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Zulu_warrior
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Username: Zulu_warrior

Post Number: 2927
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.251.27.41
Posted on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 9:06 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

This thread is dedicated to suburban issues, so that we might disect suburban happenings as well.

"God Bless Chocolate City, and her Vanilla Suburbs." Curtis Mayfield
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Zulu_warrior
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Username: Zulu_warrior

Post Number: 2928
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.251.27.41
Posted on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 9:07 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

http://www.hometownlife.com/ap ps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060 713/NEWS10/607130422/1027

Fireworks continue to spark nuisances
BY DAN WEST
STAFF WRITER


Livonia police and fire officials are still sifting through numerous complaints, including one house fire investigation, stemming from those who ignited illegal fireworks around the Independence Day holiday weekend.

Local investigators struggle to find those who set off the illegal pyrotechnics.

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"We get a lot of complaints and it seems to be getting worse, despite the fact there is more publicity about illegal fireworks," Livonia Police Chief Bob Stevenson said. "People are upset because they have to go to work in the morning, but these fireworks keep waking them up at all hours of the night."

Anything that is propelled into the air and/or makes noisy explosions, such as a bottle rocket, is illegal under Michigan law. Those igniting such fireworks can be charged with a misdemeanor which carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and/or $500 in fines.

Livonia police officers were hopping with calls from residents complaining about fireworks exploding in their neighborhood, but Stevenson admitted it's a struggle to stop the problems.

"We respond to all of the calls, but often when we arrive, there is nothing going on," Stevenson said. "We have to catch them in the act to prosecute them, or we need a neighbor to sign a complaint.

"The problem with that is many people are apprehensive about signing a complaint and getting their neighbors in trouble because they have to live next to them the rest of the year."

Michigan's strict laws governing fireworks make more work for Livonia's police officers and firefighters, compared to their counterparts in communities in Indiana and Ohio. They have rarely prosecuted fireworks violators in recent years, but local authorities do not want the law softened.

Some lawmakers are proposing a bill to legalize some airborne fireworks, accompanied by an aggressive publicity campaign about fireworks safety and stiffer penalties for violators. According to an Associated Press report, this proposal would provide an opportunity for the state to boost revenues with added tax and safety fee collections.

"It's just a bad idea," said Livonia Fire Marshal Andy Walker, who pointed to the example of an incident in the Five Mile and Levan area that caught a house on fire. In that case, an aerial firework fell over after it was lit and then flew into a neighbor's pine tree, igniting a fire and causing $100,000 damage. Police continue to look for suspects in that case.

Walker said lawmakers should lean on the opinions of professional firefighters before imposing such a law.
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Tetsua
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Username: Tetsua

Post Number: 707
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 68.61.194.237
Posted on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 9:39 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wow this has been a 365 issue in the city for as long as I remember, I don't think hear them anymore.
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Zulu_warrior
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Username: Zulu_warrior

Post Number: 2929
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.251.27.41
Posted on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 12:37 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

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Bomb squad removes device at Salem school
By Dan Trudeau
STAFF WRITER


A building engineer at Salem Elementary School found a nasty surprise when he reported for work Friday morning.

Michigan State Police said the man found a suspected explosive device lodged behind the handle of an entry door at the school. District officials called 911 and emergency personnel arrived at around 8:30 a.m. Friday after the entering engineer felt the device — described by police as a 4 or 5-inch piece of plastic pipe with fuses reaching out from both ends.

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State Police Bomb Squad members were called to the scene. Using a remote controlled robot, they extracted the device from the door handle and detonated it, as Salem firefighters and Huron Valley Ambulance personnel looked on.

There was no damage to the school, and no one was hurt by the device, but police said they view the incident as a serious matter.

"We have to do everything remotely because there is a suspected explosive device," said Michigan State Police Sgt. Ketvirtis, a member of the bomb squad. "Any time you deal with any kind of confined explosive powders, you run the risk of injury."

Bomb squad officials took the device back to the forensic lab in Northville, where they planned to conduct an extensive examination.

Ketvirtis said investigators would confirm if the device was indeed an explosive while also looking for forensic evidence that might lead to the person who planted it at the school.

State Police Trooper Victorian will be conducting an investigation of the incident. As of Friday morning, he said police did not have any suspects, adding that he would follow up on whatever leads came out of his investigation.

"We don't know who, don't know why," Victorian said.

Once the device was disarmed, an Ann Arbor Police K-9 unit arrived with Czar, a German Shepherd trained to sniff for explosives. Bomb squad members worked with the dog to clear the scene. No other devices were discovered, but police did find fireworks in a nearby dumpster and inside a portable toilet.

The scene was cleared and police left shortly after 11:30 a.m.

South Lyon Community Schools Assistant Superintendent Melissa Meister said the building engineer discovered the device at around 8:10 a.m. and immediately contacted his supervisor.

Meister said district employees are trained in how to handle such incidents, adding that the engineer and his supervisor followed proper protocol in this case.

Three Salem Township fire trucks arrived shortly after the call went out. But when the bomb squad took command of the scene, the trucks were sent away, firefighters said.

Fire Chief Mark Hamilton said the incident was the first in his memory where the bomb squad had to be called.

Looking on as the bomb squad robot removed the device, firefighter Simon Wilkinson said the pipe was placed perfectly to have a menacing effect.

"It's just where you don't want it," Wilkinson said. "Even if it's a prank, someone's done it in the right way to cause concern."

The school was empty at the time of the incident.

http://www.hometownlife.com/ap ps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060 713/NEWS19/607130783/1036
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Zulu_warrior
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Username: Zulu_warrior

Post Number: 2932
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.251.27.41
Posted on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 12:54 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Clinton Township

Man pleads guilty in mom's 2004 death

A Clinton Township man pleaded guilty Monday to involuntary manslaughter in the death of his mother, who was malnourished, dehydrated and covered with severe bedsores before she died, Attorney General Mike Cox said. Dennis J. Dell'eva, 52, could face up to 15 years in prison in the Jan. 20, 2004, death of Estelle Dell'eva of Reed City, north of Grand Rapids. The 74-year-old woman was found alive at her home but severely dehydrated and malnourished and buried deep beneath a pile of blankets and trash. She was taken to a hospital but died the next day, Cox said. Her death was ruled a homicide. Dell'eva remains in custody on a $500,000 bond. Chesterfield Township

Two teens accused of mobile park break-ins

Two Chesterfield Township teens are awaiting a pretrial hearing for allegedly breaking into mobile homes Sunday in the Carriageway Mobile Home Park off Gratiot north of 23 Mile. Police responded to a call to the park Sunday and surrounded the home where two teens were trying to escape. Police determined the pair had been involved in five home invasions over the past several months where $5,000 worth of property was stolen, including an AK-47 assault rifle. The teens were released on tethers to their parents.

Eastpointe

Police seek boys who stole car with girl in it

Police are looking for two teenage boys who stole a car occupied by a 7-year-old girl. The incident happened about 12:40 p.m. Saturday outside Kelly Beverage, 22738 Kelly. A 29-year-old Detroit woman left her Grand Prix running while she went in the store, leaving her daughter inside the car. According to police, two teenagers got in the car and started to drive off. The men stopped the car prior to leaving the store's parking lot to allow the young girl to get out. The stolen car is a black four-door 2005 Grand Prix. Anyone with information is asked to call Eastpointe Police at (586) 445-5026.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20060718/M ETRO03/607180337/1014
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Focusonthed
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Username: Focusonthed

Post Number: 376
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 209.220.229.254
Posted on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 3:42 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Why?
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Lmichigan
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Username: Lmichigan

Post Number: 4017
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 71.206.101.12
Posted on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 5:24 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Zulu, why are you only posting bad news? Wait...
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Iheartthed
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Username: Iheartthed

Post Number: 139
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 64.131.176.232
Posted on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 8:53 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Doesn't the local media give the suburbs enough attention...?
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Adamjab19
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Username: Adamjab19

Post Number: 700
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 24.192.148.148
Posted on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 9:28 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Funny this would all happen in a three city block in some parts of Detroit within a weekend or hell if the night's right a 24 hour period, but worse it would involve gang shootings and thugs killing eachother.

enough with the 'burb bashing. it almost seems like envy from some of you city dwellers. get over it the 'burbs are generally safer and you are the ones that decided to live in Detroit anyway.

People from the 'burbs should post a city blurb thread. o wait, just go to click on detroit or detroityes.com.

how dumb.
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Hagglerock
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Username: Hagglerock

Post Number: 269
Registered: 03-2005
Posted From: 12.214.243.66
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 12:17 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Zulu,
Was Curtis Mayfield referring to Detroit when he said that, possibly rolling with his "diamond in the back"down Woodward ? The more I hear about him the more interesting it gets.
D
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Citylover
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Username: Citylover

Post Number: 1653
Registered: 07-2004
Posted From: 4.229.126.25
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 12:43 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Who knows if he was refering to Detroit.It is hardly significant if he was.What is significant is his body of musical work.Mayfield wrote some of the greatest soul/R&B songs ever: Gypsy woman,People get ready,I'ts alright,Keep on pushing,Moving on up.....those songs were all done by the Impressions of which Mayfield and the great Jerry(iceman) Butler were members.I am not certain if Butler was a member on all those recordings.
Prior to that Mayfield wrote and sang a great harmony on Jerry Butlers ..He will break your heart.. another great tune.He also I believe played guitar on one of the great rendtions(there have been many) of Moon river also done by Jerry Butler.
Then, in the early to mid 70's Mayfield again had success with Super-fly which of course had the great song Freddies dead.........."If you wann be a junkie wow...Freddies on the corner now......
Curtis Mayfield was also an inventive guitarist.I believe he was a major influence on Jimi Hendrix.The similarities are easily heard.
Well there is a threadjack if there ever was one; and a brief history of Curtis Mayfield.
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Lmichigan
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Username: Lmichigan

Post Number: 4018
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 71.206.101.12
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 1:12 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wow, didn't expect that one. lol
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Zulu_warrior
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Username: Zulu_warrior

Post Number: 2935
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.251.27.41
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 8:34 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

In the Black community, Washington DC is known as Chocolate City....

But the song is a reference to all major US cities where the inner core of a city is predominately Black and the suburbs are predominantely white...
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Zulu_warrior
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Username: Zulu_warrior

Post Number: 2936
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.251.27.41
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 8:37 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Man kills wife, then self in homicide-suicide
BY KAREN SMITH
COMMUNITY EDITOR

http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060720/NEWS04/607200558

Three Clarkston children are parentless after their father killed their mother and then himself Saturday in what detectives call a case of ultimate domestic violence.

"It's a sad case. They (the children) are the victims," said Lt. James Ahearn of the Oakland County Sheriff's special investigations unit.


James Mark Williams, 39, killed his wife, Tina Sue Williams, 30, by hitting her multiple times and then set fire to their home at 5437 Westview after dousing it with gasoline, officials said. The children were not at home.

Investigators are still trying to determine what Williams used to kill his wife. She died of multiple blunt force trauma; he of smoke and soot inhalation, according to the Oakland County Medical Examiner's office.

Deputies from the Independence Township substation uncovered the homicide-suicide after being called to the home for a welfare check at 10:20 p.m. Tina Williams' mother, Teresa Skodak, who lives in Wisconsin, had been unable to reach her daughter. The children were with Skodak at the time.

Lt. Dale LaBair of the Independence substation said a deputy arrived in time to hear Williams pour the gas and ignite the fire, but he couldn't get inside the locked home and command staff ordered him to get away in case of explosion.

The blaze "basically destroyed" the lower level of the home, Maj. Damon Shields said. Williams had removed the family's dog, cat and rabbit from the home before setting it on fire, placing them in vehicles in the driveway with food and water. Ducks in a shed on the property had also been watered. He also left some instructions, Ahearn said.

Investigators don't know how many minutes or hours Tina Williams was dead before James Williams killed himself.

"It appears to us she was deceased (while) he took care of some matters," Ahearn said.

The Williams children, Aurora, Alyssa and James, were students at North Sashabaw Elementary School, said Anita Banach, director of communications and marketing for Clarkston Community Schools.

School officials were trying to contact family members Tuesday to see what their needs are, Banach said.

The homicide-suicide is the fourth such incident in Oakland County this year, Ahearn said.

A funeral service will be held for Tina Williams, who worked as a supervisor at Kohl's Department Store, at 11 a.m. Thursday at Hudson Funeral Service, Otisville. Burial will be in Smith Hill Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Skodak for a trust fund for the children.

A service for James Williams will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Huntoon Funeral Home, 855 W. Huron, Pontiac. The family did not release any obituary information on Williams or specify where donations could be sent, a Huntoon spokesman said.

(Message edited by zulu warrior on July 20, 2006)
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Steve
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Username: Steve

Post Number: 18
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 89.0.241.208
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 8:39 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wasn't Atlanta called "Chocolate Mecca" or something like that in "A Man in Full"?

City Lover --
Any other recordings you can think of that featured Curtis Mayfield's guitar?
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Zulu_warrior
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Username: Zulu_warrior

Post Number: 2937
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.251.27.41
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 8:39 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Milford waits for DEQ response
By Aileen Wingblad
STAFF WRITER

http://www.hometownlife.com/ap ps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060 720/NEWS11/607200736/1028

Progress is inching along in Milford's efforts to take care of contamination issues at the site of the former Old Plank Road landfill.

Now, Milford officials are working to determine whether or not the landfill's former insurance provider could be liable for costs associated with clean up. Officials are also hoping to arrange informal meetings with representatives from General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Daimler-Chrysler to request financial assistance to clean up the site.

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"We've discussed talking with the 'Big Three' to avoid litigation," said Milford Township Supervisor Don Green. "We know they dumped there (several years ago). We're working with Sen. Nancy Cassis to try to set up meetings."

Last week, Green and Milford Village Manager Arthur Shufflebarger talked with homeowners who live near the contaminated site, which is located on Old Plank Road just south of Garden Road, in the southeast corner of Milford Village. For the past few years, the two officials have provided residents quarterly updates on the status of Milford's objectives and plans to clean up the property. Four residents showed up for the meeting.

Shufflebarger noted there "isn't a lot to report," with Milford still awaiting approval on a remedial action plan for the former landfill. The plan, which was submitted in April to the state Department of Environmental Quality, outlines steps to clean up the site. This includes capping it and continued monitoring, as well as providing municipal water to residents affected by the contamination.

According to Shufflebarger, the DEQ's district office has approved the plan and forwarded it to staff at the Lansing office for evaluation. "Lansing has to review and put a stamp on it, also," Shufflebarger said.

The former landfill site has been a source of recent concern with Milford officials since 2002, when soil and groundwater testing by the DEQ revealed various levels of contaminants in and around the site. Subsequent testing revealed the presence of contaminants in high levels on the dump site and nearby properties, determined to be leaching from the landfill. In 2003, Milford began providing bottled water to residents living near the landfill as a precautionary measure.

Comprehensive test results have shown that directly on the landfill site, dichloroethene, trichloroethene and vinyl chloride have been found in levels that exceed the state's safe drinking water criteria. Trichloroethene and vinyl chloride have also been detected in monitoring wells off site, in levels that exceed safe drinking water criteria, and have been determined to be migrating from the landfill. Excess levels of contaminants have not made it to residential wells, however.

Last fall, two families who own property near the former landfill filed a lawsuit in Oakland County Circuit Court over the contamination, seeking damages in excess of $25,000 from the village, CSX Transportation and the Road Commission for Oakland County. About six weeks ago, Milford Township was named in the suit, as well.

About a year ago, 10 families living near the landfill resolved a civil lawsuit with CSX Transportation, splitting a $1 million settlement.

Aileen Wingblad is a reporter for the Milford Times. She can be reached at (248) 685-1507 or at awingblad@gannett.com.
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Drm
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Username: Drm

Post Number: 1029
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.212.60.81
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 9:28 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


quote:

Funny this would all happen in a three city block in some parts of Detroit within a weekend or hell if the night's right a 24 hour period, but worse it would involve gang shootings and thugs killing eachother.

enough with the 'burb bashing. it almost seems like envy from some of you city dwellers. get over it the 'burbs are generally safer and you are the ones that decided to live in Detroit anyway.



People seem to think they can move away from crime, thus, they don't do anything to solve the crime problem. It's important to remind folks that we live in a society where crime, even violent crime, can happen anywhere. Yes, it might be statistically more likely to happen in certain areas, but there is no place one can move where the probability is zero.

Crime kills more people and costs more money each year than terrorist attacks. Yet, we are not at "war" with crime. Not only that, but since September 11, some of our domestic law enforcement agencies been directed to focus on "terror" or "homeland security".

To take it a step further, so-called "white collar crime" costs more each year than so-called "street crime". Perhaps we should have a "war" on white collar crime. Quite the opposite seems to be happening if you follow the news.

To say that people living in crime-ridden neighborhoods need to solve the problem for themselves, which seems to be a common opinion amongst those who don't live in those areas, is not a solution, but an excuse to ignore the problem. It is similar to saying that we shouldn't have airport security because the passengers on each airplane should take it upon themselves to keep that airplane from being hijacked.

I'd like to see how different perceptions would be if crime in the suburbs weren't reported as happening in the individual suburb, but only as "in the suburbs" or "in X County". After all, that's how crime is reported in the city, either as happening "in Detroit" or on the east or west side of Detroit, as if someone living in Warrendale is more directly impacted by a crime in East English Village than a person living in Royal Oak is impacted by a crime in Madison Heights.

I am not excusing crime in Detroit or anywhere else. No one should have to live in fear in this, supposedly the wealthiest country in world. My point is simply that things will improve dramatically when we, as a society, take responsbility for our shared problem. Some of Zulu Warrior's messages in this thread regarding crime should be taken as a reminder of this fact, rather than as some sort of attack on the suburbs by an envious city resident.
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Gistok
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Username: Gistok

Post Number: 2468
Registered: 08-2004
Posted From: 4.229.72.67
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 10:58 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ya know.... 99.99% of the folks on this forum are smart enough to know that all over this country most of the central cities have a higher crime rate than their surrounding suburbs. The reasons are many and complex.

So if Zulu_Warrior and others on this forum get a warm fuzzy feeling reminding everyone that crime is in the suburbs as well as in Detroit, then go for it.

I too get tired of hearing all the bad stuff that people (mostly Noobs lately) have posting on new threads on this forum. Sure seems like a lot of negative threads about the city lately.

But tit-for-tat posting solves nothing... especially when everyone is "preaching to the choir"...
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Zulu_warrior
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Username: Zulu_warrior

Post Number: 2940
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 64.12.116.204
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 11:51 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

To the various detractors of this thread....

The truth of the matter is that we spend a disproportionate amount of time disecting and discussing the issue of the City of Detroit. My object here is not to be divisive about city suburb relationships, but to discuss actually what is actually happening out there.

Detroit's suburbs are changing, growing, and transforming. To miss this for the sake of daily detroit bashing is absolutely myopic and causes this forum to be short shrift of the pertinenet issues of the day.

Where is the critical thinking? How does a light rail from Ann Arbor to Detroit affect a city like Wayne, Inkster, Dearborn?

Why has Dearborn Heights been featured on the news with so many recent crimes?

What does it truly mean that Livonia is trying to shut down several elementray schools, and will the actual effort to recall their board be successful?

Has this board gotten so weak minded and sullen to miss the opportunity to debate and fact find for such issues? Where is the passion for truth here?

Many of you discuss a seamless detroit, one where city and subrurb are no longer defined by the prescribed boundaries- yet the issues remained divided and segregated.

If you truly want detroit of that stature, then you must elevate your thinking and discourse.

The gauntlet has been thrown down, will you answer? Adamjab19 and Gistok, do you have the courage to tackle these issues as well....?
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Focusonthed
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Username: Focusonthed

Post Number: 378
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 24.192.25.47
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 11:56 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wow, how noble...except you didn't post about any of those stories.

If you want to turn this board into hardcore debate on the merits of fireworks laws, suicides, and trailer park break-ins in the suburbs, go right ahead, but I bet that thread falls right to the bottom. Real hard-hitting stuff.
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Johnnny5
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Username: Johnnny5

Post Number: 303
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 71.227.95.4
Posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 1:03 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks for the update on the contamination issue in Milford. I hadn't heard much about it over the past few months.
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Zulu_warrior
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Username: Zulu_warrior

Post Number: 2941
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.251.27.41
Posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 8:58 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Firm wants to drill for oil in Livonia
BY DAN WEST
STAFF WRITER


There is oil and natural gas underneath Livonia and a Fowlerville-based company plans to seek city approval to capture those resources.

West Bay Exploration Co. purchased 11 acres of commercial land along I-275 near Seven Mile and the AMC 20 movie theater with plans to conduct slant drilling operations to pull oil and gas from earth about two-thirds of a mile below the Greenmead Historic Village in the Eight Mile-Newburgh area. Natural resources collected could help the city earn as much as $2.5 million in royalties over the next 20-25 years.


Timothy Baker, West Bay's operations manager, said the company has urban drilling operations in Northville, Novi, Sterling Heights, Troy and Kensington Metropark. The company is also interested in reaching a spot in the Nine Mile-Haggerty area of Farmington Hills.

"With the need for oil supplies so great, we need to go into more urbanized areas," Baker said. "I believe we can co-exist with no impact to our neighbors. Most people won't even know we are there."

Baker has met individually with several city officials about the drilling proposal, which needs to be reviewed by the Livonia Planning Commission and approved by the Livonia City Council. Baker said he plans to formally submit his plans to the city in the coming weeks.

Mayor Jack Engebretson said West Bay has been providing city officials with information to prove such an operation will be safe.

"West Bay has offered to cooperate fully with the city in regard to all safety and aesthetic issues involved in the proposed site," Engebretson said. "The public will have ample opportunity to offer their input ... in the coming months."

Such oil drilling proposals have sparked public concerns about odors, harm to ground water sources and traffic in the past, but Baker said his company has plans and technology to ease those concerns.

A chunk of metro Detroit, including northwest Wayne County and south Oakland County, is about 3,500-4,000 feet above coral reefs with hydrocarbons that could produce oil or natural gas.

"We've done our prospecting, but we won't know exactly what's down there until we start drilling," Baker said.

If approved to drill at its 11-acre Livonia site, West Bay will use about two acres of the land for the operation's well, production unit, compressor and storage tank. Baker said one to two trucks will transport oil supplies to a Downriver refinery during nightly trips. He said he hopes to begin work in Livonia sometime this upcoming winter.

"We try to stay away from residential areas and keep a low-key approach," Baker said. "We meet all federal and state environment regulations."

He added West Bay may develop the rest of the property for office or retail use in the future.

In the area under Greenmead, the city would collect an estimated $1.8-$2.5 million over the next two-plus decades in a mineral leasing agreement with West Bay. Most income would be collected in the initial years of the drilling period, Baker said.

West Bay has pulled 1.6 million, 42-gallon barrels of oil from a site near the former Northville Psychiatric Hospital over the past 20 years, which provided millions in revenue for the state. The company has operated four wells at Kensington since the 1980s, which has provided some $10 million used to fund park renovations.

If this drilling operation proceeds without trouble, Baker said his company is interested in at least one other Livonia site for more drilling in the future.

http://www.hometownlife.com/ap ps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060 720/NEWS10/607200601/1027
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1953
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Username: 1953

Post Number: 917
Registered: 12-2004
Posted From: 209.104.146.146
Posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 11:53 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Governor appointed a board to research a state university in Macomb County. Oakland University is aggresively expanding its programs at Macomb Community College in an attempt to make that University a branch of its own. I suspect strongly that such a school would hurt Wayne State. Any opinions on that? Any stats on WSU's Macomb County enrollment?
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Jt1
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Username: Jt1

Post Number: 7549
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 198.208.159.19
Posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 11:56 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I suspect that it would have just as large an effect on OU.

WSU is a very solid school in many programs. I don't expect a new school to compete in most programs.
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Warriorfan
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Username: Warriorfan

Post Number: 456
Registered: 08-2005
Posted From: 68.43.81.191
Posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 1:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Much of WSU's undergraduate student population commutes from North of Detroit, in fact I would say that this is true for the majority of the "commuter" students that I met while I was there. A state university in Macomb would definitely hurt WSU as far as competition for students.

I suspect many students would choose a school closer to home rather than commute 30-40 minutes to and from Wayne State each day.
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Andylinn
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Username: Andylinn

Post Number: 152
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 64.141.144.2
Posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 2:33 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

that will become slightly less of an issue as Wayne bolsters it's status as a campus living school. (though they only currently have dorm space for what, 1000 students now?)

(Message edited by andylinn on July 21, 2006)
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Gistok
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Username: Gistok

Post Number: 2473
Registered: 08-2004
Posted From: 4.229.90.112
Posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 3:16 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Zulu-Warrior,

I live in the burbs, but I could give a rats ass about what goes on out there. Trailer park troubles? Man shoots wife and self and leaves orphaned children. Yes, it happens all the time across our troubled land. But I post on this forum because the name says DETROITYES! I care about Detroit, and its' future potential and its myriad problems.

If I was interested in what's going on in the burbs, I would read one of the lame suburban rags, an Observer & Excentric paper, or the Oakland or Macomb main papers. I would join a suburban organization or PTA or something.

But as I said, I care about Detroit. And that is why I belong to Detroit sponsored groups such as Preservation Wayne, where I donate my time to cleaning up city projects, and give guided tours.

My suburb (SCS) has 4 minute response time for 911 calls, but I don't consider that a problem. My 83 year old mother still lives in Detroit, where 911 calls sometimes don't even get responded to ON THE SAME DAY. Now that's a concern for me, and something I am interested in.

I like most folks on this forum want to help Detroit. You can post all the suburban ailments that you want, but folks on this forum truly aren't all that interested in the little stuff.

(Message edited by Gistok on July 21, 2006)
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Zulu_warrior
Member
Username: Zulu_warrior

Post Number: 2942
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 205.188.116.137
Posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 10:44 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well my dear Gistok,

One of the more interesting tenets is that there are people here who want to help metro detroit, all of it, and not just the inner city.

If you havent noticed there are alot of problems in our suburbs as well. I as a Detroiter want to help them as well. In fact, there are many problems in the burbs that are being solved by Detoiters who have the expertise.

We cannot be one Detroit, if people subscribe to pejorative attitudes about the inner city or the suburbs.

If you are not interested in this thread, dont post, and let others decide what they wish to comment on.
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Planner_727
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Username: Planner_727

Post Number: 17
Registered: 07-2006
Posted From: 24.33.241.132
Posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 11:14 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I feel the anger of some contributors on this issue. However, I have to back up Zulu on this one.

While the intentions of the majority of this forum's members are clear when it comes to the City, all too often there is reference to or promotion of complaining about the lack of regional coordination in the past and present. I think you'd have to agree that nothing good has come of it.

Perhaps the argument could be made to move this thread to non-detroit issues, but I agree with Zulu that a healthy Detroit means a healthy region, and vise versa.

Just as concern and involvement as a suburban resident in the City's well-being is a positive, Zulu's concern and involvement as a City resident in suburban issues should at least be tolerated, if not supported.

(Message edited by Planner_727 on July 21, 2006)

(Message edited by Planner_727 on July 21, 2006)
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Mani
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Username: Mani

Post Number: 3
Registered: 07-2006
Posted From: 68.60.182.26
Posted on Saturday, July 22, 2006 - 10:28 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

When a person says I live in the burbs but don't care what is going on here, I care about what is going on in Detroit. I see a whole bunch of red flags in that statement. First of all how can you not care about the place where you live, no matter the city? I think this is a hypocritical statement. If you don't care about where you live then why do you live there? Comments like this are slightly ignorant and about the glorification of urban decay. By this I mean, thinking it is cooler to be a part of something that is broken than not. I would question how much one cares about a city by what they are doing to help that city? Are you working, politically active or volunteering in the city to help make things better? If so then I would say your intentions are good but you should also care about what is going on in your own backyard as well. There are different kinds of problems in the burbs that need to be dealt with too.
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Zulu_warrior
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Username: Zulu_warrior

Post Number: 2944
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 205.188.116.137
Posted on Saturday, July 22, 2006 - 1:01 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Contamination feared at site in Hamburg
By Christopher Behnan
DAILY PRESS & ARGUS

The former Hoskins Manufac-turing Co. site in Hamburg Township is a "bomb waiting to go off," according to township attorney John Drury.
Several 55-gallon drums and open pits containing used oil and other unidentified fluids are present on the property, and pose a "clear and significant danger to the community," township Fire Marshal David Shumaker said in a July 10 report. The site has been left vacant in recent years.



The fear is that the fluids may eventually leak from the drums and pits, contaminating groundwater in the area. A series of drinking water wells located in the area — including one well at Hamburg Elementary School and residential wells in neighborhoods along Hall Road, south of M-36 — are of particular concern due to their proximity to the site.


Shumaker said the old manufacturing site has increasingly been broken into, vandalized and robbed of scrap metal and other materials during the past 12 months. He is concerned that youths breaking into the building might get hurt there.
Township officials say their hands are tied to remedy the situation, at least for the time being, because the present owner of the property has not been identified.

The township has attempted to board up the building, and fire personnel routinely tour the site, but that hasn't stopped two fires — both reportedly arson — during the past year, fire officials said.

Drury encouraged the township to take action to remedy the situation, adding that "it's a Good Samaritan thing."

But Fire Chief Doug Berry said his department isn't equipped to handle oil and other possible contaminants on the site. Berry said state or federal environmental authorities will most likely have to step in.

"The Fire Department is not in the business of doing that. We don't do risk abatements," Berry said. "We aren't trained to, don't have the equipment.

"Our biggest concern is simply the safety of the residents that live around that, and of course the proximity of that property to the elementary school," he added.

The state Department of Environmental Quality has conducted testing and sampling at the site, including once last September. The state also cleaned up a mercury spill about three years ago at the site.

The DEQ has been aware of the presence of the fluids on site, but is limited in what it can do to address the situation.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency has inspected sporadically, and in some cases, taken samples from the site, during the past few years.

The DEQ contact handling the Hoskins case in Hamburg Township was unavailable for comment Thursday. However, Ben Hall, supervisor for the DEQ's Remediation and Redevelopment Division, Lansing District, said Hoskins' problems aren't new.

Hall said the company formerly operated at least two other locations in Michigan, including one site near Grayling that has similar safety concerns to the Hamburg location.

Before cleaning up such potentially hazardous situations, the DEQ first seeks to get the land owners or responsible parties to take action, Hall explained.

If that process fails, the state can do some site work, but in some cases calls in the EPA depending on the threat posed by the reported contaminants.

"We need to assess the danger — the threat, the concern posed by each type of waste out there," Hall said.

For the time being, the Township Board has directed Supervisor Cindy Pine to contact the Livingston County Health Department, DEQ and EPA to request assistance in addressing the water well issue and other public safety concerns.

The township could file a lien on the property, Drury said, though it would essentially have to wait in line.

There is already about $25 million in liens filed against the property.

Filing suit could be an expensive crap shoot, Drury said, especially if it comes to waiting for action from an anonymous property owner.

Shumaker has requested the township demolish the site if the property owner can't be found.


http://www.livingstondaily.com /apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20 060721/NEWS01/607210309/1002
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Detroitej72
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Username: Detroitej72

Post Number: 105
Registered: 05-2006
Posted From: 66.184.3.44
Posted on Saturday, July 22, 2006 - 1:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

APB: Clinton Township,

My girlfriend stoped at a light on Garfield and Canel Rd. this Thursday around 9:30 am. A mini van pulled up beside her with a 50-something white male who proceded to make small talk. As he did this another younger white male ran around her car and tried to open the back passenger door. She hit the gas and blew the light, calling 911 on her cell. She was directed to the C.T. police station where she filled a report. Police told her that she was the 5th person to make such a report this week. Point is where is the media hoopla over this? Had it happened in Detroit it would have lead the news. Funny how affluent suburbs can keep this kind of stories out of the press...
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Gistok
Member
Username: Gistok

Post Number: 2474
Registered: 08-2004
Posted From: 4.229.105.5
Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2006 - 12:33 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

OK, perhaps I was a little harsh in my post... I do care about both city and suburbs.

But just posting a lot of random suburban newsclips seems less than a true passion for fixing suburban problems than a desire to deflect the city's woes by showing that they happen out in the burbs as well.

So don't let me rain on your parade, let the discussions begin...
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Mani
Member
Username: Mani

Post Number: 11
Registered: 07-2006
Posted From: 68.60.182.26
Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2006 - 12:39 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Gistok....

I don't think I understand what you are saying?
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Gistok
Member
Username: Gistok

Post Number: 2475
Registered: 08-2004
Posted From: 4.229.105.5
Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2006 - 12:46 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'll say it simply.... "A random group of suburban unconnected reported incidents does not make for a good thread that will receive a lot of replies by the DetroitYes forumers". It's way too general a topic.

And that's all I have to say on this topic.

(Message edited by Gistok on July 23, 2006)
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Zulu_warrior
Member
Username: Zulu_warrior

Post Number: 2947
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.251.27.41
Posted on Monday, July 24, 2006 - 8:42 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

http://www.macombdaily.com/sto ries/072306/loc_cable%20rules0 01.shtml

As bills rise, cable rules may change

State legislature considering bills to open up cable competition

PUBLISHED: July 23, 2006

By Frank DeFrank
Macomb Daily Staff Writer

When Washington Township resident Cy Rapezzi opened his cable television bill and discovered another rate increase about a year ago, he made a few phone calls to learn what customers in other communities paid.
Advertisement


"I found out there was quite a difference in pricing," he said.

But unlike shopping for shoes or even a new car, Rapezzi and his neighbors have few options when it comes to cable. Comcast is the only company that does business in Washington Township.

"What bothers me is no one (other companies) can come in here," he said.

Legally, nothing prohibits companies from building a cable television system in Washington Township or anywhere else. But in many areas, companies have decided the small number of potential subscribers doesn't justify the cost.

"From a practical point of view, two or three companies couldn't survive," said Gary Schocke, Bruce Township supervisor.

But that situation could change dramatically if the Michigan legislature adopts a law that would revamp franchise rules and permit telephone companies to bring video service to communities and provide competition for cable companies.

Proponents of the Cable and Video Competition Act contend the law would eliminate franchise requirements and other regulations that have served as barriers and thwarted true competition for the delivery of cable television and other telecommunications services.

The law, proponents say, would allow telecommunications companies to quickly enter markets, provide competition and, in theory, drive down or at least moderate prices for television and other services.

"Telephone companies want to get into the cable business," said state Rep. Leon Drolet, a Macomb Township Republican. "They want to structure the system so there's one statewide contract."

Restructuring the system would permit companies like AT&T to employ new technology that would bring video service to residents and effectively provide competition for cable companies.

Mike Marker, a spokesman for AT&T, said new technology called Internet protocol television -- IPTV -- enables companies like his to deliver video signals directly to homes.

"It's the new alternative for video service, the next generation of technology," Marker said. "÷ It's different from cable. It's not a cable service."

But under current law, AT&T would have to negotiate franchise agreements with individual communities before it could offer the technology to customers.

Meanwhile, Drolet said, cable companies complain that newcomers should play by the same rules and be required to negotiate franchise agreements with individual communities.

Two bills -- one drafted in the state House and the other in the Senate -- are now in the House Energy and Technology Committee, of which Drolet is a member.

In most of Macomb County, residents interested in telecommunication service have several options. Comcast and Wide Open West provide cable, Internet and telephone service and satellite television and Internet service is available most anywhere.

But in some areas in northern Macomb County, no cable companies have challenged industry giant Comcast.

As a result, cable bills can be higher in areas without competition, although the cost largely depends on what programming packages customers choose.

Nationally, cable television rates have outpaced inflation for several years. One Macomb Township resident's bill jumped from $34.18 in January 2001 to $44.66 in January 2005 (a 30 percent increase) with no change in service.

The National Cable and Telecommunications Association estimates the average monthly bill for "expanded basic" service in 2006 at $41.17.

"The CPI (Consumer Price Index) or inflation aren't really valid to compare (to rising cable prices)," said Jerome Espy, director of communications for Comcast. "There are a lot of factors that go into it."

Additional programming options and packages that combine television, Internet and telephone service "provide great value for our customers, ÷ if you compare apples to apples," Espy said.

Still, many cable subscribers remain unconvinced.

"People are upset," said Macomb County Commissioner Don Brown, who represents Washington and Bruce Townships, Romeo and a portion of Shelby Township.

"Our goal is to let people know we want some relief."

Brown delivered a petition with some 500 signatures -- many collected by his constituent, Rapezzi -- to Drolet and his committee.

Rapezzi, 74, acknowledged that cable television is an entertainment choice and isn't essential like electricity or natural gas. But for many, it's nearly as important, he said.

"You're talking about a lot of elderly people who can't move around a lot," he said. "That's their only form of entertainment. TV has become a part of their life."
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Solarflare
Member
Username: Solarflare

Post Number: 470
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 65.112.56.3
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 9:32 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Teen's heroism cited in rescue

Sterling Heights officials, family member praise Obed Petties, who died trying to save stricken man.

George Hunter / The Detroit News

STERLING HEIGHTS -- Chris Mattic was torn Friday. He wanted to rejoice because his father is still alive -- but he also felt terrible that a teenager died trying to save his father's life.

"I really don't know what to feel right now," said Mattic, 23.

"To be honest, I'm still trying to figure everything out."

His father, Peter Mattic, was driving home from a Farmer Jack store about 8:30 p.m. Thursday when he suddenly passed out and drove his vehicle over a curb and into a retention pond near his home on Schoenherr near Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights. The car sank in the 15-feet-deep water.

An 18-year-old construction worker who was working nearby saw the crash, grabbed a sledgehammer and dove into the water. Police believe Obed Petties of Detroit hoped to use the sledgehammer to knock out Mattic's car windows to rescue him.

But after several minutes, Petties did not surface. Other bystanders dove in to the water and were able to save Peter Mattic. But Petties was gone.

Emergency workers came to the scene and searched the pond for hours. Police and rescue crews from several different communities joined in the hunt.

Finally, about 10:15, divers from the Shelby Township Fire Department located Petties' body. He was pronounced dead at 10:22 p.m.

Peter Mattic was recovering Friday in St. Joseph-Mercy Hospital, his son said.

"He was sleeping but he was fine," Chris Mattic said.

"I'm still wondering what happened -- why did he pass out like that? He had no history of seizures or anything like that."

Sterling Heights Police Acting Chief Capt. Dave Vinson called Petties "a hero who needs to be recognized."

"The way this kid got involved and tried to help out is a tribute to his character," Vinson said. "He is absolutely a hero. I can't say enough about what he did."

Chris Mattic said he feels the same way about Petties.

"It's beyond anything I can comprehend," he said. "I don't even know what to say to his family. I do want them to know how thankful I am. I'm thankful to everyone who risked their lives to save my dad.

"You don't think people are like that any more -- it seems most people only care about themselves. But that's obviously not the case."

David Cadez, 52, witnessed the crash and rescue.

"We were just walking into the Farmer Jack when I heard a noise behind me. I turned around and saw a car flying. It hit a shopping cart, hit some trees, then it went into the water.

"I ran to the pond while my wife called 911," Cadez said. "The car was floating on the water, and I could see a guy sprawled across the front seat. A bunch of people went into the water to try to save the guy.

"Someone said 'quick, get a hammer,' and a young guy got a sledgehammer and ran into the water," Cadez said.

"I heard him say, 'Help, I can't swim.' Then he just went under. The water bubbled, and he was gone."

Mattic said he was driving home about midnight Thursday when he saw the flashing lights of police cruisers and rescue vehicles.

"I wondered what happened," Mattic said. "But, really, I didn't think anything of it."

When Mattic got home, his father was not there.

"I didn't think anything of that, either," said Mattic. "I figured he was out with friends or something. So I went to sleep. I found out what happened after I woke up."

Donations to help the family of Petties pay for the funeral may be made at any National City Bank in Obed Petties' name.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20060722/M ETRO/607220345/1003
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Warriorfan
Member
Username: Warriorfan

Post Number: 470
Registered: 08-2005
Posted From: 68.43.81.191
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 10:37 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Detroit man arrested by Lincoln Park police after robbing liquor store in Southgate:

http://www.thenewsherald.com/s tories/072306/loc_20060723006. shtml


SOUTHGATE — Interdepartmental cooperation has resulted in the quick arrest of an alleged armed robber.

Nineteen-year-old Dorian Ashton Holder of Detroit was arrested by Lincoln Park police Officer Ronald Wise after Holder allegedly robbed Mike's Party Store, 15628 Fort St., Southgate.

According to police, Holder and a man later identified as 20-year-old Justin Joseph Wallace showed up at the store in what was described as a burgundy "K" car at about 5:30 p.m. Monday.

While Wallace waited in the vehicle, Holder entered the store and took "a few minutes," according to the clerk, walking around looking at the merchandise. He eventually selected a Butterfinger candy bar and approached the counter.

The clerk was on the telephone.

Holder handed her $5, and when she opened the register, Holder pulled out what the clerk described as a "shiny, pretty silver semiautomatic," and told her not to say anything into the telephone.

The robber then grabbed the till from the drawer, set it on the counter, and unloaded the currency.

He then moved to leave, but quickly returned to the counter to grab the $5 he had left there for the candy.
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Solarflare
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Username: Solarflare

Post Number: 471
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 65.112.56.3
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 10:48 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ambulance will cost more in Redford Township
July 20, 2006
BY ZLATI MEYER
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Redford Township officials have raised the cost of ambulance runs to coincide with insurance companies' higher reimbursements.

On July 11, the township Board of Trustees voted 6-1 to charge $320 per Basic Life Support run, up from $285, and $475 per Advanced Life Support run, up from $450.

"It was crucial for the township board to approve these, because these services are public safety issues," said township Supervisor R. Miles Handy II, adding that the increases were effective immediately. "This way, the insurance companies will be paying more and it'll be less of a strain on our general fund," he said Tuesday.

He also noted the firefighters' recent 2% raise and soaring gasoline prices as factors that increased costs.

The township's emergency responders had about 3,300 runs last year, some of which were shared by Livonia and Dearborn Heights, said Fire Chief Les Wedge. The Fire Department spends about $1,000 per month to keep its two ambulances stocked and has a bill collection rate of 70% to 75%.

"The amount of money provided through this service doesn't really cover all the costs incurred by providing the service," Wedge said. "We're not out to break anybody."

Township Trustee Tracey Schultz Kobylarz, who cast the no vote, disagreed.

"When we went through budgets back in February and March, I knew then that the budget had a little bit of wiggle room and I don't see any reason why we would increase charges for life services," she said.

Though the local firefighters union secretary Bernard Brosnan defends his colleagues' recent raise by noting that many other township employees also received 2% pay increases, he acknowledged the need to charge more for emergency medical services.

Their willingness "to pay more means they recognize the cost of calls have gone up," the 11-year veteran said, referring to insurance companies.

To Jessica Kuznir, a township resident, the price increases are part of modern-day life.

"Unfortunately, everything is going up," the 39-year-old stay-at-home mom said. "The way our township is running right now, it doesn't seem like it's running in the right direction ... This doesn't seem like a thing that needs to go up."

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20060720/NEW S02/607200407/1004
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Zulu_warrior
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Username: Zulu_warrior

Post Number: 2955
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.251.27.41
Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 9:37 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Vote SMART
The only proposal on the Wayne County Primary Ballot is that for renewal of .59 of a mill for SMART, the suburban transportation system.

http://www.grossepointenews.co m/1homebody.lasso?-token.menus eclooptracking=1&-token.menuit emlooptracking=1
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Mackinaw
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Username: Mackinaw

Post Number: 1913
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 68.248.13.92
Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 9:52 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

SMART ridership is going up I'm pretty sure, and seems to be well-utilized by a small constituent of GP residents. There are multiple east-west routes going from downtown to the eastern suburbs.

While everyone is on the GP News website, they should look at the bold new plans for downtown GP (Kercheval @ Cadiuex), which are basically a lot of building up and out, making downtown larger and denser and MIXED USE. Jonna companies had a great proposal earlier this year...something of this magnitude so close to Detroit will do great things for the inner ring.
http://www.grossepointenews.com/1editorialbody.lasso?-token.folder=2006-02-09&-token.story=152177.112112&-nothing

(Message edited by mackinaw on July 27, 2006)
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Jt1
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Username: Jt1

Post Number: 7618
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 198.208.159.19
Posted on Friday, July 28, 2006 - 1:41 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Good for NOrthville fighting for the small shops that have more character than a lifestyle Center.

*I have never been to Northville so I don't know what the existing stuff is like but it is still nice to see an area try to keep local retailers **

http://detroitnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20060728/M ETRO01/607280351/1006

Leaders: Project will hurt shops

Northville business people say lifestyle center proposed for ex-hospital will threaten downtown.
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Zulu_warrior
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Username: Zulu_warrior

Post Number: 2957
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.251.27.41
Posted on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 4:04 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Sidewalk repair season sparks fights

Cracking the city code

Many homeowners question rules for walkway replacement

Christina Stolarz / The Detroit News


http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20060801/M ETRO/608010316




EASTPOINTE -- It's sidewalk repair season, and Walter Jakubiec feels like a marked man.

The city has spray-painted white marks on 18 square slabs of sidewalk in front of his home -- the dreaded sign that the slabs must be replaced, at a cost to Jakubiec of $66 each or $1,118 total.

Some slabs are cracked; some are raised. But the majority has shallow dime- or quarter-size pits or holes -- flaws Jakubiec considers minor.

Across Metro Detroit, homeowners like Jakubiec are flooding city halls with complaints about sidewalk replacement criteria that's confusing, inconsistent and -- during a summer of soaring gas prices and other economic pressures -- simply too expensive.

"They would mark two (slabs), skip two and mark one, and all five look the same," said Jakubiec, 63. "This has just gotten way out of hand. It's creating a financial hardship. It's too subjective."

Eastpointe's sidewalk project has angered residents so much that Jakubiec collected 550 signatures to bring the "pitting criteria" to voters. They say it's necessary to replace dangerous sidewalk, but they hope to outline clear guidelines for city inspectors to use.

But no matter how many complaint calls flood city offices each year, officials say they can't abandon the programs because keeping the sidewalks safe is a main concern. Without the programs, they face a huge liability if someone trips and sues, Eastpointe Councilman Ron Selvedge said.

"Every time somebody trips and falls, we get sued," he said. "The judges ask us if we have an active sidewalk program to show we are trying to keep our city sidewalks as safe as possible."

Still, residents say they're struggling to make ends meet and it's just too much for the city to ask them to pay for right now.

Summer traditionally is the time that cities inspect, mark and replace uneven or pitted sidewalks. But this year, sidewalk bills are making homeowners see red. And with replacement costs ranging widely from city to city -- from $66 in Eastpointe to $93 in Rochester Hills -- residents are left wondering what constitutes an acceptable sidewalk.

In Center Line, city officials relaxed the replacement criteria after upset residents complained they couldn't afford the bills. Residents in Roseville and St. Clair Shores are also up in arms over similar sidewalk projects.

Decision on rules due today

As soon as Candy Locke, 47, received a letter in the mail notifying her about the project, she checked her sidewalk and figured on only having to replace two or three slabs.

The single mother of three was stunned when the Eastpointe city inspectors decided to mark 16 slabs for replacement because they're pitted. She even did the high-heel test to make sure her sidewalk was safe.

"I flipped out. I wear heels and I can walk fine," said Locke, who works two jobs to pay the bills after her husband died two years ago from prostate cancer. "They left four (slabs) unmarked that are just as bad as the 16 that are marked.

"I think it's totally overboard."

The only way Locke said she can pay for the project is to log more hours at work. But, she -- and other angry Eastpointe residents -- are hoping it won't come to that if city officials decide to relax the criteria in response to their petition drive.

Mayor Dave Austin said the administration is trying to work on a way to lessen the project's burden on residents. A decision is expected to be announced at today's 7 p.m. City Council meeting, until then the remainder of this year's project has halted.

"I don't think anyone believes us when we say the number of lawsuits and costs of the lawsuits we have," said Austin, noting the city has had three lawsuits since November. "But, I think we're going to soften that load up a bit. The sidewalk program is for safety issues not aesthetics.

"The pitting got out of hand."

However, it's difficult to relax the criteria too much, he said, because the sidewalk slabs are only replaced in a specific area of the city every 12 years. Therefore, it often becomes a judgment call for inspectors if a slab is borderline dangerous because they won't be back to replace it for another decade.

Replacement criteria vary

Most cities flag slabs that are raised, cracked, pitted and have a level of deterioration because those are considered trip hazards.

The problems arise when the city employees who mark these trip hazards are inconsistent or disagree with the homeowner. And a difference of opinion over one slab could mean $79.50 in Grosse Pointe Woods or $73 in Ferndale.

That's why Ferndale sends only one inspector to review and mark each slab for replacement. The city's program replaces a section every 10 years.

"I try to go with the homeowner on any flags that are debatable," said Chuck Tucker, Ferndale's engineer technician. "It can be very expensive. … It's not really a household budget item that people count on."

Even though it's never cheap for homeowners to replace sidewalk, it's usually cheaper if done through the city's contractor because it's a bulk order. However, residents are given the option to use their own licensed contractor or do the work themselves, Rochester Hills transportation engineer Paul Shumejko said.

"We're not the most strict, we're not the most lenient," said Shumejko, noting the city inspects every sidewalk each year. "It's critical that we do it."

You can reach Christina Stolarz at (586) 468-0343 or cstolarz@detnews.com.
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Zulu_warrior
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Username: Zulu_warrior

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County board passes on supporting affirmative action
BY ALEX LUNDBERG
STAFF WRITER


A resolution to put the county commission's seal of approval on affirmative action policies was defeated largely along party lines at a recent commission regular meeting.

The Oakland County Board of Commissioners voted 13-11 against a miscellaneous resolution to support affirmative action policies in the county and the state. Commissioner Mike Rogers (R-Farmington Hills) was the only GOP member to cross party lines and vote with Democrats. Commissioner William Patterson (R-Oxford) was not in attendance.

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Commission Chairman Bill Bullard (R-Highland) said the vote on affirmative action was about the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative and not about county policies.

"This was an attempt to get the commission to take a position on the MCRI and I didn't think that was appropriate," he said. "We have a long-standing affirmative action policy and there's no belief that's going to change."

If the MCRI passes, he said there's going to be no change to Oakland County policies because those policies have nothing to do with race or gender preferences.

The MCRI would end preferences based on race, sex, skin color, ethnicity or national origin in public employment, public contracting and college admissions.

"We stand for equal opportunity and that will not change," Bullard said.

According to Commissioner Dave Woodward (D-Royal Oak), similar initiatives in other states have affected county policies and he thought it was appropriate for the commission to stake out its priorities clearly.

"If the MCRI passes, local policies will be null and void," he said. "That's what happened in California. We wanted to have this discussion in committee, but we couldn't get it heard. That the majority of Republicans on the commission turned a blind eye sends a chilly message."

As far as what's appropriate for the commission to address or ignore, he said recent moves by the commission to boycott the New York Times for its coverage of anti-terrorist campaigns shows that there's no precedent for the commission ignoring issues that have no bearing on county business.

Despite the vote on the resolution, he said county and state voters know the value of anti-discrimination programs and will defeat the MCRI.

"We (the commission) have taken steps to address inequities and break glass ceilings," Woodward said. "All sorts of groups have come out against the initiative and once the information is out, people will see the benefits of affirmative action."

alundberg@oe.homecomm.net | (248) 901-2536

Originally published August 3, 2006

http://www.hometownlife.com/ap ps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060 803/NEWS25/608030477/1023/NEWS 06
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Zulu_warrior
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Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 10:40 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Livonia Recall vote


SUMMARY REPORT PRIMARY ELECTION UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
RUN DATE:08/09/06 TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2006 REPORT-EL45 PAGE 001
RUN TIME:06:09 AM WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
VOTES PERCENT
RECALL OF ROBERT J. FREEMAN
Vote for Not More Than 1
(WITH 53 OF 53 COUNTED)
YES . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,727 37.78
NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,371 62.22
RECALL OF DANIEL LESSARD
Vote for Not More Than 1
(WITH 53 OF 53 COUNTED)
YES . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,916 38.62
NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,171 61.38
RECALL OF CYNTHIA MARKARIAN
Vote for Not More Than 1
(WITH 53 OF 53 COUNTED)
YES . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,646 37.56
NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,374 62.44
RECALL OF LYNDA L. SCHEEL
Vote for Not More Than 1
(WITH 53 OF 53 COUNTED)
YES . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,423 37.85
NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,830 62.15
RECALL OF KEVIN WHITEHEAD
Vote for Not More Than 1
(WITH 53 OF 53 COUNTED)
YES . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,516 38.27
NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,735 61.73

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