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July 20 – 26, 2023 NEWS YOU CAN USE, NEWS YOU CAN TRUST 75¢

No. 29 www .associatednewspapers.net

School district rejects Canton Chiefs logo, mascot

Vol. 138, No. 29 It may have been the minori- ” was the minority he was paying
Sumpter Township ty opinion, but it was that minor- attention to. He said those who
Manager Tony Burdick has ity members of the Plymouth Those are the ones I think it is feel the logo and mascot were
suggested prohibiting swim- Canton Community Schools unacceptable were not well
ming in Sherwood Park in Board of Education voted to important for us to honor in this process. served by the district in main-
the community as a safety protect last week. taining the symbols.
measure. A student-led effort to retire He said he understood the
See page 4. the current mascot and logo at concern of alumni who would
Canton High School was was conducted which included assembled audience. remain Chiefs, but that he was
approved by a 6-1 vote of board 6,206 responses, officials noted. Others, however, supported looking toward the generations
members during a regular Of those, 56.6 were opposed to the change. One graduate of of the future and those who find
meeting last week. The decision the change and 27 percent were Salem High School who was in the logo and mascot unaccept-
follows nearly two years of dis- in favor of eliminating both the favor of the change said that as able and offensive. “Those are
cussion. The board decision fol- name and the logo. Others were a Native American, he had been the ones I think it is important
Vol. 76, No. 29 lows two requests from student undecided or had no opinion, subjected to racism while a stu- for us to honor in this process
A decoy customer visited groups who claimed the chief according to officials. Despite dent in the district. He said it and make sure we choose some-
eight Canton Township mascot and arrowhead logo the majority opinion, members was difficult to attend classes at thing that is not offensive.”
tobacco shops last week and were disrespectful and insulting of the citizens committee rec- Canton High School and walk Superintendent of Schools
found that three were willing to Native Americans. Students ommended the change which beneath the arrowhead logo. Monica Merritt who supported
to sell to minors. first made the request in 2021 was criticized by the large audi- The majority of opinion, how- the change explained that the
See page 3. and the same issue was brought ence at the recent meeting of ever, was shared by Trustee community survey was not
to the board by a second group the board. Sheryl Picard who cast the only designed or planned as the
this year. Months of discussion Some who opposed the no vote on the motion to change deciding factor in the decision
regarding the issue prompted change claimed to be of Native the mascot and logo. She said but was a component of the
the empaneling of a citizens American heritage and said the she felt the board members research process. The board
advisory committee to research name and the logo was not should listen to the members of members referred to a resolu-
Vol. 76, No. 29 the issue before making a rec- offensive or demeaning to their the public who spoke out tion of the Michigan State Board

The Inkster Police ommendation regarding the culture. Several individuals against the change at recent of Education that, “strongly rec-
Department is planning sev- proposed change. opposing the change spoke to board meetings. ommend[ed] the elimination of
eral community events this As part of the committee the board members during the School board treasurer
summer including a ‘cool’ research, a community survey meeting, to applause from the Patrick Kehoe responded that it See Chiefs, page 3
Popsicle Giveaway this
Saturday, July 22.
See page 6. Friendly help

Volunteer group book sale helps fund programs at Romulus library

The Romulus Public
Vol. 23, No. 29 Library has some very special
friends. A group of 40 or so,
Northville Township Fire
Department Battalion Chief the Friends of the Romulus
Library fund special pro-
Chris Koth's last day on the grams to enhance and pro-
job was July 15, ending his mote the library in the com-
30-year-career in public safe- munity. The latest effort of the
ty. group is a Book and Bake
See page 2.
Sale set for next Thursday,
Friday and Saturday, July 27,
28 and 29 at the library.
In addition to the books
and other materials on sale,
group members opted to
Vol. 23, No. 29 sweeten up the event with the
Plymouth Township is sale of cookies and quick
accepting applications from breads at a bake sale. Book
residents interested in serv- Chairman Kathy Dick said
ing on the newly created they hope to add more sweets
Veterans' Commission. to the next book sale, depend- The Romulus Public Library helped celebrate Juneteenth this year with a special booth during the
See page 5. ing on the sales this year. The city-wide event.
Friends are also hosting a
small flea market during the end and a magic show for chil- the library and the programs attend the monthly meetings
book sale, with some excep- dren is also set for this month, offered there. and help plan events.
tional bargains on gently used Dick said. The upcoming Book and Membership applications are
items. The Friends provide fund- Bake Sale is set during regu- available at the library and on
Vol. 138, No. 29 Members of the Friends ing for library programs lar library hours; 9:30 a.m. the library website, Dick said.
group are local residents who designed for children, tweens, until 8 p.m. Thursday, July 27; Annual membership is $15 for
The 5th Annual support the goals and services teens and adults and the 9:30 until 6 p.m. Friday July 28 an individual and $25 for a
Community Bike Ride is at the library. While the librar- group supports both the sum- and 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. family. The contribution is tax
planned in for 2 until 5 p.m. ians develop the programs mer and winter reading pro- Saturday, July 29. deductible and receipts are
next Saturday, July 29 in and plan the special activities, grams. In addition, Friends The Friends of the Library available, according to the
Romulus. the friends provide funding are strong advocates of the are also welcoming new mem- website.
See page 6. generated through fundrais- library and volunteers from bers to the group. Dick said The library is located at
ing events throughout the the group will be on hand dur- while there are about 40 11121 Wayne Road in the city.
year. A bowling night (See ing the upcoming Romulus members, there are only For more information, call
page 6.) is planned this week- Pumpkin Festival, promoting about 12 or 15 who regularly (734) 942-7589.

Vol. 76, No. 29 New executive director named at Northville Art House
Lieutenant Robert Amore
was presented with the 2022 The Northville Art House has Museum of Art, the Cincinnati
Wayne Police Department a new executive director. Art Museum, and the Speed Art ”
Police Officer of the Year Shannon Karol joined the art Museum in Louisville, KY. Most
Award at the city council facility June 12, just before the recently, she served as the direc-
meeting last week. annual Arts and Acts Festival. tor of museum education and She has been a
See page 6. No stranger to the community, community engagement at the museum educator in art
Karol is a 1999 graduate of Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.
Northville High School. She Karol said the Arts and Acts museums for 18 years.
attended the University of Festival was both exciting and
Michigan, majoring in English overwhelming with more than
and art history and went on to 1,000 visitors to the art house
earn a master's degree in art his- during the weekend.
Vol. 76, No. 29 tory from the University of Iowa Karol said the Art House is Artist Wall. She said that the art
Five of the six mayoral in 2005. currently observing summer installations at the Tuscan Café
candidates in Westland are She has been a museum edu- hours and is open from 9 a.m. downtown would be changed
featured on Community cator in art museums for 18 until 3:30 p.m. Monday through today and included work by
Media/WLND speaking years, including the Kresge Art Friday. While the main gallery is Linda Pelowski and work by
directly to city residents Museum at Michigan State currently dark, art work by stu- well-known photographer Allen
about their credentials. University (now the MSU Broad dents of Sandra Nursilo are on Brooks will on view after July
See page 5. Shannon Karol Art Museum), the Dallas display as part of the Emerging 27.

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