Voters OK school proposals, choose November candidates

Voters took to the polls last Tuesday to decide school funding issues and determine which candidate’s names would appear on the General Election ballot Nov. 4.

 

NORTHVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Voters in the Northville Public Schools overwhelmingly approved the renewal of a Building & Site Sinking Fund on the ballot Tuesday. Voters in favor of the millage totaled 5,311 or 71 percent of votes cast while no votes totaled 2,168 or 29 percent of votes.

The proposal will extend the current 0.9357 mill levy for an additional 10 years (2026–2035), with no increase to the existing tax rate, officials said.

The proposal is a renewal—not a new tax. The current Sinking Fund millage, originally approved by voters in 2020, is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2025.

 

ROMULUS SCHOOL DISTRICT

A $153 million Building and Site Bond Proposal was approved by voters in the Romulus Community Schools district Tuesday.

The proposal was approved by 102 or 58.62 percent of voters while 72 or 41.38 cast no votes on the question.

The proposal is not a millage renewal, but a request to authorize the district to borrow money and issue bonds for various improvement projects.

The estimated millage for the bonds in 2026 is 2.70 mills, which is a net increase of 0 mills from the previous year. active for up to 25 years, school officials said. 

 

WESTLAND CITY COUNCIL

Westland voters reduced 12 candidates for full terms on the city council to eight Tuesday.

Emily Bauman was the top choice with 4,090 or 15 percent of votes; Antoinette Martin received 3,071 or 14 percent of votes; John Sullivan garnered 3,957 or 14 percent of votes; LeKisha Maxwell was the choice of 3,602 or 13 percent of voters; Michael Londeau received 2,564 or 9 percent of votes; Jim Hart received 2,357, or 9 percent of votes; Delano Hornbuckle received 1,986 or 7 percent of votes; Josh Powell received 1,860 or 7 percent of votes; Linda Filizetti received 1,399 or 5 percent of vote; Douglas Wishart was the choice of 750 voters or 3 percent of votes cast; Timothy W. Wilhelm received 490 or 2 percent of votes and Bradley Gray received 483 or 2 percent of votes.

The eight highest vote-getters for the four full-term seats Bauman, Martin; Sullivan; Maxwell; Londeau; Hart; Hornbuckle and Powell will be on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The three candidates with the highest vote totals will fill the four-year terms and the candidate in fourth position will serve the two-year term.

Ten of the 12 candidates also sought election to two available partial terms on the council.

For the partial term Antoinette Martin received 2,498 or 18 percent of votes; John Sullivan garnered 2,321 or 7 percent of votes; Lekisha Maxwell received 22,328 or 17 percent of votes; Michael Londeau received 1,828 or 13 percent of votes; Delano Hornbuckle received 1,422 or 10 percent of votes; Linda Filizetti received 942 or 7 percent of votes; Douglas Wishart garnered 485 or 3 percent of votes; Bradley Gray received 359 or 3 percent of votes and Timothy Willhelm received 312 or 2 percent of votes.

Bauman and Hart did not seek one of the two partial-term seats.

The top four vote getters for the partial-term seats in the primary will also advance to the Nov. 4 general election, where voters will elect the top two to fill seats.

 

PLYMOUTH CITY COMMISSION

Voters in the City of Plymouth reduced the field of nine candidates seeking terms on the city commission to eight, eliminating one candidate.

Jennifer Kehoe received the highest number of votes with 902 or 15 percent of votes cast. Alanna Maguire received 891 votes or 14 percent of the total; Nick Moroz garnered 847 or 14 percent; Joe Elliott received 791 or 13 percent of votes; Karen Sisolak garnered 759 or 12 percent of votes; Ron Picard was the choice of 628 voters or 10 percent of votes; Kristin McHale-Johnson received 469 or 8 percent of votes; Jim Mulhern received 444 votes or 7 percent of votes cans and Scott Silvers received 435 or 7 percent of the votes.

All but Silver’s name will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Of the four candidates elected in November, three of them will serve a four-year term and one will serve a two-year term.

Words to the wise..

Romulus Scam Awareness meeting warns seniors of increasing fraud schemes

Senior citizens in Michigan are being financially swindled at an alarming rate, according to new reporting from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The national number of reported financial losses by seniors to scams is even higher, the report indicates.

The increasing reports of fraudulent schemes designed to mislead elder residents was the topic at a recent Scam Awareness class for seniors at the Romulus Senior Center.  Romulus Police Ofc. Rodney Cofield talked to the audience about the most prevalent scams being reported and offered some advice to help prevent them from becoming victims of such schemes. The class, organized by Romulus Senior Services Director Rose Swiden, was timely according to recent statistics revealed by the

More than 1,743 fraud reports reporting financial losses had been filed by seniors in the first three months of 2025, according to statistics released.

The most prevalent scams are perpetrated by business imposters, government imposters and online shopping.

Elderly Americans in Michigan aged 60 to 69 have lost a huge $8,344,465 to fraud this year so far - resulting in a per-person loss of $414. Nationally, the number is even higher. In the first quarter of this year, there were 60,379 reports of all types of fraud among those aged 60 to 69 across the country, with 29 percent of these resulting in a financial loss. The stolen sum exceeded $354.9 million. Those totals obviously do not include the losses which go unreported.  

The most prevalent scam in the state so far this year so far is business imposters. Many scammers target elderly people because they’re more likely to trust official-sounding calls and emails and may be pressured to act quickly if they think the correspondence is coming from a reputable organization, according to official reports. 

Fraudsters know that seniors may be more trusting, less familiar with online platforms or purchases, or unaware of how sophisticated modern scam attempts have become. It’s essential that families and communities talk openly about these risks and warning signs to prevent vulnerable individuals from falling victim, officials advise. Summer also carries an elevated risk, with sales and an uptick in travel and home improvement projects, especially among those who are retired. Scammers may impersonate well-known retailers and take advantage of elderly residents, FTC officials warned. 

Three key tips to help the elderly avoid becoming a victim of fraud this summer include a caution to be suspicious of ‘too good to be true’ deals. Scammers may offer fake discounts or sweepstakes to elderly consumers. Always verify companies through the Better Business Bureau (BBB) before agreeing to anything, experts advised.

Residents are advised not to answer unfamiliar robocalls. Elderly people are often targeted by phone scams pretending to be Social Security or Medicare. Use call-blocking apps to limit spam calls and never share personal details over the phone, the experts advised. If unfamiliar with blocking numbers, ask a trusted family member for help.  Scammers ramp up phishing emails and fake charity requests in the summer so seniors are advised to also ask a family member for help in double-checking emails or messages for authenticity before clicking anything.

For more information on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from elder fraud scams visit: https://www.fbi.gov/.../common-frauds-and-scams/elder-fraud. Some information was provided by http://ChicksX.com.

Canton man faces charges in fatal shooting of sister, 13

A Canton Township man has been arraigned on multiple criminal charges in the fatal shooting of his 13-year-old sister.

Jay-Veon McKinney, 23, is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter, firearm discharge with injury or death and felony firearm offenses following the shooting of his sister  July 29 at the Ridgeline Apartment complex, according to police reports. Canton police responded to a 911 call at 12:24 p.m. July 29, reporting a shooting at the apartment complex. A police vehicle responding to the shooting was involved in a crash at Cherry Hill and Lilley roads, police said.

First responders were on the scene within minutes and attempted life-saving procedures for the victim who died from gunshot injuries to her chest.

Police and Wayne County prosecutors allege McKinney was toying with two handguns in the presence of two minors when one of the weapons discharged, striking the teen. McKinney was taken into police custody at the scene according to reports. In a statement, the prosecutor’s office said the shooting resulted from gross negligence in handling a loaded firearm.

McKinney was arraigned Aug. 1 in 35th District Court where Judge James Plakas set his bond at $500,000 cash.  He will be required to wear a home confinement tether and not possess any weapons. His next court date is scheduled for Aug. 14.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s office authorized the charges following a review of the evidence and determined the defendant’s actions constituted gross negligence in unsafely handling a loaded firearm.

“The alleged actions of the defendant were dangerous and criminal,” Worthy said in a prepared statement. “Overwhelmingly, most people do not want their loved ones to lose their lives. Their actions can make that a reality. We will keep pushing this message because this child’s death was completely preventable.”

The name of the victim has not been released by officials.

Historic Penn Theatre awarded $90,000 lighting grant

The future will be a little brighter at the Penn Theatre in downtown Plymouth.

Friends of the Penn, the group of local volunteers that operates the theater, recently received a $90,000 grant from the Margaret Dunning Foundation to support the installation of a state-of-the-art stage lighting system at the theater. This is the latest grant in a series of financial awards from the Margaret Dunning Foundation to support improvements and updates at the theater.

The Penn Theatre was built in 1941 to serve exclusively as a movie theater, a spokesman noted. In 2023, the Margaret Dunning Foundation provided funding for the installation of house lighting. That upgrade made the theater more adaptable for non-film events, a spokesperson noted and as a result, non-movie events have increased. Both guest speakers and audiences have expressed positive feedback regarding the new versatility of the venue.

In 2024, a grant from the Margaret Dunning Foundation enabled the installation of a permanent public address system and will fund the replacement of 18-year-old stage lighting equipment. These upgrades are essential for supporting events at the auditorium, explained Executive Director Ellen Elliott.

She said she is enthusiastic about the project, noting that the improvements will enhance the experience for speakers, performers, and audiences, and support a wide range of programming for all ages. Elliott said she was grateful to the foundation for the support of the historic theater.

Friends of the Penn is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2005 to preserve, maintain, and operate the theater as a community arts venue. Learn more at www.penntheatre.org.

The Margaret Dunning Foundation was established by the late Ms. Dunning in 1997 and continues her legacy of supporting Plymouth nonprofits. Ms. Dunning, born in 1910, was a philanthropist, businesswoman, and classic car enthusiast who passed away in 2015 at age 104.

Her legacy and contributions to the community, including the public library building and many other civic projects continue to benefit Plymouth residents. For more information about Ms. Dunning, visit www.margaretdunningfdn.org.

Plymouth City Manager to retire

Plymouth City Manager Paul Sincock officially announced his retirement at the July 21 meeting of the Plymouth City Commission.

Sincock has served as city manager for nearly 25 years and has worked in multiple capacities for the city for more than 47 years.

Commissioners authorized contract negotiations with current Assistant City Manager Chris Porman to become the next Plymouth City Manager.

Sincock has been a supporter of the Plymouth Downtown Development Authority and the overall development of downtown Plymouth during his tenure, working  to create a vibrant and walkable downtown for residents, visitors and employees, noted Downtown Development Authority Director Sam Plymale. His leadership led to the exceptional, ongoing partnership between city administration and the Plymouth DDA, Plymale noted .

Sincock was involved with the original downtown streetscape project in the 1990s while overseeing operations at the Department of Municipal Services. More recently, he has overseen development such as the upgrades at the Saxton’s lot/development at the corner of Ann Arbor Trail and Deer, upgrades to Kellogg Park, and many other pedestrian-friendly infrastructure upgrades that make downtown Plymouth the vibrant downtown area it is today, Plymale said.

Summit to close for maintenance

The Summit on the Park will be closed starting at noon Monday, Sept. 1 and will reopen at 7 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6.

All regularly scheduled classes will resume after the shutdown. For more information, visit www.summitonthepark.org or contact the Summit front desk at (734) 394-5460.

Community calendar

Grand re-opening of Mary Ann Banks Park Aug. 13

The Grand Reopening of Mary Ann Banks Memorial Park is set for 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug 13. The official ribbon cutting is set for 6:30 p.m.

Hot dogs, chips and slushies will be provided by Bubbie’s Pizza. The cookout will be provided by the Rotary Club of Romulus. Face painting, games, pickleball and a martial arts demonstration are also planned. The park is located at 37200 Goddard Road in Romulus.

 

Hazardous Waste Day set

The annual Hazardous Waste Round-up in Canton Township will take place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Canton Division of Public Works Building, located at 4847 Sheldon Road, just south of Michigan Avenue.

This free event is open to Canton residents only and ID will be required. To obtain a detailed list of what is and is not accepted, visit www.cantonmi.gov/248. Participants should be prepared for long lines as this is a high-volume event.

For more information please call ERG at 734/437-9650 or visit www.ergenvironmental.com.

Hike With a Naturalist

All ages can participate in a ‘Hike with a Naturalist” on Saturday, Sept. 6 on the Flodin Nature Trails, located in Flodin Park at Saltz and Morton Taylor Roads in Canton Township.

An expert from Huron-Clinton Metroparks will lead free interactive hikes through the flora and fauna of the nature trails at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. A scavenger hunt for kids and light refreshments will be served after each session. Online registration is now open at  www.cantonfun.org or call (734) 394-5460

 

Plymouth library will close for summer renovations

Renovations at the Plymouth District Library began in June and continue. The library launched a drive-thru service last month so users can easily pick up books on hold. Renovations will continue throughout the summer.

The library will be closed for main level renovations from Sept. 1 through 14. The main and upper levels will reopen Sept. 15 while lower level renovations begin.

Lower level collections will re-open in October with some areas temporarily cordoned off during the installation of the play space.

More information is available at info@plymouthlibrary.org

 

Romulus seeking heroes

Nominations for the annual Hometown Hero awards are now being accepted in Romulus. The annual awards are presented to individuals who made a real difference in the city.  Educators, community members, seniors, neighbors, students and businesses are all eligible for the award. For more information and qualifications or an application, access fromulsgov.com or UnityAbb@gmail.com

 

Summit shut down for annual maintenance

The Summit on the Park will be closed starting at noon Monday, Sept. 1 and will reopen at 7 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6.

All regularly scheduled classes will resume after the shutdown. For more information, visit www.summitonthepark.org or contact the Summit front desk at (734) 394-5460.

 

Annual Brews, Brats & Bands set for Sept. 13 in Canton

Brews, Brats, and Bands will return to the Heritage Park Amphitheater in Canton Township next month. The event is planned for 6 until 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13.  The amphitheater is located behind the Canton Administration Building at 1150 S. Canton Center Road. 

Admission limited to those 21 and older includes seven tasting tokens each good for beer, cider, or seltzer tasting samples, as well as two grilled brats (vegetarian option available), a pretzel necklace-making station, water, chili cook-off tastings, and a commemorative mug. Additional tasting tickets are available onsite. The fundraiser is presented by the Village Arts Factory.

Musical entertainment will be provided throughout the evening by Atomic Radio. Tickets are $45 plus a per ticket service charge and can only be purchased online at Beerfests.com by searching Canton, MI. Designated driver tickets are $15, plus a per ticket service charge. Advance ticket sales are encouraged, organizers said. Only credit cards and debit cards will be accepted at all points of purchase, including limited day of ticket sales at the door (if still available). For additional event details, visit www.cantonfun.org.  

 

Canton Farmers Market now open each Sunday

The Canton Farmers Market has returned to Preservation Park for open-air shopping from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 12. 

The market has now returned to the renovated Preservation Park 500 N. Ridge Road, for the remainder of the season.  No markets will take place Aug. 31, and Sept. 1.

Craft and merchandise applications available

Applications are now available for craft and merchandise vendors wishing to participate in the Romulus DDA Pumpkin Festival. The festival will take place Sept. 19, 20 and 21. Applications must be submitted by July 1 for consideration.

To submit and for more information, visit here- https://www.romulusgov.com/207/Pumpkin-Festival.