Basic HTML Version
A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
6
November 21, 2012
They started a little earlier this
year.
That's because they have such a
big job ahead of themand the calen-
dar shaved a few days off their time
to do it.
The Red Kettle program of the
Salvation Army has already started,
and there are bell ringers in front of
several local merchants and stores
seeking a fewcoins fromshoppers to
help the less fortunate this year.
Volunteer bell ringers are still
being sought and will be at store
entranceways through Dec. 24 in an
effort to prompt people to give what-
ever they can to help others during
the holiday season. There are nearly
450 locations throughout metro
Detroit where volunteers can be
found, shivering and ringing their
bells hoping to fill their kettles.
According to Major Mark
Anderson of the Salvation Army, “As
the Michigan poverty level rise for
the fifth consecutive year, the need
for social services continues to rise
exponentially.”
That means the need is greater
again this year.
All the change and dollar bills
collected in the red kettles help to
assist local families and individuals.
Thismoney alsohelpsmaintain vital
human services such as food and
shelter for children and adults
throughout the year.
The campaign may only take
place during the holidays, but the
help and assistance it provides goes
on all year.
It isn't easy, juggling packages,
controlling excited children and try-
ing not to get run over by the holiday
drivers in parking lots, but dropping
those coins or a couple of dollars in
that kettle can be the difference
Well, so much for that salacious
rumor of the imminent demise of
newspapers.
I nearly got a slipped disc when
I went out to pick up the Sunday
paper. The thing must have
weighed 12 pounds with all the
inserts from local stores attempting
to convince me (and everyone else)
that I better rush out and get my
Christmas shopping done.
It's not time yet. It can't be.
No matter how many wreaths,
bells and Santas I see, I simply
refuse to believe that it is already
nearly Christmas. Look, I've still got
dough in my freezer from the
Easter cookies I never found time
to bake. I haven't finished decorat-
ing the office for St Patrick's Day
yet and these people want me out,
at the mall, in the 60 degree sun-
shine, buying holiday gifts.
I just can't do it. No way. I
can't…but then, if I don't get busy, I
won't have time to finish it all and I
will be evenmore of a crazy person
when Dec. 25 appears, which
according tomy calendar, will be in
exactly fourweeks and six days.
But, wow, look at all these sales,
I mean these are really good deals.
Until I read the fine print, that is. I
can get a new iPad for like, $200,
but they only have 10 in the store
and they are opening at 8 p.m. on
Thanksgiving Day. Well, that crowd
would trample me like used tinsel
if
I
even
attempted to get
in line.
Hey,
I've
tried it, lining up at somemiddle of
the night hour, waiting for the store
doors to open to dash to the music
section to buy my son an auto-
graphed Weezer guitar. First, I got
up so early, I shouldn't have even
gone to bed, drove to the store, con-
fident I would be one of, if not the
first, in line. It was 3 a.m. and there
were at least 19 people ahead of
me. I know that for sure because,
having nothing else to do, I counted
Last Friday, the Plymouth Noon Rotary Club presented the
Officer of the Year awards to firefighters and police officers in
the city and township of Plymouth, a tribute the club members
schedule annually.
We've said it before and it bears repeating, this is a terrific
programand one that is well deserved and needed in the com-
munity. And Thanksgiving week is the perfect time to express
our gratitude to these officers dedicated to our safety.
These are the men and women who put their lives on the
line every day they go towork. That phrase seems to have lost a
great deal of meaning, after being been repeated so often. But
it is true. If these men and women thought about the true risks
they take every day to help others, to save lives, to defend their
communities, they probably would look for another career.
They actually do not know if they will come home from work
every day.
There could be a major chemical fire that takes their life, a
freeway tanker truck explosion, an armed gunman, a bank rob-
bery or a sniper in a crowdedbuilding.
These people face the risk of being on the front lines of
those situations daily when they clock in on their job. Every
day, they suit up in their protective gear and go on patrol or to
the fire station and wait for the inevitable calls from those
needing assistance.
And those calls continue to come in, day after day, incident
after incident.
Noticeably absent from the ceremony this year was the
PlymouthTownshipFireDepartment which has been reduced
to only 13 firefighters responsible for the protection of 28,000
residents. The continued turbulence and ongoing uncertainty
of their jobs was obviously a deterrent to the township fire
fighters, who feel the current effort to gut their department and
outsource their jobs is in direct conflict with any award pres-
entation for their service. Officers from the township police
department did appear, however, despite the recent “take-it-or-
leave-it” contract they have been given from the current, and
recently re-elected, administration. The township is demand-
ing that each police officer become trained as a firefighter as
part of a newPublic SafetyOfficer plan.
Despite the emotions, confusion and insecurity that accom-
panies all this turmoil, thesemen, in both departments, contin-
ue to go to work and do their jobs in an exemplary manner
every single day.
There are no incidents of any of these township officers,
either fire or police, withholding effort or doing less than the
best job they can, and living up to their pledge to serve the pub-
lic to the very best of their ability. They're doing this despite the
veritable and continual attacks launched at them from the very
people who are supposed to support and champion their
efforts.
We think that makes thesemen and women evenmore wor-
thy and deserving of a public award and recognition of their
professional efforts.
These awards are presented in some form annually in
almost every community we serve, usually by the municipality
or the department itself as a way to recognize the efforts of this
unique group of citizens who choose to do this dangerous, but
often rewarding, work. Each and every one of them, in any
community, has a story to tell of a situation that could have
resulted in disaster that was avoided. Each of them has avoid-
ed injury or death andmanaged to save a life or provide need-
edhelp to the residents they serve.
Giving them these honors, this recognition and this sign of
appreciation for the careers they have chosen, seems a small
step toward the debt of gratitude owed to them for the sense of
security and safety they provide.
Even if we have never needed them, never been involved in
the type of emergency situation which requires their involve-
ment, we all share that unconscious confidence that shouldwe
need them, they will be there, to put themselves between us
and a threat to ourwelfare or safety.
We applaud the Rotary Club program for thanking these
officers and all the other programs that demonstrate the sin-
cere regard of the public for these men and women who serve
andprotect us every day.
We knowwe're thankful they're here.
Gifts to
red kettle
are needed
Well, that crowd would trample
me like used tinsel if I even
attempted to get in line.
”
Noticeably absent from the ceremony this
year was the Plymouth Township Fire Department
which has been reduced to only 13 firefighters
responsible for the protection of 28,000 residents.
”
Let’s just call it Black and Blue Friday — OK?
Public safety awards are deserved by all officers
Superintendent
thanks community
To the editor;
On behalf of Northville Public
Schools and its Board of Education,
students, families and staff mem-
bers, I want to express our grati-
tude to our community for its sup-
port of the Northville Public
Schools Technology Bond
Proposal. The fact that this issue
was given such thoughtful consid-
eration and support during an elec-
tion with record turn-out and a
great number of issues on a nation-
al, state, county, and local levels is
truly a reflection of the work of a
tremendous teamand a community
that cares deeply about educating
our students for the 21st Century.
Likewise, words cannot ade-
quately capture our heartfelt
appreciation for the tremendous
work of an incredible team of stu-
dents, parents, community mem-
bers, teachers, principals, central
office leaders, board members and
business and community leaders
who helped our community under-
stand the need for the proposal and
the importance of technology to
support
learning,
and
college/career readiness.
The implementation plan is
under way, in partnership with
teachers, staff and students for the
purchase and installation of these
technology improvements with a
focus on 21st Century learning
experiences for our children.
Please look for regular updates on
the Northville Public Schools' web-
site at www.northville.k12.mi.us.
It is truly an honor and a privi-
lege to be a part of Northville
Public Schools and to be a part of a
team that comes together in sup-
port of our children, our schools,
and our community!
MaryKayGallagher,
Superintendent,
Northville Public Schools
Senator offers plan for unity
To the editor:
In the wake of the 2012 General
Election, there have been many
calls for our state and our nation to
come together in a renewed spirit
of bi-partisanship. For all of us
who attest to the wisdom in the
Letters
See
Friday,
page 7
See
Gifts,
page 7
See
Letters,
page 7