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June 15 – 21, 2023 NEWS YOU CAN USE, NEWS YOU CAN TRUST 75¢

No. 24 www .associatednewspapers.net

Racetrack project wins planning commission approval

Vol. 138, No. 24 A final decision on the con- track and the increase in traffic
Members of the Rotary struction of a new harness race ” in the area. Residents accepted
Club of Belleville presented track in Plymouth Township Plymouth Township officials denied the legality of the gambling but
six $5,000 scholarships to could come before the board of any plans for a rumored casino protested having it in Plymouth
Belleville-area graduates trustees by the end of this month. Township.
during the 78th Annual Following approval of the at the proposed racetrack. Plymouth Township officials
Scholarship Program May development plans by the denied any plans for a rumored
23. Plymouth Township Planning casino at the proposed race-
See page 3. Commission earlier this month, wetlands, according to township included a 54,000-square-foot track.
the plans will now be sent to the records. The plans for the gaming facility to be constructed Northville Downs was sold to
township trustees for final Plymouth site include construc- during a future phase of devel- a developer five years ago and
approval which could be on the tion of a half-mile oval harness opment. Any casino or racino plans for residential, retail and
June 27 meeting agenda. racetrack; a two-story, 4,900- gambling would require state office space at the Seven Mile
Vol. 76, No. 24 The proposed Northville square-foot grandstand with a approval. Road and Sheldon property are
Judge Michael Gerou of Downs of Plymouth Township is patio for viewing; a 23,000- Those plans prompted con- under way. Northville Downs
the 35th District Court in planned for a 128-acre site near square-foot racing building; a cern from residents when the has been offering harness racing
Plymouth has ruled there is Five Mile and Ridge roads. Only 35,000 square foot horse barn track was originally proposed. since opening in 1944 and is the
sufficient evidence to charge 52 acres of the site are suitable and a 3,200 square foot mainte- Residents questioned the only remaining harness track in
Jeffrey Dwight Locke with as the remainder is protected nance building. Originally, plans accompanying gambling at the the state.
first degree premeditated
murder.
Celebrate
See page 6.

Liberty Festival
begins in Canton
Vol. 76, No. 24
Registration is under way A 30 year tradition begins
for Summer Reading at the today in Canton Township when
Leanna Hicks Public the Liberty Fest opens.
Library, 2500 Hamlin Dr. in The annual celebration of
Inkster. community spirit offers family-
See page 2. friendly activities, exciting car-
nival rides, thrilling Midway
games, two stages of live enter-
tainment, a popular market-
place, festival food, and Beer
Vol. 23, No. 24 Garden, as well as the Annual
Liberty Run, a special
More than15,000 visitors Juneteenth Community
are expected to attend the Celebration, Friday night fire-
Northville Art House Arts works, and much more for all
and Acts Festival as the ages to enjoy.
three-day event begins Major sponsors for this annu-
tomorrow, June 16. al community event include:
See page 4. Heritage Park will come alive with the sights and sounds of Canton Liberty Fest from June 15-17,
BJ’s Wholesale Club, National 2023, which is Canton’s ultimate community celebration of summer fun. (Provided courtesy of
Heritage Academies and the U. Canton Township)
S. Army.
This year Canton Liberty and Midway games. Heritage Park will be closed to reminded that all bikes must be
Fest will feature a new mobile The highly-anticipated vehicular traffic. parked in a bike corral. In addi-
Vol. 23, No. 24 app for Apple and Android Canton Liberty Fest fireworks Event organizers strongly tion, a convenient Uber, Lyft, or
The first phase of the 2023 users prior to the event. display will take place just after discourage visitors from bring- parent drop-off/pick-off spot has
Central Parking Deck reno- Festival-goers will be able to dusk tomorrow, June 16, allow- ing pets onto festival grounds. been designated on Civic
vation project in downtown access everything about the ing for a Saturday night rain However, dogs that attend the Center Boulevard in front of the
Plymouth was expected to be event, including entertainment date, if necessary. Starting as festival must remain on a leash, Canton Public Library main
complete last week. schedules and performer infor- early as 6 p.m. tomorrow, be under their owner’s control, parking lot. For more informa-
See page 5. mation, Carnival Zone informa- Veterans Way, Heritage Drive, and be on their best behavior at tion, visit www.cantonliber-
tion about amusement rides and Summit Parkway near all times. Festival-goers are tyfest.com or call (734) 394-5360.

State of the City 2023

Vol. 138, No. 24
The Romulus Police
Department recently cele- Romulus mayor reports progress in every city department
brated the induction of two
new officers and the promo- During his State of the City ” invest.” McCraight said an
tion of veteran officer Keith address last year, Romulus example of that mutual benefit
Haynes to the rank of ser- Mayor Robert McCraight out- Romulus is the gateway to is major events in Detroit. He
geant. lined his goals for the next 12 Michigan and the first impression said there is often a lack of
See page 2. months. This year, McCraight hotels which often results in
was able to report an 87 percent of the state is our community. Romulus hotels “at 100 percent
completion rate for those plans occupied.”
with the remainder of his goals The core values of his admin-
for the community already McCraight, serving his first elected officials and digni- istration, McCraight said,
under way. term, told the crowd that his taries.” He stressed the impor- remain integrity; transparency;
Vol. 76, No. 24 McCraight presented his 2023 goal was to take the city to the tance of communication with solution orientation, an endeav-
Councilman Alfred Block State of the City address last next level and to accomplish both state and county officials or to improve and simplify
said the volunteer work last month from the Romulus High that goal he needed detail peo- and neighboring communities in processes and inclusive service.
weekend took the communi- School auditorium before an ple whom he could trust and an effort to ensure that “they He spoke about each of those
ty “one step closer to making audience crowded with mayors that Wojtylko was the type of know who we are.” In meetings values during his address, citing
Wayne the cleanest city on from neighboring communities, detail person who was a huge with SEMCOG (Southeast examples from every city
Earth.” county and state officials and asset to his administration and Michigan Council of department as evidence of the
See page 6. community residents. Following the community. McCraight Governments) and the Michigan dedication to those values. He
the pledge of allegiance led by praised the leadership of every Municipal League as examples, added that rather than “fluffy”
several local Girl Scouts and the department in the city, noting he said the city has five people answers his administration
presentation of the colors by the the accomplishments of each of in the room explaining that takes pride in transparency.
honor guard, City Clerk Ellen them and the state and local Romulus is regionally signifi- “We're not hiding from chal-
Craig Bragg sang the national honors awarded to several cant. He noted the participation lenges,” he said. “We're going to
anthem. McCraight was then department leaders as he of Romulus in multiple local tell you what's going on. We will
Vol. 76, No. 24 introduced by his Chief of Staff reported the accomplishments and county organizations all always give you an honest
A 29-year-old man has Julie Wojtylko who noted that of each department during the working to enhance the area. answer to an honest question. It
been arrested and charged McCraight is always focused on past 12 months. “This is regional,” McCraight may not be the answer you want
with the fatal shooting of a doing the right thing for the resi- “Romulus is the gateway to said. “We are all in this together. to hear, but we're going to be
woman and serious injury of dents of the city. She said he is a Michigan,” McCraight told the A win for Romulus is a win for transparent the whole way
a man that occurred in man who “exemplifies leader- crowd “and the first impression Taylor is a win for Huron.” through,” he said.
Westland during the early ship and understands the impli- of the state is our community. We Developers don't look at bor- One of those challenges,
morning hours of June 1. cations and responsibility of are trying to raise that bar up ders, they look strategically at
See page 5. being the mayor.” right now working with our what makes sense for them to See Address, page 2

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