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No. 40
NEWS YOU CAN USE, NEWS YOU CAN TRUST
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October 4 - 10, 2012
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
Halloween will take on a
whole new meaning with the
HallowWayne celebration
which includes trick or treat-
ing, a free laser light show and
a double-feature drive-in
movie.
See page 4.
Participants in the 2012
Summer Reading Program at
the Romulus Public Library
received something extra spe-
cial for their efforts this year,
lunchwith themayor.
See page 2.
Some of the most famous
characters in Plymouth history
will come alive during the
Plymouth
Characters
Cemetery Walk set for Oct. 27
at RiversideCemetery.
See page 5.
With the 2012 presidential
election just around the cor-
ner, the Northville Art House
joins campaign season with an
eclectic artistic vision with the
Vote forMe! Exhibit.
See page 5.
Van Buren Township
Trustees
unanimously
approved a union contract
with police officers, retroac-
tive to Jan. 1, 2010 and effec-
tiveuntil Dec. 31, 2013.
See page 3.
Vol. 127, No. 40
Vol. 65, No. 40
Vol. 65, No. 40
Vol. 12, No. 40
Vol. 12, No. 40
Vol. 127, No. 40
Vol. 65, No. 40
Vol. 65, No. 40
Aiyanna Wesley of Inkster
appears in a new video to be
shown throughout the area
and a larger than life version
of her face appears on several
posters in a newad campaign.
See page 4.
For home delivery of The Eagle call 734-467-1900.
Inspire School of Theatre
Arts in Westland is offering
several new classes this
semester for children conclud-
ing with a presentation of A
Christmas Carol on Dec. 7, 8
and 9.
See page 4.
Judge James K. Kersten of the 33rd District
Court in Woodhaven has bound former
Romulus Police Chief Michael St. Andre, his
wife, Sandra St. Andre, and five former police
detectives over to Wayne County Third Circuit
Court to facemultiple felony charges.
An arraignment on the information in the
case is scheduled for nextWednesday, according
toWayneCountyProsecutorKymWorthy.
Kersten's ruling came after days of testimony
last April during a preliminary examination on
multiple felony charges against the former
police officers including conducting a criminal
enterprise, racketeering and embezzlement.
Kersten halted the testimony at that time and
ordered attorneys for the defense and prosecu-
tion to submit written arguments in the matter.
He issued his decision last Wednesday, deter-
mining that there was enough evidence to send
all the defendants to trial.
The charges stemmed from an investigation
that began in January of 2009, Worthy said in a
prepared statement. The investigationwas origi-
nally prompted by a request in 2008 from “a
highly -placed City of Romulus police official.”
Worthy said the Michigan State Police, with
assistance from the FBI, investigated allega-
tions of misconduct, corruption and embezzle-
ment of drug forfeiture funds by select members
of the Romulus Police Department Special
Investigation Unit and highly-placed command
personnel.
Also facing felony charges that carry a maxi-
mum penalty of up to 20 years in prison are for-
mer Det. Sgt. Richard Belzer, 50, Det. Richard
Landry, 39, and Det. Donald Hopkins, 38.
Former Det. Jeremy Channells, 35, and Det.
Larry Droege, 32, face charges of misconduct in
office and neglect of duty, felony charges that
The trails will be alive with
the sound of music on
Saturday as Canton Leisure
Services hosts the 3rd Annual
SoundGarden.
See page 3.
See
Charges,
page 2
Northville Public Schools fami-
lies and community members can
learn more about the Technology
Bond Proposal that will go before
voters in the Nov. 6 election, and
get answers to their questions, at a
series of community coffees being
hosted by the school district
throughout October.
By maintaining the existing
millage rate of 4.3 mills, the
Technology Bond will generate
$20.87 million for much-needed
technology improvements across
the school district, a school district
spokesman said. This revenue will
be generated by offsetting an oth-
erwise anticipated debt millage
retirement by the district that
averages 1.09mills over nine years
for a net increase in the debt levy
of 0mills.
The technology enhancements
contained in the bond proposal
will benefit Northville students
and the community by providing
proven educational technology
that adapts to individual student
learning styles and needs;
strengthening college and career
readiness for all students; keeping
General Fund dollars in the class-
room; andmaintaining the current
millage rate for taxpayers and
keeping the community strong.
“As instructional delivery sys-
tems are updated and refined,
true student-focused, immersive
learning can take place when the
most appropriate technologies are
available in all classrooms,” said
Northville Superintendent Mary
Kay Gallagher. “Technology is a
powerful part of our daily lives,
whether at school, work or home.
Technology equipped classrooms
that provide digital online access
to mobile technology, distance
learning and virtual proximity are
essential tools as we prepare stu-
dents for the ever-changing global
society in which they will live and
work. Educational studies show -
and colleges and employers tell us
- that technology as a resource and
required skill-set must be devel-
oped in today's young people to
ensure success in college and the
workplace.”
While almost 90 percent of the
bond funds (more than $18 mil-
lion) are earmarked for these tech-
nology needs, the bond proposal
also includes approximately $2
million for the purchase of
replacement buses for the dis-
See
Meetings,
page 5
The former chief is also accused
of attempting to bribe or intimidate
witnesses during the investigation.
”
Former police officers to face trial
Nearly three years after their first date at
the Romulus Downtown Development
Authority Pumpkin Festival, a young couple
became engaged to bemarried after a public
proposal on the festival stage.
Aaron Green surprised Sara Heitz with a
marriage proposal on Friday, Sept. 14, in
Romulus Historical Park - and the 23-year-
old Romulus native accepted. Her answer
was applauded by dozens of spectators on
hand for festival concerts, including 13 rela-
tives and friends of the couple who were in
on the surprise.
Green, a 22-year-old native of Canton
Township, had received permission from
Pumpkin Festival organizers and had assis-
tance in the planning from several of Heitz
relatives, including her sisters, Samantha
Heitz and Angel Day, and her mother,
PauletteDay.
“I had no idea,” the bride-to-be said. “I
was totally surprised. This whole thing is like
a dream.”
Like many residents of Romulus and
vicinity, the Pumpkin Festival is an annual
tradition for Heitz and her family. Heitz said
they generally attend the Parade of Lights
and take part in festival events throughout
theweekend.
But the events leading up to last week-
end's proposal were anything but traditional.
Green and Heitz met by chance - actually
by mistake. Several years ago, Green said,
good friendMikey Asevedo asked him to cre-
ate artwork of a tattoo.
When Green sent the drawing by text, he
transposed a couple numbers in Asevedo's
telephone number and wound up sending it
to Heitz. The Romulus woman responded
that while she liked Green's artwork, he had
sent it to thewrong person.
“That got us talking,”Green said.
They talked about a month, but did not
meet until their first date at the 2009
Pumpkin Festival. It was love at first sight - a
love that has continued.
Green said Asevedo helped him pick out
an engagement ring “a while ago.” Sadly,
Asevedo died this past May 25 from
leukemia.
Green saved enough money for the ring
and planned to ask for Heitz' hand in mar-
riage during this year's Parade of Lights.
However, the family had to miss the parade
this year.
Plan B was later that night on the stage at
Romulus Historical Park. While bands per-
formed on the stage, Green andHeitz walked
around the festival grounds. Then, Green
was invited to the stage by City Clerk Ellen
Craig-Bragg and he asked Heitz to join him.
as 13 of their closest family members and
friends and dozens of other onlookers
watchednearby.
Green said later that he felt the surprise
proposal “was something really nice to do.
I'm the kind of personwho likes to be roman-
tic. She said I'mher first real boyfriend and I
wanted it to be something she would remem-
ber.”
Green got down on one knee and asked
forHeitz' hand inmarriage.
“I was totally in shock,” Heitz said. “I said
yes. I cried - a lot.”
Heitz and Green have not yet picked a
date. The couple lives in Belleville. Green is
a full-time student at Wayne County
Community College District and helps out at
his uncle's shop. Heitz, a Romulus High
School graduate who earned her cosmetol-
ogy license, switched careers andworks at an
orthodontics office.
“This whole thing has been a dream,”
Heitz said. “I never expected to meet him or
have him ask me to marry him. It was all so
unexpected.”
More than 13 friends and family members were in on the surprise marriage proposal of Aaron
Green to Sara Heitz during the Romulus Pumpkin Festival.
Stage struck
Man pops question
during Pumpkin Fest
Aaron Green gets on bended knee to ask
Sara Heitz to be his bride on stage at
Romulus Historical Park during the Pumpkin
Festival.
Technology is a powerful part
of our daily lives,
whether at school, work or home.
”
Schools schedule ‘community coffees’ this month