6/22/23 Southfield Sun

Senior services agency preps budget priorities for $26M in state and federal funds

BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com

OAKLAND/MACOMB COUNTIES — Since 1974, the Area Agency on Aging 1-B, based in Southfield, has aimed to assist older adults and people with disabilities, as well as providing support to family caregivers in Southeast Michigan.

Katie Wendel, the director of planning and advocacy for the AAA 1-B, facilitated an annual implementation plan hearing May 11. The virtual hearing served as a public forum allowing older adults and caregivers to learn more about the spending plan and speak directly with the agency about their questions.

“We have local control over how we spend those federal and state dollars. So while all Area Agencies on Aging receive similar funding, we have choices about what we prioritize in our community. And we’re proud of those local ties and how we’re able to utilize this funding to meet the needs that we see in our community,” Wendel said.

The comment period has closed for the 2024 fiscal plan, which will run from Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024, and the spending plan is being finalized. Wendel said that every three years, the AAA 1-B does a larger, multiyear plan, and in the fall of the subsequent two years, they do plan updates. Currently, the AAA 1-B is in year two of their 2023 to 2025 multiyear plan.

For 2024, AAA 1-B’s fiscal plan has $26 million in federal See SENIORS on page 6A

ABOVE: Young dancers from Impulse Dance Academy light up the stage during their Juneteenth performance in Southfield June 17. TOP LEFT: A girl gets her face painted. TOP RIGHT: Poet and spoken word artist Joel Fluent Greene is photographed with his daughter.

Photos by Darren Hood

Brian Harvey Owner Credit Specialist

Zekelman Holocaust Center renovates core exhibit for $31M

BY MARK VEST mvest@candgnews.com

The Zekelman Holocaust Center is undergoing a “complete” renovation of its current core exhibit.

According to a press release, the 2004 exhibit will be transformed with new interactive galleries and spaces for an enhanced learning experience.

The renovated exhibit is set to reopen early next year.

The center, which is approximately 55,000 square feet, is scheduled to remain open during construction and feature a temporary exhibit.

The Holocaust Center houses museum exhibits, an extensive research library, archives and a gallery for special art and history exhibits.

According to its website, each year the Holocaust Center reaches more than 100,000 people through teacher trainings, virtual museum experiences, virtual programs and in-person visits to the museum.

The Zekelman Holocaust Center first opened its doors on the campus of the Jewish Community

See EXHIBIT on page 7A

TOP: Performer Jo presents “Bridge of Light.” LEFT: Seventy artists with developmental disabilities or mental illnesses came together for Gesher’s fourth annual Frame of Mind Benefit and Arts Showcase featuring music, theater and arts May 21 at Eastern Market. ABOVE: A group of artists form a drum circle at the event.

Photos by Erin Sanchez

Southfield honors the city’s first Black councilwoman

SOUTHFIELD — The city of Southfield and various partners are hosting a special tribute for the city’s first Black councilwoman, Barbara Talley, from 4-5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 26, at the Southfield Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen Road.

The ceremony will honor Talley, the “Mother of Civil Rights in Southfield,” by naming the circle drive in front of City Hall “Barbara Talley Way.” Talley’s noble contributions to Southfield during her time on City Council (1983-1989) include an affirmative action plan for hiring minority police, fire and management personnel, and elevating women in city government. Talley also founded the Southfield Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Task Force in 1985, which hosts the annual “MLK Peace Walk,” the largest tribute to MLK in Michigan. Talley is still active in the community and serves with the Task Force, Hope Church, AKA Sorority, the National Congress of Black Women and the Southfield Historical Society.

The tribute is free and open to the public. It is in partnership with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Task Force, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Southfield Alumnae Chapter, Hope United Methodist Church, Southfield Historical Society and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Pi Tau Omega Chapter.

For more information, call Dorothy Dean at (248) 790-0531.

In memoriam

Umoja to host fundraiser for the Nine Mile corridor project

SOUTHFIELD — Umoja Fine Arts Gallery, 16250 Northland Drive, Suite 102, is hosting a fundraiser for the Friends of Southfield Public Arts to benefit the Nine Mile corridor project 5-7 p.m. June 28.

In July, the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission was awarded a $45,000 Planning and Assistance Program grant by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments to fund a feasibility study to determine how Nine Mile Road corridor communities, located between Hazel Park and the city of Farmington, can collaborate to share resources and connect cities with almost 17 miles of continuous nonmotorized pathways.

Mayor Kenson Siver will be in attendance to provide residents with more information regarding the project as it pertains to Southfield. Currently, the city is working on the area from Greenfield Road to Lahser Road. Guests will enjoy an evening of creativity with the opportunity to mingle with Umoja Fine Arts artists in residence Marcel Stewart and Rosemary Summers.

Light hors d’oeuvres and libations will be served.

Tickets are tax-deductible donations that can be made for $50, $75 or $100 through PayPal at sfldpublicarts@gmail.com. Checks made out to Friends of Southfield Public Arts will also be accepted. For more information on the project, visit www.candgnews.com and search the headline “Multiple Oakland County communities explore connection via nonmotorized pathway.”

Talley

ABOVE: Southfield Police Chief Elvin V. Barren, Fire Chief Johnny Menifee and Deputy Police Chief Aaron Huguley salute as the honor guard raises the flags at the Memorial Day Commemoration on May 29.

Photos by Patricia O’Blenes

ABOVE: Gerald Houston, from the Southfield Veterans Commission, and Councilman Daniel Brightwell lay a wreath at the memorial to pay tribute to deceased veterans. LEFT: Barbara Purifoy-Seldon, the spouse of late veteran Felix Seldon, received the Veterans Award of Excellence on his behalf, presented by Gerald Houston of the Southfield Veterans Commission.

PIZZA DELIVERY DRIVER ROBBED AT GUNPOINT

BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com

SOUTHFIELD — Officers responded to an apartment complex in the 20000 block of Charlton Square for a report of an armed robbery at 3:02 p.m. June 1.

The victim was a pizza delivery driver for a Southfield pizza restaurant. She explained to officers that she was making her delivery to the address provided in the order, but there was no response when she buzzed the designated apartment.

She then called the phone number provided with the order. A male answered and said he’d be right down to collect his order.

A few moments later, a man wearing jeans and a zip-up sweatshirt appeared at the door with cash in his hand. He asked the victim if she had change for a $100 bill. She told him that she did not, so he asked if the business accepted CashApp, and she replied that they did not.

The man then handed her a cash amount closer to his total.

The victim reached in her bag for to get change, and when she looked up, saw the man pointing a handgun at her. He told her to give him everything, and she told him that she needed her ID and cards out of her wallet. The suspect then told her that he did not care and tried to grab her bag from around her neck. When that didn’t work, he reached into her purse and grabbed an undisclosed amount of cash and her wallet. The suspect fled back into the apartment building in an unknown direction.

The victim returned to her car and called 911. The items taken in the robbery were a medium pizza, a brownie, cheesy garlic bread, the victim’s wallet containing her ID, credit and debit cards, and some cash that belonged to the pizza restaurant.

Southfield police detectives used the phone number to identify a suspect that the officers had encounters with previously and who matched the description provided by the victim. Officers were also able to find an address for the suspect.

The detectives set up surveillance near the suspect’s apartment building, and they were able to observe him getting into the backseat of a vehicle. Officers stopped the vehicle at the entrance of the complex. The suspect was taken into custody for armed robbery, and the two passengers were released at the scene. The stolen cash was found on the suspect’s person. A search warrant was obtained for the suspect’s residence, and since there was no response, a forced entry had to be conducted.

There was no one inside the apartment, but police located the half-eaten items from the pizza business along with the victim’s cards and ID. Upon further investigation, the officers located the clothing, shoes and a handgun, which was a CO2 pistol that the victim described.

The victim received an alert that an attempt was made to transfer funds from her debit card through CashApp, but it was declined. The investigation is ongoing.

Call Staff Writer Kathryn Pentiuk at (586) 498-1070.

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Seniors

from page 1A

and state funding outlined in the budget.

In the breakdown of AAA 1-B’s grant funds, over $12.5 million is allocated to their support services, such as care management, transportation, outreach, in-home injury control, homemaking, legal assistance, health screenings, counseling services and adult day services.

Under the “Nutrition/Ombudsman/ Respite/Kinship” section of the budget, a little over $12 million is dedicated to nutrition

education and providing home-delivered meals through programs like “Meals on Wheels.”

A detailed breakdown of the 2024 fiscal plan can be accessed at aaa1b.org, by scrolling down and clicking “Public Hearing on FY 2024 Implementation Plan: May 11.”

The AAA 1-B still has grant funds left from the American Rescue Plan Act that must be obligated by Dec. 31, 2024. Wendel stated that some of AAA 1-B’s contracted service providers are purchasing equipment with those one-time funds.

Wendel said that the COVID-19 pandemic was especially difficult for older adults as they were thrust into isolation. However, a

C & G Newspapers publishes 21 papers in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties:

Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle • Farmington Press • Fraser-Clinton Township Chronicle • Grosse Pointe Times • Macomb Township Chronicle Madison-Park News • Mount Clemens-Clinton-Harrison Township Journal • Novi Note • Rochester Post Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider Royal Oak Review • Shelby-Utica News • Southfield Sun • St. Clair Shores Sentinel • Sterling Heights Sentry Troy Times • Warren Weekly West Bloomfield Beacon • Woodward Talk • C & G Special Edition (Grosse Pointe/Macomb Co.) • C & G Special Edition (Oakland Co.)

Main Office: 13650 E. 11 Mile Road Warren, MI 48089 • (586) 498-8000 facebook.com/SouthfieldSun @candgnews candgnews.com

Editor: Annie Bates | (586) 498-1071 | abates@candgnews.com

Reporter: Kathryn Pentiuk| (586) 498-1070 | kpentiuk@candgnews.com

Sports: Jonathan Szczepaniak | (586) 498-1090 | jszczepaniak@candgnews.com

Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com

For retail ad rates: Mark Reitenga | (586) 498-1050 | mreitenga@candgnews.com

Karen Bozimowski | (586) 498-1034 | kboz@candgnews.com

Classifieds: For ad rates (586) 498-8100

Legals and Obits: (586) 498-1099

Automotive Advertising: Louise Millar | (586) 498-1054 | lmillar@candgnews.com

Real Estate Advertising: Paula Kaspor | (586) 498-1055 | pkaspor@candgnews.com

positive outcome that came from the pandemic was the increased awareness and conversations regarding the needs of older adults and caregivers.

“As part of my role, I work on our advocacy and talk with elected officials about the needs of older adults. And there’s really a heightened level of concern and interest among

decision-makers about the needs of older adults,” Wendel stated.

The AAA 1-B serves Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties.

For more information on the services that the Area Agency on Aging 1-B provides, visit aaa1b.org.

PUBLISHED LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS & SITE PLAN REVIEWS CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SOUTHFIELD

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a meeting will be held on Monday, July 10, 2023, at 6:00 P.M., Local Time, Council Chambers, 26000 Evergreen Road, City of Southfield, County of Oakland, Michigan, at which time and place the Southfield City Council will consider the following requests pursuant to Title V, Zoning and Planning, Chapter 45, Zoning, of the Code of the City of Southfield, to wit:

PSLU23-0008(PUBLIC HEARING) is a Special Use Request by the City of Southfield to allow for the construction of a 6,710 square foot recreational splashpad, located at 22200 Beech Road, Sidwell Parcels 24-32-151-004 & 25-32-151-005, to the south of the Beechwoods Recreational Center and east of Beech Road, Section 32, City of Southfield, Oakland County, State of Michigan.

PSP23-0010(SITE PLAN REVIEW) is a Site Plan Review for the City of Southfield to allow for the construction of a 6,710 square foot recreational splashpad, located at 22200 Beech Road, Sidwell Parcels 24-32-151-004 & 25-32-151-005, to the south of the Beechwoods Recreational Center and east of Beech Road Section 32, City of Southfield, Oakland County, State of Michigan.

Written comments may be delivered to the City Clerk’s office, 26000 Evergreen Road, P.O. Box 2055, Southfield, MI 480372055, prior to the meeting.

Questions regarding these matters should be directed to the Planning Department at (248) 796-4150 or tpaison@ cityofsouthfield.com

ALLYSON BETTIS – CITY CLERK

Individuals with special needs who plan to attend this meeting should contact the City Clerk’s Office at 248-796-5150 (voice) or 711 (TDD). If auxiliary aids or services are needed, reasonable advance notice is required.

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Published: Southfield Sun 06/22/2023

Exhibit

from page 3A

Center in West Bloomfield as the Holocaust Memorial Center and relocated to the current award-winning building in Farmington Hills in 2004.

The renovation project is expected to cost $31 million.

Mark Mulder is the director of curatorial affairs at the Zelman Holocaust Center.

He provided highlights of the renovation project.

“In terms of subject matter, it will still kind of feature a lot of the subject that you would see there if you had been here in previous years,” Mulder said. “We begin with Jewish heritage and culture, (and) we move through the history of the Holocaust. We will be adding content that had been missing previously about the beginning of World War II, and especially focusing on kind of a newer area of study in Holocaust research that we call the ‘Holocaust by bullets,’ which is a lot of the murders that happened in Eastern Europe that did not involve gas chambers and concentration camps, and this is a field that we’re learning more and more about, and so this is a subject that was not as heavily included in the previous exhibit.

Grandparents useMETtohelp grandchildrenwith education

We will also be expanding what we call kind of our responsibility section as well, so we’ll talk a little bit about the ‘Now, what?’ after you learn about the Holocaust.”

Mulder touched on an important aspect of the renovation project.

“This is an extraordinarily exciting thing for all of us, (but) it’s also a huge responsibility,” he said. “What this does for us, and this is a big part of the philosophy behind the renovation, is that we are taking Michigan Holocaust survivors and we are centering their experiences throughout the exhibit, and for us that is a long-term strategy that will set us up for success long-term, in terms of how we talk to visitors, how we get our visitors to connect to the subject matter, and as we prepare for the fact (that) right now some of our Holocaust survivors aren’t as able to be here to speak to our visitors, using their voices becomes more and more important for us.”

Given who the primary visitors to the Holocaust Center are, being able to connect to the subject matter can be all the more crucial when it comes to preserving history.

“The vast majority of our visitors are here on school trips or on booked tours, and so in a lot of ways we have kind of the added layer of that not everybody that’s here is here because, ‘My first choice – the thing I wanna

do the most right now is go to the Holocaust Center,’” Mulder said. “They’re here on a school trip, and so a big draw for us, or a big tool for us, is using compassion within the exhibit to get those kids who are maybe not as passionate about the subject matter, or as immediately interested, and show them how this is still relevant to people who are in Michigan, people who are in school now,

even though it happened so long ago.”

Gabi Burman is the director of marketing and communications for the Zekelman Holocaust Center. She has thought about the possibilities that could come from the renovated exhibit.

“Our reach is endless in a lot of ways, and once the new exhibit opens with its See EXHIBIT on page 19A

• Affordable Dentures/Partials: (Immediate - day of extraction in most cases)

• Removable Implant Denture/Partial snap in/out (can remove)

• Fixed Implant Denture (does not come out)

Convenient appointments! Before/after work or school

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20 Years of Quality & Caring Dentistry

The MET prepaid tuition savings program enables grandparents to ensure the legacy of their grandchildren’s future education. It is a safe, secure and flexible way to pay today’s prices for future tuition at any qualified college or trade school in the U.S.

• Cosmetic White Fillings and Crowns/Caps-no silver

• Teeth Whitening

• Implants: Single Tooth (can be placed day of extraction in most cases)

Dr. Monoseta C. Burwell

Autism Alliance calls for higher education standards

BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com

SOUTHFIELD — The Autism Alliance of Michigan is calling the Michigan Department of Education to a higher standard as it pertains to the federal Every Student Succeeds Act cap on the percentage of students with disabilities allowed to take the state’s alternate assessment, the MI-Access test.

In 2017, the Every Student Succeeds Act limited the percentage of students eligible to take MI-Access to 1% of the total students tested. This percentage was implemented to ensure that only the students with the most significant cognitive disabilities were assigned the alternative test. However, according to the Autism Alliance of Michigan, Michigan has continued to exceed this limit yearly, nearly doubling the cap, which requires the state to obtain a waiver from the U.S. Department of Education. While Michigan has lowered this rate by 6,000 students between 2017 and 2022, if Michigan continues at this pace, then it will take at least eight years to meet the ESSA-imposed limit.

The Autism Alliance of Michigan is a nonprofit organization that says it is dedi-

cated to helping people with autism lead full lives and meet their greatest potential. They help individuals with autism through every lifespan with their three core pillars — the statewide MiNavigator, which is a tool that connects individuals, parents, caregivers and anyone with questions relating to autism with professional consultations to help find the answers and resources they’re looking for; the education pillar, which aims to tackle issues such as Michigan’s noncompliance to the ESSA cap and other initiatives to help hold students with autism or other disabilities to a higher academic standard through educational opportunities; and the employment pillar, which helps individuals with autism with career services through the Upbound Staffing program, which connects the individual with potential employers, coaches them through the interviewing process, aids them in their resume creation, and continues to check in on them after they’ve settled into their new job.

The Autism Alliance said Michigan’s use of Mi-Access is excessive.

Heather Eckner, the director of statewide education for the Autism Alliance of Michigan, said that the most recent graduation data issued from the MDE showed alarming rates.

SUMMARY OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD HELD ON MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2023 AT 6:00 P.M., LOCAL TIME, 26000 EVERGREEN ROAD, SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN.

PRESENT: Council Members: Nancy Banks, Daniel Brightwell, Lloyd Crews, Myron Frasier, Coretta Houge, Michael Ari Mandelbaum, and Linnie Taylor. EXCUSED: None. ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Kenson Siver, City Clerk Allyson Bettis, City Administrator Fred Zorn, Deputy City Planner Thomas Paison, and City Attorney Dawn King.

Approve Reappointment of Donald Jones to the Local Officers Compensation Commission, Allan Watson to the Local Officers Compensation Commission, Andrea Gruber to the Planning Commission, Ghana Goodwin-Dye to the Planning Commission, and the Appointment of Rosemerry Allen to the Local Officers Compensation Commission.

Approve Juneteenth Week

Approve Regular Meeting Minutes of May 1, 2023 – Revised

Approve Appointment of Representative and Alternate to the Southeastern Oakland County Water Authority (SOCWA)

Approve Purchase of Janitorial Supplies and Cleaning Chemicals

Approve Window Washing Bid

Approve National Garage Sale Weekend

Approve Plum Hollow Fireworks Permit

Approve Proposal for the 2023 Roadway Joint & Crack Sealing Program

Authorize Proposal of OHM Advisors for Professional design and Engineering Services

Approve Bid for Emergency Generators for Pump Stations

Authorize Extension of Water & Sewer Infrastructure Relining and Maintenance Services

Enact Ordinance No. 1770

Approve Water Billing Payment Processing

Approve Bid for the 2023 Local Concrete Road Rehabilitation Project (Job No. 2385SFLD)

Approve Bid for the 2023 Local HMA Road Rehabilitation Project (Job No. 2382SFLD)

Approve Bid for Sherwood Village East Subdivision Water Main and Road Improvements (Job No. 2274SFLD)

Approve Facilities Maintenance Budget Amendment Requests

Authorize Award of Construction Contract for Carpenter Lake to WCI Contractors, Inc

Approve Travel Expense Report for Coretta Houge: MML-Coreweekender, May 19 – 20, 2023, Bay City, MI

Approve Travel Expense Report for Kenson Siver: Detroit Regional Chamber Policy Conference, May 30 – June 2, 2023, Mackinac Island, MI

Approve Amendment to Title IX, Police Regulations, Chapter 9

Introduce Ordinance No. 1772

Approve Ordinance Amendment – Vacant Property Registration

Introduce Ordinance No. 1773

The meeting adjourned at 8:50p.m.

Approved minutes are available on the City’s website at www.cityofsouthfield.com.

In the 2021-22 school year, students without disabilities in Michigan graduated with a four-year high school diploma at the rate of 84%. For students with disabilities in Michigan with a special education plan or an individualized education program, the graduation rate for that same year was 58%.

Eckner said that even though Michigan has lowered the number of students taking the MI-Access instead of standard testing by 6,000 between 2017-2022, this still remains an issue because of the low graduation rates for students with disabilities.

See AUTISM on page 18A

SUMMARY OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD HELD ON MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2023 AT 5:30 P.M., LOCAL TIME, 26000 EVERGREEN ROAD, SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN.

PRESENT: Council Members: Nancy Banks, Daniel Brightwell, Lloyd Crews, Myron Frasier, Coretta Houge, Michael Ari Mandelbaum, and Linnie Taylor. EXCUSED: None. ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Kenson Siver, City Clerk Allyson Bettis, City Administrator Fred Zorn, Deputy City Planner Thomas Paison, and City Attorney Dawn King.

Adopt 2023-2024 City of Southfield Budget.

The meeting adjourned at 6:05p.m.

Approved minutes are available on the City’s website at www.cityofsouthfield.com.

Published: Southfield Sun 06/22/2023

CITY OF SOUTHFIELD SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 1771

Allyson Bettis City Clerk

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The City of Southfield has amended Title I, Administration, Chapter 9, Employee Retirement System, of the code of the city of Southfield, by deleting subsection 1.314(4) and inserting therein a new subsection 1.314(4). A true copy of Ordinance No. 1771 its complete content, may be inspected and obtained at the Southfield City Clerk’s Office, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield, MI 48076.

A summary of Ordinance No. 1771 is as follows:

The Code of The City of Southfield is Hereby Amended By Deleting Subsection 1.314(4) of Chapter 9, Employee Retirement System, of Title I, Administration, and Inserting in Lieu Thereof a New Subsection 1.314(4), which shall read as follows THE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD ORDAINS: SECTION 1.

THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD IS HEREBY AMENDED BY DELETING SUBSECTION 1.314(4) OF CHAPTER 9, EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM, OF TITLE I, ADMINISTRATION, AND INSERTING IN LIEU THEREOF A NEW SUBSECTION 1.314(4), WHICH SHALL READ AS FOLLOWS:

Sec. 1.314. Membership in retirement system.

(4) Management group employees hired or elected after August 1, 2007, and subject to subsections below, may, within sixty (60) days of their employment, irrevocably elect to opt out of participation and membership in the retirement system and to instead participate in another city-sponsored retirement plan. The election must be in writing and filed with the retirement system and the human resources department. Employees electing to opt out of the retirement system will not be eligible for re-enrollment at a future date.

(a) MANAGEMENT GROUP EMPLOYEES HIRED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2005 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2022, AND CURRENTLY EMPLOYED WITH THE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD, WILL HAVE SIXTY (60) CALENDAR DAYS TO EITHER OPT OUT OF PARTICIPATION AND MEMBERSHIP IN THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM OR TO ELECT TO INSTEAD IN ANOTHER CITY-SPONSORED RETIREMENT PLAN. THE ELECTION MUST BE IIN WRITING ON CITY SUPPLIED FORMS.

(b) MANAGEMENT GROUP EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ELIGIBLE PURSUANT TO THE SUBSECTION IMMEDIATELY ABOVE, AND ELECT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO PURCHASE SERVICE CREDIT IN THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM, AS STATED IN SEC 1.316(5) OF THIS CHAPTER. PURSUANT TO SEC. 1.330 OF THIS CHAPTER All FUNDS USED TO PURCHASE SERVICE CREDIT WILL BE REFUNDED IF EMPLOYEE DOES NOT VEST IN RETIREMENT SYSTEM PRIOR TO SEPERATING FROM CITY EMPLOYMENT.

(c) MANAGEMENT GROUP EMPLOYEES HIRED AFTER MARCH 13, 2023, THAT ELECT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM WILL BE PLACED IN A BLENDED RETIREMENT PLAN.

(d ) MANAGEMENT GROUP EMPLOYEES HIRED AFTER MARCH 13, 2023, WHO FAIL TO ELECT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM WITHIN THE FIRST SIXTY(60) DAYS OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT SHALL BE REQUIRED TO EXECUTE A WRITTEN OPT OUT OF THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND COMPLETE NECESSARY PAPERWORK FOR A DEFINED CONTRIBUTION 401(A) PLAN

SECTION 2.

Should any section, clause, or paragraph of this Ordinance be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the same will not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a whole or part thereof other than the part declared to be invalid.

SECTION 3.

All ordinances or part of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed only to the extent necessary to give this Ordinance full force and effect.

SECTION 4.

Rights and duties which have matured; penalties which have been incurred; proceedings which have begun; and prosecution for violations of law occurring before the effective date of this Ordinance are not affected or abated by this Ordinance.

SECTION 5.

This ordinance is deemed to be an Emergency Ordinance, and shall take effect upon enactment.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

This summary is provided, pursuant to Section 311 §(k) of the Home Rule Cities Act, 1909 PA279, as amended [MCL117.3(k)]. ALLYSON M BETTIS, City Clerk

Introduced: 05/22/2023

Enacted: 05/22/2023

Allyson Bettis City Clerk

Published: 06/22/2023

Published: Southfield Sun 06/22/2023

Published: Southfield Sun 06/22/2023

0411-2325

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CALENDAR

JUNE 23

Open mic: For musicians, poets and comedians, 7-9 p.m., Fellowship Hall at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 23425 Lahser Road in Southfield, free but donations will support vacation Bible school, (248) 357-1848

JUNE 25

5K run/1-mile walk/Kids Dash: 9 a.m.-noon, Birmingham Covington School, 1525 Covington Road in Bloomfield Hills, money to support GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit Down Syndrome Achievement Center in Southfield, gigisplayhouse.org

JUNE 26

Live Music Mondays: Dennis Farac performing steel drum and electric guitar, 7-9 p.m., Prime 10 steakhouse, 15600 W. 10 Mile Road in Southfield, (248) 327-7344

ONGOING

Summer in the City concert series: 7-9 p.m. July 23 (Larry Lee & The Back in the Day Band), July 7 (Detroit RSVP All Stars), July 21 (Straight Ahead) and July 28 (Circle of Sound Band), front lawn of Southfield Municipal Campus, 26000 Evergreen Road, free admission and parking, bring chairs or blankets, (248) 796-4620

For more events, visit candgnews.com/calendar

The City of Southfield Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing regarding:

The appellant, Carmen Stewart, owner is requesting the following waiver from the Board:

1. To construct a new single-family residence with a non-conforming front yard setback (11.64 ft. proposed, 40 ft. required).

The property is located on the south side of Lake Ravines Dr. between Thomcliffe St. and Cherimoor Lane. at 0 Lake Ravines Dr., Sidwell Parcel #24-30-351-053, zoned (R-E) Single Family Residential.

This appeal is to Section 5.193, Article 22, Chapter 45 of the Southfield City Code, more commonly known as the Zoning Ordinance.

This is a public hearing. If interested, you are encouraged to appear in person. You may have a representative (attorney or agent) appear in your presence to make the Board aware of your opinion. When appearing before the Board, please speak slowly and distinctly so that your testimony may be accurately recorded.

Documents regarding this appeal are available for review prior to the public hearing. Written comments, questions and requests to review these materials must be received prior to 4:00 p.m. on the date of the hearing and should be directed to the Zoning Board of Appeals, Department of Building & Safety Engineering, 1st Floor Public Works Building, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield, Michigan, Telephone 248-796-4100.

The meeting will be held Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield.

City of Southfield Zoning Board of Appeals

Individuals with special needs who plan to attend this meeting should contact the City Clerk’s Office at 248-796-5150 (voice) or 354-4831 (TDD) if auxiliary aids or services are needed. Reasonable advance notice is required.

Allyson Bettis City Clerk

Published: Southfield Sun 06/22/2023

CITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS WORK TO MEET OVERWHELMING DEMAND FOR SENIOR HOME/CHORE SERVICES

BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com

Karyn Curro, the CEO of Interfaith Volunteer Services, said she first noticed the need while working with people in nursing homes over 31 years ago.

“I found that a lot of people who were living in nursing homes didn’t necessarily want to be there and, with a little extra help, they could stay in their own homes for longer and perhaps forever,” said Curro.

She said that some people were not in the nursing home for medical care but simply because they couldn’t take care of their daily needs at home. She said often they just needed help with daily housekeeping or transportation to appointments, or they were lonely.

However, when she started researching organizations that provided these types of services, she found there were a lot of gaps and

approached the Area Agency on Aging, who was in the process of launching what would become IVC. Initially, IVC was started by a fiscal grant received by Catholic Charities of Macomb in 1992. In 1994 it became an independent 501(c)3.

IVC offers aid to seniors throughout Macomb county and parts of Oakland and St. Clair counties. The organization pairs seniors with volunteers to help them achieve a desired task. Curro said they are able to help hundreds of seniors a year with home chores, but she stresses that there is no guarantee that they will be able to assist with any given task.

“We are an all-volunteer organization,” said Curro. “We do have some paid staff in the office who are running the program, but all services are provided by volunteers. So that limits what we can do. … Since we’re an all-volunteer program, if someone calls in for help, regardless

See SENIORS on page 11A

ABOVE: A team of volunteers from Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers poses with a woman whose yard they cleaned up.

LEFT: A volunteer with Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers helps an elderly woman into a car as part of IVC’s transportation services.

Photos provided by Karyn Curro of the Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers

Seniors

of how much they might need that help, we can’t guarantee we can give them help. … It just depends if we have a volunteer (with that skill set) in that area.”

The types of services that IVC routinely provides include yard work like trimming bushes, raking leaves and pulling weeds; cleaning windows, and changing screens and storm windows out; sweeping garages; and even taking the trash to the curb.

terfaith Volunteer Services, based in Roseville. “If you start having mobility issues, it’s much more difficult to clean a bathtub or a shower and do some of the heavier cleaning in your house. I think that is a real ongoing need that a lot of people have, and to hire a cleaning service is usually incredibly expensive for someone of a very limited income.”

The one service that they don’t provide frequently is lawn mowing services, because of the amount of equipment necessary to do so. However, the service might be possible if the person requesting it has a working lawn mower.

served close to 500 people and their families, approximately 300 of whom were in Macomb County, while 200 were in Oakland and St. Clair counties. Curro said the reason for that is simply the amount of volunteers they have available in each area. Services are not provided on a daily basis, but some services are provided once or twice a month, depending on the need.

IVC does not have any income requirements but tends to focus its service offerings on those who would not otherwise be able to afford the help and who don’t have family to assist them.

repair services such as replacing light bulbs, door locks, window catches, faucet washers and faucets. Program workers will also install screens, storm windows, window shades, curtain rods and weather stripping around doors, and caulk windows and repair furniture. Workers will provide heavy-duty cleaning of appliances, carpets and rugs. They scrub floors, wash walls, and clean interior windows that do not require a ladder to reach. They provide pest control and rodent services (except bed bugs) and install safety devices for seniors such as grip bars and bath chairs.

maintenance. Norm “Workhorse” Adams Sr., the owner of Workhorse Services, said seniors comprise about 80% of his business. He said that he always tries to give seniors a 10% discount on their lawn services. He offers lawn mowing, yard cleanup, small tree removal, bush and hedge trimming, etc.

“It’s kind of rewarding when you are able to help people who can’t help themselves,” Adams said.

It also provides transportation to and from doctor appointments and grocery stores, as well as basic housekeeping, decluttering and organizing of rooms or closets, doing laundry, and washing dishes, along with minor home repairs such as plumbing, electrical and carpentry work, if they are small simple fixes.

“Regular housekeeping is a big need, because a lot of times people can manage in their own home, but they can’t do all the chores to keep up their home safely,” said Curro of In-

“We tend to describe the types of things we can do as something that you would ask a neighbor for help for. You know we don’t do anything too extensive. We don’t take on major repairs and renovations,” Curro said. “You might be comfortable having your neighbor rake your leaves for you, but you wouldn’t ask them to put a new roof on your house. It’s kind of the neighbor helping neighbor level of services that we are able to provide.”

Last year the organization

“We are really trying to get to the people that are isolated and impoverished and just really need a helping hand, largely because our volunteers are doing this just from the kindness of their own hearts, and they want to help the people in the greatest need,” said Curro.

The Macomb County Office of Senior Services also offers a few programs to help seniors with chores such as seasonal yard cleanup and the Handy Helpers Program. The Handy Helper program offers light

The Macomb County Office of Senior Services offers spring, summer and fall yard cleanup services. Volunteers rake leaves, clean flower beds, trim branches, wash exterior windows, and the like.

They do not provide snow removal services and will only provide lawn mowing services on a one-time basis if there is an “urgent need.”

However, some landscaping companies, such as Workhorse Services Lawncare and Landscaping, offer seniors a discount on lawn

One of his clients is an elderly couple; the man has cancer, and although he would like to cut the grass, he just physically can’t do it anymore. Adams said that the man will start to cut a path, and the wife will call Adams in to finish the job. “So, I really understand the problem that they go through.”

Adams, 55, said he understands seniors more than most people. He has had personal experience with struggling to find someone to help his aging mother with simple things around her home and to take her to her appointments, as well as someone his mother could trust.

“I pay (a caregiver) $25 an

from page 10A See SENIORS on page 13A

Revitalizing Lives of Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

Providing comprehensive treatment for traumatic brain injuries involves much more than addressing the physical wounds alone — and, for patients and their families, navigating available care options can be overwhelming.

For more than 33 years, Irvine Neuro Rehabilitation had been committed to offering care that focuses not only on physical recovery for those affected by such injuries but also on cognitive and emotional healing. Their team of professionals helps patients reacquire the skills necessary to engage in daily activities and achieve an optimal level of independence based on their individual situation and potential. Recognizing the emotional toll a brain injury can take, Irvine provides cognitive-behavioral therapy and support groups for patients and their families, fostering a supportive environment to aid healing. Sharon Bennett is grateful for the care her son Shone received after a hit-and-run incident in March 2019 left him with a shattered skull and internal bleeding.

“He was kept in a medically induced coma in ICU for about a month before being transferred to the step-down unit, and then on to a rehab center,” she said. However, Sharon felt the facility was ill-equipped to provide the specialized care Shone needed, and when her sister-in-law recommended that she move him to Irvine Neuro Rehabilitation, she heeded his advice. “I interviewed quite a few places before deciding to place him there,” she said. “I’m so glad I did because Irvine has the best therapy department.” After five months of continuous care Shone was able to come home for the holidays. The complexity of his care, which included a trach and a feeding tube, required Sharon to  enlist the help of healthcare aides and various family members. After two months, however, she saw the need for more specialized care, and he returned to Irvine. “Shone really flourished at Irvine, and he was eventually able to come home for good,” she said. “He’s been back here with me for about 18 months now and sees his rehabilitation doctor every two months. He can talk, he recognizes people, and he can take a few steps with his cane unattended. We go out sometimes, and his doctor ordered a recreational therapist who takes him on outings two or three times a month.”

He also attends a support group for traumatic brain injury patients once a month. Irvine is a sanctuary that promotes healing in its truest sense, she added. “It’s an excellent establishment. Their therapy team is the best.” While brain injuries may impose significant hurdles in the lives of those afflicted and their families, centers like Irvine offer much-needed assurance that comprehensive, compassionate and cutting-edge care is within reach. Through their tireless efforts, Irvine not only treats brain injuries but also transforms lives, instilling a renewed sense of hope and resilience in each patient they serve.

Irvine Neuro Rehabilitation is located at 25750 Lahser Rd., Southfield, MI 48033. For more information, call (248) 415-2500 or visit irvineheadinjury.com 0376-2325

Seniors

from page 11A

hour, but what she does is priceless, because they built a bond, and I don’t know what I would do without her,” Adams said of the woman who helps him with his mom.

Adams services Oakland County residents in Southfield, Eastpointe and Oak Park. He can be reached at (313)-415-0274.

To get services from the Macomb County Office of Senior Services you must be 60 or older and live in Macomb County. The services are offered free of charge, but donations/contributions are appreciated. Director Sheila Cote said there are currently only three part-time workers handling the tasks requested through the Handy Helper program. Due to the popularity of the program and limited funding, they are only able to provide a limited number of services, and the programs are waitlisted. There are currently 150 people on the list for handyman services and 100 people desiring spring/ summer yard cleanup, which runs through the end of June. Cote said that they are doing their best to get through the entire list by the end of the month. However, those who do not get yard service this season will be put at the top of the list for fall yard cleanup.

“Our mission is to support seniors so that they can age in place and stay in their homes longer. And a lot of times they just need a little extra help,” said Cote. “They need somebody to fix a few things around their house or make it more comfortable for them.”

Cote said seniors are often so thankful

for the volunteers who help them to maintain their homes and yards.

“It makes them feel so good that their yard looks nice. It really boosts their spirits when their house is looking nice. A lot of seniors worry about that. They can’t get to the lawn like they used to. They can’t trim their bushes. They can’t clean their yard. So, they feel self-conscious and upset that they’re not able to do that. So, when we’re able to send a team out there to do it, it just does wonders for their spirit.”

IVS and the Macomb County Office of Senior Services both provide “friend” services as well. IVS will send a volunteer to a seniors home as a “friendly visitor” to provide companionship, and the Office of Senior Services has “Friendly Callers” who will contact a senior via phone a couple of times a week to simply check in on them.

“It’s a much-needed program,” Cote said. “Our goal is to assist seniors to live independently and age in place, but, unfortunately, the funding isn’t enough to do that with every senior in Macomb County, so we try our best to get to everybody, but, unfortunately, it’s a funding issue. There just isn’t enough funding to meet the need at this time.”

A limited number of volunteers greatly limits the number of people who can be serviced. According to Curro, the number of volunteers working for IVC has dropped dramatically since the pandemic. She said they used to have approximately 600 volunteers, whereas today they have around 350.

“As much as we publicize services, we can’t help anybody if we don’t get the volunteers,”

LEGAL NOTICE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

APPEAL NOTICE REGARDING ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS CASE #23-15

The City of Southfield Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing regarding:

The appellants, Roger L Wilkins, owner, is requesting the following waiver from the Board:

1. To permit the storage of a camper style travel trailer on a vacant lot without the primary use of a single family dwelling.

The property is located on the west side of Indian St. between Shiawassee Rd. and Adelein Dr. 23006 Golfview Dr, Sidwell Parcel #24-31-176-011, zoned (R-E) Single Family Residential.

This appeal is to Section 5.62, Article 5, Chapter 45 of the Southfield City Code, more commonly known as the Zoning Ordinance.

This is a public hearing. If interested, you are encouraged to appear in person. You may have a representative (attorney or agent) appear in your presence to make the Board aware of your opinion. When appearing before the Board, please speak slowly and distinctly so that your testimony may be accurately recorded.

Documents regarding this appeal are available for review prior to the public hearing. Written comments, questions and requests to review these materials must be received prior to 4:00 p.m. on the date of the hearing and should be directed to the Zoning Board of Appeals, Department of Building & Safety Engineering, 1st Floor Public Works Building, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield, Michigan, Telephone 248-796-4100.

The meeting will be held Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield.

City of Southfield Zoning Board of Appeals

Individuals with special needs who plan to attend this meeting should contact the City Clerk’s Office at 248-796-5150 (voice) or 354-4831 (TDD) if auxiliary aids or services are needed. Reasonable advance notice is required.

Allyson Bettis City Clerk

said Curro. Cote stressed that they appreciate the large organizations who volunteered their time to help with yard clean up this season, but they can always use more volunteers to be able to get to all those who are on the waiting list.

“The population is still continuing to age, so there are more people with these types of needs,” said Curro.

For more information on IVC, to obtain services or volunteer with IVC, call (586) 7575551 or visit IVCinfo.org. To obtain services or volunteer with MCOS call (586) 469-5228 or visit.

Many other cities and communities throughout Oakland and Macomb Counties have home chore programs and offerings. To find out what your community has to offer, contact your city offices or senior center.

Places such as IVC are part of the National Volunteer Caregiving Network — a coalition of caregiving communities throughout the nation. If your city does not have any offerings, you can go to Nvcnetwork.org to find additional resources.

Call Staff Writer Charity Meier at (586) 498-1092.

LEGAL NOTICE

CITY OF SOUTHFIELD 2023

SUMMER TAXES

Please take notice that 2023 Summer Taxes are payable to the City Treasurer’s Office, 26000 Evergreen Road from July 1, 2023 through August 31, 2023 without penalty.

On September 1, 2023 three and one-half percent (3 1/2%) shall be added for late payment. On the first day of October and each succeeding month, an additional one-half percent (1/2 of 1%) shall be added. After March 1, 2024, property taxes will be payable only to the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office, 1200 N. Telegraph, Pontiac, MI 48341, with four percent (4%) collection fee and one percent (1%) interest per month until paid.

IRV M. LOWENBERG City Treasurer

0136-2325

Published: Southfield Sun 06/22/2023

ORDINANCE NO. 1770

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD BY AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD, BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PARCELS OF PROPERTY:

THE CITY OF SOUTHFIELD ORDAINS:

1. The official Zoning Map of the City of Southfield is hereby amended by changing the zoning classification of the following described parcel of property: Rezone 5.625 acres of land for the construction of a 4-story climate controlled storage facility and additional mixed use development on W Eight Mile Road on property located at 16025 Northwestern Hwy, Sidwell Parcel 2436-452-004, on the north side of W Eight Mile Road between Northwestern Highway and Northland Drive, Section 36, City of Southfield, Oakland County, State of Michigan.

2. Should any section, clause or paragraph of the ordinance be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the same will not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a whole or part thereof other than the part declared to be invalid.

3. All ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are, to the extent of such conflict, hereby repealed.

4. This ordinance shall become effective upon passage and publication.

(PZRODD23-0001 – GB Realty Acquisitions, LLC)

Introduced: 05/22/2023

Enacted: 06/12/2023

Published: 06/22/2023

Published: Southfield Sun 06/22/2023

Published: Southfield Sun 06/22/2023

KENSON J. SIVER, Mayor

ALLYSON BETTIS, City Clerk

0388-2325

TOTAL SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT RECEIVED: 13.7 MILLION

In-State Schools

Michigan State University .................12

University of Michigan Dearborn ........8 Wayne State University .....................22

# of Students # of

CRIME WATCH

Juveniles found hiding in bathroom after brick thrown through window

SOUTHFIELD — Officers were dispatched to the 27000 block of West 11 Mile Road at 2:01 p.m. May 29 for an alarm at a vacant building under renovation.

Officers arrived and saw a broken window on the west side of the building. The window was approximately 3 feet wide by 9 feet high.

Officers looked through the window and observed a large concrete brick sitting on the floor just inside the window.

A Southfield police K-9 unit responded to the scene. Officers entered the building and began a floor-by-floor search. On the eighth floor, the K-9 led police to a bathroom door.

Officers entered the bathroom and found two juveniles hiding in the last bathroom stall.

Both were ordered out of the stall, and they complied. Officers secured the two juvenile suspects and continued to search the building, but no other suspects were located.

Officers did find fresh red spray paint graffiti on the ninth floor.

Officers checked one of the suspects’ hands and observed red paint splatter on his fingers. They also located a can of red spray paint that was taken as evidence.

Police found the suspects’ bikes nearby in the woods.

Man robbed at gunpoint

SOUTHFIELD — A man told South-

field police that he was robbed at gunpoint at 11:10 p.m. May 30 in the 16000 block of Oxley Road.

The man said he had been headed to the main entrance of an apartment complex building when someone exiting passed him, turned around and pointed a handgun at him, demanding all of his things.

The suspect took the victim’s Louis Vuitton backpack with some clothing in it, his Cartier glasses in a case, his green iPhone 12 in a case, his Louis Vuitton wallet with an undisclosed amount of cash in it, his credit cards, and his house keys.

The suspect was described as a Black man, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, with a medium build. He was wearing a white T-shirt, lightblue jeans, white Air Force 1s. A second suspect nearby was described as a Black man wearing a black hoodie with the hood up, a black mask and black Adidas pants.

Police are investigating.

Southfield police report rash of vehicle thefts

SOUTHFIELD — Eleven vehicles were stolen or damaged over the last week, according to Southfield police.

In light of these recent auto thefts, Southfield police advise people with a garage to always park inside their locked garage.

For those without a garage, police suggest parking a vehicle as close to the residence as possible in a well-lit area.

People should never leave anything of value, such as handguns, purses, wallets, cash or cell phones, inside their vehicle.

Police emphasize that while wheel locks are a deterrent, it is best not to leave the wheel lock key in the vehicle because the glove box and center console will be the first places suspects will look.

— Kathryn Pentiuk

Autism

from page 8A

“Whether you have a connection to disability or not, you understand that … most parents’ expectations for their children is that they will go through the public education school system,” Eckner said. “The idea is that you exit with a high school diploma, because what does that lead to? It leads to other educational opportunities that lead to employment opportunities. It leads to living the most independent life that you can. So when we are not fulfilling the educational opportunities and outcomes for students with disabilities, you can see how all of those other things are negatively impacted.”

William DiSessa, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Education, said that the ESSA language assures that parents are informed about the standards to which their child’s academic achievement will be measured and how participation in an alternate assessment may impact the student’s completion requirements for a regular high school diploma.

DiSessa also said that final authority is given to the IEP team regarding decisions around which assessment is given to a student and that the IEP team must follow the state

guidelines for participation in the alternate assessment. Michigan requires any district that exceeds the 1% cap to complete a justification form that includes several components. One is to develop a local plan to ensure IEP teams understand the criteria for which the alternate assessment should be selected. However, the state does not track or archive the factors districts give in the justification form as to why they exceeded the cap.

“Michigan has consistently decreased the rate of students with disabilities participating in the alternate assessment since spring 2017. Michigan’s percentage fell from 2.4% of students with disabilities participating in the alternate assessment that year to the most recent data available, in 2019, 2.1% of students with disabilities in ELA and 2% of students with disabilities in math,” DiSessa stated.

Sheri Stuart, the director of Oakland Schools Communication Services, explained that within Oakland County schools, since the inception of the federal mandate, county-level data reveals a downward trend, from 1.9% in 2017 down to 1.5% in 2022.

Jennifer Schaefer is the account manager for the Autism Alliance’s employment pillar, Upbound Staffing, and she works to develop relationships with employers interested in how they can accommodate employees with disabilities.

“My challenge is to find someone at employer partners that is a champion for Upbound and believes in (diversity, equity and inclusion) and believes that having people with disabilities on their team really makes their team better,” Schaefer said. She said that many people may want to hire someone with a disability to meet DEI credentials within a company, but hiring one person with autism to check a box as an act of charity isn’t what Upbound is about.

Upbound seeks to add value to the workplace through qualified employees who are on the spectrum. They include training for their employer partners that help them

further their understanding of autism. Instead of focusing on the disadvantages of disability, Upbound emphasizes the strengths and intelligence of individuals with autism.

In the two years that Upbound has existed, they’ve now partnered with 25 employers in fields such as finance, manufacturing and sterilizing medical equipment, and legal work. Upbound has placed 65 individuals in careers but has worked with over 500 people to assist them with career coaching, training and application aid. Upbound works with people with all levels of education and of all ages.

See AUTISM on page 19A

Exhibit

from page 7A

greater sensibility and increased, up-to-date information, we’ll have it as a tool to achieve our goals for visitors of all kinds, now and in the future,” Burman said. “We’re setting ourselves up now for the next 50 years.”

Mulder said that the designers for the exhibit are some of the top exhibit designers in the world.

“We’re working with Ralph Appelbaum Associates, and they are one of the largest exhibit design firms,” he said. “The people on this project are some of the top experts in Holocaust exhibit development. Working with them, what we’re going to get, in terms of the new exhibit, will be a world-class exhibit. There will be few that are at the level this one will be.”

Autism

from page 18A

Sam Medley, 24, is one of the 65 individuals to work with Upbound to find a job. Medley said that Upbound helped him get out of a funk he was in when it came to finding a job. About a year ago, Upbound helped place Medley in a law office’s mail room.

“They helped me feel comfortable here by helping me to introduce myself to all the employees and my coworkers in my department, which I really liked — having a familiar face that I can rely on to help me calm down and feel OK in the moment.”

He said that Upbound also assisted him in getting settled into the job by helping him stay on track, teaching him to take notes and keeping him encouraged through

their frequent check-ins to see how he was adjusting to his new position.

“People want to help people with disabilities,” Medley stated. “That’s what I’ve really learned. I’m not alone. Because we’re autistic, that doesn’t mean we can’t do the same things that everyone else does. I don’t want to be treated like a child; just treat me like an adult. We can do the same things. We just have to do it at our pace.”

For more information on the Autism Alliance of Michigan, visit https://autism allianceofmichigan.org.

For more information on MI-Access, visit www.michigan.gov/mde and search “MI-Access.” From there, you can view each intermediate school district’s 1% cap justification summaries.

Call Staff Writer Kathryn Pentiuk at (586) 498-1070.

Image provided by the Zekelman Holocaust Center

The Zekelman Holocaust Center is in the midst of an approximately $31 million renovation project of its core exhibit.

2003 TOYOTA RAV 4

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NOTES NEWS

See ‘50 Years an Artist’ at gallery

FERNDALE — The Lawrence Street Gallery will be holding an exhibition for Glenn “Fuzz” Corey throughout the month of June.

The exhibition, called “50 Years an Artist,” runs through June 30. An opening reception was held June 4, and a mid-month reception will take place from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 18, at the gallery, 22620 Woodward Ave., Suite A.

“There are two major trends in the art of the last hundred years: expression and reference,” Corey said in a news release. “For my part, even though some of my works, especially my pastel pieces, have expressive techniques in them, reference plays the major role. Much of the work looks back to the mythology and other subjects that have been depicted by other artists of the past.”

“In much of my work I try to take themes and images of the past and make them more contemporary to try to satisfy the 21st century (poet Charles) Baudelaire,” he continued.

The gallery is open noon-5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, noon-9 a.m. Fridays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays.

Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame seeking nominations

DETROIT — Michigan Women Forward is accepting nominations for 2023 inductees to the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame. The Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame and Historical Center, also known as HERstory, was established in 1983 to tell the stories of women’s contributions to Michigan’s history and to inspire the women and girls of tomorrow. Nominations may be made by individuals or by representatives of organizations or groups. A candidate may also nominate herself. Nominations may be made in either of two categories — historical (deceased candidates) or contemporary (living candidates) — and must follow the nomination criteria of Michigan Women Forward. To nominate someone, visit miwf.org/herstory and click on the “Hall of Fame” page for a nomination form and criteria. The last day for applications is July 15. Those interested in judging the 2023 Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame nominations can email Natalie Hall, chief development and program officer for Michigan Women Forward, at nhall@miwf.org.

tampering with beverages

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — A 26-year-old Detroit man is said to have tampered with beverages at the McDonald’s at 18201 Mack Ave. in Detroit and then did the same with a water bottle at Village Food Market across the street at around 9:15 a.m. May 29.

According to a police report, the suspect poured an unknown substance into beverages in an employees-only area at McDonald’s just before they were going to be served to customers. He is then said to have opened a bottle of water for sale at Village Market and poured something in it that turned the water pink.

The suspect told police that he needed to give people “the cure” and was following a directive from his god to add this substance to beverages to heal people. The suspect was cited for retail fraud for taking the water bottle and tampering with it without paying for it, and he was transported to a nearby hospital for a psychological evaluation.

Organized retail fraud suspects apprehended

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Several individuals were taken into custody after police said they engaged in organized retail fraud against the Rite Aid on the Hill at around 2:32 p.m. May 24. A 47-year-old Warren man, a 52-year-old Detroit man, a 41-year-old Detroit woman and a 40-year-old Detroit man are said to have stolen more than $100 worth of soaps and detergents, as well as iHome ear buds and a bottle of Jose Cuervo, from the store. Three of the suspects were arrested in a vehicle while the fourth suspect, the 40-year-old Detroit man, was located nearby on foot and taken into custody.

Victim loses thousands to con artist

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — A resident in the 500 block of Heather Lane filed a report with police May 31 after becoming the victim of an unknown con artist or con artists. In February, the victim said she was contacted by an unknown male suspect who claimed he was Todd Sloane, senior vice president of Publishers Clearing House. The suspect told the victim she had won $5.5 million but needed to wire cash to pay for taxes on the winnings before claiming the jackpot.

The victim made seven cash transfers over a six-week period totaling $102,000 that were wired to the suspect. In March, the suspect — who police said appears to be in Connecticut — instructed the victim to purchase and send a Rolex watch to an address in New York. Police said the watch was received and signed for by a different suspect March 21. The victim

POLISH FESTIVAL RETURNS

STERLING HEIGHTS — The American Polish Festival and Craft Show is returning to the American-Polish Century Club, 33204 Maple Lane Drive, June 23-25. The event will have Polish and American food, music, dancers, arts and crafts, and a pierogi-eating contest. General admission costs $5, though guests ages 17 and younger attend for free. Parking and shuttles are free at the Sterling Heights High School Career Prep Center. Learn more by visiting www.americanpolishfestival.com.

Local house named Michigan Heritage Home

TROY — A local home in Troy was recently designated as a Michigan Heritage Home by the Historical Society of Michigan.

The Douglass House was built in 1860 and was recently restored by its owners, Kevin and Susan Lindsey, who have lived in the home since 1989. A plaque was installed on the house to commemorate the honor.

“We are very pleased to get this, and have installed the plaque they sent us. It is my understanding that ours is the first such designation in Troy,” said Kevin Lindsey. “The house was already part of Troy’s historic district that designates homes as historic, but this is a new program that is statewide. We’ve stripped all the woodwork back to its original wood. We painted, removed paneling, and redid the kitchen and bathroom all following the standards for historic restoration. We even got a photo from 1913 so we could change the porches back to how they used to be and worked with our neighbors to move a barn back to where it was originally located.”

STUDENTS EARN TREASURER’S OFFICE RECOGNITION

OAKLAND COUNTY — Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg recently announced the winners and honorable mentions for the 2023 Financial Empowerment Arts Contest.

In partnership with Oakland Schools, Flagstar Bank and the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency, 22 winners and honorable mentions were picked from 160 submissions from high school students. The submissions came in various mediums, including drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, video and illustration, and had a focus on the different aspects of financial empowerment.

Winners were selected from ninth to 12th grades across Oakland County schools. In the ninth grade category, the first-place winner was Ryo Salter, of Royal Oak High School. Eva Houston, of Royal Oak High School, was named an honorable mention. Layla Rogers, of Ferndale High School, was named an honorable mention in the 10th grade category, and Bryn Hazen, of Berkley High School, was named an honorable mention in the 12th grade category.

The cash prizes were $1,000 for first place, $750 for second place, $500 for third place and $100 for an honorable mention. The winning art will be displayed in the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office for a year and at the treasurer’s website at oakgov.com, along with all student entries.

“Congratulations to all the students who participated in and won the 2023 Financial Empowerment Arts Contest,” Wittenberg stated in a news release. “The students showcased their exceptional skills, creativity, artistry, and talent, which helped raise awareness about the significance of financial empowerment.”

STEP BACK IN TIME IN PARISIAN SETTING

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — The Grosse Pointe Historical Society will hold a French-themed gala, La Belle Epoque, at 7 p.m. June 22 at a lakeside home in the Pointes designed by architect Robert O. Derrick in 1928. French-inspired cuisine, music and beverages will be provided during this 18th annual summer fundraiser for the GPHS. For tickets or more information, visit gphistorical.org or call (313) 884-7010.

identity theft monitoring service, police said.

Women get into fight at store

GROSSE POINTE CITY — A 43-year-old Harrison Township woman and a 60-year-old Grosse Pointe City woman could be facing assault and battery charges after police said they got into a physical confrontation at The Village Kroger store at around 9 p.m. May 31. A police report states that the fight stemmed from the actions of the daughter of one of the suspects.

Cable cut

GROSSE POINTE CITY — Two unknown suspects in their late 20s to early 30s are suspects in a vandalism case in the first block of Alger Place at around 3 p.m. May 30. According to a police report, the victim’s AT&T fiber optic cable line, which provides internet service to his home, was cut. The victim told police that he believes the line was slashed by employees of a competitor’s subcontractor.

Someone tries to duplicate

woman’s debit card

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — At 11 a.m. May 13, a woman came to the Police Department to file a fraud report. She stated that she had received a call from her bank May 10 informing her that someone was trying to duplicate her debit card. The bank also advised her that someone was trying to change her personal information that was associated with her bank account. Upon talking to the bank, it was discovered that someone had tried to charge more than $9,000 worth of purchases on her cards, but the transactions were all declined.

Medication goes missing

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Police officers were dispatched to the 48000 block of Lacota Court, near 22 Mile and Schoenherr roads, for a larceny report at 2:40 p.m. May 12. Upon talking with the homeowner, she stated that she discovered that someone had stolen her prescription medication, which had been in her bedroom. She stated that two movers recently were in her home, and she feels they may be responsible for stealing the medication. The Police Department’s detective bureau was investigating.

Video catches customers stealing tequila

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — At 3:21 p.m. May 12, officers were dispatched to Costco, 45460 Market St., for a retail fraud incident that had occurred May 1.

Officers met with a Costco loss prevention officer, who stated that while reviewing surveillance video, she observed two known Costco members enter

concealed a box of Patron Silver tequila, valued at $101.98. Both suspects then exited the store and put the stolen tequila in a vehicle, according to the police report. Both individuals then reentered the store and walked back to the liquor aisle. The subjects then stole another box of tequila, police said. They were identified by their membership cards, and officers were in the process of requesting warrants against both individuals.

Decorative tree stolen

ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 6:59 p.m. on May 28, a report was made about an alleged larceny that occurred on the same day at 12:39 a.m. in the 21000 block of Maxine Street. An officer working at the front desk of the St. Clair Shores Police Department spoke with the victim, a 42-year-old woman, who said she had a decorative tree stolen from her lawn.

She showed video from the time it occurred showing three juveniles, approximately 13-16 years old. A male teen walked up the driveway toward the camera, noticed it and made a comment about it before turning around. All three subjects then walked further down the sidewalk. The two female teens remained on the camera while the male walked off camera where he allegedly disconnected the lights on the tree and walked off with it.

She said the tree was worth around $100.

Breaking and entering, theft reported

ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 6:50 a.m. on May 25, a report was made about a breaking and entering and theft that occurred between 2:50 a.m. and 3:10 a.m. on the same day in the 21000 block of Madison Street.

Upon arrival at the listed location, two officers spoke with the victim, a 35-year-old man, who said when he woke up that morning, he discovered someone had gone into his garage and taken one of his ATVs. The man had posted the ATV for sale on Facebook Marketplace, but he did not recall any suspicious activity regarding the post.

The garage had been left closed but with the pedestrian door unlocked. Behind the garage, a large hole was cut into the fence. It appeared the driveway was too congested with cars and there was not enough room to get through.

An officer spoke with a neighbor, a 65-year-old man, who said that at around 3 a.m., a camera in his backyard captured two male subjects pushing the ATV out of the yard and down the driveway.

The victim did not notice any other belongings missing from the garage. While going back to the station to pick up equipment, an officer located the stolen ATV on Madison Street. The ATV did not appear

The ATV was dusted for fingerprints and the victim was notified.

Cricket players banished from high school parking lot

STERLING HEIGHTS — Police went to the Stevenson High School parking lot, 39701 Dodge Park Road, the morning of May 21 after hearing that a group of around 25 cricket players were not letting local church members park in the lot as normally allowed. Police reportedly told the players that they can’t play there until they get a school administrator’s permission.

Collision repair shop

burglarized, Jeep stolen

STERLING HEIGHTS — A breaking-and-entering incident reportedly occurred May 20 at a collision repair shop in the 6000 block of 14 Mile Road. The incident also included the theft of a Jeep Grand Cherokee, police said. Police investigated and saw that the garage had been opened. Police said the suspect vehicle is a Chrysler 200.

Ear wax remover, cane stolen from drugstore

STERLING HEIGHTS — Police went to a drugstore along Van Dyke Avenue May 20 and heard from a manager that a heavyset woman in her 20s or 30s wanted to return a medical ear wax remover and a foldable walking cane, without a receipt, that she claimed she had bought earlier from another store location.

The manager reportedly told the woman to return to the original store from which the items had allegedly been bought. Store staff reportedly added that a cane and ear wax remover were missing from their shelves.

Surveillance footage reportedly showed the suspect going into the store with an empty plastic bag and then being in the section where the stolen items are shelved. Police said they have no leads and took no other action.

Worker manhandled at tire store

STERLING HEIGHTS — A worker at a tire store along Van Dyke Avenue reportedly said a customer was dissatisfied with brake work and, at one point, allegedly tried to grab the worker’s legs and pull him away from a vehicle.

The worker reportedly told the customer not to touch him and called the police, but later said he didn’t want to file a report for assault. Police reportedly told the customer to contact the store’s corporate offices or file a civil suit to handle the matter. The customer left, and police took no further action.

Photo provided by Kevin Lindsey