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September 18, 2014
W
AYNE
- W
ESTLAND
Westland names new deputy mayor
Chamber seeks candy donations
Chief Judge Richard L.
Hammer of the 21st District Court
in Garden City has adjourned the
preliminary
hearing
of
Christopher Sanders, 45, of
Wayne, charged with multiple
crimes in connection with the
HalloWayne celebration last year,
until Oct. 6.
Sanders is accused of multiple
felonies including uttering and
publishing, forgery, larceny by
conversion, identity theft and
embezzlement of funds from a
charitable organization. All are
five-year felonies.
During the court hearing, the
prosecutors called five witnesses.
A sixth, Beverly Campbell, one of
the organizers of the event, was
not in court as she was hospital-
ized. Hammer said he would hear
only from Campbell at the
October hearing, then rule as to
whether there was enough evi-
dence to bind Sanders over for
trial on the charges.
Sanders is accused of endors-
ing a $1,000 check, the prize in the
pumpkin carving contest at the
HalloWayne event, made payable
to Michael Spence, over to him-
self and depositing the money in
his own checking account. Spence
testified at the hearing that he did
not enter the contest and did not
know about the event until
Sanders told himabout it. He also
said he did not receive anymoney
from Destination Wayne, the
organizer of the HalloWayne
event. Campbell is the signor of
the check inquestion.
Spence admitted he was angry
with Sanders when questioned by
defense attorney Ron Ruark, but
denied he would lie to get even
withhim.
Hammer appeared uncon-
vinced by the witnesses and told
the prosecutor that he could
understand the suspicions, but
that those suspicions were not cir-
cumstantial evidence of wrongdo-
ing.
Ruark said that it is difficult to
predict the outcome of the pro-
ceedings since “we're still in the
middle of the case.”
He did say that he felt
Hammer was taking a very care-
ful look at the case and the evi-
dence presented.
Sanders, who remains free on
a $1,000 personal bond, was
defeated in his campaign for the
city council two years ago. He is
currently embroiled in a lawsuit
with City Councilman Skip Monit
whom he is suing regarding
remarks Monit made at a city
council meeting after the
HalloWayne event.
Sanders has entered a not
guilty plea to all the charges.
Thelma Kubitskey has been
named as the new deputy
mayor inWestland.
Westland Mayor William R.
Wild made the appointment
last week and Kubitskey began
her new position Sept. 15. She
has served as the Westland
Budget Director since October
2012.
Kubitskey will replace Jade
Smith who accepted a position
as city administrator in Milan.
As deputy mayor, Kubitskey
will serve as chief of staff for
Wild and oversee the appointed
staff.
“Jade Smith has been a
tremendous asset to this city
since he began with us as the
city controller in December of
2007. Jade is a very talented
individual and we wish him the
best in all of his future endeav-
ors,”Wild said.
Kubitskey possesses a B.S.
degree from Madonna
University and retired from
Northville Township after 32
years. There, she worked as
the assistant township manag-
er/finance director. She has an
extensive municipal finance
background including comple-
tion of capital improvement
projects such as construction of
a new townshiphall.
Her previous experience has
prepared her for successful
work onmany projects with the
City of Westland, including the
new city hall and new fire sta-
tion projects, according to the
mayor's office. As the budget
director, she also aided in mak-
ing Westland the only city in
WayneCountywith a 3-year bal-
anced budget and helped build
a $5.5million rainy day find.
“Thelma Kubitskey has
played an integral role in many
of the key projects we are cur-
rently working on within the
City of Westland. She brings a
wealth of knowledge and expe-
rience, and her familiarity with
the staff and her level of profes-
sionalism made her an excel-
lent choice to assume the role
of deputymayor,” saidWild.
Halloween will be celebrated
at the Wayne Farmers Market
from 3-7 p.m. Oct. 29. Organizers
from the Wayne Chamber of
Commerce said they expect plen-
ty of ghouls, goblins, princesses
and superheroes this year and
are seeking help in providing
enough treats for everyone.
Halloween candy donations can
be dropped off at the Wayne
Chamber of Commerce office,
34844 W. Michigan Ave. from 10
a.m. until 1 p.m. Monday through
Friday. The chamber organizers
are hoping to make this
Halloween event an annual tra-
dition at the market. An open
house has been planned at 7 p.m.
Sept 23 at the chamber office for
the community to meet new
Executive Director Brenden
Rowe. The event is open to the
public.
Hammer was unconvinced by the testimony
and told the prosecutor that he could understand
the suspicions, but that those suspicions were
not circumstantial evidence of wrongdoing.
”
Judge adjourns hearing in HalloWayne case
Thelma Kubitskey