3/21/24 Troy Times

Troy officials send master plan proposal back to Planning Commission for more discussion

Residents worry about housing density

BY BRENDAN LOSINSKI blosinski@candgnews.com

The legally required update to Troy’s master plan has been delayed, and the proposed plan was returned to the city’s Planning Commission for further input and discussion.

The City Council voted unanimously Feb. 19 to reject the proposal because the seven-member body believed that parts of the plan, notably the portion dealing with the city’s neighborhood nodes, required additional discussion.

“We’re now partially required to do a master plan update, and our city planning people have done a great job to address these issues of the neighborhood nodes, but City Council has two opportunities to weigh in on the process officially,” said Mayor Ethan Baker.

“One was when we voted to release the 63-day statutorily required review period, and at that time we didn’t approve the plan because we felt we hadn’t been involved

LOCAL TEACHER

PERFORMS EXPERIMENTS IN MICROGRAVITY

BY BRENDAN LOSINSKI blosinski@candgnews.com

One Troy teacher flew high and went on an out-of-this-world trip to benefit her students.

Colleen Cain, a Rochester Hills resident, is a seventh grade science teacher at Larson Middle School in the Troy School District. On March 7, she took part in the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium and the Zero Gravity Corp.’s Embedded Teacher Program and was one of eight educators from across the country to perform experiments they designed with their students in zero gravity.

The feat is achieved by flying the teachers in a specially designed cargo plane that performs highaltitude parabolic dives, thus creating a weightless environment for intervals of about 20 to 30 seconds.

“I did this Thursday. It’s a group of eight teachers from around the country. We went to Fort Lauderdale. We did a test readiness review where we explain our experiments, they review them, and we make sure they are flightready,” explained Cain.

“We prepped all week. We boarded the plane, and it takes about 15 minutes as the modified

Photo provided by Colleen Cain

Using a specially designed cargo plane flying in parabolic arcs, passengers like Larson Middle School teacher Colleen Cain, pictured, can experience zero gravity. See MASTER PLAN on page 27A

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Chamber honors local businesses at 2024 Business Excellence Awards

BY BRENDAN LOSINSKI blosinski@candgnews.com

The Troy Chamber of Commerce celebrated its most prolific members from the past year with its Business Excellence Awards Ceremony March 7.

The awards ceremony took place at the Michigan State University Management Educa-

tion Center, which has coordinated with the Troy chamber in the past. Twelve awards were given out to local businesses and business leaders.

“This is our fourth year in hosting the Troy Chamber Business Excellence Awards,” said chamber President Tara Tomcsik-Husak. “This event brings the business community together to celebrate the great things our members are doing in

their companies and the communities that they serve.”

The winners were chosen by members of the community.

“While the Troy chamber created this event, the team has no say in the nomination process or the selection of winners,” said Tomcsik-Husak.

Photo provided by Sydney Dych

Members of the Troy Chamber of Commerce celebrated their best and brightest of the past year, pictured, with their Business Excellence Awards March 7.

Kiwanis Club promotes fundraiser, new financial aid program for teen mental health

BY BRENDAN LOSINSKI blosinski@candgnews.com

The Kiwanis Club of Troy is getting the word out about teen mental health and suicide prevention with a new financial aid program and its yearly fundraising event.

Vicki Cerven-Astell, the president of the Kiwanis Club of Troy, said the new financial aid program is focused on connecting teens who have mental health concerns with local organizations and providing them with the financial aid to take advantage of the initiatives run by those organizations.

“The new mental health counseling assistance program is geared toward youth in either high school or middle school who have a need for additional counseling outside of the school system,” she said. “They may have financial needs, but with the help of the Troy school system, we hope to identify those who need that extra help. We will be working with other organizations to help with the financial needs aspect. We are still working out the specifics, but we will refer these youths to them.”

One of the organizations partnering

Photo provided by Vicki Cerven-Astell

The Kiwanis Club of Troy’s fundraiser will feature four local restaurants bringing wine and food, as well as music and raffles for baskets, pictured.

Troy taekwondo students shine on the world stage

BY BRENDAN LOSINSKI blosinski@candgnews.com

Four Everest Taekwondo students were recently recognized by the Troy City Council for their recent and upcoming achievements, including at the national and international levels.

“I started taekwondo when I was 4 years old at a different school,” said taekwondo student Halo Canezo, who is a freshman at Troy High School. “Around COVID, I went to Everest. It was very different, so it was different to spar. I was scared of sparring at first and wasn’t confident in myself, but once we started, my coach and teammates helped show me I had potential in this sport. … It feels good to train, and this is a place where I can show that I am good at something.”

“Halo had a huge year. She made the National Team for the second year,” added her coach, Amul Gorkhali. “She won several competitions, won the National Athlete of the Year for Amateur Athletic Union for taekwondo and Michigan Athlete of the Year for taekwondo. She also will be going to Mexico to represent the national team. She got to

Photo provided by Amul Gorkhali

Halo Canezo of Troy stands atop the podium at the Dominican Open Taekwondo competition after receiving her gold medal at the event.

on page 20A

$500,000 secured for road work in Troy

Approximately $500,000 was secured from the state of Michigan for work on Stephenson Highway, Maple Road and Interstate 75 in Troy.

An appropriations package of nearly $14 million in funding for 15 community projects in Oakland County was secured in the Michigan Legislature.

This funding will be used for the resurfacing of Stephenson Highway from 14 Mile Road to Maple Road and from Maple Road to I-75, extending the road’s service life, causing it to require less maintenance, and improving ride quality.

No timeline was released regarding when the work will begin or be completed.

SHRED EVENT COMING TO TROY

A Shred It event is being sponsored by Jo + Co Realtors and will take place 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 27, at Smith Middle School, located at 5835 Donaldson.

Law enforcement organizations and consumer watchdog groups warn that fraud and identity theft are ongoing issues that can drastically damage someone’s life or livelihood. To raise awareness and to promote prevention, Jo + Co Realtors is hosting this free event where people can ensure important documents that are no longer needed or personal papers can be safely disposed of in a secure mobile shredding truck.

While the event is free, a collection for personal hygiene and cleaning products for Child Safe Michigan will take place to benefit families in the foster care program. Monetary donations are also welcome. A raffle prize for a $500 discount on a fall or spring yard cleaning by J&A Exterior will also be offered.

Troy police offer recruitment opportunities

The Troy Police Department is seeking interested candidates to become employed police recruits. The department is currently staffed by more than 100 sworn officers and 75 civilian employees. The employed police recruit position provides an opportunity to become an active part of the Troy Police Department while attending the Police Academy.

The city will cover all required tuition, course fees, equipment and uniforms associated with Police Academy training. Starting salaries begin at $43,942 per year. Once activated, police officers will receive a starting salary — per 2023-2026 rates — of $73,025 per year, per the Troy Police Officers Association Collective Bargaining Agreement.

From the effective date of hire, recruits will have access to medical, dental and vision insurance, as well as paid vacation, personal and sick leave. The retirement plan includes a 401(a) and a retiree health savings plan with employer contributions.

Classes start in August. For information about the employed police recruit position, including requirements and the application process, visit www.troymi.gov/jobopenings. Those with questions may also call (248) 680-7296 or email humanresources@troymi.gov.

Photo provided by Jo + Co Realtors

Photo by Brendan Losinski

CRIME WATCH

Items stolen from vehicle

A victim reported to the Troy police that a backpack containing several thousand dollars’ worth of “business equipment” was stolen from her vehicle sometime between midnight and 1 a.m. Feb. 24 in the 3100 block of Camden Drive.

Tires slashed

All four tires on a vehicle were slashed sometime between 11 p.m. Feb. 25 and 8 a.m. Feb. 26 in the 500 block of Colony Drive.

Dodge Charger stolen

A 2021 Dodge Charger was stolen sometime between midnight and 6 a.m. Feb. 29 in the 4500 block of Bradley Circle.

Attempted theft outside restaurant

An unknown suspect broke out the passenger side window of a Kia Forte sometime between 12:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Ocean Prime restaurant, located at 2915 Coolidge Highway. The steering column

CITY OF TROY

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 98 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF TROY

The City of Troy ordains:

Section 1. Short Title

This Ordinance shall be known and may be cited as the 9th amendment to Chapter 98 of the Code of the City of Troy.

Section 2. Amendment

Sections 98.01.02.1, 98.03.03, 98.10.10, 98.10.11, 98.10.14, 98.11.01, 98.12.01, 98.12.02, 98.13.01, 98.13.02, 98.13.03, 98.13.05, 98.14.02, 98.14.03, 98.14.05 are amended, and Sections 98.12.01a, 98.13.06, 98.13.07, 98.13.08 and 98.13.09 are added, Sections 98.05.16, 98.05.17, 98.10.04 are repealed, and Sections 98.05.18, 98.10.06, 98.10.07, 98.10.08, 98.10.09, 98.10.10, 98.10.11, 98.10.12, 98.10.13, and 98.10.14 are renumbered as follows: (Red insertion and strikeout denote changes)

HEADINGS, DEFINITIONS, PENALTIES AND AID AND ABET

98.01.02.1 Defnitions. The following defnitions are to be used in this Chapter:

“Alternative nicotine product” means a noncombustible product containing nicotine that is intended for human consumption, whether chewed, absorbed, dissolved, or ingested by other means. Alternative nicotine product does not include a tobacco product, a vapor product, food, or a product regulated as a drug or device by the United States Food and Drug Administration under 21 USC 351 to 360fff-7.

“Brandish” means to point, wave about, or display in a threatening manner with the intent to induce fear in another person.

“Domestic assault and battery” includes an individual who assaults or assaults and batters his or her spouse or former spouse, an individual which whom he or she has or has had a dating relationship, an individual with whom he or she has had a child in common, or a resident or former resident of his or her household.

“Firearm” includes any weapon which will, is

was damaged, and police suspect an attempted theft.

Durango stolen

A 2023 Dodge Durango was stolen from the carport outside its owner’s apartment in the 2500 block of Coolidge Highway sometime between 5:30 p.m. Feb. 28 and 12:04 a.m. Feb. 29.

Sierra stolen

Sometime between 10 p.m. March 1 and 8:45 a.m. March 2, in the 2000 block of Enterprise Avenue, a 2012 GMC Sierra was stolen.

Windshield smashed

The corner of a vehicle’s windshield was smashed with a metal hand tool that was left behind at the scene sometime between 11 a.m. and noon March 1 near 67 E. Long Lake Road.

Pharmacy employee charged for stealing pills

A 34-year-old Sterling Heights woman, an employee at the Health Hero Pharmacy, located at 4600 Investment Drive, was charged with embezzlement and possession

designed to, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by action of an explosive.

“Pistol” means a loaded or unloaded frearm that is 26 inches or less in length, or a loaded or unloaded frearm that by its construction and appearance conceals itself as a frearm.

“Pneumatic gun” means any implement, designed as a gun that will expel a BB or pellet by spring, gas, or air. Pneumatic gun includes a paintball gun that expels by pneumatic pressure plastic balls flled with paint for the purpose of marking the point of impact.

“Tobacco product” means a product that contains tobacco and is intended for human consumption, including, but not limited to, a cigarette, noncigarette smoking tobacco, or smokeless tobacco, as those terms are defned in section 2 of the tobacco products tax act, 1993 PA 327, MCL 205.422, and a cigar.

“Vapor product” means a noncombustible product that employs a heating element, power source, electronic circuit, or other electronic, chemical, or mechanical means, regardless of shape or size, that can be used to produce vapor from nicotine or any other substance, and the use or inhalation of which simulates smoking. Vapor products includes an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, or similar product or device and a vapor cartridge or other container of nicotine or other substance in a solution or other form that is intended to be used with or in an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, or similar product or device. Vapor product does not include a product regulated as a drug or device by the United States Food and Drug Administration under 21 USC 351 to 360fff-7.

INDECENT CONDUCT

98.03.03

Obscene Language. No person shall utter vile, profane or obscene language in any public place if doing so disturbs the public peace and quiet. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

98.05.16 Targeted Residential Picketing. The City Council

of narcotics after allegedly stealing a bottle of Percocet at 8:03 a.m. March 4. Pharmacy staff noted that a bottle of 100 Percocet pills was missing from their inventory. Police said surveillance footage showed the employee opening a drawer she was not supposed to have access to and removing a small white bottle, which she then placed in her pocket.

Police said that, when asked, the suspect admitted to taking the medication home and taking some of the pills.

Jeep stolen

A 2010 Jeep Wrangler was stolen from outside its owner’s apartment sometime between 9:30 p.m. Feb. 29 and 6:30 a.m. March 3 in the 800 block of Century Drive.

BMW stolen

A 2006 BMW X5 was stolen from where it had been parked outside a home in the 2500 block of Avalon sometime between 10 p.m. March 3 and 8:30 a.m. March 4.

Rental car stolen

A rental car was stolen outside of Skate World of Troy, located at 2825 E. Maple Road, sometime between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. March 3.

declares that:

a. The protection and preservation of the home is fundamental to democratic government.

b. The public health, safety and welfare and good order of the community require that residents of the City be able to enjoy a feeling of well-being, peacefulness, tranquility, safety, and privacy in their homes, and when absent from their homes carry with them the sense of security inherent to the assurance that they may return to the enjoyment of their homes.

c. Protecting the safety of the occupants of each home and their guests as they enter their home is of paramount importance.

d. The practice of picketing in front of or about residences causes emotional disturbance and distress to the occupants and guests, as well as to the occupants of adjacent residences, and obstructs and interferes with the free use of public sidewalks and that such practice destroys the well being, peacefulness, tranquility, safety, and privacy associated with the home and neighborhood.

e. The picketing of residences has as its object the harassing of occupants, and without resort to picketing of residences full opportunity exists under the terms and provisions of this ordinance, for the exercise of freedom of speech and other constitutional rights.

f. The practice of picketing directed or focused at a particular residence, has by its nature as its true objective the harassing of occupants, which is not consistent with a citizen’s right to privacy or the government’s interest in ensuring peaceful and safe residential neighborhoods.

No person shall engage in picketing in front of, about or adjacent to a residence. Nothing in this section shall prohibit picketing, to the extent that such activity is protected under the Michigan or United States Constitutions. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a person from proceeding in

The victim had placed his belongings in an unlocked locker during an event at the business. When he returned to the locker, the keys to his rental car were missing. Upon going outside, he discovered the vehicle was no longer in the parking lot.

Truck stolen, recovered

A 2022 Ram 2500 was stolen from the parking structure at Somerset Collection, 2800 Big Beaver Road, between noon and 12:46 p.m. March 4. The vehicle was later recovered in Detroit.

Gun stolen from vehicle

A handgun was stolen from the center console of a parked car in the 901 block of Wilshire Drive sometime between 8:06 a.m. and 1:26 p.m. March 4. An unknown suspect broke out the rear driver’s side window to gain access.

Sterling Heights teen allegedly flees from police

An 18-year-old Sterling Heights man was arrested after he fled from police during an attempted traffic stop, police said.

According to the Troy police, at 12:49 See more Crime Watch on page 19A

a residential area along a defned route provided the person does not stop at or repeatedly pass any particular residence. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days or by a fne of not more than $500, or both.

98.05.17 Price Gouging During Declared Emergency. No person, during an emergency declared by City Council or the City Manager, shall charge more than the normal average retail price for any merchandise sold. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days or by a fne of not more than $500, or both.

ALCOHOL

98.10.04 Person Under 21 - Transport Alcohol in Motor Vehicle. A person under 21 years of age shall not knowingly transport or possess alcoholic liquor, in a motor vehicle, unless authorized by law. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days or by a fne of not more than $500 or both.

98.10.05 Furnish or Sell Alcohol to Person Under 21. No person shall willfully give, furnish or sell alcoholic liquor to any person under the age of 21, except pursuant to a prescription from a licensed physician. Except as set forth in Section 98.10.13, a person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 93 days or by a fne of not more than $500, or both.

98.10.06 Furnish False ID. No person shall furnish identifcation to any person under the age of 21 where the person knows or should know that the identifcation is to be used for fraudulent purposes. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 93 days or by a fne of not more than $500, or both.

98.10.07 Use of False ID. No person shall use fraudulent identifcation to purchase or attempt to purchase alcoholic liquor. A person who violates this section

is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 93 days or by a fne of not more than $500, or both.

98.10.08 Purchase Alcohol by Intoxicated Person. No person who is intoxicated or impaired by alcohol or drugs shall purchase or solicit any other person to purchase alcoholic liquor on his or her behalf. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days or by a fne of not more than $500, or both.

98.10.09 Sell Alcohol to Intoxicated Person. No person employed by, or any agent or owner of, any business or establishment that sells, serves, distributes, or gives away alcoholic liquor, shall sell, serve, furnish, or give away alcoholic liquor to any visibly intoxicated person. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days or by a fne of not more than $500, or both.

98.10.10 Fail to Inquire as to Age. No person shall sell or furnish alcoholic liquor to any person less than 21 years of age and no person shall fail to make diligent inquiry as to whether a person attempting to obtain alcoholic liquor is less than 21 years of age. Except as set forth in Section 98.10.13, a person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 93 days or by a fne of not more than $500, or both.

98.10.11 Bring Alcohol into Licensed Liquor Establishment No person, other than the owner, licensee or agent of a licensed liquor establishment, shall bring any alcoholic liquor into any establishment licensed to sell alcoholic liquor. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days or by a fne of not more than $500, or both.

98.10.12 Display of Alcohol. No person shall display spirits, containing an alcoholic content of over 21 percent by volume, in an area that is open to persons under the age of 21. Such displays shall be behind a counter or similar fxture. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days or by a fne of not more than $500, or both.

98.10.13 Furnishing, Sale To Persons Under 21 and/or Failure to Inquire As To Age During Enforcement Action. If an employee, clerk, or agent of an establishment that has been issued a license to sell or serve alcoholic liquor by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission violates either Section 98.10.05 or 98.10.10, and those violations result from an undercover operation in which the minor is under the direction of the Troy Police Department as part of an enforcement action, then that employee, clerk, or agent is responsible for a Civil Infraction and may be ordered to pay a civil fne of not more than $100.

DRUGS

98.11.01 Possession or Use of Marihuana. The following provisions are applicable to the possession and/or use of marihuana;

a) No person under the age of 21 shall consume or have in his/her possession or under his/her control, marihuana or cannabis as defned by Section 3 of the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act, MCL 333.27953, unless that person is a qualifying patient who has been issued and possesses a registry identifcation card for the medical use of marihuana in accordance with the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, MCL 333.26421, et seq.

b) No person shall transfer marihuana or marihuana accessories to a person under the age of 21 unless that person is a qualifying patient who has been issued and possesses a registry identifcation card for the medical use of marihuana in accordance with the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, MCL 333.26421, et seq.

c) No person shall consume marihuana in a public place or smoke marihuana where prohibited by the person who owns, occupies or manages the property, except for purposes of this subdivision, a public place does not include an area designated for consumption within a municipality that has authorized

consumption in designated areas that are not accessible to persons under 21 years of age.

d) No person shall cultivate marihuana plants if the plants are visible from a public place without the use of binoculars, aircraft, or other optical aids or outside of an enclosed area equipped with locks or other functioning security devices that restrict access to the area.

e) No person shall smoke marihuana within a vehicle upon a public way.

f) No person shall possess marihuana accessories or possess or consume marihuana on the grounds of a public or private school where children attend classes in preschool programs, kindergarten programs, or grades 1 through 12, or in a school bus.

g) No person shall possess more than 2.5 ounces of marihuana within a person’s place of residence unless the excess marihuana is stored in a container or area equipped with locks or other functioning security devices that restrict access to the contents of the container or area.

h) A person who violates subsection (a), (b), (c), (d) or (g) of this section shall be responsible for a civil infraction and shall be punished by a fne of not more than $100.00 plus forfeiture of the marihuana;

i) A person who violates subsection (e) or (f) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days or by a fne of not more than $500, or both.

98.11.02

b. Manufacturers, wholesalers, jobbers, licensed medical technicians, technologists, nurses, hospitals, research or teaching institutions, clinical laboratories, medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, dentists, chiropodists, veterinarians, pharmacists and embalmers in the normal legal course of their respective business or profession.

TOBACCO

98.12.01 Person Under 21 - Possess or Purchase Tobacco No person under the age of 21 shall purchase, attempt to purchase, possess or use tobacco in any form or any product that is used for the formation of a smoking device. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fne of not more than $50.00 for each offense. In addition, the court may also require an individual who violates this section to participate in a health promotion and risk reduction assessment program and/or to complete community service hours as follows: not more than 16 hours of community service for a frst offense, not more than 32 hours of community service for a second offense, and not more than 48 hours of community service for a third or subsequent offense.

98.12.02 Person Under 21- Possess or Purchase a Vapor Product of Alternative Nicotine Product. No person under the age of 21 shall purchase, attempt to purchase, possess, or attempt to possess, or use a vapor product or alternative nicotine product. A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction or guilty of a misdemeanor as follows:

a. For the frst violation, the individual is responsible for a civil infraction and shall be fned not more than $50.00. In addition, the court may order the individual to participate in a health promotion and risk reduction assessment program and/or the court may order the individual to perform not more than 16 hours of community service.

b. For the second violation, the individual is responsible for a civil infraction and shall be fned not more than $50.00. In addition, the court may order the individual to participate in a health promotion and risk reduction assessment program and/or the court may order the individual to perform not more than 32 hours of community service.

c. For a third or subsequent violation, the individual is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fne of not more than $50.00. In addition, the court may order the individual to participate in a health promotion and risk reduction assessment program and/or the court may order the individual to perform not more than 48 hours of community service.

98.12.03 Sell or Furnish Tobacco, Vapor, or Alternative

Nicotine Product to Person Under 21. No person shall sell, furnish, give or deliver a tobacco product, vapor product, or alternative nicotine product, in any form or any product that is used for the formation of a smoking device, to any person under the age of 21. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fne as follows: of not more than $50.00 for each offense. not more than $100.00 for a frst offense, not more than $500.00 for a second offense, and not more than $2,500.00 for a third or subsequent offense.

FIREARMS

98.13.01 Transport or Possess Firearms in Vehicle. Except as otherwise permitted by state or federal law, no person shall transport or possess in or upon a motor vehicle, or any self-propelled vehicle designed for land travel either of the following:

(a) A frearm, other than a pistol, unless the frearm is unloaded and is one or more of the following:

(i) Taken down.

(ii) Enclosed in a case.

(iii) Carried in the trunk of the vehicle.

(iv) Inaccessible from the interior of the vehicle.

(b) A pneumatic gun that expels a metallic BB or metallic pellet greater than .177 caliber unless the pneumatic gun is unloaded and is 1 or more of the following:

(i) Taken down.

(ii) Enclosed in a case.

(iii) Carried in the trunk of the vehicle.

(iv) Inaccessible from the interior of the vehicle.

A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days or by a fne of not more than $500, or both.

98.13.02 Firearm License Requirement. Except as permitted by state or federal law a person shall not purchase, carry or possess a frearm in the City unless the person has obtained a license for the frearm as prescribed by state law or is otherwise permitted to purchase, carry or possess the frearm under state or federal law. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days or by a fne of not more than $500, or both.

98.13.03 Person Under 18 – Possess Firearms. Except as permitted by state or federal law, no person under 18 years of age shall carry or transport a frearm in any public place except under the direct supervision of an individual 18 years of age or older. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days or by a fne of not more than $500, or both.

98.13.05 Discharge of Firearms. No person shall discharge a pistol or any other frearm or bow and arrow in the City. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days or by a fne of not more than $500, or both.

Exception. This section does not apply to persons lawfully acting in the defense of persons or property or the enforcement of law or as otherwise authorized by this Chapter, or at an established range that has been approved by the Troy City Council.

98.13.06 Pneumatic Guns – Prohibited Conduct. No person shall point, wave about, or display a pneumatic gun in a threatening manner with the intent to induce fear in another individual. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days or by a fne of not more than $500, or both.

98.13.07 Pneumatic Guns – Person Under 16. A person under the age of 16 shall not possess a pneumatic gun unless the person is under the supervision of a parent or guardian, or an individual 18 years of older, except if the individual is on or within private property and is authorized by a parent or guardian and the property owner or legal possessor to possess the pneumatic gun. A violation of this section is a municipal civil infraction subject to the penalties of Chapter 100 of the Troy City Code.

98.13.08 Brandishing Firearm in Public. A person shall not knowingly brandish a frearm in public. A person who violates this section is guilty of a

misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days or by a fne of not more than $500, or both.

Exception. This section does not apply to persons lawfully acting in the defense of persons or property or the enforcement of law or as otherwise authorized by this Chapter.

98.13.09 Pointing or Aiming Firearm at Another. A person who intentionally but without malice points or aims a frearm at or towards another person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fne of not more than $500, or both.

Exception. This section does not apply to persons lawfully acting in the defense of persons or property or the enforcement of law or as otherwise authorized by this Chapter.

SCHOOL PROPERTY

98.14.02 Profane Language on School Property. No person shall use profane, indecent, vulgar, or immoral language or indulge in indecent or immoral conduct on school property if doing so causes a disturbance or improper diversion by which the peace and quiet or good order of any class gathering or other function in any school building is disturbed. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days or by a fne of not more than $500, or both.

98.14.03 Unauthorized Use of School Property. No person shall enter or remain on school property without lawful authority after having been forbidden to do so by a school administrator or after being notifed to depart by a school administrator. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days or by a fne of not more than $500, or both.

98.14.05 Tobacco, Vapor, or Alternative Nicotine Products on School Property. No person shall use any tobacco product, vapor product, or alternative nicotine product on school property. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fne of not more than $50.00.

Exception. This section does not apply to individuals who are 21 years or older who are on those parts of school property consisting of outdoor areas including, but not limited to, an open-air stadium, during either of the following time periods:

a. Saturdays, Sundays, and other days on which there are no regularly scheduled school hours.

b. After 6 p.m. on days during which there are regularly scheduled school hours.

Section 3. Savings

All proceedings pending, and all rights and liabilities existing, acquired or incurred, at the time this Ordinance takes effect, are hereby saved. Such proceedings may be consummated under and according to the ordinance in force at the time such proceedings were commenced. This ordinance shall not be construed to alter, affect, or abate any pending prosecution, or prevent prosecution hereafter instituted under any ordinance specifcally or impliedly repealed or amended by this ordinance adopting this penal regulation, for offenses committed prior to the effective date of this ordinance; and new prosecutions may be instituted and all prosecutions pending at the effective date of this ordinance may be continued, for offenses committed prior to the effective date of this ordinance, under and in accordance with the provisions of any ordinance in force at the time of the commission of such offense.

Section 4. Severability Clause

Should any word, phrase, sentence, paragraph or section of this Ordinance be held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provision of this ordinance shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 5. Effective Date

This Ordinance shall become effective ten (10) days from the date hereof or upon publication, whichever shall later occur.

This Ordinance is enacted by the Council of the City of Troy, Oakland County, Michigan, at a regular meeting of the City Council held at City Hall, 500 W. Big Beaver, Troy, MI, on the Nineteenth day of February, 2024.

Ethan Baker, Mayor

Aileen Dickson, City Clerk

Published: 03/21/2024 Troy Times 0451-2412

Personalize your outdoor space in a creative way

BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — As winter comes to a close, outdoor spaces are open, and people are starting to enjoy the warmer weather.

Decorating a home to fit the personality of the occupant is a common practice, and outdoor spaces are just as important.

Backyard decorating began after World War II, according to the Smithsonian website, si.edu. Following World War II, people began to move to suburban developments that had their own private backyards.

People began working 40-hour work weeks and secured an increase of disposable income. The average family now had the ability to start creating their own do-it-yourself creations, resulting in personalized backyard spaces, according to the Smithsonian.

In the years following, people were looking to be different from their neighbors, and in an effort to bring more personality and comfortability to the space, many homeowners started to change up their outdoor decorating.

English Gardens Vice President of Store Operations and Merchandising Manager Dean Darin said that in the recent past, outdoor decorating included a table, chairs and an umbrella.

“Twenty years ago, a popular set was a wrought-iron metal set that wasn’t very comfortable,” he said. “Yeah, it was OK to dine on, but if you wanted to sit there for three or four hours to relax, it was not very comfortable.”

“Around 10 years ago, people started to transform their patio into more of an outdoor room rather than just a patio with a table on it,” he said.

Darin said that with new technology and furniture innovation, what once would be seen as indoor seating can now be put outside and survive the elements. All-weather wicker is a very popular look, he said, and ensures the lon-

gevity of outdoor furniture.

Around 12 years ago, Darin said, fairy gardens or miniature gardens started to become a trend to bring more whimsy to outdoor spaces.

The first fairy garden or miniature garden was created by famous British engineer, author and gardener Annette Ashberry.

Ashberry began designing “out of the ordinary” window boxes, according to the Loughborough History and Heritage Network website, lboro-history-heritage.org.uk. Soon finding out that these tiny landscapes were a hot commodity, she began her own commercial venture in 1938.

People have been creating their own take on miniature gardens ever since.

Waterford resident Pam McCoy found that creating a fairy garden not only brought whimsy into her backyard space, but also provided a sense of peace to her as well.

“I wanted to get out of my own little head, so I slowly started purchasing a couple of items and creating my fairy garden,” she said.

Retrieving most of her items from Dollar Tree, and some from Telly’s Greenhouse in Troy, McCoy was able to escape into her own ideally created town of fairies.

“It allowed me to create and design something that was cute and whimsical,” she said. “Like I said, I have always wanted a fairy garden, and it allowed me to get into my creative side.”

English Gardens has miniature garden supplies, according to Darin, but he has noticed a downward trend in popularity over the past few years.

“Most of the miniature gardening we do

See OUTDOOR on page 15A

Shutterstock images

LTU professors awarded grant from NIH to find safer plastics

BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com

SOUTHFIELD — On Feb. 23, Lawrence Technological University received a $446,867 grant from the National Institutes of Health to create close chemical cousins of bisphenol A (BPA). Shannon Timmons, the chair of the department of natural sciences and an associate professor of chemistry, and Aleksandra Kuzmanov, an assistant professor of biology, will lead the study.

BPA has been used to produce sturdy plastics since the 1950s. It is commonly found in everything from eyewear to food packaging to household products.

“This is a collaborative toxicology project where we’re investigating this BisphenolA. As I’m sure you may have heard of BPAfree products before, a lot of the public has heard of this. We were interested in BPA. It’s a known endocrine disruptor that has effects on human health and probably more effects than just endocrine disruption, but it has negative health effects on humans and the environment, so we are interested in finding

a safer alternative.” Timmons said.

Kuzmanov explained that BPA messes up human hormones.

“Usually, it’s estrogen and testosterone reproductive hormones, so we know that it could affect our reproductive health,” she said. “Recent research shows that it not only messes up our hormones but also affects the quality of our reproductive cells, which means it could contribute to infertility. Many people are having trouble conceiving and keeping pregnancy. So one of the reasons could potentially be — and there is some evidence for it — BPA and similar cousins.”

Timmons’ undergraduate students will be working in the lab to create new bisphenol analogues, which are similar in structure to BPA. She explained that the BPA molecule is constructed of two six-membered rings of carbon atoms with various hydrogen and oxygen atoms attached. The students will work to change the atoms attached to the rings, using atoms such as bromine and fluorine to create novel bisphenol structures.

See PLASTICS on page 22A

SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — Jumping into a pool or lake for a swim isn’t only fun, it offers many health benefits and is great for people of all ages.

With so many opportunities for water recreation in Michigan, the most important step is learning how to swim.

“Swim and water safety are really important topics because we all live in Michigan, so we all live really close to water recreation opportunities — whether that be pools or lakes or rivers. There’s lots of opportunities for residents to get in the water and recreate, but for a lot of people, if they don’t know how to swim, that can be a dangerous situation,” said Danielle Mauter, the chief of marketing and communications for the Huron-Clinton Metroparks.

Although formal swim lessons may reduce the likelihood of drowning by 88%, studies show one of the biggest barriers to more people in the region learning to swim is the fees.

The Huron-Clinton Metroparks is working with partners to save lives by increasing access to free swim lessons and lifesaving water skills in underserved communi-

JUST KEEP SWIMMING: A SPORT FOR ALL AGES

ties through the expansion of its Everyone in the Pool swim initiative. Through this fiveyear plan, the metroparks have committed to providing 6,000 free swim lessons each year for adults and children with support from existing and future partners and expand opportunities for lifeguard certification and staffing infrastructure. A fundraising goal of $1.5 million has been set to make this expansion possible.

Over the past three years, the metroparks have partnered with public and nonprofit organizations in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw and Livingston counties to collaborate on free water safety and swim lessons for more than 4,600 students at various recreation centers and facilities. Most lessons start in early June, and registration is already open for some, with additional registration opportunities continuing to open over the next few weeks on the metroparks website, www.metroparks.com.

After learning how to swim, it’s important to keep practicing your skills in the water as you grow.

Michigan is known for its Great Lakes, but our state is also home to over 11,000 small inland lakes — and a host of private and public pools.

See SWIMMING on page 14A

Huron-Clinton Metroparks is working with multiple partners throughout the year to offer free swim lessons at locations throughout southeast Michigan.

Photo provided by the Huron-Clinton Metroparks

0446-2412

Swimming

from page 12A

The Troy Community Center provides many opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy the water year round — with both indoor and seasonal outdoor pools — including parent and tot classes, kiddie swim, swim lessons, open swim for all ages, water slides, lap swimming, water aerobics, a therapy pool and more.

From boosted heart health to muscle toning, experts say swimming and other water workouts offer many health benefits for children and adults.

“Research shows that swimming is good for your lungs,” said Troy Community Center Recreation Supervisor Morgan Thrasher. “You can swim, you can walk, you can move — there’s a bunch of different things that the water provides that you wouldn’t necessarily get on land.”

Swimming requires you to control your breathing, so it can strengthen your respiratory muscles, improve lung capacity and help build breath endurance. In fact, it’s often recommended that people with asthma pursue swimming to build their lung strength.

Swimming can also alleviate stress, boost your mood, improve flexibility, and

even improve coordination, balance and posture.

The low-impact exercise offers resistance, providing muscle strengthening and toning to keep you strong and fit as you age.

The OPC Social and Activity Center in Rochester allows its members, ages 50 and older, to use a therapy pool for water exercise classes, relaxing and massaging achy muscles and joints, and a lap pool for water exercise and lap swimming.

Mandy Mullins, the fitness and aquatics manager at the OPC Social and Activity Center, said a wide range of seniors use the aquatic facility, including the center’s oldest active swimmer, age 92.

“Some are just coming out of a therapy or a surgery and they are using the therapy pool to continue their rehab, all the way up to our folks who are still practicing for swim competitions,” she said.

Competitive senior swimmers — including one who is 79 year old — use the OPC’s lap pool to train for Michigan Senior Olympics and U.S. Masters swim meets.

“Some have been swimming all their lives and have continued on with all their competitions, and some of them are just getting into it now as seniors — they found swimming and found a group of people who

See SWIMMING on page 30A

Photo provided by the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Children learn the beginner steps on how to dive by starting on their knees during a swim lesson provided free of charge by the Huron-Clinton Metroparks’ Everyone in the Pool initiative, a five-year action plan to support free water safety and swim lessons for thousands of students and adults annually.

Outdoor

from page 10A

today and the supplies we have is for doing it indoors,” he said.

Fairy gardens are just one way to bring creativity to the outdoor space, according to Darin. There are plenty of other types of outdoor decor that bring just as much personality.

Pottery seems to be the most popular choice Darin has seen.

“People plant annuals, or sometimes even colorful plants, palm plants, in with annuals for color,” he said. “There are also different kinds of garden stakes, accents, wind chimes and wind spinners that come in a lot of different styles.”

Incorporating fountains into a backyard space for the sound of running water, or wind

chimes for that soft tinkling sound, is also popular and promotes a calm environment.

“It’s all about sight, sound and feel,” he said.

Statues are another well-liked decorative choice for homeowners. Darin said utilizing statues in the garden and around the patio can help accomplish a specific theme or look.

English Gardens has year-round DIY outdoor decorating programs to assist people in creating their outdoor spaces. Darin also said that the business has a landscape company that can do all the work for you.

“Many people are investing in their backyards and landscape in their front yards because it adds value to the home,” he said. “We will do a design pretty much any time of the year. We have various different levels of a do-ityourself program to get people started on their landscaping.”

Woman killed in hit-and-run crash on M-59

BY MARY BETH ALMOND AND BRENDAN LOSINSKI malmond@candgnews.com • blosinski@candgnews.com

ROCHESTER HILLS — A 30-year-old woman from Florida was fatally struck by a motorist on M-59 in Rochester Hills the morning of March 15, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

The woman, of Lauderhill, Florida, was reportedly hit by an eastbound vehicle as she ran southbound across M-59, west of South Livernois Road, just before 7:30 a.m. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver, a 42-year-old resident of Macomb, did not stop at the crash scene, but later turned himself in to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office’s Rochester Hills substation. He told investigators he thought he had hit some debris in the road until he heard later that a woman had been struck and killed.

Police said alcohol or drug use by the driver does not appear to be a factor in the crash.

The woman was reportedly among a group involved in a series of larcenies from vehicles in the area who were under surveillance at the time by the Troy Special Investigations Unit.

When detectives moved in to arrest the suspects in a parking lot, two men fled from the vehicle they were in, but they were arrested after a short foot chase.

While police were placing the two males into custody, the third suspect, the woman, fled onto M-59, where she was fatally struck.

Three suspects from Florida were believed to be targeting vehicles in the parking lots of fitness and day care centers for theft in those communities. On March 15, the three suspects were observed breaking into multiple vehicles in the parking lot of a day care facility in the area of Livernois and M-59.

Once a theft was confirmed, officers blocked the suspects’ vehicle in a parking space to prevent a vehicular pursuit.

On March 18, Troy police announced that Danarius Young, 28, and Chauncey Javon Franklin, 21, had been charged with 10-count warrants for breaking and entering vehicles, and conspiracy. Attorneys for the suspects could not be reached by press time.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (248) 858-4950.

Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.

Call Staff Writer Brendan Losinski at (586) 498-1068.

Young Franklin

Business

from page 3A

“All nominations and voting were made by Troy chamber members and the public at large. This year we received over 65,000 votes, with the public vote accounting for 50% of the votes, and the other 50% was compiled from our Troy chamber board of directors, ambassadors and committee leaders’ votes.”

Entech Staffing Solutions won the Community Impact Award. The Diversity Championship Award was taken home by the Arc of Oakland County, which aids those who suffer from intellectual or developmental disabilities. Suzy Siegle, the president of Walsh College, won the Leadership Award.

“I am very grateful to win this award. It

was presented by Kamal Shouhayib, the owner of the Choice Group, which is a real estate group in Troy,” said Siegle. “As I shared in my speech, I was honored, but it is because I have the honor of serving as the president of Walsh College that I was in a position to win the award. Leadership is never a solitary pursuit. I have a great team, I have a great board, and I have the whole Walsh College community working with me every day. I love the college and I love the mission.”

The Nonprofit Excellence Award went to Blessings in a Backpack, which gives school supplies to students in need. Biggby Coffee of Troy won the Customer Service Excellence Award. The Excellence in Tech Award was won by BetterWorld Collective Inc. Fresh & Pressed Juice of Troy won the Innovation Award. The Chamber Advocate Award was taken home by Matt Dery of Q5 Experience

and Mark Gelbman of Caliber/Newrez.

The Inspiring Tomorrow Award went to Insuring Change. The Young Professional Award was won by Michelle Choice of Fogo de Chao. Cheryl Boodram of Chief Financial Credit Union won the Woman in Action Award. Lastly, the Creative Disruptor Award was given to Rebel Nell.

Tomcsik-Husak said that the chamber has been seeing a rising trend in community engagement from businesses this year, something she thinks is reflected in the award winners.

“We continue to tell people when they join a chamber that if you get involved, you will see a greater return for you and your business,” she said. “All of the winners we saw onstage are people that are very involved in our business community. They continue to be present, come to events, are active in col-

laborating with each other and support local businesses.”

Winners such as Siegle were humble about their achievements. Siegle said that this is more an award for her college and community than simply herself.

“A group voted for me, so I can’t say for sure why I deserve it,” she said. “We had our preferred educational partnership this year and have been working to make education more affordable and accessible. We have worked a lot, and even if I won, this is an accomplishment for Walsh.”

“While this event helped celebrate the many businesses we serve, we want to express our gratitude to all our members for supporting the chamber and local business community,” added Tomcsik-Husak.

Call Staff Writer Brendan Losinski at (586) 498-1068.

Mental health

from page 4A

with the Kiwanis Club of Troy is the Judson Center, based in Farmington Hills.

“The Judson Center provides outpatient behavioral health services for families in Oakland County,” said Jamila Stevens, the director of integrated care services at the Judson Center. “We have been working with community organizations to let people know we have these services available and show we are accessible to families. We function as community partners with the Kiwanis Club of Troy, so they help inform parents about us as a resource.”

The fundraising event, called the Fundraiser for Youth Mental Health Youth Assistance, will take place 5-8 p.m. on Friday, May 17, at the Troy Historic Village. The Troy Historic Village is located at 60 W. Wattles Road. The event costs $50 per ticket.

“We’re hoping from the May fundraiser to support the (financial aid) program enough to launch the program this coming autumn,” said Cerven-Astell. “The fundraiser is our annual event to raise funds for mental health causes. It will have corporate sponsors this year, so we have four local restaurants bringing wine and food. … There also will be

competitions like cornhole, raffles for baskets, a band or DJ will provide music, and it will have a Hawaiian theme with a competition for best dressed.”

It is the second year the fundraiser has been hosted, and the Kiwanis Club of Troy hopes to make it an annual event.

“It’s important to attend the fundraiser because they are innovative and they are doing great things for the community. They are supporting those who need mental health assistance who may not have the resources to get it, which is very innovative. They don’t want to offer help, but ensure families who need help can get it,” said Stevens. “Support groups like the Kiwanis Club, and support them. The awareness they are bringing to people at risk for suicide is huge, and they are doing so much good work to help families get the help they need.”

Cerven-Astell said that the only thing stopping many teens from getting much-needed mental health help is a lack of resources.

“Some of these youths may only need one or two sessions and need only 50% funding, but we want the help they need to be available no matter what their needs,” she said. “With the upcoming fundraiser, we hope to raise money so we can maintain this program as a year-round program. We want there to be the money these kids need to be available.”

Stevens said that mental health aid for teens is more important than ever.

“We are noticing more and more, especially post-pandemic, that children are more empowered to speak up about depression and anxiety,” she explained. “A lot of people are struggling with mental health, and we want to not only help, but also make it easy to access those services. The biggest problem for a lot of families is knowing where they can go to

get the help their kids need.”

Cerven-Astell said that “it’s important with anxiety and stress in their environments and is a leading issue in schools today. Guidance counselors are overwhelmed, and students are falling through the cracks. We want to break the stigma of talking about mental health.”

Call Staff Writer Brendan Losinski at (586) 498-1068.

Photo provided by Vicki Cerven-Astell

The Kiwanis Club of Troy will host a fundraiser to help support teen mental health. The first of such events, pictured, was hosted last year and had a Hawaiian theme.

CRIME WATCH

Continued from page 8A

a.m. March 5, near the intersection of Dequindre Road and East Big Beaver Road, the driver of a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro failed to stop after being spotted speeding. The officers in pursuit said he turned off the vehicle’s rear lights, accelerated and disregarded a red traffic light, speeding down southbound Dequindre Road, near Maple Road. Due to the driver’s disregard for the safety of others on the road, officers said they did not continue pursuing him.

Shortly after, Sterling Heights police officers located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop in the area of Mound Road and 17 Mile Road. The driver was charged with one count of fleeing, fourth degree, and operating with a suspended, revoked or denied license.

Florida woman flees

Troy, Hazel Park police

Troy officers charged a 22-year-old woman from Rockledge, Florida, with fleeing and eluding – third degree following a vehicle chase.

The officers attempted a traffic stop

on a black Chevrolet Tahoe at 2:04 p.m. March 7 on southbound Interstate 75, near Big Beaver Road, after the vehicle was allegedly pursued by Hazel Park police officers earlier in the day. The driver failed to stop and continued southbound on I-75. Officers attempted to box in the vehicle and bring it to a stop, but police said the driver intentionally rear-ended a patrol vehicle to

continue fleeing. The vehicle exited I-75 at Seven Mile Road and went westbound on Seven Mile toward Woodward. Shortly after turning onto Woodward, the suspect again struck a patrol car before colliding with an uninvolved vehicle.

The driver fled on foot and was apprehended a short distance away by Hazel Park police.

Good Friday Service

Documentation stolen from vehicles

The registration and other miscellaneous documents were stolen from two vehicles parked in the 2100 block of Hartshorn sometime between 10:30 p.m. March 8 and 2:25 p.m. March 9.

— Brendan Losinski

March 29, 2024 • Time 12:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday Service

March 31, 2024 • Time 10:30 a.m.

TROY CHRISTIAN CHAPEL

400 East Long Lake | TROY

Peek Inside Your Health: Full Body MRI Screenings

Unveil Silent Issues Before Symptoms Arise

SOUTHFIELD- Full body MRI clinics have gained national attention lately, as TV personalities publicly share their personal full body scan experiences. One actress credits the scan for saving her life after doctors dismissed her unexplained pain for months. After various tests, including a CT scan, had “unremarkable” results, the pregnant actress became her own advocate, searched out a full body MRI clinic and discovered she had pancreatic cancer. Tanks to early detection the tumor was removed successfully.

As a general rule, when symptoms occur related to cancer, it usually has progressed to stage three or four. Even with annual physicals, there are limitations. Most screenings only

cover about 29% of cancers with 71% occurring outside of where doctors are able to screen. However, full body MRI scans can detect cancer in every organ from the top of the head through the genitals and can detect it very early.

For a long time, full body MRI scans were available only in select areas outside of Michigan, requiring expensive fights like in Vancouver or California. However, this changed when a clinic opened in Southfeld, making these scans available to Metro Detroit residents.

“Our advanced MRI screening can detect cancers very early when they are as small as a pencil eraser and are more easily treatable. If cancer goes undetected, however, it can grow into stage three or stage four with difcult

treatments. We can also identify conditions such as brain, abdominal, chest, and groin aneurysms,” stated the founder of the Southfeld clinic called Bionicc Body Screening.

Te primary focus of Bionicc Body Screening is to deliver peace of mind, ofering a comprehensive and detailed imaging of the body’s internal structures. Te ultimate hope is for excellent health. However, in the event that something is detected, the advanced screening aims to catch any potential issues at their earliest stages. Tis approach ofers the best opportunity for successful treatment outcomes, should the need arise.

Robert B., age 50, opted for a full body scan from Bionicc Body Screening and a very small tumor

Religious Education

Classes 9:00 a.m.

Sunday Service 10:30 a.m.

Scan

was detected. He said, “It saved my life. Teir MRI found a kidney tumor that had been missed by a recent CT scan. I cannot recommend this service more.”

Take the first step to learn more about full body scans by visiting www.BioniccBodyScreening.com and request a free, no obligation Information Kit. Request it today and you’re also guaranteed a copy of their FREE eBook, Catching Cancer Before It’s Too Late! (Tis is a limited time ofer.)

Schedule today at 1-833-BIONICC

0390-2412

MRI machines use magnets and emit no radiation.

Taekwondo

from page 6A

go to the Pan Am Championship last year, which is the biggest competition she can go to at her age, and she won bronze there. She competed in the under 41 kg category.”

Viktoria Chernolutsky, a junior at International Academy, was another of Everest’s recent champions.

“Viktoria has possibly the biggest accomplishment,” said Gorkhali. “She won the team trial in January, so she will represent the United States in Korea at the Junior World Championship in October. She is the first high school junior to do so from the state of Michigan. She competed in under 49 kg.”

“My parents introduced me to taekwondo. When I started, I didn’t even know what it was. When I started competing, I got really into it. When I got to Everest, it became part of my life. It’s not just a sport, it’s a big part of my life. It’s brought my family closer, and I have made so many friends,” said Chernolutsky. “I think the key is finding your motivation. You need to find what drives you. Taekwondo was the sport I found that I connected with the most. Nothing else pushed me as hard, but I found the passion to keep going and achieve.”

Kyle Winnie, a sixth grader at Parkway Christian Middle School, and Sophia Derocha, an eighth grader at Larson Middle School, were also recently recognized.

“Sophia won nationals last year as a 12to 14-year-old. She won the 2024 Michigan state championship individually in her division, which was junior under 49 kg, which is her weight category,” said Gorkhali. “Kyle is currently almost 12 years old, and he won nationals last year and won team trials, so he won a spot to become a national team member. He is the first 10- to 11-year-old from Michigan to earn a spot on the national team, and at the end of this month he will go to Mexico to compete with the national team. … We had Michigan Athlete of the Year at the state competition March 9. He competed in under 41 kg. … These four students are ranked as some of the top athletes in taekwondo in the country.”

Gorkhali believes that his students have achieved because Everest started with a strong foundation and then reinforces it with strong bonds between students.

“Our background has started with our dad,” he explained. “He is one of the top coaches in Nepal. He has had students go to the Olympics (and) win gold medals at the Asian Games, so we had his guidance and learned from him. … My brother, Anmol

Gorkhali, is our other coach (at Everest) and won Coach of the Year from the (Amateur Athletic Union). We compete a lot more than most other schools, and while most schools have one or two students competing at that world-class level, we have 13 able to compete at that international level. That helps them

push each other, teach each other and grow together. We travel together, we see each other like a family. We love to stay together in a big Airbnb or something. We love doing things together outside of taekwondo. It’s more than just a team.”

See

TAEKWONDO on page 30A

Photo provided by Amul Gorkhali

Viktoria Chernolutsky, right, competes at the 2023 National Taekwondo Championship and will represent the United States in Korea at the Junior World Championship in October.

Troy residents included on county’s ‘40 Under 40’ list

Three Troy residents were included on Oakland County’s 40 Under 40 List for 2024.

Hemanth Tadepalli, age 22, a cybersecurity compliance engineer at May Mobility; Randall Mansour, age 38, a partner at Disability Law Group; and Eric W. Gregory, age 37, a partner at Dickinson Wright PLLC, were all recognized for their achievements and will be honored at a reception preceding County Executive David Coulter’s State of the County address on Thursday, April 4.

The 12th Oakland Together 40 Under 40 class honors young professionals who live or work in Oakland County and exemplify Oakland Together, Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter’s “vision for a community working together to leverage its strengths, address its challenges, and find value in working with regional partners.”

“I am thrilled to announce the exceptional individuals selected for the 2024 class of the Oakland Together 40 Under 40,” Coulter said in a press release. “This diverse group of young leaders embodies the spirit of innovation, resilience, and community engagement. Their contributions are shaping the future of our region, and I am proud to celebrate their accomplishments and commitment to making a positive difference in our county.”

More than 290 candidates born after Dec. 31, 1983, applied for the recognition. A panel of independent judges selected the new class, which includes a teacher, mental health professionals, physicians, nonprofit leaders, university professors, lawyers, diversity consultants, and automotive supplier employees.

The Troy Public Library HVAC work to last until April 27

The Troy Public Library’s youth services area and basement will be undergoing repairs to their heating and cooling systems until Saturday, April 27. This work is necessary to remediate a mold issue that was found in the building’s air handler unit, officials said.

“During the repairs, the youth area will remain open to the public, though there may be some collections unavailable for independent browsing,” Assistant Library Director Phillip Kwik said in a press release. “The Library’s staff will be able to help with these collections. … In addition, the area will be heated with temporary heat, so there may be some variations in the temperature throughout the space.”

The Friends of the Troy Public Library Book Shop, located in the basement of the building, will be closed for the duration of the repairs. The library has stopped collecting physical donations for the Book Shop until May; however, the Friends are still accepting monetary donations.

Visit www.troypl.org for more information or call (248) 524-3538.

— Brendan Losinski

Plastics

from page 11A

“A lot of times, with the BPA-free products, as a chemist, I wonder what is in them instead, because you can’t just take out a molecule from plastic and have it have the same physical properties, the same malleability, the same durability. All those kinds of physical properties that make plastic what they are, are based on the kind of chemicals used to make them,” Timmons explained.

LTU undergraduate students will work with professors Shannon Timmons and Aleksandra Kuzmanov to create close chemical cousins of bisphenol A and test them on lab worms.

“We did some investigations and found some journal articles that were published that showed that a lot of times, instead of BPA, manufacturers are replacing BPA with another bisphenol, a close chemical cousin, often BPS or BPF. These are just different bisphenols within this class of molecules. To the public, this seems good because they heard BPA is bad. So you hear BPA-free and think, great, but it’s actually not so great.”

According to Timmons, some alternatives used to replace BPA in consumer prod-

See PLASTICS on page 26A

Photo provided by Matt Roush

CITY OF TROY PUBLIC NOTICE

TO ALL, OWNERS OR OCCUPANTS OF LAND IN THE CITY OF TROY REQUIREMENT TO CUT TURF GRASS AND WEEDS

City of Troy Code Chapter 82 Property Maintenance, Section 302.4 details the requirements of property owners to maintain turf grass and weeds on property and adjacent right of ways to a height not exceeding 8 inches height. Chapter 82 Property Maintenance can be viewed on the City of Troy’s web site at troymi.gov or at the City Clerk’s Offce.

Chapter 82 Property Maintenance Code will be enforced. This Chapter requires the owner, occupant or persons having control or management of any premises within the City of Troy to cut turf grass or weeds and to prevent the perpetuation of weeds as required under this section during the period of May 1 to November 1 of each year. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a Municipal Civil Infraction Notice or Citation under Troy City Code Chapter 100, Municipal Civil Infractions, and/or the entry on the premises by the City or its agent to cut said turf grass and/or weeds or to prevent perpetuation of weeds.

The City has the discretion to send via frst class mail a notice to the last property owner of record and/or to attach a notice to the premises stating that the City intends to cut said turf grass and/or weeds or treat weeds, and if the turf grass and/ or weeds are not cut or the weeds are not treated, the City may proceed to cut the turf grasses and/or weeds or treat the weeds. Failure to send such a warning notice does not in any way prevent the City or its agent from entering on the premises to cut turf grass and/or weeds or to treat weeds, as long as a general notice has been published.

If the City or its agent is required to enter onto the premises to cut turf grass and/or weeds, or to take action to prevent the perpetuation of weeds, the property owner designated on the City assessment or tax rolls shall be assessed the cost, payable to the City, for each required abatement. The City or its agent may enter onto said premises as many times as necessary between May 1st and November 1st to cut turf grass and/or weeds or treat weeds and charge the cost to the property owner for each cutting or treatment. The City is authorized to recover the cost of wages, overtime wages, fringe benefts, cost of equipment, supplies, materials and a ten (10) percent administration charge to cover the expense of administering the abatement work that is performed.

Property held as common property, such as, but not limited to: common areas of a condominium development (including a site condominium), subdivision, cul-de-sac, traffc medians, boulevards, islands, parks, playgrounds, detention and retention areas, open space or any other common area or other form of development for which the City is unable to determine the occupant or person having control or management over a common area with assessment or tax records, the City or its agent may enter onto the common property to abate any nuisance of a type set out in this Chapter. The costs incurred by the City for the nuisance abatement shall be pro-rated among each individual property owner in the condominium development, subdivision or other individual owner in a development with common property. The City Treasurer shall send a statement to each owner for their specifc pro-rated portion. If the invoice is not timely paid, the total amount charged shall become an assessment against that particular property for that pro-rated share.

The City Treasurer shall forward an invoice to the owner on the last local assessment or tax roll of the total charges assessed against each premises. Thirty (30) days from the date each statement was mailed, payment shall be made. If the invoice is not paid within thirty (30) days, the total amount shall become an assessment against the land and a lien against the property.

M. Aileen Dickson, MMC, MiPMC II City Clerk

POSTED: March 7, 2024

PUBLISHED: March 21, 2024 April 4, 2024

Published: 03/21/2024 Troy Times

0167-2412

CITY OF TROY PUBLIC HEARING

A public hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 9th, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the agenda will permit, to consider proposed amendments to the City of Troy’s Master Plan. This public hearing will be held by and before the Planning Commission of the City of Troy at City Hall, 500 W. Big Beaver, Troy, Michigan. The Planning Commission is a recommending body; City Council is the approval body. A City Council public hearing has not been scheduled yet.

Comments can be expressed at the Public Hearing, or written comments can be directed to the attention of the Planning Department, City of Troy, 500 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, Michigan 48084, or by e-mail to planning@troymi.gov no later than 3:00 p.m. one day prior to the date of the meeting. If you have questions you may contact the Planning Department by e-mail or by phone at (248) 524-3364.

Notices and information for public hearings will also be posted on the City website Boards and Committees page at https://troymi.gov/

M. Aileen Dickson, MMC, MiPMC II City Clerk

PUBLISH: March 21, 2024

POSTED: March 22, 2024

NOTICE: Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for effective participation in this meeting should contact the City Clerk by e-mail at clerk@troymi.gov or by calling (248) 524-3317 at least two working days in advance of the meeting. An attempt will be made to make reasonable accommodations.

Published: 03/21/2024 Troy Times 0492-2412

CITY OF TROY PUBLIC HEARING

A public hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the agenda will permit, to consider the proposed Village of Hastings Planned Unit Development (PUD). This public hearing will be held by and before the Planning Commission of the City of Troy at City Hall, 500 W. Big Beaver, Troy, Michigan. This item was previously considered by the Planning Commission on January 9, 2024. The applicant has submitted a revised PUD with fewer residential units. Parcels are currently zoned NN Neighborhood Node Q and R-1B One Family Residential Zoning Districts. Applicant seeks rezoning to PUD and approval of the Concept Development Plan and Preliminary Development Plan, in accordance with the provisions of Article 11 of the Zoning Ordinance for the project described below:

The subject property is located East of Livernois Road, North of Square Lake Road.

The subject property parcel numbers are 20-03-301-088, 20-03-301-023, 20-03-301-024, 20-03-301-025, & 20-03-351-004.

Comments can be expressed at the Public Hearing, or written comments can be directed to the attention of the Planning Department, City of Troy, 500 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, Michigan 48084, or by e-mail to planning@troymi.gov no later than 3:00 p.m. one day prior to the date of the meeting. If you have questions you may contact the Planning Department by e-mail or by phone at (248) 524-3364.

The application on fle can be viewed by contacting the Planning Department at (248) 524-3364 or by emailing planning@troymi.gov and requesting a copy.

Notices and information for public hearings will also be posted on the City website Boards and Committees page at https://troymi.gov/

M. Aileen Dickson, MMC, MiPMC II City Clerk

PUBLISH: March 21, 2024

CITY OF TROY AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT

CHAPTER 93- CITY OF TROY FIRE PREVENTION ORDINANCE

The City of Troy ordains:

Section 1. Short Title

This Ordinance shall be known and may be cited as the 26th amendment to Chapter 93- City of Troy Fire Prevention of the City of Troy Ordinances.

Section 2. Ordinance

Chapter 93 is amended as follows:

93.00 Adoption of the 2021 International Fire Code by Reference. The International Fire Code, 2021 Edition, including its appendices, is hereby adopted by reference with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes prescribed in Section 93.01 of this Ordinance, as the Fire Prevention Code of the City of Troy, regulating and governing the safeguarding of life and property from fre and explosion hazards arising from the storage, handling and use of hazardous substances, materials and devices, and from conditions hazardous to life and property in the occupancy of buildings. This Ordinance and a copy of the International Fire Code, 2021 Edition, shall be kept on fle with the City Clerk. A

POSTED: March 22, 2024

NOTICE: Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for effective participation in this meeting should contact the City Clerk by e-mail at clerk@troymi.gov or by calling (248) 524-3317 at least two working days in advance of the meeting. An attempt will be made to make reasonable accommodations.

Published: 03/21/2024 Troy Times 0491-2412

copy of the International Fire Code in its entirety can also be found at: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IFC2021P2 or any subsequent amended link.

93.01 Additions, Insertions, Deletions and Changes to the International Fire Code, 2021 Edition. The City of Troy adopts the following additions, insertions, deletions and changes from the International Fire Code, 2021 Edition. Subsequent section numbers used in this section shall refer to the like numbered sections of the International Fire Code, 2021 Edition. Any provisions which are not amended or deleted herein shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 104

DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE FIRE CODE OFFICIAL

104.12.4 Unlawful boarding or tampering with fre department emergency equipment. A person shall not, without proper authorization from the fre offcial in charge of said fre department emergency equipment, cling to, attach to, climb upon or into, board, or swing upon any fre department emergency vehicle, whether the same is in motion or at rest, operate any emergency warning equipment, or to manipulate or tamper with, or attempt to manipulate or tamper with any levers, valves, switches, starting devices, brakes, pumps, or any equipment or protective clothing on, or a part of, any fre department emergency vehicle.

104.12.5 Damage/injury to fre department equipment/personnel. It shall be unlawful for any person to damage or deface, or attempt or conspire to damage

or deface, any fre department emergency vehicle or equipment at any time; or to injure, or attempt or conspire to injure, fre department personnel while performing departmental duties.

SECTION 105 PERMITS

105.1.2 Types of Permits. There shall be three types of permits as follows:

1. Operational permit. An operational permit allows the applicant to conduct an operation or a business for which a permit is required by Section 105.5 for either:

1.1 A prescribed period.

1.2 Until renewed or revoked.

2. Construction permit. A construction permit allows the applicant to install or modify systems of equipment for which a permit is required by Section 105.6.

3. Occupancy permit. An occupancy permit allows the applicant to occupy existing premises for the purpose of conducting or operating a business for which a permit is required by Section 105.8.

105.3.9 Permit Issuance. A permit granted hereunder shall not be transferable nor shall any such permit be extended beyond the time set forth therein unless approved by the fre offcial. When work is started without a permit, the permit fee shall be doubled.

TROY TIMES • MARCH 21, 2024

105.5 Required Operational Permits. The code offcial is authorized to issue operational permits for the operations set forth in Sections 105.6.1 through 105.6.52. Where there are no provisions for issuing said permits, the code offcial is authorized to waive the particular permit requirement.

105.5.15 Special Events. An operational permit is required to operate/conduct all special events including exhibits, crafts and trade shows.

105.5.16.1 Fireworks. An operational permit is required for ignition, discharge and use of agricultural or wildlife freworks, articles pyrotechnic, public display freworks before a proximate audience, or special effects freworks as stipulated in this ordinance. Application for permits shall be made in writing at least 30 days in advance of the date of the public display. The possession and distribution of freworks for such use and display shall be lawful under the terms and conditions approved with the permit and for only that purpose. A permit granted hereunder shall not be transferable nor shall any such permit be extended beyond the time set forth therein unless approved by the fre offcial.

105.5.16.1 Documentation. Where required by the fre code offcial, each application for a permit shall include documentation as required in 105.5.22.

105.5.22 Hazardous Materials. An operational permit is required to store, transport on site, dispense, use or handle hazardous materials in excess of the most restrictive amounts listed in this code, the EPA’s Emergency Planning and Community Right To Know regulations, and MIOSHA’s Firefghter Right To Know requirements.

105.5.22.1 Required Amounts for Reporting. Reportable quantities shall be considered the maximum amount of hazardous material on site at any given time. This amount is required to be reported to the fre department as defned in Sections 407.5 and 5001.5.2 of this code.

105.5.22.2 Required Documentation. Where required by the fre code offcial, each application for a permit shall include a Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement (HMIS) in accordance with Section 5001.5.2, a site plan drawing in a format acceptable to fre code offcial, indicating the location of the identifed materials, and an Emergency Contact List.

105.5.34.1 Bonfres. Operational permits are required for bonfres. Bonfres are subject to the following provisions:

1. Prior approval of the Troy City Council.

2. Compliance with any special restrictions as determined by the fre offcial.

3. Payment of costs associated with special fre protection as determined by the fre offcial.

105.6.1.1 Installations. Before any fre suppression system or component is installed, enlarged, extended or modifed, a permit shall be obtained from the code offcial. This shall include any device or relay connected to or controlled by the fre suppression system. All work must be performed by a qualifed installer who is properly licensed and/or certifed to perform such work as determined by the code offcial. Construction documents shall be reviewed by the code offcial prior to the issuance of the permit. Upon issuance of the permit, the permit must be posted at the job site in plain view.

106.2.1 Information on Construction Documents. Construction documents shall be drawn to scale upon suitable material. Electronic media documents shall be submitted as required by the fre code offcial. Failure to submit electronic media documents may result in a reasonable document scanning fee as determined by the fre code offcial. Construction documents shall be of suffcient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of this code and relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations as determined by the fre code offcial

105.6.6.1 Installations. Before any fre alarm or detection system or component is installed, enlarged, extended or modifed, a permit shall be obtained from the code offcial. This shall include auxiliary devices such as magnetic locks, electronic locks, or any device or relay connected to or controlled by the fre alarm or detection system. All work must be performed by a qualifed installer who is properly licensed and/or certifed to perform such work as determined by the code offcial. Construction documents shall be reviewed by the code offcial prior to the issuance of the permit. Upon issuance of the permit, the permit must be posted at the job site in plain view.

107.6.1 Cancellation fees. Handling cost for permits canceled after being issued is 35% of the permit fee or $10.00, whichever is greater.

111.1 Board of appeals established. In order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the code offcial relative to the application and interpretation of this code, there shall be and is hereby created a board of appeals as established in Section 116 of Chapter 79 of the Troy City Code.

112.4 Violation penalties. Persons who shall violate a provision of this code or shall fail to comply with any requirements thereof or who shall erect, install, alter, repair, service, test or do work in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the fre code offcial, or of a permit or certifcate used under provisions of this code, shall be guilty of a Municipal Civil Infraction punishable by a fne of not more than fve hundred (500) dollars as determined by a judge in a court of law, plus any allowable cost recovery incurred by the Troy Fire Department or any agency working with the Troy Fire Department that incurred costs. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.

SECTION 115

MISCELLANEOUS HAZARDS

115.1 Hazardous materials - Fire Department responsibility. The Troy Fire Department shall be responsible for gathering and organizing information, identifying risks, and enforcing codes, standards, and laws relating to the production, storage and use of hazardous materials within the City of Troy and the notifcation to frefghting personnel of related hazards. The method and frequency shall be determined by the fre offcial or his duly authorized representative.

115.2 Cost Recovery - Hazardous conditions. If upon the expiration of the time mentioned in a notice of violation, hazardous conditions, including but not limited to, obstructions or encroachments inhibiting access to or egress from a space or building, are not removed, the code offcial shall proceed to remove or have removed the same. The expense incurred shall be a debt to the City from the responsible person and shall be collected as any other debt to the City.

115.3 False alarms. It shall be unlawful for any person to summon, in any way, the fre department unless a valid reason for their response is present. (See also Troy City Code Chapter 103 - Alarm Ordinance.)

115.4 Nonstandard Equipment. Equipment and devices which are not in compliance with recognized standards for design and construction may be approved upon presentation of satisfactory evidence that they are designed and constructed for safe operation.

115.5 Motion Picture & Television Film Production. Motion picture / television flm production and similar entertainment or documentary production activities shall comply with the requirements of this code and NFPA 140.

SECTION 202

GENERAL DEFINITIONS

BONFIRE. An outdoor fre that has dimensions larger than 3’ in diameter and 2’ in height, which burns only seasoned dry frewood and clean untreated lumber intended to minimize the generation of air contaminants and is utilized for occasional special events.

SECTION 307

OPEN BURNING, RECREATIONAL FIRES AND PORTABLE OUTDOOR FIREPLACES

307.2 Permit Required. A permit shall be obtained from the fre code offcial in accordance with Section 105.5 prior to kindling a fre for recognized silvicultural or range or wildlife management practices, management of prairie grasses and plants, prevention or control of disease or pests, or a bonfre. Application for such approval shall only be presented by and permits issued to the owner of the land upon which the fre is to be kindled or the landowner’s contracted professional. Bonfres, as defned and set forth in Section 202, may be permitted if in compliance with Section 307.4.1 and subject to prior approval of the code offcial.

307.4.4 Ground Fires. Ground fres shall not be conducted within 25’ of a structure or combustible material. Conditions that cause a fre to spread within 25’ of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition. Ground fres shall be the minimum size for the intended purpose, but not larger than 3 feet (914 mm) in diameter and 2 feet (610 mm) in height and shall be contained in a safe manner.

SECTION 404

FIRE SAFETY, EVACUATION AND LOCKDOWN PLANS

404.1 General. Where required by Section 403, fre safety, evacuation, and lockdown plans shall comply with Sections 404.2 through 404.4.2.

404.4.2 Format. Fire safety and evacuation plans, general foor plans, seating arrangements, storage confgurations, or other specifc plans shall be furnished to the fre code offcial in an approved format upon request.

SECTION 503

FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS

503.7 Emergency Vehicle Access. Emergency vehicle access (EVA) shall be determined and approved by the fre code offcial. Unless otherwise required, EVAs shall be of the following specifcations:

1. Minimum of 12 feet (3657.6 mm) wide.

2. Surface capable of supporting the weight of fre apparatus up to 60,000 pounds GVW.

3. Minimum grade changes to accommodate fre apparatus undercarriage ground clearances.

4. Mountable curb at entrance/exit with adequate turning radii to and from the EVA.

5. Standard fre lane signage posted at entrance/exit to EVA.

6. EVA signage posted at entrance/exit of EVA, on both sides of surface, every 50 feet (15240 mm) for length of EVA.

7. EVA signage to withstand snow removal/landscape maintenance efforts.

8. EVA to be kept clear of snow and vegetation.

SECTION 507

FIRE PROTECTION WATER SUPPLIES

507.5.4.1. Removal of Obstructions. Unobstructed access to fre hydrants shall be maintained at all times. If upon the expiration of the time mentioned in a notice of violation, obstructions or encroachments to a fre hydrant, or to other fre protection equipment, are not removed, the code offcial shall proceed to remove or have removed the same. The expense incurred shall be a debt to the City from the responsible person and shall be collected as any other debt to the City.

SECTION 606

COMMERCIAL COOKING EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS

606.1 General. Commercial kitchen exhaust hoods shall comply with the requirements of the Michigan Mechanical Code and NFPA 96

606.1.1 Exhaust Fans. Exhaust fans for commercial cooking hoods shall be installed so that the fans are operational at all times cooking is occurring. This may be accomplished by a temperature monitoring device installed in, on, or near the hood to activate the exhaust fan(s) at a pre-determined temperature, or as otherwise approved by the code offcial.

CHAPTER 8

INTERIOR FINISH, DECORATIVE MATERIALS AND FINISHINGS

CHAPTER 9

FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

901.6.4 Noncompliant Systems. Fire suppression, protection, or other

related systems found to be noncompliant, malfunctioning, or otherwise nonoperational in the manner required, designed, or intended, shall be identifed as “noncompliant” by the service company or individual performing such service, and the fre code offcial and the occupant shall be notifed immediately or at the earliest practical time. At no time shall an approval, compliance, or other indication of operability be affxed to, on, or near such system(s) so as to give false indication of designed, intended, or expected operation.

901.6.5 Anti-Freeze Fire Sprinkler Systems. Fire sprinkler systems designed and installed to protect areas prone to freezing shall be drained and tested, then reflled and maintained to insure the solution is operable to -20 degrees F or as otherwise approved by the code offcial.

907.5.2.1.4 Temporal Code-3. Audible alarm notifcation appliances shall sound in temporal Code-3 pattern as approved by the code offcial.

CHAPTER 10

MEANS OF EGRESS

1004.9.1 Zoning requirements. The number of occupants permitted shall also be determined in accordance with Chapter 39 of the Troy City Code (zoning).

CHAPTER 21 DRYCLEANING

CHAPTER 23

MOTOR FUEL DISPENSING FACILITIES AND REPAIR GARAGES

CHAPTER 32

HIGH PILED COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE

CHAPTER 51 AEROSOLS

CHAPTER 56

EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS

CHAPTER 57

FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS

5704.2.9 Above Ground Tanks. Above-ground storage of fammable and combustible liquids in tanks shall comply with Section 5704.2.9.1 through 5704.2.9.7.9 and the Michigan Aboveground Storage Tank Rules, or their equivalent.

5704.2.11 Underground Tanks. Underground storage of fammable and combustible liquids in tanks shall comply with Section 5704.2 and Sections 5704.2.11.1 through 5704.2.11.4.2, and the Michigan Underground Storage Tank Rules, or their equivalent.

5801.2 Permits. Permits shall be required as set forth in Sections 105.5 and 105.6 and the Michigan Fire Prevention Code 1941 PA 207, as amended, or its equivalent.

CHAPTER 80

REFERENCED STANDARDS

140-18 Standard on Motion Picture and Television Production

Studio Soundstages, Approved Production Facilities, and Production Locations

115.5

Appendix C

Fire Hydrant Locations and Distributions-Deleted in its entirety.

Appendix C

Fire Apparatus Access Roads

Section 3. Repeal

All ordinances or parts of ordinances in confict herewith are hereby repealed only to the extent necessary to give this ordinance full force and effect.

Section 4. Savings

All proceedings pending, and all rights and liabilities existing, acquired or incurred, at the time this Ordinance takes effect, are hereby saved. Such proceedings may be consummated under and according to the ordinance in force at the time such proceedings were commenced. This ordinance shall not be construed to alter, affect, or abate any pending prosecution, or prevent prosecution hereafter instituted under any ordinance specifcally or impliedly repealed or amended by this ordinance adopting this penal regulation, for offenses committed prior to the effective date of this ordinance; and new prosecutions may be instituted and all prosecutions pending at the effective date of this ordinance may be continued, for offenses committed prior to the effective date of this ordinance, under and in accordance with the provisions of any ordinance in force at the time of the commission of such offense.

Section 5. Severability Clause

Should any word, phrase, sentence, paragraph or section of this Ordinance be held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provision of this ordinance shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 6. Effective Date

This Ordinance shall become effective ten (10) days from the date hereof or upon publication, whichever shall later occur.

This Ordinance is enacted by the Council of the City of Troy, Oakland County, Michigan, at a Regular Meeting of the City Council held at City Hall, 500 W. Big Beaver, Troy, MI, on the Fifth day of February, 2024.

Ethan D. Baker, Mayor

M. Aileen Dickson, MMC, City Clerk

Published: 03/21/2024 Troy Times 0148-2412

Plastics

from page 22A

ucts are just as harmful or even more dangerous to human health because they have yet to be as rigorously tested. She explained that in this study, they will be taking a unique approach. Instead of changing the part of the molecule that most scientists have focused on altering and have not seen successful results with, her students will change a different part of the molecule to create new analogues that have never been made before. Timmons reported that studies have suggested that this might create a safer alternative.

The two professors have been collaborating on safer alternatives to BPA since 2018. Timmons altered molecules in a similar way to what other scientists were doing and found that it did not yield a safer alternative, which led to this new approach of creating brand-new analogues.

After Timmons’ students have created the new analogues, Kuzmanov’s students will test them on C. elegans worms.

“She’ll make a set of five or six different BPA cousins. And then I’ll be testing them with my students, also undergrad students, with worms, because worms make reproductive cells the same way we do. Basically,

we’ll expose them to these chemicals. Then, we’ll look at the quality of these reproductive cells. Once we compare all these derivatives of BPA, if we see that something is safer, that it looks like it’s not affecting reproductive cells, we’ll test them in human cells that produce hormones, estrogen and testosterone in a petri dish,” Kuzmanov said.

The grant funds the project until January 2027. Timmons explained that there is a possibility that the two will continue to work on this study and similar studies beyond the three-year timeline.

Kuzmanov emphasized that the answer isn’t to rid the world of all plastic but rather to be more careful with plastic exposure.

“If you look at the medical equipment and everything they use in hospitals, it’s plastic. It made our lives easier. We need to be careful. We can’t really say, ‘Oh, we’re gonna eliminate plastics.’ You can’t. But you can minimize exposure,” she said.

Kuzmanov and Timmons recommend storing food in glass containers instead of plastic and avoiding heating plastic food containers or placing them in the dishwasher. Timmons warned against leaving plastic water bottles in the car on warm days. Kuzmanov suggested swapping out a plastic water bottle for steel or glass bottles.

For more information, visit LTU.edu.

enough, so we scheduled a study session so we could discuss the plan more. The other opportunity was when we voted on final approval. The Planning Commission sent us a plan for final approval, but the majority of us on council strongly believed that we should take a closer look at two specific neighborhood nodes to see if more could be done to preserve the existing neighborhoods nearby.

“This is something residents have been expecting for several years. So, we rejected the plan the Planning Commission proposed and sent it back to the Planning Commission for more studying on those two neighborhood nodes.”

Planning Commission Chair Marianna Perakis said the city’s master plan is necessary for planning new developments or redevelopments in Troy.

“The master plan is a tool that is going to aid us when we amend the zoning ordinances,” she said. “We’ve talked about what we want to see in these areas and what we don’t. This way, we can ensure later zoning ordinances that we consider later in these areas are consistent. We want the master plan to allow us to amend the zoning ordinances for more single-home residential and less dense residential.”

The neighborhood nodes concept has been something the city of Troy has long been in the process of implementing, focusing on developing certain intersections near major crossroads in the city with the ultimate goal of providing residents with more amenities within walking distance of major residential areas. There were calls from residents for more scrutiny regarding the planning of two particular neighborhood nodes.

“These two neighborhood nodes have become so significant, because if you

See MASTER PLAN on page 29A

Troy’s master plan update for 2024 has been delayed so more community input and discussion may take place, particularly regarding neighborhood nodes such as the intersection of Crooks Road and Wattles Road.

Photo by Brendan Losinski

Microgravity

from page 1A

Boeing 727 ascends. It only has a few rows of seats, and the rest of it is open. Then we got out of our seats and prepared our experiments. Then we did parabolas. We needed a really detailed flight matrix, so we knew what we would do on each parabola. We laid flat on the ground. They tell you to stare at one point, you have two G’s of force on you. The first two parabolas were in lunar gravity. I expected to feel lighter, but it was so much different. I did a sort of moonwalk. The experience of weightlessness only lasts 20 to 30 seconds. Then we did 28 parabolas of microgravity, which is weightlessness. During those microgravity parabolas, we did our experiments.”

Her flight mentor who prepared her for the flight was Laura Tomlin, the founder of Space for Teachers, which works with the

Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium to prepare the teachers for such flights. A fellow middle school science teacher from Salado, Texas, she helped Cain and the others prepare for their exciting flight.

“I am an educator also. I did a flight myself a few years ago,” she said. “Now I mentor other teachers for the program. It’s a yearlong process. I have been working with Colleen for about a year and half, since the flight got pushed back. We start with a workshop teaching them the basics of microgravity and begin planning the experiments. We meet once a week and discuss experimental design and help them navigate the process with their students. We help them through the whole process, including the paperwork, hazardous materials clearance, and so forth.”

Cain’s flight was originally scheduled for last May but was delayed. However, this did mean both her class from this year and her class from last year were able to contribute to the project.

“We had three experiments. One focused on density and how microgravity impacts how different materials mix when they have different densities. This is like how oil and water don’t mix. We created tubes of liquids mixing in microgravity,” she said.

“We also did an experiment about polymers, where students made a sort of polymer slime bouncy ball. We used a sensor to measure the bounce in microgravity. We wanted to see if it would still bounce in microgravity. This didn’t bounce, so we had a clear answer on that. … The third experiment was on how microgravity impacts the body. We used a blood simulant and saw how the movement of the blood simulant was impacted by microgravity. We also measured to see how heart rate and carbon dioxide output were affected as well. It was amazing.”

Since students play an active role in designing the experiments and then analyzing the data collected on the flights, Tomlin said that this can be an incredibly impactful program for both teachers and students.

“As a teacher, this program really changes how you teach. It helps show you how to apply research. Retaining teachers is very tough right now, and this lets them interact with other teachers who are excited about teaching,” said Tomlin.

“It’s very immersive. Students walk

away feeling like they are connected with an industry. It’s open to students from all backgrounds, so they think, ‘Maybe there’s something in this industry for me.’ It sets them on track for high school and college and beyond. Teachers learn right alongside their students. Maybe administrators don’t understand the importance of letting teachers get experiences like this, but this gives them real, relevant work that engages students in STEM.”

Cain said the most difficult part was designing the experiments so they could be performed in short intervals, since the window of time in which they were weightless was so short. Of course, adjusting to zero gravity is no small feat either.

“It was a challenge because you had to design an experiment in microgravity you had to do in 20-second bursts,” she said. “Your first instinct is to start swimming, but they warn you not to, since you have nothing to push off on or stabilize yourself.”

Cain added that it will impact how she teaches her students from now on and was an amazing adventure.

“It was so incredible,” she said. “It’s such a unique experience that I get to share with my students.”

Call Staff Writer Brendan Losinski at (586) 498-1068.

Photo provided by Colleen Cain

Colleen Cain, a Larson Middle School teacher, was recently among eight teachers selected to perform experiments they designed with their students in zero gravity.

Master plan

from page 27A

look at public comments from residents and their concerns about development, they largely come from around Crooks and Wattles, and from Square Lake and Livernois, which are the areas around these two neighborhood nodes in question,” said Baker.

“When residents express concerns about these two specific neighborhood nodes, it warrants further scrutiny and action. The question is whether multifamily housing and mixed-use development properties is appropriate for those two areas. There also is a question of whether we want to preserve more at Square Lake and Livernois as a historical site.”

“The main concern of residents is traffic and that the development of those two nodes might affect these areas,” added Perakis. “People also are concerned about the transition of neighborhoods nearby those two locations and that the transition between the nodes to those neighborhoods may not be smooth. They want to ensure the density transition doesn’t feel off and is something that keeps the neighborhood feeling the way it does now and doesn’t create a lot of traffic.”

Baker said the council does not wish

to hold up the adoption process for approving the master plan, but there were no other means for the council to further address the concerns of residents except to send the plan

back to the Planning Commission.

“We’re almost at an agreement. Rejection is just the statutory language we have to use, but we just want to further address these

two specific areas,” he said.

Perakis said the Planning Commission must now revisit the plan, consider the sugSee MASTER PLAN on page 30A

Photo by

Master plan

from page 29A

gestions of council and hear from residents.

“(We discussed) the issue on Tuesday, March 12, at our subcommittee on the topic. Then there will be a public hearing open to everyone at the following meeting on Tuesday, April 9,” she said. “At the April meeting, after the public hearing, we will vote on it. If we approve it, it will then go to the City Council at their next meeting after that.”

Both officials said they want Troy residents to know that they are being heard and that their input is valued.

“I want the community to know the Planning

Swimming

from page 14A

were athletes in some capacity before, and this has been a way for them to compete that’s not as hard on their bodies,” said Mullins.

“For the competitive swimmers, it’s kind of like having a club,” added Delaney Zaloga, a fitness and aquatics supervisor. “They all like swimming, and they all like pushing each other at their swim practice and getting better and better at all the meets.”

Commission is taking this process very seriously and it is very helpful to get input from the community, because it helps guide us when we consider how we want to imagine and plan the future of Troy. I hope they stay engaged in the process,” said Perakis.

“This is something that has been a huge issue in our city for more than five years now, especially with neighborhood nodes. Places that have traditionally been single-family residential are particularly concerned about whether we are putting in multifamily residences,” added Baker. “We want residents to know we’ve heard them over the last several years and are doing what we can to address these development concerns while taking the rights of private-property owners into account.”

Call Staff Writer Brendan Losinski at (586) 4981068.

But not everybody has to swim to get the benefits of the water, Mullins explained.

“There are some doctors that will recommend the therapy and warm water pool type of class to just get started, especially if there are any balance issues involved. It’s a lot harder to fall over in the pool, so it’s a really great starting point,” she said. “We also have Aqua Zumba or other types of cardio classes that are in the pool where they aren’t necessarily swimming, but they are using that water resistance and the buoyancy and really getting their heart rate going in there without really having to do traditional swimming.”

Taekwondo

from page 20A

“My favorite moment is from the big tournaments when we are traveling as a team. Afterward, whether there are good or bad results, I love sharing those moments as a team,” said Canezo. “We’re going to the President’s Cup this week in Costa Rica, which lets us possibly qualify to the Pan Am competition. It’s a huge competition, and I feel like we have a chance to make it.”

Chernolutsky said that the aspect of a strong team also has helped her maintain confidence and push herself to new heights.

“My favorite moment was at a competition either right before or right after, and I hear the crowd, and my family is waving at me and my team is cheering for me,” she said. “Getting to stare back out … it is so amazing. It shows me I have a huge family and a great team who is helping me accomplish my dreams.”

Both Canezo and Chernolutsky said that taekwondo has taught them valuable lessons like determination, courage and the value of hard work.

“In the fall I’m competing in Korea on the world stage,” said Chernolutsky. “I am proud to represent Everest, Michigan and the United States. Taekwondo has changed my life. I fought last year with a broken finger. This sport has taught me determination. I received skills like time management, treating others well and discipline.”

“A lot of people don’t have confidence in themselves, but you can ask teammates or those helping you to back you up or give you support,” said Canezo. “When you’re in the ring, there’s a lot of pressure. In those moments, knowing that you have people behind you and you’ve practiced, can mean so much.”

Call Staff Writer Brendan Losinski at (586) 498-1068.

IT IS PAST TIME TO BEAUTIFY OUR CITY

Like most Troy residents I spend a great deal of time driving the streets of our city. With every trip that I take I am perpetually shocked by the barren landscape throughout most of our main streets. Over the years, it appears, that almost all trees in the public right of way have been taken down leaving nothing but lawn bringing into focus the immense amount of concrete throughout our town.

Currently, the city of Troy dedicates approximately $165,000 annually to replacing fallen trees. I am told that accounts for about 400 trees to be planted. With over 500 miles of roads in Troy that means we are planting less than one tree per mile per year. Needless to say, that is painfully inadequate. We can and must do better.

To try to improve the situation, late last year I created the Troy Tree Initiative, a non-proft organization whose sole goal is to receive donations for trees to be planted throughout the City of Troy. In a very short span of time, at the end of last summer, we planted dozens of trees throughout our streets and by our Courthouse. We were joined in our eforts by leaders of this community, long time residents, and even outsiders committed to the idea of a beautiful Troy.

If this Michigan Spring is any indication, planting season is just around the corner. I am ready and willing to plant a tree with anyone willing to donate one to this town. Please consider joining this efort. Tis community will be grateful for all you do. For more information about the Troy Tree Initiative please visit our page on Facebook.

REN NUSHAJ, Attorney / Prosecutor Ren@MichiganTreeInitiative.org

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The frequency in severe weather has led to an increase in power outages. More than ever, you need to be prepared. Without power, your everyday modern essentials are rendered useless. Think about it, you’ll have no lights, heating or cooling, or refrigeration. You can’t even charge your cell phone. But when you have a Generac home standby generator, you will have power when you need it the most. It’s time to get serious about preparing your home.

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DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES

PARK MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL

Permanent part-time Park Maintenance Personnel position, $17.66 - $22.92 hourly (32 hours per week) includes benefit package. Successful completion of Civil Service Examination(s) is required, and applicants must meet all requirements set forth in the Employees Civil Service Ordinance, as well as possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license and a good driving record. Pre-employment background investigation and substance abuse testing is required. Interested, applicants must submit application to the Clinton Township Employees Civil Service Commission, 40700 Romeo Plank Rd., Clinton Twp., MI 48038 on or before the close of business, Monday, April 1, 2024. The Charter Township of Clinton is an Equal Opportunity Employer, applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or disability. For further information pertaining to this position or to download employment application please refer to www.clintontownship.com, click on employment. 0295-2412

& 3 work references to ckasprzak@oaklandtownship.org

Full details at http://www. oaklandtownship.org

Start $17.65 DOQ; Benefits include pension, PTO, April 1 start date

POBLETECEMENT

586-552-5416 mrbacksplash.com Landscaping & Water Gardens ALLTIMATE OUTDOOR SERVICES DrainageSystem Professionals New-Construction, Yard-Drainage,Grading, Sod/Seed,Retaining Walls/Walkways/Patios, Senior/Military-Discounts Credit-Cards-Accepted Free-Estimates 586-719-1202

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MARCH 21

Iftar dinner: Presented by Intercultural Association of Michigan, 7 p.m., Balkan American Community Center, 1451 E. Big Beaver Road in Troy, interculturalmichigan.org

MARCH 22

ArtWalk at MDC: Artists open house (10 a.m.-3 p.m.), presentations (11 a.m. and 1 p.m.) and live demonstrations (noon-1 p.m.), Michigan Design Center, 1700 Stutz Drive in Troy, michigandesign.com/ event/art-walk-mdc

MARCH 22-23

Egg hunt: Also games, crafts and meet-and-greet with author of “The Bunny and Carrot” series Meredith Bezak, 4-7:30 p.m. March 22 and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. March 23, Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, troyhistoricvillage.org/programs/spring-egg-hunt

MARCH 22 & 29

Fish fries: 4:30-7:30 p.m., St. Andrew’s

MARCH

onomatopoeia

45. ____ the Great, king of Persia

47. Give it a go

48. Fraternity K

50. Dr Pepper, e.g.

52. *The Beach Boys: “Spring ____, good vibration”

55. Member of Nahuatl people

56. #23 Across, e.g.

57. Articulated

59. Salary increase

60. Umbilical connection

61. Volcano in Sicily

62. Robinson or Doubtfire

63. Bajillion years

64. One-horse carriage DOWN

1. What highwaymen do

2. Moonfish

3. Bangladeshi currency

4. Type of purse

5. *Simon & Garfunkel: “____, come she will”

6. Wealth

7. Safecracker

8. High quality sound reproduction, for short

9. *Purple flower that starts blooming in spring

10. Fairytale insomnia

cause 12. Like repeating tunnel sound

13. Off kilter

14. *”Spring ____, fall back”

19. Spring mattress filler

22. Acronym in a bottle 23. Ceremonial staff bearer

24. Skylit lobbies

25. “Designing Women”

March 23-24 and 2930, Easter Bunny inside The Gazebo in Festival Park and petting farm in Festival Park, The Village of Rochester Hills, 104 N. Adams Road, thevohr.com

Meet Easter Bunny: Daily photos until March 30, also pet photos March 25, Lakeside Mall, 14000 Lakeside Circle in Sterling Heights, see times and make reservations at shop-lakesidemall.com

Book clubs: Find month meetups for romance, mystery, learning English, kids/beginners and more, Troy Public Library, 510 W. Big Beaver Road, troypl.org

Widowed Friends events: Lunch 1:30 p.m. every second Thursday of month, Alibi of Troy, 6700 Rochester Road, RSVP to Joyce at (586) 323-6007

• Breakfasts for men only, 10 a.m. every first and third Thursdays of month, Lukich Family Restaurant, 3900 Rochester Road in Troy, RSVP to Ed at (586) 909-1444

Troy Newcomers: Social group for women, activities include service projects, bowling, euchre, wine tasting, book club, games nights, golf, scrapbooking and more, troynewcomers.com, clubactivities@ troynewcomers.com

Support groups: Join meetings for alzheimers and dementia caregivers, caring and sharing loss, those with parkinson’s and their care partners, and those who are visually impaired, OPC Social and Activity Center, 650 Letica Drive in Rochester, OPCcenter.org

Health workshops: For chronic pain, high blood pressure and more, hosted by Corewell Health, free and virtual, beaumonthealth. digitalsignup.com

ADHD meetings: Hosted by CHADD of Eastern Oakland County, for adults and parents, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Zoom, see schedule on chadd. net/chapter-events/527

Lupus support groups: 10 a.m. every second Tuesday of month and 7 p.m. every last Wednesday, Zoom, (248) 901-7299, milupus.org/ support-groups