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PAGE 6 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN August 5, 2021

SUMPTER - WESTLAND
SUMPTER - WESTLAND

County Commissioner urges municipal service contracts

Wayne County Commissioner of the board authorized cutting ” a loss of life.”
Al Haidous told Sumpter of the weeds and brush by town- Haidous said he had been pushing Haidous repeatedly empha-
Township officials that after ship department of public works sized that he felt the solution to
exhausting other resources, he employees in response to the for such an arrangement since 2019 the hazard presented by the
was hoping to schedule a meet- complaints, but were adamant with little or no success or response... high weeds was a contract
ing with Wayne County that this was the responsibility between the municipality and
Executive Warren Evans regard- of the county. the county and that he intended
ing services in the area. Haidous, who represents the “to keep the pressure on.”
Haidous attended the most largest county commission dis- weed cutting and some general county levels. He said that for Haidous admitted that the
recent meeting of the Sumpter trict, agreed and said he felt it forestry maintenance services to the first time, due primarily to county officials “have not been
Township Board of Trustees in was a serious problem and that the local municipality. The local the lack of staffing, the county too responsive” to his continued
response to numerous com- the county “needs to do a lot of municipal employees per- forestry department had recent- complaints, requests for service
plaints regarding unkempt things they are not doing.” formed the work and the coun- ly agreed to use an outside con- and suggestion for municipal
drainage ditches and high He said that the lack of serv- try then reimbursed the commu- tractor for some work. contracts. “They even told me
weeds and brush in the area. ice in the township, particularly nity for the service at a rate Trustee Tim Rush said the there would be somebody here
Residents had complained to with high weeds presenting a specified in a formal contract. problem is not only the high tonight,” he told the board
members of the board about the traffic hazard and impeding visi- Haidous said he had been weeds but several situations trustees.
serious safety threat high weeds bility, had been ongoing for sev- pushing for such an arrange- where dead tree branches, “Maybe your guy got lost in
caused as visibility was blocked eral years and that in response ment since 2019 with little or no eaten by carpenter ants or other the weeds on the way here,” sug-
at several intersections. Fire he and members of a county success or response from county insects, hang over the roads in gested Trustee Matt Oddy.
department officials had also committee had reviewed service administration. He told the offi- the township. Haidous said that he will con-
expressed concern about fire plans across the country. He said cials and audience members at “I call them the widow mak- tinue to be the “squeaky wheel”
hydrants being blocked by high that the best and most efficient the July 27 meeting that his ers. They would wipe out a car regarding the issue and promote
weeds. plan they found was in Texas repeated suggestions had been in rain storm. It is only a matter the municipal contract idea. “I
Earlier this month, members where the county contracted the met with resistance at some of time,” he said, “before there is need to go to the top,” he said.
BBQ Mosquito control program OK’d

Outdoor life in Westland mosquito larvae in standing
FROM PAGE 1
should become far more water before hatching.
11 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6 and the pleasant soon. Briquettes will also be
Family Fun Time from 2 until 4 Officials in the city have available to homeowners asso-
p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7. General declared war on the invading ciations, residents with ponds
admission Saturday begins at 4 horde of mosquitoes that have and other potential breeding
p.m. and the event will close at 11 been plaguing residents grounds for the biting insects.
p.m. recently. The recent heavy "The City of Westland is
Parking for Blues, Brews and rainfall has provided an ideal committed to keeping our res-
BBQ will be free this year at breeding spot for mosquito idents healthy and safe. With
Thomas H. Brown Central City larvae in the 7,300 catch the recent influx of rain in our
Park, with overflow parking at basins in the city and resi- community, taking action
John Glenn High School, the dents are feeling the 'bite' as against mosquitoes will help
Friendship Senior Center, and they attempt any outdoor each resident enjoy
William D. Ford Career Technical activities, officials said. Michigan's summers and the
Center as well. Free shuttle buses In response to numerous amenities offered by our city,"
will be provided from the three complaint calls, the city said Mayor William R. Wild.
overflow parking locations from 6 received approval from the Officials said the type of lar-
until 11:30 p.m. Friday and from 5 Michigan Department of vaeside being used will not
until 11:30 p.m. Saturday. Environment, Great Lakes harm the surface water quali-
More information is available at and Energy (EGLE) to take ty and is meant to dissolve
https://www.cityofwestland.com/637 proactive measure using G30 almost immediately.
/Westland-Blues-Brews-and- Spinsad Briquettes in the It is, officials said, a natural
Barbecue along with a complete catch basins. The comprehen- substance made by bacteria
list of the sponsors who made the sive mosquito abatement pro- that is usually toxic to insects
event possible. Thornetta Davis gram is designed to eliminate but environmentally safe.