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PLYMOUTH LOCAL M U D D ERS TOUGH IT OUT S P O R T S , B 1 Skepticism greets Flanagan’s proposal Local school district leaders fear loss of control Michigan Superintendent of By Brad Kadrich ment, food service, accounting, countywide bureaucracy would be Schools Mike Staff Writer education technology and other overwhelming,” Barrett said. “It’s Flanagan, shown operations. difficult enough running a very here at an event A consolidation proposal by Local school districts would large district, but to run it from a last year with state Superintendent Mike Flana “focus primarily on getting their county level... maybe there are form er gan to transfer administrative students to higher levels of some things we could learn going Plymouth-Canton functions from Michigan’s 500- achievement and on education forward. Superintendent Dr. plus school districts to existing evaluations,” he stated. “A much better idea is what Jeremy Hughes, intermediate school districts is Plymouth-Canton is already doing, has suggested drawing mixed responses from Opinions vary with sharing food service opera making municipal, political and public Not everyone agrees. John tions with Livonia. That’s has been countywide school school officials around Wayne Barrett, the president of the Ply very successful.** districts. County. mouth-Canton Board of Educa State Rep. Kurt Heise, R- His proposed “hybrid system” tion, called it “an interesting con Plmouth Tonship, whose district would centralize administrative cept” that would be overwhelming covers Plymouth, Northville and and academic functions at the to do, particularly in large coun part of Canton Township, said county or regional level, including ties like Wayne. such a plan would create “a rather transportation, curriculum devel “I agree with many of the opment, staff training/develop- critics who say to jump into a See PROPOSAL, Page A3 B e c k / M - 1 4 A rtistic excellence exit gets n e w l i g h t Art in the Park By Brad Kadrich delights visitors to Staff W riter Drivers struggling to make a left turn getting off of east- heart of Plymouth bound M-14 onto Beck Road are getting some help. By Brad Kadrich According to state Rep. Staff Writer Kurt Heise, R-Plymouth Town ship, that intersection is get The 34th annual Art in the Park in ting a new traffic signal. downtown Plymouth made history in at Heise called the light a “ma least one aspect. jor improvement to the traffic Plymouth City Manager Paul Sincock, situation in the area.” The who has been around in one way or an signal should be in place by the 1 other for all of them, said the crowds got end of the summer. so large, particularly for Friday’s open “This traffic light is going to ing day, that city officials had to do make the commute better and something they’ve never had to do be more hassle-free for area resi fore: Use a senior bus to supplement the dents,” Heise said. “A traffic annual shuttle that brings visitors into signal at Beck and M-14 is a town. much-needed improvement I* “We’ve never had to do that on a Fri and is going to instantly im day,” Sincock said. “The crowds were prove the quality of life for just amazing. It’s good for the city, good anyone that has to exit onto for business.” Beck from M-14 east during Thousands of people passed through Lauren Branneman of Lansing is the human canvas. Kristen Dillenbeck Anderson, of peak hours.” downtown Plymouth during the three- Brooklyn, N.Y., is the artist. Anderson's mom Sharon owns D&M Art Studio in Canton, all Heise worked with Ply day festival, which ended Sunday. PHOTOS BY BILL BRESLER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER mouth Township Supervisor The weather was perfect, with sunny Richard Reaume, township skies and temperatures that weren’t some inventory for the second day of the Treasurer Ron Edwards and soaring. Visitors saw exhibits by about fair. the Michigan Department of 400 artists and crafters. They jammed “I thought we’d sell a lot, but I didn’t Transportation to install the Kellogg Park and surrounding streets think we’d sell out,” Lauren said. “It was traffic signal at the eastbound for three days, browsing the art, talking exciting. It made me want to keep mak exit of M-14 onto Beck Road. to artists, stopping in downtown restau ing them.” Reaume hailed the lights as rants and soaking up the rays and the Lauren said she saw the idea online a huge safety improvement for atmosphere. and made her own shoes. When she wore drivers in the area. Jen Hackmann of Ann Arbor was them to school (even with the uniform “It’s really a safety issue,” there Saturday with twin 10-year-old required at Gabriel Richard) and got a Reaume said. “It’s long past daughters Jadyn and Jordan. Both girls lot of positive feedback, the idea started due as a safety concern, espe were taking advantage of the Duck Tape building. Her mom Karen was proud to cially for vehicles turning booth, making duct tape jewelry. see her pull it off. left.” “I love coming to the festival because “I was very impressed,” Karen Lay Heise agreed without the you get to see all kinds of art,” Jadyn den said. “For her to see that she can lights anyone wanting to make said. “Plus, I love duct tape.” imagine something and then do it was a left turn onto Beck at this The fair proved to be more of a boon priceless. I was very proud.” intersection during peak travel to 15-year-old Lauren Layden of Ply Not everyone was there to sell, times faced lengthy waits. mouth than even she thought it was go though. Kristen Dillenbeck Anderson, an “The intersection created a ing to be. Lauren, a student at Ann Arbor artist whose mother owns D&M Art dangerous situation, people Gabriel Richard High School, was sell Studio in Canton, said she was there just were left waiting and often ing multi-colored shoes she painted her for “the enjoyment of the audience.” Neal Michaels of Plymouth has a caricature made ill-advised turns due to self. She sold so many Friday that she made by Grand Rapids artist Chris LaPorte. had to stay up late that night to have See ART, Page A2 See BECK/M-14. Page A2 CAR With 89,000 EXTRAVAGANZA miles on the Plymouth welcomes odometer, What: 35th annual Con Mike Welch's cours d'Elegance of America 1966 Ferrari Concours back to town Where: The Inn at St. John's, 330 GTS is no 44045 Five Mile, in Plymouth hangar By Brad Kadrich propriate for car enthusiasts, When: Sunday, July 28,10 queen, but a Staff Writer who believe the field of some a.m. to 4 p.m. car he enjoys 275 cars will make it one of the Cost: General admission, driving. It was hot Tuesday on the hottest shows of its kind in the $25 (includes free parking, Except for grounds of the Inn at St. John’s, world. shuttle and program book); paint where organizers of the Con The show this year includes children 12 years and under touchups, the cours d’Elegance were staging vintage NASCAR cars, what are free with paid adult vehicle is all the press preview day for the organizers called “a special adm ission. original, bill 35th annual car show, set for the array” of 1963 Corvettes and Contact: For information, BRESLER | STAFF end of the month. call 248-643-8645 or go to PHOTOGRAPHER The temperatures were ap See CONCOURS, Page A2 www.concoursusa.org. UBSERVER C£ rLCCENTRIC © The Observer & Eccentric INDEX homatownllfe.com Volume 126 • Number 98 Business............................. ... A 8 H o m e s ...................... ............ B10 Services................ ............... B10 A GANNETT COMPANY I I Crossword Puzzle... .. 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