f ^fe 0 . fa 2 a.m. Sunday, March 11 • i Spnng forward , GO GREEN WITH Don't forget to turn your clock ahead one hour at 2 a.m. Sunday TREATS, DRINKS i (or before going to bed Saturday night) * / FOOD, B7 Parent workshop WiifLAND A GANNETT COMPANY The Westland Youth Assistance Pro­ gram in collaboration with the Oakwood Taylor Teen Health Center will be host­ ing a free "Talk Early, Talk Often*' parent workshop 6:30-8:30 PRICE: $1 • THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012 •hometownlife.com p.m. Thursday, March 15. "Talk Early, Talk Often" is a nationally recognized parent workshop aimed at helping parents 'Flabbergasted' Gebhardt awaits talk with children about abstinence and sexuality. The work­ shop helps parents recognize and use LPS's decision on drug grant opportunities to open the door for con­ By Karen Smith Community When she told him she ing that evening to tell (Thursday) with Execu­ versation, listen and Observer Staff Writer Schools. specifically wanted the the school board and the tive Director Dale Yagie- respond with greater Gebhardt schools in her district to public about it. la. confidence and skill . Wayne County Com­ said she was get the grant money — "Frankly I'm here , "We certainly appreci­ and to feel comfort­ missioner Joan Geb­ flabbergast­ Franklin and Churchill because I can't believe ate her making the funds able seeking outside hardt said Tuesday she ed Feb. 27 high schools and their it myself," she told the available," he s'aid. sources of informa­ is giving Livonia Pub­ when Steve feeder schools — she board. Archibald said he didn't tion. lic Schools another two Gebhardt Archibald, said he told her: "This is want to rehash his Feb. 27 The workshop will weeks to decide if it LPS's direc­ where I tell you, thank Meeting today conversation with Geb­ be held at the Friend­ wants a $40,000 grant tor of secondary pro­ you, but you need to move Archibald said Tues- . hardt "through the paper. ship Center, 1119 she secured for the inter­ grams and facilities, told on," she said. "I was flab­ day that LPS is interest­ "It's something Com­ Newburgh, Westland. vention and treatment of her he had talked with bergasted, I was abso­ ed in pursuing the grant missioner Gebhardt and I Free food and drinks substance abuse by at- the district's secondary lutely flabbergasted." for services from Growth need to discuss," he said, will be provided, as risk youth before offer­ principals and "no one Gebhardt said she went Works and he has a meet­ well as free child care ing it to Wayne Westland seemed interested." to the school board meet­ ing set up for today Please see GEBHARDT, A2 for potty-trained kids ages 4 and up. To register, call Brianna . Gorka at (734) 287- 2076, Ext. 6. Happy Birthday! Contest winners Two Wayne-West- land students are among winners in state Sen. Glenn Anderson's first ever Black History Month Art Contest. The original pieces came students in the Clarenceville,School District, Wayne-West- land Community Schools and Redford Union school district. The topic of the art was to be "What Black History Month Means to Me" or "An Westland Girl Scouts make it perfectly clear that they know what March 12 is. The youngsters used the bleachers of the Bailey Recreation Center Important Figure in Monday evening to form the number 100 in observance of the 100th birthday of Girl Scouting. It was on March 12,1912, that Juliette Gordon Low Black History." gathered 18 girls together in the first Girl Scout troop meeting in Savannah, Georgia. , ] "I want to con­ gratulate the win­ ners, and thank all of those who partici­ pated and made this Pickering drops out first contest a suc­ Former W-W teacher cess," said Anderson. "I was impressed by of House race, throws the enthusiasm that both the art teachers arraigned on sex charges and students showed support behind Kosowski in rising to the chal­ lenge of creating By Darrell Clem ly abusive Tomblin was still behind original artwork on By LeAnne Rogers Observer Staff Writer •activity, bars. this topic." Observer Staff Writer two counts Assistant Wayne Coun­ A Canton man and for­ of using a ty Prosecutor Maria Anderson selected A veteran former West- mer Wayne-Westland computer Miller said Monday that, one winner and one land councilman and school teacher is facing to commit a if Tomblin is released, runner-up from each mayor has dropped out of a March 16 hearing in crime and he will be placed under school district. In the race to fill the vacant 35th District Court amid Tomblin two counts house arrest with a teth­ Wayne-Westland, the Michigan House seat in Pickering - Kosowski allegations by a moth­ of distrib­ er. winner was Joshua the newly-formatted 16th er that he was involved uting sexually explicit . Tomblin, who had McCown, fourth ' District. as a Democrat. Having in inappropriate behav­ material to children. taught at several grade, while the run­ Charles Pickering, who attended culinary school, ior toward her 16-year- Tomblin was jailed schools, could face pen­ ner-up was Andrea served 20 years on coun­ Pickering said he also old son. with a $75,000/10 per­ alties ranging up to 20 Santiago, fourth cent bond, meaning he grade. cil and another four yeiars wants to devote full-time Brandon Lee Tomblin, years in prison if he is as mayor, said that he had efforts to his work in real 26, was arraigned Sat­ could be released with convicted of child sexu­ Anderson will pro­ filed in early January to estate. urday in 34th District - $7,500, but a Wayne ally abusive activity and vide a pizza party to run for the seatbut has The support Kosows­ Court in Romulus on one County Jail spokesman classes of the three changed his mind. The ki has gathered, referred count of child sexual- said Wednesday that Please see CHARGES, A2 winners, display the district contains most of to by Pickering, includes artwork of the win­ Westland and the entire endorsements from ners and runners-up City of Wayne. local and state officials, in his office, and also Instead of running, including current State recognize the winr Pickering said he is . Rep. Richard LeBlanc, D-. Norwayne council host jamboree for kids ners and runners-up Westland, who is term- with a certificate. throwing his .support behind Westland Parks limited and is running • By LeAnne Rogers storyteller from 12:30-1 some bureaucratic and Recreation Director for Wayne County com­ Observer Staff Writer p.m. followed by a mov­ breakdown," said John­ Robert Kosowski, the oth­ missioner, and State Sen. ie. son. "We are trying to er Democratic candidate Glenn Anderson, D-Wejst- Storytelling and a mov­ The program is aimed resolve it. We are trying land, who is running for to work withe the Ford INDEX who has filed to run for ie with free popcorn will at children 6-12 years the seat. Congress. be featured Saturday as old but Johnson said no Motor Company and Business A9 the Yankee Air Muse­ Crossword Puzzle ....B11 "I talked to Robert. I "I'm endorsing Robert the Norwayne Citizens who wants to attend will Entertainment B5 think he'll do an excel­ because I believe that he Council hosts a Midwin­ be turned away. To pro­ um for some coordinat­ Food B7 lent job. He worked hard is the best person to rep­ ter Jamboree for local mote attendance, fliers' ed efforts. It was all part Homes .....B10 and got early support in resent District 16. With youngsters. arcbeing distributed at of the Arsenal of Democ­ Jobs B10 both communities," said other community lead­ "It's an opportunity Adams Upper Elementa­ racy." Obituaries B4 Pickering. "I like Robert. ers, we've worked along­ to begin the 70th anni­ ry School. • WLND is working on Opinion A10 I've known him since he side each other on behalf versary celebration of "There isn't advance a documentary about ^ Services B10 of residents in the Wayne Sports B1 started at the (Westland the establishment of the registration—they can Norwayne, with Wayne- Wheels ...B12 Municipal) golf course, and Westland commu­ community," said Hank just show up," said John-. Westland Community probably 20 years ago. I nities for nearly two Johnson, citizen council. son. Schools working on sig­ © The Observer & Eccentric have a lot of respect for. decades," said LeBlanc. chairman. "We are tak­ Celebrations for the nage, he said. Volume 47 • Number 83 him. He's well-prepared "Like others, I believe ing the opportunity to 60th anniversary of the Anyone needing more and well-organized." he will take that same help Norwayne children Norwayne communi­ inf orniation about the Home Delivery: Initially, Pickering, 69, level of commitment with a fun event and lit­ ty being established are Mid-Winter Jamboree or (866) 887-Z737 had considered running and enthusiasm to Lan­ eracy." expected to really get the Norwayne Citizens for the legislature as an sing and will continue his The event will be held under way in October. Council can contact John­ Return Address: record of accomplish­ 41304 Concept Dr. independent but said that noon to 3 p.m. at the' "We're still having son at (734) 444-8344. Plymouth Ml 48170 is difficult with voters ment. I have the highest Dorsey Community Cen­ some difficulty get­ accustomed to the two- ter, on Dorsey just east ting ah historic des­ lrogersOhometownlife.com party system, so he filed Please see RACE, A2 of Venoy.