Center Line man to stand trial for murder in shooting
BY BRIAN WELLS bwells@candgnews.com
STERLING HEIGHTS — A man from Center Line was bound over to Macomb County Circuit Court on charges related to a February shooting at the Extended Stay America motel in Sterling Heights.
On Feb. 1, Luke James Svacha allegedly shot and killed JaJuan Marls, 24, of Detroit, at the motel on Van Dyke Avenue north of 14 Mile Road. After the shooting, Svacha reportedly fled to his Center Line home, where police spent hours trying to coax him to leave his house and surrender.
Svacha is facing one count of first-degree premeditated murder, punishable by life in prison; a felony weapons charge, punishable by up to five years in prison; and resisting and obstructing a police officer, a two-year felony.
On July 16, after a preliminary exam hearing that
See SVACHA on page 7A
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
EASTPOINTE — It has been more than 50 years since Lon Michael Holupko was killed in the Vietnam war, but Michaelene Buczak still thinks about him.
They were classmates at Detroit’s Grant Ju-
nior High and Osborn High School, where he was known as “Lonnie.”
“He was very tall, very handsome and very quiet. He had a lovely twinkle in his eye. When you passed in the hall, he’d say hello and use your name, too. He was very popular,” Buczak recalled. “He was a very nice guy. I never forgot
Eastpointe resident Michaelene Buczak wanted to honor someone during the Memorial Day parade May 26, and she chose Lon Michael Holupko. The two attended junior high and high school together.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Svacha
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Suspect enters plea to sex crime charges across Macomb County
BY BRIAN WELLS bwells@candgnews.com
MACOMB COUNTY — A man facing multiple accusations of criminal sexual conduct in Warren, Eastpointe and Sterling Heights has entered a no contest plea.
Anthony Joseph Veach, 45, is facing charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a family member when the victim was 14 and 15 years old.
According to a press release from the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, Veach entered a no contest plea to three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony punishable by up to life in prison, in cases filed in Sterling Heights, Eastpointe and Warren.
A no contest plea is a plea in which the defendant accepts conviction but does not admit guilt.
“The plea guarantees that he will remain imprisoned for a term of years and be subject to lifetime electronic monitoring and mandatory lifetime registration on the sex offender registry, ensuring continued protection for the public,” the press release states.
In exchange for his plea, Veach had additional charges including multiple first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct charges dismissed, according to court records.
According to the press release, under the terms of the sentencing agreement between Veach and the state, he will serve 11 to 25 years in prison.
“Although criminal sexual conduct - first degree is punishable by any term of years up to life imprisonment, the sentencing agreement in this case falls squarely within the Michigan Sentencing Guidelines,” the press release states.
Veach will be sentenced at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 27 in front of Circuit Court Judge Joseph Toia, putting an end to legal proceedings that began in September 2016. In November 2017, a jury convicted Veach on multiple charges of first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct, but his conviction was
See VEACH on page 5A
FITZGERALD
UP HIS SLEEVE
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
EDUCATOR HAS TRICKS
METRO DETROIT — Whether he’s on stage performing his comedy/magic “Just Joe Magic Show” or teaching students inside the classroom, Joe Chasney knows how to capture an audience.
The educator and comedian/magician has been juggling both careers since the 1990s.
Chasney developed his sleight of hand when his grandmother Geraldine Chasney gave him the book “Juggling for the Complete Klutz” for his 12th birthday because she didn’t know what else to buy him. But it fit Chasney like a rabbit in a hat as he developed a talent for juggling, which then led to magic.
Chasney always remembers the day when his friend Scott wanted to learn how to juggle, too. It only took 10 minutes to teach him, and the two became regulars at the Mount Clemens Juggling Club. Pretty soon, the pair were tossing balls, rings, clubs, torches, chainsaws and machetes into the air and catching them.
“Our greatest feat was standing back to back juggling seven clubs together. Our goal was to perform at the Lakeview High School talent show,” said Chasney, adding they would
Veach
Carrie Kuhle of Harrison Township, left, participates in a card trick with magician/comedian Joe Chasney of the “Just Joe Magic Show.”
Photo by Erin Sanchez
See CHASNEY on page 20A
Utica Community Schools earns Innovation in Nutrition Award
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
UTICA — The Utica Community Schools Food and Nutrition Services Department has been honored with the Innovation in Nutrition Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.
The goal of the award is to honor school districts that implement nutritional activities that create connections between the cafeteria, the classroom, the community and home. UCS provides students more than 3 million meals annually.
“This award demonstrates the vital role our food service team plays in the success of our students,” Superintendent Robert Monroe said in a press release. “The Food and Nutrition Services Department remains committed to making sure our students have the nourishment they need to focus on their learning.”
Some of the activities, noted for this award, that UCS has implemented include:
• Introducing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to students, like figs, candy cane beets or kumquats.
• Serving items that feature whole grain and have lower sugar and fat than items found at grocery stores.
• Posting regular information on the depart-
ment’s social media sites from registered dietitian Vinnie Kape, who also visits classrooms to promote healthy eating habits.
• Involvement in the district’s annual family wellness fair.
“We are excited to provide new food and new healthy experiences for our students, staff, and the community,” Food and Nutrition Services Director Mandy Sosnowski said in a press release. “We love introducing things to students they may have never heard of or tried before and then being able to explain how they can be part of a healthy lifestyle. We are also fortunate to partner with some amazing educators to help keep the healthy message alive in the classroom as well as the cafeteria.”
UCS Coordinator of Public Relations Jennifer Kane noted that the Food and Nutrition Services Department does source some items locally, such as Blake’s and Peterson Farms for apples, Prairie Farms for milk, and Bosco Sticks, which are produced in Warren.
Also, the department is coordinating free meals for children 18 years or younger this summer. The Summer Meals program is at 15 different sites in the district and is expected to serve over 60,000 meals to children in the community.
food from the Utica Community Schools Food and Nutrition Services Department, which recently won an award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Photo provided by Utica Community Schools
Nutrition
from page 4A
“Last year UCS participated in the Michigan School Meals program which provided all Michigan public school students with one free breakfast and lunch for the 2024-25 school year,” Kane said in an email. “There was no criteria to qualify for the free meals during the school year, and there is none to qualify for the free meals this summer.”
“The recognition awards are an opportunity to showcase innovative school nutrition practices that provide children with access to nutritious school meals,” Robe Bisceglie, executive officer and president of Action for Healthy Kids, said in a press release.
For more information, visit uticak12.org.
Call Staff Writer Sarah Wright at (586) 498-1068.
from page 3A
appealed and a new trial was ordered.
“The issue of the court closing the courtroom without articulating the reasons on the record to allow a child to testify resulted in the Michigan Supreme Court reversing his conviction and ordering a new trial,” the press release states.
In a statement, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said that even though the reversal of the original conviction was a setback, it never changed the strength or truth of the case.
“This plea comes not because of any weakness in our resolve, but because the overwhelming evidence remained,” he said. “Justice delayed is not justice denied.”
Veach’s attorney, Kenneth Vernier, did not return a request for comment.
Call Staff Writer Brian Wells at (248) 291-7637.
NEWS & NOTES
AUTOS FOR AUTISM CRUISES INTO TOWN
CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP — Stahls Motors and Music Experience, located at 56516 North Bay Drive, will hold the annual Autos for Autism fundraiser to benefit the Ted Lindsay Foundation July 25-26.
The July 25 date includes a charity cruise beginning at 8:30 a.m. to Port Sanilac and back and dinner with automotive designers from 5-10 p.m. The July 26 date from noon to 3 p.m. includes a car show, live music, bounce houses, lawn games, face painting, food trucks, raffles, 50-50 and more.
The mission of the family-founded Ted Lindsay Foundation nonprofit is to support research and educational programs focusing on the cause and management of autism spectrum disorder. Lindsay, who died in 2019, was a hockey legend who played in the National Hockey League for 17 years with the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Black Hawks.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit stahlsauto.com/afa2025.
WARREN CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS BOND PROJECTS CONTINUE OVER SUMMER
WARREN/STERLING HEIGHTS — In May 2022, voters in the Warren Consolidated Schools district approved a $150 million bond to address capital needs across the district. This summer, several projects are under construction.
General renovations are occurring at Black Elementary, Willow Woods Elementary and Carleton Middle School. The work includes updates to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, new HVAC controls, new LED lighting in select areas, new flooring in select areas and site enhancements. Sterling Heights High School is receiving interior renovations.
According to Superintendent John Bernia, the summer construction is expected to be completed by the start of the 2025-2026 school year. The overall bond work is planned to be completed over the course of seven years from 2022-2028. The district’s 2022 bond program is being funded by the sales of three bond series with many projects.
Officials said the bond issue is designed to help ensure the district’s facilities remain up to date and continue to provide a proper learning environment. The bond also provides the district with state-of-the-art technology to be used daily by staff and students to interact and collaborate.
Clark Construction Company, headquartered in Lansing with an office in Auburn Hills, is the construction manager. Wakley Associates Architects, located in Warren, is the architect.
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.
File photos by Patricia O’Blenes
Suspect in custody after standoff
BY BRIAN WELLS bwells@candgnews.com
STERLING HEIGHTS — A suspect is in custody after allegedly holding Sterling Heights police in a standoff.
At approximately 4:30 p.m. July 12, Sterling Heights Police responded to a 911 call about an employee at the Stellantis Sterling Stamping Plant on Van Dyke Avenue carrying a handgun and possibly hallucinating.
When officers arrived at the scene, the building was evacuated and approximately 30 police officers were dispatched, including the department’s special response and crisis negotiation teams, according to Sterling Heights Police Capt. Mario Bastianelli.
While the entire building was evacuated, the incident was isolated to a location in the middle of the plant, Bastianelli said, though he couldn’t give further details.
After a three-hour standoff, the individual exited the building peacefully and was taken into custody without incident. No injuries were reported.
Charges are pending and the investigation was ongoing at press time, Bastianelli said.
Call Staff Writer Brian Wells at (248) 291-7637.
Svacha
from page 1A
lasted several days, 41A District Court Judge Kim Wiegand ordered Svacha to stand trial in circuit court. He is scheduled to be ar-
raigned at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 4 by Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Anthony Servito.
Svacha’s attorney, Kenneth Vernier, did not return a request for comment.
Call Staff Writer Brian Wells at (248) 291-7637.
Schuchard Elementary teacher to attend band competition in Switzerland
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
STERLING HEIGHTS — Tyler Schreiber, a music teacher at Schuchard Elementary School, will be joining his fellow members of the Five Lakes Silver Band in the 35th annual Besson Swiss Open Competition in Switzerland.
“Tyler brings great energy and dedication to Schuchard,” Schuchard Elementary Principal Steve Slancik said in a Utica Community Schools press release. “Thanks to his hard work, our band program has never been stronger.”
The Besson Swiss Open Competition invites multiple brass bands to compete for the title of “Besson Swiss Open Champion Band” along with a chance to earn other prizes as they are evaluated by five jurors. This year’s competition will be going on in September.
“There will be 10 bands,” Schreiber said. “Each band will play two pieces in the morning, they’ll all play a set test piece … and then in the afternoon every band will play a piece that they got to choose.”
Five Lakes Silver Band, a British-style brass band based in Southfield with around 35 members, is the first band from North America to get invited to compete. The band was founded in 2006 under its previous name, the Oakland Brass Band, and was later changed to its current name in order to distinguish it from the Oakland University Brass Band. Over the years, the band has earned national honors at competitions across the country.
“We have people all over Michigan, as far north as Mount Pleasant, and there are some people living pretty far west, over in Adrian,” Schreiber said.
“So, it’s a big commitment for all 35 of us,” he said.
Schreiber plays the E flat tuba with the band, and he has been playing with the Five Lakes Silver Band for four years. He has been playing an instrument for around 15 years.
“I think part of it was a social part in the very beginning,” Schreiber said. “My friends started doing it, and when I started playing after getting to test all the instruments, I just enjoyed being able to do something I was good at, and I had really good teachers who encouraged me and gave me words of affirmation.”
Five Lakes Silver Band meets each Wednesday, which gives Schreiber an opportunity to network with other music teachers around the state who are part of the band.
“So it gives me a huge plethora of weekly conversations,” Schreiber said in a press release. “And then on top of that, playing at a musically high level allows me to understand what I need to do to accomplish it, how I achieve it, and then how to convey it to my students so that they can understand it at the basic level.”
For more information, visit fivelakessilverband.com or worldbandfestival.ch/programm/ besson-swiss-open-contest.
Call Staff Writer Sarah Wright at (586) 498-1068.
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Waltonwood is designed for seniors seeking vibrant social opportunities and a worry-free lifestyle. With our prime location and warm, caring staff, you’re sure to feel right at home in our community.
• Chef-prepared dining experiences
• A variety of Life Enrichment programs
• Personal care services available when needed
• Housekeeping services and home maintenance
• Scheduled transportation
Move to Waltonwood and spend time doing the things you love most. We’ll take care of the rest!
SPOTLIGHT 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 17A
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
David Bennett (Jazz)
Under Pressure
BEHIND THE WHEEL
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.
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
ABOVE: Dawn 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
Volkswagen
from page 14A
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,” 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.”
Bols’ 1979 Volkswagen Westfalia camper bus T-2 has a living space with a table that swings out for meals, games and conversation.
Photo by Erin Sanchez
“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.
About Rick McKiddy:
• Earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Wayne State University.
• Served 30 years as a UAW negotiator.
• Former North Region Executive Director for the Screen Actors Guild.
• Works as a real estate broker in Sterling Heights.
• Substitute teacher for Utica Community Schools.
• He lives in the city with his wife, and his son and daughter-in-law are also in Sterling Heights.
• Ensure city government operates openly, not behind closed doors.
• Promote citizen involvement in decision-making.
• Work to reduce
for residents.
• Ensure effcient and wise use of public funds.
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.”
Veteran
from page 1A
him. You don’t forget your grade school, junior high and high school friends.”
Buczak honored his memory at the Eastpointe Memorial Day parade May 26. She decorated her car with photos and tributes about her former classmate and drove in the parade with the other participants.
“I chose him specifically. Memorial Day is for the soldiers that were killed in service, in the war,” the Eastpointe resident said. ‘That’s what it’s all about. It’s about people who didn’t survive the service.”
Holupko was of the 1st Cavalry Division, 75th Infantry Ranger, H Company. Buczak’s display caught the attention of spectators.
“It was fantastic,” she said. “I was so happy I did it.”
When cars lined up before the parade began, one veteran asked about the lineup.
“After I told him Lonnie’s story, he then walked to Lonnie’s poster, bowed his head, and crossed himself with the sign of the cross three times,” she said.
Holupko, 20, was killed during a mission July 10, 1969, in the province of Tay Ninh, South Vietnam. This month marks the 56th anniversary of the young man’s death. Buczak remembers the shock when neighborhood friends heard he made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
“The funeral home was packed,” Buczak said.
Holupko is among the tens of thousands of veterans whose names are etched into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. Loved ones who knew him have left messages on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund website at vvmf.org.
During their school days, there was a rumor going around that Holupko had a crush on Buczak and on another girl.
“Someone mentioned he started liking me. He may have been one of the first crushes I had on a guy back then. I wasn’t ready for that,” Buczak said. So she encouraged the other classmate to date him, telling her, “I think you guys would be a real cute couple.”
‘He felt like it was his duty’
Holupko dropped out of business school to enlist in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam conflict.
“He didn’t discuss it with Mom and Dad. He went ahead and did it,” said Holupko’s sister, Charlene (Holupko) Cancelosa. “He felt like it was his duty. That was the mood in the late ’60s and early ’70s, that you were doing the right thing, serving your country, protecting your family.”
Lon Michael Holupko, of Detroit, left, relaxes with his comrades while serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war. The 20-yearold was killed during a mission July 10, 1969, in the province of Tay
The Army Ranger trained to do reconnaissance missions.
“He jumped out of helicopters at night into jungles to see where the enemy was, what supplies they had and what they would be up against,” Cancelosa said.
Holupko was 2 1/2 years younger than Cancelosa. Brother Corey, who recently passed away, was 10 years younger than Holupko. Corey had two sons and he named one of them Lon after his big brother. While he was overseas, their parents, Charles and Virginia Holupko, moved from Detroit to Sterling Heights. Cancelosa and Holupko always got along.
“I was like the moody teenage girl and he was always giggling,” said Cancelosa, of Macomb Township.
Cancelosa, who had gotten married and had a baby girl named Jill, always remembers the day Holupko left for the service. He carried his niece through the airport until it was time to say goodbye.
“I can still picture it,” Cancelosa said. “He adored her. It was just a way of being close.”
In Vietnam, Holupko was on a reconnaissance mission when his troop was spotted and a firefight ensued. He was killed in action. Cancelosa’s heart sank when she learned of her brother’s fate.
“It’s something you never recover from. Two officers came to the door. My mom and dad didn’t even have to hear the words. They knew why they were there. They gave us the
Mount Olivet Cemetery in Detroit.
“The task of getting his remains back was not easy,” Cancelosa said. “The American Red Cross helped me get his remains back.”
He served 18 months of a two-year stint. Cancelosa kept the letters he wrote from overseas to their parents and to her. In the letters, he never talked about his missions, just about how much he missed his family.
Mom and Dad dealt with their grief differently.
“My dad went to the cemetery every week and took a rose. He never talked about my brother,” Cancelosa said. “My mom never went to the cemetery, but she talked about him all the time.”
Cancelosa believes her brother would have gone into drafting once he got out of the military. She still carries a photo of him in her wallet and has run into two friends of his by chance. Once at Walgreens in Estero, Florida, she spotted a man standing in line wearing a Vietnam veteran’s hat. She pulled out the picture. While studying it, the man asked, “Did he go to Osborn High?” It turned out he knew Holupko “mostly from football and the old neighborhood with a few friends in common.”
news,” Cancelosa said. “You knew he was in danger. You knew he was in harm’s way, but you didn’t think it’s going to happen. You feel bad for him. He was cheated on life. I feel bad for my parents to lose a child. It was horrible, just horrible.”
The two officers stayed with the family during the three-day funeral, which included a viewing and 21-gun salute. The Gold Star Purple Heart recipient was laid to rest at
Another time, Cancelosa, son Jeff and his three daughters visited the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall in Clinton Township. When she asked a volunteer to help locate her brother’s name, he asked if she was Charlene. According to Cancelosa, the two guys were paperboys and played football together as kids.
Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.
Ninh, South Vietnam.
Photo provided by Charlene (Holupko) Cancelosa
Chasney
from page 3A
head to Scott’s house to practice during their lunch hour. “Our first show ever we earned $30 for a half hour show.”
It was for a birthday party at Lakeshore Lanes in St. Clair Shores, the city where Chasney grew up. But the performance didn’t go as planned.
“It was awful. The kids were pulling our wigs off, kicking us, throwing things at us,” Chasney recalled. “We went back to the Juggling Club and the president gave us some tips. This was a game changer.”
At his dad’s encouragement, Chasney pursued a teaching degree from Wayne State University. During his studies, the 1992 Lakeview High School graduate learned how to cast spells on audiences. He eventually went solo and was inspired to learn magic while shopping at Lauer’s Novelties and Costumes in Roseville.
“Wally Lauer taught me my first magic trick,” Chasney said. “I was hooked.”
In the mid-1990s Chasney met fellow magician/comedian Jasen Magic. The mages immediately became friends, and put together a magic show. Their first show was a fundraiser at Clintondale High School before they nabbed a steady gig in 1997 at the Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly. Chasney returned in 1998 and 1999 and found he really loved performing for an appreciative audience. At times, he even breathed fire.
“I’m not chasing fame. I’m not chasing money,” the illusionist said. “It’s a mixture of adrenaline and a rush. It comes from bringing laughter and joy for the people I am performing for. It’s just creating joy.”
His audiences included both kids and adults. Chasney has taken his act around the state, including Saugatuck, Gaylord, Marine City and Plymouth.
“When people’s eyes light up, they feel that childlike wonder,” the magician said.
“For a moment, they think everything is possible. Everyone becomes a kid again.”
Off stage, Chasney has been educating students in Warren’s Fitzgerald Public Schools district for 27 years. During the 2024-2025 school year Chasney taught sixth and seventh grade English language arts.
ABOVE: Joe Chasney brought his “Just Joe Magic Show” to Bumpers Landing in Harrison Township July 10. He performed tricks during lunch for customers, including Beate Beck, of West Bloomfield, second from left; Joanna Kinsella, of Bloomfield Hills, second from right; and Diane Abraham of Detroit. LEFT: Chasney finds a handkerchief up Ava Kuhle’s sleeve.
Photos by Erin Sanchez
He brings out his magic tricks occasionally while on the job. The students are what he likes best about teaching.
“That’s the greatest thing about it. Just when you feel like you’re not making a difference, they’re not learning or they don’t care, some student will drop a note on my desk and say, ‘You’re the one thing I look forward to,’ or, ‘You care about the students.’ It brings you right back,” Chasney said. “They joke with you. Each day somebody makes me laugh uncontrollably.”
On July 9, the “Just Joe Magic Show”
performed a private party for Jack White of the White Stripes, the Dead Weather, and the Raconteurs. Chasney has been a fan of White’s for a long time, and he created a couple of different tricks for the musician.
One optical illusion paid tribute to the White Stripes in which Chasney had three white ropes of different lengths. He wiggled them, and through his magic touch, all three ropes became the same length. Another illusion was changing a deck of cards to make them all white, in honor of White himself.
“He was so cool,” Chasney said.
Another highlight was getting the chance to chat with Adam Savage of the Discovery Channel shows “MythBusters.”
On July 10, the entertainer performed some of those tricks and more during lunch at Bumpers Landing in Harrison Township. He first stopped at a table where Diane Abraham, 59, of Detroit; Beate Beck, 60, of West Bloomfield; and Joanna Kinsella, 61, of Bloomfield Hills, dined.
“I want to open with a bang here,” he said.
He started off placing a handkerchief in his hand and it disappeared. The stage performer then had Beck lift up her arm where he pulled the handkerchief from her sleeve. He did a few more tricks before heading off to a couple more tables. All three women enjoyed Chasney’s presence.
“I thought he was fantastic,” Kinsella said. “He’s got a good sense of humor.”
“He’s funny and fantastic,” Beck said.
“He’s got good people skills,” Abraham said.
For more information about the “Just Joe Magic Show,” go to justjoemagic.com.
Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.
My approach, using advanced treatments, personalized care, and a commitment to saving limbs and lives, offers a new horizon for those afflicted with chronic foot wounds. If you or someone you know is navigating the challenges of foot wound care, the opportunity to transform this struggle into a story of healing and hope is within reach. Call me for an appointment today.
0292-2530
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
22A/ STERLING HEIGHTS SENTRY • JULY 23, 2025
JULY 24-26
Sterlingfest: Festival from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. with carnival from 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m., arts and crafts fair from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., restaurant row, live music and kids tent, also Sterlingfast 5K at 9 a.m. July 26, City of Sterling Heights campus, 40555 Utica Road, see participants at sterlingheights.gov/2138/sterlingfest
JULY 25-26
Old-fashioned candy sale fundraiser: Presented by Sterling Heights Historical Commission, 1-4 p.m., Upton House, 40433 Dodge Park Road in Sterling Heights, (586) 446-2495
JULY 26
Yoga at the Hill: Presented by Macomb County Board of Commissioners and Bodhi Seed Yoga & Wellness, includes childrens yoga and basic yoga from 9-9:50 a.m., raffle from 9:50-10 a.m., and chair yoga and intermediate yoga from 10-10:50 a.m., pavilions at Freedom Hill County Park, 14900 Metropolitan Parkway in Sterling Heights, free but register for 10th anniversary shirt and gift at bocmacomb.org/events/ yoga-at-the-hill
Local Author Book Sale: 50-plus writers expected, also groups, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., sidewalk of Sterling Heights Public Library, 40255 Dodge Park Road, see
list of participants at sterlingheights.gov/1493/localauthor-book-sale
Shelby Township Flea Market: 15th annual event for buyers and sellers, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Whispering Woods Kiwanis Park, 11000 21 Mile Road in Shelby Township, (586) 731-0300, shelbytwp.org/our-township/ summer
JULY 27
Widowed Friends movie and lunch: Show and time TBD, AMC Forum 30, 44681 Mound Road in Sterling Heights, also lunch TBD, RSVP to Pat at (586) 2952804 by July 25 (leave phone and email in message), widowedfriends.com
AUG. 9-10
Shelby Township Art Fair: 120-plus artist and marketplace vendors, food, live music, kids craft and activity area, pie baking contest (Aug. 9 only) and more, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., River Bends Park, 5700 22 Mile Road, shelbytwp.org/our-township/summer
AUG. 14
Medicare 101 educational seminar: Presented by Medicare Learning Services, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Macomb Community College - Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, also held Sept. 18 and Oct.
North Oaks Dental is now in Sterling Heights
North Oaks Dental has expanded to Sterling Heights at the former Family Dentistry of Sterling Heights, located at 15 Mile and Dodge Park roads. Dr. Alvin Daboul has served Royal Oak for 15 years and has teamed up with Dr. Zena Alsaraf to bring the same trusted, family-focused dental care to the Sterling Heights community. They offer a full range of services, including IV sedation, Invisalign, dental implants, and routine hygiene and dental care. They are welcoming new patients. Call (586) 939-3333 or visit northoaksdental.com to book an appointment. Find North Oaks Dental at 11453 15 Mile Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48312.
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.
28, registration required, (586) 465-0588
AUG. 14 & 21
Macomb Ballet Company auditions: Expand training through rehearsals and perform in classical productions while continuing at primary studio, 4:30-6:15 p.m. (ages 13-19 as of Jan. 1, 2026), 6:30-7:45 p.m. (12 and older) and 6:30-7:30 p.m. (7-11), 51504 Danview Technology Court in Shelby Township, macombballet.org/auditions
AUG. 15
Pomeroy Classic Car Show: Also motorcycles, plus food, beverages and DJ, noon-2 p.m., Pomeroy Living Sterling Assisted & Memory Care, 2200 15 Mile Road in Sterling Heights, activitysa@pomeroyliving. com, (586) 554-7200
AUG. 16
Health and Wellness Fair: Free event features nearly 70 vendors, therapy dogs, vibroacoustic harp therapy and meditation sessions, massages, yoga and expres-
sive art station, face painting, appearance by Detroit Pistons mascot Hooper, health screenings, interactive activities and more, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Macomb Intermediate School District, 44001 Garfield Road in Clinton Township, facebook.com/wearemccmh
AUG. 21
Widowed Friends lunch: 1:30 p.m., Ike’s Restaurant, 38550 Van Dyke Ave. in Sterling Heights, RSVP to Mary Lou at (586) 799-7227 by Aug. 18, widowedfriends.com
AUG. 24
Widowed Friends movie and lunch: Show and time TBD, AMC Forum 30, 44681 Mound Road in Sterling Heights, also lunch TBD, RSVP to Pat at (586) 2952804 by Aug. 20 (leave phone and email in message), widowedfriends.com
Wedding Garage Sale: Sell used items to new couples, 1-4 p.m., Packard Proving Grounds, 49965 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township, (586) 739-4800, packardprovinggrounds.org
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS Planning Commission
Meeting Date, Time, and
Location: Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
City of Sterling Heights – City Council Chambers 40555 Utica Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313
Under Consideration: PSP25-0018 – Raices Mexican Cuisine – Nuisance Mitigation
Request for a nuisance mitigation plan for an outdoor patio space in a C-4, Multi-Use District.
Property Address: 44805 Mound Road
Location: Southwest corner of Hall Road and Mound Road
Current Zoning: C-4 Multi-Use District
PSP25-0019 – Ventimiglia’s – Nuisance Mitigation
Request for a nuisance mitigation plan for an outdoor patio space in a C-1 Local
Convenience Business District and Neighborhood and District Node Overlay District.
Property Address: 35197 Dodge Park Road
Location: West side of Dodge Park Road, north of Fifteen Mile Road
Current Zoning: C-1 Local Convenience Business District and Neighborhood and District Node Overlay District
PSP25-0020 – Mangiabevi Urban Italian – Nuisance Mitigation
Request for a nuisance mitigation plan for an outdoor patio space in a C-1 Local Convenience Business District and Neighborhood and District Node Overlay District.
Property Address: 35219 Dodge Park
Location: West side of Dodge Park Road, north of Fifteen Mile Road
Current Zoning: C-1 Local Convenience Business District and Neighborhood and District Node Overlay District
PSP25-0021 – Kimchi Box – Nuisance Mitigation
Request for a nuisance mitigation plan for an outdoor patio space in a C-2 Planned
Comparison District and Lakeside Overlay District.
Property Address: 13937 Lakeside Circle
Location: South side of Hall Road, east of Schoenherr Road
Current Zoning: C-2 Planned Comparison District and Lakeside Overlay District
PSP25-0022 – Chipotle – Nuisance Mitigation
Request for a nuisance mitigation plan for an outdoor patio space in a C-2 Planned Comparison District and Lakeside Overlay District.
Property Address: 13975 Lakeside Circle
Location: South side of Hall Road, east of Schoenherr Road
Current Zoning: C-2 Planned Comparison District and Lakeside Overlay District
The list of parcels can be viewed at the Offce of Planning or in the upcoming meeting packet to be posted at the Agenda Center.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that any interested person may appear and comment upon the requests in person, or by agent or attorney during the public hearing to be held on the date and time, and at the location set forth above. Pertinent information related to the application may be reviewed at the Sterling Heights Offce of Planning, during regular business hours. Questions regarding the application can be directed to the Offce of Planning at 586-446-2360. Written comments may be submitted to the Sterling Heights Offce of Planning, 40555 Utica Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313, or to the City Planner at shplanning@sterlingheights.gov up to 4:30 p.m. of the meeting date.
Anyone planning to attend the meeting who has need of special assistance under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) is asked to contact the City’s Community Relations Offce at 586-446-2370, seven days prior to the meeting date. Staff will be pleased to make the necessary arrangements.
Published: Sterling Heights Sentry 07/23/2025
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THE WEEK • CRIME OF THE WEEK • CRIME OF THE WEEK
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.
Ex-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.
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.
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 dis-
patched 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 vehicle. The missing vehicle is a gray 2024 Dodge Durango. 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.
Dog walker 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.
Counterfeit check reported
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 5:16 p.m. on June 26, a discovery of counterfeit money was reported in the 27000 block of Harper Avenue.
An officer heard from dispatch that a customer attempted to pass a fake $100 bill. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the co-manager and a cashier, an 18-year-old woman. The cashier marked the bill when the customer handed it to her and proceeded to give it to her manager. The customer then left without saying anything and without the groceries totaling $17.96.
Vehicle damage reported
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 5:43 p.m. on June 20, damage to a vehicle was reported in the 20000 block of Eight Mile Road.
The victim, a 42-year-old woman, stated she parked her vehicle in her apartment parking lot at around 1 a.m. When she came back, she found someone had broken her rear passenger window. The vehicle was locked and she had her key fobs. No belongings were taken. Another apartment resident had their window busted as well, but they did not want to make a report.
SHIELD’S TO
the Birmingham-Bloomfield Art Center 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
One winner from
receive a $100 Shield’s
card and be entered into the Pizza
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
three pizzas and enjoy salad 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
State Supreme Court rules on county charter cases
LANSING — On June 16, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled against Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel in two cases about the powers of the county executive under the Macomb County charter. First, the court ruled in favor of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, requiring Hackel to grant the commission’s director of legislative affairs real-time, read-only access to the county’s financial management software for budgeting purposes. Access was first requested in 2017 and written into the general appropriations ordinance for fiscal year 2018, though Hackel never granted this access.
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
Andrew McKinnon, deputy Macomb County executive, said the
county charter. “(The
Lucido Sabatini Hackel
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