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ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 5 November 23, 2011 PLYMOUTH - R OMULUS
City may join schools
in purchasing efforts
Tree lighting set in city
The City of Romulus may join forces with
the Romulus Community School District in
order to help save costs.
City council members met in a study session
last week to see if there were some cost savings
to be found by cooperating with the district to
purchase some supplies or offer some services.
“It makes a lot of sense to work together
with our school district,” said Council
President LeroyBurcroff.
Burcroff said the goal is to work with the
district to get better pricing on supplies that
both entities use as well as to share equipment.
The city has similar agreements already with
the City of Wayne and with the school district,
as well. The district shares the road salt pur-
chased by the city and it has helped reduce
their costs.
“It's a goodway to use the assets that the tax-
payers have paid for,” said Councilman
WilliamCrova.
“There's the thought that there could be
improved purchasing power between the two
entities to reduce some costs-whether it be
paper costs, whether it be janitorial supplies or
some other things.”
The council said, however, that any coopera-
tive agreement between the two entities would
not be designed to reduce the labor force;
merely to do things more efficiently and, hope-
fully, cheaper.
“I personally look at this as a win-win situa-
tion for the taxpayers of Romulus becausewe'll
be able to use the tax dollars that have been
spent for equipment and different types of
services and go use themjointly,” saidCrova.
Council memberswill vote on the issue later
thismonth.
“We're very cautious about trying to do this
slowly,” saidBurcroff.
A long-time community tradition will con-
tinue Friday, Dec. 2, when Romulus resi-
dents come together to light the official
Christmas tree and welcome Santa Claus to
the city.
Families are invited to Romulus
Historical Park for festivities, which get
underway at 6 p.m.
Mayor Alan R. Lambert will announce
three Romulus students as winners of the
Christmas Essay Contest on the topic “The
best Christmas ever.” The winners will
receive gift cards from the Recreation
Commission, sponsored by the Public
ServiceCredit Union.
Themayor, city clerk, treasurer andmem-
bers of the city council will lead the singing
of Christmas carols.
Santa Claus will arrive by fire truck and
will join the essay contest winners in lighting
the official city Christmas tree. Lambert will
present Santawitha key to the city.
The night continues at ProgressiveHall at
11580 Ozga Road. Santa will meet with chil-
dren, who are encouraged to present letters
with their Christmas wishes. Complimentary
refreshmentswill be served.
Photos with Santa will be available for $3
each - the only cost of the evening.
The festivities are possible thanks to the
sponsorship of local businesses and organi-
zation and the volunteerism of community
members under the leadership of the
Romulus Downtown Development Authority
(DDA).
To volunteer to work the night of the
event or for more information, call (734) 955-
4533.
Officers of the Year
Rotary Club honors public safety responders
For the 12th year, the Plymouth
Noon Rotary Club honored the
police and fire Officers of the
Year at the regular meeting on
Friday at the Plymouth
Community Center. This year,
three police officers, a firefight-
er and a paramedic were hon-
ored. Vince Waryas, who
works with Huron Val ley
Ambulance, was named as the
paramedic of the year. The
Plymouth Township Officer of
the Year award went to Ofc.
Mark Hoffman of the township
pol ice department. City of
Plymouth Police officers Alex
Fox and Tom Koval were
selected to receive the honors
as Officers of the Year and
Plymouth Community Fire
Department Lt. Charles Mann
was also honored for his dedi-
cation to protecting the safety
of the public. Photos by Dave Willett