Basic HTML Version
A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
5
May 1, 2014
C
ANTON
- N
ORTHVILLE
- P
LYMOUTH
Vietnam vets will march in Plymouth parade
Canton residents asked to complete library survey
Veterans from the Vietnam
War will be participating in the
Fourth of July Parade in
Plymouth this year, after all.
Ron King, president of
Chapter 528 Vietnam Veterans of
America, said he's happy that a
decision has been made although
he said he thinks the indecisive-
ness surrounding the veterans
participationwent too far.
The Plymouth Kiwanis Club is
responsible for the parade and
Fred Hill is the organizer of the
event. Members of the Vietnam
veterans group asked Hill if their
marching unit could be moved
closer to the front of the parade
line-up to accommodate the phys-
ical conditions of some of the
aging members. Members of the
group said that Hill denied their
request last month, prompting
the veterans to vote to withdraw
fromthe parade.
King said he wanted relief for
veterans who have marched in
the parade for decades and he
andHill met April 14 and 18 to try
to settle thematter.
“Prior to what you heard, we
have not reached a final conclu-
sion,”King said last week. “In the
first meeting they said we'll be in
the front, but where is the front?”
Last week, King said that after
the two prior meetings requested
by Hill, who was responding to a
flurry of media attention, he's still
not sure if the membership
knows what position they will be
in and if his membership will
approve the change from 51st
place to marching among the first
10 positions in the parade.
King said that during one of
the meetings, Frank Sinagra,
president of the Plymouth
Kiwanis, a wounded Vietnam
combat Marine veteran, was
understanding of the groups' deci-
sion when they told Hill they
were withdrawing from the
parade after his initial refusal of
their request to move closer to
the front in the lineup. King said
Hill told him that moving the
groupwas “not that simple. I have
first responders and choreogra-
phy.”
Shortly after noon April 21,
Sinagra calledKing to say the vet-
erans group would definitely be
in one of the first 10 positions, yet
to be determined, King said.
“Now we'll take a vote,” King
said. “I'mhappy.”
About 3,000 Canton Township
residents will be asked for their
opinions regarding a number of
community services thismonth.
Canton Leisure Services
department and the Canton
Public Library are teaming up to
conduct a community survey that
will gather information on a wide
range of issues which will assist in
short and long range planning,
said Canton Township Library
Director Eva Davis. The surveys
are being mailed out to 3,000 ran-
domly selected households in the
Canton community. These surveys
should arrive in selected mailbox-
es during the last week of April.
Residents are asked to return the
completed surveys as indicated,
notedDavis.
“This survey will help us better
understand the needs of our resi-
dents, and help the library priori-
tize our efforts for the next several
years,” she said.
This in-depth survey is a com-
prehensive assessment of Leisure
Services and the Canton Public
Library programs, facilities and
services, and will be limited to 30
questions, which should take
approximately 10 minutes to com-
plete, according to Davis. She said
the methodology was chosen, “to
ensure objectivity, reliability and
validity of the surveying process.
In addition, this assessment is not
expected to be time consuming to
complete.” Responses from
Canton residents will help
improve existing programs and
services, as well as determine
future initiatives, community pri-
orities, and area-wide opportuni-
ties.
“This joint project between
Canton Township and the Canton
Public Library will enable both
organizations to gather current
information, assess local needs,
and help make important deci-
sions that will enrich the future of
our community,” said Debra
Bilbrey-Honsowetz, Canton
Leisure Services director.
An independent research com-
pany, Leisure Vision/ETC insti-
tute, will complete the survey
process and produce the final
report of the findings.
The results and comments of
the surveys will be analyzed and
the findings will be used to guide
the future strategic planning of
Canton Leisure Services and the
Canton Public Library, Bilbrey-
Honsowetz said.
Formore information about the
survey, call (734) 394-5360.
Don Howard
Staff Writer
Young art
Artwork created by Northville students in the 6th through 12th
grades will be on display at the 15th Annual Northville Student Art
Exhibition at the Northville Art House through May 17. The show
opens with a special reception from 6-9 p.m. tomorrow, May 2.
The exhibit features a variety of artistic disciplines including pho-
tography, metals, painting and photography. Art House hours are
1-5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For additional information,
call (248)344-0497 or visit www.northvillearthouse.org. Northville
Art House is located at 215 W. Cady St. and admission is free.
Fire Scales by Kristina Smith
Tiny Teapot by Aurora Gross
Boards by Scarlett LeeSmith