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July 8 – 14, 2021 NEWS YOU CAN USE, NEWS YOU CAN TRUST 75¢

No. 27 www .associatednewspapers.net

THE BELLEVILLE Police sergeant sues City of Wayne officials
ENTERPRISE
ENTERPRISE
A City of Wayne police officer
Vol. 136, No. 27 has filed a lawsuit in U.S. ” That testing was completed at
Wayne City Hall on March 7,
The new members of the District Court seeking a jury Hughes claims 2019. Hughes was subsequently
Rotary Club of Belleville trial and damages in excess of that Nocerini changed informed by Nocerini and
Board of Directors were offi- $75,000 for alleged breach of the scoring criteria Leslie that Strong, who was then
cially sworn into office last duty by Wayne City Manager acting chief, had received a
week. Lisa Nocerini. for the job. score of 90 while Hughes had
See page 3. The suit also names Mayor received a score of 87 on the
John Rhaesa, members of the testing. Strong was then named
Wayne City Council and A letter from EMPCO to the chief of police position.
THE CANTON Personnel Director Alyse Leslie Director of Marketing/Project In court filings, Hughes
EAGLE as defendants in depriving Management Charles L. Castle, recounts that on or about March
EAGLE

Vol. 74, No. 27 Hughes of his rights under the however, denies that claim. 14, 2019, he was informed by a
third party that one of the asses-
14th Constitutional Amendment.
The opening for the chief's
Local chefs and food In his lawsuit, Police Sgt. job was posted in the depart- sors who conducted the EMPCO
trucks will be offering Bites Abraham Hughes, who joined ment on Dec. 19, 2018 and the testing confirmed that, in fact,
for the Barn at the Wayne department in qualifications listed were a ver- Hughes had received the higher
Preservation Park in February of 2002, alleges that bal interview, a four-year college score of the two candidates test- Abraham Hughes
Canton this summer to help Nocerini interfered with and degree and testing to be con- ed.
efforts to rebuild the Cady- corrupted the process conduct- ducted by EMPCO. Hughes also claims that in a Hughes claims in the lawsuit
See page 5. ed in the hiring a replacement Hughes, Lt. Ryan Strong and later meeting Castle confirmed that he met with Strong to voice
for retiring Police Chief Alan another police sergeant applied that Hughes had received the his concerns that Nocerini had
Maciag who retired in for the position, although the higher test score. The court fil- “arbitrarily and secretly added
THE INKSTER December of 2018. third applicant withdrew before ing also claims that Castle con- the subjective elements to the
LEDGER STAR Hughes claims that Nocerini testing. According to the court firmed that Nocerini then inter- process while EMPCO was in
LEDGER STAR
Vol. 74, No. 27 changed the scoring criteria for filings, on Feb. 20 Strong and vened in the EMPCO testing the process of completing it.”
process to attempt to change the
the job after he attained the
Hughes' complaints resulted
Hughes were informed by
Inkster residents, like highest marks on testing per- EMPCO that the sole qualifica- criteria used in the scoring to in an internal investigation of
those in neighboring com- formed by EMPCO, an inde- tion for the open chief of police ensure the job went to the candi- Nocerini's interference by city
munities, have been urged pendent consulting agency hired position would be the objective date of her choice. Castle has attorney Anthony Chubb and
by city officials to document to test applicants for the chief's results, score-and-score-only of denied both those assertions in
any damage suffered during job. the EMPCO testing process. a letter to the city. See Lawsuit, page 4
the flooding last week.
See page 2. Art In The Park returns to downtown Plymouth
A 40-year tradition will return
THE NORTHVILLE to the downtown streets of
EAGLE
EAGLE Plymouth tomorrow as Art In The
Park, the second largest art fair in
Vol. 210, No. 27 the state, welcomes visitors to
Northville Township downtown Plymouth. This year,
Police officers are now the massive art sale will take
equipped with body cameras place beginning Friday, July 9
that record interactions with and continue through Sunday,
the public and increase July 11.
transparency in an effort to The staple of Plymouth Art in
protect both residents and the Park remains the 400 plus
officers. artists from around the United
See page 3. States and Canada. Thousands of
pieces of original artwork will be
available for purchase including;
THE PLYMOUTH paintings, sculpture, ceramics,
EAGLE jewelry, fiber, fine glass, wood-
EAGLE
work, mixed media, photography,
Vol. 21, No. 27 and folk art, according to organiz-
ers. Young visitors can partici-
It was quite a party last pate in the painting of the chil-
month when six Plymouth dren's mural and young artists
residents celebrated more will have booths around Kellogg said, but visitors can expect many will work on the chalk art cre- are air-conditioned and have
than 600 years of life experi- Park selling their artwork. of their favorite and usual ation all weekend. restrooms on board. They can
ence at a birthday party at There will also be face paint- exhibitors along with some new Juggler John Park will appear accommodate strollers and offer
Independence Village. ing, sandy candy art, balloons, artisans. on stage in the park at noon, 3 storage for art purchases.
See page 6.
henna body art and caricatures The Living Mural will be at and 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday Schoolcraft College is located
designed to please younger visi- Ann Arbor Trail and Main streets and at noon and 3 p.m. on at 18600 Haggerty Road in
THE ROMULUS tors, according to organizers. My when former Canton resident Sunday. Livonia.
ROMAN Adventure Theatre, an interac- Kristen Dillenbeck Zipp of will perform at the corner of Ann temperatures, pets should be left
ROMAN
Raggae Band Roots Vibration
Due to the predicted warm
Portland, ORE will create a living
tive family-friendly theater expe-
Vol. 136, No. 27 rience for the entire family will art mural during the event for the Arbor Trail and Forest Avenue all at home, organizers said, as the
The Romulus Public be entertaining in Kellogg Park. 11th year. George Tait's Stand three days. hot pavement can burn foot pads
Library is now open to the Characters are chosen from the Still Theater will be on the com- Also set to entertain crowds is and cause serious, and expen-
public and study tables are audience, costumed on the spot pass and Main Street and Ann Vibraphonist John Davis who will sive, injury to animals.
available for use and time and narrated through adventures Arbor Trail from 1 until 5 all perform all weekend in booth 255 Veterinarians noted that own-
limits in the building have complete with songs, dancing and weekend. on South Main Street. ers should test pavement using
been lifted. fun. The chalk mural will be locat- Parking for the event is free at the back of their hand placed flat
See page 2. The bump-outs into downtown ed on the concrete at Main and Schoolcraft College where a $3 on the surface. If they are not
streets to accommodate local Penniman this year and local shuttle ride will bring visitors to comfortable leaving their hand
restaurants will impact the usual artist Erin Dillenbeck and D & M the center of the festival at
THE WAYNE booth layout this year, organizers Art Studio students and teachers Plymouth City Hall. The coaches See Festival, page 5
EAGLE Romulus Fire Department wins ALS designation
EAGLE

Vol. 74, No. 27
Wayne police are offering City of Romulus Fire advancing our fire department
clean up kits at no cost to Department officials were ” and providing a better service
those still cleaning up damage proud to announce to members It's important the Romulus Fire Department model to the Romulus commu-
and debris from the storms of the City Council recently remains progressive and continues nity.”
last week. that the prestigious and covet- The Romulus Fire
See page 4. ed Advanced Life Support to make critical enhancements. Department averages 15 calls a
(ALS) certification has been day and around 80 percent of
awarded to the department. those calls require EMS sup-
THE WESTLAND Chief Kevin Krause, direc- staff, a shift in recruitment and communities and completing port, officials said. With the
EAGLE tor of Fire Services and hiring policies and a rigorous the Advanced Life Support cer- ALS certification, Romulus
EAGLE

Vol. 74, No. 27 Emergency Management said inspection carried out by the tification is a critical step firefighters will have the ability
State of Michigan and Health
toward further strengthening
to treat patients on the scene
that the new designation is part
During an emergency of a continued effort to Emergency Medical Services, our systems,” said Romulus and transport them directly to
meeting last Friday, mem- enhance the city public service or HEMS, the local medical Mayor LeRoy Burcroff. “The the hospital instead of waiting
bers of the Westland City model and ensure the safety control board. safety and well being of our for EMS support to arrive-
Council agreed to allocate up and well being of residents. “Romulus residents deserve residents are our number one reducing the number of emer-
to $1 million in funding to The nearly two-year process a state-of-the-art public service priority. I would like to thank gency vehicles on the road and
clean up storm damage. included Emergency Medical model that is at a consistent all of our firefighters for their
See page 4. Services (EMS) training for service level with surrounding dedication and commitment to See Fire, page 2

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