Brighton, which already has a plethora of downtown dining options, will get another restaurant in the coming months.
The Brighton City Council Thursday night approved a site plan for Roadies Restaurant, formerly located in Hamburg Township. According to owner Nicholas Zander, Roadies will offer a short menu and alcoholic beverages, since it has already been approved for a Redevelopment Liquor License. Roadies Roadhouse and Saloon, as it was called at the time, was located on M-36 in Hamburg Township when it was destroyed in a May 2014 fire.
Brighton City Manager Nate Geinzer tells WHMI that the restaurant and bar will be located at 205 West Main, the site of the former Wildernest. Zander, who appeared before council, said he would make renovations to the interior of the building and minor improvements to the exterior façade. Capacity will be less than 100 customers. He plans to install a new sectional door and entranceway to replace most of the existing window space in the front and will refurbish the current metal façade.
Approval was recommended by city staff since it is a permitted use in the Downtown Business District and is in conformance with the Master Plan. The City Planning Commission also recommended approval at its Jan. 22nd meeting. (TT)
Roadies To Reopen In Downtown BrightonRoadies To Reopen In Downtown Brighton
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Owosso Woman Killed In Snowmobile CrashOwosso Woman Killed In Snowmobile Crash
State police say a 43-year-old Owosso woman has died in a snowmobile crash in southwestern Michigan.
Troopers called to a wooded area of Berrien County early Saturday found the woman dead at the scene. Her name has not been released by authorities. Investigators say she was a passenger on the snowmobile and suffered a major head injury when she was thrown from it during the crash. A 31-year-old Owosso man who was driving the snowmobile suffered serious back and pelvis injuries and was listed in serious but stable condition at a Kalamazoo hospital.
Investigators say both victims were not wearing helmets and a preliminary investigation suggests that alcohol may have been a contributing factor in Saturday's crash. (JK)
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Pleasant Valley Road Overpass To Reopen In NovemberPleasant Valley Road Overpass To Reopen In November
The Pleasant Valley Road bridge over eastbound I-96 in Brighton Township is slated for reconstruction later this year.
The Michigan Department of Transportation had to remove a portion of the Pleasant Valley Road overpass across eastbound I-96. The bridge was damaged on September 27th in a crash involving a flatbed semi hauling several boom lifts. M-DOT engineers determined that the structure over eastbound I-96 had to be demolished and the resulting gap has created issues for residents and commuters, as well as nearby businesses that have much reduced foot traffic.
Design has been approved and the reconstruction project is estimated at $1.3 (m) million but will go out to bid in March or April. The contractor awarded the project will need minimum of six months to get the steel bridge beams fabricated, which have to be made on demand.
M-DOT Spokeswoman Jocelyn Hall says things take time and they recognize the public inconvenience. Hall says thatâs the unfortunate side of these types of unexpected projects that come out of nowhere, because there is no way to let local residents and businesses know ahead of time of potential impacts to their routines. Hall told WHMI itâs a delicate balance between getting something back open quickly, but also making sure that the product is acceptable. Hall says with normal bridge reconstruction, a project would be planned out years in advance for funding, design and other factors. She says M-DOT is looking forward to getting the project going and completed in November, acknowledging there are certainly traffic impacts, as well other impacts to residents and business owners in the area. Hall stressed that it is a priority for M-DOT to get something done as quickly as possible but noted the standards and safety criteria they must abide by.
M-DOT will seek reimbursement for the cost of demolishing and replacing the bridge. The Waterford man employed by MacAllister Machinery Rentals in Wixom was cited for operating an over-height vehicle and careless driving. (JM)
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Thrift Store Rivalry Results In Police InterventionThrift Store Rivalry Results In Police Intervention
An ongoing argument between two Livingston County men at a South Lyon thrift store resulted in police getting involved.
South Lyon Police say they were called to the Salvation Army thrift store on North Lafayette Street last Wednesday on the report of a dispute between two patrons. Upon arrival, the officer located the caller, a 57-year-old Pinckney man, in the storeâs parking lot. The South Lyon Herald reports that he said another man, later identified as a 25-year-old Hartland Township resident, had been regularly swearing and making rude gestures toward him at the store when they had previously tried to purchase the same items at the same time.
The Pinckney man said that on that day the Hartland man had again made rude gestures, but this time also kicked his car. He says that when he got out, the other man placed his hand on his hip where a pocket knife was clipped and thatâs when he called police. The officer then spoke to the Hartland man, who was sitting in his car with his 1½-year-old daughter. He admitted to making a kicking motion at the Pinckney manâs car, but denied making contact. He said when the Pinckney man got out of his vehicle and began walking toward him; he became concerned because his daughter was in the car. He said thatâs why he put his hand on his hip where a folding knife was located, but said he never took it out or made any threat with it.
Because there was no damage to the car, and no apparent law had been broken, the officer advised both men to leave the premises and ignore each other in the future. (JK)
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Agatha Christie Classic Selected For Community Reading ProgramAgatha Christie Classic Selected For Community Reading Program
Six Livingston County libraries are once again inviting residents to come together and read and enduring masterwork of detective fiction.
Agatha Christieâs Murder on the Orient Express has been chosen as the Livingston Reads: One Book, One Community choice for 2018. Written in 1934, the novel was made into the classic motion picture of the same name 40 years later, with a new adaptation released just last year. Adult Services Librarian Brandi Tambasco of the Howell Carnegie District Library told WHMI of the aim of this project, which is now in its 14th year, is to encourage residents to read for pleasure and to create a community through reading. The county-wide literary project has positioned the county's libraries as leaders in promoting the joy of reading.
Along with Howell, the Brighton, Fowlerville, Hamburg, Hartlandâs Cromaine, and Pinckney libraries are all participating in the read and have various activities planned throughout March and April. A special screening of the new film-adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express will also take place at the Historic Howell Theater on Friday, April 20th at 7pm. Admission is free with a library card from any of the 6 libraries, with seating on a first-come first-served basis. More information on the book and all the surrounding events can be found online through the link below. (JK)
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Local Blood Donation Events To Be Held Through FebruaryLocal Blood Donation Events To Be Held Through February
Blood donations decline during the winter months and the American Red Cross will be holding several blood drives in Livingston County to ensure a sufficient supply.
Winter storms and the flu donât just mean a lot of people are missing work and school; it also means some canât keep their blood and platelet donation appointments. The Red Cross is urging healthy donors of all blood types to give to help maintain the blood supply for patients in need.
In 2017, severe winter weather forced about 600 blood drives to cancel, resulting in more than 17,500 uncollected blood and platelet donations. A widespread case of the flu across the U.S. has also resulted in lower turnout at blood drives. Blood donation opportunities will be held in Brighton and Howell this month.
Appointments can be made at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. A free app for smart phones can also be downloaded, which allows individuals to make donation appointments, track lifetime donations and find giving opportunities.
Livingston County donation opportunities:
Brighton
2/16/2018: 12:30 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Aquatic Adventures of Michigan, 10049 E. Grand River Avenue, Suite 200
2/18/2018: 9:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., St Mary Magdalen, 2201 S. Old US Hwy 23
Howell
2/26/2018: 1 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Howell Elks Club, 2830 E. Grand River Avenue
2/28/2018: 11:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Livingston County American Red Cross, 1372 W. Grand River Avenue
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Milford Man Enters Plea After Trying To Set Mail Truck On FireMilford Man Enters Plea After Trying To Set Mail Truck On Fire
A Milford man who admitted to trying to set a postal truck on fire has entered a plea.
24-year-old Giovanni May was arrested last year after walking into the Milford Police Department in the early morning hours of March 8th and telling officers he tried to set a mail truck on fire using a lighter fluid-soaked sock. After a ten month delay in which Mayâs competency to stand trial remained in doubt, court records show that he recently entered a guilty plea.
Police say May admitted stuffing the sock into the opening of the truck's gas tank and lighting it just minutes before he turned himself in. It failed to ignite when the sock broke into two and the burning portion fell to the ground. May talked to police about hearing voices in his head and that he wanted to go to jail, saying he had considered setting a police car on fire initially, but chose the postal truck because he hoped it would set off a chain reaction explosion of nearby vehicles. May also said he may have been pushed over the edge by the election of Donald Trump.
After initially being found incompetent, the stateâs center for forensic psychiatry determined May could assist with his defense and thus was able to stand trial. His guilty plea followed soon after. Heâll be sentenced February 20th. (JK)
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Fowlerville Man Found Dead After Falling Through Ice On Saginaw BayFowlerville Man Found Dead After Falling Through Ice On Saginaw Bay
A Livingston County man has been identified as one of two fishermen who died after plunging into the icy waters of Saginaw Bay.
The Huron County Sheriffâs Office has identified the victims as 73-year-old Dennis Shaw of Fowlerville and 69-year-old Williard E. Slider of Caro. They were reported missing from the shoreline community of Rose Island in Fairhaven Township Sunday. Sheriff Kelly J. Hanson tells WHMI itâs his understanding that Shaw has a place in the area and called a friend around 2:30pm Sunday to say they had broken through the ice and needed help. The individual then called 911 and deputies responded with an airboat to find one ice shanty and an ATV in the water. Unfortunately, due to spotty cell service, the message didnât go through in real time and had actually been sent around 9:30am.
Hanson says it appears the two men initially did get out of the ice and started walking back toward shore; unfortunately they went to the north and should have headed east. He noted that inclement weather consisting of snow squalls, strong north winds and very cold temperatures are all believed to have played a big part in the tragedy. The Caseville Fire Department and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources assisted on scene. The investigation into the incident continues and autopsies were pending.
Repeated warnings were already issued over the last couple of weeks about unsafe ice and Hanson says they again remind anglers that ice conditions are very unpredictable. He says the thaws experienced this season and refreezes with added snow covering have made for unstable ice. He noted that prior to the incident involving Shaw and Slider happening, about two miles to the north, an individual was on the phone with a deputy who had broken through the ice on a snowmobile but was able to get out the water and walk back to shore. Photos courtesy Huron County Sheriff's Office. (JM)
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Culver Road Tops List Of Needed Road Repairs In Brighton TownshipCulver Road Tops List Of Needed Road Repairs In Brighton Township
Road improvement projects are being considered by Brighton Township officials who are trying to determine how to spend what little road money is available in 2018.
As road funding is lacking in the state as a whole, most municipalities have taken it upon themselves to do what they can to fund road repairs or entire rehabilitation. Brighton Township is no exception and has been investing into road improvements since 2014.
The townshipâs Board of Trustees met for a budget work session Monday and reviewed a map of roads considered to be in poor condition based on a Paser rating. The Paser scale is from zero to ten, with ten being a newly constructed road. A number of roads in the township are rated a two or three, prompting officials to explore which ones are most in need and what the townshipâs budget can cover. After discussing the estimated cost of repairs, traffic volume and location, the board decided the stretch of Culver Road from Spencer to Pleasant Valley Road could be a good candidate. Current numbers indicate the project would cost around $1,056,000.
Township Manager Brian Vick says another potential project is a culvert on the north end of Pleasant Valley Road that has been out for a number of years. Vick says in terms of funding the estimated $420,000 project, the township is hoping to take the Road Commission up on a 50/50 cost share.
Vick says he will take the boardâs input on both projects to the Road Commission, and come back with a more detailed estimate and information on fund availability. (DK)
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Livingston County Dispatch First In State To Earn Police AccreditationLivingston County Dispatch First In State To Earn Police Accreditation
Livingston County 911 Central Dispatch has made a name for itself on a statewide and international level, having recently achieved police accreditation.
The Board of Accreditation of the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) approved Livingston County Central Dispatch as an Emergency Police Dispatch Center of Excellence last week. 911 Director Chad Chewning says Livingston County Central Dispatch became the first medically accredited center through the IAED in March of 2017. Central Dispatch is now the first in the state to achieve police accreditation through the same organization. This achievement also places the 911 center 15th in the world to become an Emergency Police Dispatch Accredited Center.
The accreditation process takes approximately six months and required Central Dispatch to go through the IAEDâs â20 points of excellenceâ. The system reviews policies and procedures, how emergency calls are processed, and the centerâs quality of customer service. Chewning says the process helps dispatch provide the best possible care to callers no matter what the situation is.
Chewning tells WHMI there is still another level dispatch hopes to achieve. This fall, dispatch plans to pursue fire accreditation, which would make them a âtri-aceâ center. If dispatch were to achieve that goal, Chewning says it would place them somewhere between the 10th and 12th spot in the world as a system with all three components. (DK)
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Legislation Introduced To Reform Michigan's Mental Health Care SystemLegislation Introduced To Reform Michigan's Mental Health Care System
New legislation introduced by a mental health task force co-chaired by a local lawmaker.
A bipartisan group of legislators were appointed to the House CARES Task Force to investigate the needs of what many feel is Michiganâs broken mental health system. The task force was named for its mission â to improve Community, Access, Resources, Education and Safety for the stateâs mental health community â and the legislation is the result of a report released in January. Republican State Representative Hank Vaupel of Handy Township and Democratic State Representative Patrick Green of Warren have introduced House Bills 5460 and 5461. The bills would require drug overdose training for peace officers, medical first responders and paramedics to combat the exponential growth in instances of opioid overdose.
Other bills introduced would combat the growing shortage of mental health care professionals by expanding Michiganâs talent pool; help local agencies fight substance abuse by dedicating a portion of the revenues raised through state liquor taxes to local community mental health agencies; ensure availability of psychiatric beds for patients experiencing a mental health crisis by creating a new state database to include the number and location of available beds at health care facilities throughout Michigan; and require clinicians to complete parole psychological evaluations within 45 days of the parole boardâs request to ensure parole decisions are not unnecessarily delayed.
Vaupel says the legislation is just the beginning and thereâs a lot more to come, adding every measure they introduce continues to be directly inspired by the stories and suggestions of real people.
The task force report can be viewed through the link provided, and a press release detailing the legislation is attached. (JM)
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Livingston Dental Center Celebrates One Year AnniversaryLivingston Dental Center Celebrates One Year Anniversary
Itâs already been one year since the Livingston Dental Center has been serving the community and those in need of care.
The center is owned by the Livingston County Health Department and operated by My Community Dental Centers. Itâs located at 1335 Byron Road in Howell and provides comprehensive, oral health care to all patients in need of a new dental home but specifically focuses on patients who are under-served or without insurance. It serves those on Medicaid, the Healthy Michigan Plan or Healthy Kids; as well as those who have difficulty accessing dental services.
Health Promotion Coordinator Chelsea Moxlow tells WHMI theyâre very excited and itâs been a really successful year, noting they are clearly meeting a need thatâs been around for a long time. Moxlow says in the first year, the Livingston Dental Center saw 1,627 unique patients in 3,603 office visits. Of those patients, 45.7% are on Medicaid, 30.3% on Healthy Michigan Plan, and 8.8% on Delta Healthy Kids.
My Community Dental Centers has also been named one of nine finalists for the third annual Henry Schein Cares Medal, an award given to nonprofit organizations from the fields of oral health, animal health, and medicine that demonstrate excellence in expanding access to care for the under-served. Gold, silver, and bronze medalists will be announced later this year for each field.
For new patient registration, those interested should contact My Community Dental Centers at 877- 313-6232 or visit www.mydental.org. the link is provided. (JM)
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Fenton Approves Loose Center To Enter New Funding AgreementFenton Approves Loose Center To Enter New Funding Agreement
The city of Fenton has agreed to back out of a long-standing financial agreement in an effort to give The Loose Center in Linden a more consistent form of funding.
For over 20 years Fenton has assisted with funding the senior center, after entering into an agreement with Linden, Tyrone Township, Fenton Township and Argentine Township in 1996. The Loose Center is a facility that provides educational, companionship, and wellness services to approximately 5,000 local senior citizens. Over the years, the funding formula for the center has varied, with various municipalities withdrawing from the agreement, leaving just the cities of Fenton and Linden.
A new agreement is now coming to fruition which will now see The Southern Lakes Parks and Recreation provide the center with a consistent $72,000 a year through their millage pool. Fentonâs Mayor Pro Tem Patricia Lockwood praised the new agreement saying it will allow The Loose Center to better balance a consistent yearly budget.
The center still has to wait a year before the new agreement with Southern Lakes come into effect. Once the agreement is underway, it will have the agreement in place for three years until they need to re-negotiate with Southern Lakes. Lockwood, who is a board member for both Loose and Southern Lakes, said she considers this a âwin-winâ for all parties involved. Lockwood also said she hopes the city of Fenton will continue to help aid The Loose Center through federal grant money once the new agreement is in place. (DF/JK)
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Woman Found Competent To Stand Trial In Shooting Death Of Pregnant Linden WomanWoman Found Competent To Stand Trial In Shooting Death Of Pregnant Linden Woman
A woman charged with fatally shooting a pregnant Linden woman and her co-worker has been found competent to stand trial.
55-year-old Jacquelyn Tyson faces two counts of pre-meditated 1st degree murder and two counts of felony firearms. Sheâs charged with shooting 20-year-old Lyric Work and 45-year-old Tamara Johnson at the Grand Oaks Apartments leasing office on July 26th, 2016. Johnson was pronounced dead at a hospital while Work, who was pregnant, was put on life support so the baby could be delivered. Work then passed away three days later. Her child survived.
Tyson appeared in 67th District Court for a preliminary exam recently; where it was determined she was competent to stand trial. Tyson has been housed at the State Forensic Center for Psychiatry, and was twice declared incompetent but is said to be making progress with time, treatment and medication. She will remain at the center until trial and another psychological evaluation will be performed to determine criminal responsibility.
Tyson is being held without bond on the two homicide charges. Bond was again denied during her recent exam and she was bound over to Genesee County Circuit Court. Future court dates are pending. (JM)
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Convery Announces Plans To Retire As Howell Chamber PresidentConvery Announces Plans To Retire As Howell Chamber President
Retirements plans were announced today for the long-time head of a local chamber of commerce.
After 28-years with the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce, the last 15 as president, Pat Convery said today she will retire, effective Friday, March 2nd. Convery says she informed the chamberâs executive board last fall of her plans to step down this year and that they have begun the process of selecting an executive search firm and forming a search committee to assist the chamber in filling the position. An internal interim leader has been selected pending final board approval later this month.
Convery, who was recently named the Howell Citizen of the Year, said the decision was not a hasty one and that while her last day is less than a month away, she didnât want to prolong her departure. Convery added that she has the utmost faith in the chamberâs âvery capableâ staff who will, âcontinue their good work and leadership during this transition.â
Convery began her tenure at the Howell Chamber in 1990, managing the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest and then later adding communication and marketing responsibilities. She advanced to become the chamber president in January of 2003. In her time in that role, the Howell Chamber was named the 2016 Outstanding Chamber of the Year, while Convery twice received the Michigan Chamber Professional Award. (JK)
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Crimes Committed In South Lyon Are Stable, Slightly DownCrimes Committed In South Lyon Are Stable, Slightly Down
Crimes committed in the City of South Lyon continue to hold at a stable rate.
South Lyon Police Lieutenant Chris Sovic said the department has seen fairly consistent activity and crime numbers that he would describe as not high. There was a 4.3 increase in calls-for-service made in 2017, with nearly 14,500 being made. There were 25 adults arrested in South Lyon on felony charges last year, down from the 29 in 2016 according to the South Lyon Herald.
The big focus last year was the restriction on commercial trucks making turns downtown, at Lake Street and Lafayette. The department issued warnings for two weeks following the installation of no turn signs, but have begun to write citations to offenders, since. Sovic said that too often big trucks making turns there were stopping traffic or causing damage. GPS information has been reworked to provide new routes to drivers.
Traffic accidents dropped last year, with 200 being reported versus 218 in 2016. Arrests for drunk or drugged driving also dipped. There were 33 arrests last year for impaired driving, down from 42 in 2016, and 35 the year before. Sovic said that all-in-all they have been able to do more and meet demand with less, as theyâve still not replaced officers the department lost going back to 2008. (MK)
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Winans Lake Road Scheduled For Improvements In Hamburg TownshipWinans Lake Road Scheduled For Improvements In Hamburg Township
Part of Winans Lake Road is slated for road work this coming construction season â marking much faster completion of a larger project than originally anticipated.
Voters in Hamburg Township approved a road millage in 2016. Since then, the Livingston County Road Commission has been working with Hamburg Township to complete various projects.
Managing Director Mike Craine tells WHMI this past year, they were able to complete 80% of Hamburg Townshipâs five year millage plan for roads. Craine says they were able to get great prices and contractors, and Hamburg came up with additional funds. The upcoming work to be done is the last piece of the millage on Winans Lake Road between Chilson and Hamburg Road. Craine says itâs exciting because the township will really have delivered a five-year-program in two years.
Craine says there could be further projects on local roads during the upcoming season as the pavement preservation program generates a lot of roadwork but traditionally many townships donât start picking projects until March or so. (JM)
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Fowlerville Schools To Bring $17.5 Million Bond Proposal Before VotersFowlerville Schools To Bring $17.5 Million Bond Proposal Before Voters
A special school election for Fowlerville Community School constituents will be held in May, at which time voters will be asked to approve a $17.5 million bond proposal.
At a meeting Tuesday, the districtâs Board of Education adopted a resolution calling for the proposal to appear on the May 2018 ballot. The bond would be used for a variety of infrastructure improvements throughout the district, though voters wonât see an increase in their taxes if it passes.
The district currently levies 9.55 mills for construction and bond payments. That rating would stay the same, even with the borrowing of $17.5(m) million. The district is able to achieve that by extending their bond repayment period to a total of 22 years. Superintendent Wayne Roedel says by adding four years onto their current repayment period, theyâre able to recoup the $17.5(m) million up front.
Roedel says in addition to status quo taxes, constituents' students will benefit from facility improvements, regardless of the building they're at. Roedel calls it a âsweeping bond issue", as the projects are spread throughout the district.
Boilers, classrooms, instructional technology, and athletic fields would all receive upgrades should the bond pass. Roedel says one of the main issues the district is looking to address is the roof of Kreeger Elementary School, which has long worn out its life expectancy.
District officials intend to educate voters about the bond and how it would be utilized in the coming months. (DK)
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10th Annual Runway Repurposed Set To Show Off Creative Designs10th Annual Runway Repurposed Set To Show Off Creative Designs
60 area designers will be showcasing their work later this month at an annual fundraiser that combines the art of fashion design with the creative use of donated fabric.
The 10th Annual Runway Repurposed will be held on Sunday, February 25th at 1pm at Oak Pointe Country Club in Brighton. Itâs being hosted by Grassroots Arts Initiative, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to supporting the arts and individual artists of all mediums. There are five competition categories: Young Beginner; Student; Adult; Avant Garde and Advanced. All category winners will receive a cash prize and a trophy designed by local artists.
Contestant designs are critiqued by a panel of judges. The 2018 judges are Maddie May Kroll, a former Runway Repurposed 1st place winner and currently a New York fashion designer; Toni Davidson, owner of the Fashion Factory in Mt. Clemens; Lori Dodds, artist and former Runway Repurposed 1st place winner; Barbie Weisserman, adjunct professor at Oakland Community College; Laura Bremer, artist and Detroit fashion designer; Shannon Taylor Jafari, fashion designer for B.B. Dakota in Los Angeles; culinary expert Renee Chodkowski, aka the Great Foodini; Mary Ann McCray, owner of Le Boutique Upscale Resale, Howell; Ashley Hahn, student of fashion design at Kent State, Ohio, and former Runway Repurposed contestant winner; and Jenna Kator, of The Jenna Kator Collection in Livonia.
Tickets for the event, which is sponsored by First National Bank of Howell, are available through the link below or at Bink & Babs, Brighton; J.J. Jinkelheimer, Howell; and Finding Roots, Howell. Ticket price is $20.00 in advance or $25.00 at the door. Proceeds from the event provide scholarships for students of all ages in a variety of art disciplines. (JK)
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Lawsuit Against GM For Proving Grounds Contamination Moved To Federal CourtLawsuit Against GM For Proving Grounds Contamination Moved To Federal Court
A lawsuit filed by a group of Brighton Township residents against General Motors alleging groundwater contamination resulting from the Milford Proving Grounds has been removed from Livingston County Circuit Court to U.S. District Court in Detroit.
Attorney Alexander Memmen is representing a group of the residents who have filed suit and says the action to move the lawsuit was initiated by GM as the automaker believes that the issues concerning the proving grounds are related to the companyâs 2009 bankruptcy and thus belong in federal court. Memmen tells WHMI while there are some points to be ironed out in that regard; they feel the case was filed properly in Livingston County. Memmen says they will be filing motions soon in the case, although he declined to elaborate as to exactly what they will be seeking.
As for the lawsuit itself, the residents claim the contamination has caused permanent environmental damage, affected their home values, caused damages to vegetation and landscaping, damaged and corroded personal property and caused negative health effects. The suit alleges that despite reports citing sodium chloride contamination for more than 30 years, GM actively concealed and ignored the level of pollutants leaching into neighboring groundwater and drinking water sources until 2014. Residents allege that GM has committed fraud, violated the Michigan Environmental Protection Act, was negligent, trespassed and have been a public and private nuisance. They are asking the court to award each affected resident an amount exceeding $25,000 and to force GM to no longer pollute their neighborhood and pay for cleanup and repair costs.
In response, GM said they do not believe this suit has merit, adding that, âSalt deposits naturally occur in this area, and salt is also used on the many nearby public roads during winter.â The company further maintains that âacting as a good neighbor, salt usage at the Milford Proving Ground has been reduced by 60% over the last two decades and GM submits regular reports on the groundwater quality at the Milford Proving Ground to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.â The lawsuit alleges GM has known about chloride contamination since 1985 when an engineering firm recommended the company monitor chloride levels in wells and surface waters, examine salt usage, and check any new wells drilled at the site for contamination. However, it says after receiving the study results, GM ignored those recommendations and failed to disclose the contamination to regulatory authorities or local residents. (JK)
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