Livonia observer by Deb Conner

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In the garden

Stop and smell the roses Saturday during the annual Friends of Greenmead Garden Walk. The event runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will include self-guided tours of ﬁve private gardens and the Hill House gardens at Historic Greenmead. Artists from the Visual Arts Association of Livonia also will be on hand at several gardens with their work. Garden walk tickets are $9 in advance and $10 the day of the event and are available from committee members, the Livonia Public Library, 32777 Five Mile; Alfred Noble Branch Library, 32901 Plymouth Road; Carl Sandburg Library, 30100 Seven Mile; Greenmead, Newburgh and Eight Mile; and the Community Resources Department at Livonia City Hall, 33000 Civic Center Drive. Call (248) 477-7375 for more information.

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School board seeks to fire teacher accused of ‘child abuse’ By Karen Smith Observer Staff Writer

The Livonia school board took action toward firing a teacher and already terminated a parapro accused of slapping, grabbing and force feeding special-needs preschoolers, among other unprofessional classroom management practices. The board voted 7-0 Monday to recommend the state tenure com-

mission terminate the employment of teacher Sharon Turbiak, who works at Webster Elementary School on Pembroke in Livonia. The district terminated the parapro’s employment June 13. She worked in the same classroom as the teacher. Donna McDowell, administrator of communications for the district, said she could not name the parapro because her termination did not require action at a public board meeting.

No criminal charges

Neither the teacher nor the parapro has been charged with a crime. “This has been a distressing thing to discover, “ McDowell said, adding that the district’s shared vision calls for “a safe, joyful, welcoming environment” for all students, one where students are “eager to learn.” Both Turbiak and the parapro deny acting unprofessionally,

Tail Wagger’s

Tail Wagger’s 1990, a Livonia-based nonprofit committed to helping people help animals, will have a bottle and can drive at its Livonia office in July, 28402 Five Mile. Volunteers can also pick up donations. Call the ofﬁce at (734) 560-4660 to schedule a pickup.

INDEX Business...................A8 Crossword Puzzle ....B10 Entertainment .........B5 Food........................B8 Homes.....................B10 Jobs.........................B11 Obituaries................B5 Opinion ...................A10 Services ...................B11 Sports......................B1 Wheels ....................B12 © The Observer & Eccentric Volume 74 • Number 47 Home Delivery: (866) 887-2737 Return Address: 41304 Concept Dr. Plymouth MI 48170

Please see TEACHER, A9

Officials: Beware of using airborne fireworks

Cool ride

Fireworks special

The Madonna University athletics program again hosts a family-friendly site to view the Livonia Spree Fireworks on Sunday night. Representatives from the athletic department will be taking donations for parking in a great place to view the fireworks that allows viewers to avoid traffic snarls caused by Spree. “You can watch the fireworks from your own car and then be on the road home minutes after they are complete,” Madonna athletic director Bryan Rizzo said. Madonna University is at the corner of Levan and I-96. Public restrooms will be available.

McDowell said. Turbiak, a 14-year Livonia Public Schools employee, has been on paid administrative leave since April. A man who answered the phone at Turbiak’s residence said she couldn’t “talk about anything right now.” Contractually, the parapro has rights to arbitration. The state tenure commission has the final

By Ken Abramczyk Observer Staff Writer

BILL BRESLER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Maria Kipp and Jessica Rusnica, both from Livonia, are some of the ﬁrst on the carnival rides Tuesday, the ﬁrst day of Spree 62. Despite record-breaking temperatures, Spree fans lined up to enjoy the attractions. For story and more photos, see Page A6.

Democrats battle in 11th congressional race By Ken Abramczyk Observer Staff Writer

Much media attention was focused recently on the Republican side of the ballot in the 11th congressional race. U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter of Livonia and Kerry Bentivolio of Milford turned in petitions with signatures to declare their candidacies. McCotter’s petitions were found to have duplicate signatures, a finding that invalidated them. He declared a writein candidacy, then withdrew, and announced he was not seeking re-election. A group of prominent Detroit-area Republicans threw their support behind Nancy Cassis of Novi, who is now a write-in candidate. On the Democrats’ side of the ballot, two candidates, Dr. Syed Taj of Canton and Bill Roberts of Redford, are also vying for their party’s nomination. Taj recently retired as chief of medicine of Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, where he worked more than 29 years as a doctor. He still sees patients in his private practice. Taj is ending a four-year term on the Canton Board of Trustees, deciding not to seek re-election to that board and instead run for Congress. Roberts has been supporting

Dr. Syed Taj

Bill Roberts

U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter of Livonia turned in petitions which were found to have duplicate signatures, a finding that invalidated them. He declared a write-in candidacy, then withdrew, and announced he was not seeking reelection. Lyndon Larouche since 2001, after having been “completely disgusted” with the choices for president in 2000, and “having also witnessed firsthand the complete political impotence of my own generation.”

Endorsements, loyalty Taj has received endorse-

ments from the 11th District Democrats, Oakland County Democrats and every local Democratic Club in the district. Taj calls Roberts an “imposter” running as a Democrat who wants to impeach President Barack Obama, “Don’t be fooled by fake Democrats,” reads Taj’s campaign literature. Roberts responds that Taj’s comments are “cultish.” “The idea that you have to take a loyalty oath to a president no matter what happens and what heinous crimes he commits, it’s cultish,” Roberts said. He added: “The idea that you have to be an Obama supporter to be a Democrat is ridiculous.” Roberts believes Obama should be impeached for what Roberts called Obama’s assassination of Samir Khan and others who were alleged to be connected to Al Qaida and for the National Defense Authorization Act, which allows the detention of American citizens indefinitely. “You have a complete suspension of due process,” Roberts said. Taj ran because he wants changes in Congress. “Things aren’t looking so great in Congress,” Taj said. Please see CANDIDATES, A5

A new state law allows for use of some airborne fireworks, but local police and fire officials want the public to know they are still dangerous. The law removes the ban on most fireworks that shoot into the air so pyrotechnic-lovers no longer need to smuggle Roman candles, bottle rockets, sky lanterns or anything else from neighboring states. Stores with permits are selling them legally now in Michigan. “It used to be that no fireworks could leave the ground; now they can,” said Fire Marshal Earl Fesler of the Livonia Fire Department. The now legal consumer-grade fireworks may not be used on public, school or private property of another person unless permission is obtained to use fireworks at that location. It’s illegal to set off fireworks while using alcohol. Authorities said mixing the two can greatly increase the likelihood of serious injury. Any building used to sell fireworks requires an inspection and approval by the state or local fire marshal. When fire-related incidents occur resulting in property damage, injury or the death of another person, individuals could be convicted of a misdemeanor or felony punishable by imprisonment of not more than five years and fines of up to $10,000, or both, depending on the severity of Please see FIREWORKS, A9

FILE PHOTO

The public can watch a professional ﬁreworks show on Sunday at Livonia Spree.

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Observer & Eccentric | Thursday, November 15, 2012

online at hometownlife.com

LOCAL NEWS

I-96

prepared to deal with. He said Redford saw similar traffic increases during the construction on the Lodge Freeway several years ago and handled it well. Extra patrols will most likely go to major roads such as Plymouth Road and Five Mile and oversee any problems there. “We’re going to have to step up enforcement, obviously,” he said. “It’s going to be like stomping out little fires.” The project could have an early incentive clause built in, encouraging the contractor doing the job, which will be decided late next year, to finish the project early and receive a cash bonus. Zipp said that type of incentive is typically through the federal government, so MDOT would have to see if funds become available for it. “That’s being evaluated,” he said. “MDOT would love to do that.” MDOT is also looking for feedback on aesthetic improvements to the highway, including design of the bridges, fencing and trees. Members of the public can take a survey on the improvements on the project’s website, 96fix.com.

Continued from page A1

Wilson said, amid sobs. All had been sleeping in separate second-story bedrooms when the fire broke out. Doris Wilson woke Nicholas up first, telling him the house was on fire and to get out. At 14, he is the easier one to wake, his mother said. The Stevenson High School freshman grabbed a sweatshirt, covered his face, ran downstairs and grabbed a fire extinguisher to try to put the blaze out before running outside to neighbor Diane Reister’s house. He beat on her front door and told her to call the fire department. “He wanted to go back upstairs for Grandma and Michael, but he couldn’t see

anything,” his mother said. Doris Wilson went to Michael’s room next. “He heard Grandma yell, ‘Get out the window, get out the window,’” Tammie Wilson said. Michael later told his mother, “Every breath I took, I thought it would be my last. My throat was burning.” Seconds after the 12-yearold Holmes Middle School student climbed out the window onto the garage roof, the window shattered and flames shot through. Doris Wilson was found deceased inside the bedroom. Firefighters arrived as neighbors were trying to rescue Michael off the roof with a too-short ladder. Nicholas was outside on the grass. The cause of fire is still

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being investigated, but it appears to have been accidental, Fire Inspector Dan Lee of the Livonia Fire Department said. It is believed to have started on the first floor of the colonial-style home. Tammie Wilson and her husband, Paul, were in Disney World celebrating their 19th wedding anniversary when they got the call from Reister telling them to come home on the first plane they could catch. They touched down at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, knowing only that their house had been on fire and the boys were safe. Tammie wants readers to know how Doris, a breast cancer survivor who had been married 50 years to Alton, doted on her grandsons. Nicholas was born after Doris lost her oldest child, Charles, to stomach cancer at age 30. She was the kind of grandma who played Wii video games with them — and was good at it. The boys recently told their mom that Grandma was one of the coolest people they knew. “They loved her,” Tammie Wilson said. “She was one of their best friends.” ksmith@hometownlife.com (313) 222-2098

REPORT

ing. The parapro was fired June 13. Superintendent Randy Liepa said that while the report goes into more detail, the district had already highlighted for parents and the public what the issues had been “in big picture form.” He said the report was “upsetting for us to read,” too. Liepa said he knew in November about staff disagreements over working with children in the classroom, “not in regards to students being abused.” “At that point in time, it was no one’s assessment there was anything more,” he said. He said the personnel department was handling the issue. In April, after Schultz began the internal investigation, Liepa said he “started hearing more of the issues identified in the report.” He said in addition to calling police, the district: • Replaced the principal at Webster. • Added cameras to the preschool and kindergarten program at Webster. • Met with Wayne County prosecutors to update training on reporting requirements for suspected abuse. • Added training for special education staff on handling students, among other actions. Parents contacted for this story declined comment because of the potential for litigation. At previous school board meetings, parents have spoken both for and against the action the board took against Turbiak. “People have criticized us on both ends,” Liepa said.

Continued from page A1

tion believed she had a warm and nurturing classroom and didn’t know that they hit kids around in the classroom.” “That really pushed me over the edge,” Spagnuolo said. The report says the first documented complaint against Turbiak was dated Oct. 24, 2011. Turbiak denies any wrongdoing in the report. She did not return a reporter’s phone call Wednesday. The class was part of a Wayne RESA center program serving students from multiple districts. All 12 of the children who were in the class are cognitively impaired and some also have physical impairments. The report says the school’s former principal, Shellie Moore, had contacted central office administrators, but “there was never any thought or discussion that this would be a Protective Service or police issue.” Schultz, a former police officer, went to Livonia Police Department on April 24, the day after he began the internal investigation. Livonia police sought warrants from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, but those warrants were denied and the case was closed. The board voted June 18 to recommend the state tenure commission terminate Turbiak’s employment. The tenure commission has the final say in a teacher’s fir-

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Doris Wilson, center, spent nearly every day with grandsons Nicholas, left, and Michael, right. Also pictured are son Paul Wilson, far left, and husband Alton Wilson, far right, during a Mother’s Day celebration a few years ago. This family photo is one of the few that survived the ﬁre because it had been posted on Facebook.

“People will think that’s the best way because they won’t know any better so they’re going to try it,” he said. “Then they’re going to say, ‘Well, this isn’t any good.’ And they’re going to pull out their map and say ‘Oh, I’m going to take Telegraph up.’” Traffic at the I-275/I-96 interchange will either take I-275 southbound or northbound. M-14 will continue into that intersection, although signs will be posted closer to Ann Arbor warning travelers of the I-96 shutdown, and prompting them to take I-94 from Washtenaw County. The Newburgh exit will remain open, Zipp said. Sarah Binkowski of Parsons Brinckerhoff said she does not believe any other major construction is planned in the area during the I-96 shutdown in 2014. Sgt. Duane Gregg of the Redford Township Police Department said the construction will create little problems all over that the police department is

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Halloween at the Y

The Livonia Family YMCA will host Halloween at the Y 6-9 p.m. Saturday. For one night out of the year, creatures of the night invade the Livonia Y. They take over one of the Y’s locker rooms and turn it into a dangerous journey of terror. Rumors have surfaced that they will also try to haunt other areas of the Y, so beware! The faint of heart can avoid these areas and stick to the fun with games, dancing and a costume contest. Halloween at the Y is open to YMCA members and the public. Admission is free and available to anyone who is brave enough to show. The Y is at 14255 Stark, Livonia.

Save the date to hear Tony Campolo

Tony Campolo will be the featured speaker at the May 2, 2013, Livonia Community Prayer Breakfast. The event will be held at Laurel Manor in Livonia. Tony Campolo is professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University, a former faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania, and the founder and president of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education. He has written more than 35 books, blogs regularly at his website, redletterchristians.org, and can also be found on both Facebook and Twitter. Campolo and his wife, Peggy, live near Philadelphia and have two children and four grandchildren. Space is limited; reserve your tickets today. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for K-12 students. A charitable tax deduction may be recognized in excess of the $9 value of the breakfast. Send checks, made payable to Livonia Community Prayer Breakfast Inc., to Livonia Community Prayer Breakfast Inc., Attention: Sally Butler, 33300 Five Mile, Suite 105, Livonia, MI 48154. For more information, call (248) 476-9427.

Car seats inspected

Livonia Fire Rescue will conduct free safety checks of child car seats 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7; and 8:30-11:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 19. The safety checks will take place at Livonia Fire Station No. 3, 35000 Seven Mile, Livonia. Call (734) 466-2444.

INDEX Business...................A10 Crossword Puzzle ....B10 Entertainment .........B6 Food........................B8 Homes.....................B10 Jobs.........................B11 Obituaries................B5 Opinion ...................A12 Services ...................B10 Sports......................B1 Wheels ....................B12 © The Observer & Eccentric Volume 74 • Number 83 Home Delivery: (866) 887-2737 Return Address: 41304 Concept Dr. Plymouth MI 48170

PRICE: $1 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012 • hometownlife.com

Livonia teacher accused of child abuse resigns By Karen Smith Observer Staff Writer

The Livonia Public Schools teacher accused of abusing special-needs preschoolers resigned Oct. 16, school officials said Tuesday. Sharon Turbiak will remain on paid administrative leave until March 31, 2013, the effective date of her resignation, they

said. She has not been charged with any crime. Turbiak was scheduled to go before the Michigan Tenure Commission Monday. The school board voted unanimously June 18 to recommend the tenure commission terminate Turbiak’s employment. The tenure commission has the final say in whether a teacher is fired. Superintendent Randy Liepa

said the district had the choice of proceeding through the tenure process or accepting her resignation, and it made more sense to accept the resignation. The resignation letter was presented to the tenure commission Monday. “We were prepared to go to the tenure commission to seek her dismissal,” said Liepa. “But with her resignation letter, that issue has been addressed.”

Liepa said that when teachers go before the tenure commission, they receive their full salary during the hearing process and while the final determination is being made by the MTC. The district estimated the tenure hearing process would last through March with expenses for attorneys and staff time addPlease see TEACHER, A2

Yowchuang

Seewald

McCotter staffers face trial on felony charges By David Veselenak Observer Staff Writer PHOTOS BY BILL BRESLER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The group now has a $75,000 annual budget and two part-time employees. The group’s name change from task force to coalition indicates its commitment to working on the drug problem longterm, Executive Director Katie Olex said. “We’re feeling so much momentum not only with the space but with the new partnerships and support,” Olex said.

Two former staffers of U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter were bound over for trial on several felony charges Tuesday by 16th District Judge Sean Kavanagh. Paul Seewald and Don Yowchuang were bound over to Third Circuit Court for charges related to McCotter’s failed re-election bid. Yowchuang, a Farmington Hills resident, faces 10 counts of forgery and one count of conspiracy to commit a legal act in an illegal manner. Seewald faces one count of conspiracy to commit a legal act in an illegal manner. Yowchuang also faces six misdemeanor counts of falsely signing a nominating petition as a circulator, while Seewald also faces nine similar misdemeanor counts. Kavanagh took two weeks after the pair’s preliminary examination, which saw McCotter testify, to review transcripts of interviews with investigators. After the review, Kavanagh decided there was enough evidence on the conspiracy charges to send the men to circuit court in Detroit. Kavanagh said two weeks ago that he believed there was enough evidence in the 10 counts of forgery against Yowchuang. “I was convinced there was enough evidence presented,” he said. “There’s no discussion on that one.” The pair are two of four former McCotter staffers charged after the Michigan Secretary of State determined nominating petitions had photocopied signatures from previous elections. Defense attorneys for the two argued the conspiracy

Please see SAVE, A2

Please see STAFFERS, A2

The front row for the opening of the Save Our Youth Coalition ofﬁce includes Jerry Kwas, clinical supervisor for Livonia Counseling Center and Save Our Youth Coalition board member; Kayla Blauet, a student at Webster Elementary, City Council President Laura Toy, Executive Director Katie Olex, Livonia Mayor Jack Kirksey, and Diane Montes, founder of Save Our Youth Coalition.

Save Our Youth celebrates new office, growing support By Karen Smith Observer Staff Writer

The Livonia Save Our Youth Coalition cut the ribbon Tuesday on its new office in the Livonia City Hall Annex building, a milestone move that signifies its growing community support. The nonprofit organization, formerly called a task force, was started six years ago by Diane Montes of Livonia, who lost her 22-year-old son Brian to a fatal mix of heroin and Fentanyl. She and other parents who had been touched by a drug tragedy wanted to educate the community about the prevalent, dangerous use of drugs among young people. Montes’ office was her bedroom. The group, which had no money, was given space by St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia to hold meetings. “People were a little suspect” of the fledgling nonprofit, she recalled. But as the task force began holding town hall meetings, speaker series and an annual run to raise funds, people began to understand its mission, Montes said. The organization opened its first office at the Dickinson Center in Livonia, but that building closed in 2010. Then

The Livonia Save Our Youth Coalition opened new ofﬁce space in the Livonia City Hall Annex building.

it moved to the Hegira Center in Westland, but Hegira needed the space. In August, it moved into the Livonia City Hall Annex, signing a lease with the city for a 360-square-foot office formerly occupied by Livonia Youth Assistance. “Being here gives us so much more credibility to show we are working with the city,” Montes said, adding their new address, 33000 Civic Center Drive, the same as city hall’s, “opens doors.”

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Observer & Eccentric | Thursday, October 25, 2012

SAVE

Continued from page A1

Olex said the problem with K2, Spice and other synthetic drugs got the community’s stakeholders working together this spring to get the drugs pulled from store shelves. A couple of months before that, Save Our Youth held a firstever youth summit where teens talked candidly with community leaders about the problems they face, “opening eyes and mobilizing everyone,” Montes said. As evidence of the coalition’s growing support, Montes said no one attended their last open house. Supporters packed the new office during Tuesday’s open house. “We’re so tickled to have formed so many partnerships,” she said. “Working together is what’s going to make a difference.” Montes, who serves as board president, said it was her dream for the coalition to be networked with all stakeholders in the community. Dan West, president of

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the Livonia Chamber of Commerce, complimented the coalition on the job it did educating the community about synthetic drugs this spring. He said he remembers writing about Montes’ son’s death in the Observer while he was still a reporter. “In many ways, Brian is here today,” he said, noting Montes’ ongoing mission. Asked if there was something in particular she wants the public to know, Montes said the problem with drugs continues, even if people aren’t seeing it in the headlines as they were during the synthetic drug ban earlier this year. “We’re still hearing about young people dying all the time,” she said. “We don’t want people to become complacent.” Even if parents think their children would never use drugs, their children know kids who do, she said. “Everyone needs to be educated. The community response is the thing that’s going to change the culture.” ksmith@hometownlife.com (313) 222-2098

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LOCAL NEWS

Meet the Livonia Lions Nov. 11 The Livonia “High Nooners” Lions Club is sponsoring an informational meeting 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, at Mama Mia’s Restaurant in Livonia for people interested in joining the service organization. Food and soft drinks will be provided. There will also be a cash bar. The Livonia Lions Club was founded in 1953 to help the blind, the visually impaired, the hearing impaired and children with special needs. It currently serves both Livonia and Redford.

TEACHER

Continued from page A1

ing to total cost of the tenure process. There’s always the possibility that the outcome of the hearings would have allowed Turbiak back into the classroom, which was not the goal of the district from the start, Liepa said. “This is what we set out to do, to terminate her relationship with the district,” said Liepa. “This is finality for us. This is what we wanted.” An internal school district report on the alleged abuse will be released via the Freedom of Information Act after the Michigan Tenure Commission issues the dismissal order for the case, Liepa said. Another FOIA will need to be filed at that time, he said. A Wayne County Circuit judge had ruled the report be sealed during the tenure commission process. Turbiak secured the injunction July 10 on the grounds it violated her right to have a closed tenure hearing.

As part of the International Association of Lions Clubs, it also lends support to an assortment of Lions Club projects at the state, national and international levels. Guest speakers presenting at “Meet the Livonia Lions” include: • Lion Ron Coleman, past district governor, District 11-A1 • Gary Gaynor, president, Visually Impaired Information Center • Mary Meldrum, principal, Cooke School in Northville • Patty Obrzut, director, Penrick-

Jeffrey T. Stewart, a Farmington Hills attorney retained by parents of two of the children, said he found it interesting that the resignation won’t be effective until next March. He said the resignation has no bearing on the possibility of a civil lawsuit being filed. He said the report “will have an effect on what steps we take next.” Turbiak is accused of slapping, grabbing and force feeding special-needs preschoolers in her classroom at Webster Elementary, among other unprofessional classroom management practices, from about October 2011 to April 2012. A 14-year Livonia Public Schools employee, Turbiak has been on paid administrative leave since April. Livonia police sought warrants from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, but those warrants were denied and the case was closed. A parapro who was also accused in the case was terminated on June 13. ksmith@hometownlife.com (313) 222-2098

ton School for the Blind • Vicky Opie, outreach coordinator, Seedling Braille Books for Children • Susanne Terry, manager therapeutic support services, Methodist Children’s Home Mama Mia’s Restaurant is at 27770 Plymouth Road, west of Inkster. RSVP by Nov. 5 to Matt Collins at (248) 442-2845 or mcollins782@ gmail.com or Victoria Adams at (313) 304-0522 or Victoriaa@ameritech.net.

STAFFERS

Continued from page A1

charge was incorrectly filed and should be dismissed, as the two conspired to perform an illegal act — unlawfully signing nominating petitions to get McCotter on the primary ballot. Since the act of signing a petition and not being the circulator is a misdemeanor, Seewald’s attorney Mark Mandell said the pair should be charged with misdemeanor conspiracy, rather than felony charges. Kavanagh said he believed the transcripts indicated enough evidence on the conspiracy charges to go to trial and the pair may have conspired to commit an illegal act through legal means, but admitted it was a difficult decision. “That’s what they thought they were doing,” he said. “It would have been a lot easier if they had been charged in the misdemeanor statute.” The circuit court may decide otherwise, Kavanagh said, and could dismiss the felony charge. Former staffer Lorianne O’Brady, 52, of Livonia, pleaded no contest last month to five misdemeanor counts of falsely signing a nominating petition as circulator. Another staffer, Mary Melissa Turnbull, of Howell, faces one count of falsely signing a nominating petition as circulator and one count of conspiracy to commit a legal act in an illegal manner. Seewald and Yowchuang are set to be arraigned at 9 a.m. Nov. 6 in circuit court in Detroit.

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ELECTION PHOTO GALLERIES

SPORTS, B3

FOOD, B8

2012 RESULTS LIVONIA

How your community voted. The unofficial results below only include vote totals for Livonia. Overall winners are denoted with a ò.

PRICE: $1 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012 • hometownlife.com

PRESIDENT

ò Barack Obama (D) (i)...... 26,219 Mitt Romney (R) ..................28,600

Bentivolio pledges to protect voters’ rights in Washington

U.S. SENATE

Pete Hoekstra (R)................ 23,303 ò Debbie Stabenow (D) (i).28,903

U.S. HOUSE 11TH DISTRICT

ò Kerry Bentivolio (R) ........ 25,332 Syed Taj (D)......................... 23,503

U.S. HOUSE 11TH DISTRICT

(Partial term ending 1/02/2013) Kerry Bentivolio (R)............. 25,222 ò David A. Curson (D) .........21,676

SUPREME COURT

Curson presumed winner of partial term

(8-year term) Doug Dern .............................2,007 Connie Marie Kelley ............. 14,067 ò Stephen Markman (i) .......18,812 ò Bridget Mary McCormack..15,810 Kerry L. Morgan..................... 2,555 Colleen O’Brien.....................17,420 Bob Roddis............................ 1,553

By Aileen Wingblad Staff Writer

Kerry Bentivolio, who rose from relative obscurity to become the Republican front-runner in Michigan’s 11th congressional District race, is heading to Washington, D.C. And so is Democrat David Curson, who will serve out the remaining two months of the current 11th Congressional District, based on preliminary, unofficial results. Bentivolio, a former teacher, home builder and U.S. military veteran from Milford, carried the vote Tuesday night for the newly drawn 11th District for the U.S. House of Representatives, which includes portions of Oakland and Wayne counties. His top challenger was Dr. Syed Taj of Canton. Unofficial results show Bentivolio earning the two-year term in the newly drawn

SUPREME COURT

(Incumbent position. Partial term ending 1/01/2015) Mindy Barry........................... 2,971 Shelia Johnson......................11,919 ò Brian Zahra (i) ............... 23,795

STATEWIDE PROPOSALS PROPOSAL 12-1

(Referendum on Public Act 4 of 2011 Emergency Manager Law) Yes ...................................... 33,217 ò No................................... 20,393

PROPOSAL 12-2

(Amend the state constitution regarding collective bargaining) Yes .......................................19,756 ò No................................... 34,393

PROPOSAL 12-3

(Establish a standard for renewable energy) Yes .......................................17,254 ò No...................................36,684

PROPOSAL 12-4

(Establish the Michigan Quality Home Care Council and provide collective bargaining for in-home care givers) Yes .......................................19,437 ò No................................... 33,891

PROPOSAL 12-5

(A proposal to amend the state constitution to limit new taxes by state government) Yes ...................................... 15,039 ò No................................... 38,358

PROPOSAL 12-6

(A proposal to amend the state constitution regarding construction of international bridges and tunnels) Yes ...................................... 16,244 ò No................................... 37,282

Please see RIGHTS, A6

11TH DISTRICT Full term: òBentivolio (R) 181,796 Taj (D) 158,889 Partial term: Bentivolio (R) 151,740 òCurson (D) 159,267 HAL GOULD | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Kerry Bentivolio gives one of his supporters a hug at his victory party Tuesday night in Novi. The Milford Republican will be the next congressman representing the 11th District.

New school board members will move forward with bond

WAYNE COUNTY PROPOSALS

BUDGET APPROPRIATION

(Form of the Wayne County Budget and Appropriation Ordinance) ò Yes.................................. 20,356 No ........................................23,140

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

(Wayne County Independent External Auditor) Yes ...................................... 19,544 ò No................................... 21,906

By Karen Smith Observer Staff Writer

RETIREMENT COMMISSION

Livonia Public Schools will have two new board members come January, but they will continue the work of former board members in placing a construction bond for as much as $260 million before voters in 2013. Newcomers Julie Robinson and Tammy Bonifield won fouryear seats on the board Tuesday. Board President Patrice Mang was defeated, and Vice President Gregory Oke did not seek re-election. Bonifield said one of her goals as a board member will be to educate the public about the

(Membership on the Wayne County Retirement Commission) Yes .......................................13,961 ò No................................... 26,289

REMOVAL OF EXECUTIVE

(Removal of the Wayne County Executive from office by the governor) ò Yes.................................. 28,267 No ....................................... 15,201

APPROVE COMPENSATION

(The Wayne County Commission’s power to approve compensation) Yes .......................................17,948 ò No................................... 23,754

Boniﬁeld

Robinson

bond. “We are going to have to let them know why it’s important, why it’s a worthwhile investment for them,” she said. Robinson said her goal will be to ensure the money from any construction bond approved by voters is spent properly. She said she wants to make sure the district gets the best bids from

the right companies for every purchase, right down to desks and chairs. The school board expects to decide by Dec. 31, before new members take office, on how much money it will ask voters to approve — and when. Mang, 47, a high school counselor elected to the board in 2008, said she thinks her support of a bond may have cost her the election. She said the improvements she’d like to see total $215 million. She said one voter told her: “I’d love to vote for you, but you want to raise my taxes.” Yet, Mang is convinced of the need for a bond to keep Livonia schools competitive. “I

LIVONIA SCHOOL BOARD òBonifield 14,700 Breen 10,467 Grzebik 10,558 Mang 11,699 òRobinson 18,387

wouldn’t change any vote or any comment I made at that board table,” she said. “I’m very proud of what I did.” Mang said the lengthy ballot Please see SCHOOLS, A6

Woman found guilty of assault in firebombing A Wyandotte woman was found guilty Monday of assault with intent to do great bodily harm in the April 24 firebombing of a Livonia home. Sophia Pappas had been charged with assault with intent to murder, along with four other felonies, but Wayne County Circuit Judge Timothy Kenny indicated he believed Pappas had intended to injure but not kill the victim, said

Maria Miller, director of communications for the Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney. “So he found her guilty of Pappas assault with intent to do great bodily harm,” Miller said. Kenny, who conducted a

Return Address: 41304 Concept Dr. Plymouth MI 48170

bench trial, also found Pappas guilty as charged of arson of a dwelling, conspiracy to commit arson and sending/delivering explosives with intent to destroy, causing property damage. He found her not guilty of a fifth felony, conspiracy to commit murder. She is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 21. Pappas was accused of soliciting Evelyn Alda Lewek of

Redford and Alvin Echols of Detroit to firebomb the home on Stanmoor. The home belongs to a 51year-old woman who was involved in a relationship with a woman Pappas was previously involved with, according to court testimony. A Molotov cocktail that was thrown at the home broke, but never entered the house. It ignited a bush outside the

INDEX Business...................A9 Crossword Puzzle ....B10 Entertainment .........B6

Food........................B8 Homes.....................B10 Jobs.........................B10

Obituaries................B5 Opinion ...................A12 Sports......................B1

home, but did not damage the home or injure anyone. A second bottle with a liquid that smelled like gasoline was found by police on the ground. Lewek pleaded guilty Aug. 27 to arson of a dwelling and conspiracy to commit arson, both felonies, but her guilty plea was set aside Nov. 1 by Kenny. Miller declined to comment on why, saying only that that occasionally happens in criminal cases.

online at hometownlife.com

LOCAL NEWS

Observer & Eccentric | Thursday, November 8, 2012

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Parent sues school district, seeking release of report on alleged abuse By Karen Smith Observer Staff Writer

The mother of a special-needs preschooler in former teacher Sharon Turbiak’s class has sued Livonia Public Schools, asking for release of an internal investigative report conducted by the school district of allegations Turbiak had abused the children. The school district was expected to be served with the lawsuit Monday and given 21 days to respond, attorney James L. Spagnuolo of Southfield said. The suit was filed Friday in Wayne County Circuit Court by Rosalyn Peterman on behalf of her son, Cameron Williams. The lawsuit says the report is no longer subject to a court injunction prohibiting its release because Turbiak has resigned, effective March 31, 2013. Turbiak had secured the injunction Aug. 7 in Wayne County Circuit Court on the grounds it violated her right to have a closed hearing before the Michigan Tenure Commission. However, since Turbiak has resigned, the tenure hearing process is moot, the lawsuit says. Superintendent Randy Liepa said Tuesday he hadn’t seen the lawsuit, but that the district had already notified the parents that they could request in writing a copy of the report as soon as the order dismissing Turbiak’s tenure appeal is issued. He said Tuesday he expected that dismissal order any day. “If there is a lawsuit, it will probably be dropped right away,” he said. The school district presented the tenure commission with Turbiak’s resignation letter Oct. 22. Liepa said at the time that the report would be released via the Freedom of Information Act after the Michigan Tenure Commission issues the dismissal order. However, the lawsuit argues it is unknown when the order dismissing Turbiak’s tenure appeal will be issued and that since LPS and Turbiak have agreed to forego the proceedings, there is no remaining reason to embargo it from FOIA disclosure. The document is needed, the lawsuit says, because its denial impedes the boy and others from taking the steps neces-

sary to seek redress through the civil justice system. The lawsuit says the Michigan Tenure Commission was unable to provide the boy’s attorneys with information as to when the order of dismissal will be issued. Turbiak remains on paid administrative leave until March 31, 2013, the effective date of her resignation. Liepa said at the time the district had the choice of proceeding through the tenure process or accepting her resignation, and it made more sense to accept the resignation. Liepa said that when teachers go before the tenure commission, they receive their full salary during the hearing process and while the final determination is being made by the MTC. Turbiak is accused of slapping, grabbing and force feeding special-needs preschoolers in her classroom at Webster Elementary, among other unprofessional classroom management practices, from about October 2011 to April 2012. A 14year Livonia Public Schools employee, Turbiak has been on paid administrative leave since April. Livonia police sought warrants from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, but those warrants were denied and the case was closed. Turbiak has not been charged with any crime. The school board voted unanimously June 18 to recommend the tenure commission terminate Turbiak’s employment. The tenure commission has the final say in whether a teacher is fired. A parapro who was also accused in the case was terminated on June 13. Liepa said the timing of Turbiak’s resignation didn’t have anything to do with her retirement benefits but did not elaborate, since it is a personnel matter. Retirement eligibility requirements vary by employee, depending on their date of hire, said Stacy Jenkins, administrator of district communications for Livonia Public Schools. “Since this is a personnel issue, we cannot be specific, of course, about the teacher’s benefits,” she said. ksmith@hometownlife.com

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Northville Township emergency personnel on the scene of an Oct. 31 accident that killed a 26-year-old Livonia man and a 82-year-old Lyon Township man.

Two men killed in head-on collision By Kurt Kuban Staff Writer

Two motorists, including a 26year-old Livonia man, were killed last week after a head-on collision on Eight Mile Road near Sports Park Drive in Northville Township. According to police, the accident occurred just before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31. Police say the driver of a 2000 Ford F-150 pickup truck — 82-year-old Arthur Campbell of Lyon Township — was traveling westbound on Eight Mile when he crossed over the center line colliding with a blue Mercury driven by Mark Allen Poe, 26, of Livonia. That section of Eight Mile has a 55 mph speed limit, and both vehicle sustained massive damage. Poe was pronounced dead at the scene. Campbell was still alive when emergency workers arrived and he was transported to Botsford Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. There were no other passengers in either car, and nobody else was injured in the accident. According to Northville Town-

ship Public Safety Director John Werth, there were two witnesses to the accident. Both told police they saw Campbell seemingly reach down for something before going across the center line. Neither vehicle braked before the collision. Werth said they are awaiting Campbell’s autopsy results from the Oakland County Medical Examiner, but the preliminary investigation has ruled out he suffered a heart attack. Police don’t think alcohol or drugs played a role in the accident, but the autopsy and toxicology tests will make that determination. “Our assumption is there may have been something wrong, but we just don’t know,” Werth said. “Right now we’re investigating everything.” Werth said Poe was engaged to be married. “This is just a tragic, tragic accident,” Werth said. After the accident, police had to shut down both eastbound and westbound Eight Mile Road for several hours.

LOCAL NEWS

Observer & Eccentric | Thursday, November 29, 2012

Read lawsuit online at www.hometownlife.com

who in turn reported it to former LPS human resources chief Dorothy Chomicz, who soon after informed Liepa, the suit alleges. But none of those individuals reported it to Child Protective Services as required by state law, the suit says. Liepa, Moore, Respondek and others knew that Turbiak had verbally and physically abused children in the past and failed to protect Jayden, whose rights were violated, the suit says. LPS also knew that its administrators, in particular, Liepa and Moore, were not adequately supervising and/or disciplining Turbiak for her use of excessive force, the suit says. An internal report recently released by LPS includes witness statements saying Turbiak slapped and yelled at the children, let them fall and laughed about it instead of supporting them when they moved to the floor or a chair and put a boy confined to a wheelchair in the bathroom for timeout for 15 to 20 minutes. The report says Respondek spanked a child. The first documented complaint against Turbiak was dated Oct. 24, 2011, the report says. The class was part of a Wayne RESA center program serving students from multiple districts. All 12 of the children who were in the class are cognitively impaired and some also have physical impairments. Mark Schultz, the district’s public safety administrator and a former police officer, reported the issue to Livonia Police Department on April 24, the day after he began the internal investigation. Livonia police sought warrants from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, but those warrants were denied and the case was closed. No one has been charged with a crime. Turbiak was placed on leave in April, and the school board voted June 18 to recommend the state tenure commission terminate her employment. Turbiak then resigned,

By Karen Smith Observer Staff Writer

A lawsuit was filed Monday in U.S. District Court on behalf of a specialneeds preschooler allegedly abused by a former Livonia Public Schools teacher. The suit seeks in excess of $75,000 for physical pain and mental anguish the boy suffered. The lawsuit is the first of at least three expected to be filed on behalf of children in the Webster Elementary School class taught last school year by Sharon Turbiak. Attorney Ven Johnson of Detroit, who represents Jayden Gohl, 4, of Plymouth, had expected to file the suit last week, but the filing was delayed to ensure “that all necessary information was obtained prior to filing,” said Amanda A. Krzystan, an attorney in his office. LPS Superintendent Randy Liepa, one of the defendants in the suit, said Tuesday he had not seen a copy and would not comment on specific allegations. He said last week that parents have a right to seek a grievance through the court system. “If that’s what they wish to do, I certainly understand that’s an option for them,” he said. Besides Liepa, the suit lists as defendants Livonia Public Schools, Turbiak of Livonia, former Webster Principal Shellie Moore and Nancy Respondek of Redford, a parapro who worked with Turbiak in the classroom. The suit alleges that a social worker witnessed Turbiak assault Jayden on March 5, grabbing him by the top of his head, jerking it backward and yelling directly into his face, “You need to listen to me.” Jayden was born with hydrocephalus, has had seven brain surgeries and has a brain shunt. Any severe head movement and/or injury is potentially life-threatening to Jayden, Johnson said. The social worker reported Turbiak’s assault of Jayden to Moore,

Jayden Gohl is held by his mother, Lauren.

effective March 31, 2013, and the Michigan Tenure Commission dismissed the case against her. She remains on paid administrative leave until March 31, 2013. She has not returned calls from the Observer. Moore is on paid administrative leave through Dec. 31, 2012, the effective date of her resignation and retirement, Dana Whinnery, the district’s new director of human resources said. She had requested and was granted a transfer from Webster and was reassigned to be the assistant principal at Riley Upper Elementary, he said. However, she requested and was granted a leave of absence Aug. 15 and then submitted her letter of resignation and retirement Sept. 7, so she never worked at Riley. Respondek was fired June 13 by the administration, but union representatives notified the district Oct. 31 of their intent to appeal her termination to arbitration, Whinnery said. “We’re waiting for formal paperwork,” he added. In previous interviews, Liepa said he knew in November about staff disagreements over working with children in the classroom, “not in regards to students being abused.” “At that point in time, it was no one’s assessment there was anything more,” he said. He said the personnel department was handling the issue. In April, after Schultz began the internal investigation, Liepa said he “started hearing more of the issues identified in the report.” ksmith@hometownlife.com | (313) 222-2098

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Coyote not seen back at Hoover Elementary

First lawsuit filed in Webster School abuse case

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A coyote that was spotted at 6 a.m. Tuesday in the parking lot of Hoover Elementary School in Livonia was not seen again during the school day — or the day after, said Stacy Jenkins, administrator of district communications for Livonia Public Schools. “Not that I’ve heard,” Jenkins said, when asked Wednesday if there had been any more coyote sightings. The coyote was spotted by the Hoover building supervisor, and Livonia’s Animal Control Department was called. “The school day went on with its normal routine,” Jenkins said. “Students were allowed to go out for recess. All staff was alerted to the sighting and kept a close eye out while the students were on the playground.” The school, on Levan, between Five Mile and Six Mile, backs up to a wooded area and a golf course.

Principal Julie Linn notified parents in an enews alert Tuesday. Brian Wilson, Livonia’s superintendent of public service, said the city is going to ask its trapper to search the area for the coyote, which he said was gone by the time Livonia Animal Control arrived. He said coyotes have been in Livonia for more than 20 years. “We have not had an unusual amount of sightings in recent years,” he said. “We did have a coyote that unfortunately took a pet a while back,” he said, referring to the past year. That coyote was able to be trapped, he said. Linn said in the e-news alert that children’s safety is the school’s top priority. “We will continue to monitor the school grounds carefully,” she said. The alert also went to parents of Holmes Middle and Riley Elementary students. By Karen Smith

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TEACHER

Continued from page A1

say in teacher employment termination, McDowell said. In discussing the accusations, McDowell said she has to balance the employees’ rights to privacy against the public’s right to know. “We’ll share as much as we can,” she said. “It is an employee issue, and we do not elaborate on specific employee issues because there are confidentiality things to consider.” McDowell said administrators first heard complaints from other staff members about the classroom environment in late October. “They were spoken to; it was addressed,” McDowell said. “To our knowledge, the situation improved.”

Cognitive, physical disabilities The 12 preschoolers in the classroom, ages 3-5, are all cognitively impaired and some are also physically impaired. The classroom is part of a Wayne RESA center program serving students from multiple districts. Two of the students live in Livonia; the others live outside the Livonia Public Schools district. In March, there was another incident that was addressed with the teacher. “She denied she had done anything incorrect,” McDowell said. In April, during an investigation into staff complaints about the working relationship among staff in that classroom, including other support staff, more allegations and concerns surfaced about the classroom atmosphere and practices with students, McDowell said. She added that the complaints she knew of included “loud yelling, hand slapping, grabbing a student’s face and physical redirection of children” as well as an incident of force feeding. Both the teacher and parapro were placed on leave in April. Mark Schultz, a former police officer who serves as the district’s administrator of employee relations and public safety, began an internal investigation into the classroom environment April 23. The following day, he went to Livonia Police Department, which conducted its own investigation of the alleged “child abuse.” “We self-reported it,” McDowell said. “We felt we had a responsibility to do so. We have taken this extremely seriously.”

LOCAL NEWS Livonia Police sought warrants from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, but those warrants were denied and the case was closed. Lt. Tom Goralski would not provide any details about the investigation. He said, “There were allegations made to the police, investigated and the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office found that there was no crime committed and we are satisfied with their decision.”

Board blamed

Loyd Romick, a frequent critic of the administration and board members, blamed the board during the public comments portion of Monday’s school board meeting for not acting sooner. “You failed these kids every bit as much as the teacher and parapro handing out the abuse,” he said. “You failed to stop it because you could not be bothered to do your job of keeping our administrators accountable, and thus condemned those kids to six more months of abuse.” The board, following protocol, did not respond to Romick’s comments. Typically, the board responds to public comments at subsequent meetings. Superintendent Randy Liepa on Monday night referred questions to McDowell. But school board President Patrice Mang said Tuesday the board didn’t know about the situation until after the teacher had been placed on leave. A former special education teacher for more than 20 years for Allen Park Schools, Mang said, “I’m shocked and saddened anytime a teacher is accused of mistreating children.” McDowell said this is the first time in at least nine years that the board has recommended to the state tenure commission that a teacher be fired. She said it could be six months or longer before the commission makes a decision. While the commission makes the final decision about termination, the right of placement remains with the district, McDowell said. McDowell said a “well-qualified substitute teacher who had a strong knowledge of the program and students’ needs” was placed into the classroom. She said school officials met with the families and continue to stay in touch with them. “We care deeply about the students and their families,” she said, adding the district expects the highest level of professionalism from its staff members. ksmith@hometownlife.com | (313) 222-2098

FIREWORKS Continued from page A1

the incident.

Deaths, injuries

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s most recent data, three Americans died and 8,600 were taken to the hospital with injuries as a result of fireworks in 2010. Children younger than 15 accounted for 40 percent of those injuries. In addition, the Michigan Department of Community Health said there were three fireworks-related fatalities in the state in 2006-10, one in 2006 and two in 2007. The department does not keep statistics on fireworks-related injuries in the state. Livonia police and fire officials are expecting more fireworks activity because of the new law. “Because there are stores now with consumer-grade fireworks where people can buy them, more people will be using them,” Fesler said. “With more activity involving fireworks, there’s a greater chance that there will be more fire incidents and runs.” Fesler remembers a fireworks incident several years ago in which a bottle rocket misfired and a home was destroyed by the resulting fire. “The bottle tipped over. and the rocket went sideways into an evergreen bush adjacent to a nearby home. There was a bunch of dead material in its underbrush and the fire lit that brush, and the fire quickly spread to the attic of the home,” Fesler said. Firefighters responded, but the fire quickly gutted the entire attic and destroyed most of the home. “It’s sad what happens with one bottle rocket,” Fesler said. Tom Kiurski, training coordinator for the Livonia Fire Department, said the department is expecting an increase in fire runs and injuries over the Fourth of July. The department responds to

Observer & Eccentric | Thursday, June 21, 2012

runs of burns and occasional injuries to a hand or a foot. Dr. Bruce Alfred St. Amour, an emergency center physician with St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia, said he sees hand injuries, but not many serious injuries. “That’s generally people who want to pick them up, light them and throw them, not setting them on the ground and lighting them,” St. Amour said. Most of the injuries are burns, he said. Police Chief Curtis Caid expects his department will receive more complaints about fireworks now that bottle rockets and consumergrade fireworks are allowed. “There is always a danger associated with a consumergrade fireworks,” Caid said. “These users need to be conscious of that, and conscious of their neighbors. They need to use good common sense and some reasonableness.”

‘Fire flying ...’

Fesler said the fireworks are “fire flying through the air” designed to burn out before they hit the ground, but that doesn’t happen when they misfire or are mishandled. “They contain a black powder that

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can hit 1,000 degrees, and at that temperature, it will light almost anything,” Fesler said. “When you fire these, who knows where they go,” Caid said. “You don’t want to launch it towards someone else’s property.” Livonia police get a “barrage of complaints” around the Fourth every year, Caid said. “It really comes down to being courteous to each other,” Caid said. Caid and fire officials would rather residents not use fireworks at all. “We’ll enforce the state laws the best we can,” Caid said. “With any celebration, we plead with people to use common sense. There is a degree of danger with any explosive device. It may be legal to detonate these items, but people should be conscious of their neighbors. “If someone is drunk and launching fireworks, they are violating state law. If they are launching in a public park, they are breaking the law and we will enforce that law.” Kiurski said residents should watch them from afar and not launch them themselves.

CH AR TE R TO W N S H IP O F R E D F O R D PU BL IC N O TICE M IN U TE S O F TO W N S H IP BO AR D M E E TIN G S F O R TH E M O N TH M AY 2012 N O T IC E IS H E R E B Y G IV E N th a t th e a p p r o ve d m in u te s fo r M e e tin gs o f th e T o w n s h ip B o a r d o f th e C h a r te r T o w n s h ip o f R e d fo r d fo r th e m o n th o f M a y 2012, a r e p o s te d a t th e fo llo w in g p u b lic p la ce s w ith in th e T o w n s h ip : C o m m u n ity C e n te r,12121 H e m in gw a y L ib r a r y,25320 S ix M ile R o a d D e p a r tm e n t o f P u b lic S e r vice s ,12200 B e e ch D a ly P o lice D e p a r tm e n t,25833 E ls in o r e T o w n H a ll,15145 B e e ch D a ly A p p r o ve d m in u te s m a y a ls o b e vie w e d o n -lin e a t h ttp :// w w w .r e d fo r d tw p .co m

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Paws applauds great kids

Do you know a child or teenager who goes above and beyond to make their community, neighborhood or family better? Share your story in 500 words or less and they could be chosen to receive a special salute from Paws the Detroit Tigers mascot. In addition, the youth or teen selected will receive four tickets to a Detroit Tigers game ( Aug. 5 or Sept. 2), an autographed Tigers item, a Little Caesars gift card and pre-game recognition at the game. Email your essay to: cbjordan @hometownlife.com. Include PAWS FOR APPLAUSE in the subject line. Please include the youth’s name, age, phone number and address. See more information in a special advertisement (look for Paws) inside today’s edition.

Outdoor concerts

The free outdoor concert series, Music From the Heart, continues Thursday with the country music of T.J. Thomas and Kentucky Strait at 7 p.m. in Larry J. Nehasil Park. The series continues 7-8:30 p.m. every Thursday through Aug. 30. Larry J. Nehasil Park, located at Five Mile and Farmington roads, was formerly known as Civic Center Park.

INDEX Community Life....... B5 Crossword Puzzle .... C3 Education ................ A4 Health ..................... B9 Homes..................... C2 Jobs......................... C1 Obituaries................ B8 Services ................... C2 Sports...................... B1 Wheels .................... C4 © The Observer & Eccentric Volume 74 • Number 54 Home Delivery: (866) 887-2737

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Parent critical of LPS in special needs Livonia’s outdoor music incident PHOTOS BY BILL BRESLER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Shelley Scarlett and Connie Flynn rock out when the band Sinjon Smith covers the B-52’s classic “Love Shack.” John Flynn, on right, is a little less animated.

series is in full swing By Ken Abramczyk Staff Writer

The city’s Music From the Heart concert series kicked off Thursday night with the rock of Sinjon Smith. The annual series features free outdoor concerts and is sponsored by the Livonia Parks and Recreation and the Livonia Arts Commission. Bands perform 7-8:30 p.m. every Thursday through Aug. 23 at the newly named “Larry J. Nehasil Park” formerly know as Civic Center Park located at Five Mile and Farmington roads. The series also includes a concert on Wednesday, Aug. 22 featuring the Livonia Symphony Orchestra at the Livonia Parks and Recreation gym at the Livonia Recreation Center. Cristine Swish, liaison with the Livonia Arts Commission, said the concerts draw crowds up to 300. “People enjoy the open-air atmosphere of the concerts,” Swish said. “Several of the groups, like Steve King’s, have a following, while the seniors Please see MUSIC, A11

Diane Smith of the band Sinjon Smith belts out the tunes for the band.

By Ken Abramczyk Staff Writer

The parent of a child who was allegedly struck by a Livonia teacher earlier this year asked the Livonia school board on Monday why she wasn’t notified immediately after the incident on March 20. Terri Roeder of Ypsilanti told the board she wasn’t notified until May 3. Parents of children taught by the teacher expressed different views and opinions of the teacher as well. The Livonia school board took action in June toward firing the Webster Elementary teacher and already terminated a paraprofessional accused of slapping, grabbing and force feeding preschoolers with special needs, among other unprofessional classroom management practices. The board voted 7-0 on June 18 to recommend the state tenure commission terminate the employment of teacher Sharon Turbiak. Neither the teacher nor the parapro has been charged with a crime. Both Turbiak and the parapro deny acting unprofessionally, district spokeswoman Donna McDowell said in June. Turbiak, a 14-year Livonia Public Schools employee, has been on Please see LPS, A6

City wants state to revisit fireworks law By Ken Abramczyk Staff Writer

After hearing complaints from residents about the expanded fireworks law, Livonia city officials have asked that state lawmakers review the new law that permits airborne fireworks. State Rep. John Walsh, R-Livonia, said Friday legislators are expected to review the law that permits consumer grade fireworks, which are bottle rockets, Roman candles, sky lanterns and other fireworks that fly through the air. Mayor Jack Kirksey said Monday that his office had received complaints from residents, as had council member Maureen Miller Brosnan. Several residents who contacted the council “are really upset,” Brosnan said. Residents fear the fireworks will cause damage to homes, and injure children or pets, Brosnan said.

Local ofﬁcials have concerns about the state’s new ﬁreworks law.

“Some have already sent photos showing damage to personal property,” Brosnan said. Brosnan hoped legislators would reconsider the new law.

Councilman Joe Laura moved to have the council’s Legislative Committee review the fireworks law. The council also recently requested a report

from Kirksey on the same subject. Kirksey said he spoke with Walsh. Walsh said Friday he expects legislators would discuss the law with the law’s sponsors on Wednesday, and at that time schedule it for discussion. Walsh said there appears to be different interpretations of what local government can and can’t do in terms of regulating the aerial fireworks, and if that’s the case, lawmakers need to review the law to make sure noise and safety enforcement ordinances still apply, which Walsh believed that they did. But local officials are concerned that the public’s interpretation is one that some residents believe allows them carte blanche in launching them. “I don’t believe people realized the ramifications of it,” Kirksey said. Kirksey said he heard the Please see FIREWORKS, A10

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online at hometownlife.com

Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, July 15, 2012

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paid administrative leave since April. Contractually, the parapro has rights to arbitration. The state tenure commission has the final say in teacher employment termination, McDowell said. The 12 preschoolers in the classroom, ages 3-5, are all cognitively impaired and some are also physically impaired. The classroom is part of a Wayne RESA center program serving students from multiple districts. Two of the students live in Livonia; the others live outside the Livonia Public Schools district.

District ‘failed’ her son On Monday, Roeder told the board that the school district “failed not only my son, but all of the children.” She added that her son and other children will remain “forever scarred.” “Teachers and parapros are here to help nurture, give the gift of knowledge and love for learning in a safe environment. None of this was done,” Roeder said. “Instead, they and you gave these children six months of physical, mental and emotional abuse and instilled a fear of learning detrimental in themselves.” Roeder’s reference to six months was the time period between October, when administrators first heard complaints from other staff members about the classroom environment, and March, when the incident occurred. Roeder said the district, through its spokesperson McDowell, made no mention of her son being grabbed by the arm, spanked and yelled at in his face and of another “medically-fragile” child who was grabbed by his head, which was then turned back and forth. Roeder said another child had her seat pulled out from under her, was

grabbed by the face and yelled at, and others were allowed to fall without assistance as they got out of chairs. A phone message was left at Turbiak’s residence on Thursday for comment. Roeder said there needs to be immediate change from “top to bottom.” She said the district took away her son’s rights to an education. The incident occurred on March 20, and was reported to Human Resources and the principal on March 22, a month before April 23, when it was reported to police. “Why was this not reported to me immediately?” Roeder asked. “You violated my right as a parent. It was not until May 3 that I was told.” Roeder asked why the incident was not reported to police on March 20. “You broke the law,” she told the board. Another parent, Jim Davenport of Garden City, said he felt guilt every day since he learned that his daughter was scared to get off the bus to go to school, something he did not know for two years. After he learned of the allegations, he promised that he would make it up to his daughter. “I fully expect the cooperation of the school board to help me make that up to my daughter because the kids in this classroom have a tough enough life as it is,” Davenport said. Their experiences in life “will be more difficult than for anyone in that room,” Davenport said.

Volunteer ‘never saw abuse’ Others at the Monday meeting commended and supported Turbiak. Kathy Bilger said she was at Webster since 1992 as a parent volunteer helping run the student council. Bilger said she is in and out of Turbiak’s classroom frequently, “sometimes daily, sometimes weekly.”

“I’ve never seen the kind of abuse that is being talked about. I’ve seen a happy classroom, I’ve seen children happy.” Turbiak was determined to obtain equipment for her classroom and “was not an abusive woman.” “Sometimes she’s loud, but sometimes you have to be with these children,” Bilger said. No one would tolerate abuse in that building, Bilger said. “Every child is my child, every single one of them. I would never allow anything like this to happen to a child, I’ve been in that classroom and I know Sharon feels the same way,” Bilger said. Karen Teran of Livonia, the mother of a special needs son, praised Turbiak. Because of Turbiak’s help and instruction, her son’s IQ advanced enough to move him to another school in Garden City. But she found that he wasn’t learning like he did with Turbiak. “Nobody could fill her shoes,” Teran said. “Nobody could work with my son as productively as Sharon could. I feel she has had a major impact on my son through the years.”

Teacher ‘looked out for the kids’ Teran spoke of how Turbiak called her when her son took his first steps. “She called me after work to tell me how he had walked all by himself,” Teran said. Turbiak is looking out for the kids, Teran said. “I have learned so much from her about working with special needs kids,” Teran said. Teran encouraged the board to get to the truth. “Sharon is entitled to a position with Livonia Public Schools after 17 years,” Teran said. Prior to listening to the comments, board president Patrice Mang said trustees will respond at the next meeting to address the concerns.

SPORTS, B1

HIGHLAND

blueberries for breakfast

Rite of

August

GAMES

A BIG HIT

FOOD, B8

See page A6

TICKET CONTEST

Detroit Lions vs St. Louis Rams Ford Field Sept.9th 1p.m.

Win Lions tickets

Enter our Facebook contest for a chance to win two tickets to see the Detroit Lions take on the St. Louis Rams Sunday, Sept. 9 at Ford Field. If you want a chance to be in the stands the ﬁrst game of the regular season, go to hometownlife. com today. Share the contest link with a Facebook friend and get ﬁve extra chances to win if they also enter the contest. The winner will be selected at random Sept. 5.

PRICE: $1 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012 • hometownlife.com

PRIMARY ELECTION 2012

Get low-cost vaccines for pets

Tail Wagger’s 1990 will hold a low-cost vaccination clinic 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Sheehy Animal Hospital, 18790 Middlebelt Road, Livonia. Rabbies, distemper and bordetella will be $12 per shot or $30 for all three. Heartworm testing will also be available for $18, and microchips will be offered. No appointment is necessary. Tail Wagger’s is a non-proﬁt that helps people help animals. For more information, call (734) 560-4660 or email vaccinationclinic@yahoo.com.

JARRAD HENDERSON | GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

11th Congressional Republican nominee winner Kerry Bentivolio celebrates his win against candidate Nancy Cassis on Tuesday night at The Sheraton Hotel in Novi.

Bentivolio faces another election next month

Livonia YMCA collects school supplies

The Livonia Family YMCA is collecting school supplies during the month of August for donation to the Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse in Detroit. Pens, pencils, notebooks, crayons and backpacks, etc. are needed. New members with receive a reduced joining fee with the donation of school supplies. The Livonia Family Y is at 14255 Stark Road. Donations will be accepted in the lobby. Call (734) 261-2161.

By Ken Abramczyk Staff Writer

Kerry Bentivolio’s campaign for U.S. Congress took a huge step Tuesday with his win over write-in challenger and former state senator Nancy Cassis. Now, the campaign faces another election in less than a month with a special primary on Sept. 5. Bentivolio, Cassis and three other Republican candidates (Ken Crider, Steve King and Carolyn Cavanagh) will face off with the winner advancing to the gen-

INDEX Business...................A9 Crossword Puzzle ....B11 Entertainment .........B6 Food........................B8 Homes.....................B10 Jobs.........................B11 Obituaries................B5 Opinion ...................A12 Services ...................B10 Sports......................B1 Wheels ....................B12 © The Observer & Eccentric Volume 74 • Number 61 Home Delivery: (866) 887-2737 Return Address: 41304 Concept Dr. Plymouth MI 48170

Please see BENTIVOLIO, A10

Taj says message sets him apart from GOP candidate By Ken Abramczyk

Outdoor concerts

The free outdoor concert series, Music From the Heart, continues at 7 p.m. today, Aug. 9, in Larry J. Nehasil Park with the high-energy show and dance band Motor City Soul. Larry J. Nehasil Park, located at Five Mile and Farmington roads, was formerly known as Civic Center Park.

eral election Nov. 6. The winner of that election will fill the unexpired term of Thaddeus McCotter *Bentivolio — 4,589 through the end of Write-in — 3,357 the year. That election is taking place in the current 11th District. On Tuesday, Bentivolio won in the newly redistricted 11th District to advance as the

HOW LIVONIA VOTED

Staff Writer

Taj

Roberts

*Taj — 3,782 HOW LIVONIA Roberts — 2,191 VOTED Write-in — 30

Syed Taj is looking forward to the general election against Republican Kerry Bentivolio after he received the nod from voters in the 11th Congressional District as the Democratic candidate in the Nov. 6 general election. Taj, a 65-year-old physi-

cian and Canton trustee, defeated Lyndon LaRouche supporter Bill Roberts in the primary Tuesday. Taj was humbled by the support and grateful to continue his campaign, Taj said. Taj said his message of investing in job creation, strengthening and protecting Social Security and

Renewal funds road repairs for another decade By Ken Abramczyk Staff Writer

Livonia residents will continue to see their local roads repaired and improved, following voters’ renewal Tuesday of a .89 mill tax for another 10 years. The near 4-to-1 margin (12,967 voters supporting the millage, 3,270 opposed) pleased Mayor Jack Kirksey. HOW “It’s a great moment LIVONIA for Livonia,” Kirksey VOTED said. “That kind of vote, *Yes — 12,967 that kind of plurality, No — 3,270 is a report card back to the city, that we support what you’ve done and we will support what you do in the future.” The millage renewal means that the $58 a year in taxes for a home valued at $130,000 will continue for another 10 years, and is expected to generate $3.48 million in revenue for the first year. Over the past 10 years since the millage was first approved in 2002, about 240 miles of needed road improvements have been completed. The percentage of roads with a good rating has jumped from 44 percent to 70 percent. That rating follows Michigan Department of Transportation guidelines, in which employees of the city’s Department of Public Works check for cracking, heaving, displacement and road quality. Roads are given a numerical rating; then the list is forwarded to a citizen committee for discussion on repairs. Residents can also make a case for roads that they think need work. “If it is not part of the list for 2013, they can still make the case for their road,” Kirksey Please see ROADS, A10

INSIDE: • Vote paves way for free DIA admission, Page A2 • Steady stream of voters hits the polls, Page A2 • Knezek ready to knock on more doors in 11th, A5 • It will be Webb vs. Cochran in November, A5

Please see TAJ, A10

Parents of ‘abused’ preschoolers want trust restored, lost year made up By Karen Smith Observer Staff Writer

A group of parents of special-needs preschoolers who were allegedly abused by a teacher and parapro at Webster Elementary asked the Livonia school board Monday to restore their trust by holding those responsible

accountable and giving back students the instruction they missed. Attorneys James L. Spagnuolo Jr. of Southfield and Jeffrey T. Stewart of Farmington Hills have been retained by two of the parents. They attended the school board meeting, but did not address the board.

Spagnuolo said a decision on a lawsuit has not been made. “At this point we’re doing an investigation,” he said. In June, the board fired the parapro and recommended the state tenure commission terminate the employment of the teacher, Sharon Turbiak. Neither one has been

Parents of special-needs preschoolers allegedly abused at Webster Elementary gather for a group hug outside the Livonia school board ofﬁce Monday after speaking to the board. From left are Lauren Gohl, Jim Davenport, Rosalyn Peterman and Terri Roeder.

charged with a crime and both deny any wrongdoing. Parent Lauren Gohl of Plymouth asked the

board when those who witnessed the alleged abuse will be terminated Please see PARENTS, A11

online at hometownlife.com

PARENTS

Continued from page A1

for not reporting it to the Michigan Department of Human Services, as required by law. “What recourse do the parents have if (Superintendent) Randy Liepa decides that only certain individuals receive a disciplinary action for their part in this absolutely unacceptable cover up?” she asked. State law mandates that school personnel immediately report to DHS, not just their supervisor, any suspected abuse even if they have not witnessed it. A social worker alledgedly witnessed Turbiak on March 5 grab her son by the top of his head, jerk it back “quite aggressively,” yell at him and continue to jerk his chin upward while pushing the top of his head back. The boy, 4, was born with hydrocepha-

LIVONIA COMMUNITY CALENDAR The Community Calendar runs in the Livonia Observer as space permits. Nonprofit groups and community organizations are welcome to submit news of upcoming events. Please include a daytime telephone number and contact person. Mail, fax or e-mail information to: Livonia Observer, Community Calendar, 615 W. Lafayette, Second Level, Detroit, MI 48226. Fax: (313) 223-4650. E-mail address is: ksmith@hometownlife.com.

CROP FOR A CAUSE

Time/date: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18 Location: Scrappy Chic, 33509 W. Eight Mile Road, Livonia Details: Scrappy Chic will host a 12-hour scrapbooking fundraiser crop to benefit the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network and a local cancer charity, Angels of Hope. The cost of the crop is $30; space is limited to the first 50 registered guests. Each guest will have a goodie bag, two make n’ takes, drinks, snacks, breakfast, lunch and dinner. There will also be a raffle table with prizes. Contact: (248) 426-9020

PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

Time/date: 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20 Location: Mother Hubbard Preschool, 30650 Six Mile Road, Livonia Details: Families will be able to tour the room, meet and talk with all three teachers, hear about the learning philosophy and meet some current parents. Openings are available in both the 3-yearold and 4-year-old programs. Contact: (734) 751-3361

BLOOD DRIVE

Time/date: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 27 Location: St. Mary Mercy Hospital, 36475 Five Mile Road, Livonia Details: Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments are preferred. There will be appointment sheets in the hospital cafeteria. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800GIVE-LIFE or visit redcrossblood.org.

BOUNCE BACK TO SCHOOL

Time/date: 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28 Location: Stevenson High School, 33500 W. Six Mile Road, Livonia Details: Livonia Public Schools Foundation will transform Stevenson’s athletic ﬁelds into a magical bounce house extravaganza with extreme bounce houses, including a bungee blast, laser tag and obstacle course. There will also be tattoo and balloon artists, a petting zoo, pony rides and carnival games. The cost is $5 per school-aged child. Contact: www.livoniapublicschools.org/BounceBack2012 TH IN K IN G A B OU T...

RAL CEN T

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LOCAL NEWS lus and has a brain shunt. Any injury to his head can be lifethreatening, she said.

Reporting law violated?

Gohl said the incident wasn’t reported to DHS until after April 23, when Mark Schultz, a former police officer who serves as the district’s administrator of public safety, began an internal investigation into the classroom environment and called the Livonia Police Department the following day. Several school district employees, including administrators, are identified as witnesses on a heavily redacted 75page police report. Parent Terri Roeder of Ypsilanti said parents of the 12 special-needs children ages 3-5 who were in the classroom have been in contact with each other. “I can assure you that there are many of us who will not rest until across-the-board justice has been administered,” she

told the board. The class was part of a Wayne RESA center program serving students from multiple districts. All of the children are cognitively impaired and some also have physical impairments. Parent Rosalyn Peterman of Wayne told the board she has heard and read about terrible things happening to children around the country, but she never thought her son, Cameron Williams, would be in the same predicament. “I’m here to show support for my child and the other children and to ensure that you hold yourself accountable for what has happened and to make the necessary changes and implement the necessary precautions that will help our children to feel safe so they can learn and also somehow restore our trust in the educators to do right by our children,” she said.

‘Lost’ school year

Jim Davenport of Garden

Observer & Eccentric | Thursday, August 9, 2012

City, who said his daughter McKenna had her chair pulled out from under her and was laughed at when she fell to the floor, said McKenna spent “1,040 hours in an environment of fear and bullying at the hands of Sharon Turbiak” and the parapro. He said the program was designed to give the children a head start so they could have a chance at a normal school life. He said he feels it is the board’s responsibility to make up for that lost time. The Livonia Police Department investigated the abuse complaints, but the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office decided there was insufficient evidence to bring charges against anyone. “We did not have a case that we could prove beyond a reasonable doubt in court,” Maria Miller, assistant prosecuting attorney and director of communications, said in an

(L) A11

interview July 26. Stewart, who specializes in representing students whose rights have been violated by teachers and their supervisors, said the prosecutor’s decision was “not a decision we welcomed.” However, he said, the burden of proof in a criminal case is “exceedingly high” compared with a civil case and prosecutors have “enormous discretion” in deciding which cases to pursue. He said if the accounts in the police report are true, he believes the children were abused. He said child abuse, like pornography, is hard to define, but quoting U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart’s famous characterization of pornography in a 1964 case, he said, “I know it when I see it.” ksmith@hometownlife.com | (313) 222-2098

Deliciously Healthy FOOD, B8

LET THE GAMES BEGIN, B1

NORWEGIAN SALMON

WALKING FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH, A3, 6

TICKET CONTEST

Detroit Lions vs St. Louis Rams Ford Field Sept.9th 1p.m.

Win tickets

Enter our Facebook contest for a chance to win two tickets to see the Detroit Lions take on the St. Louis Rams Sunday, Sept. 9, at Ford Field. If you want a chance to be in the stands the ﬁrst game of the regular season, go to hometownlife. com today. Share the contest link with a Facebook friend and get ﬁve extra chances to win if they also enter the contest. The winner will be selected at random Sept. 5.

O&E tourneys The annual Observer & Eccentric Hometown Media golf tournaments are right around the corner with the women’s event scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 26, at Livonia’s Whispering Willows, followed by the 36-hole medal play men’s event Sunday, Sept. 2, at Livonia’s Fox Creek and Monday, Sept. 3, at Whispering Willows golf courses. Entries for the men’s tourney, limited to the ﬁrst 120 golfers, close at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 27. The entry fee is $95. You can register in person at Whispering Willows, located at 20500 Newburgh. For more information, visit www.golﬂivonia.com or call (248) 476-4493.

PRICE: $1 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012 • hometownlife.com

Principal replaced, cameras added at school where alleged abuse took place By Karen Smith Observer Staff Writer

Livonia Public Schools has appointed a new principal and added cameras to the preschool and kindergarten program at Webster Elementary School, where a teacher and a parapro are accused of physically abusing special-needs preschoolers last school year. “On behalf of all board members, I want you to

know that we all take this issue very seriously,” school board President Patrice Mang read in a prepared statement Monday night. “Our focus right now is on the successful start of school for students who will be attending the MOCI (Moderately Cognitively Impaired) program next year.” Mang said the appointment of Lora Boka as principal and the installation of video cameras

are in addition to other actions the district has already taken, including firing the parapro and filing tenure charges against the teacher. The former principal, Shelly Moore, is being reassigned. Boka was assistant principal at Riley Upper Elementary. Mang said the district is “finalizing plans to address additional employee discipline,” Please see SCHOOL, A10

BILL BRESLER|STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Livonia school board Vice President Gregory Oke listens as President Patrice Mang reads from a prepared statement responding to previous audience comments regarding Webster Elementary.

City limited in enforcing noise from fireworks By Ken Abramczyk Observer Staff Writer

Get rid of hazardous waste

Wayne County will conduct a household hazardous waste and electronic waste collection day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Westland Shopping Center (J.C. Penney lot) at Warren Road and Nankin Boulevard. This event is limited to residents of Wayne County only. For questions, contact Wayne County at (734) 326-3936.

Flea market

Greenmead Historical Park will have more than 160 vendors at its Flea Market 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9. Admission is $2 for adults. Parking is free. Village buildings are open to tour from noon to 3 p.m. Refreshments will be available for purchase on site. Greenmead is at Eight Mile and Newburgh roads in Livonia. Call (248) 477-7375 for more information.

INDEX Business...................A11 Crossword Puzzle ....B12 Entertainment .........B8 Food........................B10 Homes.....................B12 Jobs.........................B13 Obituaries................B7 Opinion ...................A12 Services ...................B12 Sports......................B1 Wheels ....................B14 © The Observer & Eccentric Volume 74 • Number 65 Home Delivery: (866) 887-2737 Return Address: 41304 Concept Dr. Plymouth MI 48170

BILL BRESLER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Mary Jane Rickett and her 2012 Roush Mustang.

Race fan wins Roush Stage 1 Mustang used to promote tourism By Karen Smith Observer Staff Writer

Mary Jane Rickett loves vacationing in Michigan and watching racing at Michigan International Speedway. Those two interests merged over the weekend when the 46year-old Redford resident won a 2012 Roush Stage 1 Mustang in a sweepstakes co-sponsored by Pure Michigan, Roush Fenway Racing and MIS. “It’s a beautiful car,” Rickett said. “It sounds great when you rev up the engine. It sounds amazing.” Rickett, 46, who works as a receptionist in the body shop at Bill Brown Ford in Livonia, learned of the contest on Facebook, which had a link to the MIS website. She was one of more than 7,000 people who entered the online contest. Two weeks ago, she found out she was one of three finalists. As a finalist, she received VIP tickets to the Pure Michigan 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race last weekend at MIS for herself, husband Joe and two friends as well as the use of a recreational vehicle Friday through Sunday. While there, she and the other two finalists competed in a chipping contest to see who could get closest to the pin and the chance to be the first to pick one of three keys. Rickett won the chipping

Mary Jane Rickett, behind the wheel of her new Mustang.

contest and was first to pick a key, which happened to be the right one. “I started it up and that was it,” she said. “I felt almost guilty when I won it. Since I was the first one to start it up, they never got a chance to sit in the car (to try their keys).” Bill Brown Ford sales consultant Kevin D’Arcy said the custom-made GT coupe Rickett won is valued at $41,000.

“It’s pretty cool,” he said of the car. He said the dealership sells Roush Mustangs, but there aren’t too many buyers. “Who has the money?” he asked. Rickett and her husband are longtime race fans who head out to MIS every June and August. They already had tickets to last weekend’s race when Rickett found out she got VIP passes to all events, including the drivers’ meeting. “We ended up giving our tickets to someone else,” she said. The couple also typically vacation in Michigan. One of their favorite spots is St. Please see MUSTANG, A9

The city cannot enforce its noise ordinance in regulating fireworks use on the day before, day of and after a national holiday, including the Fourth of July, according to the city’s Law Department. City officials received scores of complaints from residents immediately before and after Independence Day this year, after state legislators passed a new law allowing the sale and explosion of airborne fireworks. The City Council received a report Monday night from City Attorney Don Knapp at a study session. Council members had asked for a report from the Law Department in early July on the noise issues, and on whether use of fireworks can be restricted to private property and whether fireworks detonation can be restricted to properties with a minimum of one acre. The department had already been reviewing the city’s fireworks ordinance after the state law became effective this year. “Because the noise ordinance prohibits that which the (state’s) Fireworks Safety Act permits, the noise ordinance is preempted by the FSA and cannot be enforced on the day preceding, the day of, or the day after a national holiday,” City Attorney Don Knapp said in his report to the council. “Understanding that, the Noise Ordinance can be enforced to prohibit the discharge of fireworks in and around residential settings on those days that do not surround a national holiday.” Knapp told the council that it may want to contact state lawmakers on changing the law to redefine consumergrade fireworks to allow for greater local control or to limit these fireworks to larger areas of property. The law doesn’t restrict possession of fireworks by minors, Knapp said. “It restricts the sale, but it doesn’t say minors can’t ignite them,” Knapp said. If an individual was igniting consumer fireworks at a city park, school property or from private property without the permission of the private property owner, that person could be given a citation and pay a state civil infraction of up to $500, Knapp said.

New law created ‘headaches’

“We have a new law that created a lot of headaches for local law enforcement,” Knapp said. Knapp used as an example that police Please see NOISE, A9

A10 (L)

Observer & Eccentric | Thursday, August 23, 2012

SCHOOL

Continued from page A1

meeting with Wayne County prosecutors to update training on reporting requirements for suspected abuse and completing plans to provide added training for special education staff on handling students, among other actions.

Actions ‘not enough’

Parent Terri Roeder of Ypsilanti said Monday the actions taken by the board are “not enough.” Drawing a comparison to the Penn State child sex abuse scandal, she said administrators who knew what was going on in the classroom and didn’t stop it or report it should also be held accountable. According to school officials, administrators first heard complaints from other staff members about the classroom environment in late October, the issue was addressed and, to their knowledge, the situation improved. In March, there was another incident that was addressed with the teacher. In April,

more allegations and concerns surfaced. The allegations have included slapping, grabbing and force-feeding students, pulling chairs out from under them to make them fall and the teacher commenting, “I have a sick sense of humor.” The class was part of a Wayne RESA center program serving students from multiple districts. All 12 of the children who were in the class are cognitively impaired and some also have physical impairments. Mark Schultz, the district’s administrator of employee relations and public safety, began an internal investigation April 23 and reported the alleged abuse to the Livonia Police Department the following day. Parents Jim Davenport of Garden City and Lauren Gohl of Plymouth echoed Roeder’s sentiment that more district employees need to be held accountable. “There is a problem in that school and there is a problem with Livonia’s administration,” Gohl said. She said Schultz was the first person to report the incident to Child Protective Services,

online at hometownlife.com

LOCAL NEWS even though the law requires such reporting by all school members. Superintendent Randy Liepa has declined to specify with whom disciplinary action will be taken, saying it’s a personnel matter.

Supporters speak out

At Monday’s meeting, several parents spoke in favor of teacher Sharon Turbiak, who has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the tenure hearing. Neither Turbiak nor the parapro has been charged with a crime and both have denied acting unprofessionally. The Livonia Police Department investigated the abuse complaints, but the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office decided there was insufficient evidence to bring charges. Lisa Brabec of Dunlap, Ill., traveled several hours to speak on behalf of her daughter’s former teacher. Brabec said Turbiak taught her daughter how to walk by holding her waist and singing, “These feet were made for walking” to the tune of the

BILL BRESLER|STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Livonia school board President Patrice Mang reads from a prepared statement Monday night on actions the board has taken in the alleged abuse case at Webster Elementary.

Nancy Sinatra song, These Boots Were Made for Walking. She said that in the more than 100 hours she was in the classroom, she never saw Turbiak exert inappropriate physical control over the children. “Mrs. Turbiak’s work is her passion,” Brabec said,

S Y N O PS IS O F TH E M IN U TE S O F TH E 1,709th R E G U L AR M E E TIN G L IVO N IA CITY CO U N CIL – JU L Y 18,2012

M u n icip a l C r e d it C o n tr a ct b e tw e e n S M A R T a n d th e C ity o f L ivo n ia fo r th e p e r io d Ju ly 1, 2012, to Ju n e 30, 2013, w ith a ll C r e d its to b e u s e d fo r th e L ivo n ia C o m m u n ity T r a n s it P r o gr a m .

M e e tin g w a s ca lle d to o r d e r a t 8:00 p .m . P r e s e n t: B r a n d o n K r itzm a n ,Ja m e s M cC a n n ,Jo e L a u r a ,Jo h n P a s to r, T h o m a s R o b in s o n ,M a u r e e n M ille r B r o s n a n ,a n d L a u r a T o y. A b s e n t: N o n e .

#291-12 A cce p tin g th e d o n a tio n o f a 2012 F o r d E co n o lin e L ift-E qu ip p e d B u s , va lu e d a t $63,895.00, fr o m S.C .A .N . (S e n io r C itize n A ch ie ve m e n t N e e d s ),to b e n e fit th e L ivo n ia S e n io r C e n te r T r a n s p o r ta tio n P r o gr a m .

#282-12 R e s o lu tio n b y B r o s n a n a n d P a s to r, a p p r o vin g th e m in u te s o f th e 1,708 th R e gu la r M e e tin g o f th e C o u n cil h e ld Ju ly 2,2012.

#292-12 A p p r o vin g P e titio n 2012-06-02-14 s u b m itte d b y Jo e ’s M e a t & S e a fo o d to u tilize a n S D M liqu o r lice n s e lo ca te d a t 33066 S e ve n M ile R o a d s u b je ct to co n d itio n s .

A r o ll ca ll vo te w a s ta k e n o n th e fo r e go in g r e s o lu tio n : A Y E S: K r itzm a n , M cC a n n , P a s to r, B r o s n a n , a n d T o y. N A Y S: N on e. A B S T A IN : L a u r a ,a n d R o b in s o n .

A Y E S: N A Y S:

adding the allegations are “completely opposite of what she is.” Kim Newell of Taylor said her daughter is now able to attend a general education classroom because of Turbiak’s two years of work with her. “She gave this child a future she can now build upon,” she said, adding she also never witnessed any abusive behavior in Turbiak’s classroom. Karen Teran of Livonia said redirecting children to get their attention or making them try one spoonful of a particular food is not abuse or force-feeding. “If any of you had been in the classroom, you would see she creates a loving atmosphere, she creates a predictable atmosphere,” she said. Heather Piszar of Northville brought her special-needs daughter to the meeting, saying she was delighted to go to school each and every day from 2006-11 when she was in Turbiak’s class at Webster. “Sarah’s best years at Webster were in Mrs. Turbiak’s class,” she said. ksmith@hometownlife,com | (313) 222-2098

K r itzm a n , M cC a n n , L a u r a , R o b in s o n ,B r o s n a n ,a n d T o y. N on e.

P a s to r,

P r e s id e n t T o y p a s s e d th e ga ve l to V ice -P r e s id e n t P a s to r a n d s te p p e d d o w n fr o m th e p o d iu m a t 8:58 p .m . to a vo id a n y p e r ce ive d co n flict o f in te r e s t. #303-12 R e s o lu tio n b y M cC a n n a n d B r o s n a n , a p p r o vin g th e In te r lo ca l A gr e e m e n t b e tw e e n th e C ity o f L ivo n ia a n d th e C ity o f G r a n d R a p id s to cr e a te th e M ich iga n M u n icip a l S e r vice s A u th o r ity (M S A ) to fo s te r in te r go ve r n m e n ta l co o p e r a tio n a n d co lla b o r a tio n fo r th e d e live r y o f m u n icip a l s e r vice s .

#293-12 W a ivin g th e s e p a r a tio n r e qu ir e m e n t A r o ll ca ll vo te w a s ta k e n o n th e fo r e go in g r e s o lu tio n : th a t th e S D M lice n s e d e s ta b lis h m e n t s h a ll n o t b e lo ca te d A Y E S: K r itzm a n , M cC a n n , L a u r a , R o b in s o n , w ith in 500 fe e t o f a n y e xis tin g S D M lice n s e d e s ta b lis h m e n t, B r o s n a n ,a n d P a s to r. in co n n e ctio n w ith P e titio n 2012-06-02-14 s u b m itte d b y N A Y S: N on e. Jo e ’s M e a t & S e a fo o d to u tilize a n S D M liqu o r lice n s e P r e s id e n t T o y a n n o u n ce d th e r e is n e w d a ta o n Ite m s #12, lo ca te d a t 33066 S e ve n M ile R o a d . P r e s id e n t T o y r e tu r n e d to th e p o d iu m a t 9:01 p .m . a n d a n d #14. Ite m s #19 a n d #20 w ill b e r e m o ve d fr o m th e r e s u m e d th e ga ve l. A ge n d a a n d th e r e is a n X -ite m th a t w ill b e d is cu s s e d #294-12 W a ivin g th e s e p a r a tio n r e qu ir e m e n t fo llo w in g to n igh t’s A ge n d a . th a t th e S D M lice n s e d e s ta b lis h m e n t s h a ll b e lo ca te d a t #304-12 R e s o lu tio n b y R o b in s o n a n d B r o s n a n , le a s t 400 fe e t fr o m a n y ch u r ch o r s ch o o l b u ild in g, in u n a n im o u s ly a d o p te d , a p p r o vin g th e r e qu e s t o f M a r y B e th AU D IE N CE CO M M U N ICATIO N : N o n e . co n n e ctio n w ith P e titio n 2012-06-02-14 s u b m itte d b y Jo e ’s M o r r is , 33110 O r e go n , to h o ld a b lo ck p a r ty a n d clo s e M e a t & S e a fo o d to u tilize a n S D M liqu o r lice n s e lo ca te d a t W o o d r in g b e tw e e n V e r m o n t a n d O r e go n o n S a tu r d a y, Th e follow in g ite m s w e r e r e c e ive d a n d file d : 33066 S e ve n M ile R o a d . A u gu s t 11, 2012, fr o m 2:00 p .m . to 10:00 p .m ., w ith a r a in d a te o f S u n d a y,A u gu s t 12,2012,s u b je ct to th e a p p r o va l o f C o m m u n ica tio n fr o m th e D e p a r tm e n t o f F in a n ce , d a te d #295-12 A m e n d in g and r e vis in g C o u n cil th e P o lice D e p a r tm e n t. Ju n e 27, 2012, r e : fo r w a r d in g th e Q u a r te r ly In ve s tm e n t R e s o lu tio n N o . 185-12 to in clu d e ve r b ia ge in th e r e s o lu tio n R e p o r t fo r th e C ity o f L ivo n ia a s o f M a y 31,2012. r e qu ir e d b y th e S ta te o f M ich iga n D e p a r tm e n t o f T r e a s u r y #305-12 R e s o lu tio n b y P a s to r a n d L a u r a , p e r ta in in g to p e r s o n a l p r o p e r ty e xe m p tio n s . (C R S 273-05 u n a n im o u s ly a d o p te d , s u s p e n d in g th e r u le s fo r p r o ce d u r e V a r io u s co m m u n ica tio n s r e ce ive d fr o m R o b e r t H o r n b a ck e r, a n d 185-12) a s o u tlin e d in C o u n cil R e s o lu tio n 574-82 in o r d e r to p e r m it Jo h n T a illa r d , P a u l C o n d o n , D u a n e M a y co ck , Ja n ice K le in co n s id e r a tio n o f ite m s th a t d o n o t a p p e a r o n th e A ge n d a . A llia s o n V a n h a la -G r a ts ch , E r in V a n h a la P ip e r, A m y #296-12 A m e n d in g and r e vis in g C o u n cil P a s to r ga ve F IR S T R E AD IN G to th e fo llo w in g O r d in a n ce : K o tr y ch , E r ik a V ivio , L u a n n T o w n e , B r u ce S a n d e r s , a n d R e s o lu tio n N o . 186-12 to in clu d e ve r b ia ge in th e r e s o lu tio n Ja m e s a n d B a r b a r a W illia m s , r e ce ive d o n va r io u s d a te s r e qu ir e d b y th e S ta te o f M ich iga n D e p a r tm e n t o f T r e a s u r y AN O R D IN AN CE AM E N D IN G S E CTIO N 040 fr o m Ju ly 3 – Ju ly 15,2012,r e : fir e w o r k s . p e r ta in in g to p e r s o n a l p r o p e r ty e xe m p tio n s . (C R S 55-07 O F TITL E 13, C H APTE R 08 (W ATE R a n d 186-12) S E R VIC E R ATE S AN D R E VE N U E S ) O F A n a r ticle fr o m M cK e n n a A s s o cia te s ìT h e B u lle tin î, Ju n e , TH E L IVO N IA CO D E O F O R D IN AN CE S ,AS 2012 e d itio n title d ìN e w L im its o n W ir e le s s Z o n in gî via #297-12 R e fe r r in g th e s u b je ct o f fir e w o r k s a s it AM E N D E D . e m a il fr o m C o u n cilm e m b e r M a u r e e n M ille r B r o s n a n . r e la te s to th e n e w S ta te L a w to th e L e gis la tive A ffa ir s C o m m itte e fo r its r e p o r t a n d r e co m m e n d a tio n . P a s to r in vo k e d th e E M E R G E N C Y C L A U S E a n d ga ve C o r r e s p o n d e n ce fr o m th e F in a n ce D e p a r tm e n t, h a n d e d o u t S E C O N D R E AD IN G to th e fo r e go in g O r d in a n ce , a n d a a t th e F in a n ce ,B u d ge t a n d T e ch n o lo gy C o m m itte e M e e tin g #298-12 R e fe r r in g th e is s u e o f th e cu r r e n t h ir in g r o ll ca ll vo te w a s ta k e n : o f Ju n e 13,2012,title d P R D A R e ve n u e & E xp e n s e . (C R 161- p r o ce s s a n d s ta ffin g le ve ls o f th e L ivo n ia P o lice D e p a r tm e n t 12) to th e A d m in is tr a tio n fo r its r e p o r t a n d r e co m m e n d a tio n . A r o ll ca ll vo te w a s ta k e n o n th e fo r e go in g O r d in a n ce : A Y E S: K r itzm a n , M cC a n n , L a u r a , P a s to r, a n d C o r r e s p o n d e n ce fr o m th e F in a n ce D e p a r tm e n t, h a n d e d o u t #299-12 R e fe r r in g th e is s u e w h e th e r th e r e is a B ro sn a n . a t th e F in a n ce ,B u d ge t a n d T e ch n o lo gy C o m m itte e M e e tin g co n flict w ith o u r cu r r e n t o r d in a n ce s a n d th e a m e n d e d N A Y S: R o b in s o n a n d T o y. o f Ju n e 13, 2012, title d P R D A D e b t S e r vice P a y m e n ts . (C R Z o n in g L a w r e ce n tly p a s s e d b y th e S ta te L e gis la tu r e a s it 161-12) r e la te s to th e lo ca l go ve r n m e n ts ’a b ility to r e gu la te w ir e le s s P a s to r ga ve F IR S T R E AD IN G to th e fo llo w in g O r d in a n ce : co m m u n ica tio n to w e r s to th e D e p a r tm e n t o f L a w fo r its C o r r e s p o n d e n ce fr o m th e F in a n ce D e p a r tm e n t h a n d e d o u t r e p o r t a n d r e co m m e n d a tio n . AN O R D IN AN CE AM E N D IN G S E CTIO N 050 a t th e F in a n ce ,B u d ge t a n d T e ch n o lo gy C o m m itte e M e e tin g O F TITL E 13, C H APTE R 08 (W ATE R o f Ju n e 13,2012,title d P R D A T a xa b le V a lu e o f A ll P r o p e r ty. A r o ll ca ll vo te w a s ta k e n o n th e fo r e go in g r e s o lu tio n s : S E R VICE R ATE S AN D R E VE N U E S )O F TH E (C R 161-12) A Y E S: K r itzm a n , M cC a n n , L a u r a , P a s to r, L IVO N IA C O D E O F O R D IN AN C E S , AS R o b in s o n ,B r o s n a n ,a n d T o y. AM E N D E D . C o r r e s p o n d e n ce fr o m th e O ffice o f th e M a y o r, d a te d Ju n e N A Y S: N on e. 13, 2012, r e : p a r ticip a tio n o f th e M a y o r a n d D e p a r tm e n t P a s to r in vo k e d th e E M E R G E N C Y C L A U S E a n d ga ve H e a d s in C o u n cil co m m itte e m e e tin gs th a t d e a l w ith th e P r e s id e n t T o y p a s s e d th e ga ve l to V ice -P r e s id e n t P a s to r a n d S E C O N D R E AD IN G to th e fo r e go in g O r d in a n ce , a n d a s u b je ct m a tte r o f th e P ly m o u th R o a d D e ve lo p m e n t s te p p e d d o w n fr o m th e p o d iu m a t 8:15 p .m . to a vo id a n y r o ll ca ll vo te w a s ta k e n : A u th o r ity (P R D A ). (C R 161-12) p e r ce ive d co n flict o f in te r e s t. A r o ll ca ll vo te w a s ta k e n o n th e fo r e go in g O r d in a n ce : C o m m u n ica tio n fr o m R ich a r d B a r r,d a te d Ju ly 12,2012,r e : #300-12 R e s o lu tio n b y R o b in s o n a n d B r o s n a n , A Y E S: K r itzm a n , M cC a n n , L a u r a , P a s to r, a n d r e m o va l o f Ite m s #19 a n d #20 fr o m th is A ge n d a . r e fe r r in g th e is s u e o f th e a b ility a n d p r o ce s s e s a va ila b le to B ro sn a n . r a is e r e ve n u e a n d /o r le vy a ta x o f u p to 2 m ills a s r e la te d to N A Y S: R o b in s o n a n d T o y. C o m m u n ica tio n fr o m th e D e p a r tm e n t o f L a w ,d a te d Ju ly 16, th e P R D A to th e D e p a r tm e n t o f L a w fo r its r e p o r t a n d 2012, r e : th e p r o p o s e d a m e n d m e n ts to th e L ivo n ia C o d e o f r e co m m e n d a tio n . P a s to r ga ve F IR S T R E AD IN G to th e fo llo w in g O r d in a n ce : O r d in a n ce s r e la tin g to w a te r a n d s e w e r r a te s . A r o ll ca ll vo te w a s ta k e n o n th e fo r e go in g r e s o lu tio n : AN O R D IN AN CE AM E N D IN G S E CTIO N 120 Th e follow in g r e s olu tion s w e r e offe r e d by Pa s tor a n d A Y E S: K r itzm a n , M cC a n n , L a u r a , R o b in s o n , O F TITL E 13, C H APTE R 20 (L IVO N IA M c Ca n n : B r o s n a n ,a n d P a s to r. S E W AG E D IS PO S AL S Y S TE M ) O F TH E N A Y S: N on e. L IVO N IA C O D E O F O R D IN AN C E S , AS #283-12 A p p r o vin g th e r e qu e s t o f D o u g AM E N D E D . K ie s e lb a ch , 31243 M in to n , to h o ld a b lo ck p a r ty a n d clo s e #301-12 R e s o lu tio n b y R o b in s o n a n d B r o s n a n , M in to n b e tw e e n M e r r im a n a n d S u n s e t o n S a tu r d a y,A u gu s t r e qu e s tin g fr o m th e A d m in is tr a tio n a P R D A D e b t P a s to r in vo k e d th e E M E R G E N C Y C L A U S E a n d ga ve 11, 2012, fr o m 2:00 - 10:00 p .m ., s u b je ct to th e a p p r o va l o f M a n a ge m e n t a n d C o r r id o r M a in te n a n ce P la n fo r y e a r s S E C O N D R E AD IN G to th e fo r e go in g O r d in a n ce , a n d a th e P o lice D e p a r tm e n t. 2012-2018 (to b e co n s id e r e d w ith th e a d o p tio n o f th e 2013 r o ll ca ll vo te w a s ta k e n : B u d ge t). #284-12 A p p r o vin g th e r e qu e s t o f N ico le B u s h , A r o ll ca ll vo te w a s ta k e n o n th e fo r e go in g O r d in a n ce : 14641 S u s a n n a , to h o ld a b lo ck p a r ty a n d clo s e S u s a n n a A r o ll ca ll vo te w a s ta k e n o n th e fo r e go in g r e s o lu tio n : A Y E S: K r itzm a n , M cC a n n , L a u r a , P a s to r, a n d b e tw e e n R o s s a n d D o n a ld o n S a tu r d a y, A u gu s t 11, 2012, A Y E S: K r itzm a n , L a u r a , R o b in s o n , B r o s n a n , a n d B ro sn a n . fr o m 10:00 a .m . to 10:00 p .m .,s u b je ct to th e a p p r o va l o f th e P a s to r. N A Y S: R o b in s o n a n d T o y. P o lice D e p a r tm e n t. N A Y S: M cC a n n . P a s to r ga ve F IR S T R E AD IN G to th e fo llo w in g O r d in a n ce : #285-12 A p p r o vin g th e r e qu e s t o f R o b e r t H . P r e s id e n t T o y r e tu r n e d to th e p o d iu m a t 8:25 p .m . a n d G e n ik , to h o ld a b lo ck p a r ty a n d clo s e P ick fo r d b e tw e e n r e s u m e d th e ga ve l. AN O R D IN AN CE AM E N D IN G S E CTIO N 050 W h itb y a n d S ta m fo r d o n S a tu r d a y, A u gu s t 25, 2012, fr o m O F TITL E 13,C H APTE R 28 (IN D U S TR IAL 2:00 - 8:00 p .m ., s u b je ct to th e a p p r o va l o f th e P o lice #302-12 R e s o lu tio n b y L a u r a a n d R o b in s o n , W AS TE S U R C H AR G E ) O F TH E L IVO N IA D e p a r tm e n t. r e qu e s tin g th a t th e F in a n ce , B u d ge t a n d T e ch n o lo gy CO D E O F O R D IN AN CE S ,AS AM E N D E D . C o m m itte e p r io r itize $100,000 fr o m th e 2012-2013 B u d ge t #286-12 A p p r o vin g r e qu e s t fr o m E r in C h u r gin , fo r L ivo n ia T o m o r r o w . (C R 35-12) P a s to r in vo k e d th e E M E R G E N C Y C L A U S E a n d ga ve L ivo n ia B lu e Ja y s ,fo r a ìm o vie n igh tî to b e h e ld o n F r id a y, S E C O N D R E AD IN G to th e fo r e go in g O r d in a n ce , a n d a A u gu s t 3,2012,w a ivin g th e N o is e C o n tr o l O r d in a n ce ,fr o m A r o ll ca ll vo te w a s ta k e n o n th e fo r e go in g r e s o lu tio n : r o ll ca ll vo te w a s ta k e n : 9:00 - 10:30 p .m . o u ts id e a t B e n tle y F ie ld . A Y E S: K r itzm a n , L a u r a , P a s to r, R o b in s o n , B r o s n a n ,a n d T o y. A r o ll ca ll vo te w a s ta k e n o n th e fo r e go in g O r d in a n ce : #287-12 A p p r o vin g a r e qu e s t b y P e r r y D a n ve r, N A Y S: M cC a n n . A Y E S: K r itzm a n , M cC a n n , L a u r a , P a s to r, a n d B lu e C r o s s B lu e S h ie ld o f M ich iga n ,fo r a n a n n u a l m e e tin g B ro sn a n . o n S e p te m b e r 14, 2012, w a ivin g th e N o is e C o n tr o l N A Y S: R o b in s o n a n d T o y. O r d in a n ce , to a llo w th e u s e o f a lo w vo lu m e s o u n d s y s te m P a s to r ga ve F IR S T R E AD IN G to th e fo llo w in g O r d in a n ce : a t R o ta r y P a r k ,fr o m 8:00 a .m . to 2:00 p .m . AU D IE N CE CO M M U N ICATIO N : N o n e . AN O R D IN AN CE AM E N D IN G S E CTIO N S B y P a s to r a n d M cC a n n , u n a n im o u s ly a d o p te d , a d jo u r n in g #288-12 A p p r o vin g th e r e qu e s t fr o m J & M 4.02 O F AR TIC L E IV O F O R D IN AN C E th is 1,709th R e gu la r M e e tin g o f th e C o u n cil o f th e C ity o f B e ve r a ge s , In c. fo r tr a n s fe r o f o w n e r s h ip o f a 2011 S D D N O . 543, AS AM E N D E D , K N O W N AN D L ivo n ia a t 9:23 p .m . o n Ju ly 18,2012. L ice n s e d b u s in e s s fr o m P e r r y D r u g S to r e s , In c., 27474 C ITE D AS “TH E C ITY O F L IVO N IA G r a n d R ive r, L ivo n ia , M I 48152, to 34746 P ly m o u th , ZO N IN G O R D IN AN C E .” (Pe tition 2012L ivo n ia , M I 48150, fo r a b u s in e s s lo ca te d a t 34746 03-09) TE R R Y A .M A R E C K I P ly m o u th ,L ivo n ia ,M I 48150. C IT Y C L E R K P a s to r in vo k e d th e E M E R G E N C Y C L A U S E a n d ga ve #289-12 A p p r o vin g qu a r te r ly b u d ge t S E C O N D R E AD IN G to th e fo r e go in g O r d in a n ce , a n d a * T h e fo r e go in g is a s u m m a r y o f th e C o u n cil’s p r o ce e d in gs in s y n o p s is fo r m a s a d ju s tm e n ts fo r th e s e co n d qu a r te r o f th e 2012 F is ca l Ye a r r o ll ca ll vo te w a s ta k e n : a u th o r ize d b y C R 1158-68. T h e fu ll te xt o f th e o fficia l m in u te s o f th is m e e tin g is o n file in th e O ffice o f th e C ity C le r k a n d is a va ila b le to th e p u b lic u p o n r e qu e s t. B u d ge t. A r o ll ca ll vo te w a s ta k e n o n th e fo r e go in g O r d in a n ce : #290-12 A p p r o vin g th e F is ca l Y e a r 2013 P u b lis h : A u gu s t 23,2012 O E08785041 – 6x15

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Symphony turns 40

The community is invited to the Livonia Symphony Orchestra’s 40th anniversary celebration at 6 p.m. Friday at Laurel Manor, 39000 Schoolcraft Road, Livonia. The celebration — which features a concert highlighting favorites of the last 40 years, dinner and a silent auction — is a major fundraising event for the symphony. Tickets are $70 per person, which includes a $40 tax-deductible contribution, and can be ordered online at www.livoniasymphony. org or by calling (734) 425-1881.

Rec Center hosts artwork

The Visual Arts Association of Livonia’s annual fall show, “Artistic Expressions,” is on exhibit through Saturday at the Livonia Community Recreation Center, 15100 Hubbard Road. Juror Ellen Moucoulis, who’s on the art department faculty at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, presented prizes to the winning entrants at a reception Nov. 9 The ﬁrst place award went to Kathleen O’Connell of Dearborn for a small oil painting of a landscape, “A Fine Place for Turtles.” The painting was done plein air on a site near the Rouge River in Dearborn. Fred Keebler of Livonia was one of ﬁve artists to receive honorable mentions. Hours for viewing are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information about VAAL call (734) 838-1204 or visit www.vaalart.org

PRICE: $1 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2012 • hometownlife.com

Woman, 73, dies after saving grandsons from fire By Karen Smith Observer Staff Writer

Doris Wilson lived for her two grandsons, taking them to and from school every day and then staying with them until their parents came home from work. “They were her world,” her daughter-in-law, Tammie Wilson, said of the 73year-old Redford resident. ”They were always her first concern.” They Doris Wilson were her first concern Tuesday when Doris Wilson, who had been staying with the boys at their home in Livonia, woke to the sound of smoke detectors going off at about 1 a.m. Doris Wilson made sure both boys got out of the house safely, but wasn’t able to make it out in time herself. She was possibly slowed down by a recent knee replacement surgery. “She died to save them; she’s their angel,” Tammie Please see FIRE, A2

BILL BRESLER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The home on Curtis, west of Wayne, suffered extensive damage in the ﬁre.

Report details alleged abuse of special-needs preschoolers

YMCA Aerobathon

The Livonia Family YMCA will host an Aerobathon from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. The event will be three hours of nonstop fun and will include Zumba, Kickboxing and Yoga. The Aerobathon is open to YMCA members and the public. The cost to register is $10 and all proceeds go to the Strong Kids Campaign! The YMCA is at 14255 Stark, Livonia. To register, call (734) 261-2161.

By Karen Smith Observer Staff Writer

Business...................A6 Crossword Puzzle ....B12 Entertainment .........B8 Food........................B9 Homes.....................B12 Jobs.........................B13 Obituaries................B6 Opinion ...................A8 Services ...................B12 Sports......................B1 Wheels ....................B14 © The Observer & Eccentric Volume 74 • Number 89 Home Delivery: (866) 887-2737 Return Address: 41304 Concept Dr. Plymouth MI 48170

Please see I-96, A2

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STEPHEN CANTRELL | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Redford resident Paul Salamy looks at charts about the construction project.

I-96 traffic to be rerouted to other freeways during construction in 2014 By David Veselenak

INDEX

the local system,” Zipp said. The detour announcement took place during an open house Tuesday at Thurston High School in Redford. The open house had posters marking the detours, as well as detailed maps of what construction will take place. The $150 million project will reconstruct I-96 completely, as well as repair or replace 37 bridges in Redford and Livonia. The freeway will close completely in 2014 for several months as crews work. Zipp said MDOT is aware that many people may try to use Schoolcraft as an alternative during the shutdown. While some temporary signals will be installed at some intersections within residential areas, Zipp believes most motorists will try the route once and determine it isn’t the smoothest commute and find another way.

An attorney retained by parents of two specialneeds preschoolers described as atrocious and appalling the abuse they allegedly suffered while in former teacher Sharon Turbiak’s Livonia classroom, as detailed in a report recently made public. “It turned my stomach,” said Jim Spagnuolo Jr. of Southfield, himself the father of a special-needs child. Spagnuolo said he was disturbed by the conduct of Turbiak and the school district, as described in the report. “No one reported this to the state; no one reported this to the authorities,” he said. He said he will be filing a lawsuit on behalf of multiple families. Ven Johnson of Detroit, an attorney representing another family, said he too will be filing suit in U.S. District Court. “Our investigation revealed reprehensible misconduct and mistreatment,” he said, adding state and federal laws were broken by school employees who suspected abuse but didn’t report it. The report was released Wednesday by Livonia Public Schools to those who had filed a Freedom of Information Act request after the Michigan Tenure Commission dismissed its case against Turbiak following her resignation. Turbiak, who taught at Webster Elementary, remains on paid administrative leave until March 31, 2013, the effective date of her resignation. She was placed on leave in April. She has not been charged with any crime. The report, conducted by the district’s public safety administrator, Mark Schultz, includes witness statements saying Turbiak slapped and yelled at the children, let them fall instead of supporting them when they moved to the floor or a chair, and put a boy confined to a wheelchair in the bathroom for timeout for 15 to 20 minutes. The report says a parapro in the classroom spanked a child. The report says one witness “was told by Sharon (Turbiak) that it was a good thing that the administra-

Observer Staff Writer

Current I-96 traffic through Redford and Livonia will drive through other communities during the construction shutdown scheduled to take place in 2014. Those who commute using the freeway between Telegraph and Newburgh will be rerouted to I-94 and I-696 during the shutdown. The detour route planned made the most sense to the Michigan Department of Transportation, said William Zipp of Parsons Brinckerhoff, a firm that assisted MDOT with the design. Traffic coming from Detroit will be rerouted using other freeways such as the Lodge and the Southfield Freeway, and then take I94 or I-696. I-275 will connect the two, as well as the Southfield Freeway. “MDOT doesn’t send their traffic on