NOVEMBER 21, 1999 (W)AJ S Lyrical Magic Draws Them to Library
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mmmmmit ***mw ••p "W^P^P^^WF mWWW* *m*imw^mwmmm Taste of the Arts' approaching, CI •Twim^m- -- HWH1Mi..v;wMt»Mt.mi- Sunday Putting you in touch Novftmbftr 21,1999 Serving the Westland Community for 35 years with your world {$ VOLUME 35 NUMBER 49 WesriAND. MICHIGAN • 72 PAOts • http: /observer eccentric.com iT> Fi'vt CtNV 0 Hit hamJTawn C*mmtumUtmtion* fthntwwrfc liw THE WEEK Library nepotism flap heats up AHEAD No action was taken, but several residents about how marvelous Westlartd is," res On Wednesday, Wilson said she came to a library board meeting Wednesday to ident and former library volunteer Jim hasn't been able to find employees, protest a violation of the library's nepotism Cook told the board, *it'a an embar "and I was desperate and glad to have rassment. Honest to God, folks, it's an Cheryl," Thanksgiving closings: policy. The board will next consider action on embarrassment. H. Even Wilson has had to work as Westland City Hall will the policy at its Dec. 15 meeting. One former library board member, Jo many as 30 hours a week at the library be closed Thursday and BY DARRELL CLEM library's image, board members left a Johnson, already resigned over the hir reference desk, working weekends and STAFF WRJTKR meeting Wednesday without resolving ing flap. nights to try to keep up with her duties Friday. The 18th District dclem&oe.homecomin.Det the issue. Library Director Sandra Wilson has a* director. Court will also be closed Westland library board members are The board will tackle the controversy conceded that she made a mistake by "I cant go on working these kinds of Thursday and Friday. under intense pressure to keep a nepo again during its next meeting, Dec. 15. hiring Cheryl Chuck for a 3Q-hour-a- hours and not get burnt out myself," tism policy that was violated when In the meantime, Chuck will continue week job that Chuck started Oct. 18, sine said. The Westland library will A nepotism policy clearly states that President Jim Chuck's wife was hired to serve as president while his wife, Image concerns close early at 5 p.m. for a part-time job. Cheryl, keeps. her,$12-an-hour job in -family members of library board mem Wednesday and be closed Amid warnings from residents that the library children's room. bers may not be hired. The board has But several residents who attended dropping the policy will tarnish the "It's going to be much harder to talk lifted the rule for Cheryl Chuck as it the board meeting implored officials Thursday and Friday. debates a policy change Please see FUFVA4 MONDAY City Ha\\: The Westland City Council will hold a study session 6:15p.m. in City Hall. It will focus on the arena feasibility study. TUESDAY Speaker: The Westland gets nod Democratic Club will Bv DARRELL CLEM meet 7:30p.m. in the STAFF WRITER Dorsey Community Cen dclem@w*.horoeconim.net ter. The speaker will be In a long-awaited victory. Westland city officials learned Friday that a pro rxiUKi iCuit, L-n/n J-<I.GC'(,£££ posed $'>'.!?h-end' fire ^tf-ttion will Union of Michigan Presi receive $700,000 in federal dollars. "1 feel exuberant." James Gilbert. dent Janet Cooper, who c 11,v housing/coinmunity dcve 1 opine111 •will discuss charter director, said, 'it's oniy Thanksgiving, schools. Call (734) 729- hut Christmas has come early " A minor ditch in population slati.>- 6248 or (734) 422*5863. tics had'threatened federal funding fur a full-size fire station on the southeast corner of Annapolis and Irene, in Carv WEDNESDAY er subdivision. STATT FUOtftt StTOjf H*Wl*Y But city officials waged a battle until Grand opening: Bed Bath Chautauqua Express: Guy Louis performs his Native American song with the help of students learning Friday from U.S. Kep. Lynn & Beyond will ha ve a n at Wildwopd E^epientary. Two performances were held at the school, one in the morning and Rivers, D-Ann Arbor, that the federal one in the'dfternoon, dollars had been .'improved 8:30 a.m. ribbon cutting Construction is expected to start next ceremony with the West- spring "We kind oi anticipated that it would land Chamber of Com* be OK." Mayor Robert Thomas said of merce. The location is the project, adding, later, "We had 35120 Central City Park WilHwood's wild about Louis never given up nil it'" ' way. Coffee and dough lie hailed the lire station as a cata BY JULIE BROWN "They really had a nice time." lyst that will continue a redevelopment nuts will be served. STAFF WRITER Tyszkiewicz -said of the Wildwood . iiffort already under i*.iv in Carver jbrown#oe. homecomm.net students. He was impressed with subdivision, sou .:. <.>as't .>:•(' Middle-heTt uy Louis and his Chautauqua how Louis tied the history of music and Annapolis INDEX Express Musical came to Wild- into ecology, emphasizing saving '"Not'only will it. be a catalyst for con Gwood Elementary Wednesday trees and keeping water clean. The tinued development in that area, but • Arte CI for a fun-filled day. program included science and histor now- people moving in there will know ry, the principal said. that there will be a fire station around • Classified Index £3 The morning and afternoon perfor mances focused on American music. the corner," Thomas said. "Things like Autos HI Students sang and danced with Please see LOUIS, A4 thai will make people feel comfortable and make them want to move there." Home & Service Guide H Native American drums and rattles. Fblk, blues and rock and roll were Participation: Fifth-grader City officials want to build a new fire Jobs Gl also featured. station because the city's southeast- Jason Moody (left) acts and side includes an L-shaped area that is Rental* E8 !*•! think it went really well," said sounds like a monkey when Kurt Tyszkiewicz, Wild wood Elemen geographically Separate from the rest • Crossword £5 tary School principal. "He had a lot of performing with Guy Louis. of Westland. • Obituaries A6 student interaction," Studen ts were perform ing as Moreover, firefighters responding from the closest fire station at Palmer • Real Estate El Instruments Louis used included a different animals to a folk 1 •••" Stratoeaster electric guitar, song as part of the American and Northgate faced possible delay* at • Sports Bl Renaissance lute, si*- and 12-strtng music lesson. At right is fifth- a railroad..crossing. guitars, ukulele, mandolin and a The new fire station also will include variety of percussion instruments. grader Briana Gutierrez. an office for a.part-time community HOW TO REACH US Please see FUNDfNO, A6 Newsroom: 734-453-2104 Newsroom Fax: 734-S917279 E-mail: JbrownS oft.hon*c«mm.rMt Outlook's good for man after kidney transplant Nigmtine/Sports: 734-953-2104 Reader Comment Line: 734-953-2042 BY RICHARD PEARL . transplant. • five or six days," he said he's "getting a little better every day," STAFF WRITER the healing is "'slower than I wanted. Classified Advertising: 734-5910900 The elder Popp, 59. of Westland, said The anti-rejection drugs he's being rpearWoeJjOBiecomin.iM't his time on the surgical table was given to help his body accept the new Hut that's not odd.'they .'the doctors' Display Advertising; 734-591-2300 Richard Popp Sr. said Friday morn longer than expected because doctors organ "are very difficult to get used to," say." Home Delivery: 734-5910500 ing he expected to be home this week had to operate twice - the second time he said Wednesday On Friday morning, Richard Jr., a end, roughly 10 days after receiving a to realign the new kidney. He also said he'd lost 20'pounds computer teacher «t a South-field high kidney from son Richard Jr However, that procedure took "just a because he's had to continue with the school, \isited his father and said his "If not today, tomorrow (Saturday)" couple hours," he said. kidney dialysis; he's been undergoing dad "looked better than he ha.s in is what doctors at Beaumont Hospital The new kidney is "still not function the last five years to remove waste years, color-wise " On MMMffT «i IW¥ in Royal Oak told the popular former ing as fully as they want, but it's mov from his body. As for hinwlf. the younger T'opp. a ^2-year-old single father of three who Garden City High School teacher and ing in the right direction," he said. "It However, Popp Sr also'began walk was released from the hospital Nov l,'{, MArVunofVwm assistant football coach who underwent is functioning, just not fully." ing Wednesday for the first time since said he feels great and plan* to return an 11-hour operation Nov. 10'that Popp wiH return next week <n the surgery, going 300-400 feet from his bed. then back several times ended a nearly five-year-wait'for the hospital for *a lot of !*nti-rejerti(Yn HOMITOWN treatment" - dailv "for the next four. Though* his strength is returning and Please see KIONCY, A3 :: ^1,,,. ••••• fi|»TipRT. Be a part of a very Ice arena addition tops Monday meeting agenda special first edition of Jan. 1, 2000, by placing BY DARRKU CLEM KOsowski said. The Westland Hockey Association the largest your photo and message BTArfWum Westland City Council members will djseuss ire user - could "easily" double its use of tee time if fi sec <ktUiw#oe.h<wiieccMniTi .net arena issues during ;< study session at B lf> pin Men <md sheet wore added to the arena the report sag in your hometown A new study indicates strong mupport for a second day at City Hall on Ford Road gests, * Observer.