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release, he added

Current wages will bemaintained for any district transportation employees hired by Durham with any new hires beginning employment at a competitive part-time wage scale. Durham also will provide an employee-only health insurance plan with a 100 percent company paid contribution for part-time employees working at least 20 hours perweek.

“Board members and district officials carefully reviewed the transportation servic-es bids received from four private compa-nies, including talking with representatives

from other area school districts currently contracting with each of the vendors,” Superintendent of Schools Mary Kay Gallagher said. “We are confident that through this arrangement with Durham School Services, Northville Public Schools will be able to offer quality transportation services for our students and families. In addition, district officials, through our Operations Department, will continue to play an ongoing, active role in overseeing the district's transportationprogram.” School Board President Joan Wadsworth said. “We wouldn't be considering privatiza-tion if not for the budgetary challenges faced by the school district and the fact that, given the dire state funding projections for public schools over the next several years, our financial situation is unlikely to improve any time soon.”

Tails will be wagging as Canton pets and owners celebrate the opening of the newoff-leashdog park from5:30-7 p.m. Aug. 9. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony is planed for 5:45 and the public, and their four-legged friends, are invited to the event. The newpark is located onDentonRoad, just north of Cherry Hill Road and across from Canton Fire Station 3. The off-leash dog park provides separate sections for large dogs 20 pounds or more and smaller breeds under 20 pounds. This newest park features an enclosed space of approximate-ly 5 acres and has a double-gated entry which will be kept locked when the park is not open. Hours of operation are fromdawn to dusk.

“The dog park is a wonderful addition to the Canton community keeping with our commitment of providing open green spaces and areas where residents and visi-tors can interact and enjoy the outdoors,” said Abe Vinitski, park and golf supervisor

for the township. “We're delighted that so many individuals put their time and effort into this project because they believe the dog park would be a popular and beneficial asset for thewhole community.”

The dog park was made possible through the dedication of the Friends of the Canton Dog Park, a volunteer group organized to help fundraise to create an off-leash dog park in the community, as well as generous donations fromarea residents and business-es. In addition, several grants from Wayne County were utilized to fund the creation of the park.

There can be no doubt of the popularity of the new park. Canton resident Woojin Ro's little Yorkshire terrier, Cheeto, recently became the 1,000 member of the Canton Dog Park and was awarded a gift bag to mark the occasion. “Cheeto really likes to play with other dogs and socialize in a posi-tive environment,” noted Ro. “It's great to have a large outdoor area so close to home

for himto visit on a regular basis.”

The grand opening celebration is being sponsored by the Friends of the Canton Dog Park, Canton Township and International TransmissionCompany (ITC).

The Canton Clerk's Office is accepting membership applications for the Canton Dog Park. The cost of membership is just $25 for residents and $50 dollars for non-res-idents. These yearly membership fees include up to three dogs per family. All dogs

must be at least 4 months old, licensed and up-to-date on all required shots.

Register at the Canton Clerk's Office or at the grand opening celebration with a com-pleted form, current Canton Dog License and current copy of required vaccinations. For dog park rules and to down load a regis-tration and license form, visit Cantonfun.org. For additional information about the Canton Dog Park, call (734) 394-5310.

Civic Concern, the Northville community food pantry, will be the beneficiary of all the let-tuce Northville resident Peter Morris, 8, is pick-ing. Donations of fresh produce from home gardeners or produce purchased at the Farmer's Market will be accepted for Civic Concern at the Master Gardener's booth at the Northvi l le Farmer's Market every Thursday until October.

Canton Township Clerk Terry Bennett,left,Woojin Ro holding Cheeto, and Robonna Duty of the clerk's office, were all smiles when Cheeto became member number 1,000 at the new Canton Dog Park.