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No. 33
NEWS YOU CAN USE, NEWS YOU CAN TRUST
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August 15 – 21, 2013
w w w . a s s o c i a t e d n e w s p a p e r s . n e t
Wayne officials continue to
struggle with the financial cri-
sis in the city andhave predict-
ed a looming budget deficit of
$2 million for the next fiscal
year.
See page 2.
Two special land use
requests will bring two restau-
rants toRomulus and open the
door for two more, on
Merriman, Middlebelt and
Airport roads.
See page 5.
Michael James Stachowski,
33, theman accused of robbing
the Plymouth Bank of America
branchhas been granted a psy-
chiatric examination by the
court.
See page 3.
Friends of the Rouge will
sponsor a rain garden work-
shop From 6:30-7:30 p.m. Aug.
20. The free workshop will
take place at the Northville
TownshipHall.
See page 3.
Van Buren Township will
purchase a 7.45 acre parcel of
land from the Wayne County
Treasurer's for the amount of
back taxes owed on the prop-
erty, $9,214.41.
See page 2
.
Vol. 128, No. 33
Vol. 66, No. 33
Vol. 66, No. 33
Vol. 13, No. 33
Vol. 128, No. 33
Vol. 66, No. 33
Vol. 66, No. 33
The only full-time detective
in the Inkster Police
Department admits he is frus-
trated with the lack of witness
cooperation in the recent
shootings in the city.
See page 2.
For home delivery of The Eagle call 734-467-1900.
Winners of the Westland
Civitans annual scholarships
this year were Aaron
McClendon, left, Erica Wilson,
Steven White and Izabella
Birsanescu.
See page 2.
The Michigan Recreation
and Park Association (MRPA)
has re-elected Jeanette
Williams of Canton Township
to the executive board.
See page 3.
Vol. 13, No. 33
Wayne City Manager Robert English
announced his resignation at the regular meet-
ing of the city council last week. He said his last
day inhis positionwill beDec. 27.
English, who has worked for the city for 30
years, has been the city manger for the past
three years, he said.
“It's time to go on to other things. Time to do
something else,” he said.
English said that he does not plan to retire
although, “my wife and kids would probably
like that.” He said he expects to do something
else very soon and has already had some calls
fromboth the private andpublic sector.
“It's amazing how fast word gets out,” he said.
He said the most difficult challenge he faced
was attempting to maintain essential city serv-
ices without having the funds to do so. “We've
had $6million less thanwhen John (former City
Manager JohnZech) was here,” he said.
He noted that a great deal had been accom-
plished during his tenure as city manager
including themerging of the recreation and fire
services with Westland and the joint public
safety dispatch operation. He said he thought
bringing the Phoenix Theater group to the city
to operate the State Wayne was also a good
move. “We've accomplished a lot,” he said.
He noted, however, that the city still faces a
$2milliondeficit for the next fiscal year.
Mayor Al Haidous said he wished English
well but was somewhat surprised by the resig-
nation.
“I think the current environment of difficulty
in the city proved this was a decision he had to
make. Thiswas a personal decisionhe (English)
made. I feel he did a good job and served the
city the best way he could in some very tough
times. Andwith tougher times coming.”
See
English,
page 2
Romulus voters will choose
between mayoral candidates
LeRoy Burcroff and Eva Webb in
theGeneral ElectionNov. 5.
Burcroff andWebbwere the top
choices of voters during the pri-
mary election last week. Burcroff
received 1,411 votes or 50 percent
of the ballots cast and Webb
showed a total of 27 percent or 760
votes.
Eliminated from the ballot
were Craig Plank who received
363 or 13 percent of the votes and
Charles Miller who received 292
or 10 percent of the votes
The mayor chosen in
November will serve a 4-year
term.
Burcroff said that he and his
campaign team were very pleased
with the results but that there was
still “a lot of work to do.” He said
that hismessage of honesty in pub-
lic service and integrity seemed to
resonatewith the voters.
“I have 40 years of experience
in business and believe in a busi-
ness management structure with
goals and accountability. I want
stability and consistent leadership.
I want government transparency
and I want the voters and the resi-
dents to know that they can count
onwhat I say,”Burcroff said.
Burcroff added that he and his
campaign team have had fun
despite the hard work of the cam-
paign.
“There's a lot more hard work
to do,” he said, “but we are looking
forward to it.”
Webb said shewas very pleased
with the results of the election, too,
and planned to continue her work
to get her message out to voters
during theGeneral Election.
Webb said she was pleased to
We've had $6 million less
than when John (former
City Manager John Zech) was here.
”
”
Romulus primary election voters favor incumbents
After nearly 16months of nego-
tiations, Canton firefighters have
ratified a new contract with the
township which includes even
further concessions from the
union.
The firefighters will receive no
wage increases until Dec. 31, 2016
in the new contract, approved by
members of the board of trustees
in July. The firefighters have not
had a wage increase in 5 years
and the new pact also reduces
pension andhealth care benefits.
Chris Stoeklein, president of
the firefighters union, indicated
that the new contract was
approved by a two-thirds vote of
the members last week and that
"hopefully, things will be looking
better" with township finances
when the next contract is negoti-
ated.
He also said that the union
members are hopeful this will be
the final contract to include con-
cessions fromthe firefighters.
The new contract follows the
example of other unions in the
township which have agreed to
concessions. Members of the
Canton Township Board of
Trustees and officials have said
that while the township finances
are experiencing a gradual turn-
around, the township still faces
reduced revenue due to declining
tax revenue.
The pact affects 49 current
members of the department who
earn from $44,014 to $83,533 per
year. Recently, 12 members of the
union retired from the force, lock-
ing in their retirement benefit
packages. Officials said the
department is working to fill
those vacancies.
As part of the new contract,
those hired after July 1, will earn
lower pensions. Currentmembers
of the union will also "bridge
down" their pension allotments.
The new contract also elimi-
nates retiree health care benefits
for those hired after July 1. The
township will contribute $50 to a
health care savings plan each pay
period for them rather than pro-
vide the previous insurance cov-
erage.
Hundreds of senior citizens from 16
Western Wayne County communities partici-
pated in the Opening Ceremony marking the
start of the 9th annual WesternWayne County
Senior Olympics Monday at Nankin Mills
Field inWestland.
Breakfast with Executive Bob Ficano
started the day followed by the official Torch
Lighting at 9:30 a.m.
"The Western Wayne County Senior
Olympics are a celebration of competition,
sportsmanship and most importantly, cama-
raderie among senior citizens," Ficano said.
"We value our senior community in Wayne
County and look forward to a week of memo-
rable activities for our participants," he
added.
The City of Belleville, Sumpter Township
and Van Buren Township are the official host
communities for the 2013 Western Wayne
Senior Olympics. Each of the 16 Western
Wayne municipalities will be involved in at
least one of the 30 planned events.
2013 Western Wayne County Senior
Olympics communities include: City of
Belleville, Canton Township, Dearborn and
Dearborn Heights, Garden City, Inkster,
Livonia and Northville, Northville Township,
Plymouth, Plymouth Township, Redford
Township, Sumpter Township, Van Buren
Township,Wayne andWestland.
The senior competitors are expected to be
involved in a wide range of events this week
that includes biking, volleyball, swimming
and bowling. Those seniors who are less
inclined athletically will be participating in
creative writing, trivia games and woodwork-
ing aswell othermore sedentary activities.
The seniors are divided into five competi-
tive age categories: Class A: 50-59, Class B: 60-
69, Class C: 70-79, Class D: 80-89 and Class E:
90 years and older. A closing banquet and
medals ceremony will take place tomorrow
in Belleville concluding the week-long event.
The participating seniors pay a nominal fee
to be in the games. Sponsorships through the
Western Wayne County Senior Olympics
cover the other costs.
More information about programs for sen-
iors available through Wayne County is avail-
able at www.waynecounty.com, under the
Senior andVeterans Services tab.
There's a lot more
hard work to do, but
we are looking forward to it.
Let the
games begin
Senior Olympics under
way in communities
See
Voters,
page 5
Canton firefighters accept further wage concessions
Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, above, fourth from right, and area recreation depart-
ment leaders welcomed seniors to the Opening Ceremonies for the ongoing Senior Olympics
taking place throughout the area this week. Congressman John Dingell also welcomed the
senior athletes who were treated to breakfast before the games officially began.
Wayne city manager announces resignation