T" , Game-winning dips and healthy tips GOOD TIME TO -i r--y Food, B8 M*^J&^' • - •? s^^i A BUYATV BUSINESS, A11 WETLAND A GANNETT COMPANY GO neu FOR HEALTHY HEART SUBSCRIBERS - FIND YOUR COPY OF PRICE: $1 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2012 • hometownlife.com WOMAN WITH TODAY'S NEWSPAPER Tax preparation Report to offer options TheWestland Friendship Center is taking appoint­ ments for anyone in the community who wants to have their for court consolidations taxes prepared free of charge. There is By LeAnne Rogers judges in Westland, Gar­ itate that discussion," Another $84,000 per ' "(29th District) Judge no age or income Observer Staff Writer den City, Wayne, Inkster Westland Mayor William year was estimated to (Laura) Mack and (18th requirement for the and Dearborn Heights Wild said. "What I took be needed to pay for the District Court Chief service. A report on potential into a single unit isn't away from it was (an probation department to Judge Sandra) Cicirel- Generally, the tax district court consoli­ feasible. However, some option for) 29th District be located at an alternate li seem to be willing to return service, offered dations in five commu- > smaller consolidations Court in Wayne and 18th location. discuss having the two through AARP, is for nities, including West- show promise. , District Court in West- Savings of about courts within the West- simple returns. Indi­ land and Garden City, is . "NCSC has offered land to merge and locate $200,000 annually were land court," Wild said. viduals with lengthy expected to be finalized . to come to all the coun­ at Westland. That one projected from elimina­ Westland's court has returns, many rental this week. cils to discuss the report jumped off the page." tion of duplicate staff already been working . properties or invest­ The report, prepared and answer questions. If The study estimates positions, such as a court closely with 29th Dis­ ments should have a by the National Center two or three courts want renovations needed to administrator, a part- trict Court and also Gar­ CPAor professional for State Courts, finds ' to do a deeper dive into house a third judge at time security person and den City's 21st District firm complete their complete consolidation of the recommendations, 18th District Court would possible a deputy court returns. the five courts and seven they (NCSC) can facil­ cost about $500,000. , clerk. Please see COURT, A2 The site is an E-file site only, and ap­ pointments are neces­ sary. The site manager has discretion over what returns they •W chief earns advanced state endorsements are willing and able to complete. Taxes By Sue Mason will be done during Observer Staff Writer the day on Monday, Wednesday and Fri­ It took three years to day. accomplish, but now The senior center is Greg Baracy has joined offering the service. an elite group of admin­ Any question regard­ istrators who have taken ing a return will the Courageous Journey. be taken by a staff The superintendent person, and returned of the Wayne-Westland by a preparer at their Community Schools has convenience. been recognized by the For more informa­ Michigan Association tion, or to make an of School Administra­ appointment, call tors for acquiring two (734)722-7628. advanced state endorse­ ments on his school administrator certifica­ tion. fit's a special thing. Valentine It's made me a better superintendent," Bara­ dances cy said. "It's provided me with a laser-like focus The deadline to reg­ on improving student ister for the annual achievement and allowed Fairy Princess Ball and me to contribute to many Daddy/Daughter and • initiatives in place in the Mommy/Son Western district today. Hoedown is today (Feb. 2). "It's solely geared around the personal and The Hoedown will ; prof essional growth of • be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. the superintendent as it Friday, Feb. 3, in the PHOTO BY MARK WRIGHT/WAYNE-WESTLAND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS Bailey Recreation Cen­ relates to improving stu­ ter. The cost is $15 per Wayne-Westland School Superintendent Greg Baracy has reason to smile after acquiring two advanced state endorse­ dent achievement in the couple and includes ments on his school administrator certification through the Michigan Association of School Administrators" Courageous dancing, snacks, a Journey Program. Please see BARACY, A2 sundae bar, games and a gift bag to take home. Two Fairy Princess LPS survey: Most Balls planned - 3- Absentee ballots go out 4:30 p.m. and 5:30-7 • p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4. The cost is voters would reject $20 per couple and includes entrance for presidential primary fee, snacks, gifts and a complimentary $190M school bond picture. By LeAnne Rogers Observer Staff Writer HELP WANTED By Karen Smith The technology ren­ If a parent can't at­ Observer Staff Writer ovations, without the tend, an aunt, uncle, About 3,400 absen­ As the Feb. 28 presiden­ paid $130 for working other improvements, grandma, grandpa or tee ballots have already tial primary approaches, election day. The majority of would cost an estimated special family friend Westland City Clerk Eileen "They should fill out appli­ may attend. For more been mailed out for the respondents to a tele­ $36 million, or $31 per DeHart Schoof has the cations —the sooner, the information, call (734) Feb. 28 presidential pri­ phone survey conduct­ year for the owner of a help wanted sign out. better. It helps if they are 722-7620. mary and Westland ed Jan. 23-25 said they $125,000 home. Clerk Eileen DeHart Election workers are a little computer literate, believe voters would Schoof is suggesting vot­ needed and applications but it's not required," she reject a $190 million No decision yet ers take advantage of the can be filled out at the said. "We will hold train­ bond proposal for tech­ The Livonia school opportunity to vote in City Clerk's Office in West- ing classes. We will notify nology and equipment, board has made no deci­ advance. fine arts and major . INDEX land City Hall. Applicants them when the classes are sion about if or when it "The weather with the scheduled." facility renovations to would put a bond pro­ Business A11 must be registered voters February primary abso­ - in Wayne County, but Applications are available Livonia Public Schools posal on the ballot or Crossword Puzzle ....B10 lutely could be bad. If because it would cost * how much it would ask Entertainment B5 Westland residency isn't during the regular busi­ too much. Food B8 someone works outside required. The workers are ness hours. • ' voters for. Homes ...B10 the city during the day However, the majority Board members on Jobs B11 and might not make it of the 480 respondents Monday reviewed the Obituaries ...,B4 back in time to vote, I ballots be mailed to them Republican ballot with also said they personal­ results of the survey Opinion A12 would encourage them to until Feb. 25, the last Sat­ 11 candidates, including ly would support such a conducted by Banach, Services B10 , get an absentee ballot," urday before the elec­ front-runners MittRom- proposal. • Banach & Cassidy of Sports B1 Schoof said. "Being out • Wheels B12 tion. People who need a ney, Newt Gingrich, Ron A $190 million bond* Ray Township at a cost H of the city is one of the ; last-minute absentee bal­ Paul and Rick Santorum, would cost the owner of just under $12,000. © The Observer & Eccentric reasons to get an absen­ lot can pick one up, fill or the Democratic bal­ of $125,000 home about • The board plans to dis­ Volume 47 • Number 73 tee ballot. No one will it out and leave it at the lot listing only incum­ $150 a year for 30 years. cuss the issue at anoth­ check on them to make clerk's office up until 4 bent President Barack The majority of er committee meeting • I sure they didn't make it Home Delivery: p.m. Monday, Feb. 27. Obama. Both ballots also respondents also said Monday. (866)887-2737 home." Voters requesting have spots for uncom­ they think most people Trustees Dianne Laura The deadline to regis­ absentee ballots, like mitted and write-in, would support technol-. and Eileen McDonnell Return Address: ogy renovations to help 41304 Concept Dr. ter to vote in the pres­ those going to the polls, although the latter vote said they need time to .Plymouth Ml 48170 idential primary was will have to make a par­ won't be counted unless make the district com­ digest the information. Monday. Registered vot­ ty preference choice on I petitive with current ers can request absentee their ballot — either the Please see ABSENTEE, A2 education practices. Please see BOND, A2 WSK •i 9 i A2 (W) Observer & Eccentric | Thursday, February 2,2012 £ a&H online at hometownlife.com 40 percent said they If it doesn't need a K-4 al learning communi­ by placing their actual BOND thought voters would school that it renovates, BARACY ties," he said. "It has led work as superintendents Continued from page A1 support it. Nearly 68 per­ it can use that building Continued from page A1 to many interventions for on the line for review and cent said they think most for other programs cur- ' students as well as the evaluation against the . people in the communi­ rently housed elsewhere, expansion of professional state standards for school "I don't personally ty would support $36 mil­ he said. district," he added. learning communities." leaders. We hope you are feel comfortable push­ lion in just technology Baracy spent three He also had to do a final as proud of this accom­ ing anything forward for improvements.