elector Everyone knows about those electoral votes —17 in Michigan — that are cast for presidential candi­ dates. Now, Westland resident Henry Johnson has been nominated to be an alternate elector PRICE: $1 • SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2012 • hometownlife.com for the upcoming presi­ dential election. "On a specific day after the election, the electors gather at the state capital. If (Presi­ dent Barack) Obama wins, then he gets the 17 votes," said John­ Opponents get OK to son. "There is a cer­ emony for casting the, vote. If the elector isn't able, then I will cast the ballot." launch recall of mayor President of the Nor- wayne Community Citi­ zens Council, Johnson By LeAnne Rogers between Westland and the City approved for clarity, so we sub­ he would no longer respond to would be alternate for • Observer Staff Writer of Wayne for sharing or consol­ mitted another one with differ­ Rock's questions or comments. Inkster Mayor Hilliard idation of recreation services ent language," said Rock, a long­ The merger of the parks and, Hampton. Both men A petition to recall West- which resulted in the closing of standing critic of Wild. recreation departments is exact­ were nominated by land Mayor William Wild has the Bailey Recreation Center on Wild didn't attend the Wayne ly the type of cooperative effort U.S. Rep. John Conyers, been approved, adding to earli­ Julyl. County Election Commission between communities that is D-Detroit, as a thank er approved efforts to remove An earlier petition, citing meeting at which the petitions being sought by Gov. Rick Sny­ you for their efforts five City Council members from Wild's appointment of two mar­ were approved. der. on his recent election office. ried couples to the Tax Incre­ "I spent the day. working in my "The lieutenant governor (Bri­ campaign. The petition submitted by res­ ment Finance Authority, had office. It doesn't seem like any­ an Calley) was just here and ident Burke Rock cites Wild's been rejected due to unclear lan­ thing I do or say with this resi­ lauded us for the fire depart- May 16 recommendation to guage. dent (Rock) matters," said Wild, enter an inter-local agreement "The language was not , who at one point announced that . Please see RECALL, A2 Used book sale The Friends of the Low turnout Westland Library will hold a used book sale Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 6-8, at the library expected at 6123 Central City Parkway, north of Ford Road. Hours will be noon to 6 p.m. Thurs­ for special day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday which will $4 bag day — bring election your own bag. There will be a By LeAnne Rogers special sale of hard Observer Staff Writer ' • v ' \ cover fiction books — buy one for $1, get Not many Westland voters are one free — and audio expected to make to the polls books on cassette — Wednesday to select candidates who the whole book — for will move forward in Nqvember to 25 cents. Other prices fill a temporary vacancy in the 11th are $2 for coffee table Congressional District. books, $1 for hardcover "Absentee ballots have been slow. nonfiction, 50 cents for We sent out 3,500 — we send out the large paperbacks, 25 same amount each election using cents for small paper­ the permanent absentee voter list," '.-../• . • •' STEPHEN CANTRELL| STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER backs, videos, cassettes said Westland Clerk Eileen DeHart and records and 10 Celebrating being honored as Biggby Coffee store of the year are employees Cassie Sanders of Westland Schoof. "We've received less than cents for magazines. (left), Alaina McDaniel of Dearborn Heights, Danielle Peel of Westland, Westland store owner Mo Elfakir 2,000 back. There is not a whole lot A preview sale for of Canton, April Smith of Westland, Jess Murphy of Plymouth and Becca Tanner of Westland. of interest in the election. It might pickup." Friends members will \ • • be 4-7 p.m. Wednes­ • : \ Schoof is predicting a voter turn- day, Sept. 5. People can . out of less than 10 percent for the become a Friend at the special election Wednesday. preview sale. The Republican candidates seek-' Bring your own WestlancTs Biggby brings ing replace U.S. Rep. Thaddeus bags when you shop McCotter, who resigned in July amid at the book sale, . controversy, are Kerry Bentivol- or buy one of the io of Milford, Nancy Cassis of Novi Friends' cool green and Ken Crider, Carolyn Kavanagh bags for $2. The book home Big 'B' Cup Award and Steve King, all of Livonia, who sale provides fund­ are running for the Republican nom­ ing for all the library ination. programs provided • The Biggby Coffee Big "B" home the 2012 Store of the and be recognized by Biggby The winner would presumably by the Friends of the Cup Award — sort of a coffee Year along with the Big "B" and our customers in particu­ face David Curson of Belleville, who Westland Library. version of the Stanley Cup — Cup Award at the recent Big­ lar," Elfakir said. "Without our is running unopposed on the Dem­ is on display with other awards gby; Coffee annual franchise ocratic ticket, in the Nov. 6 general at the Westland Biggby Coffee. meeting. ' customers, we would not be election. The winner would be sworn Owner and operator Moha- . "It is an incredible honor to where we are today, and I can- mad Elfakir and his crew took be named Store of the Year Please see BIGGBY, A2 Please see ELECTION, A2 INDEX Community Life B5 Crossword Puzzle.... C3 Education..... Ax Health B10 Homes C2 Westland man faces trial in sexual assault case Jobs.... CI Obituaries B10 By LeAnne Rogers degree criminal sexual in the year while attend­ The girl told police she ing pulled down her Services C2 Observer Staff Writer pants. The girl also told Sports" ..B1 conduct. ing community college. had gone to bed in Petri­ Wheels C3 The girl's mother Since then, the mother ni's bedroom about mid­ police Petrini showed •• A Westland man has ' had contacted police to said the families had vis­ night. Petrini came into her what were appar­ been ordered bound over,. report the July 26 inci­ ited each other's home the bedroom and showed ently a pair of dildos © The Observer & Eccentric for trial on charges that dent which was alleged several times. her photos of himself that he described as "fat Mime 48 • Number 30 he sexually molested an to have occurred in the On this particular date, and his wife as children, sticks." 11-year-old autistic girl. Westland apartment the mother said she had the girl told police. Petrini remains free Home Delivery: Joseph Petrini, 27, Petrini shares with his dropped her daugh­ Subsequently, it is on $10,000/10 percent , (866) 887-2737 waived his preliminary wife and two young chil­ ter off at the Petrini's charged that Petri­ bond. His Wayne Coun­ examination Thurs­ dren. apartment for a visit. ni got into bed with the ty Circuit Court arraign­ Return Address: day before 18th District *• The mother told police When her daughter later girl while fully clothed, ment is set for Sept. 13. 41304 Concept Dr. Court Judge Sandradci- that she had become shared details of the vis­ pressed against her, Plymouth Ml 48170 relli. He is charged with acquainted with Petri­ it, the mother contacted then began kissing Irogers6hometownlife.com two counts of second- ni and his wife earlier police. and fondling her, hav­ (313)222-5428 We have the ParkSldeDENTALTEAM LOOSE DENTURES? solution for you! 36444 W. Warren Ave. • Westland NEW LOCK-TIGHT" DENTURE At the corner of Warren & Central City Parkway GUARANTEES TIGHT TEETH! Call for your complimentary consultation The Lock-Tight system includes a premium denture with 4 mini dental implants. The denture is then fitted with 1-888-41-TIGHT Vm .••*-• c locking attachments that allow it to securely snap into or visit us on the web at : place. The result? A tight fitting, reliable denture that allows the patient to eat, speak and smile with confidence. www.tightteeth.com i .£snr i i h 'i $ J A2 (W) Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, September 2,2012 LOCAL NEWS online at hometownlife.com 'or their U.S. represen- ELECTION itive in the 13th, voters Wayne, Westland treat parks Continued from page A1 will have a choice between / %. , current 14th District U.S. in after the election and v Rep. John Conyers, D- serve through the end of ^Detroit, and Republican to eliminate mosquitoes the year. i^fc^ Mrk SawicM of Dear­ Filling the shprt-tgrnwfc born. By LeAnne Rogers On Wednesday, con­ "We did spray once a Mosquito Abatement vacancy will be*the ehd of The special election is Observer Staff Writer tracted pest management few years ago when West Program by treating Westland residenraH&ting expected to cost about officials treated the 19 Nile was coming up — more than 11,000 storm in the 11th Congressional $650,000 district-wide and There should be few­ parks located in Westland we had an event coming , drains with Vectolex District. $60,000 in Westland. er mosquitoes in West- and the Westland Munici­ up," said Mayor William , Water Soluble Pouches. Due to redistricting, "That includes Wayne land and Wayne thanks to pal Golf Course with Bio- Wild. "This is the first , "The City of West- Westland will become part County paying for the bal­ a fogging of city parks in mist 4+4. The product time we did all of our land is committed to the of the 13th Congressio­ lots — that's taxpayer response to the mosquito- was applied from a truck parks." health and safety of our nal District at the start of money, too," said Schoof.