3/10/13 - The federal governmentâs automatic spending cuts are causing funding problems in nonprofit organizations around the country, including Livingston County Meals on Wheels. Executive Director Margaret Davey says funding for Meals on Wheels will be cut by about 25%, resulting in a loss of $42,000 for her organization this year. Meals on Wheels will be depending more on volunteers to deliver meals and work in offices so the program can continue serving local seniors and not have to form a waiting list. Regardless, Davey tells WHMI Meals on Wheels will be cutting back on its congregate meal program and giving more attention to its home delivery meals program. The organization will also be combining come of its positions and reorganizing hours to save money. New part-time volunteers have also joined Meals on Wheels, which will reduce the amount of paid labor the organization will require. Other federally-funded service programs for local residents, including the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency, are attempting to cope with the cuts as well. (TD)
Meals On Wheels Reorganizes To Cope With Federal CutsMeals On Wheels Reorganizes To Cope With Federal Cuts
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Hartland Team Challenges Red Wings Alumni For Charity GameHartland Team Challenges Red Wings Alumni For Charity Game
3/10/13 - After one of its members had a brush with death, a local hockey club has challenged the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association to a game to raise money for life-saving devices and training. About two years ago, George Stefureac entered cardiac arrest after playing in one of the regular Friday games of the Hartland Ice Hogs. His teammates applied CPR and an employee of the Hartland Sports Center properly applied a defibrillator device, keeping Stefureac alive until EMTs could take him to the hospital for treatment. He has made a full recovery, but researched the event afterward and found that people in Michigan only have a 5% chance of surviving cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting. However, people in Washington State have a 40% chance of survival due to mandatory workplace CPR and defibrillator training. In response, the Hartland Ice Hogs hockey club has arranged a game against the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association on March 16th. The game, called the Sparky Defibrillator Challenge, will feature former NHL players George Bowman, Joe Kocur, Jason Woolley, Kevin Miller, and Ed Mio. Stefureac will serve as a referee. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students, and all the proceeds will go toward providing defibrillators and CPR training to the community. A distribution plan has not been set, but the team hopes to provide the devices and training to low-income areas that would not have access to them otherwise. Tickets are available at Mexican Fiesta in Hartland and Bagel & Bites in Brighton. They can also be purchased by inquiring by email at sparkydc@comcast.net or calling (810) 875-0205. (TD)
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Genoa Manager Celebrates 15 Years Of Serving TownshipGenoa Manager Celebrates 15 Years Of Serving Township
3/10/13 - Genoa Township Manager Mike Archinal will celebrate 15 years of serving the township in that position this month. Archinal began his public service career as the assistant manager of the City of Brighton. When the previous Genoa Township manager died Archinal was singled out as a suitable replacement and was appointed to the position in 1998. He tells WHMI that he is proud of the improvements made in the township since he took office, including road improvements and expansions to local sidewalk systems, but his favorite improvements have been those made to the township hall. Those include a sled hill, a mile-long walking path, two lit athletic fields, and a pavilion. Archinal says he has grown along with the township, and they will continue to grow with the completion of the Latson Road interchange. (TD)
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Hartland Twp. Board Adopts 2013-14 Township BudgetHartland Twp. Board Adopts 2013-14 Township Budget
3/11/13 - The Hartland Township Board of Trustees has adopted a 2013-14 township budget that shows a slight increase in township expenditures for the coming year. The amended general fund budget for the current fiscal year which ends March 31 is $2,157,000 and the spending plan for the 13-14 fiscal year beginning April 1 totals $2,194,000. Township Manager Jim Wickman tells WHMI the budget for next year, which was approved by the board Tuesday night, shows a projected $330,000 fund balance, about the same as this year. The budget also includes pay increases for the supervisor, clerk and treasurer, while trustees will receive the same $4,000 per year plus a stipend for special meetings that theyâve been receiving. Also, most township employees will receive a pay hike which averages 3.5%. The township managerâs salary is determined by a performance evaluation held each May. Wickman says that sewer rates will continue to rise about 2% per quarter for township residents who have sewer hookups. The township board also approved the Hartland-Deerfield Fire Authorityâs 2013-14 budget of $1.3 million. (TT)
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Green Oak Seeks to Sever Sewer Service to Drink-MakerGreen Oak Seeks to Sever Sewer Service to Drink-Maker
3/11/13 - A brief submitted in Livingston County Circuit Court by Green Oak Township makes accusations supporting its motion to cut-off a sewer service to a local drink-maker. The township and Liquid Manufacturing have been waging a legal battle over the companyâs wastewater discharge for years. The company, which manufactures beverages, produces more than half of the wastewater that enters the Green Oak wastewater treatment system. According to the township, the discharge has higher levels of sodium and other contaminants than the system can handle under Michigan Department of Environmental Quality guidelines. The township has filed a motion to have the court call for Liquid Manufacturing to show why the township should not immediately end its sewer service. The brief submitted by the township accuses the company of failing to monitor and report its wastewater discharge, correct fire and building code violations, or file acceptable plans for a pretreatment facility. Plans for a pretreatment facility were submitted, but the township says they were deficient and could not be approved. The brief further alleges that Liquid Manufacturing has received an enforcement notice from the state Department of Environmental Quality for violations. The townshipâs motion will likely be discussed at a miscellaneous hearing scheduled for April 11th. (JK)
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Rogers Considering Run for Levin's Senate SeatRogers Considering Run for Levin's Senate Seat
3/11/13 - Congressman Mike Rogers is atop a list of Republicans who are considering a run in 2014 for the Senate seat that Democrat Carl Levin plans to vacate. The Howell Republican, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, has served in Congress since 2001. In a formal statement issued by his office, Rogers said, âI want to thank Senator Levin for his 33 years of dedicated service to the people of Michigan. His legacy will be one of tireless dedication to our great state. As for the Senate race, I am giving it serious consideration." Rogers joins other Michigan Republicans including former secretary of state Terri Lynn Land and Midland Congressman Dave Camp who are also considering running for the seat. On the Democratic side, Congressman Gary Peters of Bloomfield Township said that he is also seriously considering a run to replace Levin. The race is expected to draw significant national interest and money. Republicans have not won a Senate seat in Michigan since 1994. The 78-year-old Levin, who has served in the Senate since 1978, announced Thursday he would not seek a seventh term. (JK)
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Jury Convicts Kilpatrick on Racketeering ChargesJury Convicts Kilpatrick on Racketeering Charges
3/11/13 - A jury has convicted former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick on corruption charges after a five-month trial that portrayed him as a greedy politician who took bribes, fixed contracts and lived far beyond his salary. The verdict is another defeat for the man who left office in 2008 amid an unrelated scandal involving sexually explicit text messages and an affair with an aide. The government said Kilpatrick rigged city contracts to help his buddy Bobby Ferguson, and then got a share of the spoils. Witnesses said Kilpatrick got bribes and kickbacks from his political fundraiser and a convention center contractor. He was also accused of tapping a nonprofit fund for personal use. (JK)
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Mt. Brighton Improvements to Be Highlighted at Chamber EventMt. Brighton Improvements to Be Highlighted at Chamber Event
3/11/13 - A breakfast put on by the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce this month will highlight new developments and improvements planned for Genoa Township. The 2nd Brighton Forward breakfast will feature representatives from Vail Resorts, which recently purchased Mt. Brighton and last week announced plans for nearly $10 million in improvements to the recreational facility. It will also feature Genoa Township Supervisor Gary McCririe, who will outline improvements being made to the township including progress on the Latson Road I-96 interchange. A presentation will also be given by Michael Perry, the owner of the new WellBridge of Brighton rehabilitation center on Dorr Road that is expected to create 100 local jobs. The first Brighton Forward breakfast focused on developments in the City of Brighton, and McConeghy says the event will go to different communities to discuss the progress being made in each. She says developments like the Mt. Brighton improvements will be an attraction to the area that will have an impact on all local businesses. Brighton Chamber members as well as the public are welcome to attend the breakfast on March 20th at Crystal Gardens from 7:30 to 9:00am. (TD)
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Fire Destroys Howell Township Barn/Apartment UnitsFire Destroys Howell Township Barn/Apartment Units
3/11/14 - A weekend fire destroyed a Howell Township structure off of Byron Road. Howell Area Fire Department Chief Andy Pless tells WHMI that the 1,800-square-foot building on Byron Road north of Woodhaven Drive was engulfed in flames when they arrived on the scene just before 6pm Saturday. Pless says because it was so far off the main roadway, they had some difficulty getting access to water established and it took about an hour and a half to bring it under control. He says they remained on the scene for another two hours putting out hot spots. While there were no injuries, the structure was a total loss and Pless estimated damages at about $200,000. A cause remains under investigation, but it doesnât appear to be suspicious in nature. Pless says they were assisted at the scene by the Brighton and Fowlerville fire departments as well as members of the local Disaster Action Relief Team. Photo courtesy of the Howell Area Fire Department. (JK)
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US-23 Semi Crash Confirmed As Fatal By Michigan State PoliceUS-23 Semi Crash Confirmed As Fatal By Michigan State Police
3/11/13 - Southbound US-23 was closed down this afternoon following a fatal crash between a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle. Michigan State Police have announced that at about 1:00pm, a dual-trailer dump truck hauling scrap metal blew a tire while traveling south on US-23. The driver lost control and the rear trailer of the truck turned over onto a passenger vehicle in the right-hand lane. The car was crushed and the male driver killed. There was nobody else in the vehicle. The condition of the semi driver has not been announced. Southbound 23 is still closed as crews work to extricate the vehicles. The State Police have stated that alcohol was not a factor in the crash. (TD)
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Flint Man Killed in US-23 Scrap Hauler CrashFlint Man Killed in US-23 Scrap Hauler Crash
3/12/13 - A Flint man was killed yesterday when his car was crushed by a scrap hauler that overturned on US-23, just south of the Livingston County line. The southbound lanes of US-23 in Washtenaw County were closed between 6 Mile and North Territorial roads for several hours Monday afternoon following the fatal crash involving a tractor trailer and a car. State Police say a 58-year-old man from Flint was driving a 2010 PT Cruiser in the left lane next to the semi with a dual trailer hauling scrap metal. The truck blew a tire and the driver lost control of the rig, swerved into the left lane and struck the car. The rear trailer of the semi turned over and fell on top of the PT Cruiser, killing the man inside. Investigators donât believe alcohol played a role in the crash, which remains under investigation. (JK)
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Howell Blight Ordinance Gets Directions From City Council
3/12/13 - The Howell City Council is still trying to decide how to regulate blight and uncompleted construction projects within city limits. The city began talking in earnest about the issue about five months ago based on citizen complaints about blighted homes and unfinished projects. A blight and property maintenance ordinance was created by city staff, including Interim Planning and Zoning Administrator Erin Perdu, after looking at how blight is managed by communities such as Brighton, Lapeer, and Lansing. The new ordinance focuses on external problems such as overgrown vegetation, loose or missing components of houses, roofing, water flow, and unfinished construction. It was presented to the council last night for suggestions on language changes. Perdu says the council was accepting of much of the ordinance, with some concerns about portions involving performance bonds and specific language. Some council members were also concerned about citizens abusing the ordinance to try and bring enforcement action against other citizens for minor infractions. Perdu tells WHMI trying to manage blight means walking a thin line between eliminating a public nuisance and infringing on the rights of property owners. The ordinance will be revised and brought back before the council at their first meeting next month. Perdu says the intention is to have it ready to pass at that meeting. (TD)
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Hartland School Board Treasurer Seeks State House SeatHartland School Board Treasurer Seeks State House Seat
3/12/13 - A local school board member has thrown his hat into the ring for a local state House seat. Hartland Consolidated Schools Board of Education Treasurer Charlie Aberasturi announced his candidacy Monday to run as a Republican in 2014 for Michigan's 47th House District seat. The seat is currently held by Cindy Denby, who is term limited from running again. Aberasturi, who has served on the Hartland board for 16 years, said his platform is "invest in the future" and touted his financial background in automotive manufacturing. He becomes the third GOP candidate for the seat, joining Handy Township Supervisor Hank Vaupel and Michigan Sports Academy-Livingston owner Karl Kling. The 47th House District includes the City of Howell and Conway, Cohoctah, Deerfield, Hartland, Howell, Handy, Iosco, Unadilla, Marion, Oceola and Tyrone townships. (JK)
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Animal Control Controls Feral Cat Population Without KillingAnimal Control Controls Feral Cat Population Without Killing
3/12/13 - Livingston County Animal Control is using a catch-and-release method of reducing the stray and feral cat population in Livingston County, which has prompted complaints from some Howell residents who say the animals are a nuisance that shouldnât be returned to run free. Animal Control Director Debbie Oberle says her department has been using the program, called Trap-Neuter-Return, for more than a year now. It involves collecting feral or stray cats either in the field or from residents who catch them, neutering the animals, and returning them to the wild. But several residents in the Howell Estates Mobile Home Park questioned why the animals are being returned to run free. Oberle says feral cats are wild animals, like opossums or raccoons, and as such are unsuitable for adoption as pets. She tells WHMI that eliminating or removing the animals from around the county would not be effective either, since new cats would move in to fill the sudden gap in the food chain. She describes TNR as a middle-of-the-road solution to reduce feral cat populations which, while not effective in every situation, has been successfully used locally. So far more than 500 animals have been treated through the program. (TD)
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Conely Blasted Over Teacher Comments as Board Mulls CutsConely Blasted Over Teacher Comments as Board Mulls Cuts
3/12/13 - The Brighton Board of Education last night had the unenviable task of reviewing potential ways to save up to half-a-million dollars in this yearâs school district budget and cutting a whopping $3.5 million in the 2013-14 budget. The cost-saving ideas were prepared by Assistant Superintendent for Finance Maria Gistinger. Brighton is one of the stateâs deficit districts, and its most recent deficit reduction plan was rejected by the Department of Education last week as being unrealistic. However, Superintendent Greg Gray says thatâs based on outdated information since the state has not yet looked at the districtâs revised budget. A revised deficit reduction plan is due by March 22nd. The district projects ending the current fiscal year $445,000 in the red without some spending cuts. Administration is optimistic that the vacant Lindbom School, appraised at about $2 million, could be sold before the end of the school year. However, Gray now says he has been told by the state that the district cannot put the projected sale of Lindbom in this yearâs budget, although it can be used as part of next yearâs budget. Beyond this year, Brighton is projecting a deficit of $3.5 million for next year, and Gistinger presented 33 possibilities for saving up to $7.8 million to negate any future red ink. However, Trustee John Conely told WHMI the board must look at across-the-board staff pay cuts to realize significant savings. Rejecting such a drastic solution, Superintendent Gray tells WHMI heâs certain the district will be able to balance the budget with staff cuts and other savings and without affecting program. The 33 suggestions for saving money include â among others âoutsourcing maintenance employees, custodians and secretaries; not buying new textbooks; not purchasing new school buses; restructuring principals; staffing media centers with para-professionals instead of media specialists; reducing community education; reducing athletics or eliminating it altogether and eliminating two media specialists. Gistinger asked the board to review the 33 suggested cuts and get their preferences back to her by Friday. Conely was also criticized by a large turnout of teachers and students about earlier comments he had made concerning incompetent teachers in the district. High School senior Rachel Wehrly was in tears as she told the board about the teachers who had taught her in Brighton. Wehrly said she has been accepted at the University of Michigan, something she had thought wouldnât be possible without the dedication of teachers who believed in her and helped her along the way. Many teachers also spoke, saying they resented Conelyâs remarks about alleged incompetency, saying that it is belied by the data, which shows that Brighton consistently ranks among the top school districts in the area and region. After the meeting, Conely clarified his previous statements, saying he was referring to just a small number of teachers whom he felt were incompetent. He tells WHMI he is working on a plan to rectify the perceived problem, but declined to be specific about it.(TT/JK)
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Howell Historic District Divided to Restrict Businesses Howell Historic District Divided to Restrict Businesses
3/12/13 - The Howell City Council approved changes last night that would stop the advance of businesses into the historic western part of the city. The changes would divide the current Historical Limited Use district into two smaller districts, known as HL-1 and HL-2. HL-1, located east of Byron Road, would be primarily residential but would allow for some businesses to exist. HL-2 would designate the portion of the city along Grand River west of Byron as being strictly residential. City Manager Shea Charles says the move was prompted by concerns from residents that businesses, such as offices and a private school, were trying to locate within historic buildings. Conversations with residents led the council to reexamine the zoning on the west end of town and approve the new zoning. Only low-impact businesses that complement the historic nature and aesthetic of the area will be allowed to locate inside the HL-1 district. (TD)
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Authorities Identify Man Killed in Monday Crash on US-23
3/12/13 - Authorities are releasing the name of a Flint-area man killed when a semi-truck hauling scrap metal and pulling two trailers had a tire blowout on US-23, just south of the Livingston County line. State Police Sgt. Mark Thompson with the Brighton Post says 58-year-old James Wallace died Monday afternoon on US-23 near the Whitmore Lake area. Wallace was from Lennon, west of Flint. The crash remains under investigation but Thompson says it appears the truck's left front steering tire blew, causing the driver to lose control and hit a car in the left lane that was next to it. The rear trailer crushed the car. The southbound lanes of US-23 were closed between 6 Mile and North Territorial roads for several hours on Monday afternoon following the fatal crash. (JM)
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State Police Say No Wrongdoing by Trooper from Brighton PostState Police Say No Wrongdoing by Trooper from Brighton Post
3/12/13 - A Michigan State Police investigation into a man's complaint that a trooper from the Brighton Post held him at gunpoint during a traffic stop has revealed no wrongdoing. Police spokeswoman Shanon Banner says a letter was sent to Kim Sachs of Freeland. It notified him the investigation revealed "the facts do not support the allegation that the trooper acted inappropriately." The stop took place Oct. 29 amid stepped-up patrols during an investigation into several shootings along and near I-96 in southeast Michigan, including Livingston County. Sachs said the trooper pulled him over and threatened to kill him if he didn't show his hands. He said he believes it was part of the shootings investigation. Raulie Casteel of Wixom was later arrested and charged in the shootings. Sachs requested that State Police review video of the stop from the trooperâs squad car camera, but officials said there was no video as the unit was not working that day. (JK)
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Rogers Disappointed with Brighton Schools Deficit Reduction Plan Rogers Disappointed with Brighton Schools Deficit Reduction Plan
3/12/13 - A local lawmaker says he is disappointed in the Brighton school districtâs deficit reduction proposal that was recently rejected by the state. State Representative Bill Rogers said he was disappointed that the district would submit such a plan, which he described as extremely unrealistic. Since Brighton is a deficit district as defined by the state, it must submit a deficit elimination plan every year. The legacy deficit was at one time more than $15 (m) million and stood at $7.3 (m) million at the end of last year. The plan is based on projections and other indicators as it had to be submitted to the state five months ago. Thatâs before the Governorâs budget was released and the deficit elimination plan was only taken up recently by the Michigan Department of Education. Brighton Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Greg Gray tells WHMI they are continually working with state to revise the plan and will do so in the future. Rogers said the plan that was rejected last week projected that enrollment numbers were to increase by 1,440 students and also factored in a $100 per-pupil increase in funding. Rogers, a Genoa Township Republican, says school districts statewide are losing students and Brighton's per-student funding will increase by only $34. But Gray says there are two different pools of students at issue. One are the full-time students who reside within the district's geographical boundaries, of which they saw an approximately 200 student decline. The other pool are non-resident shared service students of which they saw a nearly 400 student increase in one year and he doesn't think gaining 1,400 is out of the realm of possibility. However, he tells WHMI they'll adjust their numbers as the state requested. (JM/JK)
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English Tea Customs to be Featured at Event Next WeekEnglish Tea Customs to be Featured at Event Next Week
3/13/13 - Local residents are invited to learn about the customs of an English high-tea at an event next week as part of a larger community event. Livingston Reads is a community project offered at all six local libraries. They all feature activities around the selection, which is Jane Austenâs âPride and Prejudiceâ. Renee Chodkowski, aka The Great Foodini, and Mary Heikkinen with the Livingston Arts Council, will be presenting the program âThe Art of Teaâ next Wednesday, March 20th at 7pm in the Meabon room of the Howell Carnegie District Library and space is limited. The various varieties and presentations of tea will be demonstrated, with samples and sweets offered. Details about all of the featured programming at local libraries can be found below. (JM)
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