BEHIND THE WHEEL
MINERAL BATHS RETURNING TO ‘BATH CITY’
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
MOUNT CLEMENS — After about 50 years, the industry that put Mount Clemens on the map will return.
Known as the “Bath City” due to its historic mineral bath industry, the Mount Clemens Planning Commission approved the city’s first dedicated mineral bathhouse since the 1970s on July 8.
“It’s really exciting,” said Lois Lombardo, owner of the last mineral water well in Mount Clemens.. “It feels like this yearlong dream of building and doing this bathhouse from when I acquired the well. It’s like the big next step and once we got approved, I was like, ‘Wow, this really going to happen.’”
Approved to be built on the site of Lombardo’s well at the corner of Park and Jones streets, the approved site plan for the Olympia Bathhouse calls for a 3,712 square-foot structure with eight bathing rooms (one being wheelchair accessible), as well as a massage room with two tables. The
See MINERAL BATHS on page 6A
Parade of Lights ready to set sail
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — The Parade of Lights is back this year to support another awesome charity and spread light and joy on Aug. 2.
Julie Angst, Lambrecht Marina manager and Parade of Lights chairman, said she took over the
event in 2014 and started raising money for charity.
“Every year we pick a different 501(c)(3) to receive the proceeds from the parade,” Angst said.
The charity this year is I Heart Dog Rescue and Animal Haven which is a no-kill shelter for homeless dogs and homeless cats. Dianne Reeves,
See PARADE on page 7A
Image provided by Lois Lombardo
A rendering of the Olympia Bathhouse, which could be the first dedicated bathhouse in Mount Clemens since the 1970s.
Onlookers can see boats decorated in strings of lights and colorful decorations at the Parade of Lights in Harrison Township on Aug. 2.
Photo provided by Julie Angst
Nurses, support staff strike at McLaren hospital
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
MOUNT CLEMENS — Ongoing labor disputes between staff and management at McLaren Macomb hospital took a turn in early July as nurses and support staff went on strike.
Members of Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 40 took to the sidewalk along Harrington Street outside of the hospital from
June 7-10, holding signs and chanting in response to working conditions and claims of unfair labor practices filed against the Grand Blanc-based hospital network.
“The service group itself has six unfair labor practices; the RNs have seven,” said Dina Carlisle, a nurse and OPEIU 40’s president. “As they occurred, we filed them. For the RNs it’s been a yearlong (process) leading up to seven (claims). For the service
Residents vent over parking policy, sewage flooding
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
MOUNT CLEMENS — Reactions from residents over parking and sewage flooding set the tone for the July 7 Mount Clemens City Commission meeting.
As part of the nearly hourlong meeting’s agenda, a considerable amount of time was spent discussing the second reading of an ordinance establishing parking zones. Passed as part of the consent agenda, the ordinance allows the city to a designate “restricted residential parking permit zone(s)” via resolution with the intention of “(reducing) and (alleviating) parking congestion and hazardous conditions resulting from the use of streets within residential areas for the parking of vehicles by non-residents.”
The ordinance is in response to United States Postal Service workers parking in the neighborhoods southeast of the Mount Clemens’ post office, located between northbound Gratiot Avenue and South Main Street.
“The city manager, the mayor, other members of this commission have worked really hard with the post office (and) with the federal government to get them — as soon as last week — to
Nurses, support staff and their supporters picket along Harrington Street outside of McLaren Macomb Hospital on June 8.
Photo by Dean Vaglia
See MCLAREN on page 9A
Photo by Dean Vaglia
Parked cars line the sides of Beyne Street during the workday. Workers at the nearby post office park in the neighborhood, which has caused much discontent from residents. City commissioners approved a parking zone ordinance that aims to curtail the issue.
See RESIDENTS on page 13A
NEWS & NOTES
4A/ JOURNAL • JULY 23, 2025
Clinton Township encourages waste hauler reporting
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — On July 7, Clinton Township posted a link to its “Interruption of Waste Collection Service Form” on its website.
The form asks township residents for details about incidents when trash, recycling or compost goes without getting picked up on its scheduled day. The form allows the township to track instances of Priority Waste missing pickups to best understand how the company is handling, or not, its contractual obligations.
“We understand, as a board, that the current level of service to the community is unacceptable,” Clinton Township Supervisor Paul Gieleghem said at the July 14 Board of Trustees meeting. “We understand that folks are very frustrated and very concerned. We are in the middle of summer and waste and compost sitting out, being left throughout the community, is not something that we are taking lightly. It is something we are working very, very hard to address.”
The township’s contract with Priority Waste allows the township to penalize Priority for missed pickups.
Residents can access the form at clintontownship.com. Click on the “Public Services” button and navigate through the “Public Works” and “Trash, Recycling, Yard Waste & Chipping” links. Select “Trash Collection” and then click on the link for the form.
CMPL hosting events in August
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — As summer begins to wind down, so does the Clinton-Macomb Public Library’s summer reading program.
To celebrate the end of the summer, adults are invited to the Main Library on Friday, Aug. 8 for the Summer Reading Soiree at 6 p.m. Participants will play book bingo, make a mug, a bookmark, get book recommendations, have light refreshments and more.
More events will be held at each of the CMPL’s branches throughout August. On Thursday, Aug. 14 at 2 p.m., teens in grades 6-12 are invited to the South Branch to make edible terrariums. Terrariums will be made out of a variety of delicious materials with a base of cookie crumble dirt cups.
On Thursday, Aug. 21 at 4:30 p.m., teens in grades 6-12 are invited to the North Branch for the “Let it Flow” art session. A variety of art materials will be provided for attendees to freely express their creativity.
For the full list of events at all CMPL locations, go to cmpl.org.
Macomb County accepting Community Mental Health Board applications
MOUNT CLEMENS — The Macomb County Board of Commissioners is accepting applications to fill one seat on the Macomb County Community Mental Health Board for a partial term that will run through March 31, 2027.
The board oversees Macomb County Community Mental Health and is charged with providing a comprehensive array of mental health services appropriate to the needs of the individuals within its service area, regardless of the ability to pay. By statute, the members are representatives of providers of mental health services, recipients of mental health services, agencies and occupations having a working involvement with mental health services and the general public. Applicants should have an awareness of the need for the provision of mental health services in Macomb County, knowledge of the evolving mental health landscape and basic understanding of Medicaid regulations in the state of Michigan, as well as the mental health code in the area the services are provided. Applicants also must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of Macomb County and cannot be employed by state or county health agencies.
Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12. Applicants are expected to attend the Government Operations Committee meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 3 p.m. for a public interview. Appointments will take place at the Thursday, Aug. 21 meeting of the full county board.
For more information or to apply, go to bocmacomb.org, contact the commission’s office at (586) 469-5125 or email bocadmin@ macombgov.org. Additional information regarding MCCMH can be found at mccmh.net.
Advancing Macomb awards grants to nonprofits
MOUNT CLEMENS — Nonprofit Advancing Macomb announced on July 8 that it awarded $45,000 in grants to 13 nonprofits through its new capacity building grant program.
Designed to strengthen small and growing nonprofits serving low-to-moderate-income communities in Macomb County, the program provides one-time grants of up to $5,000 to help build internal capacity and foster long-term sustainability. A total of 39 applications were submitted, requesting nearly $185,000 in funding.
“We’re proud to support this group of dedicated nonprofits that are making a meaningful impact in Macomb County,” said Phil Gilchrist, executive director of Advancing Macomb, via press release. “These grants are an investment in their long-term success, helping them grow stronger from the inside out, whether it’s improving infrastructure, building leadership capacity or enhancing outreach.”
The Advancing Macomb grant recipients include:
• Bravo Programs of America: The grant will support professional development and strategic marketing initiatives.
• DRIVE One: The grant will help expand the organization’s training facility, including the construction of space to house an additional vehicle.
• Dutton Farm: The grant will support leadership development through training programs, executive coaching and participation in sector-specific conferences.
• The Ellington Grace Foundation: The grant will strengthen internal infrastructure through strategic planning, financial upgrades and communication improvements.
• Elms Family & Community Services: The grant will support organizational growth through strategic planning, staff development, technology enhancements and marketing efforts.
• Leadership Macomb: The grant will cover staff participation at a national leadership conference.
• Macomb County Habitat for Humanity: The grant will be used to implement a new data management system to streamline operations.
• Macomb Food Program: The grant will support a communications overhaul, including website improvements and social media updates.
• Macomb Immigrant Service Center: The grant will support the purchase of desktop computers for administrative use.
• Michigan Notary Association: The grant will build foundational infrastructure, including financial systems and educational resources.
• MyCare Health Center: The grant will support the development of a comprehensive fundraising plan.
• Single Family Living: The grant will enhance the organization’s K–12 tutoring program through technology upgrades and program evaluation tools.
• Trinity Community Care: The grant will cover a formal financial review conducted by an external accounting firm.
Friends donation funds study room furniture
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — The Friends of the Harrison Township Library have donated $13,100 to the library for furniture in the study rooms. Members of the Friends joined library staff to present the check at the Harrison Township Board of Trustees meeting on July 14.
CRIME WATCH
Stolen glasses reported
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On June 29 at around 11:40 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the 39000 block of Canterbury Drive for a larceny from a vehicle report.
Deputies spoke with a 26-year-old Clinton Township man, who believed a $4,000 pair of sunglasses were stolen from him. The man last saw the glasses in late May when he had some people over. He believed a guest may have taken the glasses from his car but did not give deputies their names out of concern about possible retaliation.
Kitchen crook?
MOUNT CLEMENS — On June 21 at around 2 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to Little Loraine’s Bar to speak with a 40-year-old Mount Clemens man about a potential larceny.
The man said that while he was working in the kitchen, he asked an unknown man walking around the kitchen to leave. The man later noticed his phone was missing.
Upon viewing security footage, the man believed the unknown man had stolen the phone while working with an unknown woman.
The man did not wish to press charges.
Sidewall slasher
MOUNT CLEMENS — On June 20 at around 11:30 p.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to a parking lot in the 190 block of Hubbard Street.
A caller told dispatch that a woman had slashed the tires of a parked car, and deputies found a Chevrolet Cruze in the lot with three slashed tires.
Deputies spoke with the owner of the Cruze, a 26-year-old Mount Clemens woman, who believed the perpetrator was a neighbor who allegedly stabbed her sister. Deputies spoke with the neighbor, who denied any involvement.
Apartment intrusion
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On June 20 at around noon, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the 36000 block of Union Lake Road for a breaking and entering report.
The caller, a 39-year-old Harrison Township man, informed deputies an unknown man was in his apartment. He was notified of the intruder by security cameras around 11:30 a.m. and promptly called police.
Doors to the caller’s apartment appeared to have been pried open. Marks were noticed by deputies. Deputies searched the caller’s apartment and one other apartment but did not notice anything stolen.
Bumper burglary
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On June 17 at around 2:20 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the 35000 block of Brittany Park for a missing car bumper.
Deputies spoke with a 25-year-old Detroit man who believed another resident had removed the rear bumper of his Chevrolet Impala. There was a similar car in the complex and the man believed that car’s owner may have taken the bumper.
The man did not know why the bumper would have been stolen and the other car was not present around at the time of the report.
— DEAN VAGLIA
13650 E. Eleven Mile Rd.
Warren, MI 48089
Chris Swift
586-231-2520
cjswift@agc.aaa.com
Mineral baths
primary service of the bathhouse is to bathe in the mineral water as it is pulled from the ground, much as it was in the Bath City’s early 1900s heyday.
The bathhouse serves as a companion to Lombardo’s Olympia Salon and Spa located on Cass Avenue. Mineral baths using a mix of tap and well-sourced mineral waters have been offered at the spa since opening. Lombardo acquired the well following the 2022 death of its prior owner, Susan Gans, which led to Lombardo seriously pursuing the idea of a new bathhouse soon after closing on the well purchase in 2024.
“I closed on the well (on) April 4 of 2024, and that was my plan right away,” Lombardo said. “Once I decided I was going to purchase this, I’m like, ‘OK, I’m going to do a bathhouse.’ So then my first (plan) was that … I need to do open houses once a month there, at the well, to get the community (aware) while I’m in the process of figuring out what I need to do to start the well.”
On Friday nights and Saturday mornings, Lombardo would set up shop in the garage that surrounds the well and offer people a chance to see, feel and bring home some of its water.
Along with making connections with residents, interactions with the Mount Clemens community led to changes and new ideas getting incorporated into the bathhouse plans. Lombardo initially was not going to include showers in the Olympia Bathhouse — historically, bath patrons would let the water’s minerals remain on their skin for therapeutic benefits — but they were included after City Commissioner Erik Rick informed her of the Japanese practice of showering prior to bathing.
“I hadn’t thought about putting a shower in then because I thought (customers) are not showering afterwards, but then once Erik Rick told me that I was like, ‘Oh, OK. You’re right. I need to have showers,” Lombardo said.
Getting the plans approved by the city was much easier than expected. A preliminary meeting with Mount Clemens Community Development Director Brian Tingley led to one potential hurdle being resolved. A service entrance connecting to Jones Street, owned by the Park Place Towers, was removed. Tingley says the primary concern of planning commissioners was the idea of smells emanating from the bathhouse. However, they were able to convince them that the mineral water aroma that once lingered around the city would not return
due to a single operating bathhouse.
“I think modern HVAC systems, as well as how the water is treated now when it’s pulled out of the ground, is different now so it does kind of reduce that overall amount of smell,” Tingley said. “And it’s only one bathhouse. We’re not talking about several or a dozen different hotels that used to offer these services.”
The distinctive smell of the mineral water is just part of the natural and chemical qualities that made it stand out when the mineral bath boom was new. It is part of the experience Lombardo aims to cultivate at the Olympia Bathhouse. Aside from the private rooms for baths, much of the bathhouse’s layout will be an open, atrium-like space, while building materials will focus on keeping guests connected to the natural world.
And central to all of this, of course, is the water itself.
“I do feel a grounding presence from this mineral water,” Lombardo said. “Some people who aren’t into energy don’t really think that much, but people will tell me, ‘Oh, it’s so calming.’ And the colors of the water as it comes out of the well; it comes out that foggy-clear and within minutes it slowly, before your eyes, starts turning slightly darker. It ends up being the most beautiful navy blue and emerald green, and it reminds me of a mood ring, how (the color) changes when you put them on. And by the next day when I come back and that water that I pumped is now this beautiful gold-copper color. People really get a kick out of standing there and watching the colors change in the water. It’s kind of neat. It turns because it’s never had oxygen touch it, so as soon as it comes out of that pump it’s hitting oxygen for the first time. It feels like an experience and people get mesmerized by it.”
With approval granted, another review pending for utility connections and a builder yet to be decided upon, there’s not much else left to do for the bathhouse but build it. Lombardo expects construction to begin as soon as September.
“I just am so excited that the city has been so welcoming with this idea,” Lombardo said. “The nickname of the town is ‘Bath City.’ It feels to me like this is what we’re supposed to be doing. I feel like it’s something that’s supposed to have been done, and I feel blessed that I get to be a part of all of this.”
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
I Heart Dog Rescue and Animal Haven’s executive director, said they house around 65 dogs and 10 to 15 cats. They also support 20 to 25 foster animals. She said they reached out to the parade organization because she had heard The KARENS, a K-9 rescue, had been the featured charity before.
“I reached out and asked if they would consider us and that is how it all started,” Reeves said.
She said they are not funded by public entities.
“All of our money comes from donations, fundraising and events,” Reeves said. “And it all goes back to saving dogs and cats as well.”
She said the money goes back to take care of the unwanted and abandoned animals.
“We find them forever homes through our adoption process,” Reeves said. “I think anybody who has a love for dogs and cats, or they have people in their family that do, I think it kind of touches on the heartstrings of a lot of people.”
The event is free for those who want to
participate in the fun. Angst asks the boats to be 16 feet or larger due to liability purposes.
“We do ask that it is a little bit bigger if they’re going to have a couple people on board,” Angst said.
Businesses and others sponsor the event with different amounts of money. Angst said there are minimal costs to pay such as prizes and other things before the money goes to the charity. The main sponsors are Bumpers Landing, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Freedom Boat Club with Lambrecht Marina as the host and Maritime Corporation as a cohost.
There are no specific themes to follow, but Angst asks that decorations do not include political or religious themes. The parade line starts at Lambrecht Marine with The Pride of Michigan leading it. It goes to Bridgeview, and the parade route will turn from there to go to the Harley Ensign Memorial Launch and head back to Lambrecht Marina from there. Line up is at 8:45 p.m. and the parade starts at 9 p.m. on Aug. 2.
Registration is required and residents can call (586) 469-6000 and ask for Angst to ask questions and register. Participants are required to have an updated insurance policy. They must state how many people will be on board and indicate the type of boat they will
be using. Angst said there is a half hour captain’s meeting the week before the parade.
There is a contest with judges from the marina, the rescue and even residents can get involved. Residents will vote on the best decorated boat. To vote, they can contact Angst at the previously mentioned number. First place receives $1,000, second place gets $500 and third place gets $300.
Participants are asked to follow the rules of the water, and they must have a captain.
“You have to have a captain who is able to handle the boat and the rules of the water anyway,” Angst said. “That’s what they would have to do. That’s required of any captain.”
Angst said the parade is a family-friendly event and she hopes people will come out and watch.
Another service the rescue offers is housing animals for people who are experiencing a domestic violence situation. The rescue will house survivors’ animals for around 45 days while they look for stable situations away from their abusers. This program is in collaboration with Turning Point, a women’s shelter in Mt. Clemens.
“People who abuse pets become abusers of their partners — if not immediately, over time,” Reeves said. “But pets are also used as a manipulative tool to keep their victims in the home.”
She went on to say abusers will often threaten to harm or abandon the animal if the survivor leaves.
“We provide them with a means to get out of the situation and their pets to get safely out of the situation,” Reeves said.
group it’s been two years that six unfair labor practices have been filed.”
Carlisle says the staffing conditions at the hospital see nurses regularly having to care for up to six patients at once. For comparison, intensive care unit nurses care for up to two patients at a time. The union says this workload leads to burnout, violates the agreed upon staffing matrix and creates potentially harmful conditions for patients.
“For the RNs, this is not about money. This is about staffing safely and being able to take the best care of our patients as we can,” Carlisle said.
The support staff group is seeking to increase its pay, which currently starts at $11.46 per hour and is below Michigan’s current minimum wage of $12.48. McLaren’s “last, best and final offer,” according to an OPEIU 40 statement, was a raise in 2026 that would increase the starting wage to $11.69. The union said that is still about 12% under the state minimum wage of $13.29 after the minimum wage increases again on Feb. 21, 2026.
Both the nursing and support groups have filed unfair labor practices against McLaren dating back to 2023. The claims involve direct dealing over wages and the firing of 11 members of the support staff.
During the strike, while passersby honked in support of the hospital workers and food and water were donated to those on the picket line, McLaren informed the union that 176 out-of-state strikebreakers had been called in to replace the over 400 nurses on strike. McLaren also prevented
the union nurses from returning to work until the morning of July 12. OPEIU 40 has called upon Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido and Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham to investigate McLaren for violations of the 1962 Solicitation of Strikebreakers Act.
“In an update to us, it said that they brought in 176 — they name that number,” Carlisle said. “There are almost over 480 nurses here, and they did that for five days paying them $104 an hour. I found it fascinating that they would be silly enough to send that (update). They sent it to everyone. It wasn’t just us. They were trying to, I think, assure the community that the hospital was safely staffed, and I thought, ‘How did they figure that?’”
Despite the lockouts, strikebreakers and other unfair practice claims, Carlisle says the hospital reached out to the union by the morning of July 10 to resume negotiations. The union and the hospital planned to return to the bargaining table on Wednesday, July 23 and Monday, Aug. 4 to discuss the nursing and support groups, respectively.
“We are bargaining in good faith, and I am hopeful that we can resolve these issues,” Carlisle said. “It will be really unfortunate if the hospital does not seem receptive to safe staffing.”
On July 9, McLaren spokesperson Dave Jones issued a statement regarding the strike, stating the hospital brought in “licensed, credentialed temporary professionals” to support full-time staff during the strike.
“We’ve bargained in good faith for the past two years for the service unit and RNs, investing extensive time and resources to
reach an agreement that honors our team members and ensures the long-term stability of our hospital — especially considering recently passed federal legislation that significantly reduces Medicaid reimbursements and threatens financial sustainability for health care providers across the country,” Jones’ statement said. “Despite those challenges, McLaren has presented a proposal that goes above and beyond what’s being seen in our region and even nationally. We believe all employees and our community deserve the full picture, and we’re confident if presented with the facts, many would view our offer as more than fair.”
McLaren’s offer for nurses as of the July 9 statement includes a 15.84% to 40.14% pay increase over three years, time-and-ahalf pay for working over 36 hours in a week, annual tenure-based retention bonuses up to
$1,000 and a nearly 16% pay increase if a unit is short staffed. Nurse staffing ratios would be at one nurse to 4.44-5.88 patients (1:4.44 to 1:5.88) for medical and surgical units, 1:1.76 for the ICU and 1:1.41 for obstetrics and gynecology units.
McLaren’s offer for support staff as of the July 9 statement includes “three-year agreement with equity increases of up to 15% based on years of service to recognize long-term dedication,” 2% annual salary increases and maintaining benefits.
McLaren has also filed its own unfair labor practice claims against OPEIU 40, citing a failure to bargain in good faith, surface and regressive bargaining, coercing and intimidating employees and deliberately delaying negotiations.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
ON BUSINESS
Family ties drive local auto repair shops
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — When Bill Griffin, who owns Griffin’s Neighborhood Auto Clinic in Farmington Hills, injured his back in 2009, he was unable to work for a period of time.
The shop had only been open for two years, so his younger brother, Tom Griffin, stepped in to handle the business until Griffin got back on his feet.
“Had it not been for my brother the shop would have failed,” Griffin said.
Griffin’s Neighborhood Auto Clinic, located at 23905 Freeway Park Dr., offers many services. Talented staff members offer auto repair; suspension, steering and alignment; cooling system and engine repair; brake services and
more on everyday cars as well as classic cars and hot rods.
Family ties are a main reason why Griffin’s Neighborhood Auto Clinic has been a success. Along with his brother’s help, Griffin’s two daughters, Kelsey and Hannah, worked at the front counter of the shop after school. Doing clerical work and running for parts were among their many responsibilities. They also had to remember working with their dad came with boundaries.
“When you’re here, I’m your boss and not your dad,” he reminded them.
His daughters are now married with their own families and careers and no longer work at the shop. Their presence is missed, and their hard work over the years added to the growth of the family business.
“They did bring a good element to the shop and a
See FAMILY on page 12A
TOP: Chris Harris, fourth from right, and his daughter next to him, help carry on the family business of Midas Auto Service and Tires that Chris’ dad, Gil, started in 1990 with encouragement from Gil’s wife, Patricia.
BOTTOM: Randy Booden, right, opened B&B Collision in Royal Oak with his dad Bill Booden July 1, 1977. One year later, Randy Booden’s sister Wendy Tomassi, center, joined the family business and keeps the operation running smoothly as office manager. Although not a family member, Randy Booden credits manager Nick Olsowy, left, for “making his life so much better,” and said, “He’s such a good worker.”
Photo provided
Photo by Liz Carnegie
little more of a draw. They played an integral role in building the company,” Griffin said. “We were one big family working here.”
His ex-wife also was heavily involved in the family business and Griffin said she deserves much of the credit for helping to build Griffin’s Neighborhood Auto Clinic. For many years, Griffin, an Automotive Service Excellence master certified technician, worked for other people and used that experience to open up his own garage. He likes the variety the business brings.
“Every day is a different day,” Griffin said. “You never know what you’re going to do from day to day.”
‘I’d do it again in a heartbeat’
Family bonds also added strength at B&B Collision, located at 919 South Main St., in Royal Oak.
On July 1, 1977, Randy Booden and his father, Bill Booden, went into business together. They had both been working for different car dealerships and when Bill asked his son if he wanted to start a family business, Booden told him, “You bet.” They took their passion for cars and created B&B Collision, a family-owned auto repair facility offering a number of services including collision repair. Nearly 50 years ago, Royal Oak looked a lot different than it does today.
“It was a ghost town,” Booden said.
But the Boodens settled on Main Street because of the other auto-related businesses they neighbored with, including a transmission shop and a radiator store. B & B Collision employs a number of experienced and highly-trained certified technicians. The state-of-the-art repair facility, managed by Nick Olsowy, uses high-tech equipment.
One year after B&B Collision opened for business, they recruited Booden’s sister, Wendy Tomassi, to work as the office manager. Even on their busiest days, they are able to separate the work they do from their personal lives. Depending on each person’s strengths, the family members took on different roles.
“I guess just being familiar with the other person, you know how to work with them,” Booden said. “We knew how to leave the shop and leave the work here. Outside the shop, we didn’t talk about business. What we talked about was family.”
But working with family also brought challenges.
“We have our differences of opinion. We were able to work it out,” Booden said. “We can put everything out on the table, sit there and yell at each other, and 10 minutes
later we’re fine. You can move forward.”
The trio worked together for many years until Bill retired. He passed away in 2008, and Booden and Tomassi carry on his legacy.
“He’s the one who taught me to be the person I am today,” Booden said. “I love it. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
Family bonds
Gil Harris opened up a family business when he found himself unemployed in 1990. He and his wife, Patricia, attended a franchise show and a new career was born when Gil opened Midas Auto Service and Tires at Eight Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue in Warren 35 years ago.
“I didn’t know anything about the automotive world,” Gil said. “I knew how to deal with people.”
He worked 60- to 70-hour weeks, determined to make sure the business was profitable. Patricia encouraged her husband all along.
“She was confident in me. She was all for it. I was scared to death,” Gil remembered. “You put every ounce of your money and security into others’ lives and hope and pray like hell that it works.”
The gamble paid off because the family, including their son, Chris, was able to open four different Midas locations over the years with several highly skilled staff members. That first year, Gil was named National Rookie of the Year for Midas.
With support from Patricia and Chris, Gil eventually sold two of the shops and continues to operate two locations: 2995 E. Big Beaver Road in Troy, and 41300 Garfield Road in Clinton Township.
“I actually enjoy what I do,” Gil said. “It was a learning process. The franchise (representatives) helped. I know how to hire people that have anything to do with cars, oil changes to air conditioners, changing engines. I had to be able to provide security in their jobs. That’s what we do. My wife did the financial part, and I operated the hiring. I’m very happy.”
Currently, Chris is the general manager of the family franchise. He got his start running the Detroit location and fit right in with the automotive world. Gil is “mostly retired” and Patricia is “fully retired.” They are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this year. Working together proved positive for the Harris family, including Chris’ children.
“We always got along. We got along very well,” Gil said. “That doesn’t mean we don’t have some issues along the way. We sit down and work through the issues and come to an agreement on what needs to be done. It’s not always easy. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Everyone has to find common ground.”
Residents
get them to put a stop to employee parking,” City Commissioner Spencer Calhoun said. “It’s been found that they cannot do anything — they won’t do anything. So, if they’re not willing to respect what residents want, they’ll have to respect the laws that we put in place.”
Ruthie Stevenson, a resident of the affected neighborhood and a frequent commenter about this matter, took issue with the second reading being handled via consent agenda and believed the ordinance would turn residential streets into parking lots. Commissioners disagreed, stating that parking permits would be provided for free to residents in designated zones.
“Sometimes the results of how we work (resident complaints) out may seem strange. It is not always the most efficient way to do it, but practically speaking what it will mean is only residents will functionally be able to
park there — and their guests,” City Commissioner Erik Rick said.
City ordinances require being passed with two readings before becoming law. The parking zone ordinance had its first reading on June 2.
Sewage flooding
At least four Lafayette Street residents spoke during the meeting’s first public comment period about how neighborhood basements became flooded with sewage during a recent rainstorm. Residents attested that this issue was recurring as multiple storms have caused sewage to enter their homes, with costs mounting and even potential insurance coverage issues.
“I spent the very last weekend of my maternity leave two years ago cleaning up sewer floods,” resident Shelby Holderbaum said. “I cannot accept the rainwater that we got as an act of God after seven floods. It is insulting to be told that we have a rain barrel program. It is insulting to be told to file an insurance claim because if I file any
more claims, guess what? No coverage. It is quite literally running my entire life (having it) turned upside down every single time we have water in our basement.”
Commissioners shared their sympathies with the residents but did not provide any immediate relief. Mount Clemens Mayor Laura Kropp told residents that the city was attempting to fix what it could, given its budget and what it could receive grants for.
“If we could wave a magic wand and make (the flooding) better immediately, we would. And that is not an excuse,” Kropp said. “The infrastructure of this city has been something that is (an issue.) We are an old, old city and if we were to replace every road, we know it would cost over $80 million. If we replaced every pipe in the ground that we know needs to be replaced (it would cost) $200 million. Our annual general fund budget is $14 million.”
Along with seeking grant funds to cover infrastructure projects, the city uses a strategic plan as its general roadmap going forward. The 2024-2025 plan’s capital
improvement section calls for educating residents about the difficulties the city faces in funding. It also calls for oversight of a “feasible, actionable and sustainable funding strategy for the City’s (capital improvement) needs,” to be incorporated into the budget.
Hubbard Street resurfacing
Commissioners approved a contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for the pavement resurfacing of Hubbard Street between North Avenue and Eldredge Street. The project is expected to cost just shy of $500,000, but the city will only need to pay about $92,000, with federal funds covering 81.85% of the project.
Precinct renumbering
Commissioners approved the renumbering of voting precinct No. 9 to voting precinct No. 5. This change gives the city a sequential number of its six precincts. No other precinct details were changed. Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
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Do you own a vehicle with an interesting history?
Contact Staff Writer Maria Allard at allard@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1045, and you could be featured in an upcoming Behind the Wheel. For more stories, visit candgnews.com/news/auto or use the QR code.
14A/JOURNAL • JULY 23, 2025
Travel back to the late 1970s in a Volkswagen Westfalia
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Setting up camp inside Dawn Bols’ Volkswagen Westfalia camper bus T-2 is like entering a time machine that dates back to 1979.
The sage-green van also is a reminder of the Michigan camping trips that Bols took as a child with her family, often to Wilderness State Park near Mackinaw City.
“It was like heaven to me playing with the kids on the beach,” the Harrison Township resident said. “It was so fun.”
Many of those family vacations were spent traveling in one of her dad’s Volkswagen vehicles. The first Volkswagen was not a camper bus, but the family still traveled in it and camped in tents.
Bols’ dad, Brian Bukantis, was always a fan of the Volkswagen bus and also owned a T-3 model in which the family did camp. The camping trips eventually stopped, but they still traveled up north via Volkswagen to a chalet in Houghton Lake, even in the wintertime.
“We used to freeze in the back,” Bols said. “My brother used to hog the little air vent in the back.”
And it was a tradition for Dad to play music from Frank Zappa during every ride.
“It’s always a fond memory for sure,” Bols said.
When Bols was 15, her dad took a break from driving Volkswagen buses. He eventually got back into the Westfalia’s driver’s seat. After Bols’ mom, Betty, died, Dad purchased the sage-green 1979 Volkswagen Westfalia camper bus T-2. He often cruised with his buddies at different local events, including the Woodward Dream Cruise and the Shorewood Kiwanis Club of St. Clair Shores Harper Charity Cruise. Bols is now the owner of the Volkswagen Westfalia camper bus T-2.
“I got it a couple years ago after my dad passed away,” Bols said.
Bols has taken good care of the vehicle, which has about 130,000 miles on it. The interior — with a warm, checkered decor — is all original. The vehicle has different components, including a comfortable sitting area with a table that swings out for meals. The two front seats swivel around to face the back of the vehicle for conversation. The retro ride is equipped with a sink, a holding tank and can be hooked up to running water.
When camping, the Volkswagen Westfalia can sleep four people. The rear bench seat folds down to make a bed for two. The pop-up roof lifts off to become a two-person bed when opened. But sometimes a little help is needed.
“It’s not the most comfortable sleeping arrangement,” Bols said. “We usually put an extra mattress down.”
The Westfalia has curtains that can be drawn shut to get a good night’s sleep, and Bols added some special touches to give the van a late 1970s vibe. Her husband gave her a handheld radio to display next to a clock radio. Bols also found a 1978 Coleco Football Electronic Quarterback handheld game, and a friend passed on a handheld Merlin electronic game — first made by Parker Brothers in 1978 — that feel right at home inside the bus.
While cruising and camping are fun, Bols prefers just to take the van to local car shows.
“Because it’s in such good shape, I want to preserve it,”
Dawn
she said.
Another reason is because the vehicle doesn’t gather much speed when on the road. It only drives about 55 mph. To alert other drivers, Bols placed a magnet on the back window that reads “Slow moving vehicle.”
“It’s a stick shift. It’s a smooth ride but there’s no power steering,” Bols said. “Getting used to driving it is a little bit of a challenge.”
The camper bus draws plenty of attention from onlookers. Many comments about the vintage vehicle come from people in their 20s.
“I always get peace signs out the windows and people honking,” Bols said.
Bols sometimes brings the bus to the monthly car shows from 5 to 8 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at Sanders Chocolate and Ice Cream Shoppe, 23770 Hall Road in Clinton Township. At the last Sanders car show, the employee pick of the month was the Volkswagen bus.
“I was shocked,” said Bols, adding that she received a bag of candy for the recognition.
She also won an award last month during Eastpointe Cruisin’ Gratiot, a five-day event that ended with a car show and cruise June 14. Again, she was surprised. She didn’t plan to attend the Eastpointe event, but her brother, Doug Bukantis, invited her, and at the last minute she decided to go.
An annual pastime has been heading up to Port Crescent State Park, in Port Austin, during the Halloween season for its annual fall harvest. It’s something the family did with Dad, who got into the spirit of the holiday by becoming “Skull Man.” He’d wear a skull mask and cape to greet trick-or-treaters through a fog machine that he set up. The bus was also decorated with skeletons and spider netting, and the tradition has continued.
According to the website autobarnclassiccars.com, Volkswagen began production of the Type 2 Microbus in 1967. Manufacturing continued through 1979, and there were many configurations of the Type 2 model.
“It was dubbed the Bay-Window Microbus with a one-piece windshield, sliding side door and a total of eight elongated windows for great visibility,” the website stated.
ABOVE:
Bols’ 1979 Volkswagen Westfalia camper bus T-2 has special meaning because it once belonged to her dad, Brian Bukantis. RIGHT: The Volkswagen Westfalia can sleep four people. The rear bench seat folds down to make a bed for two, and, when opened, the pop-up roof lifts off to become a two-person bed. Photos by Erin Sanchez
Clinton Township trustees dissolve inclusive playground group
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — All things must come to an end, and the Clinton Township Board of Trustees decided on July 14 that the Inclusive Playground Committee was due to its own ending.
Having opened the all-abilities playground back in April, questions had lingered about what the next phase of the playground’s advocacy committee would be. As committee chair AnnMarie Ottoy told the board, that next phase would be to “put a bow on an amazing experience that has created a lot of value for the community.”
With the committee’s primary and secondary goals completed, the committee voted to dissolve itself and donate the remaining $2.36 — after a final $600 was spent on landscaping — to fiduciary partner The Arc of Macomb.
“Thank you so much for your support over the years,” Ottoy said. “We appreciate all of it. The community, I know, appreciates it. It’s (received) tremendous positive feedback overall and we look forward to our next adventures.”
The committee was formed in 2019 and fundraised over $100,000 between 2020 and 2023 with the support of The Arc of Macomb. The final $1.47 million was raised in 2024 with the help of state legislators,
the groundbreaking happening that July and construction ending that November. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on April 4, 2025.
“It’s a park for everybody, but it’s designed for those people that wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to play with others,” Township Supervisor Paul Gieleghem said. “It has been a really joyous thing for me personally, as a member of the committee, to drive by in the evening to see the parking lot still packed and to see the amount of people and kids that are out there on the playground.”
Trustees took the committee at its word, voting unanimously to dissolve it.
Ottoy said the next steps for some of the people involved would be to set up a community foundation for the township, which would aim to support the township board in filling funding gaps.
Vehicle liquidations
Trustees also approved removing several vehicles from the municipal garages.
The board first approved decommissioning the Clinton Township Police Department’s mobile command unit. Chief of Police Preston Susalla, via letter, told the board the command unit was “outdated, unreliable … has never been used for its originally intended purpose and its age and con-
dition make it impractical for future use.”
Should the township need such a unit in the future, its partnership with Macomb County Emergency Management allows the police to use the county’s mobile command unit. While the item originally called for auctioning the unit, trustees approved the possibility of another township using it postdecommissioning.
Later in the meeting, trustees approved auctioning five vehicles from the Department of Public Services’ Water and Sewer Division. The vehicles are three trucks and vans with over 191,000 combined miles and two trailers. The department anticipates over $10,000 could be raised from the auction of the vehicles.
18 Mile generator
Trustees also approved the $468,500 purchase of a new backup generator for the 18 Mile Road booster station. The new generator, a Cummins natural gas powered unit, replaces the existing diesel powered unit from when the station was built.
The department chose to go with a Cummins unit over a roughly $80,000 cheaper Generac unit because of its experience with Cummin. The existing diesel generator is a Cummins, and a Cummins dealer is located in the township should service and parts be needed.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
NOTICE
To the residents of the Charter Township of Harrison, County of Macomb, Michigan.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Clerk’s Offce for the Charter Township of Harrison will post, for public inspection, the Agenda for Township Board Meetings and a Synopsis of the approved Meeting Minutes at the Clerk’s Offce located at 38151 L’Anse Creuse Road, and to the Rosso Hall bulletin board located at 38255 L’Anse Creuse Rd. The Agenda and a full text of the Minutes will be available on the Township Website, www.harrisontownshipmi.gov and, upon request from the Clerk’s Offce.
Adam Wit, MMC, MiPMC, Clerk
Charter Township of Harrison
Published: Journal 07/23/2025
INTRODUCTION
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF HARRISON
MACOMB, MICHIGAN
ORDINANCE NO. 409
0002-2530
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTERS 86 OF CODE OF ORDINANCES, TO REGULATE THE PARKING OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES; TO PROHIBIT THE OPERATION OF ORV ON PUBLIC STREETS WITHIN THE TOWNSHIP; AND TO PROVIDE FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, PENALTIES AND EFFECTIVE DATE.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the full text of the Ordinance No. 409, introduced by the Harrison Township Board of Trustees on July 14, 2025 is now available upon request at the Harrison Township Clerk’s Offce located at 38151 L’Anse Creuse Road. This Ordinance shall become effective 30 days from the date of publication hereof after adoption.
Adam Wit MMC, MiPMC, Clerk (586) 466-1406
Published: Journal 07/23/2025
RESIDENTS OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF HARRISON
THERE WILL BE A PUBLIC HEARING
REGARDING A REQUEST TO CREATE AN ATTAINABLE HOUSING DISTRICT
0305-2530
At 7:00 p.m., on August 11, 2025 at the Rosso Hall, 38255 L’Anse Creuse Road, a public hearing will be held to obtain the views of citizens concerning a request to create an Attainable Housing District. The requested district would cover Parcels 11-25-327-025 and 11-25-327-026 on Old Shook Road.
The Attainable Housing Facilities Act (known as the Attainable Housing Exemption), 2022 PA 236, provides a tax incentive to owners of rental housing property of not more than four units to enable renovation and expansion of aging facilities and assist in the building of new facilities. An Attainable Housing Exemption Certifcate (AHEC) entitles the facility to exemption from ad valorem real property taxes for a term of 1-12 years as determined by the local governmental unit.
If you cannot attend this meeting and want your views to be known, please send a letter to the attention of the Clerk Adam Wit, 38151 L’Anse Creuse, Harrison Twp., MI 48045 or contact the Township Clerk’s Offce at (586) 466-1406.
Individuals with disabilities or impairments who plan to attend this meeting should contact the Township Clerk’s Offce at (586) 466-1406 or email awit@harrisontownshipmi.gov if auxiliary aids or services are needed.
Adam Wit, MMC, MiPMC, Clerk Teri Salgot, Deputy Clerk (586) 466-1406
Published: Journal 07/23/2025
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Man arrested outside library
GROSSE POINTE PARK — An 18-year-old Detroit man who reportedly was experiencing suicidal thoughts and was seen outside the Ewald Branch of the Grosse Pointe Public Library at around 2 p.m. June 25 was arrested after an encounter with police. According to a report, the man “became confrontational” with a public safety officer who approached him. Police said the man was found with a stolen handgun in the fanny pack he was wearing. He was arrested and was facing charges for violation of the carrying a concealed weapon law.
Rental vehicle stolen
GROSSE POINTE PARK — An unknown suspect stole a rented 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee while it was parked in the 500 block of Pemberton Road between the hours of 12:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. June 27. The Jeep, which had been rented from Avis, reportedly might have had a key fob inside.
Former employee arrested for embezzlement
GROSSE POINTE CITY — A woman who formerly worked for Lululemon in The Village was arrested June 23 after an investigation determined that she allegedly embezzled an estimated $7,000 through fraudulent transactions over the last year, a police report states. Police said the investigation was in progress.
Motorists found in possession of marijuana
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — A 19-year-old Harrison Township woman and a 19-year-old Harrison Township man were arrested after a traffic stop during which police found that the vehicle they were operating had multiple containers of marijuana and synthetic equivalents. According to a police report, the vehicle was pulled over in the area of University Place and Mack Avenue at 10:52 p.m. June 30 after police noticed that their driver’s side headlight wasn’t working. During the traffic stop, an officer reportedly saw four jars of marijuana inside a blue duffel bag on the back seat. Police said the female driver and her male passenger claimed that the vehicle belonged to the driver’s mom and the marijuana was hers, but when police called the mother, she didn’t claim ownership of the marijuana.
The suspects said they were picking up a friend in the Pointes and heading to downtown Detroit for the evening. The driver gave police consent to search her vehicle, and police found three small jars and one large jar of marijuana, almost 50 vape cartridges, more than 30 vape pens, a bag of narcotic mushrooms, THC oils, multiple marijuana edibles, a scale, sandwich bags and $450 in cash in the male suspect’s wallet and $90 in cash in the center console, according to the police re-
and therefore not legally allowed to be in possession of marijuana in Michigan, so they were both arrested. It was unknown if they might face additional charges.
Possibly high driver takes out streetlight
GROSSE POINTE FARMS — A 24-year-old Harper
Woods man who police believe was driving under the influence of drugs is said to have crashed into a DTE light pole in the 400 block of Moross Road at around 8:04 p.m. June 27, sheering it off at the base, and then leaving the accident scene.
Police said a neighbor heard a loud noise outside at the approximate time of the crash and when she looked out a window, she saw a tan, mid-size truck heading south on Moross veer into the northbound lane before veering back into the southbound lane. Using the license plate of the vehicle, police were able to track the driver to an address in Harper Woods, where they said they found the driver and the damaged truck.
Police said the driver admitted he had been driving the truck that evening. After they searched the truck, police said they found several empty pill bottles.
Police said the driver had dilated pupils and foam coming from his mouth, and he told them he had gone to a marijuana dispensary after work. The driver told police he had rear-ended a white pickup truck but didn’t remember being in the Farms or crashing into a light pole there. The suspect was found to be in possession of pills concealed in a lip balm case. He was arrested for operating under the influence of drugs. Police said the driver refused medical attention for the crash.
Fraud victim instructed to buy Bitcoin GROSSE POINTE FARMS — A 72-year-old Grosse
Pointe Farms woman contacted police June 26 after she was the victim of an apparent fraud June 17. The woman was browsing the internet when she said a popup window appeared on her iPad telling her to contact Microsoft. When she called the phone number provided in the pop-up window, the woman was told she would be contacted by the Federal Trade Commission and her credit union as far as what she needed to do.
The woman said a man who claimed to be “Daniel” from the FTC told her to withdraw $15,000 from her credit union account, saying someone was trying to use her funds to buy illegal internet content. The woman was only allowed to withdraw $5,000 from her credit union; she used the money to make deposits — as directed by “Daniel” — into various Bitcoin ATMs in metro Detroit, ultimately depositing $4,800. The woman then received a text message allegedly from Apple telling her someone was trying to charge $221.99 to her Apple account, as well as a text claiming someone
using her account data. The woman thought about the incident and found the whole ordeal suspicious, which led to her filing a police report. Police said the woman was the victim of an internet/telephone scam.
Vehicle stolen
GROSSE POINTE WOODS — Officers were dispatched to the 1900 block of Lennon Street at 6 a.m. June 29 after learning that a vehicle — a Ford F-150 — connected to that address had been used in a crime in Dearborn. When they arrived and spoke with the owner of the vehicle, the owner — who knew nothing about the crime in Dearborn — discovered that his truck had been stolen.
Infotainment system stolen
GROSSE POINTE WOODS — An unknown suspect is said to have stolen an infotainment system from a Ram pickup truck between the late night of June 23 and 12:30 p.m. June 24. A police report states that the suspect broke a rear window on the truck to gain access to the interior.
Operating under the influence of drugs
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Police officers were dispatched to the area of Van Dyke Avenue and 24 Mile Road for a crash June 20. Upon the officers’ arrival, they observed one of the occupants from the crash lying on the ground unconscious. An officer found out the unconscious person was the at-fault driver and might be under the influence. The officer recognized signs that the man might be overdosing and needed Narcan. The officer administered Narcan and the driver started to react to the medication before going unconscious again. The male driver was transported to a local hospital.
While the man was being loaded in the ambulance, police said he was awake long enough to admit to using fentanyl. Officers reportedly located what appeared to be drugs in the driver’s vehicle. An officer went to the hospital and completed a blood test. The at-fault driver was medically discharged from the hospital and taken to the Shelby Township Police Department. The man was released once sober. Charges were pending the results of the blood test.
Stolen car
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A police officer was dispatched to the 45000 block of Revere Drive, near Hall and Schoenherr roads, for a stolen vehicle at 1:30 p.m. June 22. The owner stated he last saw his vehicle the night before, parked in front of his home. The owner advised that he still had both sets of keys to his vehi-
Police were investigating
Larceny from auto SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A police officer was dispatched to River Bends Park for a larceny from auto complaint at 5:30 p.m. June 21. The victim stated she had parked her vehicle, with the windows and doors locked, before heading out for a walk. When she returned, she noticed her window was smashed out and several personal items were taken from within the vehicle. While the officer was on the scene, Utica police were also checking local parks for two male suspects looking into vehicles. Police were investigating.
Man walking dog attacked by another dog
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — An officer was dispatched to Henry Ford Macomb Hospital for a dog bite report at 11:26 a.m. June 19. A man said that while he was walking his dog on a leash in the 11000 block of Conservation Trail, near 22 Mile Road and the Van Dyke Freeway, an unleashed brown pit bull mix started to attack his dog. The man was able to pull his dog to safety, but the dog then started to attack the man and bit him on both hands. The officer submitted a form to animal control for follow-up.
BBAC holds annual competition
BIRMINGHAM — The 44th annual Michigan Fine Arts Competition will be taking place at the Birmingham-Bloomfield Art Center through Aug. 14. The competition is juried by Laurie Ann Farrell — a Dallas-based curator, art historian and writer. She selected 84 pieces out of the over 600 works of art submitted.
This is an annual event that awards talented artists in a range of mediums. See the full list of artists at bbartcenter.org/2025-mfac-exhibiting-artists. METRO DETROIT — Shield’s Restaurant and Pizzeria is hosting its annual summer Pizza Bake-Off Contest with proceeds benefitting Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac.
Detroit Zoo hosts concert series
From now through July 28, customers at the Troy location (1476 W. Maple Road), Southfield location (25101 Telegraph Road) and Detroit location (5057 Woodward Ave.) can submit their version of a prize-winning pizza. One winner from each Shield’s location will receive a $100 Shield’s gift card and be entered into the Pizza Bake-Off contest.
At 6 p.m. Aug. 5, the three winners will gather at Shield’s in Troy along with a panel of local celebrity judges, including Charlie Langton (FOX 2 and WWJ), Ryan Ermani (FOX) and Kevin Deitz (WJR), who will sample the food and choose the winner. The grand champion pizza designer will receive a $200 Shield’s gift card, and his or her pizza will be featured on the Shield’s menu for a week.
and soft drinks.
“We’ve been doing this in some fashion for a while now and the customers love it, especially the winner who gets to see his or her pizza on our menu,” said Paul Andoni, representative of Shield’s, in a press release.
“This
State Supreme Court rules on county charter cases
Penned by Justice Elizabeth Welch, the court found Hackel must grant the access based on “the plain language” of the fiscal year 2018 budget and remanded the case back to the circuit court.
The court found Hackel must grant the access based on “the plain language” of the fiscal year 2018 budget and remanded the case back to the circuit court.
“We thank the Supreme Court for its thorough opinion and respect its decision,” Board Chair Joe Sabatini said in a press release. “The Supreme Court recognized the Board’s valid ordinance requirement that the Board be provided accurate and timely financial information. With that information, the Board looks forward to working together with the County Executive for the common goal of accountable and efficient government for the citizens of Macomb County.”
The court ruled in favor of Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido regarding his desire to have external counsel. The Macomb County Board of Commissioners appropriated $42,500 to the Prosecutor’s Office in the fiscal year 2024 budget for “contract services,” which Hackel vetoed on Dec. 8, 2023, and the board overrode on Dec. 14, 2023. After attempting to contract with five law firms in January 2024, Lucido began proceedings against Hackel. The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Lucido, and Welch wrote the order concurring with the appellate court on the grounds that the county charter “does not impose any limits on the purpose for which independent legal counsel can be retained using public funds.” “The Court has again sent Mr. Hackel a clear message that he cannot rule like a king, and his abuse of power must end,” Lucido said in
press release. “These are historic decisions that
Lucido Sabatini Hackel
Photo provided by the Birmingham-Bloomfield Art Center