Concerns raised about finances of Hazel Park Schools
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
HAZEL PARK — The Hazel Park Public Schools Board of Education decided last month to reinstate its superintendent, Amy Kruppe, after 100-plus days of non-disciplinary paid leave.
Since then, Beverly Hinton, the board president and its spokesperson, has raised concerns about the district’s finances. She alleges these concerns were at the heart of the investigation into the superintendent.
But Heidi Sharp, the attorney representing Kruppe, disputes some of the claims.
Failure to audit
According to Hinton, one of the earliest signs of trouble was in June 2024 when the district’s audit firm, Plante Moran, withdrew in an email, after nine years with the district. The firm had not been paid for its 2022-23 audit, billed at nearly $71,000. The firm had also not been provided the information needed to perform its audit on time.
In September 2024. Jason Zirnis, the district’s director of business and operations, announced he was leaving. He had
See FINANCES on page 9A
All Camps run from 10:30 am - 4 pm Beginners through Advanced June 16-20 July 14-18 Aug. 4-8
12A
Help urgently needed as situation in Haiti worsens
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — A mission group to Haiti that includes churches in Sterling Heights, Southfield and more is sounding the alarm on the plight of the country — the poorest in the Western Hemisphere — as gangs have captured the town of Mirebalais, once a safe haven.
A letter by Kesner Gracia, an Episcopalian priest in Haiti, described the scene in April.
“Haiti has become a veritable human slaughterhouse,” he wrote. “In Mirebalais, the streets are littered with corpses. … Unspeakable scenes of terror unfold before our very eyes.”
Haiti Outreach Mission, a Troy-based nonprofit, has been wiring funds to partners in Haiti
See HAITI on page 10A
Dr. Dominque Monde-Matthews, founder of Haiti Outreach Mission, treats a young patient during a trip to the country in 2012. Many families have been displaced following recent events there.
Photo by Valerie McNeece
SECOND FRONT PAGE
Madison Heights City Council adopts budget for FY 2025-26
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
MADISON HEIGHTS — The proposed budget for the new fiscal year has been adopted, without changes, by the Madison Heights City Council. While the overall operating millage will not increase, water and sewer rates will see an increase due to rising commodity costs.
“Everyone knows that the price of everything is going up, and for the city, our expenses are increasing but our revenues are not,” said Madison Heights Mayor Roslyn Grafstein.
Approval was unanimous at the meeting May 12.
The budget keeps the overall operating millage locked in at 25.4572 mills — the same as the current fiscal year. The city collects $1 for every $1,000 of a prop-
erty’s taxable value, multiplied by the millage rate.
However, the water and sewer rate will increase 6.36%, due to costs passed on by both Oakland County and the Great Lakes Water Authority.
The new rate goes into effect July 1. Water rates will increase from $4.44 per unit to $4.74, while sewer rates will increase from $6.56 to $6.96.
Officials note that even with this increase, Madison Heights will still offer some of the lowest water and sewer rates in the tri-county area.
The overall budget weighs in at $66.1 million, of which $42.3 million is allocated for the general fund — a decrease of 9.2% from the current fiscal year’s amended budget.
This drop is the result of reduced capital spending,
Secret admirer receives prison sentence in pistol-whipping case
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
HAZEL PARK — An 18-year minimum prison sentence has been handed down in the case of a Rochester woman who formed a crush on a man she saw at the gym and stalked his girlfriend, pistol-whipping her outside a home in Hazel Park.
Jie Yu
Jie Yu, now 53, was sentenced in Oakland County Circuit Court before Judge Yasmine Poles on May 20 after being found guilty April 10. Yu was sentenced on seven counts, including one count of assault with intent to murder, which carries a minimum 18 years in prison and maximum 60 years; two felony weapons charges, each with a two-year sentence; and three counts of aggravated stalking and one count of carrying a concealed weapon, all punishable by a minimum of two years and maximum of five years.
She has the right to file for an appeal and will also receive mental health treatment in prison.
During Yu’s trial, an insanity defense was raised, which would require convincing the jury that she cannot distinguish between right and wrong.
“The jury still found her guilty, but also found her mentally ill, which is a mitigating factor,” said William Barnwell, the attorney for Yu. “Had we not gone to trial, that finding of fact would not have been made.”
As previously reported, the attack occurred in the 90 block of West Shevlin Avenue in Hazel Park on the morning of March 29, 2024. Police received calls around 8:20 a.m. reporting that shots had been fired.
Officers rushed to the scene and found that while a gun
Screenshot image taken from Madison Heights City Council broadcast
Madison Heights Mayor Roslyn Grafstein, left, and City Manager Melissa Marsh receive the budget proposal for the new fiscal year at the meeting May 12.
NEWS & NOTES
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
MADISON HEIGHTS — The fifth annual Madison Heights Juneteenth Celebration will take place from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 14 at Civic Center Park, 360 W. 13 Mile Road.
Admission and parking are free, with parking available throughout Civic Center Plaza and in the lot of neighboring Lamphere High School.
The event is hosted by Madison Heights Citizens United, paid for entirely with donations.
There will be live music on the city’s new band shell, including acts by the Detroit Social Club Blues Band, at 12:30 p.m.; Groove Fellowship, a Detroit funk band playing at 1:15 p.m.; Denise Davis and the Motor City Sensations, playing Motown and R&B, at 2 p.m.; Kayfabe: The PPLs Band, playing covers at 2:45 p.m.; X. Alexander Durden, an award-winning actor and vocalist, with a Black Church tribute at 3:30 p.m.; and Smoke Jones and the Heart and Soul Band, playing jazz at 4:15 p.m.
There will be a variety of African American businesses, including around a dozen food trucks selling eats and drinks, and more than 40 businesses in the popup marketplace.
Oakland County Parks will bring its 25-foot-tall climbing wall, bounce houses, pony rides, a petting zoo, crafts and more.
There will also be a nine-station educational exhibit on the holiday, which commemorates June 19, 1865 — the date in history when the last slaves learned they were free in Galveston, Texas, roughly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
POLISH YOUR OWN PETOSKEY STONE
MADISON HEIGHTS — The Red Oaks Nature Center at Suarez Friendship Woods, located at 30300 Hales St. in Madison Heights across from the Red Oaks Waterpark, will host a program at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 21 where attendees can learn about the Petoskey stone — Michigan’s state stone and a fossil colonial coral.
Using different sandpaper grits and other tools, participants will pick out and polish their own stone to take home while discussing local fossils and minerals. All materials are provided.
The cost is $5 per person. Preregistration with payment is required by calling the center at (248) 858-0916 weekdays or (248) 585-0100 during regular business hours.
Pre-Fourth of July Festival in the Park
MADISON HEIGHTS — The city of Madison Heights will hold its annual Pre-Fourth of July Festival in the Park from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, June 29 at Civic Center Park, 630 W. 13 Mile Road, next to Lamphere High School and the Civic Center Complex in Madison Heights.
The event is one of the most well-attended in the community and will feature live music, food trucks, bounce houses and more, topped off by a spectacular fireworks display after dark. This year’s performer is Cosmic Groove.
Suspect charged in gunman incident
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
MADISON HEIGHTS — A local man is in custody after allegedly pointing a handgun at people near his home and barricading himself there, prompting police to call in a SWAT team.
Dominique Sholar, a 34-year-old Madison Heights man, was arraigned before Magistrate Michael Mitchell in Madison Heights 43rd District Court June 1.
He is charged with one count of carrying a concealed weapon, a five-year felony; one count of assaulting, resisting and obstructing a police officer, a two-year felony; and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, a four-year felony.
His bond was set at $50,000. At press time, Sholar did not have an attorney on record with the Madison Heights 43rd District Court.
The original incident occurred shortly before 12:30 p.m. May 31. The Madison Heights Police Department received an emergency call about an individual who had allegedly threatened multiple witnesses with a handgun. The victims were all in the 300 block of West 13 Mile Road, near an apartment complex where Sholar lives.
Once at the scene, police learned that the suspect had allegedly withdrawn into his home with the weapon. A perimeter was formed around the scene and neighbors were evacuated.
Due to the perceived danger, the police did not immediately enter the apartment, said Madison Heights Police Lt. David Koehler. He also noted that the suspect reportedly has little contact with his family, so the officers were not able to reach him by phone.
The Madison Heights Police activated the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and secured a search warrant, at which point the team made entry and allegedly found the suspect inside. He was taken into custody and delivered to the Madison Heights Police Department for processing.
“Incidents involving firearms are traumatic for the victims, and more stressful for the officers involved. Thankfully, in this case, nobody was injured,” Koehler said in an email.
“The officers on scene were able to safely contain the scene while waiting for the Oakland County SWAT team,” Koehler added. “The cooperation between the two departments enabled this incident to end without any injuries.”
LEGAL POSTING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: Any person who has an interest in the property located at 444 W. 8 Mile Road, parcel 25-35-460023, legally described as T1N, R11E, SEC 35 FORD HEIGHTS ADDITION SUB LOTS 45 & 46 EXC S 23 FT OF EACH is invited to attend the Hazel Park City Council Meeting scheduled for July 8, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. located at Hazel Park City Hall, 111 E. Nine Mile Road, Hazel Park, MI 48030 to show cause why this property should not be demolished.
0129-2524
Published: Madison-Park News 06/11/2025
Cellco Partnership and its controlled affliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) proposes to build a 43.17- foot small cell telecommunications pole at the approx. vicinity of 28091 Dequindre Rd., Madison Heights, Oakland County, MI 48071. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Trileaf Corp, Alaina, a.decampossalles@trileaf.com, 1821 Walden Offce Sq., Ste 500, Schaumburg, IL 60173, 630-227-0202
0391-2524
Published: Madison-Park News 06/11/2025
was involved, no shots were fired. Rather, a 35-year-old woman had been reportedly struck in the face with a pistol.
The victim had allegedly been sitting in her car in the driveway with the driver’s window down while she talked on her cellphone. That’s when the suspect approached her, police said, carrying a bright red bag similar to those used by food delivery workers.
The victim told police that the suspect first asked her about the address and then walked away before returning moments later with a 9mm Glock pistol. Without saying a word, the suspect reportedly used the gun to pistol-whip the victim. At one point, she also allegedly racked the slide on the gun and dropped a live 9mm round onto the ground near the car.
At the time of the incident, Brian Buchholz was the police chief of Hazel Park.
“The suspect was manipulating the weapon when she confronted the victim and racked the slide a couple times. It does make you wonder if she would’ve shot and killed this woman if she knew how to correctly use the gun,” Buchholz said previously. “It’s hard to say, based on her actions, how the suspect would’ve expected the victim to know to stay away from the boyfriend, or what her purpose was.”
The attack occurred after the victim had returned from the home of her boyfriend, who was also in his 30s. The victim saw the suspect’s getaway vehicle, which she described as a gray 2018 Ford F-150 pickup truck.
Police used surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses to get the number on the plate, which linked the truck to the suspect’s estranged husband, a resident of Auburn Hills.
Upon executing a search warrant at Yu’s home in Rochester, police reportedly found the packaging and codes to two tracking devices. One was found on the vehicle of the man she was apparently interested in, and the other was found on the vehicle of the man’s girlfriend — the woman she allegedly attacked.
Yu returned home a short time later. At first, she kept changing her story, police said, but in a subsequent interview she allegedly admitted to feeling lovestruck when she saw the man at the gym, and that she had been stalking them for some time prior to the attack. She also reportedly told police that she had intended to “scare” the man’s girlfriend.
Yu had no prior criminal history, and no prior connection to either victim. When the man was shown Yu’s picture, he recognized her from the gym, but he knew nothing else about her.
“This was an extremely dangerous situation,” Buchholz said previously. “Unbeknownst to the victims, this woman was watching them for an extended period of time and wanted to harm the girlfriend. It’s very fortunate that it didn’t go further than it did.”
William Hamel, the current police chief of Hazel Park, said that stalking is defined as a crime where two or more unconsented contacts are made that harasses or scares a person.
He said victims can contact police to report stalking. In addition, victims can seek a personal protection order through their county’s circuit court.
“In this case, the victim was not aware they were being stalked. Only after the suspect was identified and located did our investigation reveal the stalking,” Hamel said. “Our detectives did a thorough investigation.”
Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.
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Neutrals, low-maintenance features lead 2025 patio trends
BY MARY GENSON mgenson@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Warm weather is finally here, meaning outdoor projects are likely well underway. To have a party-ready backyard by the Fourth of July, residents might be updating their patios.
Local experts share what trends they have been noticing this year in terms of patio design.
Colors
Roberto Guzman, co-owner of Leig’s Landscape LLC, said that many of their customers are interested in neutral color schemes for their patios. Specifically, he said charcoal and champagne colors are popular.
“Almost every customer looks into dark charcoal bullnose bricks for the borders,” Guzman said.
He added that many customers have recently been ordering bricks in vintage colors and styles.
Tom Thelen, president at Thelen Landscape Inc., said he has seen light beiges and grays trending for patios, which may have more reasoning to it than aesthetics.
“It used to be that patios were really dark; the problem is they get warm,” Thelen said.
Shelters
Thelen said more people are moving toward certain shelter options for their patios.
While some people consider moveable awnings, he said an increasing number of customers are asking for gazebos and pergolas. One option in particular that Thelen said people are showing interest in is a pergola with adjustable slats, also called a louvered pergola.
This option is particularly practical in Michigan due to the varied weather and precipitation that residents see each year.
“You can let the sun in during the wintertime and not pile a big bunch of snow on it,” Thelen said.
Pavers
Josh Vokal, of Natura Design and Build, said he has noticed more people want-
ing brick pavers over concrete or aggregate concrete. He said this is partially due to the new bricks that companies have been coming out with, which have a more modern look. He said brick pavers are customizable, which also draws customers.
“They can always change a lot fairly easily compared to prior concrete, and bricks tend to be a little bit less maintenance as well over time,” Vokal said.
Thelen said they are seeing customers who want bricks that come with a coating on them. This can lessen the need for a sealant; therefore, it helps residents cut out a step in their project. However, he said that the patio would still need to be sealed eventually — a couple of years later.
This can also be convenient because, according to Thelen, patios are not supposed to be stained in the first year anyway due to efflorescence that needs to be washed out by rain and sun.
Other trends
As for lighting, Thelen said patios with hidden lights are popular. He said residents can have landscape lighting installed in a wall with the wires underneath the brick.
“You get to enjoy the view of the patio, even if you’re not sitting on it,” Thelen said.
Thelen said they have also been doing a lot of stairs lately — stone steps that go from the driveway and into the back patio area.
“Then they can walk down through landscaping instead of across their grass,” Thelen said.
Call Staff Writer Mary Genson at (586) 498-1095.
Patios with hidden lights are trending locally, according to Tom Thelen, of Thelen Landscape Inc. Photo provided by Tom Thelen
Tom Thelen, of Thelen Landscape Inc., said they have been installing many stone steps at residences.
Photos provided by Tom Thelen
Finances
from page 1A
been with the district for six years and reportedly wanted to work closer to home while assisting the district on a part-time basis.
Sharp’s account featured additional detail. According to Sharp, Plante Moran had sought extra charges to which Zirnis did not agree. He arranged for a new firm, UHY, to finish the audit, but the audit was delayed due to Zirnis’ departure, missing the Nov. 1 deadline for state aid.
This led to the state withholding funds. For reference, in the 2023-24 budget, state aid totaled $42 million, delivered in monthly payments from October through June. State aid accounts for roughly 75% of the district’s budget.
Hinton said that in February 2025, the board learned that the district had overspent by about $6 million in the 2023-24 fiscal year. She said this was overlooked due to the lack of an audit.
Sharp said that if Kruppe had been allowed to work as superintendent the last four months, she could have helped the board resolve matters. As it stands, plans for 2025-26 have only begun.
“The board has been aware of the district’s financial condition and all decisions regarding the audit, fund balance and loan, and (the board) made the decisions cited by Ms. Hinton as requiring investigation,” Sharp said. “Accordingly, an investigation was not necessary — just a review of the board’s prior decisions made after relying on Mr. Zirnis’ recommendations.”
Balancing the budget
To shore up the difference, the district had to reach into its fund balance for the current fiscal year, dropping reserves from an 11% fund balance ($5.7 million) to just 1% (nearly $993,000). The use of money from the fund balance helped pay for roughly $4.8 million in raises.
Back in November, the board had approved a resolution to borrow $12 million. The loan was from Huntington Bank and intended for general operating expenses, with payroll being the largest expenditure, covering teachers, administrators and support staff.
Hinton said the interest on that loan is now $500,000 and that the district has paid off roughly $8 million of the $12 million loan, with the rest due this August.
Sharp disagreed with those numbers, saying $8.9 million had been repaid as of Feb. 19, including $97,000 in interest, with $3.1 million left to be repaid, including
$120,000 in interest.
“Any interest expense after February is the fault of the board, as it chose not to repay the entire loan without Dr. Kruppe’s participation, because she was already on leave at that time and unable to participate in the decision,” Sharp said. “Had Dr. Kruppe been consulted, she would have recommended that the entire loan be repaid, thus ending any interest expense.”
Hinton said the board’s understanding was this would not have been possible.
“We couldn’t pay it all back at once. If we had, we wouldn’t have had any money to work with in the budget,” Hinton said. “If we could’ve paid it all off at once, we would have done so.”
Ongoing challenges
The board recently examined whether the district needs to borrow again to cover expenses this August and September, when no state aid is provided. It was decided another loan is needed, but officials were unsure of the exact amount.
“Details would depend on the district’s financial situation at that time,” Hinton said.
Sharp said it’s not unusual for districts to evaluate the need for a short-term loan each summer to cover payroll from August through September.
“This is a common practice for Hazel Park and other districts throughout the state, and does not demonstrate financial mismanagement or oversight,” Sharp said.
Hinton said it’s still concerning how much they’ve had to borrow.
“We haven’t had to borrow like this in years,” Hinton said. “Before, the situation seemed relatively stable.”
Hinton said the investigation into the superintendent was a form of due diligence.
“The board holds a position of public trust and accountability to be good stewards of funds received from taxpayers to educate students,” Hinton said.
The board voted 7-0 to put Kruppe on non-disciplinary paid leave on Jan. 27 and then appointed Catherine Cost — a former superintendent of the Wyandotte Public Schools — to serve in her place Feb. 3, pending the results of an investigation.
That work was completed last month, and on May 15, the board unanimously voted to reinstate Kruppe.
The findings
Once Kruppe was reinstated, the board released a statement indicating that an investigation had been completed by the Allen Law Group, P.C., and that the board will address the findings with Kruppe “through disciplinary action, along with a Plan of Assistance to improve some performance
deficiencies that were found during the factfinding process.”
The board also said it would be implementing “another measure that will further support Dr. Kruppe’s team for the 2025-26 school year.”
Sharp provided the Madison-Park News with a copy of the findings letter by the Allen Law Group on May 12.
The letter described the catalyst for the investigation, including the district’s finances and the finances of the Hazel Park Junior Vikings, as well as hiring practices for administrative roles, superintendent recommendations for administrative staff pay increases, contractual issues with various superintendent contracts and extensions, claims of a hostile work environment, and the lack of a Wellness Committee, which oversees policies including student nutrition and mental health.
The letter said there exists evidence to substantiate at least three of the claims, including the commingling of funds of the Hazel Park Junior Vikings, the superintendent’s contract extension for a term longer than five years — approved by the board in 2023 — and the failure to maintain a Wellness Committee.
“We have concluded that insufficient evidence exists to substantiate the remaining allegations asserted,” the letter read.
‘Time to let it go’
According to Sharp, the board originally gave Kruppe a four-year contract extension, and then a year later amended the contract to add a fifth year.
“All contracts were reviewed and approved by the board,” Sharp said.
“As to the Wellness Committee, this is
a requirement of state law, (and) Dr. Kruppe admitted the district had not had a Wellness Committee since COVID because of the priorities that had to be met at that time,” Sharp said.
She added that “the goals and objectives” of the committee “have been met since that time.”
As for the Junior Vikings, Sharp said certain funds may have commingled during the first year of the program in 2022, when it was jointly run by the district and city. Now, the program is managed wholly by the city, as of 2024, with no funds held by the district.
“If these were areas of concern by the board, they could have just asked Dr. Kruppe without the need for an investigation, and she would have explained it to the board as she always has,” Sharp said. “As these are issues from many years ago, a costly investigation was not necessary.”
She noted her client’s performance had been rated as “highly effective” since 2022.
“These concerns were not an issue by the board at the time they may have been present,” Sharp said. “Dr. Kruppe wants nothing more than to move forward in her role, guiding the district at a pivotal time. These continued accusations and claims are preventing her from working with the board. The investigation is complete — it is time to let it go.”
Hinton said the board is still trying to make sense of various discrepancies.
“We’re just trying to make sure we have all the facts,” Hinton said. “We want to ensure these issues don’t occur again in the future.”
Call Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at (586) 498-1046.
since it’s no longer safe to travel there. Projects include medical and dental clinics, a lab and pharmacy, water purifiers, and funding for food, shelter and supplies.
People can help by donating to HOM, which also urges churches to help.
Five local churches are already involved: St. Blase Catholic Church in Sterling Heights; St. David’s Episcopal Church in Southfield; Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Northville; St. Clare of Assisi Episcopal Church in Ann Arbor; and Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Detroit. A sixth is outside of Michigan: St. Bernard Catholic Church in Billings, Montana.
Dr. Dominique Monde-Matthews, HOM’s founder, said the people of Mirebalais have left their homes.
“The priests know where the camps are and they’re bringing them supplies. They’re also trying to continue schooling so the little ones have some normalcy,” she said. “By helping them stay alive, we hope they can return home someday.”
Another world
John Messina, a parishioner at St. Blase in Sterling Heights, has gone to Haiti with various groups 28 times.
“I remember the first trip in 2000,” he said. “It was like walking into a heatwave — just overwhelming.”
The town of Mirebalais is perched on a plateau in the mountains near the capital of Port-au-Prince, home to an estimated 200,000. Driving there is perilous, with blind switchbacks along sheer cliffs.
Aid workers say that once in town, outsiders are hit with the stench of sweat and garbage mixed with burning charcoal — the primary means of cooking in a place with no power.
Tightly packed houses line the winding streets. The homes are made of cement block with metal roofs. Light flows through small windows with no screens. There are no furnaces or air conditioning.
There is no municipal water supply, either. Potable water is sold in 5-gallon jugs or smaller. A Haiti Outreach Mission store helps filter and disinfect the water.
Even before the gangs grew in strength, electricity was unreliable, created by hydropower strained by low levels in the river. HOM has tried to offset this with solar panels at the clinics and priest residences.
Yet despite the challenges, the Haitians endured.
‘They were still giving’
Aid workers describe the people of Mirebalais as warm and welcoming. Their faith keeps them strong, with many walking miles to church in their bare feet so their shoes won’t be dirty when they arrive.
Messina recalled driving with a priest to a church in the mountains — actually a blue tarp strung over some trees above an altar — and having to park on the road with rocks behind each wheel so it wouldn’t slide back downhill. He noticed a group of young adults following them.
“We found out they just wanted to make sure we got there safely,” Messina said. “After Mass, they clung to us and didn’t want us to leave. One gentleman went out and he brought a bushel of coconuts. He was apologetic about the condition of the roads and opened a coconut for each of us. He said, ‘This is a refreshment for you on your way back down the mountain.’ They don’t have enough food for themselves, but they were still giving to us.”
In Mirebalais, laundry is done in the river with lye soap, laid across bushes to dry, and then smoothed with a metal iron filled with charcoal. Much of their time is dedicated to hygiene.
“We usually have rice, but one day they
MADISON DISTRICT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2025-2026 BUDGET
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Education of the Madison District Public Schools will hold a special meeting on June 23, 2025, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium at the Madison District Public Schools Madison High School, 915 E Eleven Mile Rd, Madison Heights, Michigan, to consider the School District’s proposed 2025-2026 budget.
A copy of the proposed 2025-2026 budget, including the proposed property tax millage rate, is available for public inspection during normal business hours, beginning Monday, June 13, 2025, in the Business Offce located in the Administrative Building, 26550 John R Road, Madison Heights, Michigan, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing.
included drumsticks. And I saw a cleaning lady take one that we’d already eaten, and she started chewing on the gristle,” he said. “That was the first time I realized hunger.”
‘Difficult to walk away’
Monde-Matthews is a Haitian native who still has family there. She and her husband, Roger Matthews, founded HOM in 1998 after their honeymoon in her homeland. Backed by six U.S. churches, the group also works with two in Mirebalais: St. Pierre Episcopal Church and St. Louis Catholic Church.
HOM helped St. Pierre convert a building into a clinic staffed by a doctor, dentist, nurse and others. A lab was added later. When the clinic’s generator needed repairs, HOM replaced it. HOM also sent a compressor for the dental clinic and paid for provisions to feed kids. When mission trips were still possible, the group would also bring fluoride and medicine.
HOM also supports schools such as Monsignor Remi Augustin School — originally an orphanage built with money from St. Blase. The water purifiers nearby were funded by HOM and maintained by St. Louis.
Recently, HOM paid for solar panels at the St. Pierre clinic and St. Louis rectory. The panels are more reliable than the power company and cheaper than diesel.
But there’s much to be done, Messina said.
“The people line up outside the clinic the day before we arrive and wait all through the night. And the sad thing is when we
leave, the line is just as long,” Messina said. “It’s difficult to walk away. I don’t know anyone who’s gone who wouldn’t be willing to go back.”
‘The biggest thing we give them is hope’ Now, much of the city is abandoned. HOM estimates there are about 10,000 people displaced nearby.
“When the gangs started taking over Port-au-Prince, the refugees wound up in Mirebalais, and we helped them. Now, the tables have turned, and the people of Mirebalais are refugees. And one wonders if the gangs will march farther and get them again,” said Monde-Matthews. “It’s so sad.”
In his letter, Gracia, the Episcopalian priest in Mirebalais, said that “misery, for its part, is intensifying.”
“Bellies are empty. Children are crying from hunger. Parents, who left without taking anything with them, are powerless to hear their children’s cries,” he wrote. He urged Americans to give what time and money they can.
“Every gesture counts,” Gracia said. “Solidarity can save a life.”
Messina agreed.
“The biggest thing we give them is hope,” he said.
Donations to HOM are tax deductible. To donate, click the “Donate” button at haitioutreachmission.org, or write a check to “Haiti Outreach Mission,” 5700 Crooks Road, Suite 100, Troy, MI 48098.
To learn more, call (248) 385-7411 or visit haitioutreachmission.org.
PUBLIC NOTICE
CITY OF HAZEL PARK
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held by the Hazel Park Planning Commission at 6:30 p.m. on July 9, 2025, at 111 E. Nine Mile Rd., Hazel Park, MI 48030. This public hearing is being held in conjunction with a Special Land Use request received by the City of Hazel Park for a proposed used automotive sales business at 45-59 E. 8 Mile Rd. (Parcels #25-36-359-038 & 25-36-359-033). All are invited to attend these hearings and express views pertaining to these matters. Written comments may be submitted to the Hazel Park Planning Department until 4:00 p.m. on the day of the hearing. Additional information can be obtained from the Planning Department at www.hazelpark.org or by calling (248) 546-4072.
0429-2524
Published: Madison-Park News 06/11/2025
PUBLIC NOTICE
CITY OF HAZEL PARK
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held by the Hazel Park Planning Commission at 6:30 p.m. on July 9, 2025, at 111 E. Nine Mile Rd., Hazel Park, MI 48030. This public hearing is being held in conjunction with proposed text amendments to the Hazel Park Municipal Code, Title 17 - Zoning Ordinance, to consider the adoption of amendments to Sections including but not limited to 17.03, 17.04, 17.05, 17.06 & 17.09. All are invited to attend this hearing and express views pertaining to this matter. The proposed text of the amendments may be examined at the Planning Department (111 E. Nine Mile Rd., Hazel Park, MI 48030) during public offce hours of Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Written comments may be submitted to the Planning Department until 4:00 p.m. on the day of the hearing. www.hazelpark.org - (248) 546-4072.
Published: Madison-Park News 06/11/2025
0430-2524
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
11A/ MADISON-PARK NEWS • JUNE 11, 2025
JUNE 14
Madison Heights Juneteenth Celebration: Includes opening remarks and prayer, live music, food truck rally featuring African American-owned businesses, vendor fair, petting zoo and pony rides, climbing tower, bounce houses, crafts, educational exhibit about holiday (commemorates when last slaves were freed in United States on June 19, 1865), and more, noon-6 p.m., Civic Center Park, 360 W. 13 Mile Road, donations of nonperishable food items for city food pantry appreciated, read story at candgnews.com
Explore Madison Heights Heritage Rooms: See working classroom from early 1900s, antiques, political memorabilia, vintage clothing, yearbooks from local schools, section dedicated to “hometown heroes” and more, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., lower level of Madison Heights City Hall, 300 W. 13 Mile Road, also open Sept. 13 and Dec. 13, madison-heights.org/heritage
JUNE 29
Festival In The Park: Live music by Cosmic Groove (eight-piece band plays all genres), food trucks, bounce houses, vendors and fireworks, 6-10:30 p.m., Madison Heights Civic Center Park, facebook.com/ madisonheightsrecreation
ONGOING
Red Oaks Waterpark: Features wave pool, heated
river, triple-flume water slide for older children and teens, and SplashTown with 52 water features for younger kids, concessions available but can bring own food, open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. until Aug. 17 (11 a.m.-3 p.m. June 11-13 and 16-18), then late hours until Sept. 1 (Labor Day) TBD, 1455 E. 13 Mile Road, Madison Heights, purchase tickets based on availability (up to three days in advance encouraged), (248) 858-0918, oaklandcountyparks.com
Social clubs: Lego/Pokémon (6:30-7:30 p.m. every first Tuesday of month), Stitch & Knit (4-6 p.m. every first Thursday of month), Ham Radio (7:30-9 p.m. every second Wednesday of month) and various book groups, Hazel Park District Library, 123 E. Nine Mile Road, (248) 546-4095, hpmlibrary@gmail.com, hazel-park.lib.mi.us
Fun Fridays: Games, crafts, snacks and movies, 3 p.m. every Friday, Hazel Park District Library, 123 E. Nine Mile Road, (248) 546-4095, hpmlibrary@gmail. com, hazel-park.lib.mi.us
Speaker series: Includes “Living the Otter Life” with author Katherine Applegate for grades 3-6 (4 p.m. June 24), “Drawing Your World” with illustrator, author and artist Raúl The Third for pre-kindergarten to grade 2 (in Spanish at 2 p.m. and in English at 4 p.m. July 8), “Discerning the Truth” with author Marie Lu for
To view more Community Calendar and to submit your own, use the QR code or visit candgnews.com/calendar. To advertise an event, call (586) 498-8000.
grades 9-12 (4 p.m. July 17), “Illuminating Hope and Grace in the Face of Hardship” with author Rex Ogle for grades 5-8 (4 p.m. July 23), and “On the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains” with neurologist, author and professor of medicine Pria Anand (2 p.m. July 31), Madison Heights Public Library, 240 W. 13 Mile Road, registration required, (248) 588-7763, see more at libraryc.org/mhlibrary/upcoming
Senior card playing: Noon-3 p.m. every Monday and Thursday, Hazel Park Community Center, 620 W. Woodward Heights, (248) 547-5535, facebook.com/ cityofhp
Book clubs: Find groups for ages 50 and older, grades 5-7, lovers of romance novels, LGBTQIA+ themes, fiction and nonfiction, and more, Madison Heights Public Library, 240 W. 13 Mile Road, find times, dates and more at madison-heights.org/1907/ book-clubs
Royal Oak Leprechauns baseball: Member of Northwoods League (collegiate summer baseball), home games on select dates until Aug. 5, The Lucky Corner at Memorial Park, 31050 Woodward Ave., royaloakleprechauns.com
‘Annie’: Musical follows title character’s life in harsh New York City orphanage during Great Depression
and her determination to find loving family, 7 p.m. Thursdays-Mondays (3 p.m. Sundays) until June 30 (no June 27), Ringwald Theatre at Affirmations LGBTQIA+ Community Center, 290 W. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale, theringwald.com, read story at candgnews. com
‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’: Biblical story told entirely through song about Jacob’s favorite son who gets sold into slavery by jealous brothers, presented by Stagecrafters Main Stage, select Thursdays-Sundays until June 22, The Baldwin Theatre, 415 S. Lafayette in Royal Oak, (248) 5416430, stagecrafters.org, read story at candgnews.com
Health workshops: For hypertension, diabetes, pre-diabetes and more, hosted by Corewell Health, free and virtual, corewellhealth.org/classes-events/ southeast-michigan
Lupus support groups: 10 a.m. every second Tuesday of month and 7 p.m. every last Wednesday of month, Zoom, (248) 901-7299, milupus.org/support-groups
ADHD meetings: Hosted by CHADD of Eastern Oakland County, for adults and parents, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Zoom, see schedule on chadd.net/chapterevents/527
TAKE IT EASY, RIDER
FATHER AND SON BUILD THEIR OWN ‘CAPTAIN AMERICAʻ E-BICYCLE
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — David Royce was a kid in 1969 when the movie “Easy Rider” was released.
His favorite part of the film was the custom-built Harley-Davidson Panhead chopper motorcycle, “Captain America,” that Peter Fonda’s character, Wyatt, rode across the country.
David owned a Schwinn Sting-Ray bicycle at the time. But whenever he gazed at promotional posters of “Easy Rider,” he wished for his own motorcycle with similar features.
Now he’s “racing with the wind” because David finally has his own replica of Fonda’s “Easy Rider” motorcycle. He and his son, Grant, custom built their own “Captain America” electric bicycle.
“It was a boyhood dream,” David said. “It’s a tribute to the chopper movement.”
It took the Rochester Hills duo about 2 1/2 years to make the electric vehicle from scratch. A lot of planning went into it. During the process and with various materials, the guys created a few prototypes before completing the final version of the electric bicycle.
The e-bike is equipped with many modern-day safety features, including front and rear hydraulic disc brakes.
David and Grant installed an electric motor in the rear hub to assist with the pedaling.
Each part of the bike serves a purpose. Two batteries help make the e-bike run. A larger battery is for propulsion, which David said is the pedal assist. A smaller battery operates the LED lighting system, which includes glow lights of different colors. The e-bike features fishtail exhaust pipes, and David even purchased a stars-and-stripes helmet like Fonda’s “Easy Rider” character. The license plate reads “Grant’s Garage.”
Grant, 17, is an avid bicyclist. He was a member of the Rochester United Mountain Bike Racing Team while in school. The Rochester High School senior graduated last month and will now be a coach for the team. David knows quite a bit about working with machinery. His first career was as an aircraft mechanic. He eventually went back to school and earned a mechanical engineering design degree.
Building their own “Captain America” e-bike chopper required the pair to enroll in several classes at Maker Works in Ann Arbor, where they became skilled in woodworking, welding and more.
“We both did a little bit of everything. We had to cut and weld and design each piece,” Grant said. “I think it was
TOP LEFT: David Royce, left, and his son, Grant, of Rochester Hills, spent about 2 1/2 years making the custom-built “Captain America” electric bicycle. BOTTOM LEFT: David Royce fashioned the e-bike after the Harley-Davidson Panhead chopper motorcycle “Captain America” that Peter Fonda’s character rode in the 1969 movie “Easy Rider.” Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
Bike
from page 12A
a really good interpretation of the concept my dad had. I think it turned out really well.”
While building the bike, the father and son frequented salvage yards to look for motorcycle and car parts, which Grant described as “very interesting.” The handlebars, for instance, are from an old Harley-Davidson they found.
“We had to make adapters to go inside the handlebars to accept these,” David said. “A really fun part of the project was adapting motorcycle stuff to a bicycle application and adapting old stuff to new technology. We traipsed over a lot of old motorcycles that were scrapped out.”
The e-bicycle can go as fast as 25 mph. The bike will travel about 20 miles after it is charged. It’s a single-seater, but aesthetically it’s made to look like a two-seater.
“The seat on the back is more just for looks,” Grant said.
The bike did have some professional work done.
“The paint job was done at a professional place,” David said. “There’s some purchased parts — the tires, the fenders. The batteries are purchased.”
David and Grant also have another ebicycle, so they often go riding together on both vehicles in good weather. David loves to cruise to downtown Rochester and one stop is always O’Connor’s Public House. He also rides “Captain America” to work, a 4-mile commute from home. The unique bike always starts a conversation. Many people initially think it’s a motorcycle.
“Everywhere we go, we get all kinds of compliments from people. It’s so much fun. Every day people yell, ‘What a cool bike,’” David said. “The prime one had to be I was riding to the gym and I had the glow lights on for the evening. The high school boys working at the burger place stuck their heads out of the drive-thru and yelled, ‘Dude, that thing is awesome.’”
David remembers his first cruise on the bike.
“It was wonderful. It was a great feeling,” he said. “First I rode it on pedals, and then I rode it with electric-motor assist. It was very smooth.”
David, an Air Force veteran, said “it was very special” to tackle the project with his son.
“He was very attentive. He was very patient in taking these classes while we meticulously went through every safety precaution. I do believe he learned a lot,” David said. “There are some skills you just can’t learn online, like when you’re operating the mill to cut away metal. You have to feel that with your
or anything else.”
TOP: The father and son went to local salvage yards to find parts for the e-bike.
MIDDLE: “Grant’s Garage” is a reminder of the work that went into building the electric bicycle.
BOTTOM: Riding “Captain America” around town is a favorite pastime. Photos by Patricia O’Blenes hands. You can’t teach that on YouTube or LinkedIn
Budget
from page 3A
as well as the elimination of four vacant fulltime positions.
Meanwhile, $8.8 million has been allocated to the capital improvement fund, which pays for a variety of road work, park improvements and water/sewer line replacements.
There is also $14.2 million programmed for the water and sewer fund, which covers rising costs for water and sewage treatment and other infrastructure needs.
The budget was balanced using more than $436,500 in general fund reserves. Reserves are expected to total $11.4 million by the end of the current fiscal year.
In addition, funding is available for another school resource officer, which will be jointly funded with the Lamphere Schools.
Funds are also available for IT infrastructure upgrades at the city’s administrative offices, including a firewall update and improvements to telecommunications.
In terms of projects, nearly $2 million is in place for major and local street repairs, including along John R Road, and $2.5 million is earmarked for water and sewer work.
The city is also investing in parks and recreation, including improvements at Rosie’s Park.
The budget features $15,000 to expand community programming, as well as $3,000 to continue the city’s food composting dropoff program. Another $15,000 is earmarked for the makerspace and other programs at the Madison Heights Public Library.
The budget also trims back the length of the annual recreation brochure and puts the savings towards a new quarterly citywide newsletter that will be included as a newspaper insert with the Madison-Park News.
The budget allocates $7.7 million for
the police and fire pension fund, including $4 million in contributions beyond the required annual minimum. The goal is to raise the pension funding level above 60% by June 2026.
“More than a quarter of every dollar in taxes that are sent to the city are automatically tied up in promises that were made for pension and health care services delivered in years prior,” said Mark Bliss, the mayor pro tem. “So, when you give us a dollar in taxes, a quarter is already gone … and the (other) roughly 70 cents is then made available for us to make choices in the budget.”
The city has seen reduced revenues due to the decline of cable franchise fees from $500,000 to $350,000. Court revenues have been declining, as well.
Madison Heights, like all Michigan municipalities, continues to wrestle with the long-term effects of Proposal A and the Headlee Amendment, two state policies that together limit what a city can collect from its tax base to 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.
Officials describe the system as an unfair tax structure for those purchasing a new home. Barring legislative changes at the state level, future budgets may have to adjust service offerings or incorporate targeted millage proposals to maintain current levels.
“It’s going to be a real challenge for us in the coming few years,” said Madison Heights City Councilman William Mier. “Almost every department did take a decrease this year, with some projects put on hold since we didn’t want to increase the rate.”
Bliss wanted to remind the public that the tax burden each resident faces is different due to the way assessed values are determined.
“The house next to you that was bought five years ago has a very different assessed tax rate than the house next to you bought 20 years ago, and those buying brand new
homes in the city might be seeing tax bills upwards and over $7,000 in a year,” Bliss said.
“This is absolutely ridiculous, but it’s a product of the laws being handed down,” he said. “It’s not equalized, so I would urge empathy from the public if a neighbor says their taxes are really high and they’re struggling. They might have a very different (assessed) rate than you.”
Following the meeting, Melissa Marsh, the city manager, was quick to dispel rumors that the Active Adult Center was closing.
“While no full-time staff was added to any department in the city … we did add part-time hours and the highest budget the (Active Adult Center) has ever had,” Marsh said, noting that the city has committed nearly $575,000 to the center this fiscal year.
She also reminded residents that the city has nothing to do with school taxes, which are levied by the school districts themselves. The Lamphere Public Schools district ran a tax bond proposal last month that was defeated by voters.
Madison Heights City Councilman Quinn Wright commended city staff for delivering another balanced budget.
“I want to give kudos to our (staff) for having that tough job as we plan ahead for future problems so that we can face them head on proactively instead of reactively,” Wright said.
Bliss added, “I know people are struggling. This is a difficult economic period. We weren’t able to reduce the (millage rate), but … I’m so thankful we were at least able to keep it the same.”
AUCTION
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Three outstanding outdoorsman online auctions at Bid. SherwoodAuctionServiceLLC. com. Shotguns, black powder, revolvers, rifles, scopes ammo, reloading equipment, knives, Harley Davison Touring bike, more. Visit website for catalogs, to bid. Questions? Call 1-800835-0495.
Gun & Ammo Auction bidding open. 650+ new, used, collector firearms, ammo, accessories. Bid anywhere, anytime @JohnPeckAuctions.com. Ofices Charlotte & Gladwin, shipping available. Selling guns? Call John Peck 989-3454866. Michigan’s Premier Gun Auctioneers Since 1979.
BUILT RITE POLE BUILDINGS
State-wide. Prices starting at24x40x10 - $18,300.00. 30x40x10 -$20,400.00. Erected on your site. Call for price not shown on any size building or go to www. builtritepolebuildingsmi.com. Or call 989-259-2015 or 989-6001010 or 989-324-0035.
BUSINESS SERVICES
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