Township Won't 'Rubber Stamp' Plan Prescribed Burns to Help Survival
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
SHININ6 STAR SPORTS Telly on the Internet Tune into the Web for Catch Jesse Patter's show ONLINE favorite TV shows while you still can - filter -Tech Savvy, D2 March 20,2008 75 cents WINNERS OF STATE AND NATIONAL AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE www.hometownlife.com Township won't 'rubber stamp' plan Academy wants swift approval on work to double size of school BY TIFFANY L. PARKS having the expansion open for township won't rush the deci• OBSERVER STAFF WRITER the upcoming school year was WHAT DO YOU THINK? sion-making process. crucial. Tell us what you think about "We are waiting for more Supporters of the proposed The Canton Planning Canton Charter Academy's plan information to come back," he expansion of Canton Charter Commission officially accepted to expand. Do you think it will said, pointing to a traffic study Academy have implored the paperwork for the plan, which negatively impact traffic at Ford that has been reviewed by the Canton Township Board of would double the size of the township and sent back to the . and Ridge roads? Either e-mail Trustees to move swiftly in school's 50,000-square-foot expansion's backers. approving the plan so that the facility, on Jan. 14. Since that your thoughts to editor Kurt Until the traffic study is facility's doors will be open in time, dozens of the academy's Kuban at kkubanthometownlife. complete, McLaughlin said time for the next school year. supporters have gone before com, or post a comment on our the issue can't go before the But township officials have the township board to express Web site at www.hometownlife. Planning Commission. BILL BRESLER [ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER said CCA got off to a slow start their desire to see the proposal com. "The key issue is whether the Canton Charter Academy, located at Ridge and Ford roads, has plans to if they were planning to have approved. state will permit a function• expand. the addition available to stu• The academy, which opened ing light at Ridge and Ford," dents in the fall. in 2000 and is chartered by said Lang, who has three.chil- she said, noting that the traffic fic but said the growth of the emy first surfaced, the facility "We just got your stuff," Central Michigan University, dren who attend the school. light just east of the intersec• school would be worth ham• was tagged for a spot near the Trustee Melissa McLaughlin is aiming to build onto its "(A) year is a lifetime for these tion at the school's entrance mering out the issue. Ridge and Warren roads inter• told Ted Lang, a CCA board one-story building at Ford and students." may pose a problem in get• "This is a stellar academy section. After a great amount member, at a recent board Ridge roads. Enrollment would Township Supervisor Tom ting another light approved by and it is something worth get• of opposition, which was meeting. "(We won't) put the rise from 692 students to about Yack said if CCA had submit• the Michigan Department of ting behind," he said. "This largely based on traffic issues, rubber stamp on it." 1,300. ted its plans to the township Transportation. is more than just a charter the proposal was revamped to McLaughlin, who said any According to school officials, sooner, it "would have benefit• "MDOT has very strict stan• school. Whatever roadblocks place the school at its current approval process needs time to CCA has a waiting list of 1,200 ed everybody." dards." exist, we can knock them location. pan out, questioned why CCA students for next year and only With traffic being the most Lang acknowledged that the down. We have been down this didn't submit its preliminary 80 openings. important issue surrounding township has concerns about road before." [email protected] plans to the township last fall if "Don't let this year be lost * the expansion, Yack said the the expansion's effect on traf- When plans for the acad• (734)459-2700 'Eggtravagant' day Two-year-otd Anirudh Krishnan found lots of Easter eggs Saturday during Canton's annual taster Lgguavaganza egg hunt at Heritage Park. The Easter Bunny Breakfast was held the same morning <~.i Summit on the Park. For more photos and a story about the activities, please see page A3. You can also visit our Web site at www.hometownlife.com. BILL BRESLER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Defendant Gary Steele talks with his attorney David Lee during a court hearing Monday. Court hearing postponed for cop accused of torture BY TIFFANY L. PARKS David Lee, requested that the OBSERVER STAFF WRITER matter be adjourned. Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Gary Allen Steele's preliminary Scott Ehlfeldt agreed. examination has been postponed When Steele, who had been until April 11 at the request of his called a model police officer by new attorney and the state. his previous attorney, entered Steele, 42, a Detroit police the courtroom, his ex-girlfriend, officer accused of torturing and Kimberly Ann Golematis, assaulting his ex-girlfriend, was began crying and left with her in 35th District Court Monday for the exam when his attorney, Please see HEARING, A3 BILL BRESLER I STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Prescribed burns to help survival of native plant BY TIFFANY L. PARKS and Warren nature pond and the Burrowing animals, along with that brings the environment back to to cost more than $10,000. They are OBSERVER STAFF WRITER Flodin Park nature trail in the coming above-ground wildlife, would be safe status quo," Caccamo said. looking for a private company to do months. from the flames. McLaughlin agreed. the burns and are receiving bids for Leisure Services, in connection In the works for more than a year, "It would be very controlled and "The corner of Sheldon and Warren the work. with the Canton Fire Department the prescribed burns would be used to very safe," she said, adding that a pre• would look so much better," she said. The township is expected to mail and Municipal Services, is moving encourage native plant regeneration scribed burn couldn't go forth without Within a month of the burns, flyers to homes near the burn sites forward with plans for the first-ever in areas currently choked out by inva• proper weather conditions. Thurston said native plants would explaining the process and procedure. prescribed burns in the township. sive species. The township trustees, Todd LaJoy, begin to surface. A citizen's meeting is slated for the "This is an innovativepractice," Leigh Thurston of Municipal Melissa McLaughlin, Karl Zarbo and Park Supervisor Abe Vinitski said second of April. said Leisure Services director Ann Services said the burns would consist Todd Caccamo, all supported the preliminary estimates for burning the Conklin, of the procedure which is of a light, controlled fire that would project. proposed 3.5 acres are about $4,000. [email protected] expected to take place at the Sheldon barely penetrate the area's surface. "This is a part of a natural process Conklin said the project isn't expected (734)459-2700 "Sb- V asm © The Observer & Eccentric INDEX Newspapers For Home APARTMENTS C3 in Health Delivery call: AUTOMOTIVE C6 Volume 33 Open a Free Checking Account with no CROSSWORD PUZZLE C9 (866) 887-2737 Number 76 COMMUNITY minimum balance or monthly fees. Get a HOMETOWNLtFC Dl JOBS C8 Free Visa® Check Card, enjoy 24/7 access OBITUARIES D4 and Free Online Banking with Bill Pay. OPINION A8 (754) 453-1200 (877) 937-2328 toll free www.cfcu.org PINK D6 Call or stop by today! PLYMOUTH CANTON NORTHVILLE NOVI REAL ESTATE C3 SERVICE GUIDE C3 NCUA Your savings federally insured to at least $100,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. SPORTS B1 fSr Equal Housing Lender. ©2008 Community Financial One woman's battle with lupus hi (C) Observer S Eccentric | Thursday, March 20,2008 AROUND CANTON Www.hometownlife.com Canton Economic Club the Plymouth High School BILL BRESLER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER large toys, etc Admission is $1. football program. If you are luncheon Those shopping with strollers interested in participating as a Well-earned recognition will be admitted after 10 a.m. The Canton Economic Gkro comic, or in attending, contact St Thomas a' Becket Church will meet on Wednesday, April Tiffany at (313) 300-7620 or e- Canton High senior Allison Schmitt, who capped an is at 555 South Lilley Road, 2, at 11:30 a.m., at the Summit mail [email protected]. extraordinary high school swimming career by placing first Canton. For more information on the Park, and feature guest in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle events at the Division 1 contact the church at (734) 981- speaker UAW President Ron Chamber dinner auction state meet at Eastern Michigan University, has been named 1333 or visit their Web site at Gettelfinger. The Canton Chamber of one of the nominees for the Detroit Athletic Club's Michigan http://kirstemoUne.com/mom- The Gub, which is being Commerce of will host its High School Athlete of the Year Award. This honor is awarded 2mom.html. reinstituted after an extended annual dinner auction fund• not only for athletic ability, but also for the academic and hiatus, will host semi-annual raiser on Friday, April 11 from humanitarian efforts of high school student athletes. Each Mom to mom sale luncheons with special guest 7 p.m.-midnight at Burton year six female and six male athletes are nominated to Connection Church (formally speakers. The luncheons were Manor in Livonia.