A crowd of golfers is expected next
Monday at Hilltop Golf Course during
“Resident Appreciation Day” when resi-
dents canplay for free.
The township is offering a free round of
golf, with a cart, to every resident,
explained Township Supervisor Shannon
Price.
“We are excited to provide our resi-
dents with an opportunity to play golf at
Hilltop, our municipal golf course,” Price
said. “A lot of improvements have been
made to the course and this allows our
residents to experience themfirst hand.”
The 18-hole, par-70, 6,009-yard course is
designed with a layout that takes advan-
tage of the rolling hills and tall trees. With
challenging greens, and panoramic views,
Hilltop offers distinct challenges to golfers
of all skill levels, Price said.
“In a recent staff meeting, Police Chief
Tom Tiderington suggested that we try to
build on the free movie night and offer
something to our residents that could not
make it to the drive-in,” Price continued.
“The suggestion to provide a free round of
golf to our residents does just that.”
Residents interested in participating in
Resident Appreciation Golf Day can book
a tee time by calling (734) 453-9800, or visit-
ing
Golfers will
need to show a driver's license or other
proof of Plymouth Township residency.
Each golf cart must have two golfers, offi-
cials said.
“I believe that residents are going to
love the improvements that we havemade
to the course,” added Treasurer Ron
Edwards. “I hope residents will enjoy the
course and return to play again with a lot
of their friends.”
In addition to “Resident Appreciation
Golf Day,” Hilltop also provides golfers
with the opportunity to golf at night with
Glow Golf. Glow golf includes nine holes
of golf, a glow ball, and glow necklace.
Hilltop will also be introducing Foot Golf
later this fall.
For more more information, call (734)
453-9800.
A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
2
September 17, 2015
P
LYMOUTH
Township offers free golf at Hilltop next Monday
STATE OF MICHIGAN
COUNTY OF WAYNE
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF PLYMOUTH
SUMMARY OF ETHICS ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT 15 TO ORDINANCE 1016
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF PLYMOUTH TO PRO-
VIDE ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND CONTRACTORS; PROVIDING FOR
DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR STANDARDS AND ETHICAL CONDUCT; PROVIDING FOR DISCLOSURE
AND VOTING; PROVIDING FOR RESPECT FOR PROCESS AND CONDUCT OF MEETINGS; PROVIDING FOR
VIOLATIONS OF THE ETHICS ORDINANCE; PROVIDING FOR PENALTY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL; PRO-
VIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATIONAND
EFFECTIVE DATE.
THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF PLYMOUTH ORDAINS:
Amendment 15 to Ordinance 1016, the Ethics Ordinance, is hereby adopted to read as follows:
SECTION I.
TITLE.
This Ordinance shall be known and may be cited as the “Ethics Ordinance.”
SECTION II. INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE.
This section provides for that Public Office is a public trust and that persons in public service must recognize that a
moral commitment to do the right thing is necessary. It also provides that the purpose of this Ethics Ordinance is to provide prac-
tical guidelines for ethical decision-making and to encourage ethical behavior from Township representatives responsible to the
citizens of Plymouth Township. .
SECTION II. ORDINANCE.
SECTION A - DEFINITIONS:
This section provides for definitions of terms used in the Ordinance.
SECTION B - STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT
This section provides that a public officer, contractor, employee or volunteer shall not divulge to an unauthorized per-
son, confidential information acquired in the course of employment prior to the time authorized for its release to the public; that
a public officer, contractor, employee or volunteer shall not represent his or her personal opinion as that of the Township; that all
public officers, contractors, employees and volunteers shall refrain from intentionally using their respective Township office or
position for personal gain or benefit; that a public officer, contractor, or employee shall use Township resources, property, and
funds under their official care and control in accordance with constitutional, statutory, and regulatory procedures and not for per-
sonal gain or benefit; that all public officers, contractors, employees, volunteers and organized groups of primarily Township
employees shall comply with the Michigan Campaign Finance Act, the Incompatible Public Offices Act, the Management and
Budget Act, the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Records Act, and the Michigan Penal Code, Act 328 of 1931 as amended.
It further provides that a public officer, contractor, employee or volunteer shall not engage in a business transaction
in which the public officer, contractor, employee, volunteer or their immediate family member profit from his/her official posi-
tion or authority or benefit financially from confidential information which the public officer, contractor, employee or volunteer
has obtained by reason of that position or authority; that a public officer, contractor, employee or volunteer shall not engage in
or accept employment or render services for a private or public interest when that employment or service is incompatible or in
conflict with the discharge of the officer’s, contractor’s or employee’s official duties on behalf of the Township or when that
employment may tend to impair his or her independence of judgment or action in the performance of official duties; that any pub-
lic officer, contractor, employee or volunteer shall not, with respect to transactions on behalf of the Township, participate in nego-
tiation or execution of contracts, making of loans, granting of subsidies, fixing of rates, issuance of permits or certificates,
approving of uses or other regulation or supervision relating to a business entity in which the public officer, Contractor, employ-
ee or immediate family has any financial interest.
It further provides that all public officers, contractors, employees, and volunteers are prohibited from using any
Township resource, equipment, supplies, property or Township employee’s compensated or volunteered on-the-job Township
work time to participate in or be involved in any political activity, for or against, on behalf of or in opposition to any elected offi-
cial, candidate, nominee, issue, campaign in violation of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act.
SECTION C - DISCLOSURE AND VOTING
This section provides that a public officer shall disclose any contractual, financial, business, or employment interest
he/she or immediate family members may have in the governmental decision and the disclosure will be made part of the public
record of the official action on the governmental decision; that if a conflict of interest is disclosed, pursuant to subsection 1 above,
the public officer shall remove himself/herself from the meeting room until the issue is resolved.
It further provides that any employee, contractor, public officer, customer or volunteer under contract to provide serv-
ice to the Township shall disclose a financial interest of 1% or greater of present market value in another firm they know to be
doing business with the Township, and for the manner of making the disclosure.
SECTION D – RESPECT FOR PROCESS AND CONDUCT OF MEETINGS
This section provides that Public officers, employees, and contractors shall perform their duties in accordance with
the processes and rules of order established by the Township Board or applicable Township Department.
It further provides that Public officers shall prepare themselves for public issues, listen courteously and attentively to
all public discussions before the Township Board, and focus on the business at hand, and shall refrain from interrupting other
speakers, making comments not germane to the business of the body, or otherwise interfering with the orderly conduct of meet-
ings.
SECTION E - VIOLATIONS OF THE ETHICS ORDINANCE
This section provides that except as it pertains to elected officials, significant, repeated or intentional violations of
the Ordinance may be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including removal and/or discharge.
It further provides that disciplinary action may also be taken against any public officer, employee, contractor, or vol-
unteer who knowingly fails to report a violation of this Ordinance, and against any public officer, employee, contractor, or vol-
unteer who deliberately withholds relevant and material information concerning a violation of this Ordinance.
It further provides that where a public officer, employee, contractor, or volunteer is accused of violating this
Ordinance, and the individual has relied in good faith on the advice of Township legal counsel after full disclosure of the mate-
rial facts, no disciplinary action shall be taken against the public officer, employee, contractor, or volunteer under this Ordinance.
It further provides that except as it pertains to elected officials, all violations will be enforced through the appropri-
ate due process.
It further provides that as to allegations of criminal conduct against an elected official, the Public Safety Department
shall refer the matter to the Michigan State Police, the U.S. Postmaster General, The Michigan Attorney General, the County
Sheriff, the FBI or other appropriate enforcement agency for investigation/prosecution.
It further provides that persons elected to public office are afforded protections set forth in the Michigan Constitution,
Michigan Election Act, and this Ordinance.
It further provides that the Township Board may impose sanctions on a Trustee whose conduct does not comply with
this Ordinance.
It further provides that due process protections afforded to certain board and commission members under State Law,
including those listed in the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, the Downtown Development Authority Act, the Brownfield
Redevelopment Financing Act, and the Michigan Planning Enabling Act.
It further provides that a violation of this Ethics Policy shall not be considered a basis for challenging the validity of
a Township Board decision by any person or entity other than the Township Board.
SECTION III. PENALTY.
This section provides for the penalty for violation of the Ordinance.
SECTION III. REPEAL.
This Section provides that all Ordinance or parts of Ordinance in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are
repealed to the extent of such conflict.
SECTION IV. SEVERABILITY.
This Section provides that any unenforceable section can be severed from the rest of the Ordinance.
SECTION V. SAVINGS CLAUSE.
This Section provides that adoption of this Ordinance does not affect proceedings, prosecutions for violation of
law, penalties and matured rights and duties in effect before the effective date of this Ordinance.
SECTION VI. PUBLICATION.
This section provides that the Clerk for the Charter Township of Plymouth shall cause this Ordinance to be published
in the manner required by law.
SECTION VII. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This section provides that this Ordinance, as amended, shall take full force and effect upon publication as required
by law.
Copies of the complete text of this Ordinance are available at the office of the Clerk, Nancy Conzelman, Charter Township of
Plymouth, 9955 N. Haggerty Road, Plymouth, Michigan 48170, during regular business hours.
Publish: September 17, 2015 Nancy C. Conzelman, Plymouth Township Clerk
EPT091715-0003 2.5 x 16.944
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CANTON
ZONING BOARD OFAPPEALS AGENDA
OCTOBER 8, 2015
Notice is hereby given that there will be a meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2015 at 7:00
PM.
The meeting will be held in the Board Room at the Township Administration Building located at 1150 S. Canton Center
Road, Canton, MI 48188.
7:00 P.M.
Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call:
Jim Cisek, Craig Engel, Alan Okon, Julia Perkins, Cathryn Rudolph and Vicki Welty. Alternate: Gregory
Demopoulos
Approval of Agenda
Approval of Minutes: September 10, 2015 Minutes
General Calendar:
1. Applicant and Project Representative, Paul Schyck for the property at 4400 and 4540 Denton Road Canton, MI 48188
located on the west side of Denton Road between Geddes and Mott Road, appealing Article 26.02, Requirements for
Agricultural and Residential Districts. R-3 Zoning District. Parcel 121-99-0015-001 and 121-99-0015-002
(Planning)
2. Speedway LLC, Michael R. Bergman, Applicant and Project for property at 45350 Ford Road, Canton, MI 48187
North side of Ford between N. Canton Center and Sheldon Roads, appealing 6A.15, Signs Permitted in all Commercial
and Industrial Districts, 6A.15 (1) Sign Legibility Standards, 6A.06 Nonconforming Signs, C-2 Zoning District, Parcel
-039-99-0020-701 (Building)
3. Speedway, Michael Bergman, Applicant and Project Representative for the property at 5596 N. Lilley Road, Canton,
MI 48187 located on the South side of Ford Road between N. Lilley and Haggerty Roads, appealing 6A.15, Signs
Permitted in all Commercial and Industrial Districts, 6A.25 Sign Legibility Standards, C3 Regional Commercial
District. Parcel 053-99-0010-703. (Building)
Written comments need to be submitted prior to 4:00 PM on the date of the hearing. All written comments must be sent to the
Charter Township of Canton, Clerk's Office, 1150 S. Canton Center Rd., Canton, MI 48188, Phone 734-394-5120.
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CANTON
ACCESS TO PUBLIC MEETINGS
The Charter Township of Canton will provide necessary, reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at
the meeting/hearing upon two a week notice to the Charter Township of Canton. These services include signers for the hearing
impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary
aids or services should contact the Charter Township of Canton by writing or calling the following:
Gwyn Belcher, ADA Coordinator
Charter Township of Canton, 1150 S. Canton Center Road
Canton, MI 48188 (734) 394-5260
EC091715-1182 2.5 x 5.539
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF PLYMOUTH
NOTICE OF THE CLOSE OF REGISTRATION
FOR THE NOVEMBER 3, 2015 SPECIAL ELECTION
Notice is hereby given to Plymouth Township residents that October 5, 2015 is the last day to register to vote in order to be eli-
gible to vote in the November 3, 2015 Special Election. The Special Election is being held for the purpose of voting on one
proposal as follows:
SCHOOLCRAFT COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT OPERATING CHARTER MILLAGE PROPOSITION
Shall the total charter tax rate limitation previously approved by the electors of Schoolcraft Community College District,
Michigan, on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all taxable property within the community college district be
increased by 0.6 mill ($0.60 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 10 years, 2016 to 2025, inclusive, to be used
for operating purposes of the community college district and all other purposes authorized by law; if approved, the estimate of
the revenue the community college district will collect in 2016 is approximately $8,000,000?
YES
[ ]
NO [ ]
Residents of Plymouth Township who are not already registered to vote in Plymouth Township may register at a Secretary of
State Branch Office or State Designated Agency, or by visiting the Clerk's Office at Plymouth Township Hall, 9955 N. Haggerty
Rd., Plymouth, MI, 48170, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Mail-in registrations post-
marked by October 5, 2015 will also be accepted.
Nancy Conzelman
Plymouth Township Clerk
Publish:
September 17, 2015
EPT091715-0002 2.5 x 3.068
seeking to silence critics. Another audi-
ence member, Doreen Sharpe, identified
herself as an employee of the Plymouth
Canton School District who works at
Discovery Middle School. She told the
board members that bullying, while it
exists, was being effectively handled by
the schools without legislative involve-
ment at themunicipal level.
Heise, a Plymouth Township resident,
is also an attorneywithmore than 20 years
experience and currently serves as chair-
man of the Michigan House Criminal
Justice Committee. Following the meet-
ing, he said that he was very disturbed by
the proposed ordinance and may be con-
sidering an attorney general's opinion on
the constitutionality of the matter.
Doroshewtiz had suggested such an opin-
ion prior to the vote but received no sup-
port fromthe other boardmembers.
“This proposed ordinance is clearly
unconstitutional in its current form, is
vague and overbroad, and could serve to
trample free speech and political speech
in our community”Heise said.
“At a time when the state Legislature is
removing over 70 unconstitutional, vague
and outdated laws, Plymouth Township is
headed in thewrong direction. I'mfor less
government and more freedom, which is
what our constitution encourages; the last
thingwe should be doing is using taxpayer
resources to intimidate or silence oppos-
ing views.”
Heise called the proposed local ordi-
nance “chilling.”
Michael J. Steinberg, legal director of
the American Civil Liberties Union, was
also highly critical of the proposed new
rules.
“Parts of it (the ordinance) overreaches
and could lead to unconstitutional prose-
cution,” Steinberg cautioned. He sent a
letter to Price and township attorney
Kevin Bennett following the meeting cau-
tioning themabout the proposed language
and included briefs filed in similar cases
the ACLU had successfully taken to court
to protect the civil rights of individuals.
“Often times police end up going after
unpopular people,” he said during a tele-
vised interview last week regarding the
proposed ordinance.
The ordinance language presented for
a vote differed markedly from the copy
available on the townshipwebsite.
Violation of the new ordinance would
include a $500 fine and/or up to 90 days in
jail and would be a misdemeanor which
could be prosecuted in the local courts
rather than in Wayne County Circuit
Court.
Officials claimed the ordinance has
nothing to dowith restricting free speech.
“The proposed ordinance doesn't pro-
hibit constitutionally protected speech or
activity,” township attorney Kevin Bennett
said.’' He added that the ordinance was
identical in substance to a state ordinance
already in effect onbullying.
Price stated several times that the ordi-
nance was similar to one recently
approved inCantonTownship.
Police Chief Tom Tiderington, who
would have responsibility of enforcement
of the proposed ordinance, did not pres-
ent the recommendation for approval.
Tiderington concurred that the state
already had a bullying law.
“It would have to be unique circum-
stances for us to bring criminal charges,”
Tiderington said.
Price said that the ordinance language
would be further revised and could come
back to the boardmembers for a vote later
thismonth.
Ordinance
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