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SSOCIATED
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EWSPAPERS OF
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ICHIGAN
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October 15, 2015
W
AYNE
- W
ESTLAND
Center dedication tomorrow
Court offers online payment
The official dedication of the
Jefferson Barns Community Vitality
Center will take place at 4 p.m. tomor-
row.
The newly-renovated center, located
in the historic Norwayne district of the
community, now
houses administra-
tive city offices for-
merly located in
theDorseyCenter.
Constructed in
1942, the Norwayne
neighborhood is
the oldest in
Westland, erected
duringWorldWar II
for the workers at
the Willow Run
Bomber
Plant.
During the peak war effort, the subdivi-
sion was home to more than 20,000 resi-
dents. By the 1980s, the area housing
stock started to decline and it was appar-
ent that the subdivision was in need of
restoration.
Mayor William R. Wild took a strong
interest in the historic area and his
efforts, along with those of the city coun-
cil members, have resulted in the stabi-
lization of the neighborhood. The city
used federal funding through qualifying
programs, and has encouraged invest-
ment in the neighborhood through reno-
vation grants. Funds have also been used
for road improvements and infrastruc-
ture repairs.
The Norwayne neighborhood was
added to the National Registry of
HistoricPlaces in July of 2013.
The Jefferson
Barns Community
Vitality Center is
the result of a
$650,000 renova-
tion of the former
Jefferson Barns
Elementary school
which has been
vacant since 2010.
The new facility
includes
the
Norwayne Boxing
Club and a library.
Basketball courts and baseball fieldswill
be installed next spring. The center is
also home to Nankin Transit which is a
local bus system that services senior citi-
zens and handicapped residents in the
City of Westland, Wayne, Inkster and
GardenCity.
The dedication ceremony will begin
with a ribbon cutting and presentations
by local dignitaries followed by tours of
the facility. Light refreshments will be
served.
The Jefferson Barns Community
VitalityCenter is located at 32150Dorsey.
transporting himto the nearby hospital.
The initial diagnosis was that Dreher
required an emergency quadruple bypass.
Dreher responded to the initial treatment
so well, however, that the operation was
scheduled for the following Monday,
instead.
He said he had never experienced any
symptoms prior to the race. He ran 2miles
a day, and thought hewas in goodhealth.
“I was pushing it a little, but I think it
was a godsend that I did that. Who knows
if that had happened where I typically
run, back in the woods where there isn't
anyone, it could have been a different
story.”
Weaver said she'll always remember
that day, and is glad to have a chance to
meet him again under much better cir-
cumstances.
“I'm a family doctor and I don't always
get to see this kind of miracle,” she said.
“We do things little by little every day and
hope it makes a difference. This is some-
thing special.”
Dreher brought a whole teamwith him
this year, all dressed up in corresponding
t-shirts that read: The beat goes on, since
theRedOctoberRun 2014.
He said it was a way of thanking the
people who saved him, and paying tribute
to their efforts.
“I never really had the opportunity to
thank all the right people. I want the
world to know,” he says. “As far as I'm con-
cerned, I'm here because of what these
folks did. Without the things they did-I
wouldn't have made it. Had they not been
where they were at, it would have been a
lot different.”
The Red October returned to the com-
munity for the 25th year on Oct. 3. The
event drew968 people, fromages 2 to 86. It
featured a 5K run, a 5K walk a 10K run
along with the Kids Jr. Red October, a
mile-long race designed for young people.
“This has been an awesome event
through the years we've catered to every-
one from young children and families - to
“first time” racers - to the elite competi-
tors,” said Cindy Cook, community benefit
coordinator forBeaumontHealth.
Top finishers included:
Lisa Veneziano, 51, of Fenton was the
top female finisher in the 10Kevent with a
time of 38:59, which is a pace of 6:17 per
mile. Landry Bennett, 23, of East Lansing
clocked it at 35:00, good for a 5:39 per mile
pace and first place amongmale finishers.
In the 5K, Kira Garry was the top female
finisher with 17:05. The 22-year-old Ann
Arbor resident set a 5Kcourse recordwith
a pace of 5:31 per mile. Paul Mayer, 48, of
Ann Arbor was the top male finisher in
the 5K run, with a time of 17:53, which is a
mile every 5:46. For a complete list of race
results, visit oakwood.org/redoctoberrun
and follow the race results link.
The electronic age has come to the 29th
District Court inWayne.
Traffic tickets can now be resolved
online in some cases with the installation
of an online platform through Court
InnovationsMatterhorn.
Now, drivers who have received some
minor infractions can access the system,
answer questions through the screen
prompts and determine if they are eligible
to resolve the violation online. If so, the
driver can request a review from the
Wayne Police Department. If the police
department approves the request, it will
be forwarded to the judge or a magistrate
for a determination. Motorists can follow
their case online and the decision of the
court will be sent to themby text or email.
The electronic program is voluntary
and drivers can opt for a hearing in court.
To access the new program, visit the 29th
District Court website and clinic on
Online Ticket Review to begin the eligibil-
ity process.
Only minor infractions are eligible for
the online service.
The Norwayne
neighborhood
was added to
the National Registry
of Historic Places
in July of 2013.
”
Race
FROM PAGE 1
Ray Dreher, fourth from right, who survived a heart attack during the 2015 Red October
Run enjoyed the support of his family when he returned to the event this year. Also on
hand to support him were Karen Weaver, MD, who saved his life last year and, from left,
Chuck and Michelle Pfeifer, Mark Dreher, Dreher, Weaver, Laurie and Billy Walker and
Charlie Pfeifer, 6 in front.
