Your hometown newspaper serving Plymouth and Plymouth Township for 118 Award-winning . V i 4 ye ars S * 1 \ 4 PLYM OUTH newspaper 1 (MU nkjaw press | m THURSDAY March 4 2004 © b s m r c r 75 cents V o l u m e 118 N u m b e r 5 5 wivw.hometoivnlife.com © 2 0 0 4 H o m e t o w n C ommunications N e t w o r k Win a $500 Farmer Jack shopping spree Township closes on Massey land See page B6 for details BY BRAD KADRICH acres at Ann Arbor Road and Mann said some 40 firms had break ground and get some cash for the Massey property, STAFF WRITER Haggerty already submitted bids footings m the ground before will also issue municipal bonds The deal helps move the $12 The township hall committee the end of this year, but if not, it to offset half ($ 6 million) of the Plymouth Township officials million township hall project will sift through them and make will certainly be by spring total cost Township Treasurer took a big step forward toward onto the fast track recommendations to the town­ 2005” Ron Edwards said hes eyeing a a new township hall “We’re happy to continue ship board Board members will Assuming that timetable is May 1 date for those bonds Wednesday, signing the pur­ with the progress on the town­ then interview the top candi­ met, Mann said, township “It’s all driven by the econo­ chase agreement for the land on ship hall project,” Mann said dates and make a decision, staffers could be in their new my,” Edwards said We’re try­ which the new hall will be built ‘ This is just one m a number of hopefully within about four 56,000-square-foot digs before ing to time it so we get the best HIE Winners Township Supervisor Steve continuing steps ” weeks, Mann said the end of2005 Some 25,000 interest rates for the communi­ Students winning Mann met with representatives The next step, according to ‘Once the architect is on square feet will be township ty entries in the Newspapers of auto magnate Don Massey to Mann, is finding an architect board, we expect the design hall, the rest will house the in Education contest can finalize the details of the $158 Bids for that contract are due to phase to take about six months/ police and fire departments bkadrich@oehomecomm net viewed on pages C4 and 8 million purchase of some 9 5 the township by Friday, and Mann said “We’re hoping to The township, which paid (734)459 2700 AAUW play The Plymouth-Canton Branch, American Collect books for Association of University Women, presents Jack and the Beanstalk at 7 30pm tonight school, win party (Thursday) and Friday and10am,1pm and3 The Observer Newspapers, in cooperation with the p m Saturday at the Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP), Edy’s O'Leary Auditorium in Ice Cream and Boscos, is sponsormg a book collection Garden City High School contest for elementary and middle schools in our circula­ It's the latest m the tion area All public, parochial and private schools are AAUW s 39-year history invited to participate m “Pass It Along — Share the Gift of of presenting plays Reading” locally The AAUW group, The winning school will receive a pizza and ice cream v j ranging in age from 26 to party, courtesy of Boscos and Edy’s Ice Cream 88, volunteer an average “Pass It Along — Share the Gift of Reading” challenges of five hours a week for elementary and middle schools m the Observer circulation three months to put on area to collect gently-used and/or new books for disadvan­Lf the March production taged youngsters in Detroit Tickets are $4 and are Donations will go to Bndgepomte, a nonprofit organiza­ available at the door tion which aids Nemas Elementary School m Detroit For more information, Neinas has approximately 530 students m grades K-5 and call publicist Dawn 80 percent are living below the poverty level There are Chorbagian at (586) few books m the school library and Neinas students have 492-3625 failed standardized tests m reading the last four years, according to a Bndgepomte Theater lovers ‘Bndgepomte believes in bndging communities togeth­ Fox Hills Golf & er to help make a difference m our own backyards,” said Banquet Center hosts Sue Simcox, the organization’s director Prisoner of Second “Bndgepomte is committed to breaking the cycle of Avenue, a com edy by poverty There is no quick fix or easy answers What we do RJO Productions, in the know is that we are making a difference in the lives of Fox Classic Clubhouse at these very special children With your help, we can do 6pm Saturday more to create an environment of learning ’ PHOTOS BY DONALD J ALLEY The $35 ticket includes Participating schools must sign up in advance by phone, dinner, dessert and the Sybilla and Joseph Murphy of Redford, who’ve been married 67 years, enjoy the dance music and food at the golden anniver­ fax or email to Street Marketing, (248) 347-4350, fax play Dinner starts at 7 sary Party at Plymouth's Independence Village (248) 347-4985 or jodi@streetmktg com p m with the play imme­ Indude the name of your school and school distnct, diately following. address of school, phone number, principal’s name and For more information book drive contact name and daytime phone number Also or for reservations, call indude how many students attend your school (734) 453-7272. Everlasting love Schools can start collecting books Monday, March 8 The drive will end Monday, April 26 Lucky rabbits Morris The winning school will be announced m the Sunday, If a rabbit's foot is Couples celebrate marriages Gellerman May 9, edition of your hometown Observer lucky, just think of how and Norm The winning school can schedule the pizza Mid ice much luck comes with a BY BRAD KADRICH Kleiner, cream party sometime before school ends in June When whole rabbit STAFF WRITER both of the contest ends, representatives from MESP and Edy’s Specialty Pet Supplies Northville, will collect and count the books from each school of Plymouth hosts the Dorothy Bennett chuckles when she thinks about her talk with All participating schools will be honored in the Observer Great Lakes Rabbit approaching 60th wedding anniversary each other & Eccentric Newspapers Sanctuary March 13 14 at She isn t laughing at the prospect of having spent 60 at the “Access to books is such an important part of the store's Ann Arbor years with Leroy Instead, she’s amused by the memory of party childhood The ability to use your imagination, travel to Road location. her thoughts at the time Sunday far away places and meet all kinds of people helps lay the Participants can pet a “I thought six years would be a long time,” she said, ground work for a child’s future,” said Bruce Sheinhaus rabbit for a weekend of from the Michigan Education Savings Program, a partner good luck, pick one up for PLEASE SEE COUPLES, A4 m the book drive program a month of good tidings, or take one home for a lifetime of joy The event takes place from 10 a m to 6 p m Foundation turns to eBay for fund-raising auction Saturday, March 13 and from noon-4 pm Sunday, March 14 The public Is BY TONY BRUSCATO That will be determined amount of money, the package before,” said an excited Carole The donation came from Lou invited to come meet STAFF WRITER Monday, as Plymouth-Canton for the April 2 game against the Kody, executive director of the Wright, president of Maximum bunnies available for Schools will be auctioning 14 Miami Heat will be available on EEF ‘We’re thrilled by the gift Financial Group A 1965 gradu­ adoption, learn about How much is it worth for a tickets, parking passes and the Internet auction site eBay, and the opportunity to make ate of the old Plymouth High rabbit care, and have night out to watch the Detroit munchies at the game m a suite with the money going to the some money that will be used to School (currently Central their pets' portraits Pistons for you and 13 of your donated by Maximum Financial district’s Educational support teaching and learning Middle School), Wright said the taken by professional pet friends in a mid-level suite at Group of Plymouth And, m Excellence Foundation withm the distnct We’re hop­ photographer Cindy The Palace of Auburn Hills’ hopes of getting the maximum "This has never happened ing it will be successful ” PLEASE SEE AUCTION, A2 Rogers People without pets can have their pictures taken with one of the MRS FIELDS COOKIES INI )EX bunnies, and 20 percent Hiring for full and part time help CONTACT US A m M ) tWfilt1 ‘ LOOKING AHEAD Must be able to work days nights of picture proceeds go Newsroom (734)459 2700 Apartments F7 Jobs G3 American Profile Newsroom fax (734) 459 4224 At Home C1 Movie Guide E6 directly to Great Lakes Classifieds 1800 579 SELL • \ .1 Brad Paisley discusses his lifelong Great Response! We hired 2 people Automotive G6 Obituaries C7 Rabbit Sanctuary. right away1 K tivoma Home delivery 1 866 88 PAPER love of fishing He'll taveai his For more information, Classified Index F5 Real Estate F5 1-800-579-SELL Crossword Puzzle F6 Sports B1 favorite fishing holes fishing tips C3i) (734) 453-6930 Jio m e lo v v n and even a few fish tales' PUT OUR CLASSIFIEDS TO WORK FOP YOU! COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK For The Record A4 Taste D1 W Washington Mutual T h e P ow er o f YeS flit HOME LOANS We're your new neighbor.,.17909 Haggerty Road • N o r t h v i l l e • 248-374-4501 A2 <P) Observer & Eccentric | Thursday March 4 2004 LOCAL NEWS 2.