The Eagle: January 2024

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Gooooo Lions!!

City of Romulus staff showing support today and wishing good luck to our Detroit Lions in their playoff game this weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers! #OnePride

Community mourns death of John Santomauro

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our Retired Public Safety Director John R. Santomauro.

John started his 24-year career with Canton in 1985, and was the first named Director of Public Safety. He was successful in transforming the police and fire departments into premier emergency service agencies in Michigan. He believed in strong leadership, training, and education to develop his workforce. Throughout his career, John maintained positive working relationships with his staff, unions, community leaders and elected officials.

John was well-respected throughout the law enforcement community, but no more so than by the many individuals that worked for him throughout the years. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this very difficult time.

Battle of the Badges

Westland's Finest teamed up with Westland's Bravest as our Police and Fire Departments squared off against their counterparts from the City of Wayne. In a fundraiser basketball game that also featured a 50/50 drawing and plenty of prize baskets that were raffled off, plenty of money was raised for the Westland Youth Athletic Association. Our Westland team came out on top, but the real winners were the kids of the WYAA. Thanks to everyone who came out to support this great event and organization.

Listening in

Westland Mayor Kevin Coleman held the first stop on his 2024 Listening Tour. he was joined by some key members of his administration to hear what residents had to say at the Jefferson Community Vitality Center. There was an update on the Neighborhood Makeover Program, Parks and Recreation plans for 2024, and the latest focus from the Police Department. Residents had the opportunity to ask questions of the Mayor and department heads, as well as offer suggestions. If you missed it, don't worry. There are many more stops planned throughout 2024. The next Listening Tour will held at the Westland Public Library on Feb. 26 at 6pm.

Death James Lents mourned by community

James A. Lents, 83, of Clinton, died Monday, January 22, 2024 at MercyOne - Clinton.

Memorial Services are being planned for later this spring. The Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting his obituary at [ http://www.snellzornig.com/ | www.snellzornig.com ] .

James Alan Lents was born on November 3, 1941 in Wayne, Michigan, the son of Charles and Bessie (Lapham) Lents. He was a 1959 graduate of St. Mary's High School in Wayne, Ferris State College, and Mid-American Mortuary School in 1966. He married Valerie Angel on November 5, 1966 in Wayne, Michigan.

Jim followed in his father's footsteps, managing Lents Funeral Home, in Wayne, Michigan for many years until retiring in 1991.

David S. Jones has been selected for the 2024 Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year. Pictured below from left to right Jeff Lowrey, Chamber President, Wendy Harmon, Chamber board member , David Jones, and Mark Lewkowicz, Chairman of the Person of the Year committee. Stay tuned for details as we work with David and his family to select a date for the award dinner this spring.

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Ice breakers

City of Plymouth expects 20,000 visitors to annual Ice Festival

One of the most highly anticipated events of the year, the 2024 Plymouth Ice Festival, presented by Michigan First Credit Union, is set to transform downtown Plymouth into a winter wonderland, organizers said. This year, Michigan First Credit Union will be the presenting sponsor of the event which annually draws nearly 20,000 visitors into downtown Plymouth.

Highlights of the event this year will feature the stars of the event, the spectacular ice sculptures. Producer James Gietzen of JAG Entertainment said smaller sculptures will be displayed at local businesses while the larger artworks will be installed at Kellogg Park.

Winners from the second annual Canton Technology Committee App-a-thon, as well as the Judges, are shown here with their prizes and certificates. The theme of the 2024 Canton App-a-thon focused on how to utilize technology to assist residents. The participants were spot-on in creating apps for speaking to each other during crisis, translating documents and finding information on happenings in Canton. This year's Judges, included: Canton Supervisor Graham-Hudak, Trustee Tania Ganguly, Abdullah Ahmet, Chris Falco, Winston Koo, and Victor Ibegbu.

Winter safety tips

Winter's here and we've got a small but mighty request: Let's keep our fire hydrants clear. By shoveling out a 3-foot space around them, you're helping our Northville Township Fire Department (NTFD) access these lifesavers faster, cutting down crucial response times. And since we're talking about shoveling, NTFD has some cool tips to keep you safe and warm while you're at it:

• Ease into your day before grabbing that shovel. Don't rush, let your body wake up first!

• Warm-up alert! A quick stretch or a little walk does wonders before you start.

• Opt for a smaller shovel. It's about many light lifts, not a few heavy ones.

• Dress like it's a winter wonderland! Keep your hands, head, and face cozy.

• Shovel in stages. Don't forget to take those well-deserved breaks.

Together, let's make this winter safe and hydrant-friendly!

#ntwp #NTFD #PublicSafety

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Over 150 years of community commitment

For more than 150 years, Associated Newspapers has brought local news to communities in this area. These publications have won hundreds of both state and national journalism awards during that century and a half of publishing and have weathered some serious challenges.

We've endured power outages, equipment failures, printer catastrophes, economic downturns, the COVID pandemic and the changing media environment. Through it all, we have adapted and endured.

The past two weeks have presented some of the most unique and monumental challenges we have faced in many years. Our publisher, and single editorial staff member, suffered a serious injury and is unable to produce even the slightest amount of newscopy to fill the local pages. In addition, a serious weather event shut down electrical power to our production facilities and several crucial pieces of equipment simply died.

Making a splash

Canton celebrates reopening of renovated Aquatic Center

Canton Township officials gathered last week to celebrate the official grand reopening of the Summit on the Park newly renovated Aquatics Center with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was followed by a free community open swim for 200 individuals.

Canton Township Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak presided over the festivities and recognized the many individuals who were instrumental in completing this construction project on time and under budget. Also in attendance were members of the Canton Board of Trustees and other Canton officials, Summit on the Park management and aquatics staff, as well as construction professionals from AM Higley, who were responsible for completing the renovations.

One of the 'coolest' events in Romulus will return Jan. 20.

The 6th Annual Curling Royale event will begin at 3 p.m. at Mary Ann Banks Park Jan. 20 and team registrations are now being accepted.

Curling is a sport in which players slide stones on a sheet of ice toward a target area which is segmented into four concentric circles. The sport, growing in popularity, is related to shuffleboard. Two teams, each with four players, take turns sliding heavy, polished granite stones, also called rocks, across the ice curling sheet toward the house, a circular target marked on the ice. Each team has eight stones, with each player sliding two.

Wayne council members choose new city manager

Diane Webb

Wayne City Council members have chosen Diane Webb as the new city manager.

Webb was selected by a four to three vote of the councilmembers with Mayor John Rhaesa, Mayor Pro Tem Alfred Brock and Councilman Donald Quarles casting the dissenting votes.

Webb told the councilmembers she was looking forward to the new position and that she planned to meet with each of them.

Currently, Webb is the township supervisor in Redford Township. She has served elected terms on the Garden City City Council and the Wayne County Commission.

Despite his negative vote, Rhaesa told Webb he thought she would “do great.”

Sweeping victory

6th Annual Curling Royale tournament set for Jan. 20 in Romulus

One of the 'coolest' events in Romulus will return Jan. 20.

The 6th Annual Curling Royale event will begin at 3 p.m. at Mary Ann Banks Park Jan. 20 and team registrations are now being accepted.

Park rentals begin

Plymouth Township officials will begin accepting reservations for the township park next Tuesday, Jan. 9.

Township residents can reserve a park shelter or pavilion for the 2024 summer season which continues from May through September. Reservations can be made in person from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Department of Public Services counter on the 2nd floor of Plymouth Township Hall.

With the new year comes the opportunity for a new career.

Currently, Canton Township is accepting applications from qualified individuals interested in joining the Canton Fire Department as a firefighter/medic.

According to a statement from the public safety department, there are multiple immediate vacancies to be filled. According to the department, the 2023 pay scale range included a starting annual wage of $52,716. That increases, by union contract to $63,790 the second year, $71,654 the third year of employment, $79,512 the fourth year and $87,375 the fifth year.

Applications will be accepted until all open positions are filled, officials said.

Ford Road reconstruction project set to begin

Drivers using Ford Road next year will find a long-sought construction effort under way in response to the exceptional number of reported vehicle crashes along the highly trafficked roadway.

Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) officials revealed the construction timeline of the recently approved project which will include the temporary widening along Ford Road. Officials said the construction was prompted by the number of crashes at Ford Road intersections which exceed the Michigan average by as much as 186 percent in some areas. While officials refused to set an exact date for construction to begin, they announced the project would begin “in early 2024.”

The demolition of the former RJs Party Store marked the end of more than four years of effort by members of the Romulus Building and Ordinance department, officials noted in a social media post. The previous owner of the property failed to make any attempt to improve the blighted site, officials said. After years of legal wrangling and maneuvering, the owners were forced to sell the site to a new owner "who sees the value of this site and shares our vision of a better Romulus."

Sumpter Township man sentenced in plot to kidnap governor

A Sumpter Township man will spend 3 to 20 years in prison for his part in a failed attempt to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Shawn Michael Fix, 41, entered a guilty plea to involvement in the kidnap plot along with a co-defendant, Brian Higgins who was sentenced to 36 months on probation for his part in the plan.

After nearly three years of legal wrangling, the pair admitted to providing material support to an act of terrorism by helping to locate and surveil the governor's vacation home as part of the 2020 plan to kidnap Whitmer.

High school to establish new Memorial Wall

Wayne Memorial High School may soon include a tribute to servicemen and women who have graduated from the school.

Currently, donations are being sought to build a memorial wall to be prominently displayed at the entrance to the school. The display would include the name, rank and brief information about the serviceman or woman who served in the U.S. military.

Estimated costs for the installation of the memorial are $40,000 and would include construction, artwork, plaques, an interactive display, a software data package for digital storage and website viewing. The project would also include the development of educational materials and contributions to support local veterans.

X-men

Group looks toward progress at Malcolm X home in Inkster

A decades-long effort to save a historical site in Inkster may see significant progress this year.

Aaron Sims, one of the driving forces behind the move to save and refurbish an Inkster home briefly occupied by Malcolm X, said he is hoping for more progress in the restoration this year. Sims, along with a dedicated cadre of volunteers, has been working for more than a decade to acquire the Williams Street home and property.

According to city and historic records, Malcolm X lived in the home with his brother and his brother's family from 1952 until 1953, during his civil right efforts in Detroit. Sims and the other members of the group hope to turn the house into a historic landmark and a museum where other items belonging the Malcolm X can be seen.

School board members reject proposed layoffs

Members of the Wayne Westland Board of Education unanimously rejected Superintendent of Schools John Dignan's suggested staffing cuts during their Dec. 21 meeting.

The staffing cuts and layoffs were proposed in response to the abrupt discovery of a $17 million deficit in the school district budget. Board members and administrators believed the district was operating with a strong positive balance rather than the huge deficit. The deficit was discovered during a routine audit of district finances.

Residents of Northville Township and the City of Northville now have access to a free new Household Hazardous Waste drop-off center, which opened Oct. 3.

Operated by Washtenaw County in collaboration with GFL Environmental, the facility is located in the Arbor Hills complex at 10843 W. Five Mile Road, just west of Napier Road.

The 2,400-square-foot HHW Center is open for residents by appointment only Tuesday-Friday.

Northville Township Police officers collected toys to be distributed to deserving children and families during the holiday season. Officers agreed it has been a "heartwarming experience." Officers posted a thank you to everyone who donated and to the township hall staff members who helped make the initiative such a success. The Northville Shop with a Cop event took place last week, along with the personal delivery of the toys and gifts to homes in the community.

Police patrols increased at old hospital

Anyone contemplating a visit to the deteriorating and abandoned state psychiatric hospital on Seven Mile Road in Northville has been warned that visiting the site could well result in an expensive citation for trespassing.

The Northville Township Police Department has significantly increased patrols near the property in an effort to ensure the safety of those attempting to visit the site, officials said.

The township recently installed a 24-hour security system to help prevent trespassing and vandalism.

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