12/7/12 - St. Paulâs Episcopal Church-on-the-Millpond in Brighton wants to expand its facilities, and it received the blessing of the Brighton City Council Thursday night to proceed with the expansion. Church leaders told council they plan to construct a new building that will replace two additions, which were built in 1952 and in 1992. The main floor of the new building will be used for worship services and the lower level would serve for parish functions. The Rev. Deon Johnson, who is pastor of the church, tells WHMI the existing buildings were simply getting too inadequate for the parishâs expanding congregation of over 200 families. Rev. Johnson tells WHMI the parishioners decided they had too strong an attachment to the circa 1880 church building to demolish it, and it will function as a parish hall after the new building is constructed. The cost of the project is an estimated $2.1 million, which will be financed using church member donations and possible grant funds. He says the structure will architecturally complement the historic original church building, which lies on the Mill Pond in downtown Brighton. Behind the church is the historic Village Cemetery which is owned by the city of Brighton and includes the tomb of a former governor, Kinsley Bingham. After praising church leaders for their commitment to Brighton and their expansion plans, council Thursday night approved the site plans for the new church building. Rev. Johnson says they hope to break ground in April or early May, with completion 12-18 months later. (TT)
St. Paul's Church Will Expand with New Building in BrightonSt. Paul's Church Will Expand with New Building in Brighton
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Local GOP Lawmakers Say "Right To Work" Bills Benefit WorkersLocal GOP Lawmakers Say "Right To Work" Bills Benefit Workers
12/7/12 - Local lawmakers say controversial legislation that sparked protests at the state capitol Thursday is simply about freedom of choice for employees. The Republican-controlled state House and Senate each passed their own versions of right-to-work legislation late Thursday, which prohibits unions from collecting mandatory fees. Republican State Representative Bill Rogers of Genoa Township and GOP Senator Joe Hune of Hamburg Township support the legislation and say it gives employees freedom to make their own decisions. Rogers says these are all working adults and they should be allowed to have some flexibility instead of being forced into something. He says unions were formed a long time ago when people were truly abused. Rogers says there are enough federal and state regulations that protect employees now and feels questionable companies wouldnât have any employees and end up out of business anyway. Hune also doesnât buy the current public policy arguments being made and says if an employee decides they donât want to pay into a union and fund activities they might disagree with, they will no longer be mandated to. Outnumbered Democrats angrily denounced the bills, while several union activists packed the Capitol building in Lansing. Democrats say the legislation is nothing more than an attempt to erode workers' rights and is being shoved through during a lame duck session. Both Hune and Rogers anticipate the legislation will be signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder sometime next week. Photo courtesy the Associated Press. (JM)
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American Legion Christmas Tree Sale Benefits Local Non-ProfitsAmerican Legion Christmas Tree Sale Benefits Local Non-Profits
12/7/12 - The Sons of the American Legion in Howell are once again selling Christmas trees to raise money for local non-profits this month. The post began selling the trees about 20 years ago to help support area families. The proceeds from each yearâs sale will go to benefit families during the next Christmas season through organizations like Make a Wish, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Ashleyâs Friends, and the Michigan Special Olympics. Legion Post First Vice Ken Newell says the post usually sells out of trees several days before Christmas and any that are left over are given for free to local families in need. The American Legion Post 141 is located at the corner of M-59 and Grand River in Howell Township. Trees can be purchased for $25 apiece during regular post hours, which run from 10:30am to 11pm or later Monday through Saturday and from noon to 8pm on Sundays. Buyers can choose from White Fir, Blue Spruce, Douglas Fir, Scotch Pine, and Balsam Fir while supplies last. For more information, contact American Legion Devereaux Post 141 at 517-546-2534. Pictured is Wyatt Dunlap, member Sons of the American Legion. (TD)
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Howell City Council Plans Annual Retreat for February 2013Howell City Council Plans Annual Retreat for February 2013
12/8/12- Howell City Council will hold their 2013 Retreat this February. Council is condensing the retreat to only one day this year. They plan to bring a facilitator in to help them accomplish their goals in such a short period of time. While the annual retreat has typically been used by council to formulate a starting point for the budget, this yearâs format hasnât been decided yet. City Manager Shea Charles has proposed that the council use the time establish a long-term vision for the City of Howell. If council decides to take this route they would evaluate where the city stands now, and look to the future to see where they feel the city should be in 20 or 30 years and how they can get to that point. Council plans to confirm a facilitator and format for the retreat at their next regular meeting. (SO)
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County Passes 2013 Budget With Township Sewer Fund IntactCounty Passes 2013 Budget With Township Sewer Fund Intact
12/8/12 - A special fund set aside to protect township sewer projects went untouched by the countyâs 2013 budget approved by the Board of Commissioners Monday night. The approved budget for the fiscal year beginning January 1st is a little over $40.7 million, dropping less than half a percent from last yearâs budget. The budget made no alterations to an existing $2 million fund set aside as an emergency fund for township-level sewer projects. Commissioner Jim Mantey tells WHMI the fund was created last year to make sure the projects backed with the countyâs credit would not go into default. He says no additions or changes were made to the fund in the 2013 budget. While the budget was approved unanimously, other issues arose during the meeting. Commissioner Dave Domas tells WHMI there were some questions regarding employee compensation for miles traveled in their own vehicles on company business. He says the 25 cents per mile paid now is insufficient, and he would like to double that amount so employees do not feel they are paying the countyâs transportation costs. The general government committee chaired by Commissioner Steve Williams will study the issue before a report is made back to the board. Domas says it is possible that the issue will be ready for final approval before the last board meeting of the year, but arrangements would be made if it could not be resolved before the beginning of the new fiscal year. (TD)
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Brighton to Get Ice Skating Rink at Meijer ParkBrighton to Get Ice Skating Rink at Meijer Park
12/9/12 - Brighton will soon get an ice rink for the enjoyment of area skaters this winter. The Southeastern Livingston County Recreation Authority has plans to flood the cement slab at Meijer Park that is currently used solely for skateboarding. SELCRA Director Derek Smith says from feedback in the community heâs learned there is a great demand for a place to ice skate during the winter months. Smith says the Brighton Area Fire Department has offered to flood the cement and keep it flooded this winter. Also, a local businessman will lend his sidewalk cleaning machine, which will act somewhat like a small Zamboni, melting and smoothing the ice for re-freezing. Smith says heâs also expecting help from The Home Depot for lumber and other materials. The ice rink project is being made possible by a BP Fueling Communities grant through the Corrigan Oil Company. Smith also has plans for a splash pad at Meijer Park, which he outlined for the Brighton City Council at its meeting Thursday night. Smith tells WHMI theyâd like to have the splash pad by next summer, if feasible. Meanwhile, construction of the ice skating rink is expected to begin Monday, but the actual flooding will have to wait until the temperature dips below the freezing point during the daytime in order for the water to freeze. (TT)
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Northfield Police Warn Public About "Crimes of Opportunity"Northfield Police Warn Public About "Crimes of Opportunity"
12/9/12 - With colder weather upon us, Northfield Township Police are reminding the public about crimes of opportunity. Authorities advise that citizens avoid leaving their vehicle running when itâs cold and make sure to lock both your home and vehicle. They say any holiday gifts should be kept in the trunk and then removed once you get home. The Northfield Township Public Safety Department has taken multiple larceny reports over the past month, including one victim who had her catalytic convertor stolen while it was parked in a lot. Police says others occurred in subdivisions and the vast majority of vehicles that had property stolen were left unlocked but some had windows broken out. A burglary was also reported at the Northfield Church last month in which someone ransacked the interior looking to find valuables. The only item known to be missing was a collection jar. Police say that case is connected to a string of church break ins occurring in Washtenaw and Livingston Counties and officers are currently working with other task force officers in trying to close the cases. (JM)
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Volunteers Sought for Meals on WheelsVolunteers Sought for Meals on Wheels
12/10/12 - Volunteers are being sought to help bring nutrition and a friendly face to the senior citizens of Livingston County. The Senior Nutrition Program of Livingston County is looking for volunteer drivers and office workers for its Meals on Wheels program. Program Director Bridget Ajemian says Meals on Wheels still uses paid drivers for some of its routes, but as demand increases organizers are aiming to save money by having all routes taken over by volunteers in 2013. Ajemian says 300 local seniors are served by Meals on Wheels every day, and that the social contact is often just as appreciated as the food. For more information on how to volunteer, call Livingston County Senior Nutrition at 810-632-2155 or follow the link posted below. (TD)
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Huron Valley Board of Education Begins Superintendent Interviews Huron Valley Board of Education Begins Superintendent Interviews
12/10/12 - The Huron Valley Schools Board of Education is continuing the process to find its next leader and some familiar candidates are being considered. The board plans to interview four candidates for the superintendent position, beginning tonight. They were selected from a pool of 14 applicants following a special meeting of the board and include James Baker, who is currently serving as interim superintendent and previously served as the districtâs Executive Director of Human Resources. The other candidates include Birmingham Public Schools Deputy Superintendent Paul DeAngelis, who served as the Director of Community Education at Huron Valley Schools until 2006; Dr. Robert Shaner, the Executive Director of Instruction and Technology for the Warren Consolidated School District and Cindy Weber, Superintendent of Durand Area Schools. Interviews will be approximately 90 minutes in length and conducted over two special board meetings that are open to the community. Mondayâs interviews begin at 6pm at Milford High School, with Tuesdayâs interviews taking place at Lakeland High School. (JM)
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Memorial Bricks on Sale For Brighton Veterans MonumentMemorial Bricks on Sale For Brighton Veterans Monument
12/10/12 - Residents and businesses can now purchase commemorative bricks to be part of the new veteransâ memorial planned for the Brighton Mill Pond. Veteransâ Memorial Committee Chairman Bryan Bradford tells WHMI the new monument will be a major step up from the existing rock. It will be shaped like a horseshoe, with the walkway around it dubbed the âWalk of Heroesâ made of bricks purchased by local residents or organizations. Each brick will feature only the name of a veteran chosen by the sponsor, and if the sponsor does not know any veterans they wish to sponsor the Memorial Committee will help find one through local veteransâ associations. Bricks will cost $100 each plus $15 for the printing process and will be on sale through June. As many as 850 bricks will be sold. The memorial itself will represent all five branches of the military, and the centerpiece will include the existing rock on top of a replica pillbox fortification. A dedication and opening of the new memorial is planned for Veteranâs Day 2013. Bradford adds the new memorial will be a tribute to all veterans, including wartime, peacetime, active, and reservist soldiers, whereas the plaque on the current monument specifies only wartime veterans. For more information, follow the link posted at WHMI.com. He adds that purchasing and dedicating a brick can be done as a Christmas gift for a veteran. (TD)
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New Hunting Tract Opened Near Gregory State Game AreaNew Hunting Tract Opened Near Gregory State Game Area
12/10/12 - The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has announced that a new parcel of land is open for public access in Livingston County, near Stockbridge. Called The Vigo Tract, the parcel contains quality habitat and hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, waterfowl and small game. Additional recreational opportunities there include trapping, hiking, camping and bird watching. The Unadilla State Wildlife Area, part of the Gregory State Game Area, borders the Vigo Tract to the south; this acquisition now allows for Doyle Road access to the state game area. The land is comprised of 2,850 feet of water frontage on Sharp and McConachie lakes and includes 123 acres of mixed agriculture in the northern and portions of the southwestern part of the property, with 77 acres of wooded wetlands and lake frontage on the remaining portions. Kristin Bissell, a DNR wildlife biologist said the acquisition will expand recreational opportunities for local residents and supports efforts to enhance ecosystem management in the area. While there are no fees associated with public use of the land, all state-issued hunting, trapping and fishing licenses will apply. (JK)
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Opera House Hosts Winter Marketplace & Visit From Santa
12/10/12 - The last Howell Winter Marketplace of the year will have Santa Claus make a guest appearance this weekend. The Winter Marketplace is an indoor sales floor for local vendors at the Howell Opera House that is held twice a month from November to April. Goods on sale at the market include local food such as eggs, meat, and baked goods along with products like crafts, art, jewelry, photography, and holiday gifts. The last marketplace of 2012 will take place this Sunday, and Santa will be on hand the whole time to talk with children and pose for photos. Admission is free and the market will be open from 10am to 2pm. For more information, call the Opera House at 517-540-0065. (TD)
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"Project Sticker Shock" Targets Adults Who Buy Alcohol For Minors"Project Sticker Shock" Targets Adults Who Buy Alcohol For Minors
12/10/12 - A community wide campaign that aims to shock some sense into local adults who might be purchasing alcohol for minors gets underway this month. "Project Sticker Shock" is a student and volunteer driven initiative to change adult attitudes about selling and providing alcohol to minors. Itâs organized by the Livingston County Community Alliance and kicks off at 3pm on December 19th. That's when more than a dozen students will span out at participating businesses where alcohol is sold and place bright orange stickers on cases of beer and wine coolers. The stickers remind buyers that it is illegal to purchase alcohol for minors and the consequences of the crime - which is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and up to a $2500 fine. Community Alliance Coordinator Kaitlin Fink says this is the third year of the campaign, which is a very visible effort implemented in the Hartland, Pinckney, Hamburg, Howell and Brighton areas. Businesses taking part in Project Sticker Shock this year include Lake Landing Market, Jonnaâs Market Jonnaâs 2 Go, and Boomers Party Store. Fink says any others that would like to take part have until December 14th to join and are asked to contact Fink with the Livingston County Community Alliance at 517-545-5944. (JM)
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Pinckney Schools Submit Deficit Reduction Plan To StatePinckney Schools Submit Deficit Reduction Plan To State
12/10/12 - State education officials are reviewing a recently filed budget deficit elimination plan by Pinckney Community Schools. The Board of Education met last week and unanimously approved sending its deficit reduction plan to the Michigan Department of Education. The district was required to file the plan by last Friday, marking the second go-round for Pinckney Schools since its first proposal was rejected by the state. The latest plan calls for across-the-board pay cuts of 20% to eliminate the projected budget deficit of $1.9 (m) million, which would need to be negotiated with union officials. Pinckney is the second deficit district as defined by the state in Livingston County. It joins Brighton Area Schools, which has been working for years to erase its âlegacy deficitâ inherited from past boards and administrations. Officials there had set a goal to eliminate the remaining $7 (M) million deficit by the end of the 2013/2014 fiscal year. (JM)
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Trolley Contributed to Fowlerville Woman's Death, But Not CauseTrolley Contributed to Fowlerville Woman's Death, But Not Cause
12/10/12 - A Tennessee medical examiner has concluded a rollover crash involving a tourist trolley contributed to the death of a Livingston County woman, but was not the primary cause. Eunice Spencer of Fowlerville died September 14th, 11 days after the Labor Day crash in Gatlinburg. The Tennessee Highway Patrol said the accident happened after the driver of a trolley negotiating a right hand curve pulled off to the side of the road to avoid oncoming traffic. Authorities say the weight of the trolley caused the ground to collapse beneath it. The trolley then overturned and rolled down an embankment, throwing Spencer from her seat. A second passenger in the trolley from Brown City, Michigan sustained non-life threatening injuries. Spencer and the other woman were visiting the area following a wedding in North Carolina and were riding the trolley to see an arts and crafts community. Spencer was taken to University of Tennessee Hospital with broken ribs and other injuries. The final autopsy report said Spencer died of cardiovascular disease and that other conditions contributed to her death - among them blunt force chest trauma, asthma, emphysema and obesity. (JK)
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County Repeals Local Ordinance Governing Body Art BusinessesCounty Repeals Local Ordinance Governing Body Art Businesses
12/11/12- The Livingston County Department of Public Health will repeal a local ordinance that regulates body art establishments. At last nightâs regular meeting, the Livingston County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to remove an ordinance that governs Permanent Makeup, Tattoo, and Body Art Businesses from the countyâs Sanitary Code. The ordinance was put into place in 2008, but was shorty followed by state legislation that includes similar regulations. With state legislation in place, the county has found the local regulations to be unnecessary. Diane McCormick, the Environmental Health Director with the LCDPH tells WHMI that the state legislation is much more comprehensive and uniform than what the county had in place. The LCDPH will still issue licenses and enforce rules for local body art establishments, but will no longer follow two sets of regulations to do so. Moving forward, body art businesses in the area will only have to meet the requirements of the state legislation in order to operate. (SO)
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Leach Conducts Last Meeting As Brighton Board President Leach Conducts Last Meeting As Brighton Board President
12/11/12 - Cheryl Leach conducted her last meeting Monday night as president of the Brighton Area Schools Board of Education. Leach has been board president for the past three years and was treasurer in her first year on the board. Board members and Superintendent Greg Gray all were high in their praise of Leach for helping to ârightâ the district ship after tumultuous times under previous boards and administrations. Leach tells WHMI that the school district has successfully overcome many difficulties over the last several years. Leach, a retired former superintendent in the Clarenceville School District, says she has been going to school board meetings for the last 24 years and that is enough for anyone. Leach is married and the coupleâs son graduated from Brighton High School in June. She and her husband plan to travel on behalf of the family business, E & M Consulting, a medical coding and applications company. Leach says the board will be in good hands after her departure. Its membership will soon include newcomer Nick Fiani, who was elected to replace Leach as a trustee in November. He will be sworn in at an organizational meeting in January, at which time officers will be elected for the coming year. (TT)
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Green Oak Seeks Desist Order Against Liquid Manufacturing Green Oak Seeks Desist Order Against Liquid Manufacturing
12/11/12 - Green Oak Township is asking a local judge to shut down Liquid Manufacturing after several inspections conducted by the municipality and the state found numerous zoning, fire and safety code violations. The township is seeking a preliminary injunction prohibit the defendant from occupying or using the property until all code violations and unsafe conditions are corrected. It asks that an immediate cease and desist order be issued to prevent all wastewater discharges from the property to the township sewer system and wastewater treatment plant. Furthermore, the complaint asks that the township be authorized to enter the property and conduct a complete inspection with a receiver appointed to monitor any work needed to bring the building and property into compliance at the expense of the defendant. The complaint filed in Livingston County Circuit Court shows the township has been working with the company for years to address all of the outstanding issues, but no progress has been made and about 50% of the building doesnât not comply with code and is unlawfully occupied. It says Liquid stores and uses a significant quantity of hazardous and toxic materials and chemicals and lacks the proper containment measures to prevent them from entering the municipal sewer system and wastewater treatment plant. Several inspection and violation notices have been issued. All parties are set to appear for a hearing next week. Supervisor Mark St. Charles declined to comment on the pending litigation while Liquid Manufacturing CEO Peter Paisley did not return calls placed by WHMI for comment. (JM)
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Howell School Board Members Criticize Legislature Howell School Board Members Criticize Legislature
12/11/12 - While thanking outgoing members for their service, two Howell Board of Education members chose to speak out on the recent actions of the Michigan legislature. Last night marked the final meeting for members Ed Literski, Jan Lobur, and Board President Ann Routt. During the meeting Routt took time to express her opinions regarding actions taken by the Republican-led lame duck legislature. She said she was saddened by how the legislature chose to act on bills such as the right-to-work law and that she believes its actions will be detrimental to public education in the state. Routt was not the only board member to speak on state issues. Mike Witt, who will remain on the board, also chose to speak out regarding how changes in state funding made by the legislature would affect public education. He claims $1 billion was taken out of state school funding to compensate for the single business tax cut and that legislators blame the move on the poor fiscal decisions of school districts. He called that a âsmoke screenâ and blamed failing schools on a lack of state funding rather than a poor fiscal planning. Budget projections predict $3 million shortfalls for Howell Schools for the next two years. Board member Mike Maloney, who ran as part of a conservative slate in November, declined to give comment on the statements made by Routt and Witt, saying the issues were beyond the scope of the office to which he was elected. All members of the board and Superintendent Ron Wilson publicly thanked the outgoing members for their work on the board. (TD)
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Howell Township Board Mulling Changes To Sewer Ordinance Howell Township Board Mulling Changes To Sewer Ordinance
12/11/12 - The Howell Township Board is considering changing ordinance requirements for users located within a certain distance from its sewer system. The municipality enforces a state code that says those located within 200 feet of a sewer line and have been notified in writing are required to connect. Per that same code, anyone outside of the 200 feet does not have to connect to the public sanitary sewer system. The state and health department discourage more septic fields going in so municipalities are allowed to override that portion of state code and require that a user within a specified distance connect to a sewer system. Clerk Carolyn Eaton tells WHMI that the board is considering implementing a more stringent ordinance requirement, although itâs still unclear exactly what the distance would be. Officials will be contacting other townships to see what they average and then have legal counsel investigate whether that it is feasible or not. Eaton says there was also talk of contacting a contractor to see how much the cost would be per linear foot to connect and determine if there is a breaking point where it suddenly it gets extremely expensive for a user so perhaps that could serve as the cut-off point. The board has been grappling to with the municipalityâs bad water and sewer debt, left mostly by developers when the economy crashed. Voters have twice turned down a related millage request and while the municipality could raise water and rates again, officials say theyâre already so far behind the rates would be way too high to actually do that. If the budget shows a deficit next year, then itâs possible the board would qualify for a state loan. (JM)
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