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SSOCIATED
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EWSPAPERS OF
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ICHIGAN
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AGE
5
December 11, 2014
B
ELLEVILLE
- P
LYMOUTH
- R
OMULUS
Bell ringers to compete
during Red Kettle drive
Grant funds firefighters
Mayor to speak at chamber
The Salvation Army Red Kettle
Campaign collected more than $20,000
just before Thanksgiving, allowing the
organization to provide holiday meals to
more than 250 families in the Belleville,
Canton, Northville andPlymoutharea.
The $21,244.12 total is about 12.3 per-
cent of the organization goal or $225,000
for this year and puts the group 13.5 per-
cent behind collections for the same time
frame last year, according to major Keith
Bailey and Sandy Kollinger of the
Plymouthoffice of TheSalvationArmy.
To help promote donations and volun-
teer efforts, the organization has come up
withbell ringing competitions this year.
“We are rolling out two new volunteer
bell ringing competitions this year, as
well as featuring a bell ringer of the
day/week.
“The first competition is to the individ-
ual bell ringer that completes the most 2-
hour shifts during the 2014 Red Kettle
Campaign. The second competition is for
the bell ringer that refers the most new
bell ringers.
“We have a fantastic prize for the win-
ner of each category, plus an invitation to
our awards luncheon in May. The bell
ringer of the day will be featured on reg-
istertoring.org and our weekly bell ringer
will be featured on our Facebook site,”
Kollinger said in a prepared release.
“If you would like to become a volun-
teer bell ringer youmay sign up online at
either ringbell.org or contact Kollinger,
volunteer and special events coordinator
or Katie Wenzel, our Christmas kettle
coordinator by calling (734) 453-5464 ext.
24.
“We live in a great community that
cares for others. The Salvation Army
could not do what it does without your
help,”Kollinger said.
The Salvation Army is located at 9451
S. MainSt. Plymouth, MI 48170.
The City of Romulus entered into a
grant agreement Monday night that could
bring new equipment and provide train-
ing for five fire department officials at a
reduced cost.
Through a regional FEMA (Federal
Emergency Management Authority)
Assistance to Firefighting Grant, the city
could receive 27 800 MHz portable radios
and related equipment as well as more
than 70 hours of training for the fivemem-
bers for less than $20,000. The total cost of
the equipment and training would be
$195,000, but the city requirement is only a
10 percentmatch.
The grants are open to multiple juris-
dictions and, by joining with them, the city
has better odds of receiving the funds,
saidDeputy Fire Chief KevinKrause. The
City of Dearborn andNorthville Township
are the two lead agencies for the grants.
“If you apply for joint grants, where
multiple agencies can co-operate, utilize
the equipment and sharing those capabili-
ties and same instructors for training situ-
ations, you have a better chance of secur-
ing those grants,” saidKrause.
The training includes instructions for
incident commanders at major disaster
sites.
Romulus Mayor LeRoy Burcroff will
present the 2015 State of the City address
at the Greater Romulus Chamber of
Commerce luncheon at noon Jan. 6.
Burcroff will speak at noon at the
Sheraton Detroit Metro Airport, 8000
Merriman Road in Romulus.
Reservations will be accepted until Jan. 2.
The cost is $20 for chamber members and
$25 for non-members.
For reservations or more information,
call (734) 893-0694.
The Van Buren Township Department
of Public Safety Investigations Division is
continuing an investigation into an
attempted child abduction reported last
Wednesday, Dec. 3.
According to police reports of the inci-
dent, at about 8:45 a.m. a 9-year-old girl
walking from Parkwood Manor to Tyler
Elementary School was approached by a
man who attempted to grab her from
behind. The child was able to escape and
fled on foot home toward her residence,
she toldpolice.
The man involved was described as a
black male, approximately 6-feet tall and
weighing about 200 pounds. He was wear-
ing a black ski mask and dark clothing,
according to the description provided to
police. Officers noted that there were no
vehicles reported in the area at the time
of the reported incident.
“There is very little information avail-
able at this time and the incident has
been forwarded to the Van Buren
Township Investigations Division for
review and follow up investigation. The
Van Buren Township Department of
Public Safety and Van Buren Township
Public Schools have issued advisory mes-
sages and are working together to keep
the community informed as the police
department processes investigative
leads,” noted a report from the police
department.
project of this magnitude to decide if it is
desirable, something we never got. All we
want is people who will represent us with
respect and to let voters decide.”
Chris Hunter, a local attorney and
member of the recall group, said he is
looking into the matter to identify and
trace the parties who are involved in the
false information in the ROBO call claims.
Hunter said he has also received calls
from township condominium residents
who say they were threatened eviction by
representatives of their homeowners asso-
ciations and a management company if
they sign a recall petition or post a sign
supporting the effort. Hunter says the
ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) is
also interested in pinpointing the connec-
tions. Hunter said these tactics are an
infringement of civil rights and the U.S.
Constitution.
One of those called, Hunter said, was
an 80-year-old condominium owner who
was seriously distressed and frightened by
the tactics. The resident, who asked not to
be identified fearing retaliation, said that
people in his condominium development
were told supporting the recallmovement,
“would be grounds for eviction.” The
ROBO calls also urged residents to call E.
G. Nick's restaurant, where the fundraiser
for the group took place last week, “and
urge the business to stop financing the
recall.”
“The draconian tactics and abuse can
not be tolerated; it's but another sign these
people need to be removed from office,”
Hunter said.
Frank Agostini, owner of the popular
downtown restaurant, said he was
shocked at the harassment tactics when
he has made no political statement or
taken any position on the recall effort. The
restaurant is frequently used for all types
of events, funerals, baby showers, political
parties-both Republican and Democrat,
plus various ethnic groups. Agostini said
none of these events are ever interpreted
as his business support of any cause or
political party.
“I'm simply a vendor. I'm a business-
man. I don't ask people their political
views or religious affiliation when they
book a party here. This is just ridiculous
in a town likePlymouth,”Agostini said.
“These tactics are deplorable and show
the real character and purpose of this
recall against people who would use lies,
scare tactics and illegal threats to retain
their access to power, influence and
finances in our community,” Groth said.
“To go so far as to threaten seniors and
smear a business that constantly gives
back to this community speaks volumes
about why these people should not be in
office.”
Group
FROM PAGE 1
Police investigate report
of child abduction attempt
Giving thanks
Romulus National Honor Society members continued their legacy of giving
back to the community recently when students volunteered their time serving a
free thanksgiving dinner sponsored by the Romulus House restaurant. "Our stu-
dents were excited to be a part of such a worthwhile event," noted National
Honor Society advisor Kathy Abdo.