Official Newspaper of Record for the City of Belleville, Sumpter Township, & the Charter Township of Van Buren 152 Main St., Suite 9, Belleville, MI 48111 • (734) 699-9020 www.bellevilleareaindependent.com Vol. 23.31 Thursday, August 3, 2017 Woman dies after Construction of being pulled from pedestrian walkway Belleville Lake set for spring By Rosemary K. Otzman By Rosemary K. Otzman Independent Editor Independent Editor The new Belleville Road pedestrian Loretta Jackson, 44, died in St. Joseph walkway over I-94 is expected to be bid out Mercy Hospital three days after being in February and constructed next spring. pulled from Belleville Lake at Van Buren This is the report Van Buren Township Park on Sunday, July 23. Downtown Development Executive The Washtenaw County Medical Examiner Director Susan Ireland gave to DDA did the autopsy and a death certificate was members at their July 25 meeting. released Tuesday listing the cause of death Ireland said she attended an earlier as accidental drowning, said Van Buren meeting that day at the Taylor Office of the Township Police Lt. Charles Bazzy. He Michigan Department of Transportation said it had been delayed because there (MDOT). was confusion over where the incident She said the pathway will be 10-feet wide occurred. with a two-foot shoulder on each side. A Lt. Bazzy said Jackson and a friend 6’x6’ sign will be included in the total walked past the swim buoys in the lake and project. got into difficulty in the deep water. They Ireland said she is talking with Detroit were struggling and a boat came by to help Edison on the lighting for the pathway. them, Bazzy said. Actually, Ireland said, MDOT refers A GoFundMe page has been set up to pay to the project as a “Bridge Widening for for funeral arrangements. Pedestrian Walk.” There will be another planning meeting in October or November, she said. Five file for two Keystone Academy Principal Keturah Godfrey, at right, and Keystone Middle School Aerotropolis Dean Paula Henry hold their school’s newest award. seats on Belleville Most of the time at the two-and-a-half- hour DDA meeting on July 25 was spent Keystone wins School of Excellence listening to a report on the Detroit Region City Council Aerotropolis and discussing whether the As of the July 25 deadline for candidates award from National Heritage group VBT should pay the $25,000 annual dues in the Nov. 7 election, the following have to continue to participate in Aerotropolis. filed to run for two open, four-year seats on National Heritage Academies, one of the behalf of Keystone Academy,” said Keturah The DDA finally unanimously agreed to the Belleville City Council. nation’s largest charter school management Godfrey, Keystone Academy principal. pay the 2017 dues for the township with • Jesse Marcotte, incumbent, 53 Potter companies, honored its top performing “This award celebrates my outstanding several conditions, including: Dr. schools, including Keystone Academy, staff, wonderful community of parents, and • Quarterly updates during the next year; • Tom Fielder, incumbent, 206 South St. during its 16th-annual Eagle Awards excellent students we have at Keystone. and • Kelly Bates, 342 Victorian Ln. ceremony. This award will be proudly displayed for • Assurance of a seat on the executive • Jeff Vernon, 111 South St. The event was held July 24 at the Amway everyone to see at our school. Thank you, board under the proposed changes to the • Gwen Hooks, 207 Victorian Ln. Hotel in Grand Rapids with more than 400 NHA.” Inter-Local Agreement. Members of the city council attend two principals and deans in attendance as part NHA states its system of schools is Ireland said VBT has been paying the meetings a month and are paid $1,000 per of a three-day Leadership Summit. designed to eliminate achievement gaps $25,000 annual dues without a vote on the year, with the mayor getting $1,500 per Keystone Academy was honored with the and provide school choice to families, with executive board. Now, it will get a vote. year. School of Excellence Award from NHA. the clear objective of preparing children But, first the Inter-Local Agreement needs Belleville has two voting precincts and Out of 84 NHA schools, 11 received the for success in high school, college, and to be changed. both precincts are at St. Anthony Catholic School of Excellence award. beyond. Robert Luce, executive director of the Church on West Columbia Avenue. “I am so proud to accept this award on Keystone Charter Academy is located at Detroit Region Aerotropolis since March, 47925 Bemis Road in Sumpter Township. presented a three-year plan to the DDA on Permit No. 26 No. Permit The school teaches 768 students from business attraction and development. This Space On The Front Page. Front The On Space This 48111 Young 5’s Kindergarten through eighth He said recent progress of Aerotropolis Belleville, MI Belleville, Postal Regulations Require Regulations Postal grade. included a parcel / infrastructure US Postage Paid Postage US STANDARD Keystone’s charter is authorized by Bay identification project. He provided feedback PRESORTED Mills Community College. (continued on page 9) Page 2 Belleville Area Independent/August 3, 2017August 3, 2017/Belleville Area Independent Page 3 FOR ADDITIONAL DISCOUNT COUPONS, VISIT WWW.EXPRESSTIRE.COM Enroll in Our Summer Program WE’RE BEST TIRE AIR CONDITIONING OIL CHANGE SPECIALISTS! Belleville PRICES AROUND, SPECIAL! Child Care A/C For children ages 22 to 12 years. * We offer: $ 95 s Pre-School INSPECTION s PERIOD! 2 Directors * sWe Accept DHS WE WILL BEAT ANY WRITTEN Includes24 synthetic blend up sNo Registration Fee $ 95 to 5 quarts, filter, 25 point * inspection, battery test, 40 Years Experience & Qualified Teachers. 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This was at the July 25 work/study meeting 34th District Court Judge David Parrott of the township board, which is held directly came out of the back room in his robe ready before the regular meeting. to do the swearing in, but attorney Young Attorney Young said due to the untimely said she can’t be sworn into a new position death of Clerk Clarence Hoffman on July until she resigns as trustee, first. 14, there needed to be an appointment. Hurst verbally resigned as trustee and He recommended the supervisor get then was sworn in as clerk. Supervisor suggestions from board members, discuss Morgan kissed her on the back of the neck those suggested, and then make an in approval. appointment. Clerk Hurst picked up her papers and Young said an election is coming up, there moved to the clerk’s place next to the is new election equipment, and Deputy supervisor at the board table.