A view of Lamphere High School in the Lamphere Public Schools April 22. On May 6, voters in the district will decide whether to increase their taxes for 30 years to fund a variety of improvements at the
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
MADISON HEIGHTS — On May 6, voters in the Lamphere Schools will decide whether to raise their taxes by hundreds of dollars each year to fund an auxiliary gym, fine arts studio, robotics lab, roofing, security, theater upgrades and more.
If approved, the owner of a home with a market value of $200,000 and a taxable value of $100,000 will see their annual taxes increase by $415, starting with the bill this summer. The bond is for 4.15 mills each year for 30 years, generating $85 million.
Officials say the bond will greatly enhance the quality of the schools, while critics say it will place an unfair burden on homeowners already strained by inflation and stagnant wages. Jake Priehs recently bought a home in the district. He
described the sticker shock of the jump in taxes after his house was assessed. He also worries for those in more vulnerable situations.
“We’re already taxed to death over here,” Priehs said. “There are seniors on fixed incomes. People about to retire, watching their 401k lose value. Wages aren’t keeping up. And there could be a recession soon. $85 million is just too much.”
The special election May 6 is being funded by the Lamphere Schools. The bond is the only local issue on the ballot.
“While I do not have the final cost for the election yet, with the added cost of early voting, I estimate the cost of the election to be approximately $35,000,” said Cheryl Rottmann, the city clerk, via email. “Lamphere is responsible for the full cost, since this is a special election that was requested by the district.”
See VOTE on page 16A
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
MADISON HEIGHTS — Members of the Madison Heights City Council have been reviewing a working draft of the budget for fiscal year 202526, one that maintains the current millage rate and avoids tax increases for the time being.
“This is a very difficult time for us,” said Mark Bliss, the mayor pro tem. “It’s difficult not only for residents but also the city, as costs continue to rise. We’re dealing with hyper-inflation and incredible market uncertainty right now, and all of the tariffs are changing how city contractors are buying and storing their materials, which has led to cost increases. So we’re trying to balance all of those things. Raising taxes significantly deters new homebuyers, so it’s important we try to keep our taxes low.”
Melissa Marsh, the city manager, presented the proposal to council April 15. She was joined at the public meeting by Linda Kunath, the finance director.
In its current form, the new budget would not increase taxes, keeping the millage rate locked in at 25.4572 mills — the same as the current fiscal year. The city collects $1 for every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value, multiplied by the millage rate.
The proposed budget includes a 6.33% increase
See BUDGET on page 11A
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
HAZEL PARK — A high-speed chase that started in Hazel Park ended in Detroit, where two men were captured and a stolen vehicle was recovered.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. April 14. A Hazel Park officer was on patrol when he was notified of a stolen silver Mitsubishi traveling in the area. The vehicle had been reported stolen out of Detroit several days earlier, on April 11. The owner is a Warren resident.
The officer later observed the vehicle heading southbound on Interstate 75 at Nine Mile Road, occupied by four male subjects. Upon verifying it was the same vehicle reported earlier, the officer attempted to stop them, but the suspect vehicle increased in speed and fled.
During the ensuing chase, the Hazel Park officer followed them southbound on I-75 to the exit at Seven Mile Road, at which point they proceeded onto the I-75 service drive at speeds reaching up to 90 miles per hour.
The suspect vehicle lost control at McNichols and Church roads, striking the curb. The car was disabled by the crash, and the four occupants jumped out and began fleeing on foot.
The Hazel Park officer called in backup, with police officers from Highland Park and a K-9 unit from the Michigan State Police arriving at the scene to assist in locating the subjects.
One suspect — a passenger in the stolen vehicle — was found hiding in an abandoned house and promptly taken into custody. Witnesses in the area helped guide the K-9 to the driver’s hiding place where he was laying low in some brush. He was arrested, as well.
At press time, the other two passengers remained at large.
See THEFT on page 6A
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
MADISON HEIGHTS — May 7 is Older Michiganians Day, raising appreciation for seniors and awareness for the issues they face. Seniors and groups advocating on their behalf will flock to Lansing to meet with legislators and enjoy the beautiful historic buildings at the state capital.
Continuing a long-running tradition, Madison Heights City Councilmember David Soltis is once again organizing a free bus trip for interested seniors in Madison Heights. To sign up, call or text Soltis at (248) 219-6381.
Everyone will meet in the parking lot at Madison Heights City Hall, 300 W. 13 Mile Road, around 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, May 7. The bus is expected to arrive in Lansing by mid-morning.
“I don’t really know of any other cities nearby that or-
See ???? on page 10A
Madison Heights City Councilman David Soltis, crouching on the left, poses for a picture with the group he brought to Lansing during Older Michiganians Day last year. This year’s trip is set for May 7. Those interested in attending can sign up by calling Soltis at (248) 219-6381. The trip is free.
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
MADISON HEIGHTS — The Madison Heights City Council is looking at limited options for the town’s next trash contractor, and also whether to switch to a more cost-effective model where residents would be required to use special carts for curbside pickup.
In the last 15 years, the city’s waste hauler has changed several times. The city entered into a contract with Rizzo Services in 2010, and then Rizzo Services was bought out by GFL Environmental. GFL Environmental, in turn, had its contracts acquired by Priority Waste last July.
Now, the city’s contract with Priority Waste is set to expire June 30.
Sean Ballantine, director of the Madison Heights Department of Public Services, said that there were “initial challenges” following Priority Waste’s takeover of services from GFL Environmental.
But in the months since, the company has made “significant improvements” in service delivery, he said, including better fleet maintenance, more consistent pickup schedules and improved customer support.
To review its options, the city held a series of town hall meetings called “Trash Talk” where feedback was sought from the public. In addition, the city issued a request for bid proposals from all local service providers that were able to provide trash, recycling and compost services.
But when the bids arrived April 9, only
TRASH on page 4A
one contractor put its hat in the ring: Priority Waste.
Neither Waste Management — the largest waste hauler in the country — nor Tringali Sanitation had the capacity to take on another community. Both submitted formal letters of “no bid.”
At press time, city staff were reviewing the offer from Priority Waste. The contract would be for five years, with an extension option for five more.
Since the sole bidder is also the current provider, Ballantine said that any transition period should be virtually nonexistent, assuming the council approves the new contract to begin July 1.
That’s not to say there won’t be any changes, however. Notably, the council is considering a possible change to a carts-only model.
Mark Bliss, the mayor pro tem, said the city has at least two options before it: a version of the contract where all residents must use new high-capacity carts that will be provided to them by the city, or a version that continues the status quo and allows bags and cans of varying sizes at the curb.
The carts-only model would receive a discount of about $150,000 from Priority Waste a year, since the carts require less work for Priority Waste to pick up, Bliss said. In either case, large items such as furniture could still be placed at the curb.
The carts themselves include 96-gallon trash carts and 64-gallon recycling carts, each with wheels and secured lids. They will be provided to residents for free later this summer or fall, regardless of which contract is chosen.
The city has already spent about $500,000 in matching grants to pay for the carts, a decision the council made in 2023. The overall cost of the carts program is $1.03 million.
Bliss was the sole vote against purchasing the carts. At the time, he reasoned that the money would be better spent reducing the water rate and cutting taxes.
Bliss said he still feels that way today,
but since the carts have been purchased, he sees a possible upside to the carts-only model. He said the savings could pay back the city’s contribution on the match grant in just three and a half years.
However, Bliss still has concerns.
“After speaking to several of my elderly neighbors, my concern is for the seniors,” Bliss said. “Some of them will struggle getting that giant cart around their car, especially since many homes here have driveways that only fit one car, and the car must be parked there on trash day. The new carts are much larger, and weigh about 30 pounds even without anything in them — a lot more than the 4-5 pounds of trash they might carry now.
“That’s why I think we should look into an alternate option,” he said. “For example, maybe the city can create exemptions for certain residents, where Priority Waste knows to pick up the trash at their address even if it’s not in a cart. Or maybe we can provide a smaller tier of carts that are easier for seniors to carry but that can still be picked up by the trucks. But we’ve not been given information about those options yet.”
Regardless of which model is chosen, City Councilmember Quinn Wright said he feels that Priority Waste is a good value.
“In spite of the fact we were only able to get a response from one provider, I’m glad that the options available to residents through Priority Waste are financially responsible,” Wright said.
City Councilmember David Soltis said the waste giant has improved over the past year.
“I’m hoping that if we renew our deal with them, that we can secure an even better deal for our residents and keep (Priority Waste) on task,” Soltis said.
Roslyn Grafstein, the mayor of Madison Heights, said the city is diligently reviewing the details.
“As we search for a new hauler, we are prioritizing reliability, cost effectiveness and customer service,” she said via email. “We know how important consistent, highquality trash and recycling pickup is to our residents’ quality of life, so we are being very deliberate in evaluating all options.”
Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.
‘THIS
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — In April 2022 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed Steve Bieda as the official liaison to the U.S. Mint for the development of design for the Michigan Innovation Dollar.
It was the perfect fit for the Warren resident who is a history buff and has an interest in coin collecting. For the past three years, the former state legislator and current Warren 37th District Court judge consistently met with various coin clubs around the state to come up with a theme and design for the collector coin. Many topics were considered to represent Michigan, including Motown, colleges and the Mackinac Bridge. Ultimately, the choice was made to honor Detroit’s automobile assembly line on the collector coin.
On April 8, Bieda and others involved with the process unveiled the Michigan Innovation Dollar during a ceremony at the Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward Ave. The MotorCities National Heritage Area, the Michigan History Foundation and the Michigan State Numismatic Society hosted the event.
The Michigan Innovation Dollar features a 1930s-era assembly line in which a team of autoworkers are lowering an automobile body into place. On the flipside is the Statue of Liberty.
See COIN on page 6A
According to a MotorCities National Heritage Area press release, the design was created by U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program designer Ronald D. Sanders and was sculpted by U.S. Mint Medallic artist John P. McGraw.
“I was delighted by the way it looked,” Bieda said when he first saw the coin. “This is a little slice of history.”
The assembly line concept hit close to home for Bieda, who grew up in an automotive family. His dad worked for General Motors and Chrysler, his grandpa worked on the Model T assembly line, and Bieda had summer internships at the GM Tech Center in Warren.
During the ceremony, Michigan History Foundation Director Bill Arnold talked about the innovations that contributed to the automobile industry and assembly line technology “for which our state is worldrenowned.”
“This is our history. That’s why we’re so committed to preserving and interpreting that history,” Arnold said. “We’re so proud to be a part of this commemorative effort and celebrate the legacy of the state of Michigan and our people whose contributions to innovation are represented by this Innovation Dollar.”
Brian Yopp, deputy director of the MotorCities National Heritage Area, also addressed the crowd.
“The assembly line is an innovation that revolutionized auto production, making cars affordable to the masses and literally putting the world on wheels,” Yopp said. “It took an idea that was a craft — they were making cars by hand one at a time — that exploded into the industry that we know and love.
“The story we’re telling didn’t start too
Warren 37th District Court Judge Steve Bieda, right, hands a Michigan Innovation Dollar coin to Jeremy Dimick, director of Collections and Curatorial at the Detroit Historical Society. Since April 2022, Bieda has served as the official liaison to the U.S. Mint for the development of design for the Michigan Innovation Dollar.
far from here. Not too far down Woodward Avenue, going towards the river, Ransom E. Olds owned a place. He patented an assembly line and had a plant here in Detroit before it burned,” Yopp said. “The story moves to an area called Milwaukee Junction. This was sort of a bed of automobile manufacturing in the early 1900s. That’s where a lot of folks were trying to get their start. You see the stories of Packard and Hudson.”
Yopp said the Highland Park Ford Plant is “where things got launched and started” and “most people got their image of what the assembly line was and the impact it made more than a century later.”
The U.S. Mint made arrangements to have coins on sale for $1 after the ceremony, with a limit of two coins per person. The coins will not be available in banks. The American Innovation Dollars struck with a circulation quality finish will not be released to the Federal Reserve for general circulation. The unveiling ceremony was made possible through donations from the sponsors that permitted the coins to be sold at face value for $1.
The collector coins will cost higher than face value because they are offered on the U.S. Mint’s website, usmint.gov. According to Bieda, the cost will be $36.25 for 25 coins, or a bag of 100 for $123.50. He said all of the coins at the April 8 ceremony can be used for commerce and were struck at the Philadelphia Mint. Bieda said the coins are being sold through eBay now from people who were at the unveiling. There are plans to put the coin on display at the Detroit Historical Museum.
During the ceremony, Kathy Freeland, of the Michigan Numismatic Association, and Rebecca Salminen Witt, chief strategy and marketing officer of the Detroit Historical Society, spoke to attendees. American Numismatic Association President Tom Uram reminded everyone that National Coin Week is April 20-26 this year.
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Both of the captured suspects are juveniles, and as such, their names will not be disclosed.
The driver was identified as a 15-year-old Hamtramck man, while the passenger was identified as a 14-year-old Detroit man. Both were interviewed and allegedly admitted to finding the vehicle parked and running with unlocked doors. They also reportedly confessed to stealing the vehicle and driving it around for two days before their arrest.
Both were transported to juvenile detention. Their case was presented to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, which charged the driver with receiving and concealing a stolen vehicle and fleeing police, while the passenger was charged with receiving and concealing a stolen vehicle. Both were arraigned in juvenile court and remanded to Children’s Village until their next hearing.
“Our officers, with the assistance of the Highland Park Police and Michigan State Police, did an outstanding job in apprehending two of the suspects, with no one being injured,” said Hazel Park Police Chief William Hamel. “In this case, it appears this was a crime of opportunity. Don’t leave your vehicle running and unlocked.”
MADISON HEIGHTS — Shelving.com, a familyoperated online business that also operates The Shelving Store in Madison Heights, is once again offering a business scholarship.
The company began accepting applications for the 2025 scholarship April 21. There will be one grand prize of $4,000, one runner-up prize of $2,500, and one second runner-up prize of $1,500.
The scholarship is open to Michigan residents who are pursuing and/or currently enrolled in a business-related field of study, either at an accredited college or university, or high school seniors currently enrolled or planning to enroll in college or university. Michigan residents are also eligible if attending an accredited college or university outside of the state.
In addition, applicants must have a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA. To apply, they must submit a copy of their transcript, resume, and an essay describing in 1,000 words or less (400-word minimum) how they are currently utilizing — or plan to utilize — their business-related field of study to serve their community.
All applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on Thursday, July 3 to be considered eligible for the scholarship. Winners will be announced at shelving.com at 10 a.m. EST on Monday, July 21. To apply, visit https://www.shelving.com/pages/ scholarships.
MADISON HEIGHTS — The city of Madison Heights is advising residents and businesses to be wary of a fraudulent email scam where the sender claims to be from the city’s Community and Economic Development Department and/or the Planning Commission. The emails are sent from madison-heights.org@usa.com, which is NOT a legitimate city email address.
The scam email includes an attached fake invoice requesting a wire transfer payment. The city does not accept wire transfer as a valid form of payment. The scam email also falsely uses the city’s logo and includes incorrect contact information. While the emails may look official, they are not affiliated with the city in any way.
“The city of Madison Heights will never ask for payment via wire transfer,” reads a statement on the city’s website, madison-heights.org. “Any applicant who receives an email requesting a wire transfer for application fees should immediately disregard the email.”
If you have sent money or feel you’ve been a victim of a scam, contact the Madison Heights Police by calling (248) 585-2100. If you receive a suspicious email about the approval of a planning, zoning or building-related application, or have doubts about an email’s authenticity, contact the city’s Community and Economic Development Department at (248) 583-0831.
0MADISON HEIGHTS — The Red Oaks Nature Center at Suarez Friendship Woods, located at 30300 Hales St. in Madison Heights, will host a program about ways to reduce anxiety and bolster a sense of well-being outdoors.
Forest Bathing Weekend: Nature’s Medicine will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 3. Attendees will learn practices to relieve stress so that they feel less anxious and more productive.
The program is suitable for adults. An American Sign Language interpreter will be provided. The cost is $5 per person. Preregistration with payment is required by calling (248) 858-0916 weekdays or (248) 625-6473 during open nature center hours.
METRO DETROIT — The American Red Cross is looking for volunteers to help them distribute information for its Sound the Alarm program from April 26 through May 17.
Sound the Alarm is a fire safety education drive in which the Red Cross promotes its installation of free smoke alarms, which are provided year-round. Go to soundthealarm.org/michigan for more information.
BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Monroe resident Traci Longenbarger has been breaking barriers for women in the trades for a decade now, working as a female carpenter.
Longenbarger is a business agent for the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, a union that represents 14,000 carpenters and millwrights across Michigan. She also serves as a part-time instructor for the International Code Council’s Contractor/Trades examination program, and is a career correction specialist, which grants her the opportunity to speak at career fairs and schools.
She is also a Sisters in the Brotherhood point of contact, which is a mentoring group for women in carpentry.
Having gone from Dundee, Michigan, to Hawaii right out of high school, to South Dakota and then back to Metro Detroit, Longenbarger worked a variety of jobs, from carpet cleaning to corrections in the sheriff’s department, to a 10-year career in security.
After she was let go from her security position, Longenbarger started over again at age 34.
“We had a shift in management. I got fired. So here I am, 30-something years old, 10 years I worked in that field. I was devastated,” she explained.
After a year of struggling to make ends meet, an encounter with her dad’s neighbor led her to find a new passion.
“I went and visited my parents back in Dundee. My dad does what old guys do, and they work out in their yard, and they talk to their neighbors,” Longenbarger said. “I went home that day and my dad’s like, ‘Hey, you should go talk to the neighbor.’ I’m like, ‘I don’t know who your neighbors are anymore. I’m not going to go talk to some stranger. No.’ He’s like, ‘No, you’re going to go talk to this guy.’”
Longenbarger’s dad introduced her to his neighbor who was in the MRCC union, and the rest is history for her.
She explained that it was difficult when she first started out and that it was a hard field to break into because it was predominantly male.
“It was hard in the beginning. I would call places to try to get hired. They would
say no because I’m a woman; I’m a liability. It was really hard to get my foot in the door back then,” Longenbarger said.
She said all it took was one “yes” amid all of the “noes” to build the confidence that she needed to break out as a woman in the trades.
When Longenbarger first started out in carpentry 10 years ago, she only had two other women in her apprenticeship program that she rarely saw because their classes were on different days.
“That stigma is still out there, that women shouldn’t be out there in the field doing the work but it’s changing. It has changed so much in 10 years,” Longenbarger said. “Back when I came in, and I’m lucky, I had a few incidences that happened to me, but I held my ground. I knew who I was. I stood up for myself, and I had great guys working around me and saw me for the hard worker I was.”
Now, in her current role, Longenbarger gets to encourage and inspire other women in the trades.
“I get to go to high schools to talk. I get to talk at career fairs, women’s events, anywhere that they give me the opportunity to chat about our facility and our career and our opportunities that we offer,” she said. “I am so more than proud to do that, because the MRCC has given me so much, and I’ve given them as well. It’s a give-and-take relationship, but I get so much out of it.”
Third-year Ferris State University construction management student Paige Sornig always knew that she didn’t want a desk job.
“I like the idea of getting to see the project being built, and helping people, especially with newer buildings,” Sornig said.
As a Rochester Adams High School student, she was granted the opportunity to attend Oakland Schools Technical Campuses during her junior and senior years, where she caught a glimpse at the construction program.
She shared that after touring Ferris State, she was hooked because it was like OSTC “on steroids.”
She said there was some apprehension expressed by some family members and friends when she chose this field.
“My own mom, at first, she seemed kind of against it,” she said. “But I think
Friday, May 23, through Monday, May 26: White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery invites you and your family to once again honor all those who have served and defended our cherished rights and freedoms. See an inspiring display of over 500 large American fags lining our many causeways.
Starting at 3PM, Sunday, May 25: Enjoy a stirring Patriotic Concert by the renowned Birmingham Concert Band.
Starting at 11AM, Monday, May 26: Memorial Day Service, with a special tribute to the Polar Bear soldiers of WWI. See reenactors in authentic WWI military garb salute “Michigan’s Own Polar Bears.” After WWI, they were the frst Americans to fght Russians on Russian soil.
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ganize trips of this magnitude for seniors,” Soltis said. “I think the seniors love being out in a social setting with other seniors, and they get to experience the Michigan capital, which is beautiful.”
Upon arriving in Lansing, the first activity is a group lunch on the lawn of the Capitol building. Seniors from across the state mingle and enjoy boxed meals at tables and chairs under large tents. The meals are served cold and usually consist of sandwiches, fresh fruit, chips and other items, along with drinks.
“Our senator and representative were out there on the lawn with us last year, talking with us. So it’s a chance to meet with our legislators,” Soltis said.
Attendees also have the opportunity to
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the more she looked into it, and the more I talked to her about it, she definitely opened up a lot more. And now she even was like, there’s no other job she could see me doing.”
As she heads into her final year at Ferris, she is interested in pursuing entertainment construction, which includes sites like amusement parks, stadiums and venues.
She added that she also likes the idea of building schools.
“Last year, I built a school in Detroit, and I had a parent come up to me, and they were just crying,” Sornig said. “They were like, ‘Thank you for making the school safer for my kids. I feel so much more comfortable and confident with them going here. It means a lot, and it especially means a lot that you’re a female, because I was telling
tour the beautiful Capitol building, and even get to sit in on a legislative session, observing from the House gallery.
“We go up there, and I then submit a form on the House floor for the elected officials to acknowledge the seniors up in the gallery,” Soltis said. “Everyone claps for the seniors, and then we watch some of the things they’re working on. It’s just a nice way to remind the policymakers who they’re serving. Our representative also makes an appearance on our behalf.”
That person is Rep. Mike McFall (DHazel Park), representing District 14.
“I’m so grateful to Councilmember Soltis for helping organize the trip to Lansing. It’s wonderful to see seniors from home advocating for themselves and others,” McFall said via email. “Our older folks are facing real challenges. From rising prescription costs to support for aging in place, it’s important that their voices are heard here at the
my daughter, ‘Girls can do anything,’ and she saw you and she was like, ‘Whoa, Mom, look at her.’”
Longenbarger and Sornig encouraged other women to find a trade that they enjoy if they’re interested.
“I like to stress to women coming in, we are a sisterhood, and it is a brotherhood, but sisters coming into this, there’s more than one position. You can work with other women. It doesn’t have to be you versus them, like, it should be us united working together,” Longenbarger said.
For more information about the MRCC, visit hammer9.com.
To find out how to apply for a carpentry apprenticeship, visit buildmifuture.com.
For more information about Ferris State’s construction management program, go www.ferris.edu/CET/construction-man agement.
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Capitol. Having them here in Lansing helps keep their issues front and center.”
Attendees will then board the bus and return to Madison Heights by late afternoon. Soltis started arranging the bus trips for Older Michiganians Day in 2014, his first full year as a member of the City Council. The trips continued annually until COVID, at which point there was a four-year hiatus. Last year marked the return of the event.
“In the beginning, it was small, but it grew and grew,” said Soltis, who today is now among the most veteran members of the council. “I think seniors see things differently than the younger generation because they have more experience. They always appreciate the history of the capital. They appreciate the work taking place there.”
Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.
in water and sewer rates to absorb rising commodity costs. Officials note that even with this increase, Madison Heights will still boast one of the lowest water and sewer rates in the tri-county area.
The budget under consideration weighs in at $66.1 million, of which $42.3 million is allocated for the general fund — a decrease of 9.2% from the current fiscal year’s amended budget. This drop is the result of reduced capital spending, as well as the elimination of four vacant full-time positions.
Meanwhile, $8.8 million is being allocated to the capital improvement fund, which pays for a variety of road work, park improvements and water/sewer line replacements.
On the note of water and sewer, $14.2 million is being proposed for the water and sewer fund, which takes into account rising costs for water and sewage treatment and other infrastructure needs.
The proposed budget is balanced by using more than $436,500 in general fund reserves. Available reserves are expected to total $11.4 million by the end of the current fiscal year.
The proposed budget also sets aside $1.8 million for a new trash hauler contract, which is expected to remain Priority Waste.
In addition, funding is available for an additional school resource officer, which would be jointly funded with the Lamphere Schools. Funds are also available for IT infrastructure upgrades at the city’s administrative offices, including a firewall update and improvements to telecommunications.
In terms of projects, nearly $2 million is planned for major and local street repairs, including along John R Road, and $2.5 million is earmarked for water and sewer work.
The city is also investing in parks and recreation, with improvements planned at
Rosie’s Park. The proposal calls for $15,000 to expand community programming, as well as $3,000 to continue the city’s food composting drop-off program. Another $15,000 is earmarked for the makerspace and other programs at the Madison Heights Public Library.
The proposed budget also trims back the length of the annual recreation brochure, and puts the savings towards a new quarterly citywide newsletter that will be included as a newspaper insert with the Madison-Park News.
As for ongoing costs, the police and fire pension fund continues to be a significant expense for the city. The proposed budget allocates $7.7 million for the pension fund, including $4 million in contributions beyond the required annual minimum. The goal is to raise the pension funding level above 60% by June 2026.
Marsh also noted that the city has seen reduced revenues due to the decline of cable franchise fees from $500,000 to $350,000. Court revenues have been declining, as well.
Madison Heights, like all Michigan municipalities, continues to wrestle with the long-term effects of Proposal A and the Headlee Amendment, two state policies that together limit what a city can collect from its tax base to 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.
Officials describe the system as an unfair tax structure for those purchasing a new home. Barring legislative changes at the state, future budgets may have to adjust service levels or incorporate targeted millage proposals to maintain current levels.
“Declining federal and state funding, combined with rising costs across the board, means we are facing tighter financial constraints than in previous years,” said Mayor Roslyn Grafstein via email. “Property taxes remain our largest source of revenue, but they are not increasing at the same rate as our expenses.
“Despite these challenges, my top priority remains unchanged: public safety. It doesn’t matter how many programs or services we offer if our residents do not feel safe,” Grafstein said. “That’s why, even in a constrained budget, we have included funding for a second requested school resource officer at Lamphere Schools, with the city covering 30% of the cost.”
She added that while the Madison District Public Schools have not yet opted into the program, the city is eager to partner with them in the future.
The mayor noted that the city has taken a long-term strategic planning approach to budgeting the last six years.
“For this year’s proposed budget, we have worked hard to preserve core services,” she said. “We were able to eliminate four full-time positions without layoffs, and deferred $1 million in capital projects, many of which we hope to support later through grant funding. Along with public safety, we are maintaining funding for infrastructure, sustainability and quality-of-life initiatives.”
While the millage rate will remain the same for now, she cautioned that “we need to be cognizant of rising expenses, and as grants and other outside funding dries up, we may
need to consider new millages or revenue streams, if costs continue to rise faster than revenues.”
Madison Heights City Councilmember Quinn Wright said the budget proposal reflects the city’s priorities to balance public safety, city services and quality of life.
“That includes clean parks and effective trash services that fit the residents’ needs,” he said. “We’re also trying to find cost-efficient ways to approach capital improvements that need to happen, like roads and infrastructure, while also investing in the future with programs like our mental health coresponder program and our school resource officers, who build relations with the kids so that they can have that trust. I’d like to see us continue to expand on both of these programs, if possible.”
Madison Heights City Councilmember David Soltis said the council has been approaching the new budget very conservatively.
“We know money is very tight for a lot of citizens right now,” Soltis said. “We’re trying to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ dollar.”
Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.
BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Not all gardens need to be grown in the ground.
According to Lindsey Kerr, the Wayne County consumer horticulture educator for Michigan State University Extension, container gardening is a great option for those who want to enjoy gardening without the need to dig holes in their backyards or for aspiring gardeners who do not have backyards at all.
“Container gardening is great for people who live in smaller spaces, maybe in a condo or an apartment,” Kerr said. “But even homeowners that have maybe a deck or a patio, container gardening can be great because you might not have to bend over as much.”
Kerr advised beginner container gardeners to keep an eye out for keywords like “patio,” “baby,” “bush” or “dwarf” when purchasing fruits and vegetables.
“If you want to grow squash in a pot, then you would want a dwarf or a bush-type squash plant. It’s not going to vine. Squash, like zucchini, can get huge. They bred ones that the plant is smaller, but the produce is the same size,” Kerr said.
She added that, ultimately, one would want a bigger pot, around 18 inches across, for things like tomatoes, because they can grow tall. Wind could cause them to topple over in a smaller pot, and the plant might dry out faster in a smaller pot.
Kerr added that gardeners should also be careful not to put young, small plants in a pot that is too big to avoid rotting. Instead, she encourages container gardeners to start small with a 4- or 6-inch pot and gradually work up to the 18-inch pot as the plant grows.
“I tell people to only plant one tomato plant or one pepper plant or one eggplant in a pot. I don’t think it’s a good idea to put other things in a pot with them. It’s just too much competition,” Kerr said.
MSU Extension Greenhouse and Floriculture Extension Educator Caitlin Splawski, who is based in Oakland County, shared how to ensure success for co-inhabiting plants in a container.
“The rule of thumb is to have a thriller, a filler and a spiller in a container so that you kind of mix and match those different height levels within the container,” Splawski said.
Splawski said a thriller is the center or the tallest plant. The fillers spread out under the thriller to cover the soil, and the spillers trail over the sides of the container.
She shared that a combination of plants in a sunny spot could have a mangave as the thriller, since they have fibrous tissue with a high water-holding capacity, paired with angelonia as the filler and an ornamental oregano as the spiller.
“Those two plants (angelonia and ornamental oregano) are going to use up a little more moisture, which is fine when you’re combining it with one that doesn’t use quite as much moisture, but they can all tolerate full sunshine, and that will make them flower more,” Splawski said.
She added that most plants need attention on a weekly
basis, so tools like self-waterers can help to keep the moisture level consistent, and some pots have water reservoirs to allow the plant to access additional water if needed.
“You can use little tricks like that to kind of help keep those pots maintained, and just knowing your preferences as a gardener is important,” Splawski said.
She explained that gardeners who don’t want to have to worry about checking on their plants so much might prefer plants that require part shade since they can do well with only six hours or less of sun.
She shared an example of some partially shaded plants that could coexist in a container and combine different textures, including alocasia as the thriller, Persian shield as the spiller and euphorbia as a filler.
Splawski encouraged gardeners to combine herbs with flowers, if they’d like, but advised gardeners to be careful when using pesticides on ornamental plants that are combined with edible plants.
“You can combine all sorts of flowers with herbs. You just want to make sure that you know you’re treating them in a way that is going to be safe for you to eat. So, steer clear from putting any pesticides on those containers. If you are someone that uses those chemicals, you’re going to want to keep in mind that you’ve got edible things in the pot,” she said.
Splawski added that gardeners pulling out their containers for the new growth season might be pleasantly surprised to find some perennial herbs that survived the Michigan winter.
“When you are rehabbing your containers for the season, you might have some perennial herbs that can last in those containers for you over the winter. And all you have to do is build in some annuals around them, and it gives you a nice start,” Splawski said.
Both Kerr and Splawski warned Michigan gardeners who have a case of spring fever to hold off on planting just yet, with some exceptions for hearty plants such as kale, lettuce, snap peas and pansies. Otherwise, Kerr said to keep a watchful eye on the weather, and it is usually safe to plant around Memorial Day.
“We can plant those kinds of things in pots and have them outside, and they’ll be OK. If it’s going to get below freezing, then I would just cover those pots. You can cover them with blankets or old towels or bedsheets, and that helps hold in the heat overnight, and then you take those covers off in the morning. But I would wait till late May to plant anything like tomatoes and eggplant and peppers and cucumbers, melons, squash, beans — those things like to be hot,” Kerr said.
Gardeners are encouraged to reach out to the MSU Extension with any questions at www.canr.msu.edu/home_gardening. The MSU Extension gardening hotline, (888) 678-3464, operates from 9 a.m. to noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
“It’s a free resource that Michigan State University Extension provides to everybody in Michigan. So we just want people to know that so we can fulfill our mission of serving the people of Michigan,” Kerr said.
MAY 3-4
Cinco de Mayo Festival: Food trucks, margaritas, live music, lucha libre wrestling and more, free admission, noon-11 p.m. May 3 and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. May 4, held near Mezcal Mexican Bar & Kitchen, 201 E. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale, (248) 268-3915, facebook.com/ mezcalferndale
MAY 10-11
Art Birmingham: Free event featuring 150-plus juryselected artists, also live music, food trucks and art activities, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 10 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 11, held in streets around Shain Park, 270 W. Merrill St., theguild.org
MAY 11
Royal Oak in Bloom: Annual Mother’s Day flower and garden sale, 7 a.m.-2 p.m., parking lots P3 at 150 W. Sixth St. and P7 at 163 Sixth St., royaloakchamber.com
MAY 16-18
Motor City Comic Con: Guests include Bill Nye, Laura Prepon, Jeremy Renner, Martin Sheen, Rainn Wilson, Sean Astin, Jon Bernthal, Vincent D’Onofrio, Bryce Dallas Howard, Famke Janssen, Christina Ricca and more, plus comic book artists and writers, gaming tournaments and open play, swordsmanship training, live podcast by Matt Hardy and concert with Jeff Hardy, photos with Toothless from “How to Train Your Dragon,” cosplay contests, panels and more, noon-7 p.m. May 16, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. May 17 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 18, Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave. in Novi, motorcitycomiccon.com, read story at candgnews.com
MAY 15
Oakland County Veterans Resource Fair: Find information about benefits, careers and training, housing, healthcare, suicide prevention, transportation assistance, and more, also free food boxes, 9 a.m.-noon, Costick Activities Center, 28600 11 Mile Road in Farmington Hills, free but registration required, oakgov.com/government/veterans/veteranresource-fairs
MAY 17
Fling Into Spring Food Truck Rally: Noon-3 p.m., Madison Heights Civic Center Park, 360 W. 13 Mile Road, facebook.com/madisonheightsrecreation
MAY 30-JUNE 1
Hazel Park Citywide Yard Sale: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., sign up to sell/freecycle, see map of participants and donate items at hpsale.carrd.co
ONGOING
Social clubs: Lego/Pokémon (6:30-7:30 p.m. every first Tuesday of month), Stitch & Knit (4-6 p.m. every first Thursday of month), Ham Radio (7:30-9 p.m. every second Wednesday of month) and various book groups, Hazel Park District Library, 123 E. Nine Mile Road, (248) 546-4095, hpmlibrary@gmail.com, hazel-park.lib.mi.us
Fun Fridays: Games, crafts, snacks and movies, 3 p.m. every Friday, Hazel Park District Library, 123 E. Nine Mile Road, (248) 546-4095, hpmlibrary@gmail. com, hazel-park.lib.mi.us
Speaker series: Includes “How to Use Anxiety to Thrive” with Harvard psychologist, author and keynote speaker Dr. David H. Rosmarin (2 p.m. May 7), “On Writing a Brilliant, Dark, and Diabolical Thriller” with author Liann Zhang (7 p.m. May 14), and “How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us” with author Rachelle Bergstein (2 p.m. May 21), Madison Heights Public Library, 240 W. 13 Mile Road, registration required, (248) 5887763, libraryc.org/mhlibrary/upcoming
Senior card playing: Noon-3 p.m. every Monday and Thursday, Hazel Park Community Center, 620 W. Woodward Heights, (248) 547-5535, facebook.com/ cityofhp
Book clubs: Find groups for ages 50 and older, grades 5-7, lovers of romance novels, LGBTQIA+ themes, fiction and nonfiction, and more, Madison Heights Public Library, 240 W. 13 Mile Road, find times, dates and more at madison-heights.org/1907/ book-clubs
‘Mad Gravity’: Play about dinner party that goes from bad to worse when guests — and audience — learn about comet hurtling toward Earth, presented by Rosedale Community Players, 8 p.m. May 2-3 and 9-10 and 2 p.m. May 4 and 10, Peace Lutheran Church, 17029 W. 13 Mile Road in Southfield, (313) 532-4010, rosedalecommunityplayers.com
‘Perfect Arrangement’: Classic sitcom-style comedy-drama about two gay U.S. State Department employees who marry each other’s partners as cover in 1950, presented by Stagecrafters 2nd Stage, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays May 2-11, Baldwin Theatre, 415 S. Lafayette Ave. in Royal Oak, (248) 541-6430, stagecrafters.org
Health workshops: For hypertension, diabetes, pre-diabetes and more, hosted by Corewell Health, free and virtual, corewellhealth.org/classes-events/ southeast-michigan
Lupus support groups: 10 a.m. every second Tuesday of month and 7 p.m. every last Wednesday of month, Zoom, (248) 901-7299, milupus.org/support-groups
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/chapterevents/527
‘The Science of Archimedes’: Traveling exhibit celebrating Greek scientist and mathematician, on display noon-4 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays until June 1, Cranbrook Institute of Science, 39221 Woodward Ave. in Bloomfield Hills, science. cranbrook.edu
To view more Community Calendar and to submit your own, use the QR code or visit candgnews.com/calendar. To advertise an event, call (586) 498-8000.
Notice is hereby given that the Planning Commission for the City of Madison Heights will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 20th, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal Building at 300 W. 13 Mile Road, Madison Heights, Michigan 48071 to consider the following Special Land Use requests: Case # PSP 25-02 – 436 E. 14 Mile Road
The applicant, Joseph Gorial, requests Special Land Use approval per the procedures set forth in Section 15.05 of the Madison Heights Zoning Ordinance to operate a Major Auto Repair and Service business at 436 E. 14 Mile Road (PIN 44-25-01-102-024). The property is approximately 0.48 acres in size and is zoned M-1, Light Industrial. The applications and any supporting documents can be viewed during regular business hours at the Community and Economic Development Department. In addition, the agenda item can be viewed online after 4:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the meeting at www.madison-heights.org in the Agenda Center.
If you are unable to attend the meeting, you can send your comments via email to: MattLonnerstater@madison-heights.org and your comment will be read into the record at the meeting. Written comments may also be mailed prior to the meeting to 300 West Thirteen Mile Road, Madison Heights, Michigan, 48071. All comments will be heard at the meeting. MADISON HEIGHTS COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (248) 583-0831
Published: Madison-Park News 04/30/2025
Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the City of Madison Heights’ City Council will be held on Monday, May 12, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 300 West 13 Mile Road Madison Heights, Michigan 48071.
The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing.
A complete copy of the proposed budget is available for public inspection on the City of Madison Heights website: www.madison-heights.org. Public comments, either oral or written, are welcome at the Public Hearing.
NOTICE: Persons with disabilities who qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act needing accommodations for effective participation through electronic or other means in this meeting should contact the City Clerk at (248) 583-0826 or by email: clerks@madison-heights.org at least two working days in advance of the meeting. An attempt will be made to make reasonable accommodations.
0187-2518
Published: Madison-Park News 04/30/2025
OPEN HOUSE May 21 & 22 11am—3pm
ABOVE: Ken, pictured, and Kristin Lingenfelter will hold their annual Lingenfelter Collection Spring Open House from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 3 at 7819 Lochlin Drive in Brighton. Atwill donations taken at the door will benefit the American Cancer Society.
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
BRIGHTON — The Lingenfelter Collection, in Brighton, is a private car collection that pays tribute to America’s love for the automobile.
Owned by Ken and Kristin Lingenfelter, the collection is closed to the public, except for a few times a year in which it opens for charity events.
car. He first discovered the sports car at age 10.
Car fans, start your engines because it’s time for the Lingenfelters’ annual Spring Open House. The Lingenfelter Collection will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 3. While there is no set cost to attend the family-friendly event, visitors are asked to make at-will donations at the door. Money raised from the event will benefit the American Cancer Society. Neither tickets nor reservations are required.
“Cancer has touched everybody at some point,” Ken said. “I lost my father, Charles, and my sister, Karen, to it. This is a way to help the American Cancer Society.”
On Saturday, attendees can view the whole collection, which includes 150 Corvettes, muscle cars, exotic European models and race cars. The collection is spaced out in three rooms that measure about 30,000 square feet. The Spring Open House not only raises money for a worthy cause, but it kicks off cruising season for car buffs.
“This is kind of a celebration of being able to get their favorite cars out. It’s actually very fun. People can come in and we’ll lead them to the collection,” Ken said. “Car enthu-
See LINGENFELTER on page 15A
from page 14A
siasts love this museum. There’s something for everybody. We get a lot of young kids.”
The Ferrari and Corvette models seem to be the crowd favorite. Spectators can also view late ’60s and early ’70s muscle cars, among other unique styles. Ninety percent of the collection is the Lingenfelters’ with 10% owned by friends displaying their vehicles.
Ken’s wife, Kristin Lingenfelter, will be at the open house. She is such a sports car enthusiast that she races in regional and national events with the Sports Car Club of America and the National Council of Corvette Clubs. In 2022, the racing competitor was named NCCC Rookie of the Year in the Michigan Region.
“She tried it out once and fell in love with it,” Ken said.
Ken is the owner of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, which offers engine building, engine and chassis tuning components, and installation for most GM vehicles, “with a large presence of Corvettes,” Ken said.
In 2008, Ken acquired Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, founded by his distant cousin John Lingenfelter. The company’s headquarters is located in Brighton where the annual Spring Open House will be. Lingenfelter Performance Engineering has two more locations: a build center in Wixom, and a build center in Decatur, Indiana.
“We build race cars as well, and we also build performance engines,” Ken said. “Many times (customers) want the engine rebuilt to get the performance.”
Recently, Ken joined the National Cor-
the Lingenfelter Collection.
vette Museum Board of Directors as an atlarge member. Ken’s dad was a General Motors executive, so he’s always had an interest in high-performance cars. His favorite car is the 1963 split-window Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. He first spotted the sports car when he was 10 years old, and years later bought one of his own.
“It was so exotic and profound. It’s such a great design. It’s a sports car that is very fun to drive,” Ken said. “I love Corvettes more than any other car. It’s an amazing product built by GM.”
The Lingenfelter Spring Open House has raised more than $392,000 for the American Cancer Society since 2016. The American Cancer Society funds cancer research, provides support and access to care for all cancer patients, and continues its work to prevent, find and treat cancer.
“Each year we are blown away by the generosity of the car enthusiast community,” Jenni Beamer, senior executive director of the American Cancer Society in Michigan, said in a prepared statement. “The American Cancer Society is grateful to the Lingenfelters for this amazing opportunity that raises critical funds for our work right here in Michigan to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.”
Attendees at the spring open house will have the opportunity to pick up a free colorectal cancer screening kit on-site. Trinity Health Michigan will distribute the kits and provide educational materials and information about colorectal cancer screening at the event.
The Lingenfelter Collection is located at 7819 Lochlin Drive in Brighton. There is also a retail store on-site. For more information, visit the Lingenfelter Collection Spring Open House on Facebook.
It should be noted that the number of mills are estimated, and variables such as interest rates can change the number of mills actually required to retire a bond, making it difficult to compare bonds across districts.
Lamphere Superintendent Dale Steen previously told the Madison-Park News that the district has been “extremely fiscally responsible with the taxpayers’ money.” The last bond was in 1997 for $35 million, and was paid off seven years early.
The district currently has a separate 3-mill sinking fund in place, renewed in 2017 for a period of 10 years, which will be up for renewal again in 2028. The sinking fund pays for smaller projects that Steen said can’t be used for bond projects.
Steen said the district identified more than $150 million worth of projects that were then narrowed down to “high-priority items” totaling $85 million. These include more security cameras, secure entry points and safety glass to slow down intruders.
Parking lots would be redone at each school to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and streamline drop-off and pickup times. The bond would also replace rooftops and upgrade mechanical systems for heating and cooling, improving energy efficiency.
Other projects include the conversion of Lamphere High School’s shop area into a 3D art studio for the fine arts program; the creation of a robotics learning lab at Page Middle School that would be used by students districtwide, with a completion date in the spring or summer of 2027; upgrades to the auditorium stage, dressing rooms and technology at the high school; replacing worn-out playground equipment at each elementary school; enhancing the music and art classrooms at all grade levels, including new music equipment; and new furniture, storage and equipment for STEM classrooms at the elementary schools.
Topping it all off is the construction of a new auxiliary gymnasium at Lamphere High, which the superintendent says is necessary since more space is needed for the athletics program. There would be renovations at existing gyms at both the middle school and high school, as well, including the middle school locker rooms. Synthetic turf would also be added to the baseball and softball infields.
The projects would be prioritized based on factors such as safety, security and infrastructure. Steen anticipates most items would be completed in a span of six to seven years.
“The only other new construction besides the auxiliary gym are the secured entryways to the school buildings,” Steen clarified in a recent email. “The main entryways will be built out to have visitors routed through the main office before getting access to the rest of the building. This is very similar to other districts who have used bonds for security purposes.
“The needs will not go away (without this bond),” he added. “The school district will continue to use the sinking fund for small-scale improvements. Major replacements or updates may require the school district to use operational revenue.”
Stephanie Sawicki, a resident in the Lamphere district, said she feels the district has done “an exceptional job” providing a good value to taxpayers while maintaining its facilities and other assets. She believes the ongoing investment is worth it.
“Due to the age of our facilities, we’re at a point where without a bond, emergency repairs may have to be paid out of our operating budget, taking resources directly away from students and staff,” Sawicki said in an email. “This isn’t about luxury. It’s about stability and keeping Lamphere strong for the next generation. People move here for a reason, families choose Lamphere, and we need to honor that by continuing to invest in the schools that brought us here in the first place.”
Priehs said he likes parts of the bond, such as the roofing and security, but he would like the district to come back with smaller bond proposals that voters could consider piecemeal.
“Do they really need a new art studio right now? A new gym? Maybe they can scale this back a bit and break it into smaller bonds,” Priehs said. “That way, people can choose and budget around it.”
Will Weaver is another homeowner in the Lamphere district.
“My concern is that the property taxes in the Lamphere district are already excessively high,” Weaver said. “It’s irresponsible to run a bond this big at this time with the economy being what it is, and the property taxes already being so excessively high.
“They’re going to end up causing people to fall into such a bad situation,” Weaver continued. “Not only with their principal, interest and taxes, but they’re going to cause people to become deficient in their escrows with their mortgage companies, at a time when they’re already behind the eight ball.”
Residents in precincts 5 through 9 will be able to vote on May 6 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. One can also vote early beginning Saturday, April 26 at the Royal Oak Senior Center, 3500 Marais Ave. in Royal Oak, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily through May 4, except for May 1 when the hours are noon to 8 p.m.
Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.
The following is the language of the Lamphere Schools bond proposal, as it will appear on the ballot when residents vote May 6:
Shall The Lamphere Schools, County of Oakland, State of Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Eighty-Five Million Dollars ($85,000,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds, in one or more series, to pay the cost of the following projects to create a modern learning environment for students and for health, safety, security, energy, conservation and other purposes:
Remodeling, equipping, re-equipping, furnishing, re-furnishing school buildings, playgrounds, athletic fields and other facilities;
Erecting and completing secure entryway additions at school buildings, a gymnasium addition at the high school and additions to other facilities;
Acquiring and installing instructional technology infrastructure and equipment for the robotics program at the middle school building; and
Preparing, developing and improving sites at school buildings, playgrounds, athletic fields and other facilities?
The maximum number of years any series of bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of refunding, is not more than thirty (30) years; the estimated millage that will be levied to pay the proposed bonds in the first year is 4.15 mills (which is equal to $4.15 per $1,000 of taxable value); and the estimated simple average annual millage that will be required to retire each series of bonds is 3.81 mills annually ($3.81 per $1,000 of taxable value).
If approved by the voters, the bonds will be guaranteed by the State under the School Bond Qualification and Loan Program (the “Program”). The School District currently has $0 of qualified bonds outstanding and $0 of qualified loans outstanding under the Program. The School District does not expect to borrow from the Program to pay debt service on these bonds.
The estimated computed millage rate required to be levied to pay the proposed bonds may change in the future based on changes in certain circumstances.
(Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited, and the proceeds cannot be used for teacher, administrator or employee salaries, repair or maintenance costs or other operating expenses.)
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BrickPavers,LLC. Lic/Ins.•Driveways •Patios•Porches•Walks •Floors•Color•Exposed •ConcreteRemoval 30+years!Troy,MI 248-743-1220 248-496-4964(Cell) ROMA CEMENTCO. Licensed&Insured CustomGarageBuilders, Garages,Driveways, Patios,Sidewalk,Porch, ExposedAggregate, Porches,ColorConcrete, StampedConcrete. 248-642-2679
ROZECEMENTLLC CONCRETE,MASONRY &LANDSCAPING •Driveways•Patios •Brick/Stone•Pavers •Decks,Free-Estimates Requests: roze cementllc@gmail.com Andre-586-354-7791 cementroze.com
Chimney Service
586-751-5384 NATURAL CLEANING MaketheRightChoice withorganiccleaning! Residential/Licensed Walls/Windows A+BBBrating 5Starsongoogle
Decks/Patios
2025SPECIALS CustomDeck Building/Repair, Power-Washing, DecksRemoved, Composite,Treated &CedarMaterials, CustomRailingMaterials, CustomFence Installation. 586-260-5218
Electrical
586-755-3636 Dr.Electric AffordablePrices! Father&Son MasterElectricians Same-Day-Service! All-Residential-Wiring, ChangeFuseBoxto CircuitBreakerPanel, Troubleshooting,Backup GeneratorTransfer Switch,License#6109094 SenDisc.V/MC/Lic./Ins.
CASTLEELECTRIC
586-634-1152 (directcellphone#) Panelupgrades, generators,hottubs, 220lines.ALLSERVICE Licensed&Insured Dependable,quality work! License#-6111359
COPPER COUNTRYFENCING SpecializingInAll FencingNeeds. CustomWood/Gates, Chain-link,Vinyl, Aluminum,Steeland Composite.Insured. CallForFreeEstimate 313-828-4062
PLATINUMSERVICES
*FenceInstallation *Decks*Landscape *TreeRemoval Wecoveryouroutdoor needs.FullyInsured. CALLNOW! 844-ALL-FENCE (844-244-3363) 248-830-3333
Gutters
A.M.G. Gutters&Downspouts.Owneroperated. Seamlessgutter installationandrepair specialist.Builders License#2101202369 www.amgapplied services.com FullyInsured 248-828-7998
POWERWASHING GUTTERCLEANING WINDOWWASHING Veteran/Firefighter Owned/Operated championwindow cleaning.net 248-914-8781
Handyman Services
3Sons HandymanService 586-888-9031
Electrical,Plumbing, HVAC,Minor/Major Repairs,AnySizeJob. FreeEstimates 10%Discount
AA4DABLE HANDYMAN HomeImprovement, Tile,Hardwood-Floors, Kitchen/Bath-Remodeling, Plumbing,Electrical, Painting,Hauling,Cleanouts,AnyHomeRepairs, FreeEst.30%Disc. AllMajorCC'sAccepted. 586-822-5100
Hauling & Waste Removal
PORCHES
Commercial • Industrial Residential 1/3 TO 1/2 THE COST OF REPLACEMENT FREE ESTIMATES
ROYAL EXTREMECLEAN 586-219-0335 AirDuct&DryerVent Cleaning,GasFireplace Tune-ups&Repairs, WoodBurningFireplace Cleaning&Repairs, Multi-ServiceDiscounts. Royalextremeclean.com
Cleaning Service
CLEANINGLADY with10-yrexperienceis lookingforwork.Weekly, bi-weekly,monthly Excellentreferences. Flexiblehours. Bonded&insured. 248-890-8830
MASTER ELECTRICIAN JIM
586-582-9320 (Cell) Over30YearsExp. NewInstallationWork Repairs Troubleshooting ElectricalUpgrades CodeCorrections
PREPARE forpoweroutagestodaywithaGeneracHomeStandbyGenerator.Actnowtoreceivea FREE5-Yearwarranty withqualifyingpurchase. Call1-855-773-8191 todaytoscheduleafree quote.It'snotjustagenerator.It'sapowermove.
*”STEVE'S SEAMLESSGUTTERS” Made&installedonthe spot.5”&6”Gutter Cleaning.Treetrimming, exteriorpainting, powerwashing. 586-778-3393 586-531-2111
***AAA HAULING*** JUNKREMOVAL Wehaulitall!Demolition Big&Small,Residential/ Commercial,Rubber WheelDumpsters-10,15, 20-Yards,Clean-outs, ConstructionMaterial, Small-Moving,Appliances,Furniture&More! Free-Est.Sen/Mil/Disc. 586-360-0681 ucallwehauljunk.com
BURLYGUYS JUNKREMOVAL removesANYTHING! Appliances,furniture, basementcleanouts, hoardersallwelcome! CallorText 248-224-2188
Lawn Maintenance
GOLDENBUILT CONSTRUCTION
Additions,Garages, Roofing,Siding,Basements,ConcreteWork, Foundations,Driveways, PorchesandSidewalks. Over40YrsExperience Licensed/Insured 586-948-4764
Home Repairs
EXTERIOR
Roofing,Siding, Gutter,Repair.Reliable Ask,WeMightDoIt! FREEESTIMATES 248-242-1511
Kitchens/ Cabinets/ Countertops
MR.BACKSPLASH
·CUSTOM BACKSPLASHES
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·COUNTERTOPS
*Granite*Quartz* ·CustomBathrooms
·TILEREPAIRS
*FREEESTIMATES* 586-552-5416
mrbacksplash.com
Landscaping & Water Gardens
ALLTIMATE OUTDOORSERVICES
DrainageSystem Professionals Big/SmallJobs, Yard-Drainage,Grading, Sod/Seed,Retaining Walls/Walkways/Patios, Senior/Military-Discounts Credit-Cards-Accepted Free-Estimates 586-719-1202
SUPREMEOUTDOOR SPECIALISTS
SpringClean-ups, Lawncare,Landscaping, Pavers,Walls,Shrub/Tree
Trimming/Removal, Mulching,Power-washing, Sprinklers.FreeEst. 586-727-3924
supremeoutdoor@ gmail.com
Painting
2BROTHERS PAINTING
CompleteInterior/Exterior WoodRepair, Powerwash, Free-Estimates CallFrank 248-303-5897 ReferencesAvailable
ANDERSON
Painting&Carpentry
2025SPRING
586-260-5218
Commercial/Residential *Landscaping *Decks *SpringClean-Ups *LawnCutting *LicensedFertilization *Aerating&Thatching VisitFacebook: BrightHorizonServicesInc.
586-792-3117
PETE'SPAINTING SPRINGSPECIALS!
10%OFF Specializing inVacantHomes, Great-Rooms,Deck Staining&WoodenFence Repair,Interior/Exterior, Residential/Commercial. SeniorDiscount, Free-Estimates,Insured.
PAINTING
GPC
MASTERPAINTER
PLASTER&DRYWALL Restoration/Insurance Projects, Wallpaper Removal/Carpentry, 30-yrsLicensed, BBBA+ SeniorDisc/FreeEst. 586.899.3555(Cell) 248.566.6460(Office)
(586)229-4267
AmericanPainting •Residential/Commercial •Interior/25YearsExp. •PowerWashing •Insurance•Drywall •PlasterRepair•Cleanouts•HomeRepairs •SeniorDiscounts •Guaranteed-Work.
PEAKPAINTING
Custom-Painting, Commercial/Residential, Interior/Exterior. Drywall-Repair,Paper Removal,Carpentry. *WillBeatAnyOther ReasonableEstimate! 35yrsexp.Sen.Disc.Ins. CC-Accepted/References. 586-722-8381
CompleteInterior/Exterior Services.Plaster/Drywall &WaterDamageRepairs. Wood-Staining.Wallpaper Removal.Kitchen/Cabinet Refinishing,Insured/References.Free-Estimates 586-354-3032 248-974-4012
ANYONE'S PAINTER
Interior/ExteriorPainting Commerical/Residential PressureWashing, DrywallRepairs, DeckStaining, FreeEstimates,Insured. Call586-921-3654
FARR'SPAINTING
Interior/Exterior Wood&DrywallRepairs MoldRemediation FreeEstimates CertifiedMoldInspector 248-345-3308 farrsmoldremoval.com
NEBOPAINTING
ServiceAllYearRound
Interior/Exterior WeMakeIt EasierForYou, AllNeedsAreMet! FreeEstimates Call 248-953-7807
VKPERFECTPAINTING
Interior/Exterior
SpecializesinKitchen &Bathroom CabinetPainting. Drywall/Plaster/Repair Free-Est.26YearsExp. CallBill 313-433-9400 586-746-9846 vkperfectpainting.com
MASTER PLUMBER
Sewer&DrainService. Remodeling,Repairs, NewInstallations. FreeEstimates SeniorRates. 35+yrsexp.CallPaul 248-904-5822
Lic.#8109852
586.524.6752
ANDY'SPLUMBING
33+YearsExp.Lic/Ins. CallUsToday ForAllYour PlumbingNeeds!! ServingThe Tri-County-Area 10%/Senior/Military/ Discounts Lic#-8004254
APEX
PLUMBERSCORP
586-210-0903
35-YearsExp.Seniors/ Military/Multi-TaskDisc. Free-Est.•DrainCleaning •PlumbingRepairs/ Fixtures•SumpPumps/ WaterHeaters.Lic/Ins. apexplumbers corporation.com Lic#8111771
EAPLUMBING ANDDRAIN
FullServicePlumbing. DrainCleaning,Sump Pumps,WaterHeaters, Leaks,Disposals, CameraInspections, BackflowTesting andMore. 586-477-7777
License#803020312
WATERWORK Plumbing.com
•DrainCleaning •SewerCamera •WaterHeaters •SumpPumps •BackflowTesting 248-542-8022
SameDayEmergency ServiceAvailable Reliable/Experienced License#8003885
Powerwashing
AJʼsPRESSURE CLEANING& SEALCOATING
•StampedConcrete(removemilkyorcloudyfilm)
•ExposedAggregate •BrickPavers(resanding) Website: ajspressure cleaning.com 586-431-0591
TMEDIAIMPACT SOLUTIONS
ExpertGrantWriter& DevelopmentCoordinator! Capacitybuilding, communityimpact, fundingforoperations, programming,andyouth programs.Emailtoattach: tmediasitee@gmail.com
CONSUMER Cellularthesamereliable,nationwidecoverageasthe largestcarriers.Nolongtermcontract,nohidden feesandactivationisfree. Allplansfeatureunlimitedtalkandtext,starting atjust$20/month.For moreinformation,call 1-866-306-6243
Roofng PREFERRED
BROTHERSROOFING
•FullTear-off•Recover
•ShingleRepair •Leak's•AllRepair •Flat-Roof•TourchDown •SeamlessGutters& GutterGuards Senior/Military-Discount Upto20%Off 586-944-8898
AA4DABLEROOFING
Hurry&SaveBig-$$$! SPRING-SPECIALS Upto30%-Off!!! Roofing/Siding/Gutters, All-Leaks/Repairs, Residential/Shingles/ Commercial-FlatRoofs/Torch-downs 30yrs-exp.CC'saccepted. 586-822-5100
Roofng
SILVERSMITHROOF MAINTENANCE
$225•MinorShingle ReplacementSpecial GutterCleaning Residential/Commercial WeAcceptAll MajorCreditCards 30-yrsexp.FamilyOwned 248-707-4851
CHERRY CONSTRUCTION
Roofing,Gutters,Cement, RefinishingHardwood Floors,NewHomes, Remodels,Additions, Doors,Windows, Fencing,Decks, Kitchens,Bathrooms. 586-291-2647
MICHAELNORTON BUILDERSINC.
BuildingValueEveryday 586-436-9600
Licensed/Insured Since1965 Servicing-Roofing, Siding,Basement, Bathroom,Kitchen Remodeling,Decks& AllYourHome ImprovementNeeds.
Tree Service
BERGBROS.LLC. “FullyInsured, HighlyReferred.” SeniorDiscounts Tree-Removal,Stump Grinding,Tree-Trimming, Hedging,Shaping, Emergency-Service Residential/Commercial Free-Estimates (586)262-3060
DAVE'STREE&SHRUB
25%-SpringSpecial. Insured,Emergency StormDamage, Large-TreeRemovals, Mulchinbeds/spreading, Trimming,Stump-Grinding,Season-Firewood (100acord)30YrsExp. (586)216-0904 davestreeandshrub.com
ELITETREE SERVICE
"Bringing30yearsof experiencetoyourdoor!" Treetrimming, removals&stump grinding.Insured&FREE estimateswithfairprices! FirewoodForSale 586-756-0757
