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SSOCIATED
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March 19, 2015
Group collecting bottled
water for Flint residents
Honor students aid family
of 4-year-old cancer victim
Inkster Justice
Center dedicated
Animal Shelter fundraiser planned
I
NKSTER
- R
OMULUS
Members of the Romulus Citizens for
Social Change, a community activist
group, are currently collecting bottled
water for the residents of Flint where the
water remains brown, odorous and unsafe
to drink.
According to organizers and group
member Virginia Williams, the group is
attempting to do as much as possible for
the Flint area where the water will
remain undrinkable in many areas for
another 12months.
“We are just trying to help our neigh-
bors. Nobody should have to endure this,”
Williams said.
Last month, inspectors from the
Michigan Department of Environmental
Quality found that Flint is violation of safe
water standards for excess tri-
halomethane, which is a byproduct of the
disinfectant used to treat water from the
Flint River.
Williams said few people in this area
are really aware of the problems in Flint
but that the Romulus group is encourag-
ing everyone who is able to donate water
for the residents of Flint whosewater sup-
ply is unsafe.
In April 2014, Flint stopped purchasing
already-treated Lake Huron water from
Detroit to switch to the Flint River. The
decision was planned to save an estimat-
ed $5 million over two years while work
was completed on the Karegnondi Water
Authority pipeline to Lake Huron. The
change marked the first time in 50 years
that Flint is responsible for the day-to-day
treatment of drinkingwater
City officials have said that water tests
have improved, but residents have steadi-
ly filed complaints about the smell, taste
and color of the water, which remains
unsafe, according to state inspectors.
Gov. Rick Snyder awarded Flint $2 mil-
lion--part of the state's $8-million
Financially Distressed Cities, Villages,
and Townships Grant Program--to find
leaks in city water lines and to replace a
wastewater incinerator. That work has
not been completed and Flint officials
claim that more funding is necessary to
correct the problems that caused the
unsafe drinkingwater.
Williams said bottled drinking water
for Flint residents can be dropped off at
her home (734) 673 -8396, 35774 Abbey Dr.
Romulus, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday and from 1-4 p.m.
on Saturdays or Darnell Hearst (734) 740 -
2656, Thomas J Coleman Center, 35351
Beverly Road, Romulus from9 a.m. until 4
p.m. Tuesdays.
Water can also be dropped off at
Romulus Elementary School 32200
Beverly Road Romulus from 9 a.m. until
4:30 p.m. Monday throughFriday.
For more information call (734)63-8396
or email
.
The National Honor Society at
Romulus High School decided to take
action against cancer after becoming
inspiredby 4-year oldChadCarr.
The youngster is suffering from an
inoperable brain tumor and even though
he has made significant advances he has
not yet won his fight. Carr is the nephew
of a teacher at the high school and in an
effort to help Carr and his family, the stu-
dents began selling bracelets last fall and
planned a bowling fundraiser forMarch 1.
Members of the honor society, several
teachers and members of the Romulus
City Council were among the crowd that
gathered at Romulus Lanes to help the
family. Chad's grandfather, Lloyd Carr,
attended and offered a heartfelt thanks to
the students but the most famous visitor
was Chad himself, who came to thank his
friends.
The students sold tickets to the event
and hosted raffles of many donated items,
including - gift baskets, Tigers tickets, Red
Wings tickets, and a flat screen television
and generated more than $3,000 to help
Chad andhis family.
National Honor Society advisors Kathy
Abdo and LizaMockeridge helped the stu-
dentswith their planning and efforts.
“Whenwe all found out about Chadwe
were devastated, we consider him family,”
Abdo said. “Chad is not just a part of our
community; he is supported by the people
of our community like he is family. Chad's
relation to the community inspired NHS
students to take charge and raise social
awareness for the cause,” she added.
Inkster officials and the public cele-
brated the official grand opening and ded-
ication of the new Inkster Justice Center
earlier thismonth.
The official opening of the facility,
which now houses the Inkster Police
Department and the 22nd District Court,
drew a large crowd despite the freezing
rain and inclement weather.
City Manager Richard Marsh, Jr. is
understandably proud of the new build-
ing.
“The citizens of Inkster deserve to be
proud of their city buildings. The employ-
ees who serve the citizens deserve towork
in a facility that complements their profes-
sionalism and makes them proud to be a
part of our team. This project has been a
long time coming, and I am truly excited
that the citizens of our city have a court
and a police department that they can be
proud of!”
The 45,000 square-foot, $8.5 million
facility was funded by use of Tax
Increment Finance Authority revenue
andmembers of the TIFA boardwere also
on hand to help mark the official opening
of the building, along with Mayor Hilliard
Hampton, 22nd District Court Judge
Sabrina Johnson, Marsh, Chief of Police
Vicki Yost andmembers of the Inkster City
Council.
The public was offered tours of the
building, designed by GAV Associates and
Redstone Architects and built by Boji
Development Co. Part of the design incor-
porated the renovation and redesign of a
formerYWCAbuilding at the site.
The new justice center is located at
26279MichiganAve. in Inkster.
The 11th Annual Romulus Animal
Shelter Bowling Fundraiser is planned for
7:30 p.m. Friday, May 8 at Romulus Lanes.
Registrationwill begin at 6:30 p.m.
The cost is $25 per bowler and includes
ladies and men's mystery games, snacks
and cash prizes. To register for the event,
call Romulus Lanes, (734) 941-6200,
Councilman Bill Wadsworth, (734) 941-
0616 or JoeOzog, (734) 941-3466.
Supporters included, left to right, back row, Kevin Crawford, Kyle Hensley, Ken
Gajewski, Chase Vondak and Zach Kouba. In the front row are Sunsiray Horton,
Brooke Waldon, Summerlyn Johnson, Sara Wadsworth and Alexis Paige.
Mayor Hilliard Hampton
