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October 20, 2022 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 3

INKSTER -ROMULUS
INKSTER -ROMULUS

Area mourns death of activist Leanna Hicks

One of the most revered for- many others. She also received
mer residents of the Inkster ” numerous national, state and
community, Leanna Hicks, died She also served with the Wayne County county tributes and awards
Oct. 9 at the age of 102 in along with the many honors she
Westland. Federation Library and the Wayne County Library received from the City of Inkster.
The Inkster Public Library is Commission during her storied career. Among those was the designa-
named for Mrs. Hicks, a former tion of the Leanna Hicks Public
journalist, community worker, Library in Inkster, first opened
youth director, historian, library in September 1960. A new
activist and humanitarian. Mrs. collections. She was the founder from Eastern Michigan library building on Hamlin
Hicks spent more than half a of The Friends of the Inkster University and Wayne State Street was dedicated to Mrs.
century involved in the improve- Library, a decades-old Inkster University. She received count- Hicks in 2020.
ment of local libraries and the library support group. She also less humanitarian awards from Mrs. Hicks was actively
preservation of local history. served with the Wayne County institutions such as the YWCA, involved in the Springhill
Through her more than four Federation Library and the Girl Scouts of America, Veterans Missionary Baptist Church in
decades of service of the Inkster Wayne County Library groups, NAACP, Gamma Phi Inkster for more than 50 years.
Historical Commission, she Commission during her storied Delta Sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Funeral arrangements were
oversaw hundreds of acquisi- career. Sorority, City of Inkster Parks entrusted to the Chapel of the
tions and improvements in the Mrs. Hicks earned a degree in and Recreation and Inkster Chimes Funeral Home in
Inkster library and historical journalism and social science Christians in Action, among Westland. Mrs. Leanna Hicks
Nominations sought for Romulus Person of Year

The 36th Person of the Year after Dec. 8 will be considered should be honored as the Person ber office at 11189 Shook Road, Nominees do not have to be a
will be named in Romulus next for the honor. of the Year. The award presenta- Suite 200, Romulus, MI 48174. resident of Romulus but must
spring. The criteria for the nominees tion ceremony will take place in Additional nomination forms are meet the criteria of having made
Nominations for the honor are individuals that have made spring, 2023, chamber officials also available at the chamber a significant contribution to the
will be accepted by the Greater significant contributions to said. office. city.
Romulus Chamber of Commerce Romulus and residents of the An online nomination form is Nominations are open to the Nominations will be reviewed
until Dec. 8 by mail, email, in community. Nominations should available at admin@romu- public although the nominator by a committee chosen by the
person or online. No nomina- include a biographical synopsis luschamber.org. Completed must submit a contact telephone members of the Romulus
tions postmarked or received stating reasons the nominee forms can be mailed to the cham- number or email address. Chamber of Commerce.
Dig in

Volunteers needed to help

plant 15 trees this Saturday

Again this year, Romulus residents community volunteers, the group has
are invited to make a difference in the planted nearly 30,000 trees on public
community that can last decades. property in Michigan cities, townships,
This Saturday morning, from 8:45 a.m. and villages. Unlike most other volun-
until noon, volunteers are needed to teer-driven tree planting organizations,
help plant 15 trees in Romulus. ReLeaf ReLeaf Michigan plants trees that are
Michigan, a non-profit tree organization, already substantial in size resulting in
is partnering with the city to help plant much higher rates of survival and a Romulus volunteers participate in the ReLeaf tree planting every year in the city.
the trees. Funding this year is being pro- more immediate environmental impact.
vided by the DTE Foundation. ReLeaf This planting will take place at the Sumpter Township
Michigan is the only statewide tree historic Peter Bird House in the city. The Regular Board Meeting
planting non-profit organization in the historic home is located at 12112 Wayne Tuesday, August 23, 2022, 6:00 p.m.
state, working with communities and Road. ReLeaf Michigan tree experts will 23480 Sumpter Road, Belleville, MI 48111
Minutes
organizations throughout Michigan to help volunteers and oversee the event.
protect and restore urban tree canopies. Families are welcome, organizers said. Meeting called to order by Supervisor T. Bowman at 6:44 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The ReLeaf mission is to educate the Volunteers should war closed-toe Roll call: Supervisor Bowman, Clerk Hurst, Treasurer Warren, Trustees: LaPorte, Morgan, Oddy and Rush. Also showing pres-
public on the value of trees and how to shoes and comfortable clothing and ent: Attorney Young, Deputy Clerk Armatis, Finance Director Holtz, Public Safety Director/Police Chief Luke, Fire Chief Brown,
DPW Director Danci and 11 attendees.
properly select, plant, and maintain come prepared to get dirty. Bring a shov-
them. el, organizers said, or a hard rake and 3. Agenda: Motion by LaPorte, supported by Oddy to approve the Agenda with the following additions:
Add to Item C "with attorney review of contract recurring fee".
Founded by some of the most respect- gloves, if possible. The event will take Add Item I. "Consider approval to name Township Manager Anthony Burdick as Parks Administrator".
ed arborists in the state and building on place rain or shine and light refresh- Move Item H to beginning of Agenda.
Roll Call vote: Yes: All in favor. Nay: None Motion carried.
lifetimes of green expertise, ReLeaf ments will be served.
Michigan has worked with over 400 com- No planting experience is necessary, 4. Public Comment: Three (3) attendees spoke.
munities across the state. Working with the ReLeaf spokesman noted. 5. Minutes: Motion by Bowman, supported by Rush to approve Regular Board Meeting Minutes of August 9, 2022 with cor-
rection of Item 14A: add with regrets. Roll call vote: Yes: Bowman, Hurst, Warren, Oddy, LaPorte and Rush. Nay: Morgan.
Motion carried.
To subscribe to The Eagle visit www.associatednewspapers.net. Motion by Oddy, supported by LaPorte to add Item J "Consider re-confirmation of Davenport Brothers bid for fence/gate at
Sumpter fairgrounds". Roll call vote: Yes: All in favor. Nay: None. Motion carried.
Motion to approve planning commission meeting minutes of June 23, 2022. Roll call vote: Yes. All in favor. Nay: None. Motion
Sumpter Township carried.
Regular Board Meeting 6. Warrants: Motion by LaPorte, supported by Oddy to approve warrants totaling
Tuesday, August 9, 2022, 6:00 p.m. $139,489.15. roll call vote: Yes: All in favor. Nay: None. Motion carried.
23480 Sumpter Road, Belleville, MI 48111
Minutes 7-11. Reports. Motion by LaPorte, supported by Warren to receive and file all reports. Roll call vote: Yes: All in favor. Nay: None.
Motion carried.
Meeting called to order by Supervisor T. Bowman at 7:21 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.
12. Board Response: Rush thanked public safety departments for their quick response to a house explosion.
Roll call: Supervisor Bowman, Clerk Hurst, Treasurer Warren, Trustees: LaPorte, Oddy and Rush. Trustee Morgan excused. Also
showing present: Attorney Young, Deputy Clerk Armatis, Finance Director Holtz, Public Safety Director/Police Chief Luke, Fire New Business:
Chief Brown, DPW Director Danci and 8 attendees.
A. Motion by Oddy, supported by LaPorte to hire Nelson Hammons as a full-time police officer, contingent upon him
3. Agenda: Motion by Bowman, supported by Oddy to approve the Agenda with the following addition: passing a drug test in addition to the required physical and psychological examinations. Roll call vote: Yes: All in favor.
Amend: Add Item C. Consider approval of township hall bathroom renovations and septic not to exceed $144,341.90 plus Nay: None. Motion carried.
a 5% contingency fee.
Roll Call vote: Yes: All in favor. Nay: None. Motion carried. H. Motion by Rush, supported by Warren to approve the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022 Audited Financial Statements,
as submitted by PSLZ, LLP. Roll call vote: Yes: All in favor. Nay: None. Motion carried.
4. Public Comment/Open Floor: Three (3) attendees spoke.
B. Motion by Rush, supported by Oddy to accept the quote from West Shore Services for repair of emergency siren #9
5. Minutes: Motion by Oddy, supported by LaPorte to approve/accept the Regular Board Meeting Minutes of July 26, 2022. (Sherwood at Arkona) at a cost of $3,760.00. Roll call vote: Yes: All in favor. Nay: None. Motion carried.
Roll call vote: Yes: All in favor. Nay: None. Motion carried.
C. Motion by Rush, supported by Oddy to have UIS install communication equipment at the Martinsville Road pump
6. Warrants: Motion by Oddy, supported by LaPorte to approve warrants totaling $186,186.68. Roll call vote: Yes: All in favor. station at the cost of $9,325.00 with the township attorney review of contract recurring fee. Roll call vote: Yes: All in
Nay: None. Motion carried. favor. Nay: None. Motion carried.
7. Supervisor's Report: Supervisor Bowman requested a motion to approve the fence/gate bid for the arena area from D. Motion by Morgan, supported by Rush for the re-appointment of Richard Pokerwinski to the planning commission with
Davenport Brothers. Motion by Rush, supported by Hurst to approve the fence/gate bid from Davenport Brothers and to accept term to expire 07/23/2025. Roll call vote: Yes: All in favor. Nay: None. Motion carried.
the Supervisor's report. Roll call vote: Yes: All in favor. Nay: None. Motion carried.
E. Motion by Oddy, supported by Morgan to move Dan Watson from alternate position to regular position on the planning
8,10,11,12. Motion by Rush, supported by Oddy to receive and file all reports. Roll call vote: Yes: All in favor. Nay: None. commission. Roll call vote: Yes: All in favor. Nay: None. Motion carried.
Motion carried.
F. Motion by Oddy, supported by LaPorte to direct the Township Supervisor, Attorney and Manager to begin assessment and
9. Police Report: Public Safety Director Luke thanked all residents for their overwhelming support in the millage election. The design planning for the Banotai Park & Sherwood Pond reclamation & improvements process and entertain design bids
siren is down on Sherwood and Arkona due to a possible lightening strike and Wayne County prisoner Bailey died. Motion by for Township Board consideration. Roll call vote: Yes: Bowman, Hurst, Warren, LaPorte, Oddy and Rush. Nay: Morgan.
Rush, supported by LaPorte to accept the police department report. Roll call vote: Yes: All in favor. Nay: None. Motion carried. Motion carried
13.Board Response: Trustee LaPorte thanked all the election workers and the Clerk's office for their work on the August 2, 2022 G. Motion by Rush, supported by LaPorte for approval of Wade Hoppe Design proposal and agreement to prepare a design
primary election. LaPorte also stated that help would be needed for the November 8, 2022 election. and master plan for the new Sumpter Township fairgrounds and each of (4) associated designs as identified for a total of
$11,500.00, with Township Attorney review of agreement. Roll call vote: Yes: Bowman, Hurst, Warren, LaPorte, Oddy
14.New Business: and Rush. Nay: Morgan. Motion carried.
A. Motion by Rush, supported by LaPorte to approve and accept the resignation of probationary police officer Jeff Benedict, H. Moved up.
effective 7/14/2022 with regrets*. Roll call vote: Yes: All in favor. Nay: None. Motion carried.
B. Motion by Oddy, supported by LaPorte to approve the 1st quarter budget amendments. Roll call vote: Yes: All in favor. I. Motion by Oddy, supported by Rush to name Town Manager Anthony Burdick as Sumpter Township Parks
Nay: None. Motion carried. administrator. Roll call vote: Yes: All in favor. Nay: None. Motion carried.
C. Motion by Oddy, supported by LaPorte to approve the township hall bathroom renovations and septic field not to exceed
$144,341.90 plus a 5% contingency fee. Roll call vote: Yes: All in favor. Nay: None. Motion carried. J. Motion by LaPorte, supported by Oddy to re-confirm The Davenport Brothers fence/gate bid for the Sumpter Township
Fairgrounds. Roll call vote: Yes: Bowman, Hurst, Warren, LaPorte, Oddy and Rush. Nay: Morgan. Motion carried.
15.Announcements: None.
14. Announcements: Clerk Hurst announced a vendor market will be held on September 10, 2022 under the fairgrounds pavil
16.Motion by LaPorte, supported by Oddy to adjourn at 7:36 p.m. Motion carried. ion from 9:00 am-4:00 pm. If interested call Maryann Watson at 461-9373.
* Corrected 15. Motion by Rush, supported by Morgan to adjourn at 7:31 pm. Motion carried.
Minutes prepared by: Minutes prepared by:
Deputy Clerk K. Armatis Deputy Clerk K. Armatis
Sumpter Township Sumpter Township

___________________________ _____________ ___________________________ _____________
Esther Hurst, Clerk Date Esther Hurst, Clerk Date

___________________________ _____________ ___________________________ _____________
Timothy Bowman, Supervisor Date ST0126 - 102022 2.5 x 7.444 Timothy Bowman, Supervisor Date ST0125 - 102022 2.5 x 10.659