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PAGE 2 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN April 13, 2023

NORTHVILLE
NORTHVILLE

Northville chamber celebrates Citizen of the Year

Sue Hillebrand has been hon- with her husband, Will, took over
ored as the 2023 Northville the management of the Friends
Citizen of the Year. of the Northville District Library
Her selection was announced Used Book Donation Program.
during the recent first compre- On any given week, the people of
hensive Northville Community Northville donate 700 - 1,000
Awards Dinner organized by the used books to the library. More
Northville Chamber of than 50 volunteers work on this
Commerce. The evening began endeavor and Bastien coordi-
with dinner at Genitti's and then nates the entire operation. The
audiences walked the red carpet Used Book program annually
at the Marquis Theatre for the provides 50 percent of the total
awards presentation. funding raised by the Friends of
Hillebrand served as the the Library.
longest elected township clerk The money generated by
(26 years) during a time of great Friends of the Northville District
growth in the community, offi- Library supports many initia-
cials said. She conducted 30 suc- tives, including its annual Battle
cessful elections, earned the of the Books - a middle school
Master Municipal Clerk certifica- reading tournament, which had
tion, and served on various state 115 competitors this year, offi-
and county clerks' boards. cials said.
Hillebrand has also served Northville Township
the community as a member of Volunteer of Year Award - Jeffrey
the Township Board of Trustees, Oles
the Beautification Commission, All trails in Northville
and the Parks and Recreation Township led to Jeff Oles. He's
Commission. She continued, been a township resident since
even after her retirement in 2005 and a passionate mountain
2019, to serve as a resource and biker. He's created a lot of the Sue Hillebrand, second from left, named 2023 Northville Citizen of the Year celebrates with the other
mentor to township staff, gener- township paths by working on award winners at the recent Northville Community Awards Dinner organized by the Northville Chamber of
ously giving of her time and tal- them, planning them, or recom- Commerce. Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo, far left, congratulated all the winners.
ents for the betterment of the mending routes
entire Northville community, When Northville Township cial, and volunteer over the with the Parks and Recreation with the Farmers Market Task
according to a prepared state- prepared a Master Plan in 2010 years, resulting in positive, Department. She now serves as Force, ensuring the success of
ment from Chamber of for Legacy Park, (332 acres of the meaningful changes in our com- chair of the River Restoration the next generation of this
Commerce officials who noted former state psychiatric hospital munity, officials said. She previ- Task Force, a team dedicated to award-winning market.
that these were some of the qual- property), mountain bike trails ously worked 27 years for Wayne restoring the health of Northville When asked to assist with the
ifications in awarding Hillebrand weren't part of the plan. That County Road Commission and waterways, daylighting the Farmers Market last year,
the Citizen of the Year honor. quickly changed thanks to Oles Wayne County Parks, giving her a Rouge River and establishing Watkins flew home from
“It is because of these traits, and his extensive network. He vast and deep knowledge of local walking trails, along with over- Mackinac Island to assist in the
and all she has done for the com- was invited to help put in trails infrastructure and environmen- seeing the planning of the future successful launch of the market.
munity over the past three on the eastern end of the park, tal concerns, they added. Farmers' Market and the Ford Watkins Sher has used her expe-
decades, that Sue Hillebrand according to an official statement Darga is a founding member Field initiative. rience with the Michigan
was named Citizen of the Year,” from chamber officials. of the Friends of the River Rouge Chamber of Commerce Farmers' Market Association to
officials said. City Volunteer of the Year - and Motor City National Volunteer of the Year - Sher the benefit of all in our communi-
Other yearly volunteer awards Nancy Darga Heritage Area, and a long-time Watkins ty. Her involvement has helped
were also presented including: Nancy Darga has faithfully supporter of Mill Race Village. For more than 10 years, make the Northville Farmers'
Library Volunteer of the Year served the city of Northville and Darga was a Northville City Watkins managed the Northville Market an award-winning gath-
award - Linda Bastien Wayne County in many capaci- Council member for 12 years and Farmers Market. Additionally, ering and the largest Thursday
In 2017, Linda Bastien, along ties as an employee, elected offi- she served more than 20 years she has been actively involved market in the state, officials said.
Master plan meeting set

Northville Township officials have appointed officials, and analyzed best
scheduled an open house meeting to dis- practices, all of which formed the basis
cuss proposed updates to the township for the draft plan.
Master Plan. The Master Plan will outline vision,
The meeting, set for 5:30 until 7 p.m. guiding principles, goals and actions cen-
April 24 at township hall will include a tered around topics including growth
presentation of the draft plan by consult- capacity; land use and development;
ant team, Kendig Keast Collaborative. transportation; economic development
The updating process began last sum- and recreation and amenities.
mer, officials said. No advance preparation or review is
During that time, officials solicited necessary and materials will be provided
public and professional input, made on-site for review and discussion, officials
numerous site visits, met with elected and said.