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December 21 – 27, 2023 NEWS YOU CAN USE, NEWS YOU CAN TRUST 75¢

No. 51 www .associatednewspapers.net

Vol. 138, No. 51
The Crimemapping.com
service used by several
Sumpter Township residents
to receive alerts will cease
Dec. 31, police officials said.
See page 3.
Plymouth racetrack plan continues to prompt protests

A plan to bring a harness rac- Plymouth Township
ing track to Plymouth Township ” Supervisor Kurt Heise has been
continues to meet objections Northville Downs is the only operating publicly supportive of the track
Vol. 76, No. 51 from the public and recently live racing track in the state in the past, claiming the facility
Canton Sports Center from the director of a new group would be of benefit to the entire
Canton Sports Center, a pop- called the Economic following a decline in interest and attendance. community as the property
ular sports destination for Development Responsibility could be used for multiple com-
local softball/baseball Alliance (EDRA) of Michigan. munity events while racing was
leagues and tournaments Marjorie Steele, the founder track were approved as a ues.” not taking place. A vocal critic of
will undergo renovations. and executive director of the Planned Unit Development Northville Downs is the only the plan, Trustee John Stewart,
See page 4. group, recently issued a state- (PUD) by members of the plan- operating live racing track in the says he finds no benefit in the
ment noting that local residents ning commission in February. state following a decline in proposal and strongly opposes
continue to protest the plan to That approval expires in interest and attendance at the the construction of the
move Northville Downs harness February of 2024. racing events. Steele claims that Northville Downs in Plymouth
track from the current location Steele cites the concerns of simulcast races accounted for 96 racetrack.
in downtown Northville to a 128- local residents about “taxpayer percent of gambling activity at Steele claims that 1,200 resi-
Vol. 76, No. 51 acre parcel of land near the subsidies for horseracing, crime, Northville Downs last year dents of a group called Stop the
intersection of Five Mile and environmental destruction, traf- which, she says, proves that very Racetrack have signed a peti-
Students at David Hicks
Elementary School in Ridge roads in Plymouth fic gridlock and harm to the little actual live horseracing
Inkster received a special Township. Plans for the new local economy and property val- takes place at the track. See Track, page 6
holiday visit last week when
more than 3,000 gifts were
waiting for them after their
lunch break.
See page 3.

Vol. 23, No. 51
Northville residents have
only until Jan. 1 to nominate
candidates for the annual
John Genitti Citizen of the
Year award.
See page 5.

Vol. 23, No. 51
Plymouth- Canton
Community Schools part-
nered with a local business
to help spread some holiday
cheer to dozens of families.
See page 6.

Sounds of the season

The traditional Noon Rotary Club Holiday Concert took place
at the Plymouth Community Center last week in front of nearly
Vol. 138, No. 51 300 guests. More than 60 students from the vocal and orches-
The Wreaths Across tral music programs at the Plymouth Community Educational
America ceremony at Park performed songs and instrumental favorites of the sea-
Memorial Cemetery in son. Vocal presentations were under the direction of Jennifer
Romulus was a moving trib- Neumann while Michael Edwards conducted the orchestra
ute to those men and women musicians. A special rendition of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus
who have served their coun- was under the direction of guest conductor John Stewart.
Stewart reminded the audience that the music programs had
try. been rebuilt at the schools by Newmann and Edwards follow-
See page 2. ing COVID and explained that the performance was of a quali-
ty far beyond the high-school level. "There is nothing like this
anywhere," Stewart said of the young performers and music
program in the schools. The students, and Stewart, received a
standing ovation from the audience which included members
of the Plymouth Township Board of Trustees, Superintendent
of Plymouth Canton Schools Monica Merrit and several other
Vol. 76, No. 51
local and school officials. Photos by Pamela J. Hall.
The Wayne Memorial
2023 varsity boys bowling
team won the state champi-
onship last May and received Area mourns death of Councilwoman Eva Webb
their championship rings
and school banner last week. The Romulus community is mourning the Assistant to the City Clerk and then appointed
See page 5. death of City Councilwoman Eva Webb, 75, who Deputy City Clerk in 2001, a role she held until
died Dec. 15, 2023 after a hard-fought health bat- her retirement in 2009.
tle. With a focus on youth and education,
Calling the City of Romulus home since 1972, Councilwoman Webb served on the Romulus
Mrs. Webb served on countless boards commis- Community School Board for four years, serving
sions and volunteer organizations always as School Board Secretary, School Board
Vol. 76, No. 51 focused on helping others and moving her com- Treasurer and School Board Vice President.
The Compassion Project munity forward, city officials recalled. Following her retirement in 2009, Mrs. Webb
at the Westland City Council Mrs. Webb's career encompassed various successfully sought election to the Romulus City
meeting Dec. 4 introduced roles, including service as a City of Romulus Council, serving from 2009 to 2013. After a four-
three outstanding students employee in the Building Department beginning
from three different elemen- Councilwoman Eva Webb in 1996, moving to the position of Administrative See Webb, page 2
tary schools.
See page 6.

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