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September 17, 2020 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 5

WESTLAND
WESTLAND

City OK's purchase of solar speed signs

Motorists in Westland will be ” two separate High Schools on
graphically reminded to slow Cowan Street; Glenwood near
down in several areas by solar Treadwell (westbound) due to
powered radar signs. the Schweitzer Elementary
Members of the city council School and the school crossing
approved the purchase of 10 of Reduced speeds on Glenwood; Henry Ruff
the solar-powered radar signs at help protect between Annapolis and Van
a cost of $27,285 at a recent meet- Born (northbound) due to the res-
ing. The purchase will be funded our pedestrians idential area and the church
through the city Metro Act budg- and bicyclists, along with the large curve of the
et. The city utilizes state Metro roadway making speed an issue
Act funds for public improve- in that area and Venoy between
ments within city right of ways. Cherry Hill and Palmer due to
In 2019, Westland received a the high number of speed viola-
traffic grant which allowed for tions and the close proximity of
the strategic placement of simi- the houses located on the busy
lar solar radar signs throughout roadway.
the community. Existing signs and Hunter (both northbound “During the Master Planning
have shown to significantly and southbound) due to Jaycee process in 2017, the City of
reduce speeding in those loca- Park, Edison School, as well as Westland identified pedestrian
tions, noted Police Chief Jeff the Mike Modano Ice Arena; Ann safety as a priority to increase
Jedrusik. Arbor Trail in the area of walkability in the community,”
“Reduced speeds help protect Hubbard Street (both eastbound commented Mayor William R.
our pedestrians and bicyclists,” and westbound) due to the new Wild.
Jedrusik said. “After conducting subdivision which may increase “The purchase of these signs
further traffic studies, we have vehicular traffic and also the will allow us to continue making
identified additional locations recent removal of a red light progress towards that goal as
which would increase the effi- which had been in placed at the well as increase the safety of our
ciency of our pedestrian safety intersection for many years; roadways.”
program.” Cowan between Farmington and Installation of the new signs is
Signs are proposed for instal- Millwood Street (both eastbound slated to take place this fall, offi-
lation at Wildwood between Ford and westbound) due to having cials said.
Public service director awarded national honor

Ramzi El-Gharib has been in civil engineering from Wayne
presented a life membership ” State University and is a regis-
award by the American Public tered professional engineer in
Works Association (APWA). El- Ramzi is well respected by the State of Michigan.
Gharib, the public services direc- his peers and has been “Ramzi is well respected by
tor for the City of Westland, was his peers and has been an
selected for the honor in recogni- an incredible asset to our team. incredible asset to our team,
tion of his 30 years of continuous bringing a wealth of knowledge
membership with the APWA. and experience from his long
The American Public Works municipal career,” commented
Association is a national organi- The APWA strives to increase and quality of life. Westland Mayor William R. Wild.
zation with memberships in all competence, credibility, and El-Gharib has served as the “Under his leadership, many
50 states and Canada. It pro- influence of a growing communi- Westland director of public serv- Westland Public Works projects
motes professional excellence ty of diverse and committed pub- ice since July of 2014 and has have been recognized and
through education, advocacy, and lic works leaders who serve as a worked for municipal govern- awarded “Project of the Year” by
the exchange of knowledge, centerpiece of every community ments for 33 years. He obtained the APWA over the past six
Ramzi El Gharib according to the official website. to enhance health, productivity, a bachelors and masters degree years.”