^W ^F^^^^^"^ Livonia social studies MEAP results, A2 tvidlawn Ti»mwwigoTttMui ,amixfta»r Pwtt&ig ywi In taueh with yowf wond Thursday P+ctub+f 9,1999 Serving the Westland Community for 35 years VOLi VT 35 NtJMBtR 54 WFSTLAVL). MICHIGAN * 74 PAGES • http://observur-eccontric.com S[ VI:\TV FiVf CI-^TS . "^ m^^^f as^s^^sw • wwa %rSs^ssasiss»sssFss»JVssis> JVSSKVFW^B^ SJBJS^ , 1 •• : f .-1.-.:' IN THE pAPER I ,-; f .. t . ' Walgreens gets council denial Walgreens won't be coming to a city site, fol­ chains," he said. Councilman Glenn Anderson warned TODAY Walgreen Co. attorney Sean that he. and his colleagues can't legis­ • ' \ • -. lowing lobbying by an independent drugstore owner and many residents. The Westland City Kavanagh maintained that Walgreens late competition away from local busi­ would improve a dilapidated corner nesses but joined the vote because het - • f • Council rejected the plans for the northeast i '" that includes a closed radiator shop too, wanted.a different use for.the cor­ COMMUNITY LIFE comer of Wayne and Cherry Hilt. and two nearby vacant houses, ner. "Currently, it is an eyesore," he said. Councilman Charles Trav" Griffin In triplicate: Santa had BY DARRELL CLEM members to reject a proposed Wal­ But council members, pointing to cit­ said his opposition to Walgreens STAFF WRITER greens for the northeast corner of izen petitions and the sheer number of dclem©oe.hoinecomjn.net became firm after he -saw 800 signa*. his lap full when the par­ Wayne and Cherry Hill. drugstores in the area, voted unani tures of residents from a one-mile ents of triplets and mem­ An independent drugstore owner Booker told the council Monday that mously to deny a Walgreen-proposed radius. bers of 3-4 All brought supported by hundreds of loyal West- Checker Drugs, in business 18 years rezoning, special land use and site Councilman David Cox called Wal­ land customers has won a turf war near the southwest corner, could be plan, greens "a'fine company" but said he •T their children to Wonder­ against a giant competitor. forced to close if Walgreens comes to "I think we're saturated with drug­ isn't sure another drugstore is needed land Mall for a visit./Bl Checker Drugs owner Doug Booker the neighborhood. stores in this town," Councilwoman to boost Westland's slowly emerging and nearly'800 residents signed peti­ "We fear for the future when we are Sharon Scott said. "I'd like to see a bet­ tions lobbying Westland City Council being encroached on by national ter use for that site." Please 0OflAL,A4 AT HOME i '1 _ _' i :: • Tick talk: Clocks tell time with style, as do calen­ dars and other timekeep­ ers /D6 i DclGK.S J ; ENTERTAINMENT n mayor's Light show: Find out why the Detroit Zoo's "Wild T.ighta" ia herding-n icejplan :..-1. popular destination. /El BY DARRELL CLEM STAFF WRITER •• • ! .- 1 Dance: The Henry Ford [email protected] • ir .- i Community College Full Mayor Robert Thomas' plans to add .t. Circle Dance Company, two ice rinks to hi* proposal for a new recreation center has drawn support ..1.. • led by Diane Mancinelli from one-time political opponent and ;'••] of Livonia, will be former Councilman Charles Pickering. '. | '! Addressing Thomas and council "Rockin' Around the members Monday. Pickering said he '•. i Christmas 7Yee,"/£l was "pleasantly surprised'* by the -1 mayor's latest suggestion for two new • ' J, ' '.'•I'- ice surfaces. t •• But Pickering also had a reminder .';.[• REAL ESTATE for city offiriab; He liing u#; m;;rie a similar recommendation on July 20. Moving time? Home sales 199b. tobetsxiict. Pickering has long believed that slow down during the hol­ Westland needs to resolve an ice-sur­ idays but don't come to a face shortage'that fortes many children to get on a waiting' list for hockey and halt. We look at the who STAfT PH0«W tY TO* HAfUY figure skating clubs. and why of December Wow: Roger Blake Smith, 2, of Westland admires the handiwork at City Hall. He was with Pickering also has said new ice rinks house buying. /Fl mom Rhonda Smith at the Monday evening ceremony could help generate opera-tional'rev- enues that a new recreation center - pegged at $15 million to $18 million - will need. " . INDEX Thomas wants to build the center Santa finds way to Westland between the Westh'.nd library on Cen­ A At Home r> tral. City Parkway and the Krogef Store • Clarified Index F5 BY DARRELL CLEM Symbol: on Ford Road. He wants to use"existing STAFF WRITER Mayor tax revenues already in place'in a spe­ Auto* G9 dclem^o*.homecomm.net Robert cial district north of Ford Road, Home A Service Guide G7 e has used helicopters and The city hasn't bought the land, and Jobs Fll police cars for transportation, Thomas the council hasn't yet made a formal Rentals F9 H but this year Santa arrived by gives decision to build a new- recreation cen­ • Community Life Bl horse-drawn carriage for the city's Santa ter. annual Christmas celebration and Thomas has. suggested tearing down • Crossword F6 the key tree-lighting ceremony. to West- the existing Bailey Recreation Center si Entertainment Ei Children jumped up and down and land and possibly the Westland Sports screamed as they saw Santa rolling Arena ^iat now houses skating pro­ • Obituaries A4 chil­ • Opinions A18-17 down Ford Road to City Hall', where grams. hundreds of people - including three dren *s On Monday. Pickering urged the city • Real Estate Fl •'-rvtions of some families - stood hearts. to keepVboth buildings', He offered a • Sport* CI iiuusidf singing Christmas carols,' proDosaijbr the sports arena. 6210 N Cheyanri and Codi Roaochacki Wildw<; HOW TO REACH US *tf w ild be a wonderful facility for Please s*e SANTA, A4 soco jd. in-line skating," he said.- Newsroom; 734-953-2104 Please see ICE, A4 Newsroom Fax.734-591727 9 ematf'jbmwngos.hoitwcuHwti.net 5 NigM dne/Sports; 7343934104 an Reader Comment line: 734-953-2042 Classified Advertising:734-591-090 0 BY DARRELL CLEM Mayor Robert Thomas said Manor in Livonia Councilman Charles "Trav" Griffin Display'Advertising; 734-S91-2300 STAFF WKJTKR Rosin bought land where W eat Land Rosin's son. Hal, said his father ha* said. Home Delivery;7344*1450 0 dclenrifa«.hoin«coram,nrt Shopping Center has stood 3»nce 1965, remained quiet about the affair "Frankly, he helped us develop most Friend* tell how real.estate'entrepre but he has been the' impetus for much because he's modest, humble and, quite of our industrial parks in Westland,*• neur Harold'.Rosin bought land along residential and industrial development frankly,' embarrassed ,by all the atten­ Griffin satd "I think youcmild call him Warren Road when it was a two-lane in Westland and Canton Township tion, the father of .our commercial/industrial rut flanked by farmland in then-. Now 80 arid retired, Rosin drew Tie's the father of W'estland Shop­ areas." Nankin Towruship. strong praise this week during inter­ ping Center, and he built Tonquish Griffin also described Rosin as a *I don't think anybody ever thought view^ with friends, who also celebrated subdivision" along Warren between friend and said, "I think he's a very it would take off or 'develop," Westland his birthday Tuesday evening at Laurel Wayne and Farmington, Westland Pleas* IM* *0ilN.A4 Remember their names: Senior Heather Dobrowohki ifore* • ground/ at Wayne Memorial High School rehearses with the east for the "Fame" produc-' rMiht holidays in Hon. Students have'heeri. style with gifts from our rehearsing since October for BY JULIE Baoftw u M gmtigifiguitie! ArrWKmra ARTS Famv, wh ich take's to the lt'$ right here in$our SnnwnOoe.lMmrcomm.net stage this ThurSihi'y and Fn It's been a Few years since the movie dax. The shnw was chosen "beicausie it's a HovielVmiiiie warper! ,"Fame" came out. The 1980 movie. lot of fun," *n>d Elena Garcia, drama which told th* story of talented high director. *ItY multicultural and it's a school art* students, is being modern- big cast It allow* for a lot of talent" \te& and brought to Wayne •I ' Students from all four grade level? at Drama students at Wayne Memorial Wayne Memorial are involved High School will present the play 8 Rehearsals started in '><)<>lwr following p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec 9 10. auditions. T|ie (•fagr play is based'on M th<? fttockmeyer Anrtttomim, adja­ the movie story. Garcia said, which cent to the school at (rlenwood and 1 ' "mirth in Wnyttc, Kl^W P>«V>t4i t\\ 1<.*l U4«I*A 10011 t TW^> •* < UUEMt, A3 sssssssssssssssssssssssMI SjsasjsjsasjsjsjsjSMsjsMHsssssssssssslssssssl •P Th*Q*mmr ft KaxntrUJ THUBSDAX, DKCK*fltt» 9,1999 (W)*a MWaplMpi mum •MMMBMIpMIMMIHIHHIIMIMBa Xtmfm pubtithtd avavsasmsms**ei A writing elaae at Weetlajada senior exti- BeeidantPaui Vakrvick asked city offi- sen friendship Cents* has publiafaed « cal­ dak Monday to try to address waberprob- endar book of "Blearing* for the Veer »00.* leme en Newburgh fined between Cherry Ceiitwdlr«^or9^iKo«or<»kT-Wiacek Green provided equipment that badped KU1 and Marquette. He said water eeema to and Dr. Christian Koonts, a University of Detroit Mercy Engftsh proftaeor who helped remove graffiti from the large wooden play be afendtaf w the road after even the the daas, unveiled the book Monday during structure. It was my pleasure," he said. slightest rainfldl, "Tlua happen* anytime it a city oouaefl mooting, Severed senior* Thejudgae presided court workers to help nana.