Basic HTML Version
No. 43
NEWS YOU CAN USE, NEWS YOU CAN TRUST
75¢
October 31 – November 6, 2013
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
The Michigan Assembly
Plant has been closed down
for a one-week furlough by
Ford Motor Co. in an effort to
control inventory supply of
vehicles.
See page 5.
Ethel Ruth Killingbeck, one
of nine children born to
Barnard
and
Minnie
Killingbeck of Romulus, will
mark her 100th birthday Nov.
5.
See page 2.
The future of Central
Middle School is the concern
of a newcommunity group that
will meet at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 at the
Penn Theatre in downtown
Plymouth.
See page 4.
The tax rate paid by proper-
ty owners in Northville
Townshipwill remain at 7.1074
mills according to a budget
approved by members of the
board of trustees.
See page 4.
Van Buren Township Police
arrested two suspects in the
armed robbery of the
HealthSmart Pharmacy on
BellevilleRoadOct. 24.
See page 3.
Vol. 128, No. 43
Vol. 66, No. 43
Vol. 66, No. 43
Vol. 13, No. 43
Vol. 128, No. 43
Vol. 66, No. 43
Vol. 66, No. 43
Mayor Hilliard Hampton
said city officials will meet this
week to discuss the legal rami-
fications of a judge's order to
reducewater rates in the city.
See page 5.
For home delivery of The Eagle call 734-467-1900.
They will be going the extra
mile Nov. 1 when Mayor
WilliamWild, business people,
department heads and
employees will be out raking
leaves for senior citizens.
See page 3.
Canton Lions Club mem-
bers are hosting a Euchre
Tournament at the Plymouth
Elks Club 41700 Ann Arbor
Road, Plymouth.
See page 3.
Vol. 13, No. 43
Judge Paul Teranes of Wayne
County Circuit Court last week
ordered the City of Inkster to
reduce water rates for businesses
and residents and credit the
accounts of all those who have
paid thehigher rate since July.
Inkster attorney Byron Nolen
presented evidence during the
bench trial demonstrating that the
city was overcharging for water
services and was, in fact, “charg-
ing people again for services they
received in the past.”
Nolen, who brought the suit for
plaintiff Terrance Trahey, said he
felt the judge was “able to see
through the mumbo jumbo” the
city presented as a defense into
the “past mismanagement” that
caused Trahey to receive a $6,000
water bill.
Nolen said he was sure that the
city would appeal the decision
which ordered the city to reduce
current water rates from $15.30
per unit to $11.96 per unit. Nolen
said that all residents and busi-
nesses in the city would receive a
credit on their bills going forward
which could seriously impact city
finances.
Mayor Hilliard Hampton said
that if the city is forced to reduce
the water rates by this legal deci-
sion, “we will have to pick it up on
the other end somehow.”Meaning,
he said, some other tax on resi-
dents. “The consent agreement
makes it very clear what we have
to do,” he said.
“Obviously, we are troubled by
The City of Detroit wants the
land erroneously sold to Plymouth
Township returned and intends to
pursue every legal avenue possible
to reclaimthe 190-acre property.
Last week, however, attorneys for
Detroit were forced to withdraw
their request for a hearing inWayne
County Circuit Court regarding the
lawsuit filed against Plymouth
Township and Wayne County
demanding the return of the land.
Detroit attorneys had requested
the hearing to reopen the case that
sought to reclaim 190-acres of the
300-plus acre property in Plymouth
Township that was once home to the
Detroit House of Corrections prison
farm. The request for amotion hear-
ingwas filed onOct.10.
John Nader, a lawyer for the City
of Detroit, said that minutes before
the court opened, Plymouth
Township attorney Timothy Cronin
called an impromptu meeting in the
hallway with Nader and Wayne
County attorney Jacob Ghannam.
Cronin, Nader said, expressed his
concerns about going forward with
oral arguments before Judge Maria
Oxholm, because of what he
described as a “conflict of interest.”
The conflict of interest, according
to Nader, had to do with the rela-
tionship of Plymouth Township with
the law firm Miller-Canfield, the
same firm that was chosen by the
City of Detroit in the bankruptcy fil-
ing after Emergency Manager
Kevyn Orr presented his financial
and operating plan to the state treas-
urer lastMay.
Subsequently in court last week,
Nader, withdrew the praecipe to lift
the stay and dissolve the administra-
tive closing.
The township paid $606,150 in
2011 for two parcels of land totaling
323 acres being foreclosed and sold
by Wayne County for back taxes.
According to an affidavit filed Jan. 9,
by Detroit attorney Timothy Beckett,
the 190-acre parcel of the former
Detroit House of Corrections prop-
See
Rates,
page 5
Nolen said that all residents and businesses in the city
would receive a credit on their bills going forward which
could seriously impact city finances.
”
Inkster water rates reduced by judge
See
Lawsuit,
page 4
Detroit vows to continue legal battle for DeHoCo land
Salute to Service
Annual tribute to
veterans is planned
Canton Township will once again officially
honor area service men and service women
in a special “Salute to Service” ceremony
beginning at 7 p.m. Nov. 11 at The Village
Theater at Cherry Hill, located 50400 Cherry
Hill Road.
This special Veterans Day celebration will
recognize military personnel currently in
active duty in our Army, Navy, Air Force,
Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, and
Reserves, as well as veterans of the armed
services for their exceptional commitment
anddedication.
The public is encouraged to attend this
free event, presented by Canton Township.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the public to
enjoy exhibited military memorabilia dis-
plays prior to the start of the formal stage
presentation.
The program will feature the Fallen and
Wounded Soldiers Fund, whose mission is to
support Michigan-based soldiers who serve
andprotect our country. Founded in 2006, this
organization assists injured soldiers in paying
their living expenses, and provides assistance
to the families of the fallen. Proceeds from
corporate and private donations, as well as
events, are used to support the organization.
The Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund is
wholly staffed by business people and volun-
teers who believe in giving back to our armed
forces and their families. Fundraising activi-
ties of this group include an annual dinner
with silent auction, a golf outing, comedy
nights, and other community events.
In addition to the formal presentation,
items for service men and women will be col-
lectedby theMichiganMilitaryMoms, includ-
ing individual size or travel size: beef
jerky/slim jims; baby wipes; Q-tips; packs of
gum/caffeinated gum; cheese and crackers;
granola bars; canned fruit/soups/tuna (pull
tabs); sun block (SPF 45); gel deodorant; flip
flops or shower sandals like crocs; small com-
bat pillows; and decks of cards/Uno.
Children's books are also being collected as
part of a “United Through Reading
Program,” where soldiers are videotaped
reading a book to their child or someone they
are close to. Then, the recording is given to
the soldier to mail to their loved ones back
home.
Musical tributes will be sung by the
Workman Elementary Choir, under the direc-
tion of Keri L. Mueller.
For more information, call (734) 394-5460
or visit Cantonfun.org.
Leroy Burcroff
Eva Webb
See
Burcroff,
page 2
See
Webb,
page 2
Canton resident, Pvt. Joel Hartom, United States Marine Corps, pays tribute to 22 fallen
Marines from the 1st Battalion 24th Marines who made the ultimate sacrifice during
Operation Iraqi Freedom and who are honored with a special memorial located in Heritage
Park in Canton.
Photo by Lisa Boughton
Romulus voters to choose new mayor next Tuesday, Nov. 5
Leroy Burcroff
said he's hoping
his business experience, coupled
with his knowledge of the City of
Romulus, will be the perfect mix
tomove the city forward.
Burcroff, a city councilman
for 16 years, is facing City
Councilwoman Eva Webb for the
top elected spot in the city. He
said he would focus on the budg-
et, bringing more businesses to
Eva Webb
said budget, busi-
ness and openness are the top
things she would focus on if
elected to be the next mayor of
Romulus.
Webb, a formermember of the
Romulus Public Schools Board
of Education, and a retired
deputy city clerk for Romulus, is
facing Council President Leroy
Burcroff in theNov. 5 election.
Burcroff, Webb outline positions