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PAGE 8 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN October 22, 2020

Halloween SUMPTER
SUMPTER

FROM PAGE 1

to cancel Halloween or restrict the
free movement of residents. Trustee and write-in candidate
Plymouth residents who
choose to participate in trick or
treating should adhere to any pub-
lic health recommendations from
the Wayne County Health blast claims of primary winner
Department, Centers for Disease
Control, State of Michigan
Department of Health and Human While the primary election Bednark notified township offi-
Services and any executive order may have appeared to limit vot- ” cials in February that he would
from the Governor's office, noted a ers' choice for Sumpter The damage done to the township, “be working from home” due to
prepared statement from officials. Township treasurer to a single to the reputation of our community, “personal and professional”
“Be safe and operate with com- Democratic candidate, township responsibilities. Since then, prior
mon sense, such as wear a mask; voters will, in fact, have another along with the expense to the COVID 19 mandates,
social distancing if not in the same choice with write-in candidate to our taxpayers, is serious. Bednark has not attended any
household; any household with a Vincent Warren. board meetings or been in the
positive case should not partici- Warren, who was defeated by township office, although he con-
pate; any individuals with symp- Jim Clark in the primary election ship treasurer, he said. to taxpayers of the Clarks' actions tinues to collect his $19,000 annu-
toms should not participate; and by 140 votes, said he was prompt- “I was prompted to run as a were significant,” he said. al salary. Bednark has denied
follow any other guidance from ed to launch a write-in campaign write-in following the dispute Current Treasurer Kenneth Clark’s published claims of miss-
public health officials. Be sure to following the controversy regard- and complaints launched by Bednark who opted not to seek ing funds which prompted board
have a light and wear reflective ing election procedures in which Clark and his wife,” Warren said. reelection, also withdrew his members to authorize an investi-
clothing,” the statement noted. Clark and his wife, Toni Clark, “I felt their actions were insult- previous support of Clark and gation by township attorney Rob
“Be smart and be safe.” were involved. Toni Clark falsely ing to the township and they criticized his conduct and disput- Young into the allegation.
accused Sumpter Township insulted and humiliated the ed any claims of missing town- “This office needs someone
INKSTER Trustee Tim Rush of inappropri- board of elections chairman.” ship funds. focused on the job who is com-
Halloween fun is on tap at the ately pulling a tally tape from a Warren said he was further Warren, 51, has lived in munity centered. We need some-
Leanna Hicks Public Library of voting machine and called town- concerned with some of the false Sumpter for 11 years although one who will conduct themselves
Inkster on Saturday, Oct. 31. ship police to report the incident. and misleading claims made by his family has been in the com- honestly and professionally,”
Families can register children Her claims, supported by her Clark concerning funds missing munity for more than 70 years, he Warren said.
for the outdoor event by calling husband, were proven false by from the township. said. He and his wife have nine Rush, a Republican, said he
the library at (313) 563-2822 and surveillance tapes of the voting A subsequent audit and two children, two of whom still live at vigorously supports Warren's
pressing “0”. The party begins at 1 process which completely dis- previous independent audits of home and attend Belleville High write-in effort.
p.m. Oct. 31. Children are encour- pelled her unfounded allega- township funds found no finan- School where their siblings grad-
aged to wear their costume, enjoy tions. Rush presented the tapes, cial discrepancies or errors, uated.
a story, make slime, and collect validated by the police depart- according to official township Warren is employed with the
goodies. Dress for the weather, ment, at a meeting of the town- records. Department of Veterans Affairs
organizers added. ship board members to prove he “It shows a lack of integrity,” and is an advocate for veterans'
The Leanna Hicks Public had done nothing inappropriate Warren said. “He needs to vali- rights throughout the state and
Library is registering new library or illegal. date those kinds of claims and he part of Ohio.
cards and renewing cards by “That video evidence was won't because he can't.” He said that experience gives
appointment by calling (313) 563- very, very significant,” Rush said, Rush, too, was critical of the him real insight into financial
2822 Mondays - Thursdays noting that he had reached a claims of Clark which were pub- matters which prompted his ini-
between 1-4 p.m. The most up-to- recent out-of-court settlement lished. tial efforts during the primary.
date information can be found on regarding the publishing of “The damage done to the He said he intends to increase
the website at Clark's claims. Rush said that the township, to the reputation of our his campaigning as a write-in
https://inkster.lib.mi.us/ settlement included a significant community, along with the candidate with mailers and signs
financial penalty from the pub- expense to our taxpayers, is seri- to let voters know they have a
WESTLAND lisher but declined to provide ous,” Rush said. “We incurred choice between two Democrats
The annual Malloween event details. attorney fees for an audit and for the office.
sponsored by the City of Westland, That voting machine contro- investigation of the claims, our Warren said his initial candi-
the Westland Shopping Center versy and false claims regarding police department had to investi- dacy during the primary was
and Parkside Credit Union has township finances motivated gate and respond to the false prompted by the conduct and
been canceled this year due to Warren to seek the office of town- complaint and report. The costs lack of performance by current h Trustee Tim Rush
health concerns and the threat
posed by the pandemic.
“This was a tough decision to
make because our annual
MALLoween event is highly
attended,” commented Mayor
William R. Wild.
“Due to the large number of
attendees and limitations on large
gatherings, we agreed we would
be unable to conduct the event in
a manner that ensures the state's
safety recommendations were fol-
lowed.”
Westland officials said they
would not regulate trick-or-treat-
ing around the community.
Decisions on whether or not to do
so will be left at the discretion of
parents and their respective
neighborhoods, officials said.
As in years past, the City of
Westland will be sponsoring a
Halloween Decorating Contest
which will continue through Nov.
1.
Residents can visit the city
website to nominate themselves or
a friend in one or all of the three
categories: Best Autumn Display,
Best Spooky Display and Most
Over the Top Display. Nominees
will be asked to enter a picture
along with their submission.
“The Department of
Neighborhood Services team will
be out and about in neighbor-
hoods in search of those residents
who have gone the extra mile to
decorate their homes in a fun and
festive manner,” commented Wild.
“They will be the judges this year
and will make the final decision
on who wins.”
Winners will be announced
and awarded with prizes at the
council meeting on Monday, Nov.
16.
Officials from the CDC also
urged caution regarding trick or
treating and suggested families
find alternatives to minimize the
risk of contacting the coronavirus
for those who opt to participate in
the event.
High risk activities include
door-to-door trick or treating and
indoor crowded costume parties.
large parking lots or using alcohol
or drugs which can cloud judg-
ment and increase risky behavior,
the officials said.
For more guidelines from the
CDC, visit https://www.cdc.gov/
coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-
coping/holidays.html.