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July 29 – August 4, 2021 NEWS YOU CAN USE, NEWS YOU CAN TRUST 75¢

No. 30 www .associatednewspapers.net

THE BELLEVILLE Tax incentive granted for ‘Eloise’ development
ENTERPRISE
ENTERPRISE
Plans to invest more than $12 million into
Vol. 136, No. 30 the historic Wayne County General Hospital $5.4 million although officials said the total site on Michigan Avenue between Henry
Ruff and Merriman roads, was completely
will be about $2.7 million due to the maxi-
Sumpter Township offi- in Westland moved a step forward earlier mum duration of 30 years and the structure self-sustaining providing food from farming
cials want to know if this month when members of the city coun- of the agreement. on the property, the bakery, power plant,
Comcast has provided all the cil approved Brownfield redevelopment tax Work on the buildings is expected to take laundry and even a fire and police force of
services promised in the credits for the site. several years, according to current plans sorts. Many of the buildings date from 1839
township following questions Developer John Hambrick paid Wayne submitted to the city, and could open in 2026. when the site housed the indigent prior to
by a resident. County $1 for the so-called Eloise property Several unsalvageable buildings such as the renovation into a psychiatric hospital. The
See page 2. in 2018 and has been in the planning stages former bakery and power plant will be hospital closed in 1984 and the buildings
since then. The total tax credits could reach removed from the property. At one time, the were used for some county offices until 2016.
Hambrick intends to take advantage of
THE CANTON the history of the buildings which have been
EAGLE the site of multiple paranormal claims and
EAGLE
Vol. 74, No. 30 investigations along with a horror movie
released in 2017. He said the Kay Beard
The son of a Canton Building will be renovated and one of the
Township police officer first attractions will be “haunted” and he
will undergo a psychiatric plans to have escape rooms and a café in the
examination to determine former fire station. He said he hopes to con-
his competency to stand struct a “ghost bar and restaurant” at the
trial in his father's death. site and will have space available for rentals
See page 6. to the public. He said the site will eventually
have a hotel to capitalize on the history of
the buildings.
THE INKSTER Hambrick said he expects to employ from
LEDGER STAR 50 to 100 people and perhaps more during
LEDGER STAR
Vol. 74, No. 30 the Halloween season, in addition to the
construction jobs during renovations.
Inkster police are prepar-
ing for National Night Out,
celebrated from 5-9 p.m. Flying high
Tuesday, Aug. 3 in the park-
ing lot at the Inkster Police Octogenarian pilot is honored
Department.
See page 5. with Wright Brothers Award

Laura Hipshire
THE NORTHVILLE Special Writer
EAGLE
EAGLE
Tom Shipp, 83, of Plymouth, has always
Vol. 210, No. 30 enjoyed the thrill of a fast ride. His mom
New ordinance provi- once told him, “You drive so fast, you
sions regulating procedures should fly an airplane.”
at construction sites in Shipp took his mom's advice and then
Northville could be adopted some. In July, he received the Wright
by members of the city coun- Brothers Award from the Federal
cil Aug. 2. Aviation Administration (FAA). Less than
See page 6. one percent of pilots receive the presti- Pilot Tom Shipp, 83, continues to take to the sky, and has commercial, instrument and
gious award. To qualify, candidates must glider pilot's licenses. Gliders, he says, are the most challenging. Photo by Laura Hipshire.
have 50+ years of U.S. piloting experi-
THE PLYMOUTH ence, hold a US. Civilian Aviation
EAGLE Authority or FAA pilot certificate and be a
EAGLE

Vol. 21, No. 30 U.S. citizen with no accidents, incidents,
or suspensions. Shipp was scheduled to
A technology grant from get the award last March, but it was post-
the Bosch Community Fund poned due to the pandemic.
to the Friends of the Library Shipp got his first taste of flying in 1958
will help span the digital when he joined the Marine Corps and
divide in the Plymouth com- trained as a jet engine mechanic. After
munity. leaving the Marine Corps in 1962, he
See page 3. earned his private pilot's license, which
allowed him to fly single-engine air-
planes.
THE ROMULUS Shipp didn't find work as a pilot, so he
ROMAN
ROMAN earned an associate's degree in quality Tom Shipp of Plymouth is awarded the prestigious Wright Brothers Award by FAA rep-
Vol. 136, No. 30 engineering and landed a job at Lockheed resentative Donald Brown during a luncheon ceremony as Shipp's wife, Marie, looks
Missiles and Space Co. in Sunnyvale, CA.
City of Romulus Police But he never lost his passion for flying. on. Photo by Laura Hipshire.
officials recently announced These days, Shipp tows and flies glid- in and out of the tow plane,” he said. memorative pin.
the promotion of veteran ers at the Adrian Soaring Club in Adrian. Shipp was nominated for the award by A self-professed tinkerer, Shipp said he
officer and the award for He currently holds airplane commer- his fellow club pilots, who describe him as loves making things and fixing things
Officer of the Quarter. cial, instrument and glider pilot's licenses “a great gentleman, a great pilot, and a around the house. Flying, tinkering, and
See page 2. but says flying gliders is the most chal- great mentor to all.” maintaining his property help keep him
lenging. The award was presented to Shipp by active and in good health, he said.
Flying gliders requires self-certifica- FAA representatives Patrick Ryan and “I can't imagine just sitting around and
THE WAYNE tion for medical conditions, but there are Donald Brown at a luncheon and ceremo- watching TV.”
EAGLE lots of checks and balances, including ny attended by Shipp's wife, Marie, his Shipp said he was honored to be get-
EAGLE
Vol. 74, No. 30 passing periodic FAA medical physicals son, Jeff, club members and friends. In ting such a cherished award for doing
addition to an official FAA certificate, he
and flight reviews every two years.
something he loves so much.
Police continue to investi- To date, Shipp has towed nearly 11,000 received a lapel pin and his name is now “Here I am getting the grand-daddy of
gate the death of a 26-year-old gliders. listed on the Roll of Honor at faasafety.gov. aviation of awards just for having fun fly-
Wayne man killed when he “I'll continue to fly as long as I can get Marie Shipp was presented with a com- ing,” he said.
was struck by a train as he was
walking on the tracks last
week. See page 5. Canton offering wage incentive to aid in hiring staff

Canton Township is hiring incentive will remain in effect Canton Leisure Services direc- this current situation that is,
and officials are offering several through Dec. 31. tor. unfortunately, mirroring many
THE WESTLAND incentives to new employees. The township is currently “Over the past few years, we of the national hiring trends.”
EAGLE Members of the township attempting to hire employees for have experienced challenges Hohenberger said the town-
EAGLE

Vol. 74, No. 30 board of trustees approved an a variety of part-time positions, with filling several of our part- ship is hiring a variety of part-
time and seasonal positions, but
time and seasonal positions
increase of $2.50 per hour for all
officials said, and this wage
Voters in Westland will be part-time employees during the incentive is an effort to help there is a significant lack of indi- which may include: Pheasant
asked to reduce the number July 13 meeting. address hiring challenges in the viduals coming forward to apply Run Golf Club grill cook; teen
of candidates seeking the The wage increase is part of local market. This initiative was this year,” Hohenberger said. services staff; lifeguards;
office of mayor and council an ongoing effort to address undertaken to encourage new “Important steps such as this Summit on the Park staff;
and approve a library mill- recent staffing challenges for hires to become township staff, temporary part-time wage Therapeutic Recreation staff;
age during the election next attracting new hires, as well as as well as help retain Canton's incentive will certainly go a long park laborers; Pheasant Run
Tuesday. retaining current part-time dedicated current workforce, way in helping us recruit and
See page 4. employees, officials said and the explained Greg Hohenberger, retain more workers to weather See Pay, page 6

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