Truckloads of hazardous waste continue to travel throughout the area hauling toxic chemicals and nuclear waste matter to the Wayne Disposal Inc. landfill in Van Buren Township.
Wayne County circuit Judge Kevin Cox issued a temporary restraining order on Sept. 18, halting the disposal of hazardous or nuclear waste at the local facility in response to a lawsuit filed by Van Buren and Canton townships and the cities of
Belleville and Romulus. Attorneys from Republic Services which owns Wayne Disposal petitioned the court during a hearing Sept. 24 to limit the restraining order to only waste from the Niagara Falls Storage Site allowing the continued disposal of toxic waste at the local site.
The hearing set for this week will determine whether the temporary injunction restricting the nuclear waste from the Manhattan Project will continue while the case is resolved.
The radioactive waste matter in dispute was to be hauled by truck from the Niagara Fall site where it had been stored from 1944 to 1952. The material was created during the development of atomic bombs during both World War I and II. A remediation of the New York site is planned to allow for future industrial development at the site, according to legal filings.
Currently, Wayne Disposal is receiving waste from an atomic development site in Ohio including radioactive materials from the 1940s and 1950s. That site, in Luckey, Ohio is currently under remediation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The material, according to legal documents, exhibits an elevated level of radioactivity. According to the Army Corps, more than 175,000 tons of radioactive soil and other materials have been hauled to Wayne Disposal over the past 6 years. Material from another Ohio chemical plant where uranium was formerly developed for atomic weapons is also slated for transport and disposal Van Buren.
Data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shows that fewer than 100 people live within a 1-mile radius of only four hazardous waste facilities outside Michigan, while Wayne Disposal has 2,660 residents within that radius — and more than 150,000 residents within 20 miles of the site.
State Rep. Reggie Miller has introduced a bill that would ban elevated radiation waste from Michigan landfills. Miller said multiple states have enacted similar legislation that has withstood legal challenges.
According to the Army Corps, the waste will not exceed 50 picocuries per gram of radioactivity. One picocurie is roughly equivalent to background levels of radioactivity naturally occurring in the environment, according to a prepared statement.
Melissa Quillard, senior manager of external communications for Republic Services said the landfill has safely received and managed radioactive material for many years.
“The landfill meets or exceeds all regulations and is designed to safely manage this type of material, which can be generated through a variety of industrial and other processes,” Quillard said in a statement.
Miller, however, disagrees.
“We are not discriminating; this is a health and safety concern. That landfill is a mile and a half from the largest lake in Wayne County, Belleville Lake. It is near a middle school and a few parks. It is in the most populous county in Michigan,” Miller said.
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Ringers
Crowds vie for honors at annual horseshoe event
The annual One Romulus Community Horseshoe Tournament brought crowds of elected officials, city
recently. Mayor Robert McCraight showed off his tossing skill and awarded ribbons to the winners of the day. The crowd enjoyed refreshments from Grahams Gourmet Hot Dogs during the nearly perfect fall day. The event is set for Sept. 13 next year and officials urged residents to mark their calendar for a day of community fun..
School board members appoint member to fill term
Aamina Ahmed was appointed as the newest member of the Plymouth Canton Community Schools Board of Education during a meeting Oct. 1.
Ahmed will complete the term of Shawn Wilson who resigned from the board in August. Ahmed was selected from a field of nine applicants who were interviewed for the position, according to information provided by district officials. Three finalists were asked to return for a second interview with current board members who then selected Ahmed to fill the vacancy.
“We are grateful to all of the candidates who chose to apply to serve as a Board Trustee, and we are excited about the addition of Aamina Ahmed to the P-CCS Board of Education,” said P-CCS Board President Lauren Christenson. “We firmly believe that her professional experience, previous service to the district, and passion for public education will bring an important perspective as we continue to work to provide students with an education that prepares them for life success.”
Ahmed, a graduate of Wayne State University who currently works as a grant manager, previously served on several district committees, including the board policy committee. She is the mother of three who all attended schools in the district, according to a prepared statement.
“As a firm believer in the value of public education, I am excited to work collaboratively alongside the other Trustees and Superintendent Merritt to serve our district’s students, families, and staff,” Ahmed said.
“I’m looking forward to learning as a member of the board and finding ways to make the district even better than it is right now.”
Ahmed will serve until December, 2026 when the term expires.
Ahmed will complete the term of Shawn Wilson who resigned from the board in August. Ahmed was selected from a field of nine applicants who were interviewed for the position, according to information provided by district officials. Three finalists were asked to return for a second interview with current board members who then selected Ahmed to fill the vacancy.
“We are grateful to all of the candidates who chose to apply to serve as a Board Trustee, and we are excited about the addition of Aamina Ahmed to the P-CCS Board of Education,” said P-CCS Board President Lauren Christenson. “We firmly believe that her professional experience, previous service to the district, and passion for public education will bring an important perspective as we continue to work to provide students with an education that prepares them for life success.”
Ahmed, a graduate of Wayne State University who currently works as a grant manager, previously served on several district committees, including the board policy committee. She is the mother of three who all attended schools in the district, according to a prepared statement.
“As a firm believer in the value of public education, I am excited to work collaboratively alongside the other Trustees and Superintendent Merritt to serve our district’s students, families, and staff,” Ahmed said.
“I’m looking forward to learning as a member of the board and finding ways to make the district even better than it is right now.”
Ahmed will serve until December, 2026 when the term expires.
Smoothing the way
Canton Township celebrates completion of park path projects
Canton Township officials celebrated the official ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of an extensive path improvement project in Canton Heritage Park funded by a Wayne County Parks Millage and the township.
“It’s important for our community to have enhanced park amenities that increase both safety and accessibility of these recreational areas where all ages and abilities can come together to spend time outside, and to enjoy all that Canton has to offer,” said Canton Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak. “This path renovation project marks the first time in over 40 years that these paths have been majorly resurfaced and it would not have been possible without our partnership with Wayne County Commissioner Daub who worked together with Wayne County Parks Director Alicia Bradford to fund the majority of this project with Wayne County Parks Millage funding.”
Canton Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak led the festivities, which included special remarks by Wayne County Commissioner Melissa Daub (District 10).
Familiar names seeking election in Plymouth and Canton
Voters in both Canton and Plymouth Townships will see some familiar names on the ballot Nov. 5.
In Canton, incumbent Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak, a Democrat, is being challenged by Republican Pat Williams, who held the office from 2026 until he was unseated by Graham Hudak during the 2020 balloting. The supervisors job pays about $155,000 annually.
In Plymouth Township, former Township Clerk Nancy Conzelman, a Democrat, is hoping to unseat incumbent Clerk Jerry Vorva, a Republican.
Conzelman formerly campaigned and served as a Republican but has changed her affiliation to seek the clerk’s office as a Democrat.
The two are competing for the clerk’s office which pays $120,000 annually along with a 15 percent contribution to a retirement plan.
On the Canton Township ballot:
Graham-Hudak is a 30-year resident of the township. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Boston University and earned a master’s degree from Lawrence Institute of Technology. Prior to being elected supervisor in 2020, she served as a board trustee, on the planning commission.
She was employed as an engineer and project manager at Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler auto suppliers. She is the current chair of the 35th District Court Authority, Vice Chair of the Western Townships Utility Authority, Vice Chair of SEMCOG and Treasurer of the Conference of Western Wayne.
Williams currently works as a Realtor and is a 40-year resident of Canton. He has both bachelor’s and master’s degrees and is active in multiple community organizations including the Chamber of Commerce and Canton Cares, a charity fund he founded.
On the Plymouth Township ballot:
Vorva, 72, is a 50-year Plymouth Township resident. He has degrees including a Bachelor of Science with honors degree from Madonna University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. He is a former Plymouth police officer, former City of Plymouth Commissioner, former state representative from the 20th District and a retired Realtor.
He has been township clerk since 2016.
Challenger Conzelman, a former Plymouth Township clerk, is a graduate of Marian High School, University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School and is a licensed attorney. She has lived in Plymouth Township for 31 years.
She was formerly employed as a corporate attorney, vice president and as chief legal counsel for a mid-size automotive supplier. She is a Certified Michigan Municipal Clerk and received Government Financial Officers Association Excellence in Financial Reporting Award.
In Canton, incumbent Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak, a Democrat, is being challenged by Republican Pat Williams, who held the office from 2026 until he was unseated by Graham Hudak during the 2020 balloting. The supervisors job pays about $155,000 annually.
In Plymouth Township, former Township Clerk Nancy Conzelman, a Democrat, is hoping to unseat incumbent Clerk Jerry Vorva, a Republican.
Conzelman formerly campaigned and served as a Republican but has changed her affiliation to seek the clerk’s office as a Democrat.
The two are competing for the clerk’s office which pays $120,000 annually along with a 15 percent contribution to a retirement plan.
On the Canton Township ballot:
Graham-Hudak is a 30-year resident of the township. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Boston University and earned a master’s degree from Lawrence Institute of Technology. Prior to being elected supervisor in 2020, she served as a board trustee, on the planning commission.
She was employed as an engineer and project manager at Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler auto suppliers. She is the current chair of the 35th District Court Authority, Vice Chair of the Western Townships Utility Authority, Vice Chair of SEMCOG and Treasurer of the Conference of Western Wayne.
Williams currently works as a Realtor and is a 40-year resident of Canton. He has both bachelor’s and master’s degrees and is active in multiple community organizations including the Chamber of Commerce and Canton Cares, a charity fund he founded.
On the Plymouth Township ballot:
Vorva, 72, is a 50-year Plymouth Township resident. He has degrees including a Bachelor of Science with honors degree from Madonna University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. He is a former Plymouth police officer, former City of Plymouth Commissioner, former state representative from the 20th District and a retired Realtor.
He has been township clerk since 2016.
Challenger Conzelman, a former Plymouth Township clerk, is a graduate of Marian High School, University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School and is a licensed attorney. She has lived in Plymouth Township for 31 years.
She was formerly employed as a corporate attorney, vice president and as chief legal counsel for a mid-size automotive supplier. She is a Certified Michigan Municipal Clerk and received Government Financial Officers Association Excellence in Financial Reporting Award.
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Canton receives $7 million in state grants
Canton Township celebrated the awarding of nearly $7 million in grant funding to be used for projects in the community.
“I’m thrilled that State Rep. Ranjeev Puri and State Sen. Dayna Polehanki secured funding for these important community projects enhancing pedestrian safety, providing greater activity and programming space for seniors, and protecting abused and neglected children in Canton,” said Supervisor Anne Marie Graham Hudak, commenting on the proposed projects.
“The Palmer Road pedestrian bridge will improve a treacherous path over I-275 traversed by hundreds of Canton residents each week. The new Canton Senior Center in the Summit will greatly expand the activity and programming space for seniors. And finally, renovating the Sheldon Brick School to house Kids Talk will serve abused and neglected children in all of Western Wayne County by giving them a safe space to be interviewed and hold perpetrators accountable. This project also returns this historic building to its original mission in Canton – serving children and their families,” Graham-Hudak said.
The pedestrian bridge over I-275 was awarded $3,250,000 in state funding, Graham-Hudak said. Puri secured the funding that will be used to construct the pedestrian bridge on Palmer Road over I-275 for walkers and bikers. Officials said the path along Palmer Road is traversed by many residents attending the Muslim Community of the Western Suburbs (MCWS) of Detroit schools and activities east of the I-275 overpass, trying to make their way to the Medina Activity Center (MAC) on the west side of the overpass. This pedestrian bridge will serve all walkers and bikers alike passing over I-275 at Palmer Road, according to township officials.
Puri also secured $2,500,000 in grant funding to be used to renovate approximately 10,600 square feet of space in the Summit on the Park in order to expand activity space for Club 55+, the Canton senior program, and make additional facility enhancements. Currently, Club 55+ operates in approximately 1,500 square feet. The expanded activity space and facility improvements will give seniors and other members of the community a place to enjoy billiards, shuffleboard, additional exercise classes, card games, cooking classes and expanded services and amenities, township officials said.
“This budget cycle I worked diligently to bring home dollars directly to Canton,” said Puri. “I am so proud to have secured $5.75M for Canton Township to improve pedestrian pathways for bikers and walkers, and for Summit renovations. These are huge wins for our community – the funds will be felt directly right here at home and make a meaningful, lasting impact for our residents.”
State Sen. Dayna Polehanki secured $1 million in grant money that will be used to establish a Kids-TALK Children’s Advocacy Center at Sheldon School on Michigan Avenue in Canton. This center will focus on the safety, social and emotional health, and stability of children and families throughout the region, officials announced. The location of the building is convenient for children and families living in all of western Wayne County and is also close to the new township Youth Center, where Growth Works, Inc. will be located in the future, they added.
“KIDS-Talk is an invaluable resource for children and families in our region who have been impacted by abuse, and I’m proud to have secured $1 million in this year’s state budget to help facilitate the establishment of a new Kids-TALK Children’s Advocacy Center in Canton that will help their organization better serve those in need,” said Polehanki (D-Livonia).
“I’m confident this transformative investment will make a tangible difference for our local residents, and I’ll continue fighting hard to deliver progress for the health, safety, and stability of families in our community,” she added.
“I’m thrilled that State Rep. Ranjeev Puri and State Sen. Dayna Polehanki secured funding for these important community projects enhancing pedestrian safety, providing greater activity and programming space for seniors, and protecting abused and neglected children in Canton,” said Supervisor Anne Marie Graham Hudak, commenting on the proposed projects.
“The Palmer Road pedestrian bridge will improve a treacherous path over I-275 traversed by hundreds of Canton residents each week. The new Canton Senior Center in the Summit will greatly expand the activity and programming space for seniors. And finally, renovating the Sheldon Brick School to house Kids Talk will serve abused and neglected children in all of Western Wayne County by giving them a safe space to be interviewed and hold perpetrators accountable. This project also returns this historic building to its original mission in Canton – serving children and their families,” Graham-Hudak said.
The pedestrian bridge over I-275 was awarded $3,250,000 in state funding, Graham-Hudak said. Puri secured the funding that will be used to construct the pedestrian bridge on Palmer Road over I-275 for walkers and bikers. Officials said the path along Palmer Road is traversed by many residents attending the Muslim Community of the Western Suburbs (MCWS) of Detroit schools and activities east of the I-275 overpass, trying to make their way to the Medina Activity Center (MAC) on the west side of the overpass. This pedestrian bridge will serve all walkers and bikers alike passing over I-275 at Palmer Road, according to township officials.
Puri also secured $2,500,000 in grant funding to be used to renovate approximately 10,600 square feet of space in the Summit on the Park in order to expand activity space for Club 55+, the Canton senior program, and make additional facility enhancements. Currently, Club 55+ operates in approximately 1,500 square feet. The expanded activity space and facility improvements will give seniors and other members of the community a place to enjoy billiards, shuffleboard, additional exercise classes, card games, cooking classes and expanded services and amenities, township officials said.
“This budget cycle I worked diligently to bring home dollars directly to Canton,” said Puri. “I am so proud to have secured $5.75M for Canton Township to improve pedestrian pathways for bikers and walkers, and for Summit renovations. These are huge wins for our community – the funds will be felt directly right here at home and make a meaningful, lasting impact for our residents.”
State Sen. Dayna Polehanki secured $1 million in grant money that will be used to establish a Kids-TALK Children’s Advocacy Center at Sheldon School on Michigan Avenue in Canton. This center will focus on the safety, social and emotional health, and stability of children and families throughout the region, officials announced. The location of the building is convenient for children and families living in all of western Wayne County and is also close to the new township Youth Center, where Growth Works, Inc. will be located in the future, they added.
“KIDS-Talk is an invaluable resource for children and families in our region who have been impacted by abuse, and I’m proud to have secured $1 million in this year’s state budget to help facilitate the establishment of a new Kids-TALK Children’s Advocacy Center in Canton that will help their organization better serve those in need,” said Polehanki (D-Livonia).
“I’m confident this transformative investment will make a tangible difference for our local residents, and I’ll continue fighting hard to deliver progress for the health, safety, and stability of families in our community,” she added.
A ‘maze’ ing
Maybury Farm Corn Maze is now open for fall season
The annual corn maze at Maybury Farm in Northville is now open.
Visitors will be taken to the maze by a tractor-driven wagon which are scheduled every 30 minutes. Parmenter’s cider and donuts will be available for purchase in the Maybury Farm general store. The barns will be open evenings until 7 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for visits with the animals.
Tickets are $15 per person if purchased at the door; $13 per person when purchased early online 48 hours in advance of the date/time reserved and $8 for members with valid identification. Private party rides are available for up to 25 people at $300.
Children younger than 2 admitted at no cost with a paid adult but must ride on a lap in the wagon.
For more information, call (248) 374-0200 press 2 for more information.
State House Bill will return funds to local schools
A state bill that will return nearly $600 million to public schools was signed into law by state officials last week.
House Bill 5803, sponsored by State Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth) permanently lowers the Michigan Public School Employees’ Retirement System fund contribution rate, freeing up millions for Northville, Plymouth-Canton and Livonia schools to put dollars back into classrooms and teacher’s salaries.
Koleszar said he was proud to see his bill that puts his community’s local students and teachers first be signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
“When teachers are in charge, we get things done. I know from conversations with the students and educators in this district that years of overpayment into the retirement fund has taken a real toll on our school’s resources. This is fiscally responsible legislation that empowers our schools to put their funding towards what matters most — students,” said Koleszar, chair of the House Education Committee.
“Northville, Plymouth-Canton and Livonia schools are full of bright minds and dedicated educators. As a teacher-turned-legislator, I am beyond happy to get this legislation across the finish line to equip our schools with the funds they need for our students to succeed.”
“I also want to extend my gratitude to my fellow Democratic legislators and Gov. Whitmer for their commitment to putting kids and teachers at the forefront of the work we do here in Michigan.”
Local superintendents and teachers in Koleszar’s district celebrated the direct investments into local classrooms that the new law brings, ensuring their schools have a new, stable source of funding to uplift
students.
“This is a big win for teachers across Michigan,” said Plymouth-Canton Community Schools teacher JJ Lockwood. “The permanent removal of the 3 percent teacher tax will have a real impact on my paycheck and those of my colleagues. This is why it’s nice having teachers like Matt Koleszar in Lansing to advocate for common sense changes that improve the lives of those in the classroom.”
House Bill 5803, sponsored by State Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth) permanently lowers the Michigan Public School Employees’ Retirement System fund contribution rate, freeing up millions for Northville, Plymouth-Canton and Livonia schools to put dollars back into classrooms and teacher’s salaries.
Koleszar said he was proud to see his bill that puts his community’s local students and teachers first be signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
“When teachers are in charge, we get things done. I know from conversations with the students and educators in this district that years of overpayment into the retirement fund has taken a real toll on our school’s resources. This is fiscally responsible legislation that empowers our schools to put their funding towards what matters most — students,” said Koleszar, chair of the House Education Committee.
“Northville, Plymouth-Canton and Livonia schools are full of bright minds and dedicated educators. As a teacher-turned-legislator, I am beyond happy to get this legislation across the finish line to equip our schools with the funds they need for our students to succeed.”
“I also want to extend my gratitude to my fellow Democratic legislators and Gov. Whitmer for their commitment to putting kids and teachers at the forefront of the work we do here in Michigan.”
Local superintendents and teachers in Koleszar’s district celebrated the direct investments into local classrooms that the new law brings, ensuring their schools have a new, stable source of funding to uplift
students.
“This is a big win for teachers across Michigan,” said Plymouth-Canton Community Schools teacher JJ Lockwood. “The permanent removal of the 3 percent teacher tax will have a real impact on my paycheck and those of my colleagues. This is why it’s nice having teachers like Matt Koleszar in Lansing to advocate for common sense changes that improve the lives of those in the classroom.”
Antisemitic flyers distributed in both Canton and Northville
Police in both Northville and Canton townships are investigating the distribution of antisemitic literature left in driveways of several area homes.
The materials in Northville were in plastic sandwich bags also containing corn kernels. The bags were left in the driveways of multiple homes in the Ridge Hill and Grande Vista subdivisions, according to police reports. While Northville police responded to the incident Oct. 6, Canton police received a complaint Tuesday morning notifying them of the literature.
The bags contained flyers clearly demonstrating hostility toward or discrimination against Jewish people.
“The Northville Township Police Department is committed to identifying those responsible for these actions,” the statement read. “Any residents with information related to this incident are encouraged to contact the department non-emergency line at (248) 349-9400.”
Affected residents in Canton are also being asked to check their home surveillance camera systems and notify the police department if they have any video of the flyers being distributed.
“We assure the community that our department takes the distribution of these flyers seriously, and we have launched an investigation to identify those responsible,” said Police Chief Chad Baugh.
Canton Township Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak also commented on the incident.
“Hate speech will not be tolerated in this community. Canton residents deserve to feel safe and respected in their homes and neighborhoods. We are taking these actions very seriously and I have full confidence that our Police Department will be diligently working with other departments in the area to make sure this does not continue or escalate.”
The materials in Northville were in plastic sandwich bags also containing corn kernels. The bags were left in the driveways of multiple homes in the Ridge Hill and Grande Vista subdivisions, according to police reports. While Northville police responded to the incident Oct. 6, Canton police received a complaint Tuesday morning notifying them of the literature.
The bags contained flyers clearly demonstrating hostility toward or discrimination against Jewish people.
“The Northville Township Police Department is committed to identifying those responsible for these actions,” the statement read. “Any residents with information related to this incident are encouraged to contact the department non-emergency line at (248) 349-9400.”
Affected residents in Canton are also being asked to check their home surveillance camera systems and notify the police department if they have any video of the flyers being distributed.
“We assure the community that our department takes the distribution of these flyers seriously, and we have launched an investigation to identify those responsible,” said Police Chief Chad Baugh.
Canton Township Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak also commented on the incident.
“Hate speech will not be tolerated in this community. Canton residents deserve to feel safe and respected in their homes and neighborhoods. We are taking these actions very seriously and I have full confidence that our Police Department will be diligently working with other departments in the area to make sure this does not continue or escalate.”
Re-Accredited
The Romulus Police Department has earned reaccreditation through the Michigan Commission on Law
Enforcement Standards (MLEAC) accreditation program. The Romulus Police Department was one of the first 10 agencies in the state to initially win accreditation in October of 2021. While voluntary, reaccreditation is required every 3 years, officials said. Earning certification is a year-long process in which the department must adopt and prove that they have implemented, and are following, the best practices of the profession. It demonstrates a commitment to developing, having, and maintaining a highly professional police department, police officials said. To be re-accredited, the Romulus department was required to prove the standards were followed during the past 3 years. Of the 577 law enforcement agencies in Michigan, only 88 are currently accredited.
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Judge to hear hazardous waste arguments Oct. 5
The evidentiary hearing in a lawsuit filed by several local communities seeking to prevent the disposal of nuclear waste in the area has been rescheduled for Oct. 9.
Canton Township, Van Buren Township, the City of Romulus, and the City of Belleville were awarded a Temporary Restraining Order earlier this month, stopping Wayne Disposal, Inc. from accepting scheduled shipments of radioactive World War II era nuclear waste at the Wayne Disposal hazardous waste landfill in Van Buren Township.
The planned shipment of 8,400 tons of radioactive waste material from Project Manhattan in New York to the Van Buren Township landfill was temporarily blocked by Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Kevin Cox last week in response to an injunction filed by attorneys representing the communities.
“We are very pleased that the judge saw merit in our case for the residents surrounding this waste facility,” said Canton Township Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak.
She said Canton officials took immediate action when the plans to truck the radioactive waste were first revealed in the media.
“Wayne Disposal is just three miles south of Canton, and located in the Huron River Watershed, close to our rivers, lakes, streams and groundwater. It sits next to two schools and residential neighborhoods immediately to the east and south. According to EGLE, (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy) the harmful chemicals PFAS have been detected at Wayne Disposal,” Graham Hudak said in a prepared statement. She said the landfill has been cited multiple times for safety violations, according to media reports, and has had leaks and fires. Graham-Hudak said reports claim that Wayne Disposal has been cited for at least 15 violations by state and federal regulators in the past decade and fined for than $471,000. “Exposure to radioactive waste damages organs, causes birth defects and leads to cancer. In large doses, as with a radioactive spill or accident, it causes vomiting, skin burns, hair loss and even death. In other words, it will take just one leak or fire to cause permanent and irreversible injury to the health and welfare of Canton residents and the surrounding communities,” she said.
The hazardous material which contains elevated radioactivity was to be shipped from a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site in Lewiston, New York where the waste had been stored. The waste matter is from uranium extraction during the development of atomic bombs from 1944 until 1952. Original plans scheduled about 6,000 cubic yards of contaminated yards of soil and concrete in about 25 semitruck shipments through January 2025.
State Rep. Reggie Miller (D-Van Buren Township introduced state legislation to prevent disposal or trucking of hazardous, radioactive waste through local communities. She said this was a health and safety issue, not one of politics.
Plans to transport the waste to Wayne Disposal Inc. site were only revealed to state and county officials on Aug. 12, prompting protests and complaints from area residents.
The court filing followed a contentious public meeting attended by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, Miller and several local officials. Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and representatives from Wayne Disposal owner Republic Services attempted to explain the safety and legality of the waste transport to the local site.
Steve Pylypiak, chief of special projects for the Buffalo District of the Army Corps of Engineers assured the crowd that federal inspections of the Van Buren site as of 2022 found that it met all mandated safety protocols, despite public claims of several fires at the site. He said the trucking contractors would be required to follow federal safety requirements for transporting the waste through local communities and maintained that accidents involving trucks during transport of waste material were “rare.”
Canton Township, Van Buren Township, the City of Romulus, and the City of Belleville were awarded a Temporary Restraining Order earlier this month, stopping Wayne Disposal, Inc. from accepting scheduled shipments of radioactive World War II era nuclear waste at the Wayne Disposal hazardous waste landfill in Van Buren Township.
The planned shipment of 8,400 tons of radioactive waste material from Project Manhattan in New York to the Van Buren Township landfill was temporarily blocked by Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Kevin Cox last week in response to an injunction filed by attorneys representing the communities.
“We are very pleased that the judge saw merit in our case for the residents surrounding this waste facility,” said Canton Township Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak.
She said Canton officials took immediate action when the plans to truck the radioactive waste were first revealed in the media.
“Wayne Disposal is just three miles south of Canton, and located in the Huron River Watershed, close to our rivers, lakes, streams and groundwater. It sits next to two schools and residential neighborhoods immediately to the east and south. According to EGLE, (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy) the harmful chemicals PFAS have been detected at Wayne Disposal,” Graham Hudak said in a prepared statement. She said the landfill has been cited multiple times for safety violations, according to media reports, and has had leaks and fires. Graham-Hudak said reports claim that Wayne Disposal has been cited for at least 15 violations by state and federal regulators in the past decade and fined for than $471,000. “Exposure to radioactive waste damages organs, causes birth defects and leads to cancer. In large doses, as with a radioactive spill or accident, it causes vomiting, skin burns, hair loss and even death. In other words, it will take just one leak or fire to cause permanent and irreversible injury to the health and welfare of Canton residents and the surrounding communities,” she said.
The hazardous material which contains elevated radioactivity was to be shipped from a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site in Lewiston, New York where the waste had been stored. The waste matter is from uranium extraction during the development of atomic bombs from 1944 until 1952. Original plans scheduled about 6,000 cubic yards of contaminated yards of soil and concrete in about 25 semitruck shipments through January 2025.
State Rep. Reggie Miller (D-Van Buren Township introduced state legislation to prevent disposal or trucking of hazardous, radioactive waste through local communities. She said this was a health and safety issue, not one of politics.
Plans to transport the waste to Wayne Disposal Inc. site were only revealed to state and county officials on Aug. 12, prompting protests and complaints from area residents.
The court filing followed a contentious public meeting attended by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, Miller and several local officials. Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and representatives from Wayne Disposal owner Republic Services attempted to explain the safety and legality of the waste transport to the local site.
Steve Pylypiak, chief of special projects for the Buffalo District of the Army Corps of Engineers assured the crowd that federal inspections of the Van Buren site as of 2022 found that it met all mandated safety protocols, despite public claims of several fires at the site. He said the trucking contractors would be required to follow federal safety requirements for transporting the waste through local communities and maintained that accidents involving trucks during transport of waste material were “rare.”
Romulus residents celebrate 26th Annual Pumkin Festival
Thousands of people lined Goddard Road last Friday as the traditional Parade of Lights organized by
the Romulus Rotary Club officially opened the 26th Annual Pumpkin Festival. The festival, which drew a large crowd to Historical Park last weekend, featured live entertainment, music, food, crafts and vendors along with games and a Classic Car Show. “Our Downtown Festival is a celebration of friends and family; a harvest celebration that generates an enthusiastic spirit and regenerates our sense of community,” said officials from the Downtown Development Authority which organizes the event.
Northville, Canton police seeking suspects in area car thefts
Investigators from the Northville Township Police Department and the Canton Township Police Special Operations Group are working to identify suspects involved in recent car break-ins and thefts.
Area residents have been cautioned by Northville Township Police to take extra precautions following reports of several break-ins of parked vehicles. In some cases, the vehicles were stolen, while others were either unlocked or broken into with personal items and valuables removed, police sources said. In one reported instance, the vehicle owner left the key fob inside, making it easier to be stolen.
“Our detectives have been working on this since August and they’ve made significant progress on it,” said Northville Township Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Scott Hilden.
“We are all about prevention here, so we are advising our residents to secure their vehicles, remove valuables and avoid leaving personal items and key fobs inside parked cars. This will help prevent theft,” Hilden said.
In one incident, a suspect fled after being confronted, and personal belongings from a stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee were recovered nearby. Multiple thefts followed, including the thefts of a Chevrolet Silverado and a Ford Explorer in September.
The Northville Township Police Department is collaborating with the Canton Police Department Special Operations Group to identify those involved.
“This collaboration allows us to join forces to make our communities safer,” Hilden said. To share information about the crimes, contact the Northville Township Police Department at (248) 349-9400.
Area residents have been cautioned by Northville Township Police to take extra precautions following reports of several break-ins of parked vehicles. In some cases, the vehicles were stolen, while others were either unlocked or broken into with personal items and valuables removed, police sources said. In one reported instance, the vehicle owner left the key fob inside, making it easier to be stolen.
“Our detectives have been working on this since August and they’ve made significant progress on it,” said Northville Township Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Scott Hilden.
“We are all about prevention here, so we are advising our residents to secure their vehicles, remove valuables and avoid leaving personal items and key fobs inside parked cars. This will help prevent theft,” Hilden said.
In one incident, a suspect fled after being confronted, and personal belongings from a stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee were recovered nearby. Multiple thefts followed, including the thefts of a Chevrolet Silverado and a Ford Explorer in September.
The Northville Township Police Department is collaborating with the Canton Police Department Special Operations Group to identify those involved.
“This collaboration allows us to join forces to make our communities safer,” Hilden said. To share information about the crimes, contact the Northville Township Police Department at (248) 349-9400.
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