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April 25 – May 1, 2019 NEWS YOU CAN USE, NEWS YOU CAN TRUST 75¢

No. 17 www .associatednewspapers.net

THE BELLEVILLE Northville landfill faces lawsuit, state fines
ENTERPRISE
ENTERPRISE
Vol. 134, No. 17 Residents in Northville who ” and the jobs they provide for
have been complaining about hardworking families by hold-
Sumpter Township the noxious emissions from Given our state's abundance ing polluters accountable,” said
named Sgt. Beth Egerer as Arbor Hills Landfill were grati- of natural resources, we have Koleszar. “Our state must be a
the Police Officer of the Year fied by the announcement of leader in the fight for responsi-
during an official ceremony Conservancy Initiative a duty to protect those resources... ble management and preserva-
March 26. President Tracey Birkenhauer tion of the environment by pro-
See page 5. during a town hall meeting last viding a more effective tool for
week. facility. in violation of MDEQ standards. regulators to use in the fight
Birkenhauer told the crowd State Rep. Matt Koleszar (D- Koleszar and Polhanki recently against pollution.”
THE CANTON of more than 340 area residents Plymouth), state Sen. Dayna introduced House Bill 4453 and “We think they've been a lit-
EAGLE that her group had filed a Polehanki (D-Livonia) and Senate Bill 261 to hold polluters tle egregious,” Polehanki said
EAGLE
Township
accountable by enabling regula-
notice of intent to sue the land-
Northville
at the meeting. “And it necessi-
Vol. 72, No. 17 fill, owned by Advanced Supervisor Bob Nix attended tors to issue fines up to tates some sort of legislation to
Members of the Disposal. the town hall meeting to facili- $100,000, 10 times larger than up the ante a little bit and show
Plymouth- Canton Neighbors of the 336-acre tate a presentation by MDEQ currently allowable for air qual- the waste management compa-
Educational Park Lightning landfill first began complaining representatives regarding the ity and solid waste violations by nies that we're really serious
Robotics (Team 862) with to the Michigan Department of operation of the landfill, fol- landfills. The bills have been and you can't ignore violations.”
alliance partners won the Environmental Quality (MDEQ) lowed by a question and answer referred to the House Scott Miller, MDEQ supervi-
Michigan State FIRST about the air quality from the session. Committee on Judiciary and sor of air quality, said Advanced
Competition earlier this landfill in 2016. The state has Attendees expressed an the Senate Committee on Disposal Services officials have
month. issued 51 violations to Arbor overwhelming support for fur- Environmental Quality, respec- been cooperative, but added
See page 3. Hills for improper operations ther MDEQ testing of the land- tively. violations continue to be issued.
and has received about 3,000 fill, stricter enforcement of “Given our state's abundance “It's been a lack of oversight
complaints about the operation environmental codes and more of natural resources, we have a and maybe attention to detail,”
THE INKSTER at the Northville Township severe penalties for sites found duty to protect those resources said Miller.
LEDGER STAR
LEDGER STAR
Vol. 72, No. 17
An 19-year-old Ypsilanti On the job
man is facing manslaughter
charges in the shooting of a Westland honors police officers
16-year-old Inkster resident
last week. Family members and friends crowded
See page 2. Westland City Hall last week as members of
the Westland Police Department were hon-
ored for their service to the community.
THE NORTHVILLE The annual awards ceremony takes place
EAGLE to recognize and honor those members of the
EAGLE
Vol. 19, No. 17 police force who have gone above and beyond
in the line of duty. In addition, the award for
Members of the the 2018 Police Officer of the Year honor was
Northville Planning presented to Ofc. Derik Gomez and the retire-
Commission have sent the ment of the city K-9 officer Hemi was acknowl-
proposed development at edged.
the Northville Downs site Gomez is approaching 6 years of service
one step closer to the starting with the Westland Police Department and is a Chief Jeff Jedrusik, left, Ofc. Derek Gomez, Deputy Chief Randal Thivierge and
gate. member of the Westland Tactical Response Deputy Chief Brian Miller.
See page 2. Unit. Gomez set a stellar example for the grams, projects, or situations that are made at
police department in 2018 with more than 20 a high degree of professional excellence. Ofc.
THE PLYMOUTH felony drug arrests, leading his shift with Rodney Donald and Ofc. Chaim Kozak were
EAGLE proactive criminal arrests and developing awarded the 2018 Chief's Challenge Coin.
EAGLE
Donald was recognized for his idea and
numerous criminal informants for the Special
Vol. 19, No. 17 Investigations Unit (SIU), city officials said. efforts for organizing the first Westland Hero's
Gomez not only sets an example in perform- Battle of the Badges. This event took place at
Plymouth Arts &
Recreation Complex (PARC) ance of his duties, but with strength of charac- the Jefferson Barnes Community Vitality
ter as well. He always brings a positive attitude
Center in Norwayne with proceeds benefiting
has received a grant of to his job and motivates his peers to be more the annual Harvest Festival. The Battle of the
$50,000 from the Margaret engaged in their work, officials said. Badges event raised $2,500 for the Harvest
Dunning Foundation to help “The City of Westland Police Officer of the Festival which went toward purchasing school
fund the ongoing restora- Year is measured in consistent productivity, supplies for students in the Norwayne area.
tions and repairs. quality police work, professionalism, a proac- This event also offered the community a
See page 3.
tive work ethic, dedication to the city and com- chance to see first responders out of uniform
passion,” commented Police Chief Jeff and bond in an informal setting.
THE ROMULUS Jedrusik. “The Westland Police Officer of the Kozak recognized that traditional police
ROMAN
ROMAN Year distinguishes themselves throughout the open houses present problems for children
with special needs and their families. These
year by actions exceeding requirements by the
Vol. 134, No. 17 position both on and off duty,” the chief added. can include loud noises, lights that might be
The fifth annual Eco-Fair The Chief's Challenge Coin is awarded for too bright, and large crowds. Kozak organized
in Romulus will take place outstanding contributions to law enforcement Police Sgt Mike Little and retir-
from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. this through the success of difficult police pro- See Police, page 4 ing K9 Ofc. Hemi
Saturday, April 27, at the
See page 5. Romulus officials planning lean city budget
Romulus Athletic Center,
35765 Northline Road.

Scott Spielman ” as close to the approximately $19
THE WAYNE Special Writer We have to continue to work harder million in revenue expected.
EAGLE Despite an increase in tax rev- and smarter because of the municipal Putting off technology expenses
EAGLE
and capital outlay will not be
Vol. 72, No. 17 enue from several large develop- finance model that's in place. possible forever, she added.
“There are things that are
ments as well as a successful
Tina Stanke, who grew up public safety millage, officials in going to need to be done. We
in the city, has been named the City of Romulus are looking have buildings that need
as the new city clerk in to keep the 2019-2020 budget as Tax Increment Financing their part they pay tremendous repairs,” she said, referencing
Wayne. lean as possible. Authority (TIFA) and Downtown amount in property taxes,” she leaks in city buildings that have
See page 4. “We want to be really frugal,” Development Authority (DDA) said of Amazon. “It's a positive damaged computer equipment.
said Romulus Mayor LeRoy funds. Those funds will see an thing; it's growth in the communi- “There are things that need to be
Burcroff. “We're focused on what influx of $99 million; of that $70 ty, but people that go out there done, whether we like it or not.
THE WESTLAND we must have in the budget.” million came from the Amazon and say: 'Oh you have Amazon, But we have been very frugal.”
EAGLE
EAGLE Last year as well as the first project, according to Suzanne you must be making all kinds of Voters approved a five-year

Vol. 72, No. 17 part of 2019 brought good finan- Moreno, director of financial money…' No, it doesn't work that police and fire millage that will
services for the city. Those funds
way.”
cial news to the city, but also
bring in about $3 million annual-
Members of the Westland highlighted some of the ongoing can be spent within those dis- As a result, she and Burcroff ly to help fund those depart-
City Council approved the financial challenges it, like many tricts on infrastructure improve- said the city is looking at a 'needs ments. The city also voted this
launch of a cadet fire fighter other municipalities, face. ments and services provided vs. wants' budget to keep costs month not to opt out of Public
program with the Wayne Taxable value increased by there. General fund revenues down. All departments rated Act 152, which effectively limited
Westland schools as part of a nearly 13 percent, or $118 mil- only increased by about 3 per- requests on a scale of 1-5, the city liability for employee
dual-enrollment program. lion, overall, but about 85 per- cent, she said. depending on the level of need in
See page 4. cent of those revenues are in the “It's a huge investment on order to keep city expenditures See Budget, page 5

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