ruth Huston-Whipple His father never wrestled a
Award for Civic Engagement. deer, though. Beamish said one ” least four lives by using CPR
See page 4. of his many unforgettable calls and helped locate several lost
in his three decades of service He tackles every assignment with gusto. children and those with demen-
took place when he and other We will miss him and his enthusiasm tia during his career with the
township officers responded to department.
THE ROMULUS a resident's back yard after a for a job well done. “Those are the most reward-
ROMAN buck was tangled up in a soccer ing moments,” he said.
ROMAN
Township Supervisor Mark J.
Vol. 137, No. 05 net and stuck in some shrub- Abbo recalled that Beamish's
bery.
Firefighters from the City “I held him (the deer) down rotating position, where he pio- Beamish said he is most colleagues chose him as 2020
of Romulus were dispatched while they (other officers) neered the way by becoming the proud of his work as a computer Police Officer of the Year, prais-
to a major blaze at a com- worked to free the net, and let first certified computer forensic forensic investigator. ing him for balancing excellent
mercial building early me tell you, deer are strong,” investigator in Northville “There are a couple of peo- policing skills with both pride
Saturday morning, Jan. 29. said Beamish, who runs Township. ple on the Michigan Sex and humility.
See page 3. marathons as a hobby. He also left his mark on the Offender Registry because of “Congratulations to Officer
While his last assignment department as a field training me,” he said. Beamish on a wonderful
with the department had him officer when, for two decades, “Officer Beamish is one of career,” Abbo said. “Thank you
serving on road patrol and as an he was responsible for the train- the most versatile, talented for your dedication to our com-
THE WAYNE evidence technician, Beamish ing of new officers to ensure police officers in the depart- munity. We appreciate your
EAGLE has excelled in multiple posi- that the best practices and com- ment,” said Todd Mutchler, service.”
EAGLE
Beamish said that he won't
Vol. 75, No. 05 tions throughout his career, offi- petencies of the department township manager and director be idle in his retirement and is
were met.
of public safety. “He tackles
cials said. He was a member of
Members of the Wayne the township Accident “I enjoyed training new offi- every assignment with gusto. We looking forward to his next
Rotary Club are celebrating Investigation Team, served as cers,” Beamish said. “It was so will miss him and his enthusi- career.
the 100th anniversary of the the department traffic enforce- rewarding” because he helped asm for a job well done.” “I'm ready to turn the page
founding of the club by per- ment officer, worked as a detec- shape the future of the depart- Beamish says he will miss and start a new chapter,” he
forming one service project tive in the detective bureau, a ment, he said. assisting residents. He's saved at said.
each month.
See page 6. Annual Vietnam Veterans event set for Feb. 11, 12

The largest annual fundrais- at the traditional Party Tent cover charge, which is one of and their families,” Agostini
er for the Vietnam Veterans of erected in the parking lot the largest annual fundraisers said.
THE WESTLAND Plymouth-Canton is set for behind E.G. Nick's restaurant. for the group. The party will start at 8 p.m.
EAGLE
EAGLE Feb. 11, and 12 in downtown The tent, which this year is a E.G. Nick's co-owner Frank Friday when Moxie Blitz will

Vol. 75, No. 05 Plymouth this year during the 4,000 square-foot structure Agostini said that the veterans entertain the crowds and on
do a “great job” at the door
with doors and windows, will
Saturday, Power Play Detroit
40th Annual Ice Festival.
Warming centers are Members of the Plymouth- be the site of live entertain- welcoming the over- 21 crowd will take to the stage.
available throughout Canton Vietnam Veterans, a ment both Friday and to the entertainment tent. “All “We have people who drop
Westland in response to the Congressionally chartered Saturday nights. Veterans from the funds, 100 percent of what $20 and $50 in because this is
extreme cold temperatures group exclusively dedicated to the group will be checking is collected, goes directly to the such a good cause,” Agostini
in the area. Vietnam-era veterans and identification at the door and veterans and it stays in the said. “We're looking forward to
See page 6. their families, will be on hand collecting the $5 per person community to help local vets it again this year.”

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