2/18/15 - To the likely dismay of motorists and residents, a bridge closure in Brighton Township is expected to continue indefinitely in the best interest of public safety. The Pleasant Valley Road Bridge is located on a gravel portion of the roadway, west of the GM Proving Grounds. The Livingston County Road Commission was forced to close the structure late last summer after it was determined that continued use could result in failure of the support system of the bridge. Managing Director Mike Craine tells WHMI they are still working to identify options and potential project funding. Although some have been inconvenienced by the closure, Craine is hopeful they will be able to find a solution over the next few months. He says theyâre continuing work with their consultants to try and find a design solution that is both acceptable to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality but still affordable. The Road Commission warned early on that the unexpected closure could be extensive. It was the result of an inspection of a small bridge crossing which indicated that the load-carrying capacity of the bridge had been compromised. The detour route includes Kensington Road and Jacoby Road. (JM)
Pleasant Valley Road Bridge Closure To Continue IndefinitelyPleasant Valley Road Bridge Closure To Continue Indefinitely
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Brighton DDA to Close on Property for Additional Parking Brighton DDA to Close on Property for Additional Parking
2/18/15 - The Brighton Downtown Development Authority voted Tuesday to close on the purchase of a downtown property for a new parking lot, pending the outcome of an environmental review. The site in question is the former Grand Mart on Grand River, just east of the North Street intersection. The purchase price is $349,000, to be paid for via a 10-year land contract. DDA and Community Development Director Matt Modrack says the city got a "clean" review in the Phase 1 environmental report and he expects the same with Phase 2. That report should be completed in about one week, after which if all goes as planned, the building on the property will be razed to create a parking area with 26-28 spaces. Modrack says although not a large lot, it will be in the section of downtown that is in the greatest need of more parking spaces. He says the site will be used for "transitional" parking for the foreseeable future, but if a developer comes along and wants to buy it, the DDA would entertain selling the property. Bids will be taken on the demolition of the property as soon as the clean environmental review is received by the city. Modrack says the new parking lot - when combined with the CSX west parking lot on Main Street just west of the railroad tracks â should substantially alleviate the parking shortage downtown. Picture courtesy of Google Street View. (TT/JM)
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Griffith Says State Of The County Is Good & Getting BetterGriffith Says State Of The County Is Good & Getting Better
2/18/15 - More than fifty people attended the State of the County address by Livingston County Board of Commissioners Chair Carol Griffith last night. The annual address covers the accomplishments and efforts of the county government over the past year as well as what goals it has planned for the coming months. A realtor by trade, Griffith used data from the real estate market to illustrate the continuing economic recovery of the local area. She says home values in Livingston County have increased from $175,000 in 2013 to $219,000 last year. Accomplishments she touted in her address included the creation of a strategic plan for the county, major improvements in succession planning, and the formation of a new committee to facilitate communication between the legislature and local stakeholders. Near the end of the State of the County address, Griffith issued a statement to Lansing. Governor Snyder, in his State of the State address, announced the merger of the Department of Community Health and the Department of Human Services as a way to streamline the services provided by both. In her address, Griffith called on Snyder to invite representatives from county government to the table as a state task force examines how that change will be implemented. Griffith says often these types of changes create unfunded mandates on counties and that perspective needs to be represented. (TD/JK)
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Applicants Sought To Become New Hartland Township Deputy ClerkApplicants Sought To Become New Hartland Township Deputy Clerk
2/18/15 - Hartland Township is seeking applications from people who would like to become the municipalityâs next deputy clerk. The township recently chose accountant Larry Ciofu to serve as its new clerk following the unexpected passing of Larry Hopkins in December. Since that time, Deputy Clerk Rebecca Schilling chose to leave the area, moving to a property in the northern part of the state. The township is now looking for someone to take her place and work with Ciofu to administer the election process and clerical duties. According to the job posting, qualified applicants would be highly organized with strong customer service and computer skills. Those who apply should have a high school diploma and two to three years of experience, preferably in election administration. The 20-hour-per-week job has a starting wage of just over $17 an hour, with the potential to increase to about $23 per hour. Those interested in applying should submit a cover letter and resume to the Hartland Township clerkâs office by February 26th. (TD)
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Crashes From Light Snow Highlight Morning CommuteCrashes From Light Snow Highlight Morning Commute
2/18/15 - A light snow led to some slippery road conditions this morning and numerous road run-offs and spinout accidents across the Livingston County area. The biggest accident involved a rolled-over SUV on I-96 near Latson Road. (pictured) Livingston County Sheriff's officials say that fortunately none of the crashes involved serious injuries. Picture courtesy of Dee Welbon. (JK)
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Rally Kicks Off Ann Arbor To Traverse City Rail ProposalRally Kicks Off Ann Arbor To Traverse City Rail Proposal
2/18/15 - A campaign officially began last night to establish commuter train service connecting Traverse City and Ann Arbor, with Howell as a stop along the way. The proposed commuter train would run on an existing 240-mile rail line currently used for freight services. It would originate in Ann Arbor, with stops in Whitmore Lake, Hamburg Township and Howell before proceeding north with stops in Owosso, Mt. Pleasant and Cadillac before reaching Traverse City and potentially even Petoskey. A public forum was hosted Monday in Traverse City by the Michigan Land Use Institute, which is trying to generate public support before they seek state and federal funding. The Michigan Land Use Institute hopes to begin conducting feasibility studies on the route in 2016. Officials estimate the commuter train service could be ready by 2025. The portion of the line that runs from Ann Arbor to Howell is also under consideration by the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority as a commuter rail service, more commonly known as WALLY, or the Washtenaw and Livingston line. WALLY organizers say they arenât opposed to the Michigan Land Use Institute plan in concept, but will wait for the results of the feasibility studies before formally endorsing it. Picture courtesy of Michigan Land Use Institute Facebook page. (JK)
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Livingston County Named Richest Among Michigan's 83 Counties Livingston County Named Richest Among Michigan's 83 Counties
2/18/15 - Livingston County has been given the title of Michiganâs richest county. As part of a special report, 24/7 Wall Street identified the richest county in each state based on data from the Census Bureauâs American Community Survey. In order to be considered, counties had to have a population of at least 10,000 people. Livingston County was deemed the richest county in Michigan and ranked 22nd on the nationwide list. Livingston County has a median household income of $72,359 - compared to the state median household income of $48,411. The percentage of local households making $200,000 or more was listed at 4.8%. The article states that the high incomes in Livingston County likely helped residents purchase their homes. Between 2008 and 2013, more than 85% of the housing units in the county were actually owned by their occupants - one of the highest rates in the country. While Livingston County residents tended to be wealthier than most Americans, the countyâs unemployment rate of 8.1% in 2013 was higher than the national average. Taken as a whole, Michigan residents are generally not very wealthy. The article points out that the annual income for a typical family in the state was considerably less than the national median income. Meanwhile, a separate report identified Lake County near Manistee as the poorest county in Michigan. A link to the full report is below. (JM)
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Decision Reversed In Crash Involving Teen In U of M Driving StudyDecision Reversed In Crash Involving Teen In U of M Driving Study
2/19/15 - The Michigan Court of Appeals has reversed a lower court ruling in the case of a father and son injured in a 2011 crash caused by a teen who was part of a driving study. Plaintiffs Kenneth and John Bogos filed suit against Clayton Spore and the Regents of the University of Michigan following the accident that occurred on October 28th, 2011. The plaintiffs claimed they were rear-ended by Spore on Old US-23, who was driving a U of M vehicle while participating in a university study intended to observe unsafe driving habits of teens. The study involved teens who were videotaped while driving and monitored for 14 weeks. The plaintiffs claimed gross negligence and the culmination of a series of negligent activities caused the crash â alleging Spore was 16-years-old at the time and operating an unfamiliar vehicle as an inexperienced driver at an unreasonable rate of speed. A Livingston County Circuit Court judge denied a motion by the defendants for summary disposition, remarking there were questions of fact that should be decided by a jury as to whether the defendantâs conduct constituted gross negligence and that he was not entitled to immunity. The appeal followed and the trial court decision was recently reversed by the Court of Appeals in favor of the defendant. However, the Regents of the University of Michigan were dismissed from the suit and were not a party to the appeal, only Spore. U of M Spokesman Rick Fitzgerald tells WHMI the university conducts ongoing studies related to driving behaviors and the court ruling indicates that this was an ordinary crash. However, Fitzgerald says it was unusual in that it was documented in an extraordinary way because of the study. A complaint alleged the defendant was driving an unfamiliar university vehicle at an unreasonable speed, had failed to clear the windshield of frost, was texting while driving and talking on the phone while adjusting the defrost controls when he hit the plaintiffs. The opinion issued by the appeals court stated that considering the totality of circumstances, it was apparent that the defendantâs conduct amounted to ordinary negligence - not gross negligence, which means âconduct so reckless as to demonstrate a substantial lack of concern for whether an injury resultsâ. The full COA opinion can be viewed in the attachment below. (JM)
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Gentry To Replace Steele As Green Oak Twp. Fire Chief Gentry To Replace Steele As Green Oak Twp. Fire Chief
2/19/15 - Green Oak Township will be getting a new fire chief in the next few months, with the Board of Trustees formally accepting the resignation of Fire Chief William Steele at its meeting Wednesday night. The board also approved naming Deputy Chief Kevin Gentry as Steeleâs successor. Steele has been the fire chief in Green Oak for the last 14 years, after arriving in the township from Ann Arbor, where he had retired as operations chief after a 30-year career. Steele will remain with the Green Oak department as chief until May 29th, when Gentry will take over. Steele tells WHMI that one of the accomplishments in which he takes the most pride is passage of a millage less than two years ago that will provide for the departmentâs needs in the foreseeable future. The 1.7-mill levy, which is for 10 years, generates $1.43 million annually with which to operate the department. Gentry, Steeleâs future successor, is a 22-year veteran of the department â the last 12 years of it as deputy chief. Township Supervisor Mark St. Charles tells WHMI that Gentry was Steeleâs recommendation to succeed him and the board readily concurred. The Board of Trustees Wednesday authorized the personnel committee to negotiate a compensation package for Gentry. To avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, Township Clerk Mike Sedlak excused himself from the upcoming negotiations. In addition to his duties as clerk, Sedlak also holds a command position in the fire dept. (TT)
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Bill Rogers Among Those Seeking County Administrator PositionBill Rogers Among Those Seeking County Administrator Position
2/19/15 - With Livingston Countyâs administrator stepping down this summer, a well-known figure in local politics may take her place. Belinda Peters has worked for the county for about 16 years, but has chosen to leave her post as the county administrator this summer. She plans to retire and move to North Carolina. Among those interested in taking her place in county government is Bill Rogers, who left the Michigan House of Representatives due to term limits last year. Rogers says he is looking for a new way to serve the people of Livingston County, and he has applied to the administratorâs position. Before serving in the legislature, Rogers was the chair of the Livingston County Board of Commissioners. While he says he is very qualified for the job, he has also heard that the search firm hired to assist the county has received about 170 applications so far. Rogers says he is not surprised that a job like this in such an attractive and affluent county. The position offers a salary of between $112,000 and $129,000 and includes a comprehensive benefits package. The posting for it will close on March 1st. (TD)
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Despite Top Ranking For Livingston Kids, Troubling Trends EmergeDespite Top Ranking For Livingston Kids, Troubling Trends Emerge
2/19/15 - A report on child and family well-being offers mixed results for Michigan children, including Livingston County, which received an overall top ranking but also saw troublesome trends in particular categories. The Kids Count in Michigan report, released today by the Michigan League for Public Policy, finds that while some factors related to education and health improved for the state's nearly 2.5 million children between 2006 and 2013, economic security declined. According to the report, nearly one in every four Michigan children lives in an impoverished household. That's a 35% increase in the rate of child poverty over the six years. The report ranks Michigan's counties on child well-being in the areas of economic security, health, education, and family and community. Livingston and Ottawa counties tied for the top rating. Livingston also had the lowest rate of children eligible for food assistance (13.1%) and the number of students eligible for free or reduced lunch (21.5%). And while Livingston Countyâs poverty rate of 8.7% is best on the state, it still represents a 53% increase in the last six years. The report also noted an 84% increase between 2006 and 2013 in the number of Livingston County children who either entered foster care or were placed in the care of a relative. Jane Zehnder-Merrell, Kids Count Michigan project director with the Michigan League for Public Policy, says the disparity is troubling, but highlights the need for a strong safety net. She points to the 70% cut in 2011 to the state's Earned Income Tax Credit, which goes to families struggling to make ends meet. Michigan voters will choose whether to restore it on the May 5 ballot as part of the proposal to increase the sales tax to raise money for the stateâs roads. Zehnder-Merrell says approval would be a positive step toward alleviating the conditions that are at the heart of child poverty. (JK)
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Fenton Resident Purchases Ceremonial Key To FlintFenton Resident Purchases Ceremonial Key To Flint
2/19/15 - An online sale will return a former key to the City of Flint to a nearby municipality. An auction on eBay recently sold a ceremonial key to Flint to a buyer in Fenton. And while Fenton is just a few miles south of Flint, the key will be coming from a whole lot farther as a man in Tampa, Florida was the seller. Originally Steven Tester, a former GM engineer, planned to keep the key after buying it for $10 at an estate sale. But after his wife convinced him to sell it, he placed on the online auction site was pleasantly surprised when it almost immediately began to attract bids. When all was said and done, the key was sold for more than $250 to the Fenton buyer. Tester said he tried to find out more information about who originally received the ceremonial key, but was unable to do so. Tester told MLive.com that he plans to use the money from the auction to pay some bills, including toward a car he is having fixed. He said overall he is just happy the key went to someone in Michigan. Picture courtesy of eBay. (JK)
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Brighton Developing Parking Rules And Regulations Brighton Developing Parking Rules And Regulations
2/19/15 - Officials are working to address the bigger parking picture in the City of Brighton and the public will be asked to weigh in on new regulations once drafted. The Brighton Downtown Development Authority is in the process of developing a long-term parking strategy including a set of rules and regulations. The DDA is working in conjunction with the Brighton Police Department. Among the features of a new ordinance to be enacted will be establishment of two and three hour parking zones, as well as areas designated for long-term parking. The DDA will be holding a series of public meetings on a set of recommendations for a parking strategy during the month of March. After the meetings are held and the recommendations approved by the DDA, they will go to the Brighton City Council for final approval. Times and dates of the upcoming meetings should be announced in the near future. (TT/JM)
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Open House Offers Details On US-23/I-96 Realignment ProjectOpen House Offers Details On US-23/I-96 Realignment Project
2/19/15 - The Michigan Department of Transportation held an informational meeting at the Brighton Township Hall last night to share details of an upcoming road project with residents. MDOT plans to begin work next month on large-scale improvements to the interchange between I-96 and US-23. This includes major repair work to the bridges and to correct the ramps by introducing collector-distributor lanes, which will put an end to traffic merging from ramps into left-hand lanes. MDOT Construction Engineer James Daavettila tells WHMI most of the residents who visited the informational meeting had questions about the improvements and the disruption to traffic in that heavily-traveled interchange. Residents were especially interested in the planned 45-day closure of Spencer Road, which has yet to be scheduled but will likely take place in the next few months. MDOT is working with local municipalities to determine the best way to time that. However, some residents were more concerned with the issue of noise. Several nearby homeowners brought up concerns that the removal of trees and increased elevation of the roadway would exacerbate the noise problem. MDOT officials say a noise study was conducted in keeping with federal regulations, and that new trees will be planted in some areas. The residents citing concerns pointed out that the noise study was conducted in November and December, when drivers slow down for safety and therefore make less noise. They plan to ask for another study to be conducted when the weather is more favorable. (TD)
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Brighton Approves CSX West Parking Lot for Overflow ParkingBrighton Approves CSX West Parking Lot for Overflow Parking
2/20/15 - The Brighton City Council granted conditional approval of the site plan for the planned CSX parking lot at its meeting Thursday night. The discussion caused some debate, with a couple of council members wanting to initially address just the front portion of the parking lot, which will be paved, and later â after the new parking ordinance has been approved - the rear portion, which will not be paved. Council was told the only problem would be that if the two portions of the parking lot were approved separately, most of the major summer civic events would have already taken place by the time it would be open to the public. The parking lot has already been used in recent years illegally, primarily during special events, when parking has been hard to find anywhere in the downtown area. The problems associated with leaving the parking lot unimproved are threefold. According to DDA and Community Development Director Matt Modrack, itâs dangerous because the parking area is not shielded from the railroad tracks by a fence, and the surface is irregular, which could cause injury to those who park and walk there. Finally, because the DDA recently signed a lease with the CSX Railroad, the city is now legally liable if someone suffers injury or death on the premises. The council also voted to hold one or more special meetings as needed to fast-track the still-under-development revision to the city parking ordinance so the paved front portion and the gravel rear portion of the parking lot can be finished as soon as possible. City Manager Dana Foster says that out of consideration to nearby residents, vehicles that park in the CSX West parking lot will not have access from the back end to North Third St. However, there will be a locked gate near the rear which the fire department will be able to open in case of a car fire or other emergency. (TT)
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Prison Ordered For Man Whose Drugs Killed Genoa WomanPrison Ordered For Man Whose Drugs Killed Genoa Woman
2/20/15 - A prison sentence has been handed down for a Detroit man accused of selling a Brighton woman the drugs she used to fatally overdose last year. 31-year-old Sofronzo Eric Horne was originally charged with delivering a controlled substance causing death following the fatal overdose of 28-year-old Deidre Alvis in Genoa Township on July 4th, 2013. In January, Horne pleaded guilty to the lesser included offense of delivering heroin. He was sentenced on Thursday to serve 12 to 30 years in prison, with credit for 523 days already served. Testimony from a friend of Alvisâ indicated that they twice purchased heroin from Horne, using it first in a garage at a home in Detroit and then again in their car as they returned to his home in Livingston County. The friend said Alvis nodded off while they were watching a movie. When he could not wake her, he had his parents call 911. She was later pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy determined Alvis died from multiple drug intoxication including heroin and cocaine. Horne was arrested in September of 2013 at his Detroit residence. (TD)
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OLHSA's 25th Annual Walk For Warmth Set Saturday OLHSA's 25th Annual Walk For Warmth Set Saturday
2/20/15 - With subzero temperatures sweeping across the state this winter, the need to provide assistance to local households facing heating emergencies is taking on added urgency. Heat is a necessity that not everyone can afford, but one that the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency has worked to address for the past 25 years with its annual Walk for Warmth events that raise funds for the non-profitâs Emergency Utility Assistance Program. OLHSA CEO Ron Borngesser tells WHMI 25 years is certainly a milestone for the community action agency and it all began with a desire to help people with limited options get through the winter. All of the funds raised stay in Livingston County and Borngesser says the indoor walk-a-thon is an easy way to get people together and raise money for a worthy cause. The Livingston event will take place this Saturday and Borngesser says it may be cold outside but the hearts of participants will be warmed knowing that they helped heat a home. Last yearâs event raised a record $71,000 and helped serve 450 individuals in Livingston County. Livingston County Undersheriff Mike Murphy is chairing the walk for the second year, which offers family fun and entertainment including face painting, balloon animals, jazzercise, vendors and refreshments. The walk will be emceed by WHMI-FMâs Buzz Elliott, a supporter of this event for 15 years. Registration begins at 8:30am Saturday at the Hartland Educational Support Service Center on M-59, with the walk kicking off at 9am. Additional details are available through the link below. (JM)
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Minor Damage In Fenton Fire Hall Restaurant BlazeMinor Damage In Fenton Fire Hall Restaurant Blaze
2/20/15 - In spite of its name, the Fenton Fire Hall restaurant caught fire and suffered some minor damage yesterday. Fenton Fire Chief Bob Cairnduff tells WHMI the incident began at about 6:30 Thursday night. Crews were called out to the restaurant for a fire isolated to the buildingâs rooftop. They found a blaze about eight feet wide surrounding a ventilation system. The restaurant staff was already helping patrons out of the building when fire crews arrived. Cairnduff says fire crews had some difficulty working in the subzero temperatures, including a frozen fire hydrant. The cause of the roof fire is still under investigation, but he suspects the kitchen fires below the ventilation system at the center of the flames are to blame. The restaurant posted on its Facebook page that this sort of thing is one of the perils of cooking with a wood-fire grill. Cairnduff says open-flame kitchens do pose a fire risk, but he doubts the Fenton Fire Hall will have this problem again. The restaurant is closed until further notice while damage from the fire and the water used to extinguish it is repaired. (TD)
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Howell Mayor Phil Campbell Announces Resignation Howell Mayor Phil Campbell Announces Resignation
2/20/15 - Life changes have prompted Howell Mayor Phil Campbell to announce his resignation from office. The middle school history teacher says new professional opportunities opened up late last year and he intended to continue his mayoral duties. However, he says it became increasingly clear heâs overextended and has not been able to give his family life, teaching responsibilities and affairs of the City the close attention they deserve. Campbell tells WHMI he came into office abruptly, out of nowhere really, and will always remember the way everybody reached out to work with him. Campbell says heâs met innumerable residents, businesses and others in the community during his tenure and developed a lot of good relationships, many of which he feels will endure after heâs gone. Being the youngest mayor elected in the cityâs history at the age of 31 in fall of 2011 also brought a kind of new dynamic to the office. Campbell says he has really tried to reach out with modern tools of communication and social media to make government more transparent. Campbell tells WHMI heâs also tried to push for direct accessibility to the mayor as the point of contact for issues or problems with the city - something he feels was successful and is really proud of. Campbell acknowledged disagreements but says he has tried to be charitable and patient to all, as well as just and informed in his decision making. Overall, he said it was a very good experience and hopes in some way his presence has made a positive difference so âmaybe theyâll name a bench after me or somethingâ. Campbellâs seat is one of four on the Howell City Council that will be up for election this November. His resignation will be effective at midnight on Saturday, February 21st. Mayor Pro-Tem Dr. Al Schlittler is expected to assume the mayoral responsibilities in the interim. Campbell's resignation letter is attached below. (JM)
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Suspect In Fiery Drunk Driving Death Headed To TrialSuspect In Fiery Drunk Driving Death Headed To Trial
2/20/15 - A man charged in connection with a fiery crash that killed a Milford Township woman is heading to trial. 41-year-old Goran Djordjevski of Farmington Hills is charged with operating while intoxicated causing death and failure to stop at the scene of an accident when at fault resulting in death. Both charges are 15-year felonies and were filed in connection with the accident that occurred in Commerce Township on Monday, January 26th near the intersection of Pontiac Trail and Addington Drive. In court Wednesday, a judge determined there was enough evidence to send the case to trial and bound it over to Oakland County Circuit Court. Police said the victim, identified as Janet Marie Reed, was on a pizza delivery run when she was rear ended by Djordjevski. The impact caused Reedâs vehicle to overturn and catch on fire, trapping her inside. Djordjevski posted a $100,000 cash bond last week. As part of conditions for his release, the judge ordered that he have an alcohol monitoring tether in place and submit to random drug testing. He also had to surrender his passport and cannot leave the state. (JK)
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