APRIL 26, 2023 Vol. 42, No. 9 candgnews.com
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State Rep. Mike McFall, D-District 8, meets with Ed Klobucher, the city manager of Hazel Park, and James Finkley, Hazel Park’s planning and economic development director, outside Tony’s Ace Hardware in Hazel Park April 10. The city has applied for a federal grant that would enhance the city’s downtown district and improve accessibility there. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
MADISON HEIGHTS — A past contractor for the Madison District Public Schools has pleaded guilty to conspiring with the school board’s ex-president in a pay-to-play scheme. John David, 65, entered his guilty plea April 13 before U.S. District Judge Laurie Michelson. David pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program bribery from 2014 through 2018, and bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. Investigators say the recipient of the bribe was Albert Morrison, who served as president of the MDPS Board of Education from 2012 through 2018. David owned Emergency Restoration, a company that Morrison allegedly awarded more See BRIBERY on page 2A
See DOWNTOWN on page 6A
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI
CaronKoteles.com Caron@CaronKoteles.com
HAZEL PARK SEEKS FEDERAL GRANT TO IMPROVE DOWNTOWN HAZEL PARK — The city of Hazel Park has applied for a federal grant that would help fund design and walkability improvements along the John R corridor, something officials hope will maintain the momentum of a growing downtown. The initiative, called the Hazel Park Streetscaping and Accessibility Project, would revitalize the corridor with new benches, flower baskets, planters and trash receptacles, while also making all of its curb ramps compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The city’s pitch is that the grant would be transformative for its central downtown district where 18,000 people live or work and more than 125 businesses are located. Officials say that in addition to John R Road serving as a designated “Main Street” for economic revitalization, the area also serves as a crucial connection point between Madison Heights to the north and Detroit to the south. The project aims to improve the city’s sense of place, and the curb-ramp enhancements will
akozlowski@candgnews.com
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Contractor pleads guilty in Madison schools bribery case
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