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June 16, 2022 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 3

ROMULUS - INKSTER
ROMULUS - INKSTER

Mayor delivers first State of the City address

“We're going to find a way,” meet with county and state offi-
was the message Romulus Mayor ” cials regarding the need for
Robert McCraight emphasized I keep stressing to them that we are the gateway improvements.
during his first State of the City “I keep stressing to them that
address to an enthusiastic audi- to Michigan. We are the first thing you see we are the gateway to Michigan.
ence June 7 at Romulus High when you land (from a plane) in Michigan. We are the first thing you see
School. when you land (from a plane) in
McCraight, who said he is Michigan.”
often inspired by quotes from He said he hopes for a region-
history, repeated Abraham the Michigan Association of will add 1,000 jobs in the area al partnership to help fund roads
Lincoln's remark. “Determine a Chiefs of Police. The Romulus along with adding to the tax base. and many other infrastructure
thing can and should be done department, he said, is one of He said the developer will improvements in the city. He said
and we shall find a way,” in his only 38 police agencies in the add three commercial buildings to date in his first term in office,
address explaining his goals for state to have been awarded the at the site “on their dime” and 14 grants totaling more than $5
the city. distinction which is based on the added retail establishments. million in either grant funds or
Since taking office, McCraight best and most effective police “We're hoping those jobs drive alternative funding have been
reported that within the first 60 practices. the economy,” he said. One of requested or applied for by the
days as mayor, he attended more McCraight also mentioned the those businesses, a Royal Farms, city.
than 30 meetings with communi- cross-training of fire and police is the first of the franchise in the He mentioned his hope for a
ty partners and local, regional officers noting that many of them state. new veterans park near the cur-
and state elected officials. The were unaware of policies and He introduced a new team rent memorial and the rebuild- Mayor Robert McCraight
meetings were all in an effort to procedures in the other depart- dedicated to controlling and solv- ing of the police headquarters
promote Romulus and establish ments. He said that now they ing blight complaints in the city which he described as a deter- Carol Bales, whom he said, “pro-
a working and comfortable rela- have shared ideas and that the and said that 88 percent of the rent to recruiting new officers. vided a blueprint for the next
tionship with other communities. first responders “can handle blight citations or complaints had McCraight reminded the audi- generation.”
He said many of the meetings, emergency situations in the same been satisfied. “We let owners ence that in 2021, the City of He closed his remarks noting
including several at the way.” know we expect a higher stan- Romulus ended the year with a his vision for the city remains
Mackinac Policy Conference McCraight reminded the audi- dard in this community,” he said. $9,000 unassigned fund balance, transparency in all his adminis-
helped promote the regional sig- ence that development at the He mentioned that a new owner the highest amount in recent his- tration's dealings and a strong
nificance of the city. Romulus Trade Center, a 171- of the Barrington Apartments is tory for the community, despite sense of community and family.
“We're on the right track and acre, multi-million-dollar invest- making $4 million in improve- the challenges presented by the “Family comes first, make
we're not going to back down,” he ment offering a combination of ments at that building. pandemic. sure they are involved,” he said
said. retail and industrial space is set McCraight said he and his He closed his remarks by as he introduced his children,
He listed among many accom- to begin this year. He explained staff continue to attempt find stressing the importance of com- Declan and Dalia, along with his
plishments during his time in that the developers “upgraded ways to “fix the roads” in the city. munity and family, citing the wife, Kendra. Presenting her
office the accreditation of the the standards” regarding the “It's a failing road system,” he Hometown Heroes program and with flowers, he thanked his wife
Romulus Police Department by development in the city and now said, and said he continues to Person of the Year award winner for her support and patience.
Inkster to mark Juneteenth with city celebrations

The federal holiday on Monday, June news of freedom. In the westernmost con- p.m. on Saturday, June 18 at Inkster Park, The holiday will also be celebrated
20, will mark Juneteenth, a day commem- federate state of Texas, however, enslaved 1550-1676 John Daly St. in the city. from noon until 2 p.m. June 18 at the
orating the emancipation of enslaved people did not become free until June 19, The event, organized by Michigan Leanna Hicks Public Library where a
black Americans. It is also often observed 1865 when 2,000 union troops arrived in United, will include music by VDJ Wada free, country-style event is planned.
for celebrating African-American culture. Galveston to announce that more than and an exhibition match with the Organizers said there would be food,
Originating in Galveston, Texas, it has 250,000 enslaved Black people were free Liberian Association of Michigan Soccer square dancing lessons, horses and a
been celebrated annually on June 19 in by executive decree and the 13th team. The soccer match will begin at rodeo demonstration.
various parts of the United States since Amendment. The day became known as noon. The event will also be celebrated at the
1865. Juneteenth by the newly freed people in Visitors are encouraged to bring a Floyd B. Simmons Building and
The Emancipation Proclamation took Texas. cookout basket and enjoy the food, fun, Brookside Park during the weekend. The
place Jan. 1, 1863 when at the stroke of Juneteenth is marked as the second games and voter engagement. Seating will free celebration is slated to continue from
midnight, all enslaved people in confeder- Independence Day in the United States. be limited, organizers said, so visitors 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. June 17 through 19 at
ate states were declared legally free. While it was celebrated in the Black com- should bring a chair if possible. 29150 Carlysle Ave. in the city.
Union soldiers, many of whom were munity, it was only declared a national
Black, marched onto plantations and holiday by President Joe Biden in 2021.
across cities in the south reading small A city celebration of Juneteenth is
copies of the proclamation spreading planned in Inkster from 11:30 a.m. until 5