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June 20 – 26, 2019 NEWS YOU CAN USE, NEWS YOU CAN TRUST 75¢

No. 25 www .associatednewspapers.net

ENTERPRISE Bridge ‘repair’ unsafe for fire trucks
THE BELLEVILLE
ENTERPRISE

Vol. 134, No. 25 because of the probability of
Don Howard
Construction has begun ” trains blocking the crossing at
on the largest splash park in Staff Writer Phillips said the newest of their fire Haggerty Road.
Wayne County which is being The long awaited re-opening engines weighs 56,000 pounds and he has had Gunn said the new 26,000 to
built in Quirk Park in Van of the Hines Park bridge closed 32,000 gross vehicle weight rat-
Buren Township. last year after a Michigan “no assurance they (the bridges) are safe.” ing (GVWR) restrictions would
See page 3. Department of Transportation allow, “cars, buses, fire engines,
(MDOT) inspection revealed trucks and cyclists” to use the
serious safety issues may not be Gunn said when the bridges largest subdivision, Lake Pointe. bridges.
THE CANTON the news Plymouth Township are re-opened the county will Plymouth Township Fire Phillips said the newest of
EAGLE Fire Department officials were impose a new less-than-3-ton Chief Dan Phillips said the the township fire engines
EAGLE
hoping for.
weighs 56,000 pounds and he
weight restrictions “will defi-
vehicle weight restriction that
Vol. 72, No. 25 Last week Manager Kevin will force township fire and nitely add to our response time,” has had “no assurance they (the
Canton Township will cel- Gunn of the Wayne County emergency vehicles to continue should equipment be required bridges) are safe.”
ebrate the Summer Solstice Bridge Division said because to take a time-consuming detour from Fire Station No. 1, on Type C school buses, also
from 7-9 p.m. tomorrow, dur- the bridges were not re-built, but through a residential area when Haggerty. The fire department known as “Conventional” typi-
ing a free community event repaired, there would be restric- responding to the northeast part has had a long-established
near the playscape in tions on the weight limits. of the township, including its detour through Hines Park See Bridges, page 6
Heritage Park.

See page 2. Canton receives high

THE INKSTER marks on financial audit
LEDGER STAR
LEDGER STAR
Vol. 72, No. 25 Julie Brown yet,” on deferred capital and
Staff Writer legacy costs, which include
Residents throughout the employee pensions. “It's not
area now have the opportu- The annual audit of Canton something that you've done
nity to help fund the 22nd Township finances found no wrong,” she added.
Annual Inkster Legends internal deficiencies and a sig- Wendy Trumbull, Canton
Basketball Camp and the nificant boost to the municipal finance and budget director,
annual Christmas giveaway budget. Auditors lauded the noted the mortality tables used
program. township for the financial prac- in the compilation of the retiree
See page 4. tices and gave the township benefit costs, which are compli-
financial reporting a clean bill of cated with people living longer.
health. Trustee Steven Sneideman
THE NORTHVILLE The conclusions of the 2018 asked about retirement cost lia-
EAGLE audit were discussed at the June bility, with Trumbull replying,
EAGLE
“We were within the legal limits
11 meeting of the Canton
Vol. 19, No. 25 Township Board of Trustees. the state has authorized.”
The largest Arts and Acts “The report is complicated Township Supervisor Pat
Festival in the 10-year histo- but accurate and well done,” Williams said he was pleased
ry of the event will return to said Township Trustee John with the audit and praised those
downtown Northville this Anthony at the meeting. who worked on it.
weekend, June 21, 22, and 23. Anthony asked about retiree Melanie Crowther of Plante
See page 4. benefit costs for the year ending Moran said the legacy costs are
Dec. 31, 2018. significant.
Alisha Watkins, a partner at “It is a significant liability
THE PLYMOUTH Connie Holzer displays a few of the awards she received last Plante Moran, a firm that per- that all communities are facing,”
EAGLE week from Ford Motor Co., the City of Farmington Hills, the forms many municipal audits she said, but added that Canton
EAGLE
State of Michigan and Ford Motor Credit Co. recognizing her
Vol. 19, No. 25 business performance. Photo by Dave Willett throughout the state, responded. is well positioned to address
“You're not out of the woods
such costs.
The Plymouth Noon Tiny titan
Rotary Club recently pre- Water rates to rise
sented financial awards to
graduating seniors going into Connie Holzer awarded multiple
vocational training pro- in City of Northville
grams. honors from Ford, state and city
See page 2. City of Northville residents amounts without reaching the 10
She barely makes it to 5 age of 24, and had seen first- can expect to see an increase on percent buffer. The peak amount
feet tall, but when Connie hand the demanding sched- their water bills this year. is based on how much water is
Holzer stands on her reputa- ule a successful dealership Northville has been assessed used in any one hour and on any
THE ROMULUS tion and success, she towers requires of an owner. a 10-percent operating buffer for one day.
ROMAN
ROMAN over the competition. “After Tom's death, I came water rates, based on exceeding Residents with underground
Vol. 134, No. 25 Last week, Ford Motor Co., to the dealership and my son, the maximum flow limits con- irrigation systems (automatic
Ford Motor Credit Corp., The Buzzy, who was the general tracted with Great Lakes Water sprinkling systems) may only
Crime stoppers is offering City of Farmington Hills and manager, told me that if I was Authority (GLWA) last summer. water grass between the hours of
an award of up to $2,000 for the State of Michigan all going to sell the business, I Peak water usage typically midnight and 5 a.m. on odd or
any information regarding joined in congratulating needed to have a meeting occurs at the beginning of sum- even days based on the house
the theft of seven dirt bikes Holzer on the performance with the staff and tell them mer and extends into September, address. Addresses ending in an
stolen from a Romulus quad- and success of Tom Holzer that myself. Nobody else was depending on the weather. Last even number, e.g. 2994, can water
riplegic. Ford, recognized as one of the going to do it,” she said dur- year, hot, dry conditions led to on even numbered dates of the
See page 3. best performing dealerships ing the award presentations over watering by hundreds of month, the second, fourth, sixth,
in the country. Friends, co- last week. She said she went homeowners. etc. Addresses ending with an
workers, customers and dig- home and thought about the New water rates will take odd number, e.g. 2993, can water
THE WAYNE nitaries crowded the show- situation, made sure she effect July 1 and residents will on off-numbered dates of the
EAGLE
EAGLE room last week to help cele- could mortgage her home to see water costs of $10.05 per unit month such as the first, third,
brate the honors, two of
help fund the business and
fifth, seventh, etc. etc.
(1,000 gallons) and sewer rates of
Residents who water their
Vol. 72, No. 25 which came as a surprise to went back to talk to the $7.15 per unit. Combined, the lawns and gardens manually
new costs are about a $1.18 per
Holzer. While she was expect-
employees.
Downtown Days in Wayne ing the Ford awards, the city “I told them if you believe unit increase from 2018 rates, with a hose or with a sprinkler
will feature a flea market honor and state certificate in me, we'll make it together,” officials said. attached to a hose may only
and community garage sale took her by surprise-which she said. “If not, we'll go broke “The penalty ($130,000) con- water between the hours of 11
with nearly 50 vendors on isn't an easy feat, her staff together. This dealership, the tributes to the higher rates being a.m. to midnight on odd or even
Aug. 9 and 10 this year. members confirmed. awards, this is the product of charged this year,” said City of days based on the home address.
See page 5. Holzer has been at the them. This team of mine, they Northville Department of Public Residents who ignore the
helm of the dealership since do it, not me,” she said. “I Works Director Loyd Cureton. restrictions will be committing a
the death of her husband in have the best team in the “The most effective way to civil infraction and be issued a
THE WESTLAND 2006. His death after 51 years country.” reduce the 10-percent operating violation which will result in a
EAGLE
EAGLE of marriage came just as the Holzer said she was over- buffer we have is to control the fine of $50 for the first offense
Vol. 72, No. 25 economic recession was whelmed with the presenta- city's lawn irrigation.” and $100 for repeat offenses.
Rates will also increase for
Officials said that the city will
tion of the most prestigious
looming and car sales plum-
When students return to meting. Holzer was faced and coveted awards Ford begin a vigilant monitoring of meter replacement, refuse and
classes in the Wayne- with some significant chal- presents. Tom Holzer Ford is water usage and will issue viola- recycling and service charges
Westland Community School lenges and very difficult deci- the fifth largest dealership in tions to homeowners found to be effective July 1. Meter replace-
District next fall, they will sions. She had worked in the Metro Detroit, and the 12th noncompliant with water restric- ment fees will increase from
see four familiar faces in business as she was able, hav- tions. The restrictions have been $5.57 to $6.67 and service charges
new leadership roles. ing six children before the See Holzer , page 4 enacted to help ensure that
See page 5. water usage is within contracted See Water, page 4

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