MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ARE AT RISK WITH POISONED OR UNTESTED WATER | A6-7 WAYN E-WESTLAND WAYNE GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM ROLLS Observer TO EASY WIN THURSDAY 12.15.16 II HOMETOWNLIFE.COM II PARTOFTHE USATODAY NETWORK S P O R T S , B 1 W a y n e W estland fire m erger to end Agreement ends Feb. 1, partment. The two depart­ cities to opt out the merger. under the grant, Stradtner said Monday while Westland Mayor ments will continue the cost­ The five-year agreement, one of the earlier hired grant- William Wild plans to attend about five months early saving measure of sharing the aimed at sharing services and funded firefighters left for the Wayne City Council meet­ services of Fire Chief Michael reducing expenses, would have another department. ing the following day. LeAnne Rogers Stradtner. expired June 30,2017. “When we originally “They passed the resolution hometownlife.com “I kind of understand. What Both Wayne and Westland merged, our response area asking to terminate the agree­ we do operationally works. But have added firefighters using a maps were revised. We will be ment. It will give them a few The merger of the Wayne Wayne understands that there two-year federal SAFER grant. working with CLEMIS (Court months to look for an authority and Westland fire departments would be no fire authority with In Westland, that meant fund­ Law Enforcement Manage­ partner. They need to make will be ending Feb. 1 - about Westland,” said Stradtner. ing for 13 firefighters, four in ment Information System) and changes in how they deliver five months ahead of the merg­ “They need a new partner.” Wayne. Having those addition­ dispatch to put it back to how it fire services,” said Wild.. er agreement expiration date. Wayne Mayor Susan Rowe al firefighters - three have was,” said Stradtner. “Wayne “That’s hard to do if they are That means Wayne and requested that the resolution been hired - gives financially- will respond to Wayne runs partnered with us. We (he and Westland firefighters will adopted by the Wayne Council strapped Wayne some breath­ only. Westland will respond Rowe) will go to the meetings work in their own cities unless be prepared and brought for­ ing room while exploring op­ only to Westland runs,” so we can make sure this ends their is a call out for Mutual or ward. It exercises the 60-notice tions. Unfortunately, as Wayne Rowe is slated to attend the Automatic Aid by either de­ provision for either of the hired it’s fourth firefighter Westland City Council meeting See MERGER, Page A2 Miracle on Helen Street gives to kids LeAnne Rogers hometownlrfe.com It’s kind of like that “Don’t Open ’til Christmas” tag. The first thing to know about an upcoming Christmas cele­ bration planned for students at Hicks Elementary School is that it’s a surprise for students and, hopefully, for most par­ ents also. At the same time, Principal Amy Gee is asking for help in collecting toys and all kinds of clothing to be given as gifts to her 450 students. Located in Inkster and part of the Wayne- Westland School District, about 90 percent of Hicks students receive free or re­ duced school lunches based on their family income. But Gee said the party isn’t entirely need-based. “There are a ton of students who will have a Christmas at BILL 8RESLER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER home. This will go to every The crowd was a little smaller than usual, due to the weather. child, whether they have a Christmas at home or not,” Gee said. “We provide Christ­ mas to all the students. It’s more to show them that we love them. We talk a lot about our Hicks family. This will give them a positive exit into the holidays.” Using the school’s location, COMPASSION Gee calls the event “Miracle on Helen Street.” It includes a catered lunch for all the stu­ dents with tablecloths and decorations and gifts that will be wrapped by school staff. The party is provided entirely TRUMPS SNOW through donations — no school See MIRACLE. Page A2 AS VIGIL HONORS CHILDREN Brad Kadrich hometownlife.com Mother Nature made it pretty tough, but the folks who turned out Sunday for the 20th annual Compassionate Friends candlelight vigil have been through way tougher stuff than 10 inches of snow. While the crowd was down a little, the occasion wasn’t dimmed at all as a large crowd gathered in Plymouth’s Kellogg Park for the annual vigil that honors the memories of sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and grandchildren who’ve left too soon. “The event went well, even though the snow just kept coming down,” said Gail Lafferty of The Compassionate Friends, Livonia chapter. “It was beautiful and the Memory Trees were exceptionally pretty with all the snow.” BILL BRESLER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER The event was part of the 20th annual Hicks Elementary Principal Amy BILL BRESLER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Gee, with some of the gifts for her See VIGIL Page A3 Hugs, after the names of the children are real, and the ceremony ends. students. hometownlife.com © The Observer & Eccentric INDEX Volume 52 • Number 61 ... B7 ........B6 ......... B1 ... B7 ......A10 .........B7 6 53174"77890"1 Services..................B6 PRICE: $1.50 Home Delivery: (866) 887-2737 | Return Address: 29725 Hudson Dr., Novi Ml 48377 Holiday Shopping Made Easier C o m m u n i t y r a t e s a s # 1 l o w a s 4.24APR F i n a n c i a l "Subject to credit application and approval. Annual Percentage Rate (APR) may vary and is dependent on individual credit history and other factors. Stated rate includes .25% discount with automatic transfer from Community Financial checking account. Maximum loan amount $3,000. Maximum term is 12 months. Not available for refinance of existing Community Financial loan, offer expires 12/31/16. Federally insured by NCUA. t£) Equal opportunity lender. ©2016 Community Financial CFCU.ORG/LOANS 877.937.2328 A2 (W) 0 & E Media | Thursday, December 15, 2016 LOCAL NEWS hometownlife.com MERGER Westland man Continued from Page A1 on a positive note.” wins United Way That’s important, he said, since Westland and Wayne have other sweepstakes partnerships such as sharing the multi-city Ryan Walker of Westland is the first win­ emergency dispatch­ ner of United Way for Southeastern Michi­ ing center housed at gan’s 2016 Triple Sweepstakes. Walker and his the Westland Police family claimed the prize Tltesday at United Department, sharing Way headquarters in downtown Detroit. The the services of Depart­ prize is a Detroit Lions VIP ticket package ment of Public Ser­ that included four tickets to the Jan. 1 game, vices Director Ramzi an autographed helmet signed by Lions quar­ El-Gharib and possibly, terback Matthew Stafford, four sideline a merged district passes and one parking pass. court. Currently, West- The sweepstakes is part of United Way’s land 18th District month-long, end-of-year campaign kicked off Court and Wayne 29th earlier this month on Giving Thesday. For a District have concur­ minimum suggested donation of $50, two rent jurisdiction. more promotional periods with associated “We’re meeting prizes are also up for grabs, including an with the courts this Ultimate Cloud 9 Experience (donate Dec. week,” said Wild, a 12-18) or a Romantic Date Night for 1\vo (do­ discussion about an nate Dec.19-26). eventual merger of the Entrants may enter once during each pro­ the two courts. motional period, so everyone has a chance to win both prizes. No donation is required to [email protected] enter the United Way 2016 TViple Sweepstakes (734)883-9039 SUBMITTED and all donors will automatically be entered to Twitter: @LRogersObserver Westland resident Ryan Walker, pictured with his family, is the first winner in the United Way for win. For complete sweepstakes rules, go to Southeastern Michigan's 2016 Triple Sweepstakes. http://liveunitedsem.org/2016sweepstakes. MIRACLE O b s e r v e r Continued from Page A1 Published Sunday and Thursday by Observer & Eccentric Media district money is used. Donations of clothing, Community Office: coats, hats and gloves for 29725 Hudson Drive • Novi Ml 48377 • 866-887-2737 youngsters ages 5-10are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. being collected at the hometownlife.com school, as well as the Editor: Joanne Maliszewski Sports: Tim Smith Wayne-Westland district 248-396-6620 734-469-4128 board office on Mar­ Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] quette in Westland. “It’s amazing to live in Subscription Rates: Home Delivery: such a community. I have Newsstand price: $1.50 Thursday & Customer Service: 866-887-2737 a wonderful network of $1.50 Sunday Mon.-FrL 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. $8.25 EZ pay per month After hours, leave voicemail family and friends. A BIU BRESLER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER $52.00 six months Email: [email protected] friend teaches in Dear­ Hicks Elementary Principal Amy Gee, with some of the gifts for her students. $104.00 per year born. The students got $91.00 six months mail delivery extra credit for bringing $182.00 per year mail delivery in hats and gloves. The “I’ve never heard of academically. exciting event,” Gee said. kids really embraced it,” this (kind of party) be­ “Working with at-risk “I’m so excited. These To Advertise: Gee said, noting word fore. We hired Amy from youth is my passion. I children deserve the Classified Advertising 8i Obituaries: 800-579-7355 about the party and the another district.