Page 1 - eagle040623

April 6 – 12, 2023 NEWS YOU CAN USE, NEWS YOU CAN TRUST 75¢

No. 14 www .associatednewspapers.net

Wayne lawsuit against ex-councilman continues

Preliminary legal skirmish- During the hearing last
Vol. 138, No. 14 es in the lawsuit filed against ” week, attorney Jim Rasor, who
Members of the Sumpter former councilman Anthony There is no way to restrain my client from releasing represents Miller, asked the
Township Board of Trustees Miller by the City of Wayne con- judge to revoke the temporary
approved the 2023-2024 tinued last week before material that was already in the public domain. restraining order against
budget with dissenting votes Michigan Circuit Court Judge Miller which prevented him
from Trustee Peggy Morgan Sheila Ann Gibson. from releasing confidential
and Trustee Don LaPorte. The city is suing Miller, municipality. The documents least two other ongoing law- documents concerning the city,
See page 2. charging him with violations of Miller provided to state investi- suits seeking monetary dam- including the investigative
his fiduciary responsibility gators include both a 105-page ages from the city. The inves- reports. Rasor argued that both
during his term as a council and a supplemental 33-page tigative reports, completed by reports had already been
member. The city claims Miller report regarding employee an outside legal firm, were crit- released and were in the pub-
provided confidential informa- claims of a hostile working ical of City Manager Lisa lic domain before Miller pro-
tion to Michigan State Police environment in Wayne City Nocerini and recommended vided the information to the
Vol. 76, No. 14 during an investigation which Hall. Those documents subse- her dismissal or discipline by
The Village Arts Factory caused financial damage to the quently became evidence in at members of the city council. See Hearing, page 6
in Canton Township is now
welcoming visitors at every
level of sensory response. K-9 cutie
See page 4.
New police pup

helps officers

Vol. 76, No. 14 relieve stress
A Dearborn Heights
A new recruit has officially
woman is facing multiple joined the City of Northville
felony charges in connection Police Department.
to a road rage incident The new officer will not
which resulted in the shoot- wear a uniform and is still “in
ing of an Inkster woman's training” according to Police
car. Chief Al Maciag, and is not yet
See page 6.
on active duty.
Sulley, an English White
Golden Retriever, will have a
special job to do in the police
department when his proba-
tionary training is complete.
Vol. 23, No. 14 Right now, while only five
The Battle of the Books, months old, he is already in City of Northville Police Chief AL Maciag holds new recruit Sulley in his office. Photo by Liz Cezat
an annual event at the training to become a certified ling or friend,” Maciag said.
Northville library, saw an therapy dog. “Law enforcement has
increase in the number of Maciag, who owns Sulley, come a long way over the past
participants along with the said he places a high value on 30 years in how we take care of
same intensity. the impact a dog can bring to our officers' mental and physi-
See page 5. the officers and the public in cal well-being. Research has
times of stress. shown that the presence of a
“Several years ago, I began therapy dog can help a person
bringing my black Labrador, control anxiety, regulate emo-
Oliver, to work with me when I tional arousals and improve
was the chief of police in mood. What better way to help
Vol. 23, No. 14 Wayne. He was never formally our officers than to have a dog
The plan for a new Salem trained as a therapy dog, yet available to be attentive to
Township sewer plant at M- he brought such joy and happi- their needs and offer uncondi-
14 and Napier Road stinks, ness to the people that had tional love when needed,”
according to Plymouth contact with him. I was able to Maciag said.
Township trustees. also bring him to Northville Maciag and his wife, June,
See page 3. several times before he passed picked Sulley up on Dec. 23 -
away,” Maciag said. just before Christmas. They
Maciag and his team dis- named him after the affable
cussed the benefits of having a Monster, Inc. character.
department therapy dog, in Golden Retrievers are known
part to ease the demands of to have great temperaments, Sulley gets comfortable in the City of Northville Police
the job. Several area police Maciag explained, which
Vol. 138, No. 14 departments, including makes them a popular choice Department. Photos courtesy of the Northville Police Department.
A Firefighter Apprecia- Livonia, Northville Township for therapy dogs. The Maciags Center is currently providing “I am hoping in the future
tion ceremony is planned to and Wayne, have therapy dog have had three Labrador Sulley's training. Dogs cannot that he will be able to come to
recognize new additions to programs. Retrievers during the past 20 be certified as therapy dogs special events and be out in
the fire department as well “Officers experience some years. until they reach at least one the community for people to
as the Firefighter of the Year of the most stressful and trau- Sulley has been at work year of age, Maciag explained. meet. He can also be available
and the Paramedic of the matic events over the course of with Maciag several times dur- Once his training is complete, to help students or others who
Year. their career. They then must ing the past few weeks to accli- Sulley will come to work with are experiencing hardships to
See page 2. be able turn off their emotions mate him to the environment. Maciag daily. He will be avail- help brighten their day and
so they can go home and be an The Therapy Dog Program at able for the officers and police lend emotional support,”
effective parent, spouse, sib- Passion Fur Paws in Michigan department employees. Maciag said.

Romulus business renovation results in felony charges

Vol. 76, No. 14
The armed man shot by a Renovations at a Romulus ” Road and falsified their respec-
Wayne police officer last business have resulted in felony Prosecutors allege the men also tive time cards. Prosecutors
Saturday near an entrance to charges against three Wayne used county materials and county allege the men also used county
the Ford Stamping Plant in County employees. materials and county equip-
Wayne has died. Romulus Nutrition on equipment during the renovation. ment during the renovation.
Ecorse Road was the site of the Officials said the investigation
renovations during which, into the matter is ongoing.
See page 5.
according to Wayne County ter alleging illegal activities Corruption Task Force conduct- The three, VanPeeren,
Prosecutor Kym Worthy's office, involving three employees of ed the investigation, according Everhart and Whorton were
the three men used Wayne the Wayne County Bridge to a statement from Worthy's charged with criminal offenses
County equipment and materi- Department. When the letter office. by prosecutors on March 28.
als. Prosecutors allege the three was received in her office in The investigators concluded Each faces one count of larceny
Vol. 76, No. 14 men also falsified time sheets April 2022, Worthy requested an that on Dec. 5, 2021, Scott - $1,000 or more but less than
Team members from John and were paid by the county for investigation. Chief Brian White VanPeeren, 54 of Wyandotte, $20,000, and one count of con-
Glenn High School took the time spent working on the pri- and Lt. Donald Farris of the John Everhart, 50, of spiracy to commit larceny -
Westland Police players to vate business. Wayne County Prosecutor's Farmington Hills and Justin $1,000 or more but less than
school during a recent chari- An investigation into the Office Criminal Investigation Whorton, 40, of Detroit did work $20,000. Both counts are
ty basketball game. three county workers was Division, with assistance from on the private business located
See page 6. prompted by an anonymous let- the FBI-Detroit Public on the 31250 block of Ecorse See Charges, page 2

To receive The Eagle in your mailbox email circulation@journalgroup.com.