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November 21 – 27, 2019 NEWS YOU CAN USE, NEWS YOU CAN TRUST 75¢

No. 46 www .associatednewspapers.net

THE BELLEVILLE Plymouth-Canton schools consider bond vote
ENTERPRISE
ENTERPRISE
Vol. 134, No. 46 Voters in the Plymouth- ” during the next decade.
Canton Community Schools dis- She explained that one of the
An observant witness led trict may see a request for a $275 The bond would not increase the priorities was to provide an
to the arrest of two suspects million bond issue on the March current school district millage rate of 4.02 mills. equity of opportunities through-
in two armed robberies in 10 ballot next year. out the district, “regardless of
Van Buren Township last Members of the board of edu- the zip code or the level of the
week. cation are discussing a needs list would also be renovated and tice fields for athletics and activ- schools.” She also stressed the
See page 5. for building safety upgrades, a more space would be provided ities and synthetic turf added to importance of the district
total renovation of the Salem for the marching band at the infields at the baseball and remaining competitive with
High School performing arts Plymouth High School. Plans softball fields. neighboring districts and non-
THE CANTON center, new gymnasiums at dis- also include security upgrades Funding would also be used public and charter schools.
EAGLE trict elementary schools and a at Eriksson, Field, Hulsing and for playground equipment, members that the district had
EAGLE
Merritt reminded the board
Miller elementary schools and
classroom furniture and addi-
new swimming pool at Plymouth
Vol. 72, No. 46 High School. The bond would at East, West and Pioneer mid- tional gymnasiums, music and not asked for a bond since 2013
Canton Township officials not increase the current school dle schools. art rooms. and that the funding approved
are stepping up a smoking district millage rate of 4.02 mills, The performing arts center at Merritt told the members of by voters in that election was
ban to include vaping prod- according to Superintendent of Salem High Schools would be the board that the list of handled well.
ucts, which have been mar- Schools Monica Merritt. remodeled and dressing rooms improvements was “what our “The facts show that we have
keted to teens. Plans include a new added along with additional students need and deserve.” been very fiscally responsible
See page 3. Plymouth Community room for scenery construction She emphasized that the and good stewards of our tax-
Educational Park athletic stadi- and storage and a new natatori- upgrades and renovations were payers' money, which is evi-
um to be located near the corner um installed at Plymouth High not “wants” but “needs.” She dence by our unqualified bond
of Joy and Canton Center roads, Schools while a gymnasium explained that the plans were rating and the fact that we're
THE INKSTER near the football practice fields. added to Starkweather the result of community forums, able to go out for bonds without
LEDGER STAR The weight rooms at both Academy. The plans also and community workshops to high interest rates so we can
LEDGER STAR
Vol. 72, No. 46 Canton and Salem high schools include two multipurpose prac- determine what students need invest in our schools,” she said.
The drawing for the
prizes in the Inkster Legends
Holiday Giveaway will take
place during an event set for
5 until 8 p.m. Dec. 18 at the
Dozier Recreation Complex.
See page 2.

THE NORTHVILLE
EAGLE
EAGLE

Vol. 19, No. 46
City of Northville officials
celebrated the work of past
officials and welcomed the
newly-elected mayor and
two council members last
week.
See page 3.

THE PLYMOUTH Members of the family of the late Don Barden unveil the new sign naming a Detroit street in his memory. Photo by Dave Willett
EAGLE A fitting tribute
EAGLE
Vol. 19, No. 46
Benefactors of the The late Don Barden honored in special renaming of Detroit street
Plymouth Arts and It was a veritable Who's Who anything you put your mind to,” ber from 1972-1975. By 1981, Mr. Using the capital gained from
Recreation Complex have of state, county and municipal said John Barden. Barden bought an interest in a the Comcast deal, Mr. Barden
pledged enough funding to officials who gathered with the Don Barden founded Barden cable television station in ventured into the casino gaming
prevent the sale of the recre- family of the late Don Barden to Communications Inc. in 1981, Lorain and formed Barden industry when he acquired and
ational fields at the facility. help pay tribute to his memory building the cable television sys- Communications Inc. He operated the Majestic Star
See page 4. during a standing- room only tem to serve Detroit, Inkster, expanded his cable system to Casino, a riverboat casino in
event last week inside the and several other suburbs. He include communities in his Gary, Indiana. He also owned
THE ROMULUS Comcast Service Center where then sold it to Comcast in 1994 hometown of Inkster and the
ROMAN
ROMAN Barden Cablevision was former- for more than $100 million. Detroit area. See Barden, page 2
“This is a historic day for our
ly housed.
Vol. 134, No. 46 Among the dignitaries help- city. Detroiters will always
The Romulus ing Mr. Barden's family officially remember Don's contributions
Goodfellows' Gobble Wobble unveil the new sign renaming a with a street named in his
Turkey Trot will begin at 5 Detroit street for him were honor,” said Montez Miller, who
p.m. Nov. 22 for packet pick Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, led the street name changing
up and warm up at the Wayne County Executive effort. “Don was my boss at
Artisan Reserve and at 5:30, Warren Evans, Romulus Mayor Barden Cablevision, but he
participants will trot on over Leroy Burcroff, Inkster Mayor became a friend and mentor. I
to Walter's Bar. Patrick Wimberly and many oth- was among many he touched
See page 2. ers. Mr. Barden's son, Don through his work and philan-
Barden Jr. and his brother, thropy.”
Romulus Mayor Pro Tem John Donald Hamilton Barden
Barden, attended the event was born Dec. 20, 1943 in
THE WAYNE along with multiple members of Inkster. He attended Inkster
EAGLE
EAGLE the Barden family. It was Mr. High School, where he starred

Vol. 72, No. 46 Barden's family members who on the football team for the
Vikings. The ninth of 13 chil-
pulled the rope uncovering the
St. Mary Café in Wayne new street sign at the corner of dren, Mr. Barden grew up shar-
will host the annual Lyndon Street and Schaefer ing a bed with his siblings and
Christmas Cookie Walk and Highway renamed Barden left for college at Central State
Bazaar from noon until 4 Street in his memory. University in Ohio in hopes of
p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Mr. Barden, an Inkster native, becoming a lawyer rather than
See page 5. was a major figure in the busi- an autoworker like his parents.
ness world for decades. He dropped out of college in
“I'm just really glad we are 1965 and used $500 in savings to
THE WESTLAND honoring him today,” Duggan open a record store, Donnie's
EAGLE said. Records, in Lorain, Ohio. That
EAGLE
“We think of the street sign
Vol. 72, No. 46 as a testament to my dad's hard was the start of an empire.
From there, he launched sev-
Andrew Spisak has been work and achievements, as eral businesses, including a real
reappointed to the Westland well,” Don Barden Jr. said. estate development firm, a
Planning Commission for a “We want the young kids to nightclub, and a weekly newspa-
three-year term, expiring know there was a person of per, The Lorain County Times, Romulus Mayor Pro Tem John Barden and Detroit Mayor Mike
Nov. 5, 2022. color who made this happen, in Lorain. He was also the first Duggan enjoy a laugh during the ceremonies honoring the late
See page 5. and if you have goals, you can do elected Black city council mem- Don Barden last week. Photo by Dave Willett

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