FRASER VOTERS TO ELECT CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES 8A
New foundation seeks to aid local projects
Volunteers requested for board
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Born out of the success of one community project, a new nonprofit aims to boost
more projects around Clinton Township.
The Clinton Township Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization set up with the mission of collaborating with local government to support quality-of-life projects around the township.
“While the township budget is tight and we can’t afford everything that everybody wants, this is a way to bring
STATE HOUSE BILL WOULD SUPPORT FOSTER ANIMALS
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
LANSING — A bipartisan bill proposed by state Rep. Mike McFall aims to provide financial relief for those who foster animals.
If approved by the state Legislature, House Bill 5063 will provide a $50 credit per animal fostered for a minimum of seven days, with another $50 for every 30 additional days of fostering, for up to five animals per year.
The program would begin with the 2026 tax year and adjust the credit annually for inflation. Verification would be required from qualifying nonprofits or municipal shelters.
“I’m a big animal lover, and I follow on social media a lot of rescues and local shelters, and I see constant calls for fosters because they’re overflowing with animals,” said McFall, D-Hazel Park.
House Bill 5063 is co-sponsored by state Rep. Joe Aragona, R-Clinton Township. It was developed in collaboration with Michigan Humane and aims to shore up support for foster homes.
See FOUNDATION on page 6A Aragona
Proponents say with the cost of living rising,
See ANIMALS on page 18A
Photo provided by Brooke Hartsuff
State Rep. Mike McFall, D-Hazel Park, speaks on the floor of the state House at the Capitol building in Lansing about House Bill 5063, a proposal that aims to provide tax credits for individuals who foster animals.
Martina Gatti Pardue is the vice chair of the Clinton Township Community Foundation, a new nonprofit with roots in the Clinton Township Inclusive Playground Committee.
Photo provided by Martina Gatti Pardue and Clinton Township
League of Women Voters hosts Fraser candidate forum
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
FRASER — On Oct. 6, three Fraser City Council candidates gathered to answer questions from residents and talk about their goals for the city.
It was held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6691 on Anita Avenue and was moderated by members of the League of Women Voters of Macomb County. Residents submitted questions to designated “question sorters” who reviewed them for redundancy, slander or bad language.
Each candidate had a one-minute opening statement, a one-minute response for each question and a one-minute closing statement.
The three candidates in attendance were Crystal Fletcher, George-Michael Higgins and incumbent Patrick O’Dell. There
are five candidates running for three open seats on Nov. 4. The other two candidates are Matthew Dantes and Lora Michael. Dantes submitted a statement, telling residents of a few of his goals for the city. Candidates listed their reasons for run-
See VOTERS on page 17A
Shirley Glass Terrace opens, showcases culinary arts students
‘She had a heart of gold’
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Macomb Community College accounting professor Shirley Glass was an instructor at the school for 55 years, encouraging her students to strive for their personal best and also mentoring her colleagues when needed.
Outside the classroom, the avid art collector could often be found at local art fairs, visiting the Detroit Institute of Arts, or taking in a performance at the Detroit Opera House.
Glass died in 2021. She was 78 and her legacy lives on. Glass, who taught more than 600 classes from 1966 to 2021, gifted MCC her estate by making a $3.2 million donation. A portion of the donation was used toward the Shirley Glass Terrace. According to a college press release, that marked the largest individual contribution in the school’s history. The donation was put toward constructing a new outdoor dining area at Center Campus called the Shirley Glass Terrace. The See GLASS on page 16A
Photo provided by Macomb Community College
From left, Macomb Community College President James O. Sawyer IV; Libby Argiri, the college’s executive vice president of administration; Brian Newman, an accounting professor; Mike Balsamo, dean of business, information technology and culinary; and Monique Beauchamp, a marketing professor drink a toast in honor of longtime MCC accounting professor Shirley Glass, after whom the school’s new outdoor terrace is named.
MCC again named ‘veteran-friendly school’
MACOMB COUNTY — For the 10th straight year, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency recognized Macomb Community College as a certified Veteran-Friendly School, awarding the college gold-level recognition for the 202526 school year.
The VFS program was created by MVAA to recognize colleges and universities across Michigan that demonstrate a commitment to supporting veterans, active-duty service members and their families in utilizing their GI Bill and navigating other educational resources. Colleges can earn gold, silver and bronze level status.
To earn gold-level status, an institution must meet six of MVAA’s seven judging criteria. They are: an established process for identification of current student veterans; veteran-specific website; active student veteran organization or club; veteran-specific career services, resources, advising, and/or outcome monitoring; on-campus veterans’ coordinator and/or designated staff point of contact; system to evaluate and award academic credit based on prior military training and experience; and monitoring and evaluation of student veteran academic retention, progress and graduation rates.
MVAA is a state government agency operating under the Michigan Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. It serves as the central coordinating point for Michigan veterans, connecting those who have served in the U.S. armed forces and their families to services and benefits throughout the state.
AT THE RAM’S HORN TRUNK-OR-TREAT
FRASER — The annual Ram’s Horn Trunkor-Treat is back from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 25.
More than 20 cars will be there to hand out candy and take part in the Halloween festivities. The event will be held at the Ram’s Horn in Fraser, located at 31917 Utica Road.
Dr. Bergeron has comprehensive education, training, and experience in hospital and clinic-based patient care. She excels in all areas of foot and ankle care with specific training and interest in wound care and foot and ankle surgery (including cutting-edge minimally invasive techniques designed to minimize surgical trauma and help patients recover faster).
Photo by Alyssa Ochss
Foundation
from page 1A
people together to widen the circle and (create) a good cause for everybody to contribute to,” Clinton Township Supervisor Paul Gieleghem said.
The foundation has its origins in the Clinton Township Inclusive Playground Committee, which was set up to build a playground that would allow children to play together regardless of their abilities. After several years of fundraising and working with other groups in the community, the Clinton Township inclusive playground opened in April 2025. The committee was dissolved shortly after the playground opened.
“We didn’t really talk about this as a group until we had the ribbon-cutting,” Gieleghem said. “Then people started congregating. I think there was a feeling (that) we put all these hours into (the inclusive playground) and all this energy, and what are we going to do now? This is an idea that has been brewing, I think, for a while, but we just had to introduce the topic and get it out there to folks.”
Many of the founding officers of the Clinton Township Community Foundation are alumni of the playground committee. The group’s chair, AnnMarie Ottoy, reprises her role from the original committee. She also serves as the marketing and communications director of the Rochester Hills-based adult education firm Dutton Farm. Martina Gatti Pardue serves as the vice chair with experience at engineering firm Actalent as a project coordinator, while Kerry Jantz of the Clinton Township Kiwanis serves as secretary. Steve Gurin, an accountant serving as the treasurer, is the only officer without a history with the inclusive playground.
“It’s exciting because we’re keeping that momentum going,” Pardue said. “We want to get the community engaged and get their feedback — collaboration of everybody, get the ideas and wants of what the Clinton Township residents are looking for to get everybody involved.”
Along with the success of the playground committee and seeking to continue the work toward broader ends, the Clinton Township Community Foundation follows in the footsteps of similar groups serving the
Sterling Heights and the Rochester-Rochester Hills-Oakland Township communities. The Sterling Heights Community Foundation has provided support for projects including the city’s library and senior center, various parks and amenities, and art sculptures. The foundation sponsors a number of events held within the city. Similarly, the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester supports the development and maintenance of parks and trails, civic groups, recreation programs, arts organizations and more within the municipalities it serves.
For Gieleghem, the creation of a foundation is a long overdue and necessary development given Clinton Township’s evolution from an outer-ring to inner-ring suburban community.
“When that happens, your cost structure goes up, and your revenue tends to stagnate. It’s going up, but it’s going up incidentally,” Gieleghem said. “We are not turning farm fields into subdivisions anymore. We are trying to do redevelopment of a community that is already grown. Our older neighborhoods are 75 years old, and our newer neighborhoods are 25 to 35 years old.
“Doing things like this in creating a community foundation and involving people in supporting the things they want to see in their community builds on the vibrancy and helps us maintain quality of life for residents,” he said.
As things stand, the Clinton Township Community Foundation has a way to go before it can begin supporting projects that the Clinton Township community deems worthy. It is currently seeking applicants for the foundation’s board of directors, the application for which can be found by going to the township’s website. For more information, email Debbie Kowalkowski at Committees@ clintontownship-mi.gov or call (586) 2869366.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
101 EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR
Benefts and cost • Who can and when to enroll • How to enroll • Do I enroll if I’m still working Macomb Community College Center Campus University Center One Building Lecture Hall B 44575 Garfeld Rd Clinton Twp, MI 48038
This course will discuss:
Medicare Parts A, B, C, & D
Medicare Learning Services
Te professionals at Medicare Learning Services in Clinton Township, a privately funded nonproft, provides residents with information they need to make informed decisions on their Medicare insurance choices. Anyone who has been through the Medicare process knows how valuable accurate, timely information can be.
Medicare Learning Services ofers a free course open to anyone in the area and targeted for adults 60 and over or their caregivers and family members. Tere is no fee to attend the course, which typically is held the third Tursday of each month at Macomb Community College. A regular advertisement about the free session runs in C & G Newspapers.
Attendees beneft from a relaxed environment where they will not be sold anything, but instead are there to learn everything they can about Medicare. Tey will leave the course with a better understanding of their options so they can make more informed decisions. For example, guests will receive information to help them understand the available enrollment periods, Medicare-related costs, diferences between Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, and more. Each session lasts two hours, and there is time for a robust question and answer session at the end.
Tere’s no fancy dinner, just water and information that is designed to help couples and individuals make the right Medicare choices based on their specifc situation. While the topic is serious, the presentation is entertaining and easy-tofollow. Guests can learn how to establish a Medicare account without having to go to a Social Security ofce in person.
Since Medicare Learning Services began hosting these free sessions, the local nonproft has helped thousands of individuals make more informed Medicare decisions. Tere are changes on the horizon that will impact Americans and their Medicare in the coming months, so now is the time to sign up if you are eligible for Medicare.
Finding the correct answer to a Medicare question online can be difcult and impossible. Fortunately, residents don’t have to feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about the challenges of dealing with the Medicare system when they attend a free informational session from Medicare Learning Services. To sign up for a class or for a list of upcoming free courses, call (586) 465-0588.
Clinton Township Supervisor
Paul Gieleghem played a role in the inclusive playground group along with Martina Gatti Pardue and many of the community foundation’s original members.
Photo provided by Martina Gatti Pardue and Clinton Township
Fraser voters to elect City Council candidates
In the Chronicle’s coverage area, voters will elect candidates to the Fraser City Council on Nov. 4. Candidates were asked, in 75 words or fewer, to state their top goals if elected. The answers are printed verbatim.
Fraser City Council
Five candidates are running for three four-year terms.
Matthew Dantes
Age: 27
Occupation: Legal Assistant at US Attorneys Office
Municipality of residence: Fraser
For how long: Lifetime
Online campaign information: facebook. com/p/Matthew-Dantes-for-Fraser-CityCouncil-61579367407315/
Education: Oakland University: BA Political Science
Previously and currently held elected offices: None
Top goals: My name is Matthew Dantes and I am running for city council. I’ll work to cut excess spending so your money goes where it should. I am committed to reducing the monthly water bill and other expenses without cutting necessary funding. I support our police and will always work for a safe community. Together, we can make our city stronger, safer, and more affordable.
Crystal Fletcher
Age: 36
Occupation: Refractive Services and Corneal Crosslinking Coordinator at Fraser Eye Care/Michigan Outpatient Surgery Center
Municipality of residence: Fraser, MI For how long: 26 years (total)
Online campaign information: https://candidates.goodparty.org/crystal-fletcher
Education: No answer given
Previously and currently held elected offices: None
Top goals: I want to create a dog park
Editor: Brian Louwers | (586) 498-1089 | brianlouwers@candgnews.com
Reporters: Dean Vaglia | (586) 498-1043 | dvaglia@candgnews.com
Alyssa Ochss | (586) 498-1103 | aochss@candgnews.com
Sports: Scott Bentley | (586) 498-1090 | sports@candgnews.com
Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com
on city-owned land to serve Fraser’s dog owners. I’m exploring grants to improve our outdated plumbing infrastructure and add foliage that supports flood control and watershed health. I believe we must hold DTE accountable for rising costs and poor service. Ongoing issues with Priority Waste remain unacceptable, and I support pressing for solutions while reviewing alternatives. It takes a village, and together we can drive real, lasting change.
George-Michael Higgins
Age: 31
Occupation: Real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Kee Realty Saint Clair Shores and past constituent services aide in the Michigan House of Representatives Municipality of residence: Fraser For how long: Just shy of 5 years.
Online campaign information: VoteGeorgeHiggins.com
Education: Warren Woods Tower High School – 2012, Wayne State University –History major
Previously and currently held elected offices: N/A
Top goals: My priorities are growing Fraser’s tax base by attracting and retaining small and midsized businesses, so we can potentially lower the property tax burden on residents, investing in a cost-effective plan for Steffens Park, & supporting our Public
Safety Department. I’ll also use my position on Council to advocate for state action on the water and sewer affordability crisis— through either increased revenue sharing or an affordability plan that keeps our dollars here in Macomb County.
Lora Michael
Did not return questionnaire by press time.
Patrick O’Dell
Age: 52
Occupation: Personal Property Tax Collector for Macomb County Treasurer, Tax Preparer for Heemer, Klein & Co PLLC Municipality of residence: Fraser For how long: 21 Years
Online campaign information: Facebook
Re-Elect Patrick O’Dell to Fraser City Council
Education: MBA, BA in Accounting Previously and currently held elected offices: Fraser City Council 4 years, Current Mayor Pro Tem
Top goals: My main goals if re-elected is to continue to improve city infrastructure including improving local roads, sidewalks, and water systems. Make significant improvements to Steffens Park through proper planning, community outreach, and applying for grant to help pay for it. Continue proper long-term budgeting and spending priorities to ensure no further increases in property taxes, which I am strongly against.
Getting it right C & G Newspapers strives for accuracy and fairness to its readers. If you think we got it wrong, please let us know. Call Gregg Demers at (586) 498-1042, email gdemers@candgnews. com or write us at 13650 11 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48089.
retail ad rates: Paula Stelzer | (586) 498-1076 | pstelzer@candgnews.com Karen Bozimowski | (586) 498-1032 | kboz@candgnews.com Legals and Obits: (586) 498-1099
Classifieds: For ad rates (586) 498-8100 Automotive Advertising: Jeannine Bender | (586) 246-8114 | jbender@candgnews.com Real Estate Advertising: Paula Kaspor | (586) 498-1055 | pkaspor@candgnews.com
Fletcher
Higgins
O’Dell
CALENDAR
OCT. 15
A Taste of Hispanic Heritage: Chef Mary Spencer from Taste: A Cook’s Place will demonstrate two authentic Mexican recipes while sharing tips, cultural significance and samples, 6:30 p.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - Main Branch, 40700 Romeo Plank Road in Clinton Township, registration required, (586) 226-5040, cmpl.libnet.info/events
OCT. 18
Trick or Treat Trail: Ages 12 months and older can meet friendly characters, collect treats and candy, and pick pie pumpkin from patch, 10:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Clinton Township Civic Center, 40700 Romeo Plank Road, register for time slot at clintontownship. com/252/trick-or-treat-trail
Joel Tacey’s Spooktacular: Funny (not scary) Halloween magic show, 3 p.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - South Branch, 35679 S. Gratiot Ave. in Clinton Township, registration required, (586) 226-5073, cmpl.libnet.info/events
OCT. 18-19
Macomb County HarvestFest: Includes trick or treat stations, hayrides, bird and reptile shows, pumpkin patch, inflatables, princesses and superheroes, petting zoo, movies, live music, games, food trucks and more, also bring items for Gleaners Community Food
Bank, noon- 5 p.m., pavilion at Freedom Hill County Park, 14900 Metropolitan Parkway in Sterling Heights, harvestfestevents.com
‘Steel Magnolias’: Play about six women who share laughter, tears and strength in Louisiana hair salon, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 and 2 p.m. Oct. 19, Macomb Center for the Performing Arts on Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, macombcenter.com, (586) 286-2222
OCT. 19
Halloween card party: Pinochle, euchre, dominoes and other games, also lunch, dessert, raffles, and door and table prizes (receive extra ticket for wearing Halloween item), 12:30-3:30 p.m., St. Thecla Catholic Church, 20740 S. Nunneley Road in Clinton Township, (586) 791-6177 or (586) 791-9012
OCT. 21
Haunted objects: Presentation by author and paranormal investigator Nicole Beauchamp, for teens in grades 6-12, 6:30 p.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - Main Branch, 40700 Romeo Plank Road in Clinton Township, registration required, (586) 2265030, cmpl.libnet.info/events
OCT. 22
Monsters and Mayhem: Halloween-themed crafts, games and stories, costumes encouraged, 5:30 p.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - Main Branch, 40700
See CALENDAR on page 18A
“Isn’t It Time,” the Babys enjoyed moderate success, but after five years of touring, Waite said, “We were making zero money, and it just fell apart.”
It was time for a “Change.” Waite launched his solo career with 1982’s “Ignition.” The album featured the song “Change,” which experienced heavy rotation during the early days of MTV. Two years later, he scored his first No. 1 hit on the Billboard chart with “Missing You.” When writing the single, he knew it would be a hit.
“It meant all things to everyone. It applied to all different situations,” said Waite, who has 2.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify. “It’s one of those songs you wait your whole life to write.”
Waite said having the most popular song in the U.S. is “an interesting place. You really feel like you’ve achieved something. It was something I didn’t take lightly.”
In Waite’s case, it’s unclear which came first: the musician or the songwriter.
“There’s also the argument, is it poetry or is it music?” said Waite, influenced by the guitar riffs of Jimi Hendrix and the blues of John Mayall. “The songs I love the most are
the ones with interesting lyrics. To marry storytelling into music, that’s the challenge.”
He said the Beatles’ “Paperback Writer” is one example.
“What a topic,” Waite said. “You didn’t see that coming.”
When songwriting, Waite is inspired by the world around him. For instance, he penned the ballad “Downtown” after living in New York City.
“A mom trying to find things for her kids at a Goodwill store or the guy sitting in a coffee shop by himself,” Waite said. “There’s a million stories. People go through so much.”
‘He had so many great songs. His band was great too.’
In 1987, Waite reconnected with former Babys member Jonathan Cain, who had joined Journey, and Ricky Phillips, Journey guitarist Neal Schon and drummer Deen Castronovo to form Bad English. They recorded two albums, producing a hit with “When I See You Smile,” and disbanded in ‘91.
Waite never stopped playing music and continued to write, record and tour. At one point, country music got a hold of him when he moved to Nashville and became friends with bluegrass artist Alison Krauss. The pair
recorded “Missing You” as a duet. A highlight was performing Vince Gill’s “Whenever You Come Around” in three different music keys at the Grand Ole Opry.
Sterling Heights resident Karen Martellaro never misses a John Waite show at Andiamo.
“Every time I go, it’s a treat. I like the variety of music. I like how he plays his solo stuff, his music with the Babys and he breaks out Bad English,” she said. “It’s a great venue. It’s a fun night. I think the band is a finetuned machine. They all work well together.”
She also hangs with the other fans to meet Waite.
“He’s a class act all the way around. If you’re lucky enough to meet him, you will have even more respect for him not only as an artist but as a person,” she said. “He’s kind, generous and patient. He goes out of his way to talk to his fans, take pictures and sign autographs.”
“I know it means a lot to people,” Waite said.
Local musician Vito Lafata also saw the concert at Andiamo with his girlfriend Sandy, who suggested they get tickets.
“He was much better than I thought he would be, “said Lafata, of St. Clair Shores. “I’m only vaguely familiar with his music, so it was a pleasant surprise to hear how great he still sings. He had so many great songs. His band was great, too.”
Presently, Waite is recording new music with songs he is determined to release. He said he hopes to play some larger venues again because that’s where “the music just explodes.” If he had his way, he’d also like to do a storytelling tour.
“The album I am making at the moment is lyric driven,” he said. “No song is ever sung the same way twice. That makes it worthwhile.”
Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.
Photo by Maria Allard
John Waite, known for fronting two bands the Babys and Bad English as well as his solo work, signed autographs for fans after his show Sept. 27 at the Andiamo Celebrity Showroom in Warren.