A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
4
August 13, 2015
W
ESTLAND
Brownfield Authority accepting citizen applications
City to host community gathering, movie at park
Former Michigan State Rep.
and
Wayne
County
Commissioner Richard LeBlanc
won 75 percent of the votes dur-
ing the primary election for the
office of city clerk last week.
LeBlanc also previously served
on the Westland City Council for
two terms and was a member of
the Wayne Westland Community
SchoolsBoard of Education.
LeBlanc will now face Jody
Rice-White, who received 14 per-
cent or 617 votes, on the Nov. 3
ballot for the 4-year term as
WestlandCity Clerk.
Following LeBlanc and Rice-
White at the polls were
Christopher Cox who receive 6
percent or 290 votes and Zivka
Wojtowicz who garnered 5 per-
cent or 220 votes. Both Cox and
Wojtowicz were eliminated from
the ballot.
In the 12 candidate field for
the four available seats on the
Westland City Council, voters
favored the incumbents, with
one exception. Current Council
President James Godbout gar-
nered 13 percent or 2,146 votes
as the top vote getter while
incumbent Bill Johnson followed
in second place with 12 percent
of the vote at 2,018. Voters' third
choice was former city council-
man and ex-mayor Charles
Pickering who received 11 per-
cent or 1,817 votes.
In fourth place was incum-
bent Dewey Reeves with 1,689
votes or 10 percent of the total
followed closely by challenger
Peter Herzberg with 1,613 votes.
Judy McKinney received 1,503
votes or 9 percent of the total and
William Campbell garnered
1,328 voters or 8 percent of the
total.
Incumbent Adam Hammons
will complete the field of candi-
dates vying for three, 4-year and
one 2-year term on the council.
Hammons received 1,303 or 8
percent of the votes cast.
The top four vote getters in
November will take the three
available 4-year terms while the
next highest voter getter will
serve the 2-year term.
Eliminated
from
the
November ballot were candi-
dates Dennis LeMaitre who col-
lected 941 votes or 6 percent of
the total ballots, Steve Boron
who received 798 votes or 5 per-
cent of the total, Kevin Miller
who received 782 votes or 5 per-
cent of the total and Chris
Coldren who received a total of
445 votes.
According to Wayne County
records, only about 8 percent of
the 60,233 registered voters in
the city cast ballots in the pri-
mary election.
The City of Westland is seek-
ing qualified individuals inter-
ested in serving on the
BrownfieldAuthorityBoard.
The Brownfield Authority
Board comprises 11 members
appointed by themayor and sub-
ject to confirmation by members
of city council. The board is a
requirement for compliance
with state and federal regula-
tions governing sites designated
as “brownfields,” typically prop-
erty where expansion, redevel-
opment or reuse may be compli-
cated due to the presence or
potential presence of hazardous
pollutants or contaminants.
Brownfields may qualify for cer-
tain tax credits or other econom-
ic assistance to ensure the prop-
erty is cleaned up and a rein-
vestment made that protects the
environment, reduces blight and
reduces the demand for using
other greenspaces or undevel-
oped land.
The Brownfield Authority
Board members meet following
the submission of a Brownfield
Redevelopment Plan by a busi-
ness or property owner in the
city. The authority facilitates
these individuals in redevelop-
ing designated Brownfield sites
throughoutWestland.
In the past, the Brownfield
board members have approved
projects such as the MJR
Theatre, a $15 million project,
and the new TimHorton's at the
corner of Ford and Wayne.
Interested individuals with a
background in land use, envi-
ronmental sciences or economic
development or similar experi-
ence are preferred although any
resident with an interest in the
well-being of the City of
Westland is encouraged to apply,
according to a statement from
the office ofMayorWilliamWild.
Interested individuals are
asked to submit a resume and
letter of interest to Mayor
William R. Wild, City of
Westland, 36300 Warren Road,
Westland, MI 48185.
Members serve without
remuneration
with
the
Brownfield Authority Board
meeting on an as-needed basis.
Appointments are for varying
terms of up to three years in
duration.
The second Community
Gathering in Westland will take
place beginning at 6 p.m. Aug.
25.
Prior to the movie, George
Brothers Band will provide live
music. Refreshments will be
available for purchase from
ChickenShack, a local food ven-
dor, and the park concession
stand. Free popcorn will be
provided by Mayor William
Wild and city representatives
will have information on hand
about various programs, servic-
es and upcoming events. City
officials will be in attendance to
answer questions or offer assis-
tance.
The Disney computer ani-
mated movie Big Hero 6 will be
shown at about 8:30 p.m. on a
large inflatable screen.
Park It Movie Night will take
place at Central City Park, 1901
N. Carlson.
“Our first Community
Gathering at Corrado Park was
a huge success, with over 700 in
attendance;” commented Wild.
“Events like these give my
administration and the
WestlandCity Council an oppor-
tunity to meet residents infor-
mally, hear their thoughts and
ideas about improving the com-
munity and allow our families a
chance to enjoy fun and free
activities at Westland's beautiful
parks.”
According to Wayne County records,
only about 8 percent
of the 60,233 registered voters
in the city cast ballots in the primary election.
”
Former legislator, incumbents win voters’ favor
Richard LeBlanc
