5/16/24 Troy Times

Forum Flats turns offices into housing

BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com

Forum Flats, a new apartment complex at 295 Kirts Blvd., officially opened for tenants in April. The over 100,000-square-foot property was previously used as office space by Kelly Services before it was developed into an apartment complex by Cypress Partners and Douglas Capital Partners.

“It was constructed as an office building in 1987,” Troy Community Development Director Brent Savidant said. “The office building was vacant post-COVID and was acquired by a company

who sought to convert it into 90 units and added two four-story buildings with 55 units. It went from underutilized to completely renovated.”

Construction on the project — led by the development team at Cypress Partners, designed by Royal Oak-based Krieger Klatt Architects and contracted by Tower Construction — began in December 2022.

Forum Flats is one of the earliest examples of a previously vacant office building being converted into an apartment complex in Troy. There are plans for an office building at 2690 Crooks Road to

NEW BUILDING TO LEAVE OLD SMITH AS ‘SURGE SPACE’

BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com

Students and staff from Troy Public School District, as well as members of the Board of Education, came together for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Smith Middle School May 8.

Students and staff from Martell Elementary School were invited as those students will likely be attending school at the new Smith Middle School once the project is completed as part of Series 1 of the Troy School District’s $555 million 2022 bond.

Construction costs are estimated around $70 million, and the project will likely be completed in the 2026-2027 school year. The new building will house around 800 students, and current students will continue their education at the old Smith Middle School in the meantime. The old building is 101,094 square feet, and the new one will be 124,200.

Kelly Services’ former office space has been converted into Forum Flats, a new apartment complex at 295 Kirts Blvd. Image provided by Forum Flats

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Trusted Protection During Unpredictable Weather

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

Trusted Protection During Unpredictable Weather

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

Call or go online today for more information

Call or go online today for more information

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

Call or go online today for more information

The Troy Times is one of 21 bi-weekly publications produced by C & G Newspapers, a family-owned company serving residents in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties since 1981. We deliver our papers to more than 571,000 homes in 45 communities via direct mail.

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SECOND FRONT PAGE

Community gears up for Charity Classic Golf Scramble

BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com

Community members still have the opportunity to sign up to participate in or help sponsor the Rotary Club of Troy’s second annual Charity Golf Classic Scramble.

This event will support multiple local charities and organizations, including Children’s Hospital of Michigan-Troy, the Boys and Girls Club, and American Red Cross, among many others. Last year, this event raised around $10,000, organizers said.

The Golf Classic Scramble was cre-

ated when the Troy Rotary and one of their corporate members from USI Insurance Services, Ben Clevenger, partnered on a new fundraiser. Clevenger is the vice president of employee benefits with USI and has a lot of passion for golf —

BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — A new bill introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives aims to curb excessive noise from vehicles.

The legislation, House Bill 5696, was introduced by state Rep. Natalie Price, D-Berkley, and would “crack down on vehicles intentionally modified to create excessive noise while being used,” a press release states.

Price said the legislation will update the vehicle code and allow local law enforcement to enforce the current prohibition on modifying a vehicle to cause it to make excessive noise.

“We’re well aware of the issue of modified vehicles and drag racing on our roads,” Birmingham Police Chief Scott Grewe said in a press release. “Existing law limits what we can do about it, and unfortunately, the current $100-per-offense civil infractions do not seem to deter this behavior. With higher penalties for those intentionally seeking to disturb the peace, this bill will hopefully disincentivize vehicle modification and offer us more tools to deal with those who continue doing so.”

According to the representative, one problem found in the code was that there was some language that was considered to be contradictory by the courts that needed to be revised.

“Even though in one point in the vehicle code it says that you can’t modify your vehicle and have it make excessive noise, there was another part where it said that modifications

File photo by Patricia O’Blenes

A proposed bill in the Michigan Legislature would see increased punishments for car owners if they have modified vehicles that make excessive noise.

See NOISE on page 8A

Athens senior wins 2024 Miss Michigan Teen USA title

BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com

Troy resident Maddison Kott recently won the title of Miss Michigan Teen USA and will be competing in the Miss Teen USA pageant in August.

The 2024 Miss Michigan Teen USA and Miss Michigan USA pageants took place April 20-21 at the McMorran Entertainment Center in Port Huron. The pageant is a part of Miss USA’s teen division of competitions that encourages young women to build confidence and public speaking skills, as well as to promote themselves as community leaders, according to the organization. Miss USA provides opportunities for teens and adults to compete on the state, national and international levels.

Kott is an 18-year-old senior from Troy Athens High School who has been participating in pageants since she was 5.

“My mom’s friend had kids involved in pageants, and when I started competing,

Photo provided by Tiffany Kott and Miss USA Maddison Kott answers questions during the Miss Michigan Teen USA and Miss Michigan USA pageants at the McMorran Entertainment Center in Port Huron. See PAGEANT on page 6A

NEWS & NOTES

Troy students among winners of arts contest

Athens High School senior Jessica Wong won first place in her grade category in Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg’s 2024 art contest May 2. Annie Zhao, a 10th grader at International Academy East, won first place in her grade.

Oakland Schools, Flagstar Bank and the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency partnered with Wittenberg’s on the contest and announced the 22 winners and honorable mentions for the 2024 Financial Empowerment Arts Contest during a private reception at the Flagstar Bank Headquarters in Troy.

In the contest, 144 Oakland County public high school student art submissions focusing on the different aspects of financial empowerment were received from 17 high schools in various mediums: drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, video and illustration.

The winners and honorable mentions receive cash prizes from a $10,000 contest fund provided by Flagstar Bank: $1,000 for first place, $750 for second, $500 for third and $100 for honorable mentions. The winning art is displayed in the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office for a year and on the website, along with all student entries.

“The exceptional talent and creativity showcased by the student artists are awe-inspiring and reflect the importance of financial empowerment,” Wittenberg said

execution and the incorporation of the financial empowerment theme. For more information, visit oakgov.com/treasurer.

Library to host petting zoo, food truck event

Families of children ages 0-13 are invited to join the Troy Public Library for a summer kickoff 6-8 p.m. June 14.

Registration is not required. Weather permitting, the outdoor event will take place between the library and City Hall.

The event will include the Delectabowl food truck, a bounce house, the Carousel Acres petting zoo, outdoor games, reptiles provided by Reptarium, and more. Children who complete at least six activities will earn a chance to win one of three $50 Amazon gift cards.

In 2023, an estimated 2,800 to 3,000 people attended the event, according to the library.

The summer library program has options for listeners from birth to kindergarten and readers in grades one-six.

Children who participate in the program June 14-Aug. 10 can log their reading and complete activities for small prizes and to earn a chance to win a grand prize. Register at troypl. org/SLP beginning June 1 — logged reading will not count toward the challenge until June 14.

The program helps kids explore their interests through reading and activities, such as a STEM badge for science, technology, engineering and math projects; and earning an “Unplugged Badge” by doing things away from screens and a “Wonder Outside Badge” by getting more physical play outside.

Listeners’ activities focus on “Talk, Sing, Read, Write, Play” to support the foundation of early literacy.

A teen kickoff will feature a three-hour lockin at the library with pizza, trivia, crafts, games and more. Teens in grades six-12 who participate over the summer will have the chance to win raffle baskets.

Adults who participate will earn chances to win themed prize baskets.

The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Troy Public Library.

The library is located at 510 W. Big Beaver Road. Visit troypl.org or call (248) 524-3538 for more information.

in a press release. The entries were judged on creativity, artistic

I kept moving up,” Kott said. “I love competing, and it took me five tries to win Miss Michigan Teen USA.”

For the Miss USA system, teens from ages 13 to 19 can compete in three different categories to earn their titles.

“Each one of the girls compete in three categories, which include an interview portion, which is judged by a panel of very distinguished judges from across the country, active wear for teens, which focuses on health and fitness, and swimsuit for the Miss age,” Kott’s mom, Tiffany Kott, said in an email. “The final competition is evening wear, and they are able to show the poise and grace in front of a panel of judges. They have a preliminary competition that is held during the weekend, and that is where both Miss and Teen are narrowed down to the top 15 to compete in the final show.”

The top 15 move on and compete in the main events and are narrowed down that evening to the top five, who are each asked a question that they are given randomly, she said.

As a part of Kott’s reign, she will be making appearances at different schools and events while she prepares for the Miss Teen USA pageant in California, which will be held at the end of July and early August.

“She has gained so much confidence, poise and speaking abilities during her time competing,” Tiffany Kott said in an email. “The show ‘Toddlers & Tiaras’ that has been aired on television has really put a black eye on what exactly pageantry is all about. These girls are all very accomplished young women that have so many talents. Maddy has gained so many friends, and we have become close

with so many families all over the country because of pageants.”

Kott is on the varsity lacrosse team, a member of the National Honor Society, and a varsity cheerleader. She also has served the community through different events from a wide variety of local organizations and foundations, like the annual Jennathon 5K run

and 1 mile walk, among many others. When she graduates, she plans to attend Michigan State University in the fall and study marketing.

In terms of future pageant competitions, Kott is interested in potentially competing in the adult Miss USA program.

“It took me five tries before I got the

title, so anyone interested in competing needs to keep trying for the things you want, because it really pays off,” Kott said. For more information, visit www.miss michiganusa.com, www.themissteenusa.com or www.missusa.com. Call Staff Writer Sarah Wright at (586) 498-1068.

Photo provided by Tiffany Kott and Miss USA

Maddison Kott, winner of the 2024 Miss Michigan Teen USA pageant, and Alma Cooper, winner of Miss Michigan USA, receive their titles during the pageant for both the teen and adult divisions that took place at the McMorran Entertainment Center in Port Huron.

Troy School District honors Danielle Clippard as Support Person of the Year

BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com

The Troy School District has announced Danielle Clippard as the recipient of the 2023-2024 Support Person of the Year award.

Clippard serves as the career facilitator at Troy College and Career High School and has worked with the school for the past five years. She has been recognized for her dedication, commitment and service to the students and families of the district.

“My journey with the Troy School District began nearly two decades ago, rooted in the desire to contribute as a parent volunteer,” Clippard said in an email. “It has since blossomed into a fulfilling career path, where I’ve embraced roles as a noon-aide and substitute secretary before finding my calling as a Career Facilitator.”

Throughout her tenure, Clippard has been recognized for going above and beyond

in her role by crafting personalized educational development plans for each student and ensuring they align with the kids’ aspirations and interests, which can include arranging job shadowing opportunities, conducting mock interviews and assisting with resume building.

“Mrs. Clippard changes the lives of students every day with her ability to create an environment that’s not only comfortable but efficient, by going above and beyond with every student, and being a reliable source for any questions you may need answered,” Morgan Pommerening, a student at TCCHS, said in a press release.

Students and faculty members also noted that Clippard’s dedication extends beyond the school day, as she consistently works to support past students with college applications, Free Application for Federal Student Aid submissions, and career placements.

“Danielle Clippard is an amazing per-

See SUPPORT on page 9A

CRIME WATCH

Intoxicated driver hits curb during traffic stop

Officers responded to the East Big Beaver Road and Rochester Road area at 8:29 p.m. April 21 for a possibly drunk driver reportedly swerving all over the road in an F-150.

The officers saw the 2023 gray F-150 swerving in its lane and initiated a traffic stop. While the driver was pulling over into a parking lot, she struck the curb and ran over a small grassy median.

Officers spoke with the driver, a 45-year-old Sterling Heights woman, and noted that her speech was slurred and there was a strong odor of alcohol coming from her. The driver claimed she did not have her driver’s license with her when officers asked for her ID. She denied being the registered owner of the vehicle and instead gave officers the name and date of birth of a female much younger, claiming to be that person.

The driver did poorly on sobriety evaluations and refused a preliminary breath test.

She was arrested and transported to the Troy police lockup facility. During an inventory search of her vehicle, officers located a red plastic cup containing alcohol and her driver’s license, showing she was the 45-year-old registered owner of the vehicle.

In lockup, the driver refused to take a breath test. A search warrant to complete the blood draw was granted, and her blood was drawn by medical personnel. The case was turned over to the Detective Bureau for appropriate warrants once the blood results are returned.

Driver hits construction equipment

Officers responded to Coolidge Highway and Wattles Road for a vehicle crash at 2:48 p.m. April 26 in which a Buick SUV had struck a piece of construction equipment.

The driver of the 2017 Buick Encore, a 63-year-old man from Troy, could not explain how he had ended up crashing into the construction equipment in an active construction zone.

Police discovered the driver did not have a valid license, and they noted that his eyes were watery and bloodshot and that there was a strong odor of intoxicants coming from his vehicle.

The driver did poorly on field sobriety evaluations. He submitted to a preliminary breath test, with a result of a 0.193% blood alcohol content.

He was arrested, and the case was turned over to the Detective Bureau.

Officers break vehicle window to check on inebriated driver

After a report of a suspicious vehicle around Plum Street and Starr Drive at 5:47 a.m. April 27, officers located a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee stopped in the middle of the road, running, with the 42-year-old male driver slumped over in the driver’s seat.

Officers attempted to wake the driver for several minutes, but they had to break out the front passenger window of the vehicle to check on the unresponsive man. The driver, a resident of Troy, woke shortly after and was asked to exit the vehicle.

Officers noted that he was unsteady on his feet and that there was a strong odor of alcohol emanating from him. He was arrested, and the case was turned over to the Detective Bureau for appropriate warrants.

Reckless driving while under the influence leads to arrest

The driver of a 2010 Mercury Milan struck guardrails on Interstate 75, hit the curb, drove on the median and ended up stopped for an extended period of time at a traffic light in the area of Rochester Road and East Big Beaver Road at 10:05 p.m. April 23.

Officers found the vehicle traveling north towards Wattles and initiated a traffic stop. The driver, a 35-year-old man from Shelby Township, appeared to be going in and out of consciousness with the vehicle still in drive. Officers were able to get him to put the vehicle in park and remove him from the vehicle.

In the driver’s door compartment, officers saw a clear plastic baggie containing multiple pills, as well as empty packaging for pills identified as carisoprodol. The driver was also found to have a revoked driver’s license and multiple warrants for his arrest. He was arrested for driving under the influence of a narcotic or opiate and was transported to the Troy police lockup facility.

— Sarah Wright

Noise

from page 3A

couldn’t be made above a certain decibel level,” she said. “That was interpreted that then you would need to have very specific devices to measure decibel levels, and out on Woodward with all the various vehicles, it was really impractical for our officers to be able to measure that.”

Price said the code didn’t get rid of decibel limits, because those are able to be measured in very controlled environments.

“It’s required that the manufacturers, the dealerships, they are doing those measurements, and we are not changing that path, but in terms of modifications to vehicles, we made it so that that language did not apply,” she said. “We’re just talking about modifications that create excessive noise are now going to be clearly illegal, as we believe that code was intended.”

Adam Bernard, president of the Detroit chapter of the Lambda Car Club, said the club doesn’t have an official position on the bill, but understands where the bill comes from.

“When the windows are open, when the weather’s out, I can hear it all. I do appreciate the rumble of a nice V-8 or V-12, but yeah, there’s some stuff out there that is out of hand,” he said. “To be honest, I have the same issue. It’s great that people enjoy their music. I don’t need to hear it at 140 decibels coming out of the windows either. So, you know, I think people can enjoy their music inside their cars. But I certainly understand. … It’s not just even, you know, going down Woodward. I can sit outside Starbucks in Birmingham and hear people revving their engines just waiting at a stoplight. So, it’s something that’s not confined to a major thoroughfare. So, I can understand the interest in going after (the excessive noise).”

Bernard did state that some vehicles do come out of the factory already pretty loud, which he hopes law enforcement can be educated on.

“I know there are some engines out there that come pretty loud out of the factory. I’m not a sound engineer. So from that standpoint, it could be challenging,” he said. “If you have a Volkswagen Golf, for example, those don’t come out of the factory very loud, but I know you can buy hardware that can make them sound really intimidating. So, I think part of it would be educating the police force. It’d be awful if somebody who bought a vehicle out of the factory got pulled over. Now of course, if you’re sitting at a stoplight and you’re revving it just to make noise, maybe that is a problem.”

Penalties for violating the code would be increased. The bill, if passed into law, would increase the penalty for a first-time offense from $100 to $500. Any subsequent offense would cost $1,000.

The bill, introduced at the end of April, has since been referred to the Transportation, Mobility and Infrastructure Committee.

“We all know and love the Dream Cruise in our area. The Woodward Dream Cruise is a fantastic tradition, and we see coming out of that culture that people can cruise very responsibly and respectfully and in wonderful ways that our communities love,” Price said. “I think as a result of the Dream Cruise, that there is a level of showmanship that comes along with that. Some people choose to modify their vehicles in order to create excessive noise and maybe don’t realize what an impact that is having on the people who live around the area.

“We also see those impacts of the cruise not only during the designated week, cruise week, but spilling over throughout the summer. Even again as it’s warming up now, Woodward is a destination for folks to come in and show off their vehicles. So yes, I do believe that it is a problem out on Woodward and in our surrounding communities, but I’m not gonna say it’s the only area in the state where that is a problem. I have colleagues from all over the state expressing support for this update because they know that this will help their local law enforcement as well,” she continued.

MAY 17

Wine tasting fundraiser: Proceeds support mental health initiatives, 5:30-8 p.m., Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, kiwanisclubtroymi@gmail.com, k06542. site.kiwanis.org/winetasting

MAY 17-19

‘It Shoulda Been You’: 8 p.m. FridaysSaturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Ridgedale Players, 205 W. Long Lake Road in Troy, ridgedaleplayers.com

MAY 18

Raintree Park Cleanup: 10 a.m.-noon, 3775 John R Road in Troy, thecleanupclub. org

MAY 23

Orchestra Sono: Concert at 6:30 p.m., gourmet treats and fine wine afterward, The Piano Place, 1307 E. Maple Road in Troy, thepianoplace.com

MAY 29

Widowed Friends lunch: 1:30 p.m., Maggiano’s Little Italy, 2089 W. Big Beaver Road in Troy, RSVP to Sue at (586) 5491041 by May 23

ONGOING

Car Cars & Classic Food: Also music, 50-50, prizes and giveaways, 5-8 p.m. Thursdays during summer, Big Boy, 200 W. Maple Road in Troy, (248) 362-0840

Blood drives: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 17, 1-7 p.m. May 29 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 31, Troy Community Center, 3179 Livernois Road, RedCrossBlood.org

Line dancing: Sponsored by Oakland County Traditional Dance Society, lessons for beginners at 7 p.m. and dancing from 7:30-9:30 p.m. every second Saturday of month, First United Methodist Church of Troy, 6363 Livernois Ave., (248) 217-1058, info@octds.org, octds.org

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

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

Top of Troy Toastmasters: Noon-1 p.m. Wednesdays, Troy Public Library, 510 W. Big Beaver Road, (248) 872-6603

Support

from page 7A

son and an irreplaceable asset to our staff and students,” Derek Mohamedally, a counselor at the school, said in a press release. “She goes above and beyond the expectations of her job every day, offering invaluable support and guidance to all.”

In addition to her individualized support for students, Clippard has been instrumental in organizing career fairs, STEM initiatives, and guest speaker events in order to provide enriching, educational experiences for students, according to the district.

Clippard was also surprised with a check for $250 from the Troy Foundation for Educational Excellence.

“I am deeply honored to be named the Troy School District Support Staff of the Year,” Clippard said in an email. “This award is not just a reflection of my work but a testament to the great work going on at Troy College and Career High School and across the Troy School District. Each day at work is a chance to make a difference in the lives of students across grades K-12 and to collaborate with an array of dedicated staff members district-wide.”

The Troy School District also recognized the following nominees for their contributions to the district:

• Shqipe Bici (autism spectrum disorder paraprofessional/Morse Elementary School).

• Tasnuva Chowdhury (teaching assistant/preschool).

• Sui-Yung Chu (Care supervisor/Barnard Elementary School).

• Kayla Cooper (building specialist/Hamilton Elementary School).

• Tywan Early (custodial day lead/Hamilton Elementary School).

• Shalaka Geete (student support aide/Baker Middle School).

• Christine Harmon (ASD paraprofessional/ Schroeder Elementary School).

• Kally Harris (secretary/Athens High School).

• Michelle Hom (preschool aide/preschool).

• Susan Ketterer (paraprofessional/Troy High School).

• Andrea Kohl (building substitute/Morse Elementary School).

• Eleni Lezos (health care aide/Leonard Elementary School).

• Sathya Madhu (ASD paraprofessional/Schroeder Elementary School).

• Elidjona Qeleshi (ASD paraprofessional/ Morse Elementary School).

• Samuel Rivera (building support person/Boulan Park Middle School).

• Frank Stapleton (custodian/Costello Elementary School).

• Ardiana Tsekos (student support aide/Hamilton Elementary School).

For more information, visit troy.k12.mi.us.

SPOTLIGHT ON WOMEN IN BUSINESS

FOR LOCAL WOMEN IN BUSINESS, CAR DEALERSHIPS ARE A FAMILY AFFAIR

BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com

It’s all about family for Sherry Maxey, a second-generation owner of Bob Maxey Lincoln, 16901 Mack Ave. in Detroit.

Maxey and her two brothers, Bob and Michael, operate Bob Maxey dealerships in Fowlerville, Detroit and Howell.

“Something that my dad always instilled is that the three of us had to work together, that a first generation can start something, but it often falls apart in a second generation because they don’t work together.”

The late Bob Maxey got his start at a dealership on Gratiot in 1972, and in 1982, he moved to the Mack Avenue location. For Sherry Maxey, there was no question of whether she’d join her father and two older brothers in the dealership industry. From a young age, she recalls, dealership talk was common dinner table conversation. She remembers working at the dealership during the summers while finishing up her master of business administration degree at the University of Michigan.

“I think it was just a thing for all of us;

this is where we were going to be. My brothers started out cutting the grass and washing cars. And luckily, as a female, my dad was more old-fashioned. I didn’t do that. I got to sell. So that was the difference, but even when I was going to school at Michigan and there were interviews, I did a couple, but I always knew I was going to come back here.”

She worked as a sales manager until she got married and raised her children. It was when her father passed away that she was pulled back in.

“I felt like Al Pacino. ‘Just when I thought I was out, they’re pulling me back in.’”

It was a full circle moment for Maxey to return to the Mack Avenue location where it all began for her. She honors her late father’s memory in her office with the original chairs and his desk.

Maxey explained that the hope is for the dealership to pass into the hands of a third generation through her children and her nieces and nephews. She and her brothers tried to foster a close-knit environment for their children to have a sibling-like bond, since they are cousins.

See BUSINESS on page 12A

Photo by Liz Carnegie

Sherry Maxey, a second-generation car dealership owner, poses in a black Aviator on the sales floor where it all began for her.

Golf

from page 3A

and a lot of experience playing and coaching the sport.

“In 2022, as a newer member and the corporate sponsor for Troy Rotary, (Troy Rotary President Roma Murthy) knew, given my love for golf and teaching the game to others, that I was the perfect member to help Troy Rotary start their first ever Golf Charity Outing in 2023,” Clevenger said in an email. “We started planning in November 2022 and had a very successful outing in June 2023 with 72 golfers and 25 sponsors.”

The Golf Classic Scramble will take place Friday, June 7, at the Sylvan Glen Golf Course and Camp Ticonderoga Bar & Grill. Registration begins at 7 a.m., and a continental breakfast and practice area will be available at 7:15 a.m. At 8 a.m., the shotgun start will begin.

“We’ll have a few professional golfers again this year, on special holes for long drives and closest to the pin contests,” Clevenger said in an email. “Golfers will stay hydrated and energized with drinks and food on the course. There will be standard golf scramble games of longest drive, closest to the pin, and skins. The day will conclude with a fantastic lunch upstairs in the new room at Camp Ticonderoga with prizes for the winning teams and a final Rotary raffle drawing for a grand prize of $2,500 or 50/50 dependent on tickets sold.”

Those interested in participating in the event can pay $125 per person or $500 for a team of four. Attendees who are interested in the lunch only can pay $35.

Troy Rotary President Roma Murthy said in an email that they will have approximately 18-20 teams of four, as well as many nongolfers “who will join the group for lunch, fellowship and prizes.”

Multiple sponsorship packages are available, ranging from $100 to $2,500. The sponsorship packages can include recognition during the Golf Classic Scramble and on social media; gift bag items; advertisements on carts, banners and gift bags; and the opportunity for a foursome to participate in the competition.

For more information, visit troyrotary.net or contact Clevenger at (810) 391-8125 or Murthy at (248) 953-0480.

Call Staff Writer Sarah Wright at (586) 498-1068.

Peripheral Neuropathology

Headache/Migraines

Neck/Shoulder/Elbow Pain

Enlarged Prostate

Urinary Incontinence

Post Stroke Recovery

Lower Back Pain/Sciatica

Knee Pain/Plantar Fasciitis

Fibromyalgia

Arthritis/Rheumatoid Arthritis

Post-Herpetic Neuralgia

Postoperative Complications

IBS/Crohn’s/UC

Macular Degeneration

Side Effects from Cancer Treatment

Autoimmune Diseases

Hong Gao LAC CMD

“So what we’ve tried to do with our kids is, because there are 11 grandkids, we knew they all weren’t going to go in. But we started taking trips together. Whether it was a cruise or whether we went to an all-inclusive, we made sure we did that with all 11 of them. So they are close.”

Maxey added that three of the grandkids are working at the dealerships. “We want them to feel that they have to work together and rely on each other in order for the business to grow.”

Liz Sellers is a third-generation dealership owner.

“From the very beginning, my grandfather instilled taking care of customers, taking care of employees, making common-sense decisions,” she said. “My father carried that on. He was a very benevolent, genuine human being that loved coming to work every day, loved interacting with customers and employees. I mean, he knew employees by name. So those were qualities that were bred into us, which is how we view it. Certainly, it’s a business, but the business’ success is because of our team members and our customers.”

Sellers said she understands the importance of legacy and working together with family. Like Maxey, she also works with two brothers, Dean and Blair, at their family dealership, Dean Sellers Ford, located at 2600 W. Maple Road in Troy. Sellers explained that her grandfather, Dean Sellers, opened the dealership in January 1948 in Detroit.

“He was born in Ohio but moved to Detroit in search of the automobile industry. He started working for Chevrolet at General Motors at the corporation. He then moved over to Ford Motor Co. He was a general sales manager for Ford and then headed up the Ford-Ferguson tractor division. He had told Henry Ford II that what he really wanted to do was own a car dealership.”

When her grandfather retired, her father took over the business in the 1970s and made the decision to relocate to the Troy Mo-

tor Mall in June 1980. Sellers added that the rest is history: Her brothers have been at the dealership for around 36 years, and she has worked there for about 31 years. Though Sellers knew she wanted to be in the business profession, but she wasn’t sure if she wanted it to be her family business. “I did not have a desire to go into the business. I had two older brothers, it was my dad and my grandfather. It was very male-oriented, which didn’t matter, but I just didn’t have a desire. I wanted to kind of go my own path. So I went to the University of Michigan, and through the career search while I was at school, I was down to several choices, and my heart told me to go with working for Ford Motor Co.”

Sellers accepted a job at Ford in the Philadelphia region. She worked there for around five years before returning back home to her roots.

“Through my experience with the corporation and also interacting with dealers, I realized that my passion would be back at the dealership level, still representing Ford, but at a more micro level. So I started at the dealership in 1993,” Sellers said. She added that she’s always had a desire to learn the whole operation, from the financial analysis to the personnel and management side of things. While back at the dealership, Sellers obtained her master’s in management from Walsh College.

Decades later, her spark for the family business is still burning. She and her family maintain a close connection through Sunday get-togethers with the entire family, including her 92-year-old mother. With the greatgrandchildren of Dean Sellers dipping their toes in the family business through summer jobs and part-time work, Sellers explained that no fourth generation has come on fulltime yet, but there is interest. “My parents made decisions and sacrifices. My dad didn’t sell the business so that we could continue it on. And our goal is to do the same for the next generation.”

For more information on Bob Maxey Lincoln, visit BobMaxeyLincoln.com. For more information on Dean Sellers Ford, visit SellersFord.com.

Troy School District GRADUATES!

The Troy Teachers are exceptionally proud of our graduating class of 2024! Our talented graduates will be walking the halls of these prestigious universities, entering terrific trade schools and some straight into the working world next fall!

Albion College

American University

Art Institute of Michigan

Baker College

Baker Culinary Institute of Michigan

Bowling Green State University

Boston University

Brigham Young University

California College of Arts

Calvin College

Carnegie Mellon University

Case Western Reserve

Central Michigan University

College for Creative Studies

Columbia College

Cornell University

Davenport University

DePaul University

Duke University

Eastern Michigan University

Excel Beauty School

George Washington University

Grand Valley State University

Hope College

Indiana Technological University

Indiana University

John Carroll University

Harvard College

Kettering University

Lawrence Technological University

Macomb Community College

Madonna University

Miami University

Michigan Barber College

Michigan State University

Michigan Technological University

Northwest Michigan College

Oakland Community College

Ohio State University

Princeton University

Purdue University

San Diego State University

Santa Monica College

Spring Arbor University

St. Mary’s College

Stanford University

Texas A&M University - Commerce

Troy Center for Transition

University of Alabama

University of California

University of Detroit Mercy

University of Michigan

University of Missouri

University of Pennsylvania

University of South Florida

University of Toledo

University of Washington

U.S. Coast Guard Academy

U.S. Military Academy

Virginia State University

Washtenaw Community College

Wayne State University

Wellesley College

Western Michigan University

Yale University

* Also, we have students attending universities in France, Korea and India. Several students are proudly serving in the military.

“A comprehensive analysis was conducted of the existing Smith Middle School that included current conditions and a program assessment,” a fact sheet from TSD Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives Kendra Montante states.

A committee concluded that $50 million or more to upgrade the current building wouldn’t make financial sense and recommended that a new school be constructed on the site. The district said the existing school can be a “surge space” for other school communities undergoing remodeling.

The groundbreaking ceremony featured speeches from Superintendent Richard Machesky, Board of Education President Karl Schmidt, and Smith Middle School Principal Ryan Brinks, as well as words from a current Smith student and a performance from the middle school band, under the direction of Raymond Torres.

“I’m so excited to share this day with you,” Brinks said. “I would like to thank the Smith staff for their input for the architecture and their innovative ideas. The students’ voices also helped create our blueprint that encourages project-based learning.”

After the ceremony, while the Smith Middle School staff and students returned

Education, participate in the groundbreaking ceremony May 8.

to their respective classes, the attendees were given time to take photos with the available shovels on the groundbreaking site.

“As we embark on this journey of construction, innovation, and transformation, we look forward to doing so with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to providing our students with a world-class facility to match our world-class education,” Machesky said.

For more information, visit www.smith. troy.k12.mi.us or troy.k12.mi.us/communitylinks/bond-2022-updates.

City plans Memorial Day observance

The public is invited to join the city in honoring and remembering the men and women who gave their lives for their country at 10 a.m. May 27 at Veterans Memorial Plaza, in front of Troy City Hall, 500 W. Big Beaver Road.

The keynote speaker will be Maj. Kyle A. “Brail” Bruckner, the director of intelligence at the 127th Wing of the Selfridge Air National Guard Base, responsible to the wing commander as the principal advisor for intelligence matters and support affecting base personnel and its A-10C attack and KC-135 air refueling missions. He also serves as the senior intelligence officer for the 127th Operations Group, responsible for all aspects of tactical intelligence support to the Wing’s A-10C attack pilots and group personnel.

He received his commission and graduated from Michigan State University’s James Madison College in May 2010 with a degree in international relations, according to a press release from the city. He was assigned as an intelligence officer to the 20th Fighter Wing, where he served as deputy chief of intelligence analysis responsible for reach-back analytical support to the Wing’s subordinate fighter squadrons.

He was later assigned as intelligence officer-in-charge of the 55th Fighter Squadron, where he deployed numerous times, including to the Republic of Korea. Prior to his current assignment, he was a juris doctor candidate at Wayne State University Law School and received his juris doctor degree in May 2017 before serving as an assistant state attorney general.

The ceremony will also include raising of the colors by the Troy Police Department honor guard, the laying of a memorial wreath and music by Troy Heritage Concert Band.

For more information, call the Community Affairs Department at (248) 524-1147. — Sarah Wright

Students and staff from Martell Elementary School, along with Members of the Board of

Photos by Sarah Wright

(South eld, MI) e recent buzz around full-body MRI screenings has sparked a lot of debate. While some question this approach, the controversy itself signals an advance in how we think about proactive health. It means we’re not just waiting around for symptoms when it might be too late.

Full body screenings use MRI technology to scan from the top of the head through the pelvis looking for potential abnormalities and early signs of diseases like cancer.

Tyler, age 52, lost his grandfather to lymphoma, so when the results of his full body MRI highlighted enlarged lymph nodes in his chest it gave him concern. “I felt completely healthy, but I wanted to be proactive so I did the scan. My results were concerning, so I saw an oncologist who ordered additional testing.”

e controversy comes from MRI body scans producing false positives. ese ndings are eventually proven

to be benign. Critics claim that false positives create unnecessary worry for people and needless follow up tests.

Tyler says he would rather be safe than sorry. “I hear some doctors on TV saying not to do get full body screenings, but why wouldn’t you? It’s about taking control of your health and being proactive. I had some follow up tests to make sure I don’t have cancer – big deal. But what if it turned out to be cancer?

en it’s caught as early as possible, and without this scan I never would have known until it was too late!”

Proponents of MRI full body screenings say that false positives should not outweigh the bene ts, stating that early detection is key to easier treatments and better outcomes.

“Early detection saves lives,” says Ryan Ringold who leads the MRI full body screening center in South eld, called Bionicc Body Screening. His father, the late Dr. Ringold, founded the company after battling cancer – twice. “My father

became short of breath one day and discovered he had stage four cancer with tumors as large as softballs inside of him. He endured brutal treatments and never wanted to see others su er because of late detection,” says Ryan.

MRI does not replace annual physicals nor routine screenings like a colonoscopy or mammogram. Although, it may be surprising to learn that routine screenings only cover 29% of cancers and 71% of cancers occur in other areas.

“ is is an additional tool to be proactive. MRI can reduce the enormous blind spot where cancer may be silently growing. ere are no routine screenings for areas like the pancreas, liver, brain, chest or abdomen,” says Ringold. “My father was oblivious to hundreds of tumors growing inside his body and his story is not unique. You rarely hear of someone getting diagnosed with stage one pancreatic cancer because nobody knows until they have symptoms. By that time, it’s almost always stage

four.”  In addition to tumors, MRI can detect hundreds of abnormalities like brain aneurysms, MS, fatty liver and spinal disc disease to name a few. “It’s quite remarkable,” Ringold adds.

Robert B. credits his scan to saving his life. A full-body MRI caught the kidney tumor his CT scan missed. “I consider it a lifesaver,” he says. Stories like these highlight the power of MRI body screenings.

For a limited time, you can request a $200 o coupon when you visit their website at BioniccBodyScreening.com. Schedule today at 1-833-BIONICC.

The debate over full-body MRIs heats up as some doctors criticize the scans, while others quietly get them done.

Rent starts at $1,625 per month, depending on the floor plan selected.

Housing

from page 1A

be converted into a housing complex that was previously approved by the Planning Commission in March 2023, though further development for that project hasn’t started yet.

“It’s really exciting to see Troy becoming a leading community when it comes to converting office buildings into residential spaces,” Troy Mayor Ethan Baker said. “ Brent Savidant has become a go-to expert in the region, and it’s exciting to see Flats come to fruition. Turning unused concrete parking lots into activated residential living areas is good for the economy and the city as a whole. We know Troy has an abundance of office buildings,and with changing workplace policy dynamics, we are likely to stay at the forefront of this revolutionary updating of buildings and infrastructure.”

Savidant said there have been some informal talks for more complexes, but nothing more concrete than that at this time.

“There have been some informal talks for more complexes, but it’s mainly been informal at this time,” Savidant said.

For Forum Flats, the 90-unit building is currently available to potential tenants, while both of the 55-unit buildings will be available this summer. The units feature a variety of open concept floor plans, including studio layouts and layouts with one bedroom, one bedroom plus den, two bedrooms, and two bedrooms plus den. Rent starts at $1,625 per month, depending on the floor plan selected.

The development offers wood-style flooring, floor-to-ceiling windows, kitchens with white Shaker-style cabinetry and quartz countertops, along with stainless-steel Whirl-

pool appliances, spacious walk-in closets featuring built-in shelving, private patios or balconies, and in-home laundry.

On-site and secured parking is also available, along with the option of attached garages and carports, electrical vehicle charging stations, bike storage, and additional onsite storage units.

Other amenities include a tenant lounge, a 24-hour fitness center and yoga studio, and a dog park and pet spa.

“We are thrilled to unveil Forum Flats to the Troy community,” Mike Parks, managing member of Cypress Partners, said in a press release. “Our vision for Forum Flats was to create a dynamic and inclusive living environment that redefines luxury living.”

For more information, visit www.forum flatstroy.com.

Autos Wanted

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Antiques & Collectibles BUYING

Coins, Sport Cards & Stamps Collections Top $$$ Call 248-471-4451

Garage/Yard Sale

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Help Wanted/Engineering

Multiple SW Developers needed to dev & create SW app sol. All duties will be performed using Spring Boot, Microservices, & Cloud Technologies OR COBOL, CICS, & DB2, OR Java Web Services, Spring Framework, & Database design using Oracle and Mongo DB OR Java/J2EE, Spring boot, & JavaScript OR OOP, .NET (Dot Net), & SQL technologies OR Oracle Database, UNIX Shell Scripting, & Git OR using skills in Computer Applications, Basic to Intermediate Web Design, & Javascript. Programmer needed to create, modify, & test the code & scripts that allow comp app to run. All duties will be performed using AEM, Java, & Spring MVC. Database Administrator needed to administer, test, & implement comp databases, applying knowledge of database mgmt sys. All duties will be performed using Oracle RAC, & ASM on Linux. Multiple openings for SW Dev using one of the mentioned skill sets. Not all positions require all tools/skills. Work locations for all positions will include Troy, MI & also at various unanticipated locations in the U.S., as assigned, which may require relocation. Applicants must specifically identify all postsecondary educ & all mentioned SW languages, skills or tools in which applicant has educ, training or exp. Resumes must show if the applicant has any of the mentioned combination of skills. Mail resumes to Attn: HR, Teksoft Systems Inc. 850 Stephenson Hwy Ste.202, Troy, MI 48083. 0010-2420

Brick Work

AA4DABLE MASONRY

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Help Wanted General

Carlex Glass America LLC in Troy, MI seeks an Advanced Product Development Engineer. Required: Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) & 36 months experience in Optical/CAE Engineering, to include 36 months experience using optical simulation and finite element analysis (FEA) software such as Ansys Speos and 36 months experience using computer-aided three-dimensional interactive application (CATIA) and computer-aided design (CAD) tools for automotive product design. Up to 35% travel domestic & international. Forward resume and cover letter to Carlex Glass America LLC, attn: M.Davis, 1209 E. Big Beaver Road, Troy, MI 48083. 0116-2419

Help Wanted General

Mechatronics Engineer: Tata Elxsi Limited in Troy, MI. Work w/core team to obtain & track docs for contract manufcturers & mult Medtronic biz unit dsgn & manufcturing sites as applcble. Travel to unanticipated client locations approx 30% as reqrd. May telecomm from any location w/in US.

Mult positions avail. Resume to nirbhayd@tataelxsi.com.

Job code 57901.0164

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