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Brighton's Proposed 2013-2014 Budget Includes SurplusBrighton's Proposed 2013-2014 Budget Includes Surplus

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4/4/13 - While the Brighton City Council debated funding for the Downtown Development Authority at its meeting Thursday night, council still approved the revisions proposed by City Manager Dana Foster in the 2013-14 city budget. The new budget will be scheduled for a public hearing at the next meeting, on April 18 and adopted a month later. One council member in particular wasn’t happy with the budget as it pertains to the city’s Downtown Development Authority. Council Member Jim Bohn said the proposed budget includes funding for the DDA that should be spread equitably in the residential, commercial-industrial and downtown areas of the city. As it stands now, Bohn said, too much of the city’s financial resources go to the DDA, as opposed to other needs in the city, including street repaving and repair. Former Detroit television news reporter Bill Spencer, who lives in the Brighton area, told council that of the many metro Detroit downtowns he has observed in his 15-year television career, Brighton’s is the most vibrant. Many downtown business owners also spoke out in support of the DDA, saying Brighton’s downtown area is considered all over the state as a model of how to have a successful downtown. The newly-revised budget proposed by Foster projects a $72,000 fund balance at the end of the 13-14 fiscal year. It does not contain any new revenue sources, but on the other hand, according to Foster, will not result in any cuts in city services. The budget doesn’t call for any city employee layoffs, but on the other hand, when two city Department of Public Services employees retire next year they will not be replaced, if the budget is approved in May as now proposed. (TT)

Michigan Supreme Court to Hear Appeal in Green Oak MurderMichigan Supreme Court to Hear Appeal in Green Oak Murder

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4/5/13 - The state’s highest court has agreed to hear the appeal of a ruling that suppressed the confession of a man charged in a gruesome 2011 murder in Green Oak Township. The Michigan Supreme Court this week agreed to hear the appeal filed by the Livingston County Prosecutor’s Office to a ruling by Circuit Court Judge David Reader that the confession police say 29-year-old George Tanner made to them was inadmissible at trial because he had not been informed an attorney was ready to represent him. In taking up the case, the justices will be deciding whether a prior case, People v. Bender, was properly decided. That case set a precedent that a defendant cannot knowingly waive his right to remain silent if police fail to inform him that an attorney is ready to consult with him. The Supreme Court also invited the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan and the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan to file briefs in the case. Police say Tanner and 28-year-old Brian Stafford murdered 40-year-old Christopher Townsend on October 15th of 2011 and then dismembered and burned the body on a wooded property owned by Tanner’s uncle in Green Oak Township. Tanner’s girlfriend previously testified that he had admitted the murder was in retaliation for Townsend kissing her the day before. Stafford was previously sentenced to life in prison following his guilty plea to 2nd degree murder in the case. While he will be eligible for parole in 15 years, authorities say it’s likely he would serve at least 20 years before being considered for release. (JK)

Oceola Township Buys 2/42 Community Church PropertyOceola Township Buys 2/42 Community Church Property

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4/5/13 - Oceola Township officials voted Thursday to buy land adjacent to the township hall. The property, formerly owned by the 2/42 Community Church, was the church’s administrative offices. Since building a new facility in Genoa Township, the church is selling the property for $325,000. Debbie Mikula, Director of the Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority, tells WHMI the township already has plans for the 10 acre property, such as extra parking for the soccer field located behind the township hall. Mikula says it will not need a lot of work, as it already looks like a community center. The building has a large room which is currently used as a sanctuary and smaller classroom spaces which are similar to the two facilities that Parks and Recreation already runs. The township has ordered an inspection on the building, although they do not know yet when they will begin to use it. $3,000 of the purchase price has been put into escrow.(DK)

February Jobless Rate Improves For Livingston County February Jobless Rate Improves For Livingston County

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4/5/13 - Jobless rates displayed modest changes in most regional labor markets in February but dropped locally. Rates edged upward slightly in seven regions, declined slightly in six and were unchanged in the remaining four but the largest rate reduction was recorded in the one that includes Livingston County. The Detroit-Warren-Livonia area marked a rate drop of 1.1 percentage points. The individual jobless rate for Livingston County stood at 8.6% and followed the same trend, dropping nearly one full percentage point from January. Livingston County’s ranking in terms of unemployment also improved ten spots to 31st among Michigan’s 83 counties. The Department of Technology, Management and Budget released the February figures yesterday. The state says local labor markets were very stable in February and changes to job totals over the month were mostly seasonal, with public and private education sectors recalling workers after the holiday break. (JM)

Handy Township Man Arraigned on Charges Following Police Chase Handy Township Man Arraigned on Charges Following Police Chase

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4/5/13 - A Handy Township man has been arraigned on charges after leading police on a chase while allegedly intoxicated and crashing the vehicle. 26-year-old Andrew Dean Keeler is charged with fleeing a police officer, unlawful driving away of a vehicle for allegedly taking a family members car and operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.17% or more, which is more than double the legal limit for driving. The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department says Keeler was clocked traveling 121 mph along westbound I-96 near the Lake Chemung exit and fled when a unit tried to initiate a traffic stop. A vehicle pursuit ensued, with Keeler leading police into the Howell Township area along Mason Road. Deputies eventually terminated the chase for the overall safety of the public but were notified shortly thereafter that Keeler had crashed on Mason Road, just east of Truhn Road. He sustained minor injuries and was jailed. He’s set to appear in 53rd District Court for an exam conference on Wednesday. (JM)

Judge Excludes Photos From Mt. Brighton LawsuitJudge Excludes Photos From Mt. Brighton Lawsuit

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4/5/13 - A summer trial date has been scheduled for the lawsuit filed against Mt. Brighton and one of its employees for an accident more than five years ago that injured a Canadian boy. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Detroit by the family of Austin Miles, alleges that Robert Sturgis, who was driving a snow groomer at the time of the January 30th, 2008 incident, was negligent and reckless in his operation of the machine when he ran into the then 12-year-old boy and dragged him while his leg was snagged. It had originally been set for trial last December, but was adjourned after a motion filed by Mt. Brighton sought sanctions against the plaintiffs for sending lawyers to the resort who were taking pictures for use as evidence without first contacting the resort or its attorneys. They also alleged the lawyers misrepresented their purpose in being on the premises when they were confronted by a staff member. Judge Denise Hood last month ruled that while the pictures taken that day cannot be used at trial, she denied the defendants motion to dismiss the case. A pre-trial hearing was then set for June 10th, with a July 9th trial date placed on the docket. Miles was on a school field trip and had just skied down a beginner slope when the snow groomer ran over him. The lawsuit claims Sturgis continued for another 200 feet despite several bystanders yelling at him to stop. It also claims the grooming machine had a cracked mirror and inadequate visibility through the windows. In addition, it alleges Mt. Brighton failed to post required notices warning skiers of snow grooming operations. (JK)

Settlement Recommendation Made in Sahouri LawsuitSettlement Recommendation Made in Sahouri Lawsuit

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4/5/13 - The legal battle between a demoted administrator who sued the Hartland Consolidated Schools district continues but it appears unlikely the parties will accept a newly proposed settlement. The suit alleges the Hartland district violated the Whistleblower Protection Act when it failed to renew the administrative contract of Tracey Sahouri and eventually re-assigned her to a teaching position but also claims she was the subject of harassment and discrimination. An alternative dispute resolution, or ADR, hearing was held in Genesee County Circuit Court this week, during which both sides presented their case to an un-biased three-member legal panel that determines a probable outcome and proposed settlement. $525,000 was the figure produced. Sahouri is being represented by Attorney Tom Pabst, who tells WHMI the amount is really a compromise figure and feels a jury would agree that it's worth much more but still needs to discuss everything with his client. Sahouri was removed as the principal of Creekside Elementary School after a state report concluded a breach of security in administering the MEAP test to students there in 2011. She then served as an Assistant Principal at the high school before the district declined to renew her administrative contract. Sahouri has since been assigned to work as a study skills and special-education teacher at the district's Legacy alternative high school. A statement released by Hartland Superintendent Janet Sifferman says they remain confident the correct personnel decisions were made and maintain that Sahouri was found to have committed misconduct by both the Michigan Department of Education and the district. Both parties have 28 days to accept or reject the panel’s determination, which is not binding unless both sides accept it. If either side rejects it, then the case will proceed to trial. (JM)

Woman Accused Of Driving Into Fowlerville Cyclist To Be Arraigned

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4/6/13 - An arraignment has been set for a Webberville woman accused of sending a cyclist to the hospital in August by striking him with her car. 50-year-old Robin Fournier, is scheduled for an arraignment on April 17th for one count of a moving violation causing serious impairment of bodily function. The misdemeanor charge carries a possible penalty of 93 days in jail. Police say Fournier was distracted when she drifted off of Grand River in Handy Township and struck 56-year-old veterinarian Daniel Patemoster on August 28th. At the time, Patemoster was riding his bicycle to his job at the Fowlerville Veterinary Clinic. He was transported to Sparrow Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition and remained unconscious for several days. His has since been released. (TD)

Brighton Police Dept. Approved for Two Grants Totaling $27,000Brighton Police Dept. Approved for Two Grants Totaling $27,000

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4/6/13 - The Brighton Police Department just got word that it has been approved for two federal grants to improve its law enforcement capabilities. The grants include a $12,000 grant for new body armor for the SWAT team jointly operated by the Brighton Police Department and the Hamburg Township Police Department. The other grant, totaling $15,000, is for replacement of the servers for Brighton’s downtown security camera system. City Police Chief Tom Wightman says there are about a dozen members of the Brighton-Hamburg Township Police Department SWAT Team, which conducts regular, joint training exercises. Wightman says he expects the new equipment stemming from the grants to arrive within the next three months. (TT)

Police Say Howell Boys Tried To Steal Vodka To Sell To TeensPolice Say Howell Boys Tried To Steal Vodka To Sell To Teens

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4/6/13 - The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department says it caught two Howell boys trying to steal alcohol from the Meijer store in Hartland in order to sell it to teenagers. Police say the boys, aged 12 and 13, entered the Meijer on March 26th and took two bottles of Skyy Vodka into the store bathroom with a stolen set of knives to remove security tags. Hartland Patch reports the boys were caught trying to leave the store with the bottles hidden in their backpacks. According to reports, the 12-year-old told police that his accomplice claimed they could make $20 apiece selling the vodka to local high school students. The boys were released to their parents and the case is being reviewed by the county prosecutor’s office. (TD)

Argentine Board Approves Complete Township-Wide AssessmentArgentine Board Approves Complete Township-Wide Assessment

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4/6/13 - All Argentine Township residents can expect to have an assessor visit their homes sometime this year. The township board has hired an assessing firm to go door-to-door and provide an updated assessment of all 4,000 homes in the municipality. The Tri-County Times reports the new assessments were mandated by the state and are intended to provide residents with a more accurate tax card. This is the first township-wide assessment conducted by Argentine in 17 years and will cost the township about $150,000. A home assessment will include a representative measuring various structures and asking the homeowner about the characteristics of the property. Each one will take between 30 and 60 minutes and will include a photo of the property for file records. If a homeowner prohibits access to their property, the assessor will have to stand at the road and estimate the value of the home. Questions or disputes should be addressed to the township offices. (TD)

Municipal Properties Rezoned In Green Oak For Reference MapMunicipal Properties Rezoned In Green Oak For Reference Map

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4/6/13 - A total of 26 parcels were rezoned by the Green Oak Township Board Wednesday night to accurately reflect the fact that they are owned by the municipality. Township Planner Don Wortman says the issue came up when the township noticed that parcels owned by the Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority were incorrectly zoned as residential. The parcels that were rezoned, which included three cemeteries, two fire stations, the township hall, the police station, and various portions of park land, should all be zoned as public land but were not labeled as such. Supervisor Mark St. Charles says the township does have a specified public land zoning category, but the parcels in question were mostly just given the same zoning designation as the land around them. This has led to inaccurate representations of township holdings on the local zoning map. St. Charles says the parcels were already tax-exempt and being operated by the township government, so the rezoning is only meant to improve the accuracy of the zoning map. (TD)

Brighton Township Optimistic About Proposed Lake Trust HQBrighton Township Optimistic About Proposed Lake Trust HQ

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4/6/13 - Brighton Township officials say they are excited about the possibility of a Lansing-based credit union relocating its headquarters to the community. Lake Trust Credit Union recently announced they have chosen Brighton Township to be the home of their new $30 million corporate office. The move will bring around 300 jobs to the area with room for growth in the future. Brighton Township Supervisor Tom Murphy tells WHMI that there are still details to be worked out, but the move looks promising. The relocation of Lake Trust will benefit the local economy and will help create a more centralized workplace for employees who commute. Lake Trust hopes to have the planning and construction of their new 100,000 square foot building completed as early as 2015. The company also plans to invest $40 million in Michigan over the next five years. Lake Trust is currently working with a developer to figure out the details regarding the property they are seeking for the project. (SO)

Howell Mayor and Schools Offer $500 Prize In Civic Essay ContestHowell Mayor and Schools Offer $500 Prize In Civic Essay Contest

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4/7/13 - An student essay contest is underway with an aim of helping foster interest in local government among the young generation. Howell Mayor Phil Campbell, in conjunction with Howell Public Schools, has announced the 2nd Annual Civitas Essay Contest and one lucky student will be awarded $500. Campbell tells WHMI he wanted to promote interest in local government and local issues among high school students specifically, which led him to institute the essay contest shortly after being elected. The selected subject this year is blight, something the City Council has been discussing for several months now. Campbell says the overall goal with the topic is for students to find a way to balance the interests of both local government and property owners but still achieve the goal of maintaining attractive neighborhoods. The contest is open to any college-bound high school senior attending classes within the boundaries of the Howell district, whether attending public, private, or home school. Essays are due by May 3rd and will be read and scored by a three-member panel consisting of Campbell and two other community members. The winner will be announced on May 17th and publicly honored with a giant check at a future Howell City Council meeting. Complete details about the contest can be found by following the link posted below. (JM)

Howell Nature Center Cares For Injured, Endangered Falcon AllegroHowell Nature Center Cares For Injured, Endangered Falcon Allegro

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4/7/13 - The Howell Nature Center says it’s happy to report that an endangered Peregrine Falcon is making a speedy recovery in its Wildlife Infirmary. Allegro was found in downtown Detroit this past week with injuries from an apparent collision. Nature Center staff anticipates Allegro to make a full and speedy recovery so that he can be released near his nest- and his mate Miriam- in Detroit very soon. All peregrine falcons east of the Mississippi River are believed to have been wiped out by the use of the pesticide DDT in the 1960’s. Restoration efforts got the raptor removed from the national endangered species list in 1999, but they are still considered endangered in Michigan. Allegro is a tagged falcon who was discovered injured on the ground in downtown Detroit. He may have suffered some trauma from a collision and is showing some paralysis in his right foot. However, Nature Center officials say he is eating well and is expected to make a quick recovery. (TD)

Volunteers Sought for Annual Playground CleanupVolunteers Sought for Annual Playground Cleanup

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4/8/13 - The second annual Imagination Station Spring Kickoff cleanup day will be held this Saturday from 9am to noon at the downtown Brighton playground on the banks of the Mill Pond. Volunteers will be applying another layer of Fibar to the playground surface to provide a cushion against the soil underneath. Fibar, which is not the same as mulch or wood chips, is an engineered product made from virgin wood that both cushions and isolates the ground surface. In 2011, a study revealed the soil at the playground contained arsenic, and it had to be closed until it the contaminated area could be cleaned up and a new surface applied. Although arsenic occurs naturally in the soil, it was felt the wolmanized wood playground equipment contained enough of the chemical that it eventually got into the soil. According to playground Volunteer Coordinator Renee Pettingill, volunteers are needed to come this weekend to not only help apply the Fibar, but also to trim some shrubs and perform other cleanup chores. Tools, gloves and supplies will be provided. Pettingill adds that volunteers will be meeting every second and fourth Saturday at the Imagination Station throughout the coming season. Individuals or groups interested in helping out should show up this Saturday, or contact her at; brightonimaginationstation@gmail.com with any questions. (JK)

Brighton Man Convicted for Haitian Sex Abuse Seeks New TrialBrighton Man Convicted for Haitian Sex Abuse Seeks New Trial

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4/8/13 - A Livingston County man found guilty of sexually abusing poor boys at a residential center he operated in Haiti is seeking a new trial. Attorneys for Matthew Carter of Brighton allege that evidence was inappropriately admitted during his trial and that cross-examination of one of the witnesses on his prior use of intoxicants was not allowed. A jury only deliberated for about 90 minutes in February before convicting Carter on five counts of traveling from Florida to Haiti for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with minors. He was also found guilty of one count of attempting child sex tourism. Carter ran the Morning Star Center in Haiti from 1995 until his 2011 arrest at Miami International Airport, when the Haitian government took the rare step of shutting down the center. Former Morning Star residents testified during the three-week trial that they were molested by Carter as children. Carter has denied the allegations of sexual abuse. Carter faces up to 15 years in prison for the sex tourism charge and up to 30 years in prison on each of the other counts when he is sentenced May 20th. (JK)

Hamburg Fire Blood Drive Seeks To Replenish Red Cross StocksHamburg Fire Blood Drive Seeks To Replenish Red Cross Stocks

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4/8/13 - The Hamburg Township Fire Department is hosting a blood drive today, and organizers hope it will help make up for a recent lull in blood donations. The department holds a regular blood drive every eight weeks at the fire hall on East M-36 with help from volunteers from the Livingston County Red Cross and local business sponsors. Their typical goal is 40 to 50 units of blood, and Deputy Chief Nick miller says the amount they collect can vary from 30 to 60 units. Miller says blood is always needed, but supply and demand tend to fluctuate with the seasons. Summer is on the way, which tends to result in reduced donations because many people are busy or leave the area. However, the increased activity during the warm months can also lead to more injuries and a greater need for blood. Miller says recent Red Cross blood drives have had smaller turnouts than expected, so organizers are hoping for a good response at today’s blood drive to help make up the difference. The drive will be held from 1:00 to 6:45pm at the fire hall located at 3666 East M-36. Walk-ins are welcome as long as there is space, but appointments are preferred. To make an appointment, click on the link posted below. (TD)

Upcoming Day of Caring to Benefit Women Veterans

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4/8/13 - An event this weekend aims to reach as many female veterans and women in the military as possible and make a difference in their lives. Women Supporting Women Veterans is a non-profit organization that will host its 2nd ‘Day of Caring’. The event is designed to help women who have served or are currently serving connect with resources, develop resumes and learn about the benefits and services they’re eligible for. Executive Director Arlene Callaghan says there are a number of unique obstacles facing women veterans and their role as a wife and mother is often challenged when they return home. Callaghan says this year’s program puts additional focus on mental health and since filing claims can be difficult, she says they’ll have a representative from the Veterans Administration doing those on site. This year's guest speaker is also a female veteran who will share her personal story. The Day of Caring is free to all female veterans as well as those still in active duty. Pre-registration is recommended but not required and lunch and childcare is provided. It will run from 9am until 4pm this Saturday, April 13th at the Hartland Educational Support Service Center on M-59. Details can be found through the link below. (JM)

Green Oak Seeks Input For Master Plan ReviewGreen Oak Seeks Input For Master Plan Review

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4/8/13 - A new interactive website will help Green Oak Township gather public input as it revises its master plan. Michigan law requires local municipalities to review and revise their master plans every five years, and Green Oak is due for a revision this year. Supervisor Mark St. Charles says the township is eager to get input from residents about the goals and priorities of the township over the next five years, but public meetings may not provide a large enough cross-section of Green Oak’s population. The board is examining the use of an online survey system. St. Charles says the website they are considering is very interactive and includes a number of features for citizens to express their comments and concerns. The deal has not been finalized, as the township board tabled the issue at its meeting last night for further research, but if it goes through St. Charles says they will use a number of outlets to get word of the system out to as many residents as possible. (TD)
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