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September 14 – 20, 2023 NEWS YOU CAN USE, NEWS YOU CAN TRUST 75¢

No. 37 www .associatednewspapers.net

Wayne vs. Miller lawsuit goes to appeals court

Vol. 138, No. 37 While the City of Wayne law- According to Rasor, there is a
While it may be a bit late suit against former Councilman ” currently motion before Gibson
in the season, visitors to Anthony Miller was dismissed Should the appeals court find in Miller's requesting that Miller be grant-
Sherwood Pond in Sumpter Aug. 30 by Third Circuit Court favor, it could establish a legal ed attorney fees and costs along
Township can expect to see Judge Sheila Gibson, a counter with other sanctions. That
much larger signs advising claim by Miller will be heard by precedent for other elected officials. means, Rasor said, the judge
them to swim at their own the Michigan Court of Appeals could decide to levy some pun-
risk. and could establish a legal ishment against the city for “act-
See page 6. precedent. ing in bad faith.” The bad faith,
Miller is claiming discrimina- tled to the same protections as cluded that she should be disci- Rasor explained, would be the
tion by city officials and is “usual employees.” Should the plined up to and including ter- proof presented during the trial
demanding redress under the appeals court find in Miller's mination. The city lawsuit that city officials knew the
Elliott Larsen Act which pro- favor, it could establish a legal alleged that the report was a report was not confidential
hibits discrimination based on precedent for other elected offi- confidential work product. before the lawsuit was filed.
Vol. 76, No. 37 race, religion or sexual orienta- cials, Rasor said. The judge dismissed the Rasor said the issue before
A 14-year tradition will tion. The city argument is that The city lawsuit claimed that claims of the city noting that the the appeals court claiming dis-
return to Preservation Park Miller, as an elected official, was Miller, now 64, had breached his statute of limitations had crimination would establish the
in Canton Township Sept. 23 not a city employee and there- fiduciary responsibility to the expired before the suit was filed employment status of Miller and
when Brews, Brats and fore not afforded those protec- city when he provided a hostile and that the city allegation that other elected officials, determin-
Bands returns. tions. work environment investigation the report was ever confidential ing if they are in fact municipal
See page 6. Miller's attorney, James Rasor report to Michigan State Police was disproven by a video tape of employees. While elected offi-
of the Rasor Law Firm, strongly as part of a criminal investiga- a city council meeting in which cials are not traditional employ-
disagrees with the city argument tion. The 2018 report dealt with the posting of the report on the ees, he said, the city should not
noting that the city “ruthlessly the conduct of former City city website was discussed and
attacked” Miller and he is enti- Manager Lisa Nocerini and con- approved by officials. See Lawsuit, page 2
Vol. 76, No. 37

The manhunt for an Celebrate the season
armed and dangerous 25-
year-old Inkster resident sus-
pected of fatally shooting his Traditional Romulus Pumpkin Festival begins tomorrow
mother continues through-
out the area. The 25th annual Romulus
See page 3. Pumpkin Festival, a three-day
event that begins on the third
Friday in September each
year, will begin tomorrow,
Sept. 15, at Romulus Historical
Park located at 11147 Hunt St.
Vol. 23, No. 37 The event will begin tomor-
Northville will celebrate row evening with the tradition-
the history of the community al Rotary Club Festival of
during the annual Victorian Lights where everything is
Festival set for Sept. 22, 23 aglow, from bicycles to cement
and 24. trucks. Thousands of people
See page 4. line Goddard Road to wait for
the vehicles to pass by during
the event. Information about
the parade rules and entry
requirements is still available
on the Romulus Rotary
Vol. 23, No. 37 Facebook page or email
Friends of the Penn has Romulus.rotary@gmail.com.
During the weekend, the
tomorrow, from 11 a.m. until
received a grant of $19,000 street festival features music, 11 p.m. on Saturday and from Pumpkin Festival Punkin sponsored by St. John's Lodge
Chuckin contest. The event
#44 will take place from 1
from the Margaret Dunning food, crafts, and games for all 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday. will begin at 3:30 Sept. 16 at until 4 p.m. Saturday, north of
Foundation to support the ages. There is a classic car There will be cash prizes all the festival hospitality tent. No the Historical Park Pavilion.
upgrade of house lighting at show and a craft and vendor three days. pre-registration is required, The registration fee is $15 per
the Penn Theatre. show along with live musical The Romulus Professional although competitors are cau- person and advance registra-
See page 5.
entertainment. Organizers Fire Fighters IAFF Local 4126 tioned to warm up their throw- tion is encouraged. There will
said the Pumpkin Festival is a will serve pancakes from 8 ing arms to compete for the be trophies for the first and
celebration of friends and fam- until 11:30 a.m. at the park on various prizes. second place teams and
ily; a harvest celebration that Saturday. Breakfasts of pan- In addition to the entertain- medals for the third-place
generates an enthusiastic spir- cakes, sausage, coffee and ment and games, a 5Krun and team.
it and regenerates a sense of juice will be prepared and walk is planned for 9 a.m. The tournament is a benefit
Vol. 138, No. 37
community. served by members of the Sunday, Sept. 17. The run will for the Sickle Cell Disease
The Romulus Public The public will be given a Romulus Fire Department. begin behind the Romulus Association of America and
Safety Foundation received chance to pick their favorite The cost for the meal is $5 for Senior Center, 36525 Bibbins donations are also accepted.
a $5,000 donation from entries in several tasting and adults and $4 for seniors. St. in Romulus. For more information, call
Domino's last week to be craft competitions on Children 4 and younger eat at Check in will begin at 8:30 Brother James Brown at (734)
used for events like the com- Facebook and winners for all no cost with the purchase of an a.m., warm-up at 8:45 a.m. and 389-5372.
munity bike ride. contests will be announced on adult breakfast. More informa- the run will officially begin at 9 The event is organized
See page 3. Facebook and contacted indi- tion is available from Capt. a.m. There will be first, second each year by a Pumpkin
vidually. Bingo games spon- John Thiede at (734)740-1194. and third place prizes. Festival Committee, first
sored by the Romulus Also on Saturday is the pop- Information is available at established in 1996 for the
Chamber of Commerce will ular Romulus Downtown (734) 955-4521.
take place from 4 until 12 p.m. Development Authority The Corn Hole Tournament See Festival, page 3

Vol. 76, No. 37
Wayne police officers School board recall petitions are rejected by county
were recognized for out-
standing performance dur- Petitions to recall three of the ” to Native Americans. Despite
ing the regular meeting of seven members of the Plymouth- The change of logo and name results of a May 2023 community
the city council last week. Canton Community Schools school district supported survey
See page 2. Board of Education were reject- was unpopular with several parents - with 6,206 respondents - which
ed by members of the Wayne showed a majority of community
County Election Commission and district alumni who protested the measure. respondents in favor of keeping
last month. the Chiefs name and image, the
The petitions, seeking the board members approved the
recall school board members change.
Lauren Christenson, Patrick recall campaign was reportedly The change of logo and name To get a recall on the ballot in
Vol. 76, No. 37 Kehoe, and Shawn Wilson were prompted by objections to the was unpopular with several par- Michigan, recall supporters
While Halloween pump- filed Aug. 7 and rejected for lack school board members' 6-1 vote ents and district alumni who must collect signatures equal in
kins and decorations are just of clarity on Aug. 17. The to retire the Canton High School protested the measure during a number to 25 percent of voters
beginning to appear through- remaining three board members arrowhead logo and eliminate fractious July board meeting. in the jurisdiction in the last
out the community, Wayne were too recently elected to be the name "Chiefs" in response to The change was prompted by a gubernatorial election. They
and Westland officials have subject to recall by state law. possible claims of cultural student presentation to the have 60 days between the collec-
Thanksgiving on their minds. According to election com- appropriation. Trustee Sheryl board members last year argu- tion of the first signature and the
See page 2. mission documents, the petition- Picard cast the sole dissenting ing that the arrowhead logo and collection of the last signature
er was Howard L. Ring. The vote against the measure. Chief's name were disrespectful on the petition.

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