Officials claim proposed ICE facility violates federal laws

Federal officials appear to be in violation of multiple state and federal regulations regarding the acquisition of property in Romulus for a planned immigration detention center.

Romulus Mayor Robert McCraight cited the violations of federal rules regarding the acquisition of property in a local community in a recent letter to Todd Lyons, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Kristi Noem, secretary of Homeland Security.  McCraight detailed the violations of federal rules, stressing the official requirement of notice to the local community along with details of the proposed use of the property. In his letter, McCraight also cites the portion of the federal law that provides the opportunity for local communities to object to the acquisition. These required stipulations were not met in Romulus, McCraight said.

The detailed regulations for such acquisitions require the federal department to consider all local objections and comply with local zoning ordinances “to the extent the Administrator determines is practicable.”

McCraight informed the federal authorities that the current zoning of the proposed ICE detention center at 7525 Cogswell Road is “light industrial” and does not permit the interment facility proposed for the site.

The concerns McCraight cited include, but are not limited to, the non-compliance with city zoning ordinances, the inappropriate ? mile proximity to residential areas and schools, a lack of adequate road access to the building and the impact on local public safety resources.

McCraight also notes that permits for renovations at the office space at the building were recently granted to accommodate the needs of a large automobile manufacturer which, McCraight said, now appears to be a significant loss in job creation, business opportunity and tax base for the city and the region.

His objections have been supported by United States Senators Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin, several state legislators, and State Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Both Slotkin and Peters immediately responded to McCraight’s letter and fired off written demands to Noem and Lyons seeking justification for use of the building as a detention center for 500 immigrants and the “community impact study” along with the “rigorous due diligence process” the federal department claims to have completed prior to purchasing the site.

Nessel also sent a letter to ICE officials objecting to the detention center plan. She asserted the proposed facility “violates the sovereign interests of Michigan and federal and state law and must immediately be halted.”

“Through its conduct, ICE appears intent to operate a mass detention facility a stone’s throw from a middle school, an elementary school, and a protected wetland. What’s more, ICE purchased the warehouse before any attempt to communicate with the State of Michigan, its agencies, or any local governing body about it,” Nessel said.

Nessel argues that the “floodplain notice lacks the details necessary to assess whether the project would comply with federal laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the National Flood Insurance Act, the Flood Disaster Protection Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act. The property is located within a floodplain, yet ICE has not yet applied for, or even initiated discussions, regarding permits from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).”

Nessel called on ICE to “immediately cease further development of the property, plainly and publicly articulate the planned use and construction for the warehouse, engage in meaningful consultation with the appropriate state, county, and municipal officials, and comply with all state and local laws and permitting requirements for the project’s impacts to the environment.”

Hundreds of area residents have attended protest demonstrations regarding the proposed facility and members of the Romulus City Council unanimously approved a formal resolution in opposition to the proposed ICE facility.

Protestors were joined last week by State. Sen Darrin Camilleri, State Sen. Matt Kolezar, several local religious leaders and State Sen. Mallory McMorrow along with Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. Tlaib has been a vocal critic of the project, labeling it a "warehouse prison" and stating that "ICE is not welcome in Michigan".  Congressman Shri Thanadar has also publicly voiced his opposition to the project.

Proposed state legislation called threat to local government control

Nearly 100 local municipal leaders packed a crowded meeting last week, urging state lawmakers to reject a sweeping set of proposed housing bills limiting local control of zoning and home construction. Local officials contend House Bills 5529 through 5532 would impact property values in local communities and limit public input of environmental issues.

The bills were introduced last week as part of a broader effort to address housing supply challenges by limiting local regulatory barriers, according to State Rep. Joseph Aragona, chair of the House Committee on Regulatory Reform.

More than 1,300 local officials, however, representing 6.2 million Michigan residents, voiced opposition to one-size-fits-all legislation during the first 48-hour period of the introduction of the new regulations. Last week, SEMCOG (South Eastern Michigan Council of Governments) and partner organizations Michigan Municipal League and Michigan Townships Association hosted a bipartisan event in opposition to the statewide zoning preemption legislation introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives. Officials called on state leaders to protect local voices, support flexible housing policies, and strengthen partnerships between state and local governments.

Canton Township Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak expressed her opposition, along with that of more than 100 other mayors and supervisors in the state.

"I'm grateful to the many elected officials who joined in opposition of the one-size-fits-all zoning preemption bills currently under consideration in the Michigan House of Representatives," said Graham-Hudak.

“The bills, as proposed, could significantly impact property values in the community by limiting resident input on important environmental issues, utility upgrades, and housing stock in the community,” she said.

Romulus Mayor Robert McCraight and members of the Romulus City Council are also opposed to the new bills. Members of the council unanimously approved a resolution opposing the proposed legislation noting that the bills “would reduce a community’s right to enforce their own ordinances”.

“Why develop and approve zoning ordinances or a master plan if the state hopes to strip away your authority and hand it over to developers. Please contact your state representatives and tell them to vote no,” McCraight commented in a post on the official city website.

The legislation would pre-empt certain local zoning ordinances by prohibiting local units of government — including counties with zoning authority — from requiring minimum lot sizes greater than 1,500 square feet for new residential construction, provided the proposed dwelling has access to public water and sewer services. Supporters of the bills argue that reducing the allowable minimum lot size would open the door to higher-density development, lower land costs per unit, and create more attainable housing options in communities with existing infrastructure.

The proposal represents a significant shift in the balance between state authority and local zoning control, according to opponents of the legislation. Counties and municipalities that currently impose larger minimum lot sizes could be required to amend their ordinances to comply with the new statewide standard.

If enacted, the package would mark one of the most significant state-level zoning pre-emptions in recent Michigan history, reshaping how communities regulate residential development in areas served by public utilities, according to SEMCOG

Review the proposed bills at: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill. Comments can be addressed to: State Rep. Peter Herzberg: https://housedems.com/peter-herzberg/contact-us/ State Rep. Ranjeev Puri: https://housedems.com/ranjeev-puri/contact-us/ State Sen. Dayna Polehanki: sendpolehanki@senate.michigan.gov  Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: https://somgovweb.state.mi.us/ContactGovernor.

Township ‘hostile work environment’ prompts clerk’s resignation

Plymouth Township Clerk Jerry Vorva has submitted a letter of resignation to the members of the board of trustees.

Vorva, who submitted his resignation letter Feb. 18, cited both his health and a hostile work environment including a lawsuit against a board trustee as his motivation for leaving his 4-year term after only 16 months.

Vorva said he has been under treatment for cancer for nearly a decade and the disease has progressed to Stage 4, so “it’s probably time.”

He also cited the current tensions among board members and the conduct of Trustee John Stewart as motivation for his early departure. A recent incident, he said, when Stewart came to township hall “screaming and yelling” at Treasurer Bob Doroshewitz prompted his decision. Vorva and Stewart are also involved in a lawsuit further escalating tensions among officials.

Vorva filed a lawsuit in Wayne County Circuit Court against Stewart following a closed session of the board members which took place last February. In his suit, filed in August, 2025, Vorva claims that Stewart  “stood up from his seat and, with fists clenched, lunged across two other trustees...toward (Vorva) in an aggressive and threatening manner.” Vorva claims that his repeated instructions to Stewart to stop interrupting a briefing by the township attorney to the board members prompted Stewart’s alleged outburst. The court filing also claims that Stewart was aware of Vorva’s health situation and that Stewart’s conduct made Vorva believe he was “in imminent danger.”  Vorva’s suit is requesting damages in excess of $25,000.

The incident was referred to the Michigan State Police and following an investigation and review, no charges were filed against Stewart by the office of the Wayne County Prosecutor.

Stewart, a practicing attorney, denied all Vorva’s claims in his response to the lawsuit and asked for an immediate dismissal of the claim as “frivolous.” He also requested he be awarded court costs and attorney fees in his response to Vorva’s allegations regarding his conduct. The suit is pending in the courts.

Members of the township board have 45 days to appoint a new township clerk and the term will then be on the ballot in November, as required by state law. The job currently pays an annual salary of $120,000 and a 15 percent contribution to a retirement plan.

Firefighters appreciate new helmets, badges

Romulus Fire Department Chief David P. Heavener along with the Romulus Public Safety Foundation, have made some welcome changes in the department since Heavener’s appointment to the top position about four months ago.

Heavener recently established a sequential badge system beginning with Badge #1 honoring the first full-time firefighter in the department. From that starting point, 75 badge numbers have now been formally assigned to the sworn firefighters currently serving the community.  Those sequential badge numbers will also be displayed on the new helmets provided to the firefighters by the Romulus Public Safety Foundation. The new Cairns 1836 helmets are lightweight and combine a traditional look with modern technology and safety features, according to website specifications.

The design honors the history and tradition of the fire service, and each helmet is equipped with newly designed shields that clearly represent each firefighter’s rank and badge number.

The complete badge number roster will also be permanently displayed at department headquarters.

Heavener, a 30-year fire safety veteran, formerly a Fire Chief for Pittsfield Charter Township, spent 27-years with the Livonia Fire Department, serving as chief for four years.

3 plead guilty to sharing stolen nude images of female students

Three former students at the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park (PCEP) have entered guilty pleas to federal charges in the theft of personal and private images of former female students at the educational park. Federal court indictments accused the men of posting some of the intimate images to social media in addition to sharing them among themselves.

Federal prosecutors claimed Daniel Bihn, Michael Justus and Bernard Rice, all former Plymouth-Canton students, were involved in a years-long conspiracy using a Russian website and a messaging application to trade and post the nude and semi-nude photos taken and/or altered without the knowledge or consent of the women.  According to court documents, some of the images were allegedly manipulated and taken from other web applications, including at least one which is password protected. Prosecutors alleged the photos were used without the consent of the women involved, some of whom were minors at the time. The photos, prosecutors claim, were posted on websites “for the world to access without their (the women’s) knowledge or consent.”

The three allegedly formed their own private group in which Justus and Rice provided names of women to Bihn, who would hack into the victims' Snapchat accounts and steal nude and semi-nude photos. At least eight women were affected in the alleged conspiracy, according to court filings.

Authorities received a complaint in August of 2020 from a victim reporting the discovery of nude photos of herself on the internet along with intimate photos of other women with whom she attended high school. Federal agents followed a forensic trail to the three defendants, according to published reports of the court filings and claimed the three defendants shared “unlawfully obtained nude images of females” who had attended the Plymouth Canton high schools until 2013. Court filings claimed one victim discovered an image of herself on the internet which had been altered to make it appear she was nude while the original photo showed her wearing a bathing suit, according to prosecutors. Federal agents raided Bihn’s home in 2021 and seized electronic equipment which contained evidence of the crimes, according to prosecutors.

The men were charged with conspiracy to commit fraud and unlawful computer activity in September of 2024.

Bihn, Rice, and Justus all pleaded guilty, according to court records.

Bihn, a former Eagle Scout, was sentenced to time served, plus two years of probation. He was also ordered to pay a $2,000 fine, plus restitution of $4,079.93 to one victim and $2,000 to another.

Rice was sentenced in May to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $500 fine. Justus pleaded guilty in November. He is scheduled to be sentenced March 10.

Golden rule

Olympians trained in Plymouth arena

Hockey fans from throughout the area may have seen many of the gold medal winning players on the USA Men’s Hockey Team honing their skills at the USA Arena in Plymouth during the past few years. After decades of development, 22 of the 25 top hockey players in Olympic competition spent time in their teen training days as part of the USA Hockey National Development Team. Fans could watch the fledgling champions on the ice at the Plymouth arena on Beck Road. USA Hockey purchased Compuware Arena in Plymouth in 2015 from Carolina Hurricanes owner Pete Karmanos. Program players and teams were moved to their new home including talented teen skaters from across the country. Among them, 22 of the future Olympic champions.

Northville Chamber honors community volunteers

The Northville Chamber of Commerce honored several local citizens during the 4th Annual Northville Community Awards Dinner recently. The event was a celebration of “the outstanding people and businesses who continue to have a positive impact on the Northville community,” a spokesman noted.

Honored as Volunteer of the Year at the Northville District Library was Doris Oltersdorf; Volunteer of the Year at the City of Northville was David Marold; Volunteer of the Year at Northville Township was Diana Wallace and Volunteer of the Year at the Northville Chamber of Commerce was Stacy Pearson. 

Each was lauded and celebrated for their hours of volunteer work and dedication to the respective community organizations.

Northville Chamber of Commerce Servant Leadership Awards went to James Gietzen, Timothy Gilbert, Michael King, and Jennifer Schembri. The Small Business of the Year honor was awarded to Orin Jewelers and The Davey Tree Expert Company was honored as the Large Business of the Year.

The prestigious Spirit of Northville Award went to Browndog Barlor.

The Northville Public Schools Educator of the Year honor was presented to Michael Rumbell and the John Genitti Citizen of the Year award was presented to Nancy Darga.

This year’s celebration took place at Genitti's Hole in the Wall and First Presbyterian Church of Northville.

“What makes this event so special is the people and the relationships that make our community strong.

“Thank you to the community members, businesses, non-profits, and governmental agencies who joined us to celebrate everything that makes Northville such a special place. A special thank you to our presenting sponsors, Mayflower Towing and Northville City Dental,” a chamber spokesperson noted in a media post.

City of Wayne Police Department is awarded re-accreditation by state agency

The City of Wayne Police Department has been unanimously granted re-accreditation by the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (MLEAC).

Wayne Police officials testified recently during the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police Conference where the reaccreditation certification was presented. The Wayne Police Department has been accredited since 2013, according to a prepared statement. Accreditation is granted to police departments who have rigorous and modern policies, and who can demonstrate that they follow those policies and the adoption of clearly defined standards that reflect professional objectives.

Community calendar

 

FormalSHARE is Saturday

The anticipated FormalSHARE event at the Plymouth District Library is planned for this Saturday, March 7 when teens and adults can select formal wear including dresses, suits, sport coats, shoes and jewelry at no cost. The library is currently accepting donations of gently used clean items on hangars for the shopping day. Donations will be accepted through tomorrow, March 6. Hopeful shoppers can call the library at (734) 453-0750 to reserve a shopping time. The library is located at 223 South Main St.in downtown Plymouth.

 

Annual cleanup of historic cemetery deadline is March 15.

The annual spring cleaning of Romulus Memorial Cemetery is under way, officials said.

Items such as wreaths and grave blankets must be removed by Sunday, March 15 and Department of Public Works employees will begin to remove any items that do not comply with the cemetery rules and regulations beginning Monday, March 16.

For more information regarding the cemetery rules and regulations, phone the office of the city clerk, (734) 942-7540.

 

Eco-Fair set in Romulus

The Romulus Garden Club is sponsoring the 2026 Eco-Fair from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2 at the Romulus Athletic Center.

More than 20 eco-friendly organizations and vendors will participate at the free event which includes speakers and presenters. Free activities for all ages are planned. Door prizes will be awarded.

The athletic center is at 35765 Northline Road.