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A WEEKLY NEWSPAPER SERVING CHESTERFIELD, NEW BALTIMORE, NEW HAVEN AND THE ANCHOR BAY AREA
Rescued dog finds calling in dock diving Moxy could have ended up dead at 5 months old BY COURTNEY FLYNN ASSOCIATE EDITOR
LaFontaine discussion continued Page 3
Gas prices increase use of alternate transportation Page 8
Moxy was supposed to be put to sleep four months ago, but instead a Chesterfield resident came to rescue her from her unfortunate fate and has since provided her with a much brighter future. Moxy is a nine-month old American Bulldog, American Staffordshire Terrier and Photo by COURTNEY FLYNN Boston Terrier Kenny Houk and Bri mix who was Walczowski take a quick picture taken home by with Moxy after a walk around 20-year-old the Chesterfield Township Chesterfield Offices. Township resident Bri workers and the thought Walczowski after a of Moxy ending up dead woman walked into or in a bad home getting PetSmart and said if no stronger by the minute one took the dog she she knew she had to take would be put to sleep. her. From that point on Walczowski, who is a the two of became insepgroomer in the Troy arable. located store, said she Since Moxy is a high was reluctant at first energy dog, Walczowski because she knew her said she needs to conmom would not be happy. But with a little coaxing from her coSee MOXY on page 20
Music shows all the meaning of friendship
Remote control planes fly at park
Aquatic Center numbers don’t add up for NB Council Discussions to continue once more concrete information is provided Diving into the proposed lease agreement Photo by COURTNEY FLYNN
Mayor Larry Smith is in favor of the collaboration. BY COURTNEY FLYNN ASSOCIATE EDITOR
After nearly a two-hour discussion on the possibility of the city of New Baltimore leasing the Anchor Bay Aquatic Center from the school district, council unanimously decided to send the discussion to city committees for their input, but not before city representatives and area residents engaged in a lengthy discussion. The discussion took place at the Aug. 8 New Baltimore City Council meeting, with nearly 125 area residents overflowing in City Hall. Many of the residents who spoke, along with Mayor Larry Smith, are in favor of keeping the Aquatic Center afloat, which Anchor Bay Business Director Kyle Anderson said may not be possible if a lease agreement isn’t reached. Several council members showed interest in the possibility of the agreement, but admitted the numbers they were given don’t add up. According to the budget analysis provided, Recreation Department Assistant Director Carlos Aprea proposed that recreation admission revenues will increase from $38,000 to about $90,500. The budget also says baseball revenues will increase by $9,000, triathlon revenues by $5,000 and pavilion rental fees by about $16,000. Anchor Bay Aquatic Director
Submitted Photo
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Ken Braun and his band Brazil and Beyond. BY BARB PERT TEMPLETON VOICE REPORTER
“You’ve got a friend” may be a simple song lyric but a recent fundraising event for Metro Detroit instrumentalist and beloved music instructor Ken Braun proved it’s actually very true. In fact, Braun has hundreds; and they recently came out strong to support him hosting a fundraiser to offset his mounting medical bills as he battles colon cancer. The diagnosis for the 56-year-old Braun, a native of New Baltimore and current resident of Casco Township, was a shocker and prompted friends to pull together an event quickly so they
50¢
could help him out. Mark Cunnert, manager of Ardis Music in Mount Clemens, helped sponsor the event along with other fellow musicians and longtime friends of Braun. “We did very well, the turnout was excellent, standing room only actually,” Cunnert said. “There were lots of local bands playing and for something we put together in just a couple of weeks it was great.” The evening included appearances by several local bands such as Brazil and Beyond, The Teen Angels, Paul Huber’s Crosscut and the Progressive Rock Orchestra. Braun is actuSee MUSIC on page 20
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
See AQUATIC on page 7
Lease agreement summary: The city of New Baltimore has the opportunity to enter into a lease agreement with Anchor Bay School District for $180,000 a year that would include use of the Aquatic Center, a Lighthouse Elementary classroom, gym and surrounding football, baseball and soccer fields. The district would still have first priority over the facilities and would pay for a full-time custodian with no overtime. The district would also be required to maintain the building. Why: Some New Baltimore officials believe a new facility is needed for the Recreation Department so more activities can be offered in a building that doesn’t need $100,000 worth of repairs while Anchor Bay officials are looking to lease out the facility because they can no longer afford it. These New Baltimore officials also think the current Recreation Department would be prime property for a developer. Employment changes: Lifeguards at the beach and Walter and Mary Burke Park could be eliminated and Anchor Bay lifeguards could be put on different pay scales and asked to work different shifts. One grounds person from the Recreation Department would be eliminated. Current Aquatic Center Director Colleen Mellon would be employed by the city, what her position and salary would be is currently unknown. Recreation Department Assistant Director Carlos Aprea could receive a raise equivalent to about $18,000, a figure that includes a salary increase, worker’s compensation and other benefits. Figures: With a lease at $180,000 per year, officials are saying the agreement would cost the city about $6,000 less to operate the facility. For this to happen though, in addition to the employment changes, the combined current revenue between the Aquatic Center and the Recreation Department would have to increase by about $167,000. Expenses would also have to decrease by $137,000. Thoughts: Mayor Larry Smith, Aprea, Mellon and Anchor Bay officials are in favor of such a collaboration. New Baltimore City Council members haven’t rejected the idea but have made it apparent they want a thorough plan that will hold up to an audit before a decision is made.
Area recreation centers’ financials vary BY COURTNEY FLYNN ASSOCIATE EDITOR
While the New Baltimore Recreation Center is not a revenue center, nor is it expected to be, city council members have made it evident that they are not too prepared to dish out more than the about $465,000 that they have budgeted for expenses. Anchor Bay School District officials have also said they are not in the recreation business and are not properly funded to go down that avenue. As both parties try to figure out a way to work out an agreement that would benefit them, the
Macomb Township Recreation Department is turning a profit while Clinton Township and Clintondale Community Schools recently ended their lease agreement and closed the pool. The 90,000-square-foot Macomb Township facility, which offers two pools and a lazy river, has been in operation since 2004 and, during the initial fiscal year it was open, it operated at a 98 percent efficiency level, Macomb Township Parks and Recreation Facilities Supervisor Jason Spiller said. Since then the center has been turning a profit, even during another round of construction and
renovations in 2006-07. “Majority of our revenue is generated through membership fees and daily admissions,” Spiller said. For a Macomb Township resident the head of the household has a yearly membership fee of $600, the spouse has a $180 fee and each child is charged $120. Those fees are double for non-residents. Interested parties can only visit irregularly for a $10 a day charge. According to the yearend financial report provided by Spiller, the Macomb Township Recreation Department See FINANCES on page 11
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