Plymouth District Library 223 S. Main Street Pivmmith. MI 48170" 1 687 hThe The Newspaper with Its Heart in The Plymouth-Canton, M I Comm unity 7 5 0 L Community Crier Vol. 24 No. 2 ©PCCC Inc. February 12, 1997 Berry to retire WSDP turns 2 5 Twp. p o lice ch ie f w ill 'head out on the highw ay' to run M otow n H arley-D avidson BY W. EDWARD WENDOVER — “it wasn’t a trip, it was an adventure” Carl Berry is hanging up his badge. —through the Andes Mountains in Chile The longest-serving policeman in the and Argentina. Berry, as well as Canton City and Township of Plymouth is retir­ Public Safety Director John Santamauro ing after 35 years of pounding the beat, and Northville Township Police Chief leading both the City and Township Chip Snyder, often join other “biker- M l forces — the latter of which he started cops” on an annual springtime-tour of the from scratch. Smoky Mountains. V i l l i ' Berry will become president and gen­ “This community has given me a eral manager of Motown Harley- whole lot,” said Berry, who joined the ■ B k Davidson, a new dealership to be located Plymouth Police Department in the Fall mmm in Taylor on Telegraph Road at Eureka. of 1962. “I’ve watched it grow from basi­ K m m m m m j Riding motorcycles has always been a cally a rural farming comunity into an ^m\r ' passion of Berry’s, and now he’s decided industrial and leadership base for the that “35 years is long enough.” State of Michigan. So the long-time policeman will “We saw a large change in all those ,% ^ m \ become a biker. years. It impacted local communities like This of a motorcycle enthusiast who it never had or probably will ever again,” was once thrown from his motorcycle at the retiring chief said. “I resisted some of Student radio station Five Mile and Schoolcraft when a that, like anybody, but we’ve changed a celebrates silver motorist crossed the centerline and broad­ lot and grown well.” sided him. (The driver was too drunk at Berry’s retirement date is not yet set anniversary the time to realize he’d run down the exactly. Nor is the process to replace him. Current WSDP staffers (above) and local police chief.) Plymouth Township Supervisor former students (right) are ready to Joining Berry in the new endeavor is Kathleen Keen-McCarthy recommended celebrate the student-run radio sta­ another prominent local man — Bob to the Plymouth Township Board last tion’s 25th anniversary. The aw ard­ DeMattia, president of R. A. DeMattia night that a search firm be hired to help winning station took to the airwaves Company — who will become a “part- find a new chief. She said this would help Feb. 14,1972. (Crier photo by R. time biker” and partner at Motown while “evaluate equally. Alwood Jr.) continuing his community developer role. “This way internal candidates have as The two men, and four others, just much a shot as external. We know the See The Crier’s special completed a 3,000-mile motorcycle trip Please see pg. 4 section pgs. 13-20 Talks stall in Tw p. Johnson C ontrols strike BY ROB KIRKBRIDE tions or strike. Officials from Johnson Controls and the UAW met Steiner said rumors of the plant closing are unfounded. Monday night for negotiations that lasted into the early “We’ve never said the plant will close,” he said. “Those are morning hours, but they are no closer to ending the two- just rumors other people in the industry have speculated on.” week-old strike against the Plymouth Township automotive The strike has gained national attention. It could become seating supplier. the litmus test for other strikes targeted against automotive Despite UAW protests, Johnson Controls moved produc­ suppliers. tion of rear seating for the popular Ford Expedition from the The strike has stalled production of Ford’s popular Township site to Southfield-based Lear, Inc. Front seats will Expedition. Ford has reportedly lost more than $40 million be manufactured at Ford’s Chesterfield Township trim plant. since the strike began. According to Johnson Controls spokesperson Jeff Nearly 500 members of the newly formed UAW went on Steiner, the two sides have no plans for continued negotia­ strike against Johnson Controls Jan. 28. Another Johnson Strikers temporarily blocked trucks used by the tions. Controls plant in Oberlin, OH also went out on strike. company to move seating production to another “Since the beginning,” he said, “we’ve hoped for a quick UAW officials said the strike began because workers at location. (Crier photo by R. Alwood Jr.) See end to this.” Johnson Controls are making less money per hour than those related photos, pg. 22. UAW spokespeople refused to comment on the negotia­ at other parts suppliers. C o o l c a r s H elping out C h a m p s P -C residents show hot w heels C anton, N o rth ville M e ije r stores C anton volleyball team secures at A utoram a in D etroit raise $34,000fo r U nited W ay share o f firs t W LA A title See Friends & neighbors pg. 6 See Getting down to business pg. 10 See Sports pgs. 19-21 Page 2 THE COMMUNITY CRIER: February 12,1997 Valentine’s Day is Friday, February 14 Canton parks planned for Barchester, 2 other locations BY SCOTT SPIELMAN “The Township has been working closely with the surrounding Aim for the Best, The Canton Board of Trustees was expected to approve plans residents,” Judy Bocklage, a township planner, said, “and the new for Barchester Park last night. site plan addresses all of their concerns.” Skip all the rest, The site plan for Barchester Park, the first of three new parks The in-line skating area will be moved to a more central loca­ proposed this year in Canton, went before the Canton Board of tion within the site, and more landscaping will be provided for Well give you our Trustees with a few modifications after the Township Planning screening, according to Gouin. Commission recommended approval last week. The Township bought the 9.5-acre site from the schoool dis­ Creative Best! The site plans include a small parking lot, an in-line skating trict a few years ago. It was proposed to be sold to a developer area intended for rollerblade hockey, a soccer field and walking and the Township purchased it to set aside for park land. paths. The parking lot has been moved to a more central location Full Selection After the site plan is approved, Goiun said, the project goes in the park, according to Michael J. Gouin, Parks and Service of Beautiful out for an open bid for construction. 5 Valentine Flowers Superintendent. “It was moved to a spot (offsetting) two houses,” Gouin said. “That was the primary concern. Everyone else was “I think the Barchester Park site is a great thing,” Bocklage said. “It’s a nice public park, and will serve the community quite | l j R i ( u y t FCa'tftB C o. very happy.” The revised site plan also calls for more landscaping around well.” 728 South Main • Plymouth the parking lot, according to Gouin. More trees, including ever­ Two other new Canton parks — one at Palmer and Sheldon (313)455-8722 greens and other indigenous species, were added to the plan to and one at Denton and Becker, which will include a new soccer help screen the parking lot. complex — will go to the board in March, Goiun said. th e escape - wsdp plymouth Salem vs. Farmington Friday 2/ 14/97 PLYMOUTH-CANTON’S RADIO STATION I n s o m e o f today's Crier, ( 9 u z c S f w loolc for an “We’re proud to announce insert from: the newest member of the O ur classes, support groups an d diagnostic St Mary Hospitalfamily.” testing ensure that you receive the best care possible in a friendly, com fortable O ur West Addition w ill open soon, environment. featuring a new m aternity center, new Spacious new surgical suites with women's center and new surgical suites! comfortable fam ily waiting areas and Our new M iracle o f Life M aternity Center state-of-the-art technology are also housed in has been designed fo r your comfort. O ur complete the West Addition . A central processing area and single-room private birthing suites, with open visiting support system increases efficiency, saving precious Plymouth (313)453*1200 policy and accommodations fo r someone to stay tim e and resources. Cantoft (313)455-0400 overnight, w ill make your stay feel like home. We're committed to providing you with fam ily- Northville (810)348-2920 A ll with the back-up o f a full-service hospital. centered care, and the West Addition is p art of Adjacent to the M aternity Center is our new that commitment. That’s w hy St. M ary H ospital M arian Women’s Center, providing specialized is your hospital health sendees fo r women o f a ll ages. The Community Crier USPS-340-150 Published weekly at 821 Penniman Ave., Plymouth, MI St. Mary Hospital 48170-1624. Carrier 36475 Five Mile Road delivered: $27 per Livonia, MI 48154 year. Mail delivered: $40 per year. 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