Nuslc From USA WEEKEND the tarage Hometownlife, C1 Inside today's Observer July 6,2008 75 cents WINNERS OF STATE AND NATIONAL AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE wmmMmmMmmmwjMMmMmMMmmm www.hometownlife.com BY DAPRELLCLEM OBSERVER STAFF WRITER A Westland man was convicted Thursday of second- degree murder for the fatal stabbing of a drywall work- er who allegedly made a racial slur outside of Country Court Apartments, on Wildwood north of Ford. Christopher Long, 18, was found guilty of killing Gerald William Dean Jr., 45, by a Wayne County Circuit Court jury that returned its verdict Thursday, one day after deliberations began and three days after the trial started. "I'm satisfied with the verdict. I think it was the right verdict," Police Chief James Ridener said. "It was PHOTOS BY TOM HAWLEY | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER a spur of the moment (killing). I'm sure he'll be out of Nine-year-old Cassel Kaiser of Westland acts as though she is playing the flute as the Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps passes by during the Westland society for a long period of time, although that will be Summer Festival Parade Wednesday evening. up to the judge." Long could face any number of years up to life in , prison when he is sentenced July 21 by Judge Timothy Kenny. Long would have faced the certainty of life in prison had the jury convicted him of a higher charge of first-degree murder. Dean was stabbed in the back of the head last Aug. 19 during a dispute outside of Long's apartment. During the trial, Westland Police Officer Richard Novakowski recapped testimony from an earlier pre- Mother Nature wasn't quick enough liminary hearing that focused on a written statement to rain on the opening act of the 39th by Long. annual Westland Summer Festival parade Long wrote that Dean asked for a hit of his cigarette, Wednesday evening, but she did put a but Long didn't want to share it. Long, who is black, damper on other events planned for the alleged that Dean, who was white, uttered a racial slur evening. during the incident. Crowds lined Ford and Wayne Road to According to the statement, Long said he went watch the parade, led by Grand Marshal Miss Ae.t'ciic Oi.ua LaFcriur.e iides Ait? Grand inside his apartment, got a kitchen knife and asked jazz flutist Alexander Zonjic and Miss Marshal Alexander Zonjic in the festival parade. Dean if he had a problem. Long said Dean swung at Westland Olivia LaFortune. LaFortune is a 2007 graduate of Wayne Memorial Lifeguards at the Bailey Recreation Center's outdoor him with some type of object. Predictions were for cooler, drier weath- High School and attends Olivet College. pool, Jeff Ballard and Kyle Endmann dressed to draw "I pulled out the knife and swung, hitting the victim er for the rest of the festival which ends attention as they passed out $1 pool coupons and in the back of the head," Long said, according to the today with the annual fireworks display at children's games through 6 p.m. and a candy to families along the parade niute. statement read by Novakowski. dusk. Go early to get a good seat and enjoy child safety initiative 1-6 p.m. There's Long told police he then went inside his apartment the music of Second Wind which will per- also a midw:ay, food concession, beer tent Racing Pigs. and started playing a video game. form at 7:30 p.m. and arts anf crafts, petting farm, pony The festival is being held on the civic cen- The festival opens at noon and offers rides and performances by the Robinsons' ter grounds on Ford west of Wayne Road. [email protected] I (734) 953-2110 BYDARREUCIEM Fed up, he fought until authorities 8Y DARRELL CLEM "I'm running because I think I'm the OBSERVER STAFF WRITER indicated they would conduct more OBSERVER STAFF WRITER best qualified person for that position," security checks around the court. Now, she said. Wayne County Commission candi- he hopes to continue his fight to make Compared to nine other Wayne Bowman hopes to emerge from a date Danny Wilson became involved in government more accountable to its County Commission candidates, field of eight Democrats in the Aug. politics after he waged a several-year citizens by emerging from a field of Ronaele Bowman started her Aug. 5 5 primary. Two Republicans also are battle with his former eight Democrats to become the party's primary election cam- competing for the GOP nod. The two wife to win visitation commission nominee in the Aug. 5 pri- paign in a position that nominees will battle in the November rights with his son. mary. Two Republicans also are com- some might consider general election for a two-year term When Wilson, leader peting for a slot. The Observer contin- enviable. that pays $68,411 ayear. of the Parents for Two nominees will square off in the ues its profiles, of two She has the Bowman, married with two adult Children organization, November general election in, a district more Democratic can- unequivocal backing sons, has a master's degree in public took his crusade to the that includes Westland, Inkster and didates seeking the 12th of former 12th District administration from Eastern Michigan Lincoln Hall of Justice south Livonia. The winner will earn a District Wayne County Commissioner Kay University. She recently moved to the in Detroit, he battled two-year term that pays $68,411 a year, Commission seat, which Beard, who ended a 30- 12th District but has had extensive Wilson yet another problem: clinching victory, in a district long rep- represents Westland, year reign by stepping Bowman involvement here, working as direc- Parents already fighting resented by Kay Beard, who stepped Inkster and south Livonia. down in March due tor of the Westland Youth Assistance the court system found that while they down in March. The series will conclude to health reasons. Bowman, who had Program for 13 years and serving in were inside the building, their vehicles Wilson, a Westland resident and with two Republicans. been Beard's legislative assistant for appointed positions with the Local were being broken into while parked former auto assembly line worker who Party nominees will be two years, also won sweeping support Development Finance Authority, the outside. manages his wife Janet's law office, chosen in the Aug. 5 pri- from the commission to fill the vacan- Wayne-Westland Community Schools' Wilson, 56, said he asked for help wants to make county government mary to compete in the cy until voters have their say this year. Health & Welfare Advisory Board and from the City of Detroit, the sheriffs more cost-efficient amid what he called Nov. 4 general election. Bowman, 65, believes that her tenure Westland's Martin Luther King Jr. department and the Wayne County "an economic disaster." He would start The overall winner will get as Beard's aide and her knowledge of birthday observance planning commit- Commission. by trying to get commission salaries a two-year term. The job the job make her the obvious choice tee, among many other posts. At first, he said, "no one would talk pays $68,411 a year. for 12th District voters from Westland, to me." Please see WILSON, A2 Inkster and south Livonia. Please see BOWMAN, A2 © The Observer & Eccentric 4-*' For Home Newspapers APARTMENTS D2 Delivery call: AUTOMOTIVE D5 Volume 44 HEALTH B5 (866) 887-2737 Number 12 HOMETOWNLIFE C1 JOBS C7 NEW HOMES D1 •/*• OBITUARIES C4 OPINION A7 REAL ESTATE D2 SERVICE GUIDE D3 SPORTS B1 Plymouth gets crafty GAhNElT with Art in the Park A2 Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, July 6,2008 LOCAL NEWS www.hometowniife.com he said "are eroding tremen- I get back is about the econo- WILSON dously," and he would cqn- my," he said. PAGE A1 sider tax credits for businesses As a candidate who isn't LPS gives Liepa 5-year contract that promise to bring jobs to currently serving on the com- the local economy. mission, Wilson said he would BY REBECCA JONES reduced by $28,000 a year, Although he wants to cut need to take a close look at OBSERVER STAFF WRITER whittling them down to government costs, Wilson said the county's budget before he $40,000. he believes that police and fire could make a wide array of Liv6nia Public Schools Supt. According to a Michigan Association of School Boards survey, for Wilson earned his asso- services should be maintained suggestions for spending cuts. RandyTiepa was awarded some 2007-08: ciate degree at Macomb at existing levels, because But, he said elected leaders job security and a 1 percent raise • The average salary for a superintendent of a focal scftooi district wltft Community College, majoring communities must remain can set an example by taking for next year, 15,001 to 100,000 students was $149,166. {Three districts responded to in accounting with a minor safe. He said one 12th District a pay cut. as the school the survey.) in marketing. He is involved community, Inkster, already Wilson also hopes to con- board agreed to • The average salary for a superintendent in Wayne-County was with the Westland Chamber has made strides to improve tinue his battle for parental extend his con- of Commerce, has been an its image. rights in a justice system that tract through $136,471. (PQht districts responded to the survey.) election inspector and is a With little money to spend he said is stacked against June 2013.