Residents Protest Proposed Location of New City Hall Second Judge out Of
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iJKcrai3ianmd.fr 3^..- -ossysscazi-' J j Spring's^ [ hot new I colors MlESTLAND A GANNETT COMPANY A GREAT SMILE'AND MUCH MORE SUBSCRIBERS - FIND YOUR COPY OF WOMAN WITH TODAY'S NEWSPAPER PRICE: $1 • THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012 • hometownlife.com Offices closed Residents protest proposed . Westland city offices, including the 18th District Court and the • Recycl i ng Center, wi 11 be closed on Good Friday, April 6. Garbage location of new city hall and recycling pickup will not be affected. By LeAnne Rogers Director) Bruce Thompson that can call me. I would like to start The Historical Mu city hall for several reasons Observer Staff Writer the property wasn't zoned for • our own committee," said Camp including the ability to fund the seum will be closed on residential, just the library," said bell. project with recaptured proper Saturday, April 7; the In a literal case of not in my Newberry Estates resident Bill . The property in question— ty taxes through the Tax Incre Westland Library will back yard, residents from New Campbell. "Probably 150 homes nine acres behind the library — ment Financing Authority with be closed on Saturday berry Estates Subdivision will be affected by this. Don't is owned by the city and is actu out requiring additional taxes. and Sunday, April 7-8, build City Hall there, please." and the Bailey Recre appeared before the Westland ally zoned R-5, single family Constructed about six years, ation Center will be council Monday to object to a Campbell commented that the residential like the library site. Newberry Estates Subdivision closed on Easter Sun proposal under discussion to homeowners association had It has undeveloped land with is located south of the library day, April 8. construct a new city hall north of already been contacted by an trees around the perimeter but a west of Central City Parkway their homes neaf the William P. attorney and implied he would paved parking area near the cen and north of Ford. A commercial Faust Library. " organize a recall effort against ter and a pavilion used for con strip center, including Kroger, is ."We never heard about this the elected officials, if the proj certs. located immediately south of the development. I was told by ect moves forward. The council has looked at the (Westland Planning and Building "I don't want to do it. People property as the site of the a new Please see CITY HALL, A2 City's TIFA citizens council to get more By LeAnne Rogers Estates resident, Robert Observer Staff Writer Kieffman, also said that Marshmallow he wanted to participate Drops Local residents will on the citizens council have additional represen and questioned the pro Wayne County Parks tation on a body review cess for finding the mem and the Westland Civi- ing project plans for the bers. tan Club are sponsoring city's Tax Increment The nine residents the annual Marshmal ' Financing Authority. "; offered to council for . low Drop at 11 a.m. Council'members voted appointment to the cit Friday, April 6, at the izens council included Nankin Mills area on to add expand the TIFA Development Area Cit-'( eight members who were Hines Drive, just east izens Council from nin6 appointed a year ago of Ann Arbor Trail in to 11 members Monday. - • as the TIFA looked into Westland. after residents living > alternatives for replac Thousands of near the possible site of a ing City Hall. That effort , marshiriallows will be new city hall complained didn't move forward as ' dropped from a heli they hadn't had known expected, said Westland copter for youngsters about the council and Economic Development ' to pick up and turn in hadn't had an opportunity Director LoriFodale.. for a prize. Regardless to serve. As the need arose again, of how many marsh- Fodale said the cur- • mallows are collected, A proposal to build a new city on city-owned rent members were con each child will receive tacted and asked if they one treat. There will property west of the William P. Faust Public were interested in being be three separate age appointed again. groups — 4 years and Library was discussed at younger, 5-7 years and an earlier council study The appointed mem 8 years and older. • session and wasn't actu bers are Diana Dallavec- BILL BRESLER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER ally on the Monday meet chia, Linda Potter, Bar For more informa Brandon Tomblin and attorney Robert Mullen in Judge Ron Lowe's courtroom. ing agenda. However, the bara Barski, Mary Mur tion, call (734) 261-1990 council was appointing phy, James Murphy, or visit www.wayne- members to the citizens Judy Bianchi, Lisa Egg- • countyparks.org. council, which is need , ers, Bud O'Leary and The Wayne Parks and ed to review an amend Pola O'Leary. State law Recreation Depart ed plan that could include requires that members of ment will hold its 33rd Second judge the City Hall project and the citizens council live annual Marshmallow allow funding of the proj within the boundaries of Drop 10 a.m. to noon ect through recaptured the TIFA district. Friday, April 6, at the property tax dollars in In his motion amend Anderson ball field in" the TIFA District. Goudy Park, on Howe ment, Councilman Bill out of sex case "I live adjacent to the Johnson wanted Nathan • south of Annapolis. The first drop wilTbe library. How can I partici and Kief fman, whose at 10 am. for walking pate if you haven already names weren't specifical toddlers to age 4 and By Darrell Clem year-old boy. ' chosen a the board?" said ly mentioned, appointed children with a disabil Observer Staff Writer . Judge Ronald Lowe refused to hear Mack Nathan, who lives to the citizens council. ity. The second drop will testimony Monday as Tomblin, 26, on Newberry Estates Council President . be for children age 5-7 A second judge from 35th District appeared in court for what has become Drive. "There should James Godbout support and the third drop for ' Court in Plymouth has recused himself a twice-delayed preliminary exami be several people with . ed a suggestion from child ages 8-10. from'a case involving former Wayne- nation on one count of child sexually homes at the back of the Mayor William Wild that Westland school teacher Brandon Lee ' abusive activity, two counts of using a library on it. I walk my residents interested in Tomblin, a Canton man jailed.on crim computer to commit a crime and two. dogs back there and that serving on the citizens inal charges following accusations of ' will be eliminated." inappropriate behavior toward a 16- Please see DELAYED, A2 A second Newberry Please see EXPAND, A2 INDEX Business A8 Crossword Puzzle ....B12 Entertainment B6 ; Food B9 Homes B12 Veteran starts writing group for fellow vets Jobs B13 Obituaries B5 By LeAnne Rogers out," said Durfee, 58, who It's really necessary to talk For the veterans writ Westland's William P. Opinion A10 Services B12 . Observer Staff Writer served in the U.S. Navy about what you have writ ing group, Durfee said Faust Library. The next Sports......... B1 1972-75. • ten," said Durfee,. who has he'd like participants to session is set for 7 p.m. \ Wheels B14 Veteran and poet Mark A poet since he was a published three books of bring a piece of writing Wednesday, April 18. Durfee is looking for teen; Durfee said he real poetry. "People are really — a short story or poet Participants can regis © The Observer & Eccentric * other veterans to join a izes participating in a writ shy about letting.strangers ry — to be discussed. ter by calling (734) 326- Volume 47 • Number 91 monthly creative writing ing group has its own set • hear about their writing." "Something to look' 6123. group that will focus on. of challenges which is A retired master auto at through my eyes. "Everything is free. Home Delivery: their experiences in com hampering the number of mechanic, Durfee said he I'll analyze their word If nothing else, they (866) 887-2737 bat and at home. veterans signing lip for the has worked with many choices, the structure can enjoy a free water . Collectively, veter free program. writers, primarily on a and syntax," he said. and steal'a pen from' the Return 4130+Concept Dr. ans keep a lot bottled up, "A lot of getting a crowd one-on-one basis. He has No previous writing library,'' said Durfee. Plymouth Nl 48170. Durfee said. "The idea is is getting over that in-bom also run open mic nights, experience is required to be a bottle opener and fear of talking in front of a currently every other and the program is being lrogersOhometownlife.com let some of that steam group—public speaking. month in Ferndale. offered at no charge by (313) 222-5428 V A2 (W) Observer & Eccentric | Thursday, April 5,2012 LOCAL NEWS online at hometownlife.com EXPAND use the same process as rer noted that when there West la nd Tl FA D i strict our boards andcommis- isn't a project, Westland Continued from page A1 sions," said Councilman would receive only about Adam Hammons. "There 30 cents out of each dol council send a letter of may be more people at lar collected with the bal interest to his office or to home who are interested. ance refunded to other Fodale. I have no issue with add taxing jurisdictions. "I agree with add ing two people." Unlike the current City ing two people but both The TIFA Board had .Hall location, the city- (Nathan and Kief f man) handled the construction owned property behind are Newberry Estates of the library more than the library is part of the residents," said Coun 15 years ago, Wild said.