4/24/24 Journal

12A

ARCHBISHOP DEDICATES NEW CHAPEL

Trustees air concerns about Flock cameras, approve installation

BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Clinton Township Board of Trustees, at its April 15 meeting, OK’d the reallocation of funds from vehicle purchases to the purchase of eight traffic cameras for the Police Department’s special investigations unit to use.

The cameras, manufactured by Flock Safety, would help law enforcement locate vehicles based on license plates or other identifying markers like bumper stickers. The cost of the cameras would be $34,000.

The police would also utilize CLEAR, a data collection database by Thomson Reuters, with license plate readers for $16,632. In a letter to the township ways and means committee, Sergeant Robert Nielsen stated that CLEAR would be an improvement over the current system Accurint in scope.

“By harnessing a broader spectrum of data sources, CLEAR enhances the depth and accuracy of information available to investigators and will provide more

See CAMERAS on page 14A

‘WHAT AN ICON HE WAS’ COMMUNITY REMEMBERS FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST WERNER SPITZ

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — From testifying at the O.J. Simpson civil case in 1996 to offering his perspective in the Chappaquiddick incident that involved Ted Kennedy and Mary Jo Kopechne in 1969, Werner Spitz was widely known for providing his expertise on the witness stand.

The prominent forensic pathologist was sought after in the court system for his knowledge in forensic evidence and his testimony regarding many high-profile murders that drew public interest and media attention.

The longtime chief medical examiner — who performed or supervised more than 60,000 autopsies during his career — died April 14 at the age of 97. He was a resident of Grosse Pointe Shores. Many in the community are remembering the well-known forensic expert.

Warren City Council member Mindy Moore felt “very sad” when she learned Spitz died. Moore, a freelance court reporter, has known Spitz since the late 1970s when he was the chief Wayne County medical examiner. She was present for many depositions he provided over the years.

“What an icon he was. He was quite

See SPITZ on page 5A

Dr. Werner Spitz was for many years the chief medical examiner in both Wayne and Macomb counties. He died April 14 at the age of 97.

ABOVE: The Curtiss JN-4 Jenny as it arrived at Selfridge on Aug. 11, 2023. Volunteers unloaded the broken plane as it arrived by truck, just as the base’s first JN-4s arrived in 1917.

Photo provided by Selfridge Military Air Museum

LEFT: The Vought F4U Corsair was used by the Marines in the 1940s and 1950s. Its large propeller required the fuselage to be lifted above the wings.

SELFRIDGE MUSEUM RESTORING WARBIRDS

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — At one time they were the knights of the skies, and soon they will be teachers from the ground.

The Selfridge Military Air Museum, at Selfridge Air National Guard base, is restoring two historic planes: a Vought F4U Corsair, and a Curtiss JN-4 Jenny. While both planes will share a hangar for static display and are expected to be completed this autumn, their histories before coming to the Selfridge museum could not be any more different.

Although the Corsair was built for combat in the Pacific theater, design issues meant it would serve much of the war as a ground-based fighter for the Marines before it was ready for carrier-based duty for the Navy. Corsairs re-

mained in service and production into the 1950s but were replaced by jet fighters by the end of the decade.

The phasing out of the Corsair saw one arrive at Selfridge. Although it never served in combat, the military did not give the plane an easy life in retirement.

“The plane came to the museum in the middle 1970s, and before that it was used as a gunnery target out at the Army proving grounds in Mesa, Arizona,” said Steve Sibal, Corsair restoration team leader. “It was pretty shot up when we received it. The Navy on the base here did a quickie restoration. Primarily they filled all of the bullet holes with automotive body filler, quick and dirty job, threw some paint on it and it was then parked outside for 35 years.”

After the Marines told the museum to either fix the Corsair or kiss it goodbye, work began in 2014 to properly

RESIDENTS RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT CHANGES TO WOOD DISPOSAL

BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — At the Clinton Township Board of Trustees meeting on April 15, some residents made it known that they wanted to keep the wood chipping service the township provided.

The discussion started with the announced discontinuation of the Department of Public Service wood chipping service by the board at its Jan. 22 meeting. It came as a recommendation from the township’s Budget Ways & Means Committee. Board members Bob Cannon, Kim Meltzer, Mike Keys and Julie Matuzak voted to end the service; trustee Tammy Patton voted no. The discontinuation is still set for May 13, 2024.

At the April 15 meeting, trustees Patton and Dan Kress led the charge to rescind the service’s discontinuation.

Patton said the money for the service ($250,000) had already been allocated. She said she would have preferred to have the conversation at a meeting of the trustees rather than at the budget ways and means committee meeting.

“People weren’t at budget ways and means,” Patton said. “I think that is something we could’ve opened up here before we abruptly stopped the service, which many people use.”

Following the meeting, Treasurer Paul Gieleghem said the $250,000 figure in the budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year had been reduced to $62,500 for the 2024-25 fiscal

Screenshot taken from Clinton Township Board of Trustees meeting broadcast George Westerman provides specific examples of places where the wood chipping service is needed during Clinton Township’s Board of Trustees meeting on April 15.

Photo by Dean Vaglia

Eagle Scout honored by Board of Trustees

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Clinton Township Board of Trustees recognized Aiden William Turner, a freshman at Henry Ford II High School, for earning his Eagle Scout rank at age 14.

Turner was recognized for community work like using a bowling fundraiser to raise funds to build garden boxes at the Senior Life Center in Clinton Township.

“I have done this many times, but I have never seen an Eagle Scout that wasn’t a big success in life,” Clinton Township Supervisor Bob Cannon said at the board’s April 15 meeting.

“I want to thank my parents, my grandparents and the senior center for letting me do my project,” Turner said.

CMPL HOSTING MAY 4 EVENTS

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Librarians wish The Force to be with you with activities planned for May 4 at the Main Branch, located at 40900 Romeo Plank Road. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, guests can stop in for a free comic book while supplies last, while participating in any of the crafts and video games set up for a celebration of comics and “Star Wars.” A class will be held at 11 a.m. to teach children how to draw their own comic books. No registration is required.Other events include the Living Well at CMPL event on Thursday, May 9 at the Main Branch. This event for people 55 years and older will see vendors come through from 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. to share ways to make the most out of senior living. On Wednesday, May 22, master gardener Cheryl English will visit the North Branch at 6:30 p.m. to discuss how to incorporate native wildflowers into gardens. The North Branch is located at 54100 Broughton Road. Visit cmpl.libnet.info/events for more events and registration.

Turning Point to host dancing fundraiser

MOUNT CLEMENS— In order to support its goal of empowering domestic violence, sexual violence and human trafficking survivors, Turning Point is hosting its eighth annual Stepping Out with the Stars fundraiser.

Set to be emceed by Jessica Dupnack of Fox 2 Detroit, community leaders like Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel will take to the dance floor at The Palazzo Grande, 54660 Van Dyke Ave., in Shelby Township, on the evening of Thursday, May 2.

“We look forward to gathering again with Turning Point supporters who advocate for our mission,” said Sharman Davenport, Turning Point president and CEO, in a press release. “With hundreds of people in the room, it is a great opportunity to get the word out about our important services and to meet and support some of the survivors we assist.”

Individual tickets are $125. For more information, visit the events page at turningpointmacomb.org.

Macomb Chamber hosting Athena Awards

MOUNT CLEMENS — The Macomb Foundation, an affiliate of the Macomb County Chamber, will host the 25th annual Athena Awards on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Andiamo Warren, 7096 E. 14 Mile Road.

The awards aim to highlight women that have achieved business success and served the Macomb County community in meaningful ways. A record number of 17 nominees will vie for the award, each of them being highlighted throughout the ceremony.

“Each year, the caliber of individuals nominated is extremely impressive,” said Kelley Lovati, CEO and President of the Macomb County Chamber and Macomb Foundation, in a press release. “Thank you to the award selection committee, which had the challenging task of selecting this year’s recipient. Each of these nominees is deserving of this honor, and we look forward to celebrating them at the event.”

Tickets to the Athena Awards can be bought though mccbiz.macombcountychamber.com/events. Contact events@macombcountychamber.com for more information.

Selfridge Museum hosting veterans’ weekend

HARRISON TOWNSHIP— The Selfridge Military Air Museum invites guests to honor U.S. military veterans during its 2024 Veterans Weekend May 18-19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Exhibits will offer a look into military service over the years, including historic military impressions and a stop of the Michigan Vietnam Veterans Traveling Memorial Wall, presented by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154. Military vehicles from over the years will be on display in addition to more than 30 planes kept on static display in the Air Park. Food will be provided by National Coney Island, Mission BBQ, Texas Roadhouse, Faygo beverages and Better Made Potato Chips. Base access and museum admission is required. For more details visit selfridgeairmuseum.org.

Summer career academies at MCC

MACOMB COUNTY — Students in grades 6-11 looking to stay busy this summer may want to attend a summer career academy at Macomb Community College.

Nine hands-on career academies will be offered and are designed to provide students with the opportunity to explore a wide variety of career fields, ranging from health and law enforcement to automotive design and media arts.

There will be camps focused on healthcare, crime scene investigation, media arts, architecture, culinary arts and more. For more information, to see a selection of the camps and to register, visit wce.macomb.edu and select youth programs under personal enrichment, then choose career academies.

Cars and coffee on the Concourse

PONTIAC — The public is cordially invited to the Cars and Coffee event at 8 a.m. May 4 at the M1 Concourse.

The event will feature Japanese and Asian manufactured vehicles. It is free to attend, and all ages are welcome. Complimentary coffee will be offered.

The M1 Concourse is an 87-acre property that features a 28,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art event complex, a 1.5-mile closed track, 255 private garages, and a full schedule of signature events.

The M1 Concourse is located at 1 Concourse Drive in Pontiac. For more information, visit m1concourse.com or call (248) 326-9999.

Spitz

from page 1A

brilliant and so effective,” she said. “He had a way about him. His whole career was fascinating. When he spoke, all eyes were on him. You knew what he would say would be impactful and very important. He certainly was one of a kind.”

Sometimes the evidence presented in court could be very technical, and Moore said Spitz was always able to explain it “so any lay person could understand him.” One deposition that stands out was the time the forensics expert testified in a case to determine whether a man committed suicide or was murdered. With the unloaded firearm in his hand, the pathologist laid on the floor to demonstrate that the deceased man could not have killed himself at the particular angle in which he died.

Despite the gruesome work he did, Moore, at times, saw the medical examiner in another light.

“He had a really good sense of humor,” she said.

According to his resume, Spitz practiced forensic pathology for more than 50 years. He was the chief medical examiner in Wayne County from 1972-88 and in Macomb County from 1972-2004. He also served as a deputy chief medical examiner in Maryland.

He received his medical training at the Geneva University Medical School in Switzerland and the Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School in Jerusalem. His resume states he was an associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins University, and that he worked for the Department of Legal Medi-

cine at the University School of Medicine in West Berlin.

Throughout his lifetime, Spitz served on various committees investigating the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. He testified at various trials in the U.S. and Canada including the “Preppy Murder” in New York, the talk show host Jenny Jones case, the Crown vs. Truscott in Toronto, music producer Phil Spector’s murder trial and the Casey Anthony murder case. He also consulted with the police in Boulder, Colorado about the death of JonBenét Ramsey.

Steve Bieda, a 37th District Court judge in Warren, recalled how when he was in the Michigan Legislature as a state representative and senator, the elected officials often contacted Spitz for advice regarding criminal justice issues.

“He was highly regarded and would be asked to weigh his opinions based on his expertise,” Bieda said. “He was iconic in the sense of high-profile crime.”

On a personal level, Bieda followed Spitz’s work on the Oakland County child killer case in the 1970s and his work related to President Kennedy’s death.

“He was a fascinating individual and very charismatic,” Bieda said.

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel met Spitz in 1981 when he worked as a dispatcher on the midnight shift for the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office. On his first night, Hackel took a call from a Macomb Township man who reported that his neighbor killed his wife and children. But the caller “was the guy that did it,” Hackel said. “That’s when I first got to know Spitz, who left an impression.”

“He was the guy that could tell you what happened just by looking at the body,” Hackel said. “He tried to put himself in their place.

He wanted to know the circumstances of how they died. I don’t know of a time when he wasn’t spot on.”

Hackel said many law enforcement officers he worked with over the years were interested in what Spitz had to offer. Hackel said Spitz was always kind when speaking to families of the victims.

“I am so sad about his loss, but I am fortunate to have known him,” Hackel said. “He was the forefather of pathology. I don’t know if you will see another like that.”

During his career, Spitz taught at different colleges, including pathology at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit.

“He was a great teacher and a huge contributor to the field of pathology and forensics,” said Dr. Wael Sakr, dean of the Wayne State University School of Medicine. “He had a huge presence and was a consultant on many big profile cases across the country.

Before I knew him, I had a lot of admiration toward him.”

Spitz returned to the school on occasion to present seminars to students.

“He was interested in human life and, sadly, was trying to solve death, particularly in trauma, accidents, homicides and burns,” Sakr said. “He had a love for the discipline in what he did and was meticulous in his approach.”

Sakr will definitely feel his loss.

“I enjoyed his friendship and his support for the department,” Sakr said.

Spitz’s legacy includes the nearly 100 scientific publications he authored, the Dean’s Award for service to the Medicolegal Community and Wayne State University of Medicine, awards from Wayne County and the Macomb County Board of Commissioners for outstanding service, and from various police departments and the FBI.

Dr. Werner Spitz testified in many high-profile cases.

Photo provided by Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

City sells land for apartments

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

MOUNT CLEMENS — Mount Clemens city commissioners approved the sale of a city-owned parcel on April 15 to help with the construction of a new apartment complex.

Taking in $10,000 for the nearly 3,000-square-foot vacant lot, the land will be added to the Manchester Mount Clemens apartments project headed by developer Jim George. The apartments will be built on the former Victory Inn site and will have 101 market-rate units in a new four-story building.

“I think it will be more productive now,” said City Commissioner Erik Rick of the lot.

The sale comes on the heels of the Mount Clemens Planning Commission’s approval of the project and the awarding of a road safety audit grant for the Northbound Gratiot and North River Road intersection, which aims to study the safety of vehicle and pedestrian traffic in light of the apartment development and the opening of the Bloomery dispensary.

DTE rates resolution

Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution opposing DTE Energy’s attempt at raising its electric rates. The electric company is attempting to raise its rates by more than $450 million, coming about four months after the state approved a rate increase of $368 million in December 2023. The proposed increase could see residents paying around $100

more for electricity per year.

“Michigan is the second worst state for power outages between 2000 and 2021 and the fourth worst state for restoration time, while residents pay the eleventh highest rates in the nation for electricity,” City Manager Gregg Shipman said. “The excessive rate hike proposed by DTE, if approved, would result in serious hardship for Mount Clemens residents.”

The resolution urges residents to also oppose the rate increase by contacting the Michigan Public Service Commission at mpsc_commissioners@michigan.gov.

Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.

Photo by Dean Vaglia

A plan calls for the former Victory Inn Motel to be demolished to make way for a 101-unit apartment complex. Mount Clemens city commissioners recently approved the sale of a small parcel of land near the site to the apartment developer.

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BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

MOUNT CLEMENS — The wait is over. Around four months after its prior director left, the Anton Art Center announced on April 5 that Matt Matthews was selected to serve as the new executive director.

“So far it’s been great,” Matthews said, about a week after he began the role on April 2. “(I’m) learning a lot and have a wonderful team to work with.”

Mathews comes to the Anton Art Center after spending the last five years as the associate director of Playworks Michigan, an organization that aims to increase physical activity opportunities for elementary school students.

“After college I worked at Northwest Missouri State University for several years, moved back to Michigan in 2010 and sort of fell into nonprofit work, and that’s what I’ve been doing for the last 14 years,” Matthews said.

The 14 years of nonprofit work was only part of what set him apart from other candidates for the role, according to Peggy DiMercurio, the Anton Art Center’s education & community engagement manager.

“His vibrancy, his energy, all the work he had done with other nonprofits and his ability to be able to transfer what he was doing right to the art center and really hit the ground running and be able to reach out to the community to help us build our presence

Anton Center announces new director

even further,” DiMercurio said. “He was really looking for a place to call home that was mission-based, and the Anton Art Center is very mission-based.”

It is still early in Matthews’ tenure at the Anton Art Center and much of his time so far has been spent getting used to the center and learning the Mount Clemens community, but he plans to capitalize on opportunities once settled.

“There is so much opportunity for the art center to be a center and a hub of art and culture in Macomb County and in southeastern Michigan, and we’re excited to bring folks in some different ways and share this space in different ways with folks in the community that have not had an opportunity to experience the Anton Art Center,” Matthews said.

The first exhibition Matthews will open is the Macomb County Biennial Primary Student Show, which will showcase the works of Macomb County primary school students from April 27 to June 1.

Matthews took over the executive director position after Phil Gilchrist left for a similar opportunity at Advancing Macomb in December 2023. Gilchrist worked with the Anton Art Center for 14 years, serving as executive director for eight. DiMercurio served as the interim director while the center’s board of trustees searched for a new executive director.

Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.

New Anton Art Center Executive Director Matt Mathews, left, stands with education & community engagement manager Peggy DiMercurio. Photo by Dean Vaglia

Clinton Township mother pleads no contest in son’s death

MOUNT CLEMENS — A 25-year-old Clinton Township mother pleaded no contest to an involuntary manslaughter charge in the death of her son on April 15.

Derricka Fleming allegedly left after putting her 5-year-old son to bed. During the early morning of Jan. 23, 2023, the child was found outside the apartment in a park close by. Her son was pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital.

“Today’s no contest plea brings some measure of closure, but it can never fill the void left by the loss of a precious life,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido is quoted as saying in a press release. “Our hearts ache for the innocent child whose potential was tragically cut short.”

Fleming’s attorney, Macomb County Assistant Public Defender Noel Erinjeri, said he had “no comment” on the outcome of the case.

Fleming is scheduled to be sentenced at 8:30 a.m. on June 12, 2024, by Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Kathryn Viviano. She could face up to 15 years in prison for the felony charge.

— Nick Powers

Spotlight on business...

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Warbirds

from page 3A

restore it in a presentable state. Small teams of volunteers — nine working at most and currently five — have spent the past decade taking the plane apart, sourcing or fabricating new parts and are now putting everything back together.

“Part of the difficulty we’re running into now trying to put the plane together is in 2014 and 2015, as we started disassembling the aircraft, there were a number of people involved with (disassembly) that are no longer here,” Sibal said. “As a result, we’re learning how to put this airplane back together. Primarily by looking at drawings, just trying to figure it out.”

Recently, the team has incorporated 3D printing into its fabrication process. Parts, such as rudder pedals, have been 3D printed by volunteer Fred Joyner.

Although the Corsair was never stationed at Selfridge, the final plane will be modeled after one used by VMFA-251. The Marine fighter squadron flew Corsairs out of the Philippines in World War II and was later based out of Grosse Ile. Three mannequins will accompany the plane: one as a pilot, and two as ground crew members maintaining the engine and loading the plane’s guns.

Sharing the hangar with the Corsair will be the Jenny, which is a Selfridge plane through and through. Curtiss Jenny aircraft were mass produced in the early 1900s and used as trainer planes, going on to teach Selfridge’s first pilots how to fly in 1917.

Selfridge’s Jenny originally visited the base in 2022 for that year’s airshow under

the ownership of Dorian Walker, who restored the plane to an airworthy state and took it to shows around the country. Museum staff left a good impression on Walker while he was in town, which worked in the museum’s favor after Walker and his copilot suffered a hard emergency landing outside of Bowling Green, Kentucky that broke the plane. Walker offered the plane to the museum for $65,000. Although the museum raised funds to reach Walker’s price, it was a donation from FreeStar Financial Credit Union that helped bring the pioneering airplane back to the base.

Under the watch of Fred Lobeck, the Jenny restoration team leader, volunteers peeled away the fabric body, wholly unprepared for what damage lay beneath the buffcolored cloth.

“Once you got the fabric off, then you could find out all the damage that was underneath,” said Fred Lobeck, Jenny restoration team leader. “We found a lot of broken cables.

The wings and the fuselage are being built separately by a team of eight people. Woodworking and cloth-stitching are the primary tasks being performed, with each volunteer playing a part to restore the plane to be as cutting edge as it was in the 1910s.

“It’s going to be designated as a Selfridge Air Force Base plane to replicate what was here originally,” Lobeck said.

Neither plane will be airworthy once finished, but both the Corsair and the Jenny are expected to be completed and dedicated this September.

For more information on the museum, visit selfridgeairmuseum.org.

Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.

Photo by Dean Vaglia

Lacking its cloth skin, the fuselage of the Curtiss JN-4 Jenny reveals its wood beam and metal cable innards. The plane’s prior owner was able to bring the 110-year-old plane into airworthiness before it was broken during a hard landing in 2023.

LEFT: Archbishop Allen Vigneron of the Archdiocese of Detroit sprinkles parishioners with holy water at the dedication Mass of the new chapel at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Mount Clemens on April 16.

BELOW: Students, faculty and other parishioners attend the first Mass at the Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel, located at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Mount Clemens. The repurposed gymnasium will host two services a week for students.

Archbishop dedicates new chapel

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

MOUNT CLEMENS — A new chapter for St. Mary’s Catholic School began on April 16 as the first Mass was held in the school’s new chapel.

Conducted by Archbishop Allen Vigneron, the Mass marked the culmination of a two-year effort by the Rev. John Maksym of the St. Peter Parish to turn a gymnasium into a chapel for the students. Maksym’s goal of building the chapel was based on two issues he noticed.

“First, Gratiot Avenue is very dangerous now and people are driving dangerously, and we’ve had a few close calls with getting my children, over 500 kids, over to St. Peter Church for Mass,” Maksym said. “We have Mass for the kids once a week, and now we’re going to have it twice a week because we have a chapel in the school.”

Maksym’s second issue was the general lack of a chapel in an ostensibly religious-oriented school.

“When I got there, it resembled a little more of a private school than a parochial Catholic school, and I wanted to make sure that the Catholicity of the school was underscored,” Maksym said. “Having a chapel there will be wonderful for our teachers and our students to have God’s house in the middle of the school structure itself.”

St. Mary’s auxiliary gym was the site chosen for the new chapel. With the help of donations from the Jaboro and Wieczorek families, work began on retrofitting the old gym. The entire heating, ventilation and air conditioning system had to be redone to accommodate the expected capacity increase from 30 to 300 people at a time.

“It also had been used as a part-time cafeteria, so you literally had … the tables inserting into the wall,” Maksym said. “That posed a real problem during the reconstruction of the place because what are you going to do with these formerly inserted tables? What we did was remove them and inserted

what appeared to be blackboards, and on each of these blackboards is a painting of the Virgin Mary in one of her titles.”

The school worked with the Archdiocese of Detroit to furnish the chapel using elements from closed parishes around the region. St. Stanislaus Kostka in Wyandotte provided midcentury modern light fixtures and a baldacchino that is fixed above the altar, itself the former St. Peter Church’s altar. Pews were sourced from the Chapel of the Little Flower in Detroit while various other furnishings were provided by the Archdiocese of Saginaw.

Despite all the work that went into the retrofitting, the school’s principal, Patrick Adams Jr., said activities went on as normal during the year of construction.

“There was no real disruption,” Adams said. “We rearranged schedules and made it work during the winter season, so all the kids had an opportunity to play in the big gym.”

When it came time for the inaugural Mass, it appeared everything went as planned for the new Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel — including high marks from the archbishop.

“I do a lot of school visits; I would say this is the nicest school chapel I’ve ever been in,” Vigneron said.

The chapel is the most recent project undertaken at the St. Mary Catholic School and in the St. Peter Parish. In 2018, the school began the construction of a new 12,500-squarefoot gymnasium. In 2022, the church took in a new Italian marble altar to replace the wooden one that had been used since the 1960s. The rectory and confessionals at St. Peter were remodeled, and a warming center was established.

With all the projects in the past few years, Maksym expects it will be some time before the next big undertaking.

“Construction-wise, I think I’m going to give my staff a break for a couple years,” Maksym said. “Then we’ll think what else we can do to make our footprint more effective here in Mount Clemens.”

Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.

Andiamo opening new location at Partridge Creek

BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Andiamo is coming back to Hall Road.

The Italian restaurant is set to open a new location at the former Brio Italian Grille at The Mall at Partridge Creek. Andiamo owner Joe Vicari said the mall reached out about the location.

“We think that there’s a market for sure for Andiamo, for a good Italian restaurant,” Vicari said. “We like that location.”

According to Vicari, the chain had a restaurant on Hall Road for 17 years. The location closed in 2020. Portillo’s bought the building and knocked it down to build its own structure.

“We wanted to get back in that market,” he said. “This opportunity came, and we liked it.”

While it’ll feature favorites the restaurant is known for, it’ll have a different focus. The new restaurant will be called Andiamo Pasta & Chops. Because Andiamo owns Joe Muer Seafood, Vicari said it’ll also specialize in those items.

“We’re going to expand our steaks and our chops,” Vicari said. “I live in that area, and it’s un-

Photos by Patricia O’Blenes

Photo by Nick Powers Andiamo owner Joe Vicari said a new location for the restaurant chain, Andiamo Pasta & Chops, is set to open this July at The Mall at Partridge Creek. The space was occupied by Brio Italian Grille previously.

GREEN SPACE AIMS TO BE ‘GATEWAY’ TO CITY

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

MOUNT CLEMENS — Tucked between the homes and shops of bustling Gratiot Avenue is a lot at what would be 17 Gratiot, just off the road’s northbound stretch. Grass and statues and little else stand there now, but it will not be long until the land becomes the Macomb Cultural and Economic Partnership’s pollinator park.

“The pollinator park in Mount Clemens is an attempt at providing a nice gateway to a great city,” said Ed Bruley, MCEP secretary and treasurer. “It will be a combination of a park with species of plants to attract pollinators. We’ll have 60-70% of the plants be native midwestern species.”

The park is downwind of the MCEP’s sculpture project, which has seen the organization install 34 sculptures along Gratiot and throughout Mount Clemens and Clinton Township.

“MCEP has been having a sculpture program in northbound/southbound Gratiot and South Main (Street) for about six years now,” Bruley said. “We also have volunteer gardeners who come and help enhance the sculptures that we have. So, it was an outgrowth of all of those thoughts — putting together sculptures, gardening and reading.”

Sculptures will be included in the pollinator park. Sculptor Kyle Burnett, of Battle

Andiamo

from page 12A

derserved for a good seafood/steakhouse.”

Vicari said items customers can expect are steaks; veal, pork and lamb chops; ribeye steaks; and bone-in filets. He said the restaurant will try to provide sides with the meals, unlike some steak restaurants.

“Just things you would see at a highend steakhouse,” Vicari said. “But we’re going to keep the prices affordable.”

He said he hopes the location will be open sometime in July. The restaurant is estimated to have 175 seats for dining and 20 seats at the bar.

“We’re doing some extensive remodeling,” Vicari said. “The biggest thing we’re doing is moving the bar from where it was and putting it in the middle of the restaurant. We’re going to have seating on either side of the bar. The bar is going to be the focal point.”

Andiamo has seven locations in the

Creek, has already created three pieces for the park — a bee, a hawk moth and a butterfly — while the brothers Erik and Israel Nordin will provide a fourth piece for the park that is planned to include a giving library. The Nordin brothers recently created the David Bonior tree sculpture, which is located along Gratiot Avenue in Clinton Township.

“It was really great,” Burnett said of providing his sculptures to the project. “(The MCEP) are really supportive of the art community. If you go to Mount Clemens you can clearly see they value art. It was a really good opportunity to put my stuff in a city that could appreciate it.”

Though sculptures are a nice way to liven up the spot, pollinating insects and the plants they will feed upon are the true stars of the park. Burnett’s work showcases some of the bugs that will keep the park lively, but making the land workable for plants has been a chore.

“This is obviously a piece of property that used to be a house at one time in history,” Bruley said. “I don’t remember it being that, but you can tell by how the land is not flat. We also needed to figure out a way of getting water, so we had to work and get a plumber in to fix that. Native species should not demand constant watering, but to get them started, you need to have a water source, so that was a challenge.”

Bruley says the park should be all grown

metro Detroit area, including the new one. It also has a restaurant in Las Vegas.

Andiamo is not the only new restaurant moving into the mall. Grand Rapids based HopCat, owned by BayFly Ventures, is set to move into the former BurgerFin space this summer.

“After opening two locations in Metro Detroit last year, we’re thrilled to be joining the Macomb County community and increasing our brand presence in this thriving market,” Ned Lidvall, CEO of BarFly, is quoted as saying in a press release. “It was easy to see the opportunity at The Mall at Partridge Creek — a vibrant and walkable destination. We’re confident about our decision to invest in this location as the home of our 10th Michigan HopCat restaurant.”

The release states that the location can accommodate 250 guests and has features like a wrap-around bar, a dog-friendly outdoor patio and a private event space for up to 50 people.

Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.

in and ready by the end of the fall.

“People can come and visit any time and see the progress,” Bruley said. “People can come right now and sit with the butterfly, bee and moth. It is, in a sense, open, but it isn’t complete in the way we would hope it

to be with all the plantings and we have one more sculpture to install. It is in the process of becoming, but people can come and look at the progress as we move along.”

Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.

and 12-22-126-032 of the St. Clair Haven Subdivision, Harrison Township, Macomb County, Michigan, according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plats, Macomb County Records.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a Special Assessment roll has been prepared and is on fle in the Offce of the Township Clerk for public examination during normal business hours. Said Special Assessment roll has been prepared for the purpose of assessing the cost of the following described improvement to the property benefted therefrom:

The proposed project consists of removing an average of 2 to 3-feet of organic

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

A sculpture of a butterfly invites people into the Macomb Cultural and Economic Partnership’s pollinator park, located at 17 Gratiot Ave. in Mount Clemens.

Cameras

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data and ensure its accuracy,” Nielsen said in the letter. “CLEAR is the superior choice, and sole source, which will offer Clinton Township investigators access to a wealth of information essential for their operations.”

Clinton Township Police Department Capt. Brandon Blake said that the cameras are only used to help an investigation move forward.

“These Flock cameras have been very useful in locating missing or endangered children,” Blake said at the meeting. “It’s also beneficial in our homicide investigations.”

Trustees Dan Kress, Tammy Patton and Mike Keys were concerned about the civil liberty issues that could come up from the cameras capturing data not related to investigations.

“One of the scariest things I saw with this technology was after Roe v. Wade was overturned,” Keys said. “Different governors talked about using this technology to moni-

tor who’s leaving and entering the state.”

“I’m really not comfortable with Big Brother coming to Clinton Township,” Kress said. “I am comfortable with the fact that surrounding communities have it already.”

“I am worried about that third-party thing,” Patton said. “Because there are so many things out here that people can get their hands on, and they can ruin your life.”

Kress advocated for the department’s traffic division to be reinstated. Treasurer Paul Gieleghem said the staffing and resources aren’t available for that currently, so the cameras are the next best thing.

“How do we utilize law enforcement technology to be able to do a better job with the resources we do have that we can allocate,” Gieleghem said.

Blake said that the cameras are needed because neighboring communities already have them. Clinton Township would not be able to utilize these communities’ cameras. Blake said Sterling Heights cut off Clinton Township’s access a couple of months ago. He said all municipalities in Macomb County have this technology already, except

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF HARRISON

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE HARRISON TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2024 AT 7:00 P.M. IN ROSSO MEMORIAL HALL, 38255 L’ANSE CREUSE ROAD, IN SAID TOWNSHIP, FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING AN APPEAL BY:

CASE #04-24-ZBA: Nicholas Grafton – 30580 South River Rd. Property #17-12-16-402-014 Harrison Twp., MI 48045 (R1-D)

PURPOSE OF REQUEST: Requesting a variance from Article 6, Section 6.01, B, 3 (b) for the installation of a privacy fence on a corner lot

BY REASON OF: Charter Township of Harrison Code of Ordinances Article 6, Section 6.01, B 3 (b) – Fences, walls, hedge rows, and protective barriers

Notice is further given that the Charter Township of Harrison Zoning Board of Appeals may modify or change the variance(s) as requested, including granting of variance(s) for said purpose, which may create another and different variance(s) from the requirements of the above cited Charter Township of Harrison ordinance, all within its discretion and as otherwise permitted by law. Any interested person(s) may appear or be represented at said meeting.

Additional information or comments, written or oral, will be received at the Harrison Township Offces, 38151 L’Anse Creuse Rd, Harrison Twp., MI, 48045 (586-466-1461) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Individuals with disabilities or impairments who plan to attend this meeting should contact the Planning / ZBA Department at (586) 466-1461 or email pc-zba@harrison-township.org if auxiliary aids or services are needed.

Published: Journal 04/24/2024

the township.

“Part of this system is playing nice,” Blake said.

At the end of the meeting, Blake said that Flock does not sell to third parties.

Resident Sam Buschell questioned the civil liberty issues with the new tech, specifically the large amount of information CLEAR provides access to.

“I personally think this is a very bad idea,” Buschell said. “It’s one of those slippery slopes.”

The cameras were approved. Kress, Keys and Clerk Kim Meltzer voted no; Julie Matuzak, Patton, Supervisor Robert Cannon and Gieleghem voted yes.

Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF HARRISON

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the HARRISON TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024

NOTICE OF ELECTION TO BE HELD ON MAY 7, 2024

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF HARRISON

To the qualifed electors of the Charter Township of Harrison:

Notice is hereby given that a Special Election will be held in Harrison Township on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

At the following locations:

Precinct

1 - Senior Activity Center, 26980 Ballard

2 – Emma Lobbestael School, 38495 Prentiss

3– Saint Hubert Activity Center, 38775 Prentiss

4 – South River Elementary School, 27733 South River

5– Marie Graham School, 25555 Crocker

6 - South River Elementary School, 27733 South River

For the purposes of voting on:

L’ANSE CREUSE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOND PROPOSAL

Shall L’Anse Creuse Public Schools, Macomb County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Three Hundred Thirty Million Dollars ($330,000,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of:

• remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings, including for school security;

• erecting, furnishing, and equipping new school facilities and additions to school buildings;

• acquiring and installing instructional technology;

• equipping, preparing, developing, and improving athletic felds and facilities, playgrounds, and sites;

• acquiring sites; and

• purchasing school buses?

The following is for informational purposes only:

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2024, under current law, is 0.00 mill ($0 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a -0- mill net increase over the prior year’s levy. The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is twenty-fve (25) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 3.67 mills ($3.67 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation).

The school district expects to borrow from the State School Bond Qualifcation and Loan Program to pay debt service on these bonds. The estimated total principal amount of that borrowing is $35,718,529 and the estimated total interest to be paid thereon is $54,287,993. The estimated duration of the millage levy associated with that borrowing is 21 years and the estimated computed millage rate for such levy is 7.00 mills. The estimated computed millage rate may change based on changes in certain circumstances.

The total amount of qualifed bonds currently outstanding is $187,750,000. The total amount of qualifed loans currently outstanding is approximately $24,689,928.

(Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.)

Note: All Harrison Township Polling Locations are compliant with State and Federal Law in providing proper accessibility to ensure that all voters, including those with disabilities, are fully able to exercise their right to vote at the polls. Alternative formats of voting instructions (Audio and Braille) are also available to electors and will be provided as required. ADAM WIT, MMC,

Wood

from page 3A

year. The money allocated would account for severe weather events. In these cases, the township would be able to still provide the chipping service.

“This is not an elimination of the chipping service,” Gieleghem said. “This is an elimination of chipping service on demand, meaning we have an active program that goes all around the township and picks up anything anybody puts at the curb.”

The members who originally voted to discontinue it at the Jan. 22 meeting wanted to send it back to the committee, following analysis with DPS. This view won the day. Cannon, Meltzer, Gieleghem, Keys and Matuzak voted yes; Patton and Kress voted no.

“The financially responsible thing is not to continue doing it like we were doing it,” Matuzak said. “I would like to see public works come up with a different plan.”

Keys said the overtime costs were often a problem with the service. Prior to the meeting, he said that the township already has it within its GFL refuse contract to put out bundled tree limbs as long as they meet certain requirements.

According to the township’s website, limbs must be cut down to 4 feet in length. These can be tied into bundles not exceeding 50 pounds or they can be put in a 32-gallon container marked as “compost.” Branches from private contractor work are not part of that collection. The branches are picked up on regular trash days.

A firm date has not yet been set for the next committee meeting where the matter will be hashed out. Meetings of Clinton Township’s Budget Ways & Means Committee are open to the public. Meltzer encouraged the public to attend to be heard on the issue.

During public comment, Resident Dana Dugger brought up how Harrison Township offers a similar service.

Harrison Township provides chipping service through its GFL contract once a month, according to its website. Tree branches cannot exceed 2–3 inches in diameter or 12 feet in length.

Resident Donald Aubrey lives on a portion of Moravian with old-growth trees. He stressed the importance of the service in places like this in the township.

“Just in the last two days, I’ve been picking up branches, trying to clean up the area,” Aubrey said. “These are not branches that will fit in any waste management or GFL container. These are huge branches that you need a chipper for.”

George Westerman, a former township superintendent for public works, said the

service was used often. Though he said it may have changed in recent years, it still was necessary. He listed numerous spots where large, fallen tree limbs are still an issue. He also said having the service transferred to a contractor like GFL would be a greater cost to the township.

“We choose to live in Clinton Township because of the amenities that are here,” Westerman said.

Trustees and residents said the service could include better restrictions to limit abuse.

“If there is someone who is abusing the process, well, don’t sit there and come after a resident who’s paying close to $8,000 in property taxes,” Aubrey said. “Go after the person or company that’s abusing it.”

Patton said there was a contractor that was known to abuse the township-provided service. She said these abuses should be reined in.

“It has to be better managed,” Patton said. “But to eliminate it completely, that’s not fair.”

Supervisor gives update on explosion investigation

At the April 15 meeting, Cannon said that the investigation for the field portion of the March 4 Goo Smoke Shop explosion has been completed by the township’s police and fire departments. He said that was the investigation at the site of the explosion itself. The other part of the investigation, he said, would be wrapped up on April 21.

“The overall investigation is ongoing,” Cannon said. “There are videos to review, financial records to go over and many interviews to conduct. This is the criminal portion of the investigation. We will be updating the prosecutor with what we have.”

Cannon said patience is needed to make sure the investigation is done right.

“This might seem like an eternity to the public, and to the board, but the most important priority is that we investigate completely and properly,” Cannon said.

Garden to honor indigenous communities

The board also approved a new garden honoring the region’s indigenous history on April 15. The garden will be at the Civic Center in Clinton Township, between Romeo Plank Road and the pond.

“We want to ensure that, before the project is begun, the funding is in place,” Cannon said.

Following some discussion between Cannon and Keys, the motion was amended and unanimously approved to not start construction until funding is in place.

Nethanya Fonseka, a sophomore at the

International Academy of Macomb, had the idea for the garden. In a history class, her classmates were doing papers or making plaques for a land acknowledgment project, but she thought more could be done.

“I thought we could do a living, tangible memorial for the native people that occupy these lands,” Fonseka said at the meeting.

Call Staff Writer Nick Powers at (586) 498-1059.

com, (586) 307-4708

APRIL 28

L’Anse Creuse Classic 5K: Run/walk at 9:30 a.m. (check-in at 8:30 a.m.), begins at Tucker Senior Center, 26980 Ballard Road in Harrison Township, lcpsfoundation.com

APRIL 29

Create Mad Lib poems: Part of National Poetry Month, for ages 7 and older, 4:30 p.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - South Branch, 35679 S. Gratiot Ave. in Clinton Township, registration required, (586) 2265073, cmpl.org

MAY 2

Run for the Roses Dinner and Comedy Hour: Kentucky Derby-style food, entertainment, stand-up, silent auction and more, prizes for best-dressed couple, hat, bowtie and outfit, 5:30 p.m. doors, 6:30 p.m. dinner and 7:15 p.m. laughs, Mirage Banquet & Event Center, 16980 18 Mile Road in Clinton Township, proceeds benefit Right to Life Northwest Macomb, registration required, nwmacomb4life.org, info@nwmacomb4life. org, (586) 306-7718

MAY 4 May the 4th/Free Comic Book Day: Also video games, crafts, drawing demonstrations and more, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - Main Branch, 40700 Romeo Plank Road in Clinton Township, cmpl.org

City-wide cleanup: Inaugural event hosted by Mount Clemens Beautification Committee, 10 a.m.-noon, meet at Roskopp Municipal Parking Lot on Pine Street, lunch provided, register at curatolo@comcast.net

MAY 8 Preplanning seminar with Resurrection Cemetery: 6 p.m., Fern Hill Golf Club, 17600 Clinton River Road in Clinton Township, registration required, mtelliott.com/ res-seminar

MAY 9

Living Well: For ages 55 and older, includes community vendors, ice cream social, dogs from Macomb County Humane Society, library program talks and discussion about volunteer opportunities, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Clinton-Macomb Public Library - Main Branch, 40700 Romeo Plank Road in Clinton Township, register at (586) 226-5050

ONGOING Farmers market: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. every second Saturday of month until September, John F. Kennedy Knights of Columbus Council #5460, 33320 Kelly Road in Clinton Township, (586) 610-2990

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