INSIDE:
AUGUST VOTER GUIDE
B I R M I N G H A M
•
B L O O M F I E L D
JULY 2018
PLUS
OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP
RADON TESTING IN SCHOOLS MILITARY GIVEWAYS TO POLICE THE PRIMARY ENDORSEMENTS THE METRO INTELLIGENCER ECRWSS Postal Customer EDDM
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DOWNTOWN07.18
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Schools not required to test for radon Thanks to a lack of a mandate from the EPA and in some cases a general lack of knowledge about both the health threat from radon and how it works its way into buildings, some Oakland schools don’t test for it in schools.
LONGFORM
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The current administration in Washington D.C. has restarted the program where local police departments can request excess military equipment at no cost. Not everyone agrees this is good.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
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The effort to place on the November ballot a proposal to eliminate political district gerrymandering has hit another roadblock largely funded by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL
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Two congressional candidates knocked off ballot; Epstein under fire from Jewish club members; Trott DACA conversion; Crawford dynasty challenged; Kesto and Catholic appeasement; plus more.
CRIME LOCATOR
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A recap of select categories of crime occurring in the past month in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills, presented in map format.
THE COVER Choopy, by Mark di Suvero, on S. Old Woodward, south of the 555 building, in Birmingham. Downtown photo: Jean Lannen.
MUNICIPAL
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Aldi store approval; parks bond opportunity; Social Kitchen’s rooftop plans; from restaurant to viewing room; Woodward Bates proposal moving forward; new restaurant for Stand space; plus more.
AUGUST PRIMARY VOTER GUIDE IN CENTER OF THIS ISSUE
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METRO INTELLIGENCER
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Writer/reporter Dana Casadei helps us bring back the popular feature – now called Metro Intelligencer – that provides quick takes on what is happening in the world of food and drink in the metro Detroit area.
SOCIAL LIGHTS
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Society reporter Sally Gerak provides the latest news from the society and non-profit circuit as she covers recent major events.
ENDNOTE
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Our editorial recommendations for voters on the candidates and issues appearing on the August 7 primary election ballot.
FACES
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Elizabeth Belkin David Rochkind Jamie Hodari Linda Schlesinger P.J. Edghill
FROM THE PUBLISHER ichigan voters could find themselves with the short end of the stick – once again – when it comes to breaking free of the current gerrymandering system that allows politicians in Lansing to basically determine who will hold the elective offices in the state legislature and Congress every 10 years.
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Under the current system, following the federal census each decade, the political party in power ends up determining the shape of districts for the state House and Senate and for the U.S. House. Voters attempted to remedy the situation when adopting the 1963 Michigan Constitution, which provided for a reapportionment commission. Unfortunately, every district plan ended up being contested by one political party or another so in a 1982 decision the Michigan Supreme Court abolished the reapportionment commission and allowed the legislature to resume drawing up political district boundaries once again. I had thought there was some hope when a group called Voters Not Politicians appeared on the scene last year and conducted a state-wide town hall series to talk about the apportionment process and the gerrymandering that twists district boundaries to maintain control on behalf of the political party in power, which happens to be the Republicans in recent decades. (Democrats have been equally as guilty in the past when it was their chance to guarantee their continued control over who gets elected in Lansing and Congress.) Voters Not Politicians is proposing a 13-member reapportionment panel comprising four Democrats, four Republicans, and five independent panel members not affiliated with any major political party. Now we get to 2018 and Voters Not Politicians generated – in record time – sufficient signatures to put the issue on the November ballot for the electorate. But a group called the Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution – a front for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce – decided to challenge the ballot issue in court just as the Michigan Board of State Canvassers was ready to certify the issue for the general election ballot this year. I say the group is a veiled front for the state Chamber of Commerce because the filing papers for the Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution group has the same address as the Michigan Chamber of Commerce at 600 S. Walnut Street in Lansing. And the treasurer for the opposition group is one of the head guys at the Chamber. The main line of funding for the opposition group, $85,000-plus, has come from one of three political action committees underwritten by the Chamber, PAC II, used for advocacy on ballot issues. Then there is Fair Line American, a major out-ofstate donor that is an affiliate of the national GOP, designed to protect their gerrymandered districts throughout the country, and a western Michigan businessman and strong GOP donor who has kicked in $100,000 so far as part of this effort. The Voters Not Politicians group has raised just over $790,000 through the first quarter of this year, mostly from small donations. A California group – Campaign for Democracy – has donated $72,000 for the ballot drive, so
forces outside Michigan will eventually be lining up on both sides of this issue if it survives the court challenged. As to the court challenge, the Michigan Court of Appeals rejected as “without merit” the group’s lawsuit which contended the ballot proposal represents a general overhaul of the state Constitution that should only be done via a constitutional convention. After the loss at the appeals court level, the opposition group turned to the Michigan Supreme Court, where an order was issued on June 14 for immediate consideration which should mean a decision by the end of July, depending on its ruling, which would allow time to still get this on the fall ballot. Call me a pessimist but I am concerned how a court with a Republican bent can be counted on to render an unbiased ruling on the reapportionment ballot issue. I know we are all taught at an early age that judges are supposed to be free of politics and when running for election or re-election, judges are not listed as having a political party. But I am not convinced that is how the system works in a state where judicial candidates are nominated by political parties at conventions. Further, when you look at the current seven-member Supreme Court, keep in mind that five of the members were appointed by Republican Gov. Snyder. I said it a year ago in a column – with both legislative chambers and the governor’s office in the hands of the GOP here in Michigan, you can forget under the current system about any political equity in districts that are drawn after the federal census in 2020. Somehow I hope I am proven wrong and the gerrymandering comes to an end so that we – the voters – not those in power, determine who will hold elected office in the future. ELECTION FOOTNOTE: Inside this issue, readers will find a Voter Guide to the candidates who have opposition in the August 7 primary election. The special section contains candidate answers to questions Downtown newsmagazine posed to those running for office. In past elections we have generally only posted the Voter Guide on our website but because of the generally heightened awareness this election season, we wanted to also reach out in print to as many members of the local electorate as possible to encourage strong turnout. We include this with our July issue because an increasing number of residents cast votes by absentee ballots that were scheduled to be mailed out about the time you receive this issue of Downtown newsmagazine. For our small publishing group, presenting a Voter Guide now and for the November general election presents both a logistical challenge and a considerable cost, so we turned to leaders of the Birmingham/Bloomfield business community for support on this undertaking. Our thanks to Richard and Gary Astrein from Astrein’s Creative Jewelers; Dr. Peter Schaffer at Birmingham Footcare Specialists; Bill Roberts from the Roberts Restaurant Group; and Dr. Bill Koppin from Shades Optical for their backing on bringing you the Voter Guide for the primary election. David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@DowntownPublications.com
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PUBLISHER David Hohendorf NEWS EDITOR Lisa Brody NEWS STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Hillary Brody Anchill | Samantha Berger | Dana Casadei Kevin Elliott | Sally Gerak | Austen Hohendorf Bill Seklar | Judith Harris Solomon | Julie Yolles PHOTOGRAPHY/CONTRIBUTORS Jean Lannen | Laurie Tennent | Chris Ward Laurie Tennent Studio VIDEO PRODUCTION/CONTRIBUTOR Garrett Hohendorf Giant Slayer ADVERTISING DIRECTOR David Hohendorf ADVERTISING SALES Mark Grablowski GRAPHICS/IT MANAGER Chris Grammer OFFICE 124 W. Maple Birmingham MI 48009 248.792.6464 DISTRIBUTION/SUBSCRIPTIONS Mailed monthly at no charge to most homes in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills. Additional free copies distributed at high foot-traffic locations in downtown Birmingham. For those not receiving a free mail copy, paid subscriptions are available for a $12 annual charge. To secure a paid subscription, go to our website (downtownpublications.com) and click on “subscriptions” in the top index and place your order online or scan the QR Code here.
INCOMING/READER FEEDBACK We welcome feedback on both our publication and general issues of concern in the Birmingham/Bloomfield community. The traditional “letters to the editor” in Downtown are published in our Incoming section and can include written letters or electronic communication. Opinions can be sent via e-mail to news@downtownpublications.com or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 W. Maple Road, Birmingham MI 48009. If you are using the mail option, you must include a phone number for verification purposes. WEBSITE downtownpublications.com
FACEBOOK facebook.com/downtownpublications TWITTER twitter.com/downtownpubs OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL oaklandconfidential.com Member of Downtown Publications DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM/BLOOMFIELD DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER/ROCHESTER HILLS
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Also enjoy a public art contest (vote at bit.ly/2018bhamart thru 7/15). 9ll]flagf K`ghh]jk <gf l ^gj_]l lg kh]f\ qgmj :ajeaf_`Ye :gfmk :m[ck Z]^gj] l`]q expire on July 25th!
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Bloomfield Hills | 1772 Heron Ridge | $1,599,000
Rochester Hills | 1540 Mill Race | $1,299,000
Pristine executive retreat in private, gated enclave on ravine setting with serene views. Finished walkout lower level with possible 5th bedroom. 4-car garage.
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Tringali-designed home on gated, private 1.2 acre wooded site. 6500+ SF, including spectacular walkout LL. Kitchen opens to great room. Oversized master suite.
Wooded wonderland retreat on the best lot in the Wellington sub. Private .76 acres with manicured grounds. Amazing walkout lower level. Filled with amenities galore!
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ORION TOWNSHIP 210 Cayuga Road | $289,900
ROYAL OAK 825 Batavia Avenue | $324,900
ROCHESTER HILLS 3310 Greenspring Lane | $649,900
Charm, charm, charm with close walk to downtown! Charm, charm, charm with close walk to downtown! Covered front porch, updated full bath and kitchen. Covered front porch, updated full bath and kitchen. Finished bright LL. Fenced yard and perennial gardens. Finished bright LL. Fenced yard and perennial gardens.
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ROCHESTER HILLS 933 Peach Blossom Court | $495,000
Remodeled ranch with open floor plan offers privileges Light, bright & airy home in highly desirable Wellington Nature lovers paradise! Custom home on expansive culon Indianwood Lake! Enjoy an incredible yard and view sub minutes from downtown Rochester. Granite kitchen de-sac lot featuring gardens & views of a private lake of the lake. Finished walkout lower level with full bath. & breakfast room. Oversized master suite. Elevated lot. from the deck. Master retreat & incredible walkout LL.
STERLING HEIGHTS 3877 Corkwood Drive | $539,900
ROYAL OAK 111 N. Main Street, Unit #201 | $339,900
WEST BLOOMFIELD 7099 Springridge Road | $225,000
Exceptional new construction in enclave of 17 homes Mid-rise condo complex conveniently located in the heart Spacious brick Colonial on private treed lot in back of boasts upgrades and features usually found in $800k+ of downtown. Open floor plan with 12' ceilings. Terrace Franklin Valley sub. Great floor plan. Large master suite homes. Vacant lot in sub also available for $159,900. with walk-in closet & private bath. Farmington Schools. overlooks Main Street. Full amenity secure building.
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A new edition of Downtown newsmagazine, and right on queue the publisher spews more left wing, anti-gun propaganda blaming the NRA for the Florida high school mass shooting (From The Publisher/April). It's the NRA's fault that a mentally deranged kid acquired a gun illegally and murdered high school students in Florida. It's the NRA's support for the Constitution that caused the horrendous event at that Florida high school. You don't seem to understand that if a criminal wants to get a gun illegally, he can easily do so. As one of five million plus NRA members I can't tell you how sick and tired I am of you anti-gun liberals blaming every gun related tragedy on the NRA. Your continued attacks on the NRA and President Trump only encourages us to support the NRA with more dollars and increased membership. So please, direct your energies towards a more productive remedy like identifying potential unstable individuals and getting them the mental health they need, protecting the schools with armed guards and security trained teachers, monitoring social media for "red flags" and taking appropriate action, encouraging social media providers to be active in identifying potential shooters, securing our borders to reduce the illegal criminals entering, changing immigration laws to immediately return illegals entering the country to their native country, eliminating the bogus amnesty excuse used to enter and stay in America, eliminating Obama's "catch and release" insanity, building the wall, etc. Doug Osterrout Oakland Township (Publisher’s response: You may want to reread my column. At no point was the NRA blamed for any shooting. Hard to see through an ideologue’s haze, but the column simply noted that the NRA, with it’s money and boots on the ground, would be a tough foe for anyone pushing for gun control reform.)
Red Tide at polls
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"Blue wave?" Surely you jest (From The Publisher/May). No, this time there will be a "Red Tide.” The reasons are these: Hillary Clinton, Rahm Emanuel, Nancy Pelosi, Jerry Brown, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Debbie Wasserman Schulz, Chuck Schumer, all of whom are either socialist, senile, or dislike the U.S. Constitution and fail to understand basic economic and moral principles. Plus, lower taxes, better judges, more border security, the lowest Black DOWNTOWN
SPEAK OUT We welcome your opinion on issues facing the Birmingham/Bloomfield communities. Although we do not have a fixed maximum length for letters sent to us, we recommend a maximum length of 175-200 words. We also reserve the right to edit letters for length if necessary. Opinions can be sent via e-mail to news@downtownpublications.com or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 West Maple Road, Birmingham MI 48009.
and Hispanic jobless rate in history, enhanced and better supported military, and the brilliant foreign policy leadership of Donald J. Trump. Republicans I predict will keep and perhaps gain in the House, and for sure better own the Senate. No one believes your liberal banter here. Lawrence R. Mead, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy Rochester Hills
Primary Voter Guide I can hardly wait for the Voter Guide to arrive. Thank you for all the work that you and your staff are doing to produce it. In this tumultuous and crowded year, it will be a big help. Thank goodness Oakland County is continuing to trend Democratic. Now, if we could only get rid of Brooks Patterson. Pauline Mengebier Bloomfield Hills
Organized crime piece Not sure if Lisa Brody received much feedback on this, but I must say, this was a great article on Detroit Organized Crime (May/Downtown). Several of us at the U.S. Attorney’s Office thoroughly enjoyed it, including some of us who were actually around during some of the noted investigations. For myself, having interviewed a few mob guys over the years (decades actually), I was very impressed with your early LCN (La Cosa Nostra) history. Dead on. Keep up the great work. Eric M. Straus Assistant United States Attorney Organized Crime Coordinator Violent and Organized Crime Unit U.S. Department of Justice Eastern District of Michigan 07.18
OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL Oakland Confidential is a periodic column of political gossip/news, gathered both on and off-the-record by staff members at Downtown newsmagazine. We welcome possible items for this column which can be emailed to: OaklndConfidential@DowntownPublications.com. All sources are kept strictly confidential. The gossip column can be viewed at OaklandConfidential.com. NO CARPETBAGGER HERE: One Republican candidate said months ago to watch for someone to raise the issue that GOP hopeful Lena Epstein, oil heiress seeking the party nod in the August balloting for the 11th Congressional district, is not a resident of the district that she is seeking to represent. As of deadline for the July Oakland Confidential – nada. So we took our own look. Yep, source was dead-on. Epstein lives in Bloomfield Township and has been registered to vote there since January of 2011, moving into her current township address in 2014. But the township is not part of the district which meanders from Birmingham, the city of Bloomfield Hills, part of Rochester Hills, into the west Oakland lakes area and parts of western Wayne County. Epstein actually lucks out on this one – the U.S. Constitution does not require members of Congress to live in the districts they represent, just to be 25 years of age, a U.S. citizen for seven years and a resident of the state. If she makes it to Washington D.C., Epstein could join a slew (21 House members as of June 2017) of others who don’t live in the district where they were elected. We didn’t reach out to Epstein for comment on her residency because she has not yet responded to any of Downtown newsmagazine’s efforts in the past.
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MEMORIES OF NAZIS PAST: Speaking of Lena Epstein, some members of the local Jewish community are waging a Facebook campaign to protest a $1,000 per person ($2,700 per couple) fundraiser for her being held in late June at Franklin Hills Country Club, where wealthy Jews hang out. Several notable affluent Jews are among the hosts/co-chairs, including former Michigan Republican Party chair Bobby Schostak, insurance moguls Alan Jay Kaufman and Mert Segal, and real estate barons EPSTEIN Harold Beznos, Warren Rose and Matt Lester. Danny Simon, who grew up in Birmingham, wrote on Facebook, “It’s a sad day for the Detroit Jewish community, and for Franklin Hills CC, an institution I love. Franklin Hills was founded in 1927 because Jews were not permitted to be members elsewhere...My deep connection to this place is why I’m so heartbroken to see FHCC’s leaders affiliate themselves publicly with the racist campaign being run by Lena Epstein to tear children from the arms of their parents...building concentration camps at our borders, and separating children from their parents – practices eerily similar to those employed during the Holocaust, the horrors of which member FHCC members’ ancestors fled. Lena isn’t merely silent...she is running on how strongly she agrees with Trump, including airing a TV ad supporting this practice.” Simon does not criticize FHCC members, or fellow Jews, for voting Republican, just for choosing Epstein, who he calls a “neo-fascist” “who has thrived by building a coalition of vicious anti-Semites, racists and xenophobes.”
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SUBTLE OPPOSITION: Congressman Mike Bishop (R-Rochester/Rochester Hills) in June opposed the administration’s zero-tolerance immigration policy resulting in thousands of children of undocumented immigrants illegally entering the country being separated from their parents — sort of. “As a father of three, Rep. Bishop does not want to see children separated from their families,” a Bishop spokeswoman told The Detroit News on Monday, June 18. Bishop added to his position the next day as BISHOP pressure on President Trump to change the policy peaked. “I believe families should stay together while their cases are pending. For too long, hyper-partisanship has thwarted real solutions to fix our broken immigration system,” Bishop said in a release. Among the fixes, Bishop said he supports securing the border, ending family separations and closing loopholes. “In particular, we need to increase the number of federal immigration judges,” he said – a position with which Trump said he disagrees. Meanwhile, Bishop’s most likely general election opponent, SLOTKIN Democrat Elissa Slotkin, beat him to the punch with a much DOWNTOWN
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stronger and focused statement condemning Trump’s policy of separating children from their parents at the border.
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FREE AT LAST: Retiring Congressman Dave Trott (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester Hills) has found a degree of freedom when not having to worry about a re-election campaign. The 11th District rep in May separated himself from the President by joining a handful of others in signing a petition to force a vote on a bill that seeks to force a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought into the country as children. On Wednesday, June 20, Trott broke days of radio silence on the administration’s TROTT policy on separating families entering the country illegally. “The President signed the executive order a minute ago,” Trott told Downtown. “That’s encouraging, and I think it should have been done sooner. I’m pleased the administration revisited that. We have a couple of votes tomorrow on immigration bills. Hopefully, one of them passes and we can send it to the Senate.” Trott also acknowledged the position his retirement places him in terms of supporting Trump on positions where he may disagree. “He came and spoke at the conference last night, and was wondering if Mark Sanford was there,” Trott said “He said he was going to congratulate him on running a good race. That drew some groans.” As to his own successor, Trott said he would wait until after the primary to offer public support. “The only one I really couldn’t support would be (Kerry) Bentevolio.” BOXING MATCH: As if the Larry Nassar mess wasn’t nasty enough (the former MSU doc and Team USA gymnastics doctor convicted of sexually assaulting dozens of young gymnasts), two state Representatives who hope to face off against one another in November to be the Congressman for the 11th District nearly came to blows (figuratively) in May over legislation that would allow retroactive lawsuits in sexual assault cases. Rep. Klint Kesto (R-Commerce, West Bloomfield) chairs the House KESTO committee that spent weeks debating the legislation when the House shortened a window the Senate approved, and basically eliminated a provision allowing retroactive lawsuits for abuse. Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) accused Kesto of caving in to Michigan Catholic Conference lobbyists to “protect pedophile priests who’ve been criminally convicted of sexually abusing children over the victims.” As you can imagine, that didn’t go over well with Kesto, who accused Greimel of fighting in the gutter, and is “scratching and clawing to find relevance” in the GREIMEL congressional race. Ouch. DRAWING THE SHORT STRAW: Now former candidates Dan Haberman and Kristine Bonds have been disqualified by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers from the ballot for this August’s primary election for the 11th Congressional District. Haberman, a Democrat, and Bonds, a Republican, were running for the seat now held by Rep. Dave Trott, who isn’t running for another term. The board of canvassers found both candidates had “insufficient” nominating petitions to be placed on the August ballot. While Haberman said he was confident he could successfully challenge the board’s determination, he said doing so “would place too heavy a strain on our already streamlined resources to operate an effective and winning campaign.” Bonds was unable to be reached for comment, and her campaign’s phone line was no longer in operation as of publication. NEPOTISM CHALLENGE: West Oakland politicos have noted with a touch of irony the musical chairs Novi Republican political power couple Hugh and Kathy Crawford have long played. First he was a Novi city council member, then a county commissioner before becoming a state House rep – and she filled his county commission seat. When Hugh was term limited in the state House, she ran and got it. He returned to the county commission. And round and round. Now word is, according to a recent MIRS (Michigan Information & Research Service) missive, tea party newbie Chase Turner is grabbing the attention of far-right conservatives in Kathy’s quest for a third term, connecting with Speaker of the House Tom Leonard (R-DeWitt) and posting photos with county exec L. Brooks Patterson. MIRS doesn’t think Turner will win, but Turner is making Kathy Crawford sweat.
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1248 Cedarholm Ln New Construction, 1st Floor Master Forest Lake Golf Course Frontage Bloomfield Hills Schools $1,950,000
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CRIME LOCATOR
NORTH
Map key
Sexual assault
Assault
Murder
Robbery
Breaking/entering
Larceny
Larceny from vehicle
Vehicle theft
Vandalism
Drug offenses
Arson
These are the crimes reported under select categories by police officials in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills through June 21, 2018. Placement of codes is approximate.
FACES Elizabeth Belkin loomfield Township native Elizabeth Belkin was born and raised in the fashion business, meeting celebrity designers like Giorgio Armani and Valentino at an early age. Today, the Birmingham resident is a leading luxury manager for The RealReal, where she shares her knowledge and passion for style and fashion with clients of the unique consignment service. As one of two daughters of the late fashion retailer Hattie Belkin Whitehead, Elizabeth was surrounded by people and style in the high-end fashion world. But it didn't take long for her to discover the work and sacrifice fueling the glamorous business. "Hattie started in the early '70s, and she was one of the first in the United States to carry Armani, Valentino and Prada. She helped put Detroit on the fashion map. She had up to 20 stores at one time, including opening the Gucci franchise at Somerset in the 1980s. It was just incredible, and I fell in love with the business," Belkin said. "I met Valentino and Armani â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it was dreamy being her daughter in that respect. "I was probably eight or 10 years old when it started. It wasn't until I was older that I understood that it wasn't all glamour. It was a lot of hard work. You have to find new designers. You can never get stale." With training in the business starting early, Belkin graduated from Cranbrook Kingswood and Boston University, later designing and developing a line of handbags and accessories. While marketing her own products, she also worked her way through the cooperate retail business at Armani, Bulgari, Cartier, Prada, Marc Jacobs and others, building her experience and list of clients in New York City, Palm Beach, Detroit and other locations. In 2016, Belkin was working for Marc Jacobs in New York when she decided to make a move back to Michigan. Looking for a new way to work in the Detroit fashion market, she reached out to the luxury consignment The RealReal, pitching the idea of bringing the service to the area. "I asked if they had anyone here and if they were interested in opening up the market," she said. "It can be a difficult city to work in the fashion world. It's not New York, and it's not Los Angeles, but it was a great way to get back and into fashion. I love it." The RealReal offers a white glove, luxury consignment service, which Belkin is responsible for providing in Michigan. The service specializes in high-end, authenticated items, including men's and women's fashion, fine jewelry and watches, fine art and home items. Belkin meets and consults with clients, and the items are evaluated. The items are then transported to one of The RealReal's warehouses where they are processed, authenticated, merchandised and sold by the company for a full-service consignment experience. Belkin said consignment items are usually a collection of art, jewelry or clothes that a client wants to part with, for whatever reason. For instance, recent items have included a collection of Lalique crystal, Bulgari jewelry, and other items. Because the items have considerable personal and monetary value, the process requires a great amount of trust with clients. "It's a very personal thing and touching. These are things they are very attached to," she said. "You really have to sit down with them and explain the process, especially if they aren't familiar with the consignment process. But it can be a lot of fun. It's so different than any other kind of consignment."
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Story: Kevin Elliott
Photo: Jean Lannen
Remarkable Gated Estate Near Downtown Birmingham $3,380,000
All Sports Upper Long Lake Lakefront in Gated Community $2,999,000
European Inspired Estate Near Cranbrook $2,995,000
AZD Lakefront in Bloomfield Hills $2,449,000
Upper Straits Lakefront $2,199,000
Spectacular Forest Lake Country Club with Fairway Settings $2,150,000
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Gorgeous English Tudor on 1.5 Acres $1,399,000
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Spectacular Newer Construction in Franklin $2,899,000
Custom Bloomfield Hills Estate $2,899,000
Magnificent Estate in Bloomfield Hills $2,495,000
Magnificent Custom Built Home in Bloomfield Hills $1,950,000
Georgian Estate Situated on over 2 Acres in Bloomfield Hills $1,899,000
Custom Designed on over 1 Acre $1,595,000
Architectural Masterpiece in Bloomfield Hills $1,099,000
Desirable Chestnut Run $850,000
Golf Course and Lake Views in Bloomfield Hills $699,900
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Extraordinary opportunity to acquire one of the largest remaining contiguous parcels in this prestigious section of Oakland county. Options are endless including subdividing & redevelopment of this exclusive 16 acre estate. Clifford Wright-designed mid-century modern home offers 6150 SF of striking features. The estate’s sheltered setting includes a pool, tennis courts & cabana house.
Custom built new construction masterpiece surrounded by water & lush landscape, this gated estate is just blocks from downtown Birmingham. Limestone fireplaces, floor to ceiling windows, woodworks cabinets, quartz counters, state of the art appliances, mahogany paneled library. 3rd floor rec area w/ wet bar, additional bedroom, & bath. Fully Automated & car garage w/ lift.
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Majestic nearly 1 acre estate on one of the city of Bloomfield's finest streets near Cranbrook's campus with spectacular 1st floor owners suite. 18' ceilings, marble floors, exotic woodwork & details highlight perfectly executed floor plan. Incredible lower level w/ family room, sleek kitchen, billiard area, separate wet-bar, sauna & walk out to private outdoor oasis w/ pools & entertaining spaces.
Spectacular home located in Holy Name area. “City chic” interior spans more than 5700 SF of impeccable detail & craftsmanship. Spectacular steel & oak staircases, master suite is highlighted by floor-to-ceiling windows w/ tree top views, large balcony, luxe bath & a spiral staircase to loft. Beautiful outdoor landscape includes patio w/ retractable awning, fire /water feature, deck, garden, & front porch. Finished loft space above garage.
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Nantucket-style estate home in the heart of Bloomfield Hills set on nearly an acre of private treed landscape. Home was entirely renovated and major addition in 2014. The highest quality of design throughout from the scraped walnut hardwoods, wood beam ceilings, custom built-ins, chic lighting, & stone and tile selections. Gourmet kitchen opens to dining and family rooms. True master suite spans the entire 2nd level.
History meets modern lifestyle in this 4 acre resort-like estate on Gilbert Lake. Situated in the heart of Bloomfield Hills, lush trees privately surround the park-like grounds featuring salt water pool, tennis court, lake front & multiple entertaining spaces. Owners renovated every inch including grounds, infrastructure & mechanicals to 21st century standards while preserving its classic architecture. 2 bedroom guest house w/ kitchen, living rm & full bath.
210 S. Old Woodward | Suite 200 | Birmingham, MI | 48009 | 248.310.1414 Each office is independently owned & operated.
RADON TESTING IN SCHOOLS
NO REQUIREMENTS. UNDERSTANDING LACKING. SO SOME DISTRICTS ROLL DICE AND OPT OUT.
BY KEVIN ELLIOTT onsidered the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, radon gas leaches undetected into millions of basements each year where it is breathed in by unsuspecting occupants. The colorless, odorless, radioactive gas is responsible for about 21,000 deaths each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Because of the danger and risks involved with radon, state law requires any new licensed daycare centers to be tested for radon. Property owners selling a home must disclose any known radon levels, and Michigan's residential building code requires some new homes to be built with some radon resistant features. And while the EPA recommends that public school districts test buildings for radon every five years, there are no federal or state laws requiring schools to conduct tests at all.
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Of the 28 public school districts in Oakland County, districts that regularly test for radon or have plans to test for radon, include: Bloomfield Hills Schools, Clawson Public Schools, Ferndale Public Schools, Novi Community Schools, Rochester Community Schools and South Lyon Community Schools. Some districts – including Birmingham Public Schools, Huron Valley Schools, Troy School District, and Walled Lake Consolidated Schools – have tested for radon in at least one building or more in the past, but don't plan on testing in the future. The remainder of the public school districts in the county said they don't test, while six districts failed to respond to inquiries from Downtown. "Unfortunately, radon is easy to ignore because there are no short-term side effects," said Aaron Berndt, state radon officer with the Michigan Indoor Radon Program in the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). In the long-term, Berndt said radon is responsible for about 600 lung cancer deaths in Michigan per year. A high presence of radon, combined with smoking, greatly increases the chance that a person will develop lung cancer, but about four out of 1,000 non-smokers develop lung cancer when exposed to radon at or above the EPA's recommended action level for radon gas. Radon gas is measured in units called picoCuries – named after Pierre and Marie Curie – and represent the amount of radioactivity present. The EPA's safety limit for radon is set at four picoCuries per liter of air, or four pCi/L. Statewide, about 26 percent of radon tests have results above four pCi/L, according to Air Check, which has collected results from more than four million radon test kits across the country. In Oakland County, the average amount of radon in buildings is 3.6 pCi/L, with about 27.8 percent of tests collected by Air Check testing above four pCi/L, and about 51.1 percent tested above two pCi/L. "There's no safe level of radon," Berndt said, "but we won't get to a 'zero' level either. We want to reduce it as much as possible." Berndt said that because neither the state nor the federal government require radon testing in schools, there is no central repository for test results from schools that test voluntarily. Results provided to Downtown from districts that maintain radon testing results show few, if any, school facilities tested exhibiting high levels of radon. In some cases, initial test results showed radon levels at or near the EPA's level of concern. In each of those cases, follow-up tests were conducted that showed levels below the EPA's guidelines. With the exception of a handful of districts in the county, few are testing for radon as recommended by federal regulators. "We don't do a ton of radon testing in the schools," said Phil Grosse, an industrial hygiene consultant with Arch Environmental Group, which has provided testing for many districts in southeast Michigan. "It's not EPA mandated, so as a rule of thumb, we don't do a lot of it. When we do, it's kind of different for each client. If we
had our druthers, we would prefer to do testing for a whole building, but we usually end up doing suspect areas. "Generally, we prefer the EPA recommendations. It's a hard thing, as far as what the schools are willing to do... what ends up happening more often is that they don't see the need for testing." Marcia Wilkinson, spokeswoman for Birmingham Public Schools, said the district had conducted radon testing in the past under the advisement of the state and its environmental consultant. However, Wilkinson said in May that the district stopped testing several years prior at the direction of its environmental consultant. "As you are aware (Birmingham Public Schools) is compliant in all areas of environmental regulations – from asbestos and lead paint to required health and safety programs," Arch Environmental CEO Scott Staber said in a June 12 email to the district which Wilkinson shared with Downtown. "Arch Environmental Group has conducted sampling
Some districts – including Birmingham Public Schools – have tested for radon in at least one building or more in the past, but don't plan on testing in the future.
for various Oakland County schools and other schools throughout the state of Michigan only when requested (as it is not required by law). With the numerous environmental regulations mandated on school districts, it is difficult for most districts to conduct recommended (not required) environmental guidelines such as radon sampling. We have conducted sampling in nearby districts with levels that have typically been below the EPA's recommendation action level. The EPA and Michigan DEQ have further information available for school districts on their websites. If you need additional information or would like to pursue radon sampling, please do not hesitate to contact me." Bloomfield Hills Schools have done various radon testing in recent years, with the latest conducted in 2016. District spokesperson Shira Good said additional testing is planned for this fall. Brian Goby, who heads up maintenance for the district, said Arch Environmental conducted testing for the district. Those tests included
radon testing at Bloomfield Hills High School (previously Andover High School) and the now shuttered Lahser High School. Testing was done at Eastover Elementary School in 2016, with all tests coming back below 1.4 pCi/L. Goby said all schools in the district will be tested this fall. Lori Grein, director of community relations for Rochester Community Schools, said the district uses a five-year rotational schedule between buildings to test for radon. In December of 2017, the district relayed test results to parents that it received from its environmental consultant, Nova Environmental, "The most recent surveys were conducted from December 26-29 at Delta Kelly, McGregor, Musson and University Hills Elementary Schools, and Rochester High School... The survey results at Delta Kelly, Musson and University Hills Elementary Schools and Rochester High School indicate all radon samples collected are significantly less than the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L. One sample in the boiler room at McGregor Elementary warranted further investigation. After retesting, it was determined that the sample was also below the action level set by the EPA. Nova Environmental, Inc., recommends that no further action is necessary at this time for these buildings." In Clawson and Ferndale school districts, radon testing hasn't been a regularly scheduled item. However, Jamie Stottlemyer, executive director of operations and transportation for the two districts, said plans are underway for Nova Environmental to conduct testing at both of the districts this summer. In the South Lyon Community School District, 14 of the district's buildings were tested in 2012 at random locations. Those buildings included seven locations in each of the district's high schools, five locations in each of the middle schools, three locations in each of the elementary schools, two locations in the administration building and early childhood center, and one location in the grounds operations center. In each case, short-term activated charcoal devices were used to measure radon levels. "During the entire measurement period (typically two to seven days), the absorbed radon undergoes radioactive delay," Arch Environmental wrote in its 2012 report. "Arch Environmental Group deposited the AC detectors on March 22-23, 2012. The detectors were placed between knee and shoulder heights on a flat or hanging surface. Additionally, the detectors were placed at least one foot from exterior walls, three feet from windows or doors, away from direct sunlight and away from heat vents." The testing also included duplicate test devices, as recommended by the EPA and as is the case in each of Arch Environmental's testing procedures. The results show that all of the samples had concentrations below the EPA's recommended action level of four pCi/L. The Novi Community School District tests for radon every other calendar year at buildings throughout the district, with the last round of
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testing conducted in the winter of 2017. Those tests, as shown through results provided to Downtown by the district, were conducted by Arch Environmental. Tests included short-term, activated charcoal devices in seven locations at Novi High School; five locations at Novi Middle School; three locations in each of the elementary schools; three locations in each wing of the Novi Meadows complex; and three locations in the Early Childhood Education Center. Previous sampling at the district included the ESB building, transportation building, maintenance building and community preschool. "All samples identified radon concentrations below the EPA recommended 'action level' of 4.0 pCi/L," Arch Industrial Hygiene Consultant Phillip Grosse wrote in a report to the district. "One sample, collected in Room 111 at Orchard Hills Elementary School, identified a radon concentration of 3.7 +/- 0.7 pCi/L. Although this level is technically below the 'action level,' the accuracy of the method suggests that the actual concentration may range from 3.0 pCi/L to 4.4 pCi/L. "Prudent practice recommends that areas where radon levels are potentially above the 'action level' should be retested with a second short-term test to confirm the results of the initial test. A second test above the 'action level' recommends that either progressing to a longterm test of at least 90 days or taking corrective action measures to reduce levels below the 'action level.'" While some other school districts in the county said they had tested for radon in the past, they didn't provide documentation, nor did they say there were plans for future testing. The majority of districts that don't test for radon told Downtown that there was little need to conduct such tests, based either on past results or the lack of any such requirement. Diane Bauman, director of communications for Farmington Public Schools, said the district doesn't do any radon testing. The reasoning, she said, was explained by the district's director of facilities, who she said told her that radon testing is typically done in buildings with basements, and that there are few such buildings in the district. Also, there is no requirement for testing. However, the EPA and certified radon testers say changes in a building's heating and cooling system, changes around the foundation of a building and other changes in a structure that occur over time may all lead to changes in radon levels at a building. "Districts are kind of afraid to do what the EPA recommends because they don't want the ramifications down the line," Grosse said. "Ideally, you want to approximate normal conditions in the buildings. Ideally, you're doing it in the winter." Responses from the majority of school districts, combined with the lack of any requirement to conduct testing, appear to show that while there are some attempts to address the risk of radon in schools, a full understanding of those risks is lacking. High levels of radon gas can occur in any
indoor environment. Further, radon levels may vary from building to building in the same district, and from room to room in each building. Although Oakland County is considered to have a relatively low risk of radon, there may be various hot spots in any area. Ultimately, testing is the only way to determine whether or not radon is below the acton level. A spokeswoman for Southfield Public Schools said the district hasn't tested for at least 10 years and doesn't have any plans to do so. In Troy, Superintendent Richard Machesky said the district conducted testing in 2011, prior to his start as superintendent. That testing, which was one of the most comprehensive in the county according to Grosse with Arch Environmental, included testing of all buildings and all rooms recommended by the EPA. "There was an issue raised in one of the buildings," Machesky said. "The results came back negative across the district, and we haven't done it since. There's been no reason to do it since."
Responses from the majority of school districts, combined with the lack of any requirement to conduct testing, show that a full understanding of radon risks is lacking.
Berkley Schools, Brandon School District, Clarenceville School District, Clarkston School District, Huron Valley Schools, Lake Orion Community Schools, Oxford Community Schools, Royal Oak Schools and West Bloomfield School District all said they do not test for radon, nor have they done so in recent years. Walled Lake Consolidated Schools spokeswoman Judy Evola said the district did some testing at one of the district's high schools in the past as part of a wider testing program, and no elevated levels of radon were found. Waterford School District spokeswoman Rhonda Lessel said testing was done at some point in the past across the district, but it wasn't known exactly when. She added that most schools in the district are constructed on slabs that included a vapor barrier. Further, the district has or is in the process of upgrading HVAC systems, which are required to bring in outdoor air into buildings. The EPA and environmental consultants certified to conduct radon testing specifically
recommend districts retest after significant changes to the building structure or HVAC system. While the risks of radon had been known for decades, the push for increased public education and testing stemmed, in part, from a 1984 incident at the Limerick nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania, northwest of Philadelphia. An employee at the plant, Stanley Watras, had set off a radiation monitoring device at the plant. However, there was no radioactive material at the plant when the activity was detected. It was discovered that Watras had been exposed to radon in his home that reached several thousand pCi/L. Brian Redmond, a professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences at Wilkes University, in Pennsylvania, began working with another professor at the time to develop a radon testing program. The incident and subsequent testing programs led to one of the first campaigns to educate the public and test homes for radon. Recently retired from Wilkes University, Redmond â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a native of Detroit who earned his first two degrees in geology from Michigan State University â&#x20AC;&#x201C; believes radon testing should be required at all schools. "People spend a significant amount of time indoors in schools, and not just students, also the teachers and staff. People should know what levels there are, and if they are high, you should do something to bring them into reasonable limits," Redmond said. "Testing conditions should be under closed building conditions, as that would maximize levels. And it could be more important to test in public schools, compared to a house, whether you have a basement or not." Redmond said to imagine the building as an upended cup that captures gas coming out of the soil. Then imagine placing your hands around the cup to represent common impermeable material surrounding most public buildings (such as parking lots), which in turn expands the catch area of the cup. Likewise, he said changes in ventilation may create a negative air pressure in the lowest floors of the building, which may divert more soil gas inside. "Any change in construction around the perimeter of a building or in ventilation should probably trigger a new test in radon levels because it will probably make them worse," he said. "And if you don't test, you don't know." There are two ways to test for radon in schools that the EPA recommends. Short-term testing uses devices that absorb radon over the course of two to 90 days. Short-term measurements may utilize activated charcoal devices, alpha track detectors or other monitors. Long-term testing remains in place for more than 90 days and is usually conducted over the course of an entire school year. The longer-term testing devices give a more accurate representation of radon levels. The EPA recommends that when initial tests are conducted with short-term devices, that a longterm test is conducted when radon levels are at or above four pCi/L.
CINDY OBRON KAHN An Extraordinary Agent Providing Extraordinary Results Cindy Kahn, REALTOR Elaina Ryder, REALTOR® ®
2017 TOP PRODUCER at Hall & Hunter Realtors 248.568.7309 | Cindy@CindyKahn.com | CindyKahn.com
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Birmingham 388 Greenwood Street | $2,500,000
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For buildings that are "slab-on-grade" design, the EPA recommends measuring only frequently occupied rooms in contact with the ground. Rooms above crawlspaces should be tested, as well as all frequently occupied rooms in buildings with basements, and frequently occupied basements rooms. The EPA recommends testing under closed conditions after 12 hours of closure and in colder months when heating and cooling systems are operating normally. The EPA and other major and international scientific organizations have concluded that radon is a human carcinogen and a serious environmental health problem. Because radon levels may vary from room to room, the EPA recommends schools test all "frequently occupied rooms in contact with the ground," according to the EPA's "Radon Measurement in Schools" guidelines. "Each frequently occupied room that is in contact with the ground should be measured because adjacent rooms can have significantly different levels of radon." The EPA first began investigating radon in schools in 1988, when a study in Fairfax County, Virginia, was conducted and used to develop initial guidelines. In the subsequent two years, the EPA conducted a nationwide study, which resulted in the action level of 4 pCi/L. The EPA later conducted a National School Radon Survey, a statistical representation of levels of radon in schools at the national level, but not the state or local level. The results showed a widespread contamination of radon in schools, with nearly one in five schools having at least one frequently occupied room with the ground with short-term radon levels above four pCi/L. In 1991, the Michigan Indoor Radon Program conducted a survey of radon in Michigan schools. More than 13,000 measurement devices were placed in 288 randomly selected school buildings across the state. About 2.3 percent of the samples at that time exceeded the EPA's guidelines of four pCi/L. The EPA has also assigned risk categories to each county across the nation, with "Zone 1" counties having the highest potential to test higher than four pCi/L; "Zone 3" the lowest potential; and "Zone 2," between the two zones. The EPA ranks Oakland County as a Zone 2 county, while Macomb and Wayne Counties are Zone 3. Also listed as Zone 2 counties are Lapeer and Genesee counties to the north, and Livingston County to the west. Washtenaw County, to the southwest of Oakland County, is considered one of eight Zone 1 counties. Radon levels reported to Air Check tend to follow the EPA's zone rankings of radon risk, with Oakland's average of 3.6 pCi/L higher than Wayne (2.5 pCi/L) and Macomb (2.0 pCi/L); and lower than Washtenaw County's average of 4.9 pCi/L. In 2011, the Ann Arbor News published an investigation of elevated radon levels in the basement of the former police department. The report detailed instances of radon levels as many as seven times the EPA's action level, with tests showing elevated levels from the 1990s
when a mitigation system was installed. Air Check lists the percent of test results above four pCi/L in Washtenaw County to be 37.3 percent, with 60.6 percent above two pCi/L. Although the ranking system and news reports give an idea of where higher risks may be, the amount of radon exiting the soil depends upon several factors, one of the greatest being geology. "It all starts with uranium," Redmond said. "It goes through a series of decays and ultimately ends up as lead." All rocks contain at least a small amount of uranium, typically between one and three parts per million. As the uranium breaks down over millions of years, it decays into radium, which then decays into radon gas. In gas form, radon may be breathed in, where it further continues to decay into polonium, another radioactive decay product, and can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer over time. Thus, it's the radioactive decay process that may occur in one's body that ultimately leads to harm.
Although Oakland is considered to have a relatively low risk of radon, there may be various hot spots in any area. Testing is the only way to determine the level of radon.
Radon gas may enter groundwater, become stuck in pockets of gas in the earth's soil, or rise to the surface where it enters the air or buildings through cracks in foundations, drains and other means. Radon levels in outdoor air, indoor air, soil air and groundwater can all be very different, with outdoor air raging from one pCi/L to about 3,000 pCi/L, with an average about one to two pCi/L, according to the United States Geological Survey. Radon in soil air is usually between 200 and 2,000 pCi/L. While most buildings draw less than one percent of their indoor air from the soil, those with low indoor air pressures, poorly sealed foundations and several entry points for soil air may draw a much higher percentage of air from soil. Even if soil air has only moderate levels of radon, levels inside a building may be high. Water systems also may allow radon to enter a building. Radon levels may be higher in areas where there are higher concentrations of uranium, such as granite and shale. High levels of radon
discovered in Pennsylvania coincide with the uranium-rich Reading Prong formation, while the uranium-rich Ohio Shale formation extends into southern Michigan. "You can find trace amounts of uranium associated with black shale," Redmond said. "In Pennsylvania, there is the famous Marcellus formation, which they are fracking now for natural gas. Michigan has a similar black shale, Antrim Shale. I never tested for radon in Michigan, but I wouldn't be surprised that in some areas where you have a structure over shale, you could have higher radon levels. I don't think there's any granite in the lower peninsula, but you certainly have black shale." While state lawmakers have passed laws regarding radon testing for homes in counties with a high risk for radon, as well as daycare facilities, there has been almost no efforts to increase radon testing in schools. In 2004, former state lawmaker Frank Accavitti Jr., sponsored a bill that would have required radon testing as part of indoor air quality requirements for all public school districts in the state. Under the bill, HB 5560, districts would have been required to submit an annual report on the status of indoor air quality to the superintendent of public instruction. The program would have required inspections at least every five years, starting in 2008. The bill, which failed to be voted out of committee, would also would have required districts to incorporate radon mitigation measures in construction plans in counties with high or moderate radon risk. While Redmond said he believes schools should be required to test for radon, he said people shouldn't be too alarmed by initial, shortterm tests that are at or near four pCi/L. "The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;four picoCuries per literâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is misleading," he said. "Few people know this, but when they were trying to figure out what would be a reasonable level â&#x20AC;&#x201D; it wasn't going to be zero because there's always some radon. Outdoor air is about two picoCuries, so they came up with four. "The problem is that the four limit was originally decided upon in a household under normal conditions, which means it's open in the summer and spring, and closed in the winter, which means you need to monitor for a year, continuously. In the winter, it's going to vary each season. The 'four' is the average annual exposure, but people don't want to wait a year to find the average." Redmond said initial numbers between four pCi/L and 20 pCi/L aren't high enough that they should cause an immediate panic. However, such figures could be cause for a longer-term test. Further, he said people need to put monitoring results in perspective. For instance, if you discover slightly elevated levels of radon while being a chain smoker at the same time, your risk for lung cancer is greatly increased. "Don't panic in the short-term," he said. "I remember getting a call from a guy who was concerned that he found 4.1 (picoCuries), but he was chain smoking at the same time. You have to put the risk into perspective."
FACES David Rochkind loomfield Hills native David Rochkind has used his interests in photography, and now film, to explore his passion for social issues. He classifies photography and film as tools for communication, because ultimately, he considers himself a storyteller rather than an artist. He credits Cranbrook Kingwood, where he attended high school, with teaching him “how to tell visual stories, which is something that has stayed with me throughout my life and career.” While at the University of Michigan, he originally thought he wanted to be a social worker, but after joining the school newspaper, The Michigan Daily, as a photographer, he realized he could more easily utilize images to explore the social issues he was interested in. As a photographer, his motivation “comes from a place of really wanting to inspire and encourage people.” Rochkind believes that by “continuing to go out into the world and tell stories of hope or inspiration in front of a global audience... it will encourage people to create a better world.” As a journalist and social activist, he has been able to identify what he refers to as a “common thread” in public health and how that touched on larger social issues that he has been interested in, such as education, spurring the use of photography as a visual diary in countries like Mexico, Venezuela, Haiti, South Africa, India, and Moldova. His work has been featured in The New York Times Magazine, Time, Newsweek, Stern, Rolling Stone, and many other publications. Now, as a filmmaker and founder of Ground Media, a social impact creative studio, he continues to recognize and use his belief that visual images offer an “emotional engagement” that words cannot. Especially moving pictures in film, where music can be used to let the viewers truly understand someone else’s reality. Truly being able to feel empathy for each other because of our “common humanity,” Rochkind said. “There is so much more that connects us to people than sets us apart. Every place I’ve ever gone to, every place I’ve ever been people all want the same things.” Rochkind’s latest project is a short documentary film called “Living Art,” which is about a young artist who is struggling with a potentially fatal genetic disability. He has just finished filming and is now creating an education campaign around it to teach people about inclusion. He said this happens to be his favorite project because it allowed him to spend time with one person and their family. To Rochkind, filmmaking or photographing is more than a career – it is part of his identity. To live without storytelling, without photography, a part of him would be lost. “What I do does not feel like just a job to me – it’s a lifestyle and a passion of mine. When I think about the time that I spend traveling, thinking, working, and away from family, it really does become a large part of your life. When I think of myself – I am a husband, a father, and a son, but I am also a filmmaker, storyteller, and someone who is curious about the world.”
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Photo: Ground Media
MARKET OFFERINGS JULY 2018
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Lake Angelus Frontage - Lake Angelus - $1,499,990 Fabulous totally updated Lake Angelus Shores setting overlooks the Island. This home was designed for the amazing views. 218047230 Presented by Lee Embrey
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Lakeville Lake Frontage - Addison Township - $1,100,000 Lake living at its best! This fully-furnished home is sitting on a 3.1 acre wooded private lot on Lakeville Lake. 218048220 Presented by Chris Perry
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Bingham Farms Village - $1,095,000 Spectacular Country Estate with Carriage House offers casual elegance, charm and character, boasts many new renovations. Situated on 2.45 acres of mature indigenous forestry and landscape. 218054913 Presented by John & Bridget Apap
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Commerce Lake Frontage -Commerce Township $1,095,000 This gorgeous home sits on an acre of land with 100 ft of lake frontage on Commerce lake and is situated at the end of cul-de-sac with a private drive. 218049352 Presented by Rachel Griffin
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Rochester Hills - $999,900 This stately colonial home located in sought after Manchester Knolls Subdivision. The lower level is finished with a full walk-out to the patio. 218042700 Presented by Dan Gutfreund
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Lake Shannon Frontage - Tyrone Township - $950,000 This Contemporary work of art is on 1.5 acres offering views of the calmly flowing Ore Creek & Lake Shannon. 218056424 Presented by Tory Sheffer
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Bruce Township - $3,999,999 Breathtaking gated French Country Estate on 92 acres. Dominick Tringali designed and featured in Dream Kitchen Magazine. 218050688 Presented by Dylan Tent
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Oxford - $1,249,000 Custom Contemporary home set upon a magnificent 20 acre estate site. 218049210 Presented by Dylan Tent
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TOTAL SALES VOLUME ALL RESIDENTIAL AND CONDO SALES
PRICE: $2,000,000+ 150
140
130
120
38.4% 110
100
$ in Millions
90
80
70
60
50 Mkt 13.5%
40 Mkt 10.6%
30
20
Mkt 5.8%
10
Mkt 3.1% Mkt 2.3%
Mkt 2.2%
Mkt 1.8%
Mkt 1.7%
Mkt 1.5%
RE/MAX New Trend
Bailey Schmidt Inc
Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Hwwb
0 Signature Sotheby’s International Realty
Max Broock Realtors® Birmingham
Keller Williams Domain Birmingham
Hall & Hunter Birmingham
Max Broock Realtors® Bloomfield Hills
Shain Park Realtors®
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel Birmingham
This statistical information has been obtained from Realcomp II Ltd and actual sales. These statistics are derived from data believed to be reliable. This information is not to be reproduced, redistributed, or combined with data from other sources without expressed permission from Realcomp. Date: 1/17/18
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3 ACRE MASTERPIECE IN THE HEART OF BEVERLY HILLS LIVES LIKE A SPRAWLING RANCH!
31400 Kennoway Court - $775,000 Live the private retreat lifestyle in a country atmosphere on nearly one acre right in the heart of Beverly Hills! With graciously sized rooms, a gourmet chef's kitchen and exquisite decor, this sprawling ranch like home lends itself to comfortable living and entertaining many. All will love the door walls from the kitchen, dining, family and master to the expansive rear patio, pool and grounds surrounded by mature trees and landscaping. High end appliances, three fireplaces, Anderson windows, custom tray ceilings, brand new roof and best of all, a 4 season glass enclosed Solarium! Cherry, bamboo, Padauk, cork and commercial grade ceramic flooring, whole house generator, large storage room above the garage, city water with well water sprinkler system and all within a one mile radius of award winning Birmingham Schools! This is a must see home!
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1080 Pleasant Street
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Birmingham - $1,635,000
Bloomfield Hills - $1,395,000
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Bloomfield Hills - $1,348,000
Birmingham - $1,249,900
3423 Chickering Lane
1090 Puritan Avenue
Bloomfield Hills - $1,150,000
Birmingham - $1,149,000
Lynn Wiand
Chemical Bank, Mortgage Division
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275 Barden Road
32630 Bingham Road
Bloomfield Hills - $1,097,500
Bingham Farms Village - $1,049,900
1580 Tottenham Road
140 Hamilton Road
Bloomfield Village - $939,900
Bloomfield Village - $975,000
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1011 Westwood Drive
Birmingham - $725,000 - co-list Maryclare Pulte
Birmingham
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Ken Mascia NMLS #135323
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2993 Heron Place
672 Bloomfield Court
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915 Chester Street
521 N Kenwood Avenue
Birmingham - $985,000
Royal Oak - $599,900
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760 Kennebec Court
2670 Covington Place
Birmingham - $549,900
Bloomfield Hills
Bloomfield Village
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Chemical Bank, Mortgage Division
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Top Producing Agent
1170 Chesterfield Avenue
1291 Suffield Avenue
Birmingham - $2,149,000
Birmingham - $1,990,000
Extraordinary Homes
1080 Pilgrim Avenue
1186 Westwood Drive
Birmingham - $2,795,000
Birmingham - $2,395,000
1298 Brookwood Street
885 Redding Road
887 Redding Road
Birmingham - $2,395,000
Birmingham - $1,249,000 - Price reflects one Townhome
Birmingham - $1,249,000 - Price reflects one Townhome
248-228-4805 2301 W. Big Beaver Rd. Suite 525 Troy, MI 48084
Chemical Bank, Mortgage Division
Lynn Wiand
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FACES
Jamie Hodari henever Jamie Hodari makes it back home to Bloomfield Township there’s one place he has to go to. “I miss Olga’s,” he laughed. “My first job was being a waiter there, and I always make sure to eat there whenever I go back.” Hodari has had a handful of jobs since then, including his most recent, CEO of Industrious, a company he co-founded with Justin Stewart. Stewart runs the company’s real estate team and was Hodari’s next door neighbor growing up. Hodari attended Cranbrook Kingswood and Stewart went to Andover. Founded in 2013, Industrious is redefining what a co-working space is. The company has office locations from New York City to Seattle, and Chicago to Tampa. Everyone from freelancers to Fortune 500 companies can rent out private offices, paid on a monthly or yearly basis. “A lot of times bigger companies will have their own private offices, their own private conference rooms, but then they share a bunch of other amenities with all of the other companies in the space,” Hodari said. “There might be a bar and coffee lounge that everyone shares, relaxation rooms, etc.” When the idea for Industrious started, Hodari and Stewart were both working out of shared office spaces for their respective companies, but they kept pointing out the need for these spaces to be more elegant, more professional. They both felt they couldn’t hold high-stakes meetings there. They weren’t excited or proud to go work at them. Eventually, they figured if they wanted this so badly, there were probably others like them. “So we said, let’s just do this. Let’s put our money where our mouth is and let’s build the products that we would love to walk into work every day using and hopefully, other people are going to feel the same way,” Hodari said. People did, and they came in droves.
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The first office space launched in Chicago, where Hodari said they have 650 applicants for the 60 offices. Now, the company has around 40 locations, with plans to have closer to 60 by the end of the year. Eventually, they would like to go international and have product expansion. But first, they want to bring an office location to their home state, ideally within the next year. “We’re dying to finally get into Detroit or the metro Detroit area,” Hodari said. When asked if either of them imagined this sort of success, Hodari said no. He thinks they got a little lucky. “We woke up one day, and what was initially a niche product for smaller businesses and freelancers is now becoming the de-facto solution for pretty much every American business outside of their headquarters,” he said. But why do people keep wanting to be a part of Industrious? Why use this co-working space? That answer has two parts. One, they are experts at what drives happiness, engagement, and productivity in the workplace. Hodari said they have access to a lot of data about what makes people productive at work. The second part is that the average worker really shouldn’t be sitting at a desk for eight to nine hours a day. When people share an office space like at Industrious they get the opportunity to move around more during the day. They get to work in a place where the task matches the space it’s done in. As far as clients go, Industrious is for anyone. “I think anyone who cares deeply about having a great, engaging day at work is potentially going to love working at Industrious,” he said. Story: Dana Casadei
AUGUST 7 PRIMARY
VOTER
GUIDE SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF DOWNTOWN NEWSMAGAZINE
PRESENTED BY THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITY SPONSORS: ASTREINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CREATIVE JEWELERS BIRMINGHAM FOOTCARE SPECIALISTS ROBERTS RESTAURANT GROUP SHADES OPTICAL
OTE
August 7 in the 40th District Democratic Primary
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FOR MICHIGAN’S FUTURE “Our community deserves a State Representative who will bring honesty, energy, and fresh ideas to the Michigan Legislature. I will work harder than anyone to make sure our government works for all of us, and to be your voice in Lansing.”
Mari Manoogian Democrat for State Representative, Michigan’s 40th District info@mariformi.com | 248-838-9550
Meet Mari
Endorsed By:
Lifelong Birmingham resident and proud product of Birmingham Public Schools Foreign policy professional with career experience at the U.S. Department of State & International Olympic Committee Michigan AFL-CIO
ƺǕƏȇ ǝƺȸ ƬƏȸƺƺȸ ǣȇ Ɏǝƺ áƏɀǝǣȇǕɎȒȇً (! ȒǔˡƬƺ Ȓǔ Congressman John Dingell (D-MI) Worked for U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power at the United Nations Earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s from the George Washington University
• • • • • • • •
AFSCME Council 25
Police Officers Association of Michigan
Michigan State Utility Workers Council Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers, Local 2 Detroit Plumbers Local 98 Utility Workers Union of America, Local 223 Sheet Metal Workers, Local 80 Iron Workers, Local 25 Communications Workers of America, Local 4123
• • • • • • • •
Former Mayor Michigan of Birmingham, Professional Firefighters Union Scott Moore
State Rep. Darrin Q. Camilleri (D) State Rep. Abdullah Hammoud (D) Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights Unite Here! Local 24 Rachel’s Action Network Launch Progress PAC Run For Something PAC Michigan Federation of College Democrats
Education for the 21st Century
Infastructure That’s Built to Last
Caring for Our Seniors
Protecting Our Environment
Demand transparency from charter school operators to protect our public education
Fix our roads across the district by ˡȇƏǼǼɵ ˡǼǼǣȇǕ ȵȒɎǝȒǼƺɀ ƏȇƳ ȅƏǸǣȇǕ repairs to county and local roads
Stand up against cuts to pensions, Medicare, and Medicaid
Make corporations pay their fair share when they take our state’s water resources
Increase funding for our state’s world-renowned public universities to expand higher-ed opportunities to all Michiganders
¨ɖɎ xǣƬǝǣǕƏȇ ƫɖɀǣȇƺɀɀƺɀ ˡȸɀɎ ƫɵ giving them priority on contract bids, so as we build our state up, we build our economy too
Repeal the pharmacist “gag rule” preventing Michiganders from accessing cheaper, generic medication
Ensure the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is staffed by public servants, not corporate polluters
for more information, visit
MARI forMI.COM
PAID FOR BY FRIENDS OF MARI MANOOGIAN | P.O. Box 1234, Birmingham MI, 48012
VOTER GUIDE 08.18
Inside this August primary election Voter Guide readers will find candidatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; answers to questions Downtown newsmagazine raised with those who have opposition in the August 7 election. A primary election is designed to let voters determine which candidate in either the Republican or Democratic party will advance to the general election that will be held this November. As a result, voters must decide in which party they will vote in a primary. Represented in the following pages are candidates who have opposition in the August 7 election. Not all offices had more than one candidate file for a specific post, so candidates without opposition automatically advance to the November ballot and they were not asked to respond to the questionnaire sent out by Downtown newsmagazine. In the relatively large field vying for offices in the August primary, there were a couple of candidates who did not respond to our request so they are not represented in the following pages.
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9th District U.S. House/Democrats
7
11th District U.S. House/Democrats
Bloomfield Township, along with Franklin, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Royal Oak, Ferndale, and parts of Macomb County, including Eastpointe, Mount Clemens, St. Clair Shores, Roseville and Clinton Township.
Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, southwest Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, west Oakland lakes area and south Oakland County, along with parts of western Wayne County, including Plymouth, Livonia and Canton.
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11th District U.S. House/Republicans
14
12th District Michigan Senate/Republicans
17
40th District Michigan House/Democrats
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40th District Michigan House/Republicans
Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, southwest Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, west Oakland lakes area and south Oakland County, along with parts of western Wayne County, including Plymouth, Livonia and Canton.
Bloomfield Township, Franklin, Beverly Hills, Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Oakland Township, along with Orion, Independence and Oxford townships.
Birmingham Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, along with part of West Bloomfield.
Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, along with part of West Bloomfield.
august 7 primary voter guide Bloomfield Township
BUDGET/NATIONAL DEBT
Brook, a Bloomfield Township resident, attended Michigan State University and received his law degree from University of Michigan. He served on the Bloomfield Hills school board from 2005-2011. ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS When President Trump came to office, he began to roll back a number of environmental regulations enacted by the past administration and reversed a number of decisions dating back to the Clinton administration that were designed to promote a cleaner environment. Do you support the administration’s efforts to minimize environmental regulations?
My campaign focuses on education, the economy, and the environment. We must be better stewards of our planet so that our children and our children’s children have an opportunity to thrive. Commercial interests must pay the full cost of using public resources, such as air and water, rather than forcing future generations to shoulder the expense of depleted resources and remediation. The fact that our public resources are given away for nearly nothing means that the true cost of excessive resource extraction, toxic emissions, and water pollution are simply shifted to future generations. The Trump administration is short-sighted and irresponsible. Eliminating environmental protections is a travesty for our children. TAX CUTS Do you support the tax cuts enacted by Congress at the urging of the Trump administration? Explain your position.
Our tax policy must be more progressive and must raise sufficient funds so that our government is properly equipped to serve its citizens. At the same time, like all organizations, government must operate efficiently and effectively. Therefore, when and where appropriate, we should cut what is unnecessary and reform pieces of government that no longer achieve relevant policy goals. Importantly, Congress made sacred 4B
In the most recent budget adopted by Congress, and in tax legislation approved by both the House and Senate, the national debt has continued to skyrocket. There has been talk of Congress now attempting to reduce the deficit by cutting back on programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Do you support trimming these programs to reduce the budget? Are there other areas of the budget that should be targeted to bring the budget back under control and over time reduce the national debt?
I wholly and completely reject and will fight against the decades-long tactic of starving the federal government into incompetence and irrelevance. Instead, taxes should be set at a level necessary to currently fund the public services and civil society that we hold dear. Deficit spending should be undertaken to fund national emergencies and to invest in our future through infrastructure, environmental protection and education. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are vital lifelines that many Americans count on and it would be a severe breach of public trust to rescind those promises now or ever. Fixing these programs so they are sustainable in the long-term requires very little policy change, just a Congress willing to do it. NATIONAL HEALTH CARE Despite attempts by the current administration and Republican members of Congress, a substantial number of persons continue to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, sometimes referred to as Obamacare. What is your position on the current Affordable Care Act and the issue of a national health care plan in general?
America’s healthcare system is broken for all involved – people, providers, and employers alike. Based upon benchmarking with the rest of the world, our system of employer-driven healthcare does not deliver the best care to Americans and it costs too much money. Plus, the current system leaves most families just one accident, illness, or injury away from total financial disaster, even with insurance. It isn’t right that healthcare is only available if you can afford it. I would work to reform our system based upon my belief that high-quality healthcare is a
human right. One system that deserves attention is single payer. DACA/IMMIGRATION POLICY President Trump has eliminated the policy governing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) that granted deportation relief for immigrants who came here as children (under the age of 16), which was created in 2012 by the Obama administration. Do you support continuation of the DACA program? Should Congress move to find a common ground that will provide a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants?
My opinion on this issue is based upon two ideas. First, that immigrants are a blessing not a threat and second, that public policy should be based upon empathy not fear. Therefore, I support DACA. I also believe that the Dreamers should be allowed to stay here with proper work authorization while Congress works on a comprehensive immigration solution. I will support a solution that includes enforcement but also provides greater opportunities for legal immigration that is based upon both family-based immigration and merit-based immigration. I will oppose the Trump wall at every turn.
Bloomfield Twp.
Troy
Bloomfield Hills
Birmingham Franklin
Bingham Farms
MARTIN BROOK
promises that cannot be broken under any circumstance: Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid must be properly funded, not reformed out of existence. In conclusion, I do not agree with the Trump tax cuts because tax cuts are not the solution to every problem.
Sylvan
U.S. HOUSE 9TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT
Beverly Hills
City of Southfield
Southfield Twp. Lathrup Village
Clawson
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Royal Oak
Berkley
Madison Hgts
Huntington Woods
Oak Park
Pleasant Ridge
Ferndale
Hazel Park
Royal Oak
Bloomfield Township, along with Franklin, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Royal Oak, Ferndale, and parts of Macomb County, including Eastpointe, Mount Clemens, St. Clair Shores, Roseville and Clinton Township.
Yes, the President should consult with Congress before sending forces into foreign countries. The post 9/11 authorization has become a greenlight for a never-ending war. Congress must revisit this authorization and exercise its constitutional duties. But, I do not agree that the President must seek a declaration of war anytime the military is sent into a foreign country. TRADE AGREEMENTS/TARIFFS
GUN CONTROL What is your position on the need for added gun control legislation? Which, if any, of the following gun control measures could you support: Requiring expanded background checks? Background checks at gun shows? Banning bump stocks? Raising the age on the purchase of weapons? Banning military style weapons?
Every right in the constitution is regulated and so should this one. I strongly support new legislation restricting access to weapons of war and limiting the ability to amass a personal armory. I also recognize that guns are used for sport, protection, and as tools in rural areas. Citizens do and should have a protected right for those uses. We must set aside the inflammatory rhetoric on both sides and come together as a country to work to solve the mass shootings occurring in our schools and in our communities. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. We need real solutions before another school student dies. Specifically, increase training/licensing requirements, implement smart technologies, and reverse the ban on federal research into guns and gun safety. We need to increase student support networks that previously existed in our schools through counselors, social workers, and school psychologists. AUTHORIZING MILITARY ACTIONS: Should this or any President be required to consult with Congress before sending our military forces into foreign countries?
VOTER GUIDE/DOWNTOWN
The current administration has expressed its desire to withdraw from many of the international trade agreements entered into by past administrations. The President has also authorized import tariffs in recent months. Do you agree with the President on the trade agreements? What will the impact be of the import tariffs?
Some countries have barriers to free trade and there is a process to deal with that fact. We should aggressively utilize those processes, not unilaterally implement tariffs. As far as trade agreements, we must always negotiate trade agreements that are beneficial to people (not just companies) and enter into agreements that expand American values concerning employment rights, human rights, the environment, capitalism, and democracy. We should couple these efforts with robustly funded trade adjustment programs. Unfortunately, starting with NAFTA we have not always done these things. It is important to recognize that trade agreements are as much about expanding American power and values as they are about trade. If we walk away from these agreements, America is the short and long-term loser of commerce, influence, power, and security. WHY YOU Why should a voter choose you over an opponent on the primary ballot?
Members of Congress have four things on their job description: advocate, legislate, government oversight, and AUGUST 2018 PRIMARY
august 7 primary voter guide
constituent services. Hire me to be your congressman because my work experience, public service, and opposition to PAC money set me apart from my opponents. I have been practicing labor/employment law for 22 years. I am experienced at advocating on behalf of my clients – and can do the same for my constituents. I was elected to the BHS board and served as its president. We oversaw the district in an effective, open, and transparent manner. I have legislated without ever being elected to Lansing – I wrote, negotiated, and testified in support of two bills that became law with massive bipartisan support. Congress needs new people from outside the political system who are unafraid to disrupt big-money politics practiced by both parties and are willing to stand up to the status quo practices that keep Congress from fulfilling its promise.
ANDY LEVIN
facilitated almost $13 million in clean energy projects, creating well-paying jobs, making our businesses more efficient and competitive, and reducing our carbon footprint. I know from experience that we can speed the deployment of electric vehicles, solar, wind, biomass, and other clean energy along with advanced batteries to store the new energy we create. In Congress, I will help make our state a leader in clean energy technology, which will create reliable, good-paying jobs, protect the environment and keep communities safe from pollutants. TAX CUTS No, I do not. The GOP tax plan gave corporations and the wealthiest Americans a huge, permanent windfall while working families got tiny cuts that expire after several years. This plan was not a reform; it was a shakedown. How unfair was it? The richest one percent of Americans will reap 83 percent of the benefit. Especially given that the distribution of income and wealth in this country is already the most unfair it’s been in a century, that’s a moral obscenity. Let’s implement a fair tax system where corporations and the wealthy pay their share to fix our roads, protect Social Security and Medicare, and provide quality education for every child. BUDGET/NATIONAL DEBT
Levin lives in Bloomfield Township, attended University of Michigan and received his law degree from Harvard. He was the acting director for the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Growth, and Chief Workforce Officer for the state of Michigan. He currently runs an energy company. ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
We have a moral obligation to protect and preserve our land, air and water, starting with our Great Lakes. We have to tackle overtaxed and outdated sewer systems that threaten waterways like the Clinton River and add pollutants to Lake St. Clair. Indeed, we need to protect our water not just in the wilderness, but also in Flint and every other city. Above all, we must address climate change with tremendous urgency. Saving our planet and our people from global warming is a moral imperative, but it’s also an economic opportunity. I created Lean & Green Michigan to help businesses and nonprofits retrofit their buildings for energy efficiency, water efficiency and renewable energy like solar. We have AUGUST 2018 PRIMARY
No, we should not cut Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid in order to balance the budget. These programs are the safety net for the middle class, and we must not only protect them but improve and expand them. The Trump tax giveaway adds $1 trillion to the national debt, so start by repealing that. Then let’s cut back on the massive $700 billion increase in defense spending approved in the omnibus budget Congress approved in March. We need to maintain a strong defense that maintains our military superiority over other countries, but we can trim military spending further without calling that into question. We should emphasize diplomacy and multilateralism rather than acting as the world’s policeman. And we need to turn back to nuclear disarmament, reducing our stockpiles along with those of Russia, China and others, further decreasing spending that way. NATIONAL HEALTH CARE Health care is a basic human right. Period. Having access to quality health care and affordable prescription drugs shouldn’t be contingent upon your zip code. As a cancer survivor and the father of two sons who live with Crohn’s disease, I understand the physical,
emotional, and financial toll of chronic illness and why it is so important that we pass Medicare for All and address the astronomical costs of prescription drugs. If elected, I will fight any efforts by the Trump administration to deprive Michigan families of medical care, I will work to fix problems with the ACA, and I will work to ensure access to health care for every American. DACA/IMMIGRATION POLICY Yes, I support continuation of the DACA program. Trump should never have ended the program, and his legal reasoning has been rejected by the courts. Ending DACA would represent a humanitarian and economic disaster for our state. Michigan stands to lose $13 million in local and state taxes and $400 million in economic activity each year if our Dreamers are deported. We must provide these bright young people with a path to citizenship. I also support broader immigration reform. I’ve been active on this issue for decades, ever since I co-founded a group called Immigration Reform, Advocacy, Training and Education after the Immigration Reform and Control Act was passed in 1986. There are approximately 11 million undocumented people in this country. The vast majority of them are working, contributing to the economy, living peacefully, and doing nothing more than my own ancestors did – seeking a better life in America. The 9th District is full of such families. We need a reasonable system where people who have spent “x” number of years living, working and paying taxes here can become citizens of this country over time. Ripping families with clean records apart simply because they came to the U.S. illegally or overstayed a visa many years ago is immoral and counterproductive. With birth rates dropping, we need immigrants to help revitalize our cities and inner suburbs and fill out our workforce, which otherwise will face critical shortages in the years ahead. GUN CONTROL As the father of four kids educated in public schools, the bottom drops out of my stomach every time one of these tragedies strikes. As a person of faith, I’m sick of hearing the “thoughts and prayers” coming from the very people who are supposed to take action. Congress does nothing because the Republican party is beholden to the NRA. We need universal background checks, gun violence restraining orders, a new assault weapons ban, a bump stock ban, and more. It will likely take a movement like those for civil rights, women’s rights and the environment to tackle the epidemic of gun violence. We have to build this movement, and young people are leading the way. I will not accept money from the NRA. I will fight
VOTER GUIDE/DOWNTOWN
for sensible gun policies, which is why I’ve received the Gun Sense Candidate distinction from Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. AUTHORIZING MILITARY ACTIONS Absolutely, the President should be required to consult with Congress before sending our military forces into foreign countries. But that isn’t enough. We need to elect people to Congress who will work to shift our foreign policy, which is stuck in the imperialist mindset. I organized demonstrations against the Iraq War, and would have voted against it had I been in Congress at the time. It’s been a huge disaster and created a mess that spawned ISIS. Jimmy Carter’s saber rattling response to the Russian invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 helped give us Osama bin Laden – we literally funded his group back then. I believe we should shift our efforts towards peace, diplomacy, cultural exchange, and providing significant aid to developing countries (which costs a small fraction of military intervention) and try to prevent and solve some of these problems instead of taking sides by arming various parties. TRADE AGREEMENTS/TARIFFS With Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs (like everything else), he acts or tweets without thinking or listening. But politicians are just as wrong when they overlook American workers’ justifiable frustration over the series of bad trade deals and economic policies pursued by China and others that led to Trump’s tariff action. We need a fighter in Congress who will stand up for trade policies that protect workers’ rights and end the race to the economic bottom for workers around the world. It’s time for a new trade regime aimed not at freeing capital to move all the work where wages are lowest, worker safety regulations are the weakest and environmental protections lacking, but rather at raising the standard of living for workers in all countries involved and protecting our one, precious planet everywhere. We need to crack down on dumping, currency manipulation, theft of intellectual property and other violations by China and any others who do the same. Let’s change our tax policies to incentivize creating good jobs at home, and increase job training and apprenticeships. WHY YOU I created and ran Union Summer for the national AFL-CIO, putting over 1,000 young people on union organizing and bargaining campaigns across the country, garnering national press coverage. I helped hundreds of nursing home workers organize for a better life in the 1980s. I created and ran No Worker Left Behind, which helped 5B
august 7 primary voter guide
162,000 Michigan workers attend community colleges, universities and other approved training programs for free during the Great Recession. I founded and currently run Lean & Green Michigan, which is putting people to work, reducing our carbon footprint and making our businesses more competitive by helping companies and non-profits finance energy efficiency, water efficiency and renewable energy improvements. I’m the only candidate in my race with significant state government, federal government and private sector experience, but also decades of hell-raising experience to demand justice for working people in this country. I’m ready to go to Washington and help lead a new movement to restore the American middle class. I’m somebody who likes to work with everyone to solve people’s problems. I got Democrats and Republicans in Lansing to come together to appropriate funds for No Worker Left Behind, and my current Lean & Green Michigan program has been adopted by very “red” counties, very “blue” counties, and everything in between. But the bottom line is that I’m a local kid who has devoted my life to fighting for people over profits. I was born and raised in this district. I’m a product of Berkley public schools and all four of our kids are graduates of or still attending public schools in the 9th District. We’re putting them through college. I know what it’s like to try to raise a family in this era when the middle class is under attack every single day. If you send me to Washington, I will not be a backbencher, but a leader in the fight for broadly shared prosperity that used to define this country, and must once again.
ELLEN LIPTON
Lipton, a Huntington Woods resident, attended Williams College and Harvard Law School. She was state Representative for the 27th District from 2009-2015.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS As a scientist, I find it offensive that we have a climate denier in the White House. Environmental protection regulations are critical for ensuring our 6B
children inherit a healthy planet, and I strongly oppose their elimination or minimization. I oppose every example listed above, and would add that I am appalled at the Trump administration’s downsizing of our national monuments and their defunding of research aimed at studying climate change and the health effects of coal mining, to name a few other examples of their attacks on science and the environment. In Congress, I would support the Clean Power Plan, and I would fight to end subsidies for fossil fuel production and to transition our economy to 100 percent dependence on clean, renewable energy by 2050. As a state Representative, I was named an Environmental Champion by the Sierra Club and a Clean Water Action Hero by Clean Water Action. TAX CUTS No, I do not support the Trump tax cuts. Trump and Congressional Republicans promised their plan would spur business investment, create jobs and let most Americans take home more money in their paychecks – but instead, we’ve seen sparse business investment, huge corporate share buybacks and fat bonuses for executives, while the majority of Americans say they haven’t seen a paycheck boost at all. For a tax code that will benefit working people and the middle class, we need to raise taxes on the nation’s wealthiest one percent and consider a broader array of options on taxing investments such as a tax on high-frequency trading. We need to expand the estate tax, and vigorously prosecute individuals and companies that avoid their civic duty to pay tax by hiding their money in offshore bank accounts and engaging in elaborate shell company schemes.
better spent on education, infrastructure, healthcare, and other domestic programs. NATIONAL HEALTH CARE As a survivor of MS, I have been incredibly lucky to be able to afford treatment that allows me to live a healthy life. But no American should have to depend on luck – healthcare should be a right. I support universal healthcare. While I strongly oppose efforts to undermine the ACA, I do not believe it is a viable long-term solution to America’s healthcare woes. It is too complex, too costly for too many Americans and too susceptible to undermining. We need a Medicare for All system that will be accessible to everyone, provide comprehensive coverage, and remove the profit incentive. To transition to this system, I would support a federal jobs program that would help transition or retrain potentially displaced workers, and I would support the new system being phased in over a reasonable length of time. Medicare for All will ensure that Americans spend less on healthcare overall while receiving better treatment. DACA/IMMIGRATION POLICY I strongly support protecting our Dreamers and believe they should be given an immediate path to citizenship. I also believe it is incredibly important that Congress works together towards comprehensive immigration reform, and I would support a plan that would provide a path to citizenship for all undocumented people in this country (with an exception for those with criminal convictions). Undocumented people contribute to our society, pay taxes, work hard, and should be allowed to take advantage of the American dream.
BUDGET/NATIONAL DEBT
GUN CONTROL
I vigorously oppose cutting social Security, Medicare or Medicaid. I support the expansion of Social Security and Medicaid and support Medicare for All. We cannot balance the budget on the backs of millions of hardworking Americans – it is both morally wrong and economically short-sighted, as investment in these programs will create a healthier society and stronger economy in the long run. To bring the budget under control, we need to take a hard look at our defense spending. We must absolutely invest every resource in making sure our service men and women and veterans are sufficiently well taken care of and provided for, but we cannot ignore the vast billions that are misappropriated for defense spending that do nothing to make our country safer. We’ve been at war in Afghanistan for nearly 20 years, spending by some estimates over $200 million per day. That money would be
As a mom, I am outraged at the level of gun violence our children are subjected to, and I am strong proponent for common sense gun reform. I am proud to have received the Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate Distinction, and I would support requiring expanded background checks as well as background checks at gun shows, raising the age on the purchase of weapons to at least 21, banning military style weapons and bump stocks, and ensuring that people with a history of domestic violence, violent mental illness or a propensity for self harm are unable to purchase guns.
American lives and dollars. Decisions about where to deploy our military forces should be debated and ultimately decided by representatives of the American people. TRADE AGREEMENTS/TARIFFS I agree with the President that NAFTA has been bad for the American worker, and I would not have supported the TPP, because I believe it would have heavily favored large, multinational corporations over the interests of workers and did not include sufficient environmental protections. However, I do not think it wise to withdraw from NAFTA without a viable replacement, and I would not trust the Trump administration to make such a deal. Tariffs can occasionally be a useful tool to protect American industries, but in the case of Trump’s import tariffs, I do not believe they have been rolled out or targeted in an effective way. Fears of sparking a trade war are not unfounded, and it is possible that they will have a negative impact on jobs and raise prices. WHY YOU I didn’t take a traditional path to politics – I began my career as a biochemist and patent attorney. My life began to change when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and I first became politically active as a citizen advocate for the repeal of Michigan’s ban on stem cell research. That experience inspired me to run for office, and in 2008, I was elected to my first of three terms as a state Representative. As the only candidate in this race with legislative experience, I have the track record to prove I can fight for Michigan families. In Lansing, I stopped the dangerous Betsy DeVos school privatization agenda, cofounded the Progressive Women’s Caucus to elect pro-choice women, spearheaded criminal justice reform, and was endorsed and awarded by a broad range of organizations for my leadership. In Washington, I won’t just be a reliable vote – I’ll be a legislative leader for Michigan.
AUTHORIZING MILITARY ACTIONS Yes. Time and time again we’ve been dragged into wars that have done little to nothing to improve our national security and have cost countless
VOTER GUIDE/DOWNTOWN
AUGUST 2018 PRIMARY
august 7 primary voter guide Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester Hills
U.S. HOUSE 11TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT
BUDGET/NATIONAL DEBT
Greimel, of Auburn Hills, attended undergrad and law school at the University of Michigan. He served on the Rochester School Board from 2001-2008; Oakland County Board of Commissioners from 2007-2012; and has been a state Representative for the 29th District since 2012.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS When President Trump came to office, he began to roll back a number of environmental regulations enacted by the past administration and reversed a number of decisions dating back to the Clinton administration that were designed to promote a cleaner environment. Do you support the administration’s efforts to minimize environmental regulations? No. Protecting Michigan’s environment is essential in order to protect thousands of jobs in tourism, shipping, and agriculture. It also means protecting the quality of life for our families. Gutting environmental standards and ignoring the science of climate change not only damages our environment, but also sets back Michigan businesses in the green technology market. It is not true that less environmental protection means more business, as Trump seems to believe. That’s why in the Michigan House of Representatives, I successfully championed an increase in our state’s renewable energy and energy efficiency standards. The right protections can boost our economy and keep our water, earth, and air safe and clean for generations. TAX CUTS Do you support the tax cuts enacted by Congress at the urging of the Trump administration? Explain your position. While some of the changes to the tax code do benefit middle class and AUGUST 2018 PRIMARY
In the most recent budget adopted by Congress, and in tax legislation approved by both the House and Senate, the national debt has continued to skyrocket. There has been talk of Congress now attempting to reduce the deficit by cutting back on programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Do you support trimming these programs to reduce the budget? Are there other areas of the budget that should be targeted to bring the budget back under control and over time reduce the national debt? The national debt hampers economic growth and unfairly burdens future generations, but the budget must never be balanced on the backs of retirees. That Republican style of slash-and-burn deficit reduction is unjust and unnecessary. Americans earn Social Security by working and paying into the system, and Medicare and Medicaid are effective programs for keeping Americans insured and healthy. The current proposals to cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid would be unnecessary without the portions of Trump’s tax plan that lavish tax giveaways on corporations and billionaires. Moreover, the government could save billions of dollars in Medicare by negotiating bulk pricing for prescription drugs. Unfortunately, Medicare is prohibited from negotiating drug prices under a statutory provision backed by big pharma. I support repealing that provision so that the government can negotiate fair prices and save money for both taxpayers and seniors. NATIONAL HEALTH CARE Despite attempts by the current administration and Republican members of Congress, a substantial number of persons continue to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, sometimes referred to as Obamacare. What is your position on the current Affordable Care Act and the issue of a
national health care plan in general? As the Democratic Leader in the Michigan House of Representatives, I successfully fought to expand Medicaid coverage to 650,000 Michiganders with the Healthy Michigan Plan. We must maintain the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of Medicaid and its protections for those with pre-existing conditions. At the same time, we need to fix the problems with the ACA. In the short term, that means bolstering the healthcare exchanges in order to lower premiums. In the longer term, it means building on our successful Medicare system by allowing every American, regardless of age, to buy into Medicare.
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working families, the bulk of the Trump tax law benefits large corporations and the wealthiest Americans to the detriment of fiscal responsibility. The Trump tax law’s lavish giveaways to corporations and wealthy individuals are permanent while the benefits for working and middle class families sunset after a few years. The plan is not paid for and will add $1.5 trillion to the national debt over the next ten years, burdening future generations and making it harder to make needed investments in infrastructure and education.
Beverly Hills
Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, southwest Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, west Oakland lakes area and south Oakland County, along with parts of western Wayne County, including Plymouth, Livonia and Canton.
DACA/IMMIGRATION POLICY
AUTHORIZING MILITARY ACTIONS
President Trump has eliminated the policy governing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) that granted deportation relief for immigrants who came here as children (under the age of 16), which was created in 2012 by the Obama administration. Do you support continuation of the DACA program? Should Congress move to find a common ground that will provide a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants?
Should this or any President be required to consult with Congress before sending our military forces into foreign countries?
Those who are eligible for DACA must be allowed to continue living in the U.S. and should be given a pathway to citizenship. More broadly, we need immigration reform that strengthens our nation’s tradition of legal immigration, while investing in additional border security. GUN CONTROL What is your position on the need for added gun control legislation? Which, if any, of the following gun control measures could you support: Requiring expanded background checks? Background checks at gun shows? Banning bump stocks? Raising the age on the purchase of weapons? Banning military style weapons? In the Michigan legislature, I have taken the lead in opposing reckless proposals to allow people to carry concealed firearms in schools and to carry concealed firearms without even obtaining a permit or receiving any training. Nobody outside of the military or law enforcement needs a militarystyle assault weapon, and I will fight for long overdue common sense reforms, like reasonable age restrictions, a ban on bump stocks, universal background checks, and red-flag legislation to prevent dangerous individuals from obtaining firearms.
VOTER GUIDE/DOWNTOWN
Congress alone has the Constitutional authority to declare war, but Republicans and Democrats alike have put too much trust in the Presidency to do the right thing and act without congressional approval. In Congress, I will work to forge a bipartisan consensus around the use of military force. TRADE AGREEMENTS/TARIFFS The current administration has expressed its desire to withdraw from many of the international trade agreements entered into by past administrations. The President has also authorized import tariffs in recent months. Do you agree with the President on the trade agreements? What will the impact be of the import tariffs? Everyday people have no seat at the table of high-stakes trade negotiations, but huge corporations and billionaires always have their say. The result has been trade deals that have at times hurt small business owners and American workers. It is imperative for trade deals to include protections for labor and environmental standards. WHY YOU Why should a voter choose you over an opponent on the primary ballot? The people of the 11th District deserve to be represented by someone with a track record of winning tough legislative fights in order to advance progressive legislation that protects their values and economic wellbeing. I successfully fought book-banners when I was on the Rochester school board and passed a 7B
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bipartisan initiative on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners to enable small businesses to get access to loans at the depth of the Great Recession. As the House Democratic Leader, I successfully negotiated the Grand Bargain to lift Detroit out of bankruptcy, championed an increase to the minimum wage, and passed the expansion of Medicaid to provide health insurance for 650,000 previously uninsured Michiganders. I have a proven track record of delivering results, and I am ready to hit the ground running in Congress to pass progressive legislation that will give everyone a real shot at the American Dream.
class will bear the burden of increasing interest rates and loan costs. BUDGET/NATIONAL DEBT Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid programs provide vital services to millions of Americans, and they should not be punished because Republicans in Congress decided that pushing through tax cuts to benefit their wealthy, corporate friends is more important than ensuring we have a manageable national debt. To manage the debt, we should ensure that the wealthiest in this nation are paying their fair share of tax, not cut essential programs. NATIONAL HEALTH CARE
SUNEEL GUPTA
Every American has the right to affordable, quality healthcare. I will join the front lines in Congress in the battle to protect the gains we’ve made with the Affordable Care Act and the coverage it extends to millions of Americans, while working to reduce costs. We need to continue to protect the Children’s Health Insurance Program so no family will have to ever worry that lack of insurance will keep them from caring for their children. DACA/IMMIGRATION POLICY
Gupta grew up in Novi and currently lives in Birmingham. He attended University of Michigan Dearborn and Northwestern University, and has worked in the tech and health care industries.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS I do not support the Trump Administration efforts to eliminate environmental protections. We only have one world and we must do everything we can to protect it, not repeal essential laws put in place to do just that. We must come together as a country and world to fight climate change. If we continue to eliminate these laws, we will find that much sooner than anticipated, our world will become uninhabitable due to fully preventable causes. TAX CUTS I do not support the tax cuts as configured. The recent cuts are an effort by Republicans to benefit the wealthiest one percent and richest corporations rather than middle class Americans, and will ultimately result in an increase in taxes for most all Americans. Tax cuts like this have resulted in corporations like Nestle, Boeing, and GE paying zero dollars in federal taxes, while the middle 8B
America should continue to be a place of hope and opportunity, where you can work hard and make a better life for your family. That’s what my parents did. My mother spent the first 16 years or her life in a refugee camp, but she taught herself math and science and came to America. Here, she became Ford Motor Company’s first female engineer. That is why we must protect and provide a path to citizenship for Dreamers. Dreamers came to this country when they were children through no control of their own, and many of them have never known another home. They pay taxes and contribute to our country, and many of them serve in our military. It’s time we give them the stability and path to citizenship they have earned.
Constitution. Yet, we must be mindful that in this day and age conflicts often require military action before Congressional approval can be gained.
Affairs for the city of Detroit Mayor’s Office, 2015-2017.
TRADE AGREEMENTS/TARIFFS
In Congress, I pledge to serve as a vigilant steward of our natural resources: clean air, water, and soil; unspoiled public lands; and ecological diversity. The Trump deregulatory agenda, in service to powerful industries and corporate greed, is an urgent threat to public health. Here in Michigan, we’ve seen how this story ends: communities like Flint, blighted by water crisis; multinational corporations plundering our resources for pennies; and imminent threats of groundwater contamination and pipeline spills. I will hold Scott Pruitt to account for his destructive, unethical management of the EPA. I will be a tireless advocate for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), providing funding to strategically target the biggest threats to our Great Lakes ecosystem (including the longoverdue decommissioning of Line 5). And I will push for re-entry into the Paris Agreement, before our generation squanders its chance to mitigate the worst effects of climate change.
I’ll fight to renegotiate trade agreements so that they work for American workers. My parents came to this country in search of the American Dream. They built a life for themselves here working as engineers for Ford Motor Company for 30 years, until they were both laid off on the same day in 2001. My family, like countless others, has known opportunity, and we’ve known what it means to have the rug pulled out from underneath them because of unfair trade deals. We must stop companies from shipping good jobs overseas and bring back jobs to Michigan. I’ll stand up to any president and any congress who gives companies incentives to ship jobs to other countries. Instead, I want to reward companies that reinvest and actually create good jobs here at home. WHY YOU I’m the one candidate in this race with hands-on healthcare and job-creating experience. As an entrepreneur with a science background, I’m not a political insider and I’m not beholden to any corporate interests. I am fighting for a progressive agenda that will create lifelong educational opportunities, good jobs, a healthy environment, and promote affordable, quality health care for all. I am prepared to fight for safe workplaces, equal pay, and to end gun violence. Every day citizens need a champion, and I am ready to serve them.
FAYROUZ SAAD
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
TAX CUTS The Trump tax law is our broken politics in a nutshell: a short-term giveaway to wealthy donors, with the next generation footing the bill. It threatens to cripple a generation already struggling for a foothold in the middle class: the CBO forecasts it will add $1.9 trillion to our national debt over the next ten years. Our tax law reflects our priorities – and at a moment when our infrastructure is crumbling, when aid for public education is being cut, and when too many Americans can’t afford health insurance, our top priority cannot be ensuring the top one percent a still greater share of the nation’s wealth. When we’re offering a household with an estate of $22 million a tax cut that would have covered Pell grants for 1,100 working class students, we need leaders in Congress who will face every decision asking, “Is it good for the middle class?”
GUN CONTROL BUDGET/NATIONAL DEBT I believe that we can implement common sense gun violence prevention legislation while honoring the Second Amendment, including instituting red flags, banning assault weapons and bump stocks, giving greater funding to researching gun violence and mental health, and implementing universal background checks. AUTHORIZING MILITARY ACTIONS Our Constitution requires congressional approval before a declaration of war and every President must follow our
Saad, of Northville, graduated from the University of Michigan and received her masters in public administration from the Kennedy School at Harvard University. She was a presidential appointee at the Department of Homeland Security from 2009-2011, and director of Immigrant
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The tax and spending bills signed by President Trump are proof that the modern Republican Party is anything but fiscally conservative. Republicans in Congress will happily rack up mountains of debt if it advances their top priority: redistributing wealth to the top one percent. In Congress, I will defend programs providing a baseline of dignity and security for working and middle class Americans: Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. And I support the Social Security Expansion Act, introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders, AUGUST 2018 PRIMARY
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which would index benefits to more accurately reflect costs facing retirees. That said, I believe in careful oversight of taxpayer dollars, including our largest discretionary outlay: defense spending. The first-ever audit of the Pentagon is underway, but the administration’s 2019 budget calls for an $80 billion (11 percent) increase in military spending. We need an empowered Democratic majority in Congress to ensure this audit’s findings are made public, and implemented. NATIONAL HEALTH CARE I begin and end with the position that healthcare is a basic right for every American – period. The Affordable Care Act made healthcare affordable for millions, and took important steps toward reining in costs and setting standards of care. But medical debt remains the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States, and reliable, quality healthcare remains unaffordable for millions, including seniors, and hard-working moms and dads. I believe the fairest and most practical path to universal coverage is a Medicare for All system, to be phased in over four to five years. This would begin by expanding access to Medicare to those 55 and older and those 19 and younger, and continuing to lower the age of eligibility by 10 years for the next four years until everyone is covered. (During this four-year period, other adults not yet covered could buy into Medicare.) DACA/IMMIGRATION POLICY As the proud daughter of Lebanese immigrants, and Director of Immigrant Affairs under Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, I know in my bones that welcoming newcomers to America isn’t just true to our values: it’s also good business, and good politics. I’m proud of my record in Detroit. I know common ground on immigration is possible, because I’ve sat across from business, civic and religious leaders to find it. We worked together to revitalize Detroit’s neighborhood economies, by clearing paths to basic social services and developing immigrant-owned small businesses. And together, we set a national example at the height of the refugee crisis, resettling 110 refugee families. The administration’s hostility to immigrants – both documented and undocumented – is appalling. Immigrants are our family, friends, coworkers and neighbors. In Congress, I will make protecting Dreamers a top priority, and will lead the fight for comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship. GUN CONTROL Two of my close friends have had their AUGUST 2018 PRIMARY
lives shattered by gun violence. We’re facing a national epidemic – one that takes different forms in different communities – and we should be changing our laws, our culture and our technology in response. A rigorous, comprehensive national standard for background checks (closing gun show and online loopholes) is overwhelmingly supported by the public (including NRA members). I support raising the age for purchasing a rifle from 18 to 21, and expanding red flag laws that allow families and local law enforcement to prevent those who credibly threaten themselves or others from acquiring a weapon. This category should be expanded to include convicted stalkers and domestic abusers. I support banning bump stocks, and the reinstatement of a (strengthened) Federal Assault Weapons ban. And we should be actively funding the CDC to do research, and guaranteeing that its scientists won’t face repercussions for fact-based recommendations. AUTHORIZING MILITARY ACTIONS As a Congresswoman, my oath will be to uphold the Constitution. For decades, Congress has been abdicating its Constitutional duty to declare war and peace by failing to insist that new military commitments be debated and authorized. The 2001 AUMF (Authorization for Use of Military Force) passed by Congress three days after 9/11 has been subsequently invoked to justify military actions in 14 countries. Congress shouldn’t be writing blank checks to any executive – Republican or Democrat – that will be used to begin a war 17 years later. Some of the young men and women fighting and dying on our behalf were still in kindergarten when Congress “authorized” their mission. I take the fight against those who plot to harm Americans and our allies very seriously; with the rest of the people’s elected representatives, I’m ready to begin a new debate on the progress, scope, and strategic vision of that fight.
job losses and depressed wages in American manufacturing. I will never support any trade agreement that puts the American worker at a disadvantage, and will stand with organized labor to demand that agreements bring other nations’ labor and environmental standards up to ours, rather than engage in a race to the bottom. WHY YOU The stakes of this election are unbelievably high. Job security and a living wage. Quality healthcare as a right, not a privilege. And turning the tide on the Trump administration’s daily assault on our values, our communities, and the facts themselves. These fights are personal to me. And I’m the only candidate in this race with the local, state and national experience to take on the full breadth of challenges we face. The American Dream that I grew up with is at risk. Forty years ago, an optimistic vision of America inspired my parents to immigrate from Lebanon to southeastern Michigan. Here, they found an America that welcomed their desire to work hard and to build a thriving business. I’m running because, if we want to preserve that American Dream, we need a new generation of leadership fighting for it in Washington. And I’m ready to fight.
HALEY STEVENS
TAX CUTS After years and years of corporate executives buying seats in Congress, Donald Trump and Washington Republicans repaid the debt to their donors and then some with a massive tax giveaway to people who need it the least. They might call that bill a “tax cut;” I call it a massive return on investment for the wealthy donors who bought their members of Congress and expected something in return. I could never support that kind of approach to policymaking. We need to stop giving out millions and billions and – in this case – $1.5 trillion in tax breaks like they are party favors. Let’s target tax breaks for the middle class families who work hard and just want to get ahead. BUDGET/NATIONAL DEBT
TRADE AGREEMENTS/TARIFFS I’m deeply concerned that President Trump is leading us into a trade war with China – one that he and his administration are ill-equipped to win. Our communities are at the heart of the automotive industry. We know the human cost of an economic downturn that would affect the supply chain and demand for American-made cars. That said, as a congresswoman, my first and last question on every issue will be, “Is it good for the middle class?” and that includes trade agreements. Past agreements, combined with increasing automation, have been responsible for
need to start acting accordingly or we will not be able to compete with the rest of the world. I served as chief of staff on President Obama’s auto rescue. When our auto industry was in crisis we not only helped save GM and Chrysler, we did it while improving fuel efficiency standards and spurring American auto companies to build the cars of the future. We designed and implemented Cash for Clunkers, an incentive-based program that allowed consumers to trade in old, environmentally inefficient vehicles for 21st century models. I don’t buy the argument that we can have a clean environment or cars but we can’t have both; for over a decade Detroit’s automotive industry has shown the opposite.
Stevens currently lives in Rochester Hills after growing up in Birmingham. She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees at American University, and served as chief of staff of President Obama's Auto Rescue, and worked for the White House Office for Manufacturing Policy and Office of Recovery for Automotive Communities and Workers.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS Absolutely not. President Trump’s reckless rollback of environmental protection standards not only damages our environment but hurts our economy. Like it or not, climate change is real and we
VOTER GUIDE/DOWNTOWN
Social Security and Medicare are a promise we made to America’s working families – our guarantee that if you work hard and put your time in you will be able to retire with dignity. That means financial and health security without forcing your kids to pay for your ability to get by. That is why we need to strengthen Social Security and Medicare, not cut them. It is unfathomable that Donald Trump and Republicans in Washington think it is OK to hand out a $1.5 trillion tax giveaway while trying to balance our national debt on the backs of the people who need our help the most. That is true for Medicaid, too. I would never support a plan that cuts these critical benefits, and to strengthen them I would start by cutting Trump’s $1.5 trillion tax giveaway to the wealthy. NATIONAL HEALTH CARE The two biggest things President Obama accomplished were the Auto Rescue and Obamacare. I stepped up and served as chief of staff for the Auto Rescue when our economy was in crisis, and now that Donald Trump is creating a healthcare crisis I’m stepping up again and running 9B
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for Congress. I supported the Affordable Care Act and do not believe it is Congress’s job to remove people from their healthcare plans without alternatives. Let’s protect and improve Obamacare, not sabotage it. Let’s ensure that everyone has access to health coverage, that we tackle the costs of prescription drugs and bring forward a public option. It is time we focus first on how to meet Americans’ healthcare needs, then focus on how we get our healthcare companies to step up to the challenge. Profits should never be put before people.
FOR CONGRESS
DACA/IMMIGRATION POLICY
Conservative
Mike Kowall Mike Kowall was born and raised in Southeast Michigan. A carpenter and cabinet maker by trade, Mike rose from apprentice to become president of a family owned business, Accurate Woodworking, Inc.
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Elected to the State Senate in 2010, he is the Majority Floor Leader, and has been instrumental to turning the Michigan economy around. Today, we have the lowest unemployment rate in 18 years and more than 500,000 new jobs.
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Whether its tax reform or cutting red tape, Mike has led the way in turning Michigan around.
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Mike has worked with the U.S. Defense Department to provide service pins to nearly 10,000 Vietnam veterans throughout Michigan.
His strong support of our Armed Forces is a hallmark of his time in public service. >> MikeKowallforCongress.com
“Michigan’s economy was built on the auto industry. In Congress, I will continue to lead the way on autonomous vehicles and help build Southeast Michigan into a technological leader.”
- Mike Kowall 2018 Award for Conservative Achievement 2014 Legislator of the Year 2017 Legislator of the Year Paid for by Kowall for Congress, PO Box 7036, Novi 48376
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For generations, families have come to America seeking a better life for themselves, their children, and their grandchildren. We are a nation of immigrants, but sadly our immigration system today is broken. It can and must be fixed without tearing apart families who come here in pursuit of the American dream. I support the DACA program and our Dreamers because I do not believe Congress should be in the business of punishing children brought to this country through no choice of their own. Many of our Dreamers know no other country or home and serve our nation proudly. We must pass common sense legislation to fix DACA and our immigration system so that America will always be the city upon the hill we strive to be.
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GUN CONTROL
In Congress I will be the NRA’s worst nightmare. My commitment is that on day one of the 116th Congress, I will have issued a letter to every single one of my colleagues asking them to join me in passing gun safety legislation that will include universal background checks, reinstating the assault rifle ban from 1994, “no-fly-no buy” provisions, banning bump stocks, and raising the age in which individuals can purchase guns. I made this commitment on January 3, 2018, one year before I plan to follow through on it. Our country’s gun violence epidemic is not going away and Michiganders can count on me to continue being an outspoken advocate for gun violence prevention. It is time we elect bold and courageous leaders willing to take on tough challenges – I will be one of them.
Republican, an Independent, or a reality TV show host – he or she must consult with Congress before committing an act of war. TRADE AGREEMENTS/TARIFFS I oppose NAFTA and other free trade deals that hurt American workers, but, as with all things, Donald Trump’s approach creates massive dysfunction and inconsistency. While I agree we need to renegotiate trade agreements to make them more beneficial for workers, the President’s inconsistent approach to trade and import tariffs troubles me. WHY YOU In 2009, economists were singing Detroit’s swan song. The auto industry was in crisis. Analysts wanted to let Detroit go bankrupt. I disagreed: I believed then, as I do today, that Detroit hustles harder. So I went to Washington and hustled, serving as chief of staff for President Obama’s auto rescue that helped save more than 200,000 jobs. I’m running for Congress because I see a different kind of crisis today: Donald Trump’s reckless agenda is hurting us and raising healthcare costs. America’s working families can’t afford inaction – we need real leadership, and that’s what Michiganders can expect from me. I’m a Seaholm alum and proud product of this district. I got into this race when it didn’t seem easy but I outraised the incumbent and soon after he announced his retirement. I’ve delivered for Michigan before and voters should choose me because I’ll always deliver for Michigan in Congress.
AUTHORIZING MILITARY ACTIONS Going to war with a country is one of the most grave and serious decisions any President can make. It costs time and money and, most importantly, the lives of the most patriotic Americans – our service members. We cannot afford to make that decision lightly. It does not matter if our President is a Democrat, a
VOTER GUIDE/DOWNTOWN
AUGUST 2018 PRIMARY
august 7 primary voter guide Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester Hills
U.S. HOUSE 11TH DISTRICT/REPUBLICAN
BUDGET/NATIONAL DEBT
Bentivolio lives in Milford, served in both the Vietnam and Iraq wars, and was the Congressman for the 11th District from 2013-2015.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS When President Trump came to office, he began to roll back a number of environmental regulations enacted by the past administration and reversed a number of decisions dating back to the Clinton administration that were designed to promote a cleaner environment. Do you support the administration’s efforts to minimize environmental regulations? I grew up in the 60’s with rivers that caught fire and hazardous waste barrels discarded on vacant land leaching and polluting our environment. The biggest problem Michigan will soon face is outdated pipelines on the floor of the Great Lakes. In 1982, I constructed a “solar earth home” and voted Republican. Why do people believe Republicans don’t want clean air, water and land? In DC, the most difficult thing to find is the “truth.” When you do find it, it is more precious than gold. Balance is the key. Please read, “Ecological Imperialism” by Alfred Crosby. It is my guideline for dealing with environmental issues and finding balance between a safe environment and economic necessities. I want to go back to Washington to continue fighting for that delicate balance in protecting our environment. TAX CUTS Do you support the tax cuts enacted by Congress at the urging of the Trump administration? Explain your position. Yes, tax cuts are a good thing. It must be combined with specific cuts in wasteful spending and economic growth or it adds to the national debt our children and grandchildren must pay. As a member of the U.S. House I earned a 100 percent AUGUST 2018 PRIMARY
In the most recent budget adopted by Congress, and in tax legislation approved by both the House and Senate, the national debt has continued to skyrocket. There has been talk of Congress now attempting to reduce the deficit by cutting back on programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Do you support trimming these programs to reduce the budget? Are there other areas of the budget that should be targeted to bring the budget back under control and over time reduce the national debt? No, I will not support cuts in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. It is our money. We paid into it. I never voted to raise the debt ceiling, nor increase taxes in the 113 Congress. I supported intelligence cuts in wasteful spending. I want to go back to Washington to protect those promises made to our fathers and mothers and us. It is congressional responsibility to balance the budget. I sponsored a bill to reduce congressional pay each time Congress failed to pass a balanced budget. It is in the congressional record. NATIONAL HEALTH CARE Despite attempts by the current administration and Republican members of Congress, a substantial number of persons continue to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, sometimes referred to as Obamacare. What is your position on the current Affordable Care Act and the issue of a national health care plan in general? The federal government has little, if any, business in personal healthcare. The Supreme Court said it was a tax. The individual mandate is gone, and I believe it is unconstitutional now. Look at the VA. In 2015, more than 300,000 veterans died waiting for VA promised healthcare. VA healthcare is rationed and wait times are ridiculous. As a veteran, former congressman, I still hear the horror stories of VA healthcare failures. The VA healthcare system is a great example of federal government run healthcare. I do not support federal intervention in healthcare. It is primarily a state issue. Supporting interstate commerce, allowing insurance companies to cross state lines is another matter. I want to go back to Washington to fix it.
DACA/IMMIGRATION POLICY President Trump has eliminated the policy governing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) that granted deportation relief for immigrants who came here as children (under the age of 16), which was created in 2012 by the Obama administration. Do you support continuation of the DACA program? Should Congress move to find a common ground that will provide a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants? DACA is unconstitutional. People have waited in line years to come here legally. What part of illegal is not understood? How do we prove, or they prove, they came here as a child illegally? A path to become legal for DACA was submitted by Republicans and declined by the Democrat side of the aisle. In 2013, as a member of Congress, I said, “The real problem, like it or not, is that one side wants the votes and the other side wants the cheap labor. Little, if anything will be done.” Now, more than five years later, that statement continues to be true. GUN CONTROL What is your position on the need for added gun control legislation? Which, if any, of the following gun control measures could you support: Requiring expanded background checks? Background checks at gun shows? Banning bump stocks? Raising the age on the purchase of weapons? Banning military style weapons? It is clear by the question you do not understand the real problem nor appreciate the Second Amendment. Due process must be employed to remove that Second Amendment right. We should focus more on gangs who black market firearms of all sorts before we limit firearms owned by honest citizens. Chicago has the strictest gun laws and how is it working out there? We have a cultural problem. Our schools, our theaters, our concerts, our streets must be a safe place. “Gun free zones” are invitations for bad actors to do harm. We need to focus on keeping all guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill using “due process” while protecting our Second Amendment rights.
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rating for cutting wasteful spending from the Citizen’s Council Against Government Waste. I received the designation “Taxpayers’ Friend Award.” Facts don’t lie. I want to go back to continue cutting wasteful spending and protecting taxpayers. I have a proven and effective record in this arena.
Beverly Hills
Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, southwest Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, west Oakland lakes area and south Oakland County, along with parts of western Wayne County, including Plymouth, Livonia and Canton.
and approve such action(s). As the only member of congress who served in both Vietnam and Iraq, I protested the “limited air strike” on Syria when Obama’s red line was crossed. I voted, “no.” To convince me to support the pro invasion argument, to justify the action; “it is a limited air strike.” I responded, “Was Japan’s invasion of Pearl Harbor a limited air strike?” Any violent military incursion in a foreign country is an act of war and Congress must authorize it.
TRADE AGREEMENTS/TARIFFS The current administration has expressed its desire to withdraw from many of the international trade agreements entered into by past administrations. The President has also authorized import tariffs in recent months. Do you agree with the President on the trade agreements? What will the impact be of the import tariffs? Instead of tariffs, replace NAFTA and all other trade agreements with a single sentence: We will trade with any nation upon those terms it chooses to trade with us. Which simply means we will harmonize our trade policy to the facts at hand. As a member of Congress, I earned the highest award from the US Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Small Business for protecting American business. If re-elected, I will continue to fight for American business. I have a proven record accomplishment in that arena too.
AUTHORIZING MILITARY ACTIONS WHY YOU Should this or any President be required to consult with Congress before sending our military forces into foreign countries? Only a soldier and his/her family understand the true cost and value of liberty. To send anyone into harm’s way should never be taken lightly, and even then, it will be with much disinclination. Yes, Congress should always be consulted
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Why should a voter choose you over an opponent on the primary ballot? Experience matters representing all constituents. During the end of my service in the 113th Congress a US House historian said I was the “most effective and successful first term congressman in recent memory” (ref: Congressional Journal, Oct 2014); the failure rate of bills 11B
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submitted is 99.1 percent. I passed three pieces of legislation with 100 percent bipartisan support in my two years. I was rated second most transparent member of the House (GovTrack). I earned two awards for constituent services. National TaxPayer’s Union honored me with the “Taxpayers’ Friend Award,” NFIB “Guardian of Small Business” award. I am the most experienced candidate with a proven record of accomplishment in DC. I stand on my record of bi-partisanship and getting the job done. I have a record of factual dedicated service, placing citizens first in war and in Washington. I stand on my record of accomplishments. If the facts matter, if experience matters, I am the safest and best choice and can hit the ground running.
KLINT KESTO
Kesto, a West Bloomfield resident, graduated from University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School. He has been state Representative for the 39th District since 2013.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS It’s not a question of minimizing or maximizing, the issue is making sense of government regulations. Under Obama, too many regulations poured out of Washington knowing that they overreached federal law. Congress needs to write the laws better so that the bureaucracy can do less damage later. TAX CUTS I cut tax rates as a state Representative, and I’ll cut tax rates as a congressman. BUDGET/NATIONAL DEBT People who are able to work should do so; welfare in the form of food stamps and Medicaid should be for those who are unable to work. NATIONAL HEALTH CARE The current Affordable Care Act is 12B
unaffordable. They need to repeal it and go back to the drawing board and allow individuals to decide what healthcare plan they want. There certainly should be coverage for pre-existing conditions. I am a father, a husband, and my first wife passed away from cancer. I know it is important to have accessible health care, but the federal government should not be dictating to the people what they should buy.
the President wants to make a declaration of war, Congress should decide.
DACA/IMMIGRATION POLICY
WHY YOU
We cannot continue with the program as it is because it is an incentive for people to continue to break the law and cross our borders illegally. We need complete reform that includes having secure borders by building the wall and filling the tunnels. The Department of Homeland Security needs to be allowed extreme vetting of individuals who are coming into our country and be allowed to keep track of the status of those who have received visas. We also need to use technology more efficiently to ensure that the individuals we are allowing through our borders as residents are going to be productive members of society. One way would be to go back to the requirement that immigrants have a sponsor. This would create a safety net with family and friends which would be more effective. As for DACA and pathways to citizenship, these individuals came here not through their own choice; they were just children. Yet they still entered the country illegally. There should not be be a pathway to citizenship for these individuals, but rather a different, legal, permanent status.
One of my opponents is a four-time loser. Another is a two-time loser just out of bankruptcy court. Yet another is the only registered lobbyist running for Congress in this district. The last is a woman who failed to attend 83 percent of the meetings of a board she was appointed to, charged with protecting abused children. All of them would be defeated by the Pelosi Machine, and this part of Michigan would have a Democrat in Congress for the first time – ever. I can win, defeat the Pelosi Machine, and keep this seat for Republicans. I am the first Chaldean American elected to the Michigan House and will be the first Chaldean American elected to Congress. I have an appeal that reaches all religions, all people because I am there to serve them and not for personal gain.
TRADE AGREEMENTS/TARIFFS We need to put Americans first and America first. If these agreements are unfair and the leverage is all on the other side, they need to be renegotiated. We should negotiate from a position of power so that American workers can benefit.
MIKE KOWALL
AUTHORIZING MILITARY ACTIONS I would support what the Constitution currently requires – when there is immediate danger, the President should be allowed to act. The President should also have the ability to send troops for non-military purposes - for example, there are many humanitarian situations that need military assistance, such as flood and earthquake or starvation. When it is an immediate military threat, the President should be allowed to defend us. But when
Yes, I support lowering the tax burden for Americans. BUDGET/NATIONAL DEBT All spending needs to be examined, and depending on the program we should examine the entire budget because the amount of money we need for infrastructure and the military continue to increase. NATIONAL HEALTH CARE All programs need to be reviewed, looking at cost vs. return on investment. We continue to see programs that are not being used for what they were originally intended for. DACA/IMMIGRATION POLICY We need to find a better way to enforce our immigration policies, stopping those that try to come here illegally. For those who are already here, we need to find an enforceable avenue for citizenship; providing that they do not break the law and are contributing members to our society. We also need to place a greater emphasis on the source of the problem, which is coming to this country illegally in the first place. GUN CONTROL We already require background checks when purchasing guns, and military grade weapons are currently banned. You cannot walk into a store and buy a fully automatic weapon. Many of the restrictions that are being called for are already in place. We see time and time again, crimes being committed in gun free zones, because criminals are afraid to go into areas that have gun owning and law-abiding citizens.
GUN CONTROL If there are deficiencies in background checks, then they must be addressed. We should be diligent that the most violent of offenders such as felons and habitual domestic violence offenders do not have access to firearms. Michigan’s current law creates a restriction on the possession of firearms for these individuals for a period of time. We have to continue to look for ways to keep firearms out of the hands of violent offenders and how we handle mental health care. As the chair of the Michigan CARES Task force, I know first hand that we need to reform our mental health care system.
TAX CUTS
AUTHORIZING MILITARY ACTIONS No, the commander in chief needs to have the ability to command our army in times of need. TRADE AGREEMENTS/TARIFFS Kowall, of White Lake, was president of a family woodworking company until he became state Representative for the 44th District in 1998-2002, and then became White Lake Supervisor. In 2010, he was elected to the state Senate for the 15th District, where he is currently the Majority Floor Leader.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS I support the administration’s efforts in removing excessive restrictions that are over burdensome our small businesses and economy which make it harder to compete on a global scale.
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I agree with the President that free trade needs to equal fair trade. Currently there are many loopholes in our trade agreements and other countries are taking advantage of us. It is antiquated and we need to upgrade it. We do not want to eliminate fair trade as Michigan exports a lot of trade goods like soybeans to China, however, we need to ensure trade practices are fair for our country. WHY YOU Having grown up in southeast Michigan, this is where I call home. I care deeply about the community we live in and I have AUGUST 2018 PRIMARY
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been a small business owner and public servant my entire adult life. I have been a leader in pushing through meaningful and necessary legislation to create the most competitive environment possible for existing job providers to expand their operations and to attract new businesses and investment into our state. I also have a proven track record of common sense in governing. Legislatures in both the state of Michigan and federal government require someone to be able to look at issues in a common-sense fashion to apply new laws and regulations so that we are not creating winners and losers in legislation. I have a proven record of working with both Republicans and Democrats to pass legislation that is best for our state.
TAX CUTS I do support the Federal Tax Cut that was voted on in late 2017. I was disappointed in a few areas, and I would have fought for greater and permanent tax cuts, in correlation with cuts in federal spending. This tax cut program will positively affect over 93 percent of the citizens that live in our 11th Congressional District, therefore, I would have supported it if I were in the House of Representatives. We have seen incredible investment into our economy because of these tax cuts and I was very supportive of the effort to lower corporate tax rates, thus making our economy more attractive for business investment and repatriation of business profits that were held offshore. BUDGET/NATIONAL DEBT
ROCKY RACZKOWSKI
Raczkowski, a Troy business owner, graduated from Eastern Michigan University and received his law degree from Michigan State University. A retired Army Reserves officer, he represented Farmington and Farmington Hills, the 37th District, in the state House, from 1997-2003. ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS I support some rollbacks and do not support others. For example, many automotive companies would have not been able to meet the emissions standard by 2025. This would have impacted our metro Detroit economy adversely. Therefore, I do support the easing of these federal regulations. On the other hand, one of government’s main purposes is to protect the public, and provide the infrastructure for the common good. Some of that infrastructure is used to provide clean water. We must fight for clean air and water for our citizens. The easing of heavy metal content in our water, by the recent Scott Pruitt decision, is something that I would vigorously oppose. AUGUST 2018 PRIMARY
I believe that our greatest threat to our economy and our safety is the growing national debt. I would have liked to see corresponding cuts in spending, with either tax cuts or growth in the economy, thus making any such cuts easier to implement. As for cuts in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, I do not support cuts in these programs, because these were promises made to the people that paid into them, and depend on them. Furthermore, I would not have supported the Obama Administration’s $716 billion raid on Medicare to fund the ACA of 2009. When elected, I will ask to work specifically on preventing fraud in SSI, Medicare and Medicaid. If we can institute proper technology and fraud prevention mechanisms, we could save over $53 billion by doing this. We a need a comprehensive review of what is a constitutionally essential program that actually helps the American people, and what was created for the special interest to profit off of. I would do a full review and audit of the Departments of Defense, HUD, Energy, Treasury and the VA. I would also seek how we can send most of the Department of Education funding to the states and classrooms of our schools for education and security. Furthermore, we must get back to passing budgets in regular order of House business. I support a balanced budget approach and believe that we must live within our means, otherwise, our economy will eventually fall. NATIONAL HEALTH CARE I am still against the dynamics and the architecture of the Affordable Care Act of 2009. My main points against this is because of the raid on Medicare of over $716 billion, the fact that most of the exchanges are either failing with no insurers, or only one insurer, leaving no competition and raising rates.
Furthermore, there is no interstate competition for insured individuals or negotiated pricing for services offered. This plan must be redone, because the way it was drafted kicked the can down the road after this past election for the failures within the system to arise. I believe that healthcare is individual and must not be cookie cutter for all. Lastly, I did agree with insuring individuals with pre-existing conditions, and not discriminating against them, but believe that decisions regarding individual health must be maintained between a patient and their doctor, and not a bureaucrat in Washington.
firearms. The US Supreme Court held in the DC v Heller case in 2008, that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to possess a firearm. This is a landmark decision that should focus our energies on those that violate the law, instead of punishing those that use firearms for hunting, sport and protection. AUTHORIZING MILITARY ACTIONS Yes. For any extended contingency operations, or actions of war, Congress must be consulted for approval. TRADE AGREEMENTS/TARIFFS
DACA/IMMIGRATION POLICY This is a greater issue of our broken immigration laws and how we as a society pay for social welfare safety nets for individuals that are on US soil. DACA should have never been handled by an executive order, because it is a Constitutional obligation of Congress to deal with all laws regarding immigration policy. As for DACA, and illegal immigration, we must stop the illegal flow of individuals into the US, no matter where they come from. If children are raised in the United States, I would support the eventual permanent resident plan, and not full citizenship. No other nation in the world supports illegal immigrants, nor do they allow them citizenship. I believe strongly in enforcing our borders, and supporting legal immigration. As a son of legal immigrants, I believe we must bring back the Sponsorship Program that we no longer have. Overall, our immigration program is broken. From Refugee Resettlement that does not work, to EB-5 Visa Program, that is inherently unfair. I will work to bring sanity, civility and law to this subject in Washington. GUN CONTROL I believe we must fix and fully enforce the background checks we have in place. All nine of the last mass shooters broke the law in regard to possession of weapons, weapons in schools or filling out fraudulent background check paperwork where they fell through the system. We must fix the current state reporting system. In Michigan, we do not have a gun show loophole, and bump stocks are now being banned by the DOJ (ATF). As for military-type weapons, it is impossible to purchase military-type weapons without a tremendous amount of background checks, licensure and cost. We must enforce the felony punishment for anyone that lies on a Federal Background Check form (AFT Form 4473), and also punish those that do not submit information to the Federal Information Network on individuals that should not be able to purchase
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I support the current administration’s withdrawal from the PTT and believe that the administration’s Department of Commerce, led by Secretary Wilbur Ross, is doing the right thing in renegotiating many existing trade deals that have given our nation tremendous trade deficits and have pushed the manufacturing jobs that have created the middle class offshore. We are already seeing that all our trading partners have come to the table and are cutting deals that are more favorable to our manufacturing and production base. We have the EU and China left, and both are signaling better terms for the United States that would help our economy. The EU extension ends on June 1, 2018, and we will see if we have the deal that both Germany, Poland and the US are signaling the EU to accept. These past trade deals are not treaties, therefore the administration has the legal authority under the law to withdrawal and renegotiate, and it actually is benefiting the US overall. WHY YOU We have some good people running for this office. Some are in business, some from the military and some from public service. Some of the candidates are young, and some are older. I have lived in this district my entire life, and am interested in working on specific issues that better our society, cut the national debt and leave a safer and freer nation for our children. I have served in the Army as a leader with over 26 years of service with two combat tours, I have run a multimillion dollar national business and in 2011, have started my own from the ground up. I have served others with no anticipation of personal gain, and I am not looking for a job. I am looking to make a positive difference, and I won’t let the people of the 11th Congressional District down.
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august 7 primary voter guide Bloomfield Township
I support the rights of parent to have the ultimate choice in the educational path for their children. Charters are one of the many options that should be available, in addition to traditional public schools as well as parochial, private and home schooling. Regardless of the avenue our educational system as a whole must be held to strict standards to ensure that we are properly preparing our future generations for the challenges they will face. MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION What is your position on the marijuana legalization proposal appearing on the November ballot?
ROAD REPAIRS McCready, a business owner from Bloomfield Township, is the current state Representative for the 40th District, a position he has held since 2012. Prior to that, he was a mayor and city commissioner for Bloomfield Hills, and served on the city’s planning board and zoning board of appeals.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Michigan has a rich history of protecting the environment but in recent years there have been several legislative attempts to restrict the DEQ when it comes to rule-making to implement laws of the state, including the now pending legislation that would place control of future rulemaking with an appointed committee comprised of special interests, including factions of the business community. There has long been a realization that the DEQ is underfunded in terms of being able to carry out its mission of protecting the quality of life in the state. Do you agree with the recent attempts to curtail the DEQ? Do you feel that more funding needs to be allocated to the DEQ for enforcement purposes? The beauty and wonder of our natural environment is an integral part of our state’s identity as well as it is a powerful economic driver of Michigan’s robust tourism industry. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) should be a partner with our business community to continue to help drive economic growth, while preserving our natural beauties for the next generation. GUN REGULATIONS Because Congress has failed to act on proposed increased regulation of gun ownership, a number of states have taken the initiative to address the issue. Should Michigan be taking the lead on the gun control? Would you support requiring expanded 14B
While the state has announced that $175 million will be disbursed this year for road and bridge repairs, do you feel that is sufficient while we wait three more years for the road funding proposal to finally kick in? Should the state rainy day fund be tapped in the interim, as some have suggested? There is no debate that our roads, particularly in Oakland County, are in serious need of repair. I supported allocating the $175 million dollars to be used for road funding but more is needed. It is why I have publicly supported spending the higher than expected forecasted revenues directly to road repair. In addition, Act 51, which determines that distribution of road dollars to counties and cities, needs to be overhauled to better reflect the higher need of more populous counties which have larger road systems that see more use. CHARTER SCHOOL REFORMS Michigan has developed a reputation as one of the most deregulated school environments in the country, with the largest number of charter schools – 80 percent of which are forprofit ventures. Charter schools were originally billed as a cure for declining student achievement and inequality, but a number of reports in the last few years show that 70 percent of the state’s charter schools are in the lower rungs of student achievement reviews. Lawmakers in Lansing, however, have on more than one occasion rejected tightening the overview of charter schools and have allowed for their continued growth. Should there be more state control over charter schools for performance and finances? Does the ongoing expansion of charter schools threaten the public schools K-12 system that
My colleagues and I in the legislature worked diligently in 2016 to implement a new and improved regulatory framework for medical marijuana, to give those legitimately suffering from debilitating conditions or disease more flexibility and safety when pursuing medical marijuana as a treatment option as well as to give marijuana producers more certainty in the market. I believe that we should continue to allow that system to work before moving to the step of legalization of recreational marijuana. ETHICS/TRANSPARENCY Although Michigan has 1973 Act(196) to regulate conduct of public officials, it is considered less than rigorous when it comes to legislative ethics and transparency, leaving Michigan ranked near the bottom in comparative studies with other states. Would you support financial disclosure by state lawmakers? What about including the governor’s office and the legislature when it comes to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, from which they are now exempt? Would you support a bill that prohibits “Pay to Play” when it comes to lawmakers approving contracts with companies or people who are campaign contributors? Are there any other areas that need to be addressed if we are to strengthen ethics/transparency laws/rules in Michigan as they apply to the legislature and administrative offices? Transparency is an important facet of a government that is accountable to the people, and that is why I support transparency for both the legislature and the governor. I have voted twice (2016 and 2017), to apply the Freedom of information Act to the legislature and the governor’s office.
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Bloomfield Twp.
Bloomfield Hills
Birmingham Franklin
Bingham Farms
Discussions on firearms are always contentious and divisive, but we can all agree that government should work to keep firearms out of the hands of those who should not have them. I support working towards that goal while also not infringing on the rights of law abiding citizens. Because of this I would support implementing a red flag law in Michigan, but only if it includes strong protections for due process and stringent penalties for frivolous complaints.
we have relied on for education? Keego
MICHAEL MCCREADY
background checks? Background checks at gun shows? Banning bump stocks? Raising the age on the purchase of weapons? Banning military style weapons? Red flag laws?
Sylvan
STATE SENATE 12TH DISTRICT/REPUBLICAN
Beverly Hills Southfield Twp.
Bloomfield Township, Franklin, Beverly Hills, Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Oakland Township, along with Orion, Independence and Oxford townships.
PRO-LIFE/PRO-CHOICE Are you pro-life or pro-choice? If you are pro-life, are there any exceptions to prohibitions on abortions that you find acceptable? Explain your position on this issue. I am proudly pro-life. The only exception is when the life of the mother is in danger. CODIFYING CIVIL RIGHTS Should the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act be amended to extend civil rights protections in housing and employment to include sexual orientation? Why or why not? I don’t believe any changes are needed to the Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act. The act already includes sex as a protected class, which has been interpreted by the courts to include members of the LGBT community. WHY YOU Why should a voter choose you over an opponent on the primary ballot? I have lived most my life in the Bloomfield area of Oakland County. From humble means I started my own business, McCready and Associates, which celebrates its 28th year anniversary next year, and raised a family. My experience in business and from serving in local government, has given me insight to the challenges faced by local governments and the residents who call our community home. Having served in the legislature as the Representative for the 40th District, I now understand the complicated appropriations process which ultimately determines where we invest the taxpayers’ dollars. These experiences have given me the necessary tools to represent our communities and their needs in the Michigan State Senate. I ask for your vote on the August 7th primary. AUGUST 2018 PRIMARY
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VERNON MOLNAR
road building, to make sure that funding is being used in the most efficient and appropriate manner.
increasing road funding without simply raising taxes. I would be supportive of spending a portion of the “rainy day fund” on roads. CHARTER SCHOOL REFORMS
JIM TEDDER
Molnar is a resident of Auburn Hills.
As a former public school teacher and administrator, my first and primary focus is to make decisions that are in the best interest of children. Every child deserves access to a quality education; educational needs vary by child. With an abundance of quality traditional public school options throughout the 12th Senate District, it is hard to fathom that charter schools pose any threat to their existence. Rather, charter schools provide an alternative in the absence of other viable options. All publicly funded schools should be treated fairly and should be evaluated and measured in an equitable manner.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION
I do not think that the any additional funding needs to be allocated to the DEQ. GUN REGULATIONS I would support banning bump stocks as well as support raising the age on the purchase of weapons. ROAD REPAIRS The state rainy day fund should not be tapped into. There has already been enough money allocated to the road and bridge repairs. CHARTER SCHOOL REFORMS I support charter schools. MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION I support the legalization proposal for the November ballot. ETHICS/TRANSPARENCY I support full transparency for all. PRO-LIFE/PRO-CHOICE Pro-life. CODIFYING CIVIL RIGHTS I think that the laws should remain the same as they currently are.
Tedder, a former educator, lives in Clarkston. A graduate of Central Michigan University with masters from Oakland University, he is the current state Representative for the 43rd District (20142018).
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Of course, we must continue to be good stewards of the environment and I have a strong legislative record in support of protecting it. To that end, I support efforts to increase the transparency in DEQ’s rule-making process, which has long been a source of frustration for many. I believe that the DEQ has adequate funding to carry out rules enforcement; like the individuals and families across the state, every government agency must also live within its means. GUN REGULATIONS There is no shortage of federal and state gun laws already on the books. Any efforts to deny an individual’s Second Amendment rights should involve due process. Policing authorities already have the discretion to confiscate weapons under certain circumstances. The state must do more to support mental health services for those who need them. Understanding and addressing the root cause of violent acts is an important part of the overall discussion toward eliminating gun violence.
WHY YOU ROAD REPAIRS I have over 30 years’ experience in road building, which is more experience than any current candidate. If elected, I would like to join the transportation committee and use my experience and knowledge, in all stages and aspects of AUGUST 2018 PRIMARY
I was proud to support $175 million in additional road funding. The most recent budget analysis indicates that there will be approximately a $400 million surplus due to good fiscal stewardship by the state. I have been a strong advocate of
established record of transparency, accountability and results, I look forward to meeting voters on the campaign trail. As chairman of the Michigan House Tax Policy committee, I have led the charge to rein in government spending and to rightfully return money back to Michigan citizens. I will continue to stand up for taxpayers and fight against government overreach. I will continue to be a strong advocate for dedicating more funding for roads without raising taxes. I will continue to protect our values and Constitutional rights. There is still a lot of work to do; as your next state Senator, I look forward to serving you as a resultsdriven leader. I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday, August 7th.
TERRY WHITNEY
As a ballot question, this matter will likely be settled by the voters of Michigan in November. It has taken over a decade to address regulatory complications with medical marijuana, so any consideration of expanding access to marijuana cannot be rushed. I believe there will be unintended consequences if it is passed as written. ETHICS/TRANSPARENCY Last legislative session and this legislative session, I have taken a leadership role in support of the Legislative Opens Records Act, subjecting the Michigan Legislature and the Governor’s office to the Freedom Of Information Act. I was also honored to receive the Michigan Press Association’s 2017 Peter Pettalia Memorial Sunshine Award in acknowledgement of my commitment to government transparency. PRO-LIFE/PRO-CHOICE I am pro-life and believe that an exception should be provided in cases where the life of the mother is in danger. CODIFYING CIVIL RIGHTS There are a number of state and federal laws that protect the civil rights of Michigan citizens. As a parent and former educator, I have long stood against bigotry and hatred at all levels; I do not believe that expansion of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act will achieve additional protections not already covered by law. WHY YOU
Whitney, who is self-employed, is a resident of Clarkston.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Since the incept of term limits in Michigan, the size and scope of Michigan state government has grown nearly 100 percent in size. Many departments operate without any legislative oversight and in effect have been making policy and regulation as unelected officials. Additionally, before any additional spending for any program or department should take place, Michigan’s government needs to be audited with a process called Lean Sigma Six. GUN REGULATIONS Just as I would never support banning our First Amendment Rights, I would never support the diminishment of our Second Amendment Rights. The idea that there is a magic gunshow loop hole is completely false. In order to get a federal gun dealers license, it takes quite a bit of time and resources to obtain and the last thing any business or individual would want to do is
As a proven conservative leader with an
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jeopardize themselves or their freedom by not running federal background checks as required by law. Keep in mind the last few potential mass shootings were stopped by school resource officers and privately armed lawfully abiding citizens. In Chicago, Illinois, which has the nation’s strictest gun control laws it leads the nation in the number of shootings each week that exceed all other states in the midwest for the year.
should be the choice of that individual on how they wish to proceed.
ROAD REPAIRS
WHY YOU
We need an estimated $4 billion to tackle our current road and infrastructure issues. Additionally, we need to change the current laws for road maintenance allocation so that the funding goes to areas that need the funding, which currently is not addressed under Michigan state law.
Two of my opponents, Representative Jim Tedder and Representative Michael McCready, both have had between them a decade to tackle some of the issues that face Michigan. They have failed all of us by raising gas and vehicle registration fees after 80 percent of Michigan voted against it. This has caused the cost of living to jump an additional $713 a year on families. This cost is especially devastating to those living on limited or fixed incomes. Unlike both of my opponents, I am looking to solve Michigan’s problems versus empty campaign promises and seeking reelection. Both of those individuals have had their chance and Michigan is worse off for their years in office. I have common sense practical solutions to correcting the problems that career politicians refuse to tackle as it may jeopardize their chances for reelection. We will put together a coalition of private and public sector leaders who are willing to put aside their differences and for once do the right thing by tackling our crumbling infrastructure, antiquated and broken laws and finally bring a working solution that doesn’t raise taxes.
CHARTER SCHOOL REFORMS Our educational system needs both the state and the federal government to stay out of what is a local issue in the various communities. We as a society have given our federal and Michigan state government too much of a say in our lives and look what it has done, for our schools, our roads, and for our public safety. I trust local school boards and parents to make the right choices in their own communities for education over anything that is designed by committee at our state capitol after a handful of lobbyists get involved. I would propose letting the educational standards go back the local communities as well as control of funding. MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION
CAST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT FROM THE COMFORT OF HOME Can’t make it to the polls on Tuesday, August 7? You can request an absentee ballot from your local municipal clerk’s office. Simply phone your local clerk’s office and ask for an absentee ballot application. The application will arrive by mail at the address you supply. Fill it out and mail it back. Your local clerk will then mail you a ballot to vote in the August 7 election. Local clerks contact phone numbers: Birmingham: 248.530.1880 Bloomfield Hills: 248.644.1520 Ext. 1403 Bloomfield Township: 248.433.7702 16B
CODIFYING CIVIL RIGHTS I believe society in general has moved beyond the notion that we need outdated laws to tell businesses or organizations how to conduct themselves. There are already laws that guarantee an individual is not discriminated against.
I am neither for or against it. I believe the Michigan voters should decide this as it is an issue that we as a state must decide together. If marijuana is legalized, I will make sure that Michigan does everything in its power to make sure that the federal government will not interfere with the rights of our rights. ETHICS/TRANSPARENCY Just as federal lawmakers must disclose all assets and financial transactions, Michigan state lawmakers should be forced to do the same. Additionally, just as lawmakers have made our police forces wear body cameras for public safety, lawmakers should be forced to wear body cameras for all hours in office, after hours in any official capacity, or meeting with lobbyists. PRO-LIFE/PRO-CHOICE I am pro-life. In cases where there is a medical threat to the mother, then it
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AUGUST 2018 PRIMARY
august 7 primary voter guide Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township
STATE HOUSE 40TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT
Bedi lives in Birmingham, is a mother, community activist and registered dietician with degrees from Michigan State University.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Michigan has a rich history of protecting the environment but in recent years there have been several legislative attempts to restrict the DEQ when it comes to rule-making to implement laws of the state, including the now pending legislation that would place control of future rule-making with an appointed committee comprised of special interests, including factions of the business community. There has long been a realization that the DEQ is underfunded in terms of being able to carry out its mission of protecting the quality of life in the state. Do you agree with the recent attempts to curtail the DEQ? Do you feel that more funding needs to be allocated to the DEQ for enforcement purposes? I am a Registered Dietitian. I am trained as a scientist with a background in public health. I am appalled at the idea that we would allow engineers who are stakeholders from business and industry to veto the decision of public health officials in the already underfunded MDEQ. We are in a crisis of public health, from the poisoning of Flint (not to mention the fact that nearly 70 communities now have higher lead levels in their drinking water than Flint), to hosting some of the most polluted zip codes in the country. We should be working to strengthen the MDEQ by funding scientists, not allow corporate polluters to run rampant in our state. GUN REGULATIONS Because Congress has failed to act AUGUST 2018 PRIMARY
In 2015, my colleague was shot and killed in the hospital where we had worked together. That event would motivate me to become an advocate for stronger gun laws, so I volunteered with Moms Demand Action, a gun violence prevention organization. It was that work that would take me to Lansing, and have me engage with my state lawmakers. When ours refused to take action to keep our kids safe, I decided to run myself. Gun safety is not a partisan issue in our community. Republican, Democrat, or Independent, my neighbors all value keeping our families safe. Yet, despite popular opinion, our lawmakers in Lansing have been working to weaken our gun laws. I support a background check on every gun sale, strengthening our background check system against domestic abusers, red flag laws, banning bump stocks and high capacity magazines, increasing the purchasing age to 21, and child access prevention laws. ROAD REPAIRS While the state has announced that $175 million will be disbursed this year for road and bridge repairs, do you feel that is sufficient while we wait three more years for the road funding proposal to finally kick in? Should the state rainy day fund be tapped in the interim, as some have suggested? We have several studies that show we are underfunding our infrastructure by billions of dollars per year. The road plan that was passed last session not only will not come close to actually fixing the roads, but drivers need those fixes now, not in 2021. The average Michigander is paying nearly $800/year in automobile repairs due to the long time neglect of our roads. We can’t just keep tapping into our rainy day fund, we need an actual long-term solution to maintain our roads for the future. We must make sure that the taxes that we are paying for the roads actually go to the roads, including our gas tax and registration fees, and put these into a dedicated road fund that cannot be dipped into for other things. We also have to ensure that
Michigan has developed a reputation as one of the most deregulated school environments in the country, with the largest number of charter schools – 80 percent of which are for-profit ventures. Charter schools were originally billed as a cure for declining student achievement and inequality, but a number of reports in the last few years show that 70 percent of the state’s charter schools are in the lower rungs of student achievement reviews. Lawmakers in Lansing, however, have on more than one occasion rejected tightening the overview of charter schools and have allowed for their continued growth. Should there be more state control over charter schools for performance and finances? Does the ongoing expansion of charter schools threaten the public schools K-12 system that we have relied on for education? Charter schools that operate under for-profit management companies and do not have elected school boards are essentially “taxation without representation.” If taxpayer dollars go to fund charter schools, we must ensure those schools operate under the same standards as our traditional public schools, and have the same transparency into their spending. With our per-pupil funding structure, the unchecked expansion of charter schools and school of choice has been crippling traditional public schools in some districts, to the detriment of our kids. Michigan’s charter school experiment has been a failure. Unfortunately, education special interests have been influencing our lawmakers with campaign donations. I believe we need a major reform of Michigan’s education system. I support capping the number of charters within a district, and that all publicly funded schools be held to the same rules. MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION What is your position on the marijuana legalization proposal appearing on the November ballot? I believe that the majority of Michiganders support marijuana legalization, and that if the voters decide to legalize marijuana this year, that our legislators should be ready to act to make sure we are following what is working in other states to ensure
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Orchard Lake
West Bloomfield Twp.
Farmington Hills
37
Bloomfield Twp.
40 Franklin
Bloomfield Hills
Birmingham Bingham Farms
CHARTER SCHOOL REFORMS
Sylvan
Pontiac
corporations and heavy trucks are paying their fair share for the roads we use. Keego
NICOLE BEDI
on proposed increased regulation of gun ownership, a number of states have taken the initiative to address the issue. Should Michigan be taking the lead on gun control? Would you support requiring expanded background checks? Background checks at gun shows? Banning bump stocks? Raising the age on the purchase of weapons? Banning military style weapons? Red flag laws?
City of
Beverly Hills Southfield Twp. Lathrup Village
Berkley H
Birmingham Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, along with part of West Bloomfield.
public safety, keeping marijuana out of the hands of underage smokers, and ensuring that the new source of revenue is spent wisely on what matters to Michiganders: our schools and our infrastructure. ETHICS/TRANSPARENCY Although Michigan has 1973 Act (196) to regulate conduct of public officials, it is considered less than rigorous when it comes to legislative ethics and transparency, leaving Michigan ranked near the bottom in comparative studies with other states. Would you support financial disclosure by state lawmakers? What about including the governor’s office and the legislature when it comes to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, from which they are now exempt? Would you support a bill that prohibits “Pay to Play” when it comes to lawmakers approving contracts with companies or people who are campaign contributors? Are there any other areas that need to be addressed if we are to strengthen ethics/transparency laws/rules in Michigan as they apply to the legislature and administrative offices? Michigan must work to improve its ethics and transparency, to rebuild trust in government with Michiganders. The governor’s office should not be exempt from the Freedom of Information Act. I believe we need must more strict conflict of interest reporting. We need comprehensive campaign finance reform, from prohibiting “pay to play” to decreasing the disparity in what special interest political action committees can contribute, to decreasing the reach of the “independent expenditure” and Super PAC process, that allows forprofit companies to donate to groups who launch political campaigns for/against candidates, with little transparency into their donors. 17B
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PRO-LIFE/PRO-CHOICE Are you pro-life or pro-choice? If you are pro-life, are there any exceptions to prohibitions on abortions that you find acceptable? Explain your position on this issue.
campaign to flip this seat from red to blue in 2018.
MARI MANOOGIAN
able to harm themselves or others. I do not believe arming teachers is the answer to making our schools safer. I will advocate for increased funding to ensure schools across Michigan are able to take proper safety precautions. ROAD REPAIRS
I believe that women and families deserve access to all reproductive health care, and that medical decisions should be made between a woman and her doctor without interference from the state. I believe all Michiganders should have access to safe, affordable, and accessible healthcare, and that includes reproductive health care. I believe we should have scientifically based reproductive education in our schools. I believe the best way to prevent unintended pregnancies is through contraceptive education and access.
We know that $175 million is insufficient for road funding; some estimates put the amount at $2 billion annually to adequately fund road and infrastructure repairs. Waiting for three more years to repair our roads is untenable. This is costing Michiganders across our district, and indeed our state, an average of $700 in repairs per year. It is estimated that our state will have a budget surplus between $279 million and $348 million. This money should not be allocated to the rainy day fund; it must be used to begin the much needed repairs to our county and local roads.
CODIFYING CIVIL RIGHTS Should the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act be amended to extend civil rights protections in housing and employment to include sexual orientation? Why or why not? Every Michigander deserves equal protection under the law, regardless of race, sex, gender, or sexual orientation. We must extend Elliott-Larsen to all, including those in our LGBT-plus communities. WHY YOU Why should a voter choose you over an opponent on the primary ballot? I never imagined becoming a politician. When I couldn’t find a representative who was like me and understood our values, I decided to run for my community. I am a mother of kids in our public schools. I am a professional woman living in a “sandwich generation,” balancing career with the care of children and parents. I am a home-owner. My family accesses a complicated and expensive health care system. I understand the values we share, and I have “skin in the game” on issues we care most about. I have sat at the table with lawmakers in Lansing, building a movement to strengthen our laws to keep families safe. I have taken leadership in the community, from helping the Bloomfield School board pass a resolution to keep guns out of schools, to mobilizing parents to engage with their legislators. I was the 2016 Democratic candidate in the 40th district, against a two-term incumbent, and came very close to victory. We’ve been building on that momentum since, and know we are the best 18B
Manoogian, a Birmingham resident, attended undergrad and graduate school at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. She was the program officer in the Office of English Language Programs, and Digital Engagement Officer, Office of eDiplomacy, both at the U.S. State Department.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION I disagree strongly with recent attempts to curtail the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. This agency is critical to ensuring Michiganders are healthy and safe, and that our natural resources remain for generations to come. We should be relying on scientists and public servants for staffing this rule making agency, not corporate polluters and CEOs who have a financial interest in how the rules are made. I support increasing resources for the DEQ, so that they can fully ensure a healthy and safe Michigan.
PRO-LIFE/PRO-CHOICE I support a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions. The choices a woman makes regarding her health should be between her and her doctor.
CHARTER SCHOOL REFORMS
CODIFYING CIVIL RIGHTS
Yes, the ongoing expansion of charter schools has negatively impacted our K12 public school system. We must take the profit motive out of educating our children. I support capping the number of schools that can be chartered in any given year. Presently, charter schools are able to use taxpayer dollars, but are not subject to the same transparency laws that local schools and school boards must be compliant with. I will champion legislation that will ensure transparency wherever our public dollars are spent on education. Given our state’s struggles with meeting third-grade literacy standards, and falling test scores, underfunding our local schools is not the answer to the question of how to build a Michigan that is prepared for the twenty-first century.
Every Michigander must be considered equal under the law, therefore the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act should be amended to extend civil rights protections to every citizen regardless of sexual orientation. I applaud the decision of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission to extend the definition of the word, “sex” to sexual orientation and gender identity with regard to Elliott-Larsen via a regulation. However, we must take steps to amend ElliottLarsen to ensure Michigan is inclusive under the law, in the event a future MCRC repeals the regulation.
MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION GUN REGULATIONS I support implementing common sense gun laws in Michigan that will keep our communities safe. I am proud to have earned a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate Distinction. On student walkout day, I spoke at the Capitol in Lansing, and advocated for red flag legislation at our state representative’s office hours. I support expanding background checks, including requiring background checks at gun shows. I firmly believe that weapons of war have no place in our communities, and bump stocks or other modifications to firearms to make them automatic should be made illegal. I support red flag legislation that takes into account civil liberties, but also ensures an individual will not be
transparency laws. I support financial disclosure by lawmakers and expanding Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to the legislature and governor’s office. This will allow lawmakers to provide much needed oversight and a check on the executive branch. Additionally, I support prohibiting “Pay to Play” regarding lawmakers approving contracts with companies or people who are campaign contributors. Ethics and transparency laws should also be extended to the MDEQ, and other agencies operating in the executive branch. I also support increased transparency with regard to any taxpayer-funded expenditure, including public dollars that are spent on charter schools.
I support the legalization of marijuana. By legalizing marijuana, our state can regulate and tax it, similar to how alcohol is regulated, and we can conduct better research on its impacts. Additionally, the legalization of marijuana is also a civil rights issue, given that criminal enforcement disproportionately impacts low-income communities and communities of color. While other states have made marijuana legal with some net positives and some challenges, our state has the opportunity to get it right. ETHICS/TRANSPARENCY As a former U.S. Department of State program officer, I strongly support strengthening Michigan’s ethics and
VOTER GUIDE/DOWNTOWN
WHY YOU I was born and raised in Birmingham and it’s the place I’ve called home for my entire life. I’m proud to be this district’s hometown candidate. Over the years, I’ve been a Harlan Hare, a BCS Cobra and a Seaholm Maple – and I believe it really does matter that the leaders we elect to represent us in government can understand our district. I’m proud to have a diverse record of public service experience from my time in the Office of Congressman John Dingell to working with Ambassador Samantha Power at the United Nations, to representing America abroad at the State Department and the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. After eight years of Governor Rick Snyder and an incredibly long 18 months of President Donald Trump, it’s clear that the experiment of electing leaders with no experience in government has failed Michigan. Democrats shouldn’t follow down that same failed path. AUGUST 2018 PRIMARY
august 7 primary voter guide Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township
STATE HOUSE 40TH DISTRICT/REPUBLICAN
Banerian, a recent graduate of Oakland University, lives in Bloomfield Township, and works in his family’s wholesale wine business. He was a member of Michigan’s 2016 Electoral College and Youth Vice Chairman for Michigan Republican Party. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Michigan has a rich history of protecting the environment but in recent years there have been several legislative attempts to restrict the DEQ when it comes to rule-making to implement laws of the state, including the now pending legislation that would place control of future rulemaking with an appointed committee comprised of special interests, including factions of the business community. There has long been a realization that the DEQ is underfunded in terms of being able to carry out its mission of protecting the quality of life in the state. Do you agree with the recent attempts to curtail the DEQ? Do you feel that more funding needs to be allocated to the DEQ for enforcement purposes? I would disagree that all of these attempts at reform are being made to undermine the ability of the DEQ to enforce environmental protections. These protections are incredibly important; however, as we find with many government bureaucracies, detachment from those areas that are affected by these regulations can have a negative effect on our state’s economy. I fully support at the very least, forming an independent committee that reviews DEQ recommendations to determine if certain rules go too far, and that committee should allow for everyone effected to have a seat at the table, be it business and industry professionals, to environmental experts. It is also important however, that once these AUGUST 2018 PRIMARY
Because Congress has failed to act on proposed increased regulation of gun ownership, a number of states have taken the initiative to address the issue. Should Michigan be taking the lead on gun control? Would you support requiring expanded background checks? Background checks at gun shows? Banning bump stocks? Raising the age on the purchase of weapons? Banning military style weapons? Red flag laws? Do I support background checks for private sales of firearms? Yes, with certain exceptions. Do I agree with the President’s move to ban bump stocks? Yes, and any other attachment whose purpose is to make a legal gun, illegal. However, when we get into issues such as age restrictions and terms such as “military style weapons,” this is where I think we begin to cross the line. With age restrictions, 18 years for a rifle and 21 for a handgun seems to be a reasonable law, which is currently on the books. We should not be preventing individuals who are adults from protecting themselves or their family. With regards to the banning of “military style weapons” or “assault weapons,” this is an issue of misinformation. Those are not actual categories of firearms – guns such as an AR-15 may look more aggressive, but they are actually very weak rifles compared to most other rifles, rifles that no one considers “assault” or “military style” weapons, and aren’t being called for to be banned. Secondly, we had an “assault weapons ban” which expired in 2004 and was not renewed. It wasn’t renewed because statistically it changed nothing in regards to gun violence, especially violence with rifles. Many people also believe that “military style weapon” refers to banning automatic weapons. It’s important to be clear on this, fully automatic weapons have been banned since the 1980s. These types of restrictions also ignore the fact that the large majority of gun violence in not with a rifle, but a handgun. Then ultimately we have to look at the numbers. The Number of gun violence in our nation is much lower than is being reported. Even more interesting is that while the U.S. does have a higher instance of gun violence, we have a much lower rate of violent
ROAD REPAIRS While the state has announced that $175 million will be disbursed this year for road and bridge repairs, do you feel that is sufficient while we wait three more years for the road funding proposal to finally kick in? Should the state rainy day fund be tapped in the interim, as some have suggested? Firstly, we must address what’s causing the wear and tear on our roads, that means reducing weight limits (the highest in the nation at 164,000 lbs and more than double the federal standard of 80,000 lbs), and improving building standards such as not allowing inferior materials like recycled concrete in our roads, and improving the depth of our roads. Finally, we must address the funding aspect. The issue is not a lack of revenue, but a flawed allocation system. I propose we reform this formula (Act 51) to take into account aspects like population, density, zoning, and roads studies. This would bring more money into areas like ours who need it, while stopping the practice of overfunding many communities in Michigan for their needs (such as areas in northern Michigan), making the allocation system fair and appropriate for the needs of each road.
Orchard Lake
West Bloomfield Twp.
Farmington Hills
37
Sylvan
Pontiac
Bloomfield Twp.
Bloomfield Hills
40 Franklin
Birmingham Bingham Farms
GUN REGULATIONS
crime in general (including gun violence) than the rest of the world, including nations such as Canada and the UK. My goal as a state Representative is to work to keep Michiganders as safe as possible, I want to see all violent crime decline. I genuinely believe that in order for that to happen, we must not prevent the legal purchase of firearms in our state, and we must also address many societal problems that have led to so many of the terrible instances we’ve seen recently.
Keego
MIKE BANERIAN
rules are agreed upon, our government agencies have the proper resources to enforce these rules. While I don’t know the specifics of DEQ funding shortages, if any, I would absolutely review this agency as well as others, to make sure they are being properly funded (or in some cases, eliminating wasteful spending from other agencies).
Beverly Hills
City of
Southfield Twp. Lathrup Village
Berkley H
Birmingham Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, along with part of West Bloomfield.
expansion of charter schools threaten the public schools K-12 system that we have relied on for education? I believe that we need to make sure any school receiving taxpayer money is abiding by the same standards (academically and otherwise) as our public schools. We should be focusing on results and options, taking away options for students and parents in failing school districts like Detroit by getting rid of charter schools is both morally wrong, and not helping solve the problem of trying to provide a good education for Michigan students. MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION What is your position on the marijuana legalization proposal appearing on the November ballot? I will be voting No on this ballot issue. That being said, if it passes I will not work to undermine the will of the voters legislatively. If it fails, I will work passionately to decriminalize pot as much as possible, there is no reason we should be ruining people’s lives due to possession of small amounts of marijuana.
CHARTER SCHOOL REFORMS ETHICS/TRANSPARENCY Michigan has developed a reputation as one of the most deregulated school environments in the country, with the largest number of charter schools – 80 percent of which are forprofit ventures. Charter schools were originally billed as a cure for declining student achievement and inequality, but a number of reports in the last few years show that 70 percent of the state’s charter schools are in the lower rungs of student achievement reviews. Lawmakers in Lansing, however, have on more than one occasion rejected tightening the overview of charter schools and have allowed for their continued growth. Should there be more state control over charter schools for performance and finances? Does the ongoing
VOTER GUIDE/DOWNTOWN
Although Michigan has 1973 Act (196) to regulate conduct of public officials, it is considered less than rigorous when it comes to legislative ethics and transparency, leaving Michigan ranked near the bottom in comparative studies with other states. Would you support financial disclosure by state lawmakers? What about including the governor’s office and the legislature when it comes to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, from which they are now exempt? Would you support a bill that prohibits “Pay to Play” when it comes to lawmakers approving contracts with companies or people who are campaign contributors? Are there any other areas that need to be 19B
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addressed if we are to strengthen ethics/transparency laws/rules in Michigan as they apply to the legislature and administrative offices? I would work to make sure that all members of government fall under the rules of the Freedom of Information Act, and I would support any reforms to make our government more transparent to the voters. PRO-LIFE/PRO-CHOICE Are you pro-life or pro-choice? If you are pro-life, are there any exceptions to prohibitions on abortions that you find acceptable? Explain your position on this issue. I am pro-life, and proudly serve on the board of directors for Cross Roads Care Center which provides free women’s health services and works to support women before and after the birth of their child. With regards to exceptions, I believe that science shows us that life begins at conception, and therefore that life is entitled to the full protections of the law, including the protection of the right to life. The circumstances of that child’s conception do not change those facts, and the innocent bystander, the child, should not have these rights taken away from them due to the circumstances under which they were conceived. This issue is also about equal rights, that means the rights of the mother cannot supersede the right of the child to live, and vice-versa, the rights of the child cannot supersede the rights of the mother to live. In instances where things like cancer treatments and other medical procedures needed for a mother to live would terminate the pregnancy, I support the right of a mother to proceed with those treatments, however, it’s important to note that the baby is not killed as a result of an abortion.
this district. I grew up here, have been involved in our community my entire life, and ran my family’s small business in the district. The possibility of representing my friends and neighbors in Lansing as their representative is incredibly humbling and exciting. I believe we need a new generation of young leaders who will put forward substantive, bold solutions to solve some of our state’s biggest issues. I believe I am the candidate who is offering that. I also think we need a representative who is positive and pragmatic, and doesn’t add to the divisive nature of politics by attacking their opponents and those who disagree with them. I may be a bit naively optimistic about things, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I think we need our leaders to change the dynamic of politics and work with other to solve our shared problems, I hope to play my part in helping us do that.
MALISSA BOSSARDET
The state has added $175 million to the road budget. However, Michigan’s economy is growing so fast, that this year’s budget surplus may approach a billion dollars. The legislature is already considering more money for roads. I support those efforts. Bossardet lives in Bloomfield Township, and has been in pharmaceutical sales. She is a graduate of Indiana University, and was a precinct delegate in Fenton and is a precinct delegate in Bloomfield.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
I believe that we should be careful to separate discrimination based solely on someone’s sexual orientation, from allowing private businesses/ organizations, particularly those with religious affiliations, to practice their faith or mission. WHY YOU Why should a voter choose you over an opponent on the primary ballot? I am proud to be the candidate from 20B
There are background checks at gun shows. All firearms dealers are federally licensed and do background checks. The myth that all anyone needs to do is walk into a gun show to avoid criminal background checks is old and behind the times. The socalled “loophole” applies everywhere, not just gun shows but also in private sales between two people or guns handed down within a family (MCL 28.422). In Michigan, you must obtain a permit from the sheriff prior to purchasing a pistol from a private seller, (including a CO2 pellet gun) so the so-called “loophole” applies even less here. Red flag laws have their place, and currently, police officers can confiscate weapons if they are called to a scene where people have obvious problems. Due process needs to be respected, and a red flag law should not be a catch all that can be abused like PPOs sometimes are. “Military style” is a catch all phrase that is essentially meaningless. It essentially adds how a gun looks to the regulation process. Automatic weapons are already outlawed, and is really the difference between military weapons in reality and in the imagination. I oppose any gun control legislation and support our Constitutional right of the people to keep and bear arms. ROAD REPAIRS
CODIFYING CIVIL RIGHTS Should the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act be amended to extend civil rights protections in housing and employment to include sexual orientation? Why or why not?
GUN REGULATIONS
No. I challenge the premise that having a business-related voice in the DEQ is somehow weakening its mission. All regulations, environmental or otherwise, should have a cost-benefit analysis done. All human activity has side effects, and we are to the point where we can count parts per trillion. I note that you only single-out the business community as being a “special interest,” but there are certainly factions of the environmental lobby that also qualify for that title. I would also like to stress that citizens and legislatures must be good stewards of our resources. Proposed laws need to be evaluated for the “real” impact they would have on the environment and the “real” effect on business/quality of life issues.
CHARTER SCHOOL REFORMS Whether a school is “for profit” or not is irrelevant. The issue is how they serve students. That should be the only issue, not how it effects “the system.” Our common goal must be a quality education that benefits “all” students. Michigan student performance lags that of other states resulting in three-fourths of our students graduating high school unprepared to enter the workforce or to continue their education. My biggest issue with charter schools is the underrepresentation of children with disabilities. Some charter schools have not complied with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates. Many charter schools actively counsel out parents that have a child with a disability. True story, in our previous school district, we were turned away from four different charter schools because my child was a student in special education with an IEP (Individualized Education Plan). By law,
VOTER GUIDE/DOWNTOWN
charter schools do not get to a la carte their students, and we must hold these schools accountable to the same laws and standards as public schools. I support standards for everything that gets state funding, but I also support parents in their quest to do the best for their child. There is no one size fits all answer here. MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION I oppose recreational marijuana. Marijuana is illegal under federal law even in states that legalize it. We must uphold the law of the land as written until (and if) it is changed. ETHICS/TRANSPARENCY I support expanding FOIA to the governor and the legislature. Transparency is the paramount ethics issue in all of government. PRO-LIFE/PRO-CHOICE I am pro-life. I am a mother of three children and prefer adoption over abortion. I find in interesting that you did not ask whether a pro-choice candidate had exception, such as partial birth or very late term abortions, or gender-selection abortions. We are very far from worrying about exceptions to when abortion should be illegal, when we live in a country where abortions are more readily available than in any western European country. CODIFYING CIVIL RIGHTS I am in favor of every person having completely “equal” rights. If equal protections are brought forward for any class of citizen they must ensure uniformity with society and not give any particular class any advantage over another. WHY YOU I have raised three children. I want to continue on the progress Michigan is making. Our children are the future and I want to make Michigan the best place to live, work and play. I bring 30plus years of leadership and business experience. Through my real world experience, I have a greater understanding of how public policies will impact our residents. As a result of my many years of job experience, while in Lansing, I will be able to utilize my skills as a leader, communicator, critical thinker and teamwork. I will work to bring common sense solutions to the issues important to the residence of our community like roads, education and workforce development. I will knock on more doors and listen to more voters than any other candidate. If elected I will deliver on promises made when I AUGUST 2018 PRIMARY
august 7 primary voter guide
am in Lansing. It is important to put people first over politics.
PAUL SECREST
Secrest, of Bloomfield Township, is a retired purchasing agent from Chrysler. He received his undergraduate degree from DePauw University and his MBA at Indiana University.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Today we are in a constant state of overreach and then overreaction from the other side on environmental issues. President Obama put radical environmentalists in charge of the EPA, and Trump may be going too far the other way. Modern coal plants have eliminated 97 percent of carbon dioxide – I saw a power plant on the Ohio River and the only thing coming out of the smokestacks was a little steam. President Obama rewarded this spectacular industry cleanup by making coal public enemy number one and threatened to wipe out the industry. I met with the Oakland County Road Commission and they talked about a $100,000 project exploding to $600,000 because of the DEQ. There needs to be quick arbitration panels for disputes between the DEQ and county road commissions. I, like most people in Michigan, want strong environmental protection, but want environmental agencies to practice some restraint. The proposed legislation may be an overreaction which needs to be tempered. GUN REGULATIONS Because Congress has failed to act on proposed increased regulation of gun ownership, a number of states have taken the initiative to address the issue. Should Michigan also be taking the lead on the gun control issue? Yes. Would you support requiring expanded background checks? Yes. Background checks at gun shows? Yes. Banning AUGUST 2018 PRIMARY
bump stocks? Yes. Raising the age on the purchase of weapons? No. Banning military style weapons? No. Red flag laws? Yes.
CODIFYING CIVIL RIGHTS
ROAD REPAIRS
WHY YOU
The $175 million is not sufficient but tapping the rainy day fund to pay for roads is bad policy. The rainy day fund is intended to get the state through a severe recession and should only be used for that. Michigan had a $.19/gallon gas tax for 20 years which was recently increased to $.26/gallon. The gas tax would have risen to $.30/gallon if it had moved with inflation. The state has a double whammy of still not keeping up with inflation, and 20 years of underfunding which has been exacerbated by slightly better MPG on the average vehicle. Michigan has no choice but to raise the gas tax again, and the sooner the better, as hidden infrastructure like bridges continue to deteriorate.
I have always read a great deal and have a strong history and business background which allows me to make informed judgments/proposals on a wide range of legislation.
Yes because same-sex marriage is legal.
PAUL TAROS
CHARTER SCHOOL REFORMS I would vote to eliminate all for-profit charter schools. For-profit charters simply maximize profits and all profits come out of teachers salaries or things like building maintenance. I am also not a fan of not-for-profit charter schools because administrator salaries are not clearly visible. I also do not like school choice – it simply moves students around and creates funnel districts. The 10-year battle the Bloomfield Hills district had over one or two high schools highlights the huge advantage of local school control. The community was highly engaged and the school board was very responsive. The charter school push in Michigan simply moves many parents and students further away from their local community and local control. MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION I will vote for the proposal. ETHICS/TRANSPARENCY Financial disclosure – no – Michigan has many business owners and other accomplished people who will not run. The caliber of people in Congress suffers from financial disclosure requirements. Freedom of Information for the Governor and legislature – yes. “Pay to play” prohibition – yes. Other items – no – we do not need more laws, bureaucracy, and requirements.
PRO-LIFE/PRO-CHOICE Pro-choice – it is an intensely personal decision which should be made by the woman, not government.
our laws, just like the Magna Carta. ‘Thou shall not kill’ is a very important commandment and I believe that if children are taught this from a very early age, they will stop and think twice before going on a shooting spree. If we don’t teach our children right from wrong, we should not be shocked and outraged when they commit heinous acts. ROAD REPAIRS Yes, we need to immediately increase the funding for our roads and bridges. However, the funding should come from existing monies, not new taxes. The repair and maintenance of our roads and bridges must be given a high priority in our state budget. For years, politicians have failed to allocate enough money for the maintenance of our roads. This behavior has been penny-wise and pound foolish. We need to eliminate corporate welfare and use that money on our roads. We also need to revisit Public Act 51, which allocates too much money to rural roads at the expense of more heavily traveled roads in metropolitan areas. CHARTER SCHOOL REFORMS
Taros, a CPA, lives in Birmingham. He is a member of Bloomfield Hills Schools’ Leadership Committee.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Protecting our environment is of utmost importance, however more money is not always the answer. The DEQ failed in protecting the citizens of Flint and this must never happen again. Everyone wants clean air and water. SB 652 & SB 654 are very interesting in that they would establish a science board and a stakeholder committee to bring balance to what is coming out of the DEQ. I am not in favor of more committees, but I am also not in favor of a DEQ that is advancing various agendas at the expense of facts and science. We need sound environmental policy and if we need to overhaul the DEQ to achieve that goal, then I would support such action. GUN REGULATIONS No, I do not believe we need any more gun laws. There are over 20,000 gun laws on the books already. More gun laws will not protect us. The vast majority of gun owners are law-abiding citizens. Criminals do not care how many gun laws we have on the books, since they ignore them all. We need to enforce the gun laws that are already on the books. Let’s bring back teaching the Ten Commandments in school. The Ten Commandments are the basis of
VOTER GUIDE/DOWNTOWN
Charter schools were established to be a laboratory for educational innovation. Having charter schools gives parents a choice of where to send their children. Many parents do not want to send their children to indoctrination centers called traditional public schools. America achieved its greatness because of competition. When traditional and charter schools have to compete with each other for students, the result will be a better quality education for our children. Allowing parents to decide what type of school is best for their child is the best solution. MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION While I have never used marijuana, I do not think it is the role of government to tell someone what they can and can’t use. As long as the people who choose to use marijuana use it in a responsible manner and do not harm others, I do not believe government should prohibit its use. We need to remember that up until 1913, marijuana was legal across America. Medical marijuana has proven to be of enormous benefit to many patients. The legalization of recreational marijuana will have many benefits to law enforcement. The loss of revenue from marijuana will weaken drug cartels financially and the police will be free to investigate and solve more serious crimes. 21B
august 7 primary voter guide
ETHICS/TRANSPARENCY Yes, I would support requiring more financial disclosure by state lawmakers. Also, Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act should apply to the governor’s office and the legislature. I think these laws should also apply to high ranking bureaucrats who can award lucrative contracts. No lawmaker or bureaucrat should be able to enrich themselves at the expense of Michigan taxpayers. No one should be above the law, especially lawmakers and bureaucrats, who are supposed to be servants of the public.
some government bureaucrat to mete out fairness and equality, is just plain foolish. I remember when successful people were held up as role models, instead of being demonized. I will fight every day for dangerous freedom and against peaceful slavery.
DAVID WOLKINSON
PRO-LIFE/PRO-CHOICE I am 100 percent pro-life. I believe that one of the most important roles of government is to protect those least able to protect themselves. The elderly and the unborn are some of the most vulnerable in our society and need our protection. I believe life begins at conception and we must protect it. While I empathize with women who feel that they must have an abortion, I cannot condone the murder of an innocent unborn baby. How can anyone feel they have the right to take the life of another. Imagine the unborn baby never having the opportunity to hope, dream and laugh. The only exception I would make is if the life of the mother is in danger.
ROAD REPAIRS
Wolkinson lives in Birmingham and is a small business owner. He served as Gov. Snyder’s policy director and administrative vice chairman of the Michigan Republican Party. He has undergrad, masters, and a law degree from University of Michigan.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CODIFYING CIVIL RIGHTS No, I do not believe that the ElliottLarsen Civil Rights Act should be extended to include sexual orientation. We already have far too many lawsuits where everyone is a victim. This mentality must stop. When you give protection to a class of people under Elliott-Larsen, you are giving them special rights not provided to those not covered under the Act. I do not believe in discrimination. I believe in meritocracy and I do not think bureaucrats should be put in a place of power to mete out fairness. WHY YOU When I hear a Republican say that they have the ability to reach across the aisle to get common sense ideas done, I want to go RINO (Republican In Name Only) hunting. I believe in the Republican platform of a smaller less intrusive government, lower taxes, and personal responsibility. I remember how many Republicans worked with Governor Granholm to raise our taxes. I am still angry at the 12 Republicans who voted against lowering our “temporary Granholm tax increase.” If heaven forbid, we should have a progressive Governor, I pledge to you I will stand strong against the liberal agenda. The idea of putting our faith in 22B
of those that are severely mentally ill and are prone to violence. I do not think that all, or even most, of our horrible gun violence can be solved with new legislation, but it is clear that certain perpetrators of these horrendous crimes (like the young man in the recent Parkland shooting) should never have had access to the guns that he did. He had demonstrated mental incapacity to possess weapons and an eagerness to commit violence. If legislation were proposed to increase the effectiveness of background checks and it was narrowly tailored, so as not to infringe on the rights of law abiding Americans, I would support it.
In 2010, I served as policy director for Gov. Rick Snyder’s gubernatorial campaign. I met with business leaders, environmentalists and other stakeholders throughout the state. Under the Granholm administration, the single most complained about state agency was the DEQ. Governor Snyder came into office determined to roll back what he viewed as an overly aggressive DEQ and given the nature of this question, it appears he was quite successful in doing so. There has been no greater failure of this administration than the Flint water disaster. That disaster (shamefully, totally manmade) reminds us why strong environmental regulations are so important (they are literally of life and death importance.) With that said, I would be very wary of swinging the pendulum in the other direction. It is important that we be conservative about considering new regulations or stricter enforcement of current ones absent a compelling reason otherwise. GUN REGULATIONS I believe very strongly in the Second Amendment. Our right to bear arms is entrenched in our Constitution. However, our recent history of gun violence has made it clear that we need to be more effective in getting guns out of the hands
$175 million is not sufficient. Our roads are in serious disrepair. While I would support legislation to use money from the rainy day fund, my first priority would be to fight for our district’s fair share of the current road money being spent. We are the biggest donors to the state (as far as House districts go). In Oakland County, we only get back some 70 cents on the dollar of what we send to Lansing – in the 40th district it is even lower. Thankfully we are the wealthiest district in the state, but the formula for road money does not account for either a) how much we disproportionately send to Lansing for the entire state’s benefit; b) being the economic and social engine of the metro Detroit region, how much our roads are driven on. The bottom line is that Oakland County (and the 40th district in particular) do not get our fair share of road revenue based on the current formulas and the next state representative needs to fight for our fair share. CHARTER SCHOOL REFORMS The idea behind charter schools having less accountability than traditional public schools is that no one is obliged to attend a charter school. Public schools in our district are for the most part fantastic, but there are other places (like the city of Detroit) where plenty of parents failed their kids are trapped in a failing system. Charter schools were created to give parents more choices. Unlike traditional public schools, if a charter school is failing then the parents have the option of pulling their child out. This is an inherent accountability that does not exist at traditional public schools. With that said, the state funds a major part of every student’s public education dollars. If charter schools are failing, than it would be appropriate to consider tougher oversight of those failing schools. MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION Let the people decide. The people are smarter than Lansing politicians. As
VOTER GUIDE/DOWNTOWN
William F Buckley once said, “I’d rather be governed by the first thousand names in the phone book than the Harvard faculty.” I think the people have been way ahead of the politicians throughout the marijuana legalization process. I have great confidence in the people and will support whatever decision they make. ETHICS/TRANSPARENCY Yes, I believe that there is a deep deal of insider dealing in Lansing and there are a number of reforms that I would support to hopefully transform this negative/corrupt culture. This is most prevalent when one examines the state’s economic development efforts. Simply put, investing is hard, it is not easy (I do it for a living) it is not the role of state bureaucrats (or legislatures for that matter) to speculate as to what the next economic “growth” area will be. Our economic development efforts should be narrowed to providing a safe secure place to invest, top flight infrastructure and fantastic educational systems. It is not the role of state to invest in private enterprise (directly or through the tax system). Predicting winners and losers should be left to private citizens and I think draining Lansing of this money will clean up the ethical environment in state government. PRO-LIFE/PRO-CHOICE I am pro-life. CODIFYING CIVIL RIGHTS Yes. Same gender loving couples (LGBTs) and all Michiganders deserve the same housing and employment rights. This is past due. No one should be discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Of course, there must be robust protections of our religious freedoms (no church or synagogue should ever be forced to violate their beliefs) but extending Elliot Larsen to the LGBT community should be done immediately. WHY YOU I am a businessman. I have built up a small but successful real estate management company in the last five years. I know how economies work and I have deep experience in public policy from my years of activism in the Republican Party and my service as Governor Snyder’s policy director. I think I am the candidate with the best combination of energy and experience to fight for what matters to voters in the district. I know how government works and I want to fight for more money for our roads, more dollars in the classroom and to make Michigan the best place to live, work and raise a family. AUGUST 2018 PRIMARY
august 7 primary voter guide
JOSEPH ZANE
Zane, a former Marine, lives in Birmingham, and until recently, was in IT with FCA. He received his undergrad degree from the US Naval Academy and graduate degree from University of Heidelberg.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION One of Michigan’s greatest assets is environmental beauty. First off, having rule-making boards comprised mostly of appointees who have a special interest in the results shouldn’t be allowed to stand. Some rules are good, and some are bad, and the existing rule-making process may not be effective, but codifying a jury of biased observers, drawn mostly from business, doesn’t make sense. As to funding, before allocating more funding, we must look carefully at how different department are funded. I have a brother who works at DEQ in the Waste Management and Radiological Protection Division (WMRPD). Because it’s funded through a special tax on waste haulers and landfills, it has adequate funding. Other departments, funded through the general fund, are probably underfunded. For example, the Air Quality Division only took three physical samples of air quality due to cost constraints. That being said, nothing comes for free. I think before we reallocate money to the DEQ, the legislature needs to make sure that the existing money is being used in an optimized way. GUN REGULATIONS Michigan should not be working to enact additional restrictions on firearms. The Second Amendment enshrines the act of bearing arms as a right, a right with historical roots in the right to self-defense but also the defense of liberty. The need to have an armed populace to defend against tyranny is as resonant today as ever. We pray that institutions keep individuals in check, but if average people revoke their rights to all firearms, we risk giving up a vital part of the American character. While times have changed, and AUGUST 2018 PRIMARY
the nature of the militia has changed, the underlying dynamic that this represents has not. To restrict a right in any way requires a deeply compelling reason, driven by data, and with a clear and obvious benefit to society. Unfortunately, none of the proposed solutions have that. Death through assault weapons are a small fraction of overall gun deaths. Even most mass killings wouldn’t have been prevented by an assault weapons ban, with attacks perpetrated by people with vans, shotguns, knives and handguns. Moreover, criminals, by definition, do not follow laws, so most additional restrictions would mostly affect lawful gun owners. Of the specific questions you list, the only one I would consider supporting is regulation of bump stocks. Even the NRA agrees that restrictions on the ownership of fully automatic weapons should be limited, and if a device that makes the average semi-automatic weapon act as a fully automatic, it is reasonable to consider additional regulations. I’m sympathetic to the drive to do more. The recent spate of mass murders around the globe have been truly horrific. That being said, even to the extent that additional restrictions on gun ownership are effective (which as outlined above, I am not convinced that they would be), they would be treating only a symptom, not a cause. ROAD REPAIRS Taking from the rainy-day fund risks our fiscal future in an inevitable economic downturn. Some or all of the recent budget surplus should be designated for road funding. Unfortunately, $150 million doesn’t go far when spread out across a state’s worth of cities and counties. There needs to be fundamental change in order for state roads funding to be sustainable. The current funding model is broken. A gas tax as a funding mechanism becomes more and more inadequate as vehicles become more fuel efficient. Ultimately, the gas tax will need to make way to a fee for mileage model. Indeed, as location sensors become more and more precise, we can evolve to a model where not just distance traveled is measured, but distance on a given road is measured and could be fed into maintenance for that exact road. Until we make that change, we’ll continue to cobble together short-term measures that fail to address the fundamental issue. CHARTER SCHOOL REFORMS I don’t feel that the ongoing expansion of charter schools threatens the K-12 system. By introducing an element of competition, I hope that failing schools have the opportunity to reform and revise their practices. That being said, while I think the statistic you cite is probably misleading – charter schools tend to be built as an alternative to already failing
schools, not in affluent suburbs with excellent schools – charters should be held to the same level of accountability and transparency that public schools have. Ultimately, the charter vs public debate misses the point. We need to be pushing more options for all students, both inside and outside of the public school system. On the one hand, this can go toward providing more academically rigorous opportunities, such as the International Academy in Bloomfield Hills, where I went to high school. On the other hand, this can and should go toward providing more vocational and skillsbased training. It is worth considering offering vocational training including apprenticeships to many students while they are still in high school. In order to serve both Michigan’s students and Michigan’s economy, we must build a training pipeline that produces the right mix of skills for the future economy. MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION It should be passed. I personally have never used cannabis, but I see from the experience of many close friends that prohibition has been a bad policy from the start. While use of cannabis is not good per se, and its over-use can be harmful, it is no worse than alcohol (and probably safer), yet its ban still results in life-changing convictions at a significant cost to tax payers. It’s patently unjust and unnecessary. Moreover, cannabis prohibition pushes significant economic activity underground. Legalization has the potential to create a whole new industry to Michigan, which could revitalize economically depressed areas. Add to that the fact that taxes from the proposal will add additional funds to roads, schools and municipalities without increasing the tax burden to the general population, and “yes” on the legalization proposal is a no-brainer. ETHICS/TRANSPARENCY In general, I am in support of all laws that support good governance and transparency. I support laws that would require financial disclosure for legislatures, as it is essential for citizens to make informed decisions. Same thing for expanding Michigan FOIA. Citizens should be able to understand how and why lawmakers are making decisions, and that’s a big part of it. I would consider a pay-to-play bill, although I would have to consider the particular provisions. While I don’t want pay-to-play in Michigan politics, especially in the middle of the campaign, I’m wary of additional administrative burdens on already shoestring campaign organizations, such as many at the state rep level. The last issue I would bring up is campaign finance. You won’t fix any of the other issues until we figure out a way that shifts the focus of candidates from
VOTER GUIDE/DOWNTOWN
raising money from special interests willing to write $1000 checks to raising money from the general public in small dollar donations. I would look carefully into the feasibly of enacting a small donor tax-credit in Michigan. PRO-LIFE/PRO-CHOICE I am pro-life. The fundamental question that drives my position is whether and when a fetus is afforded the same dignity and status as a full-fledged human. Modern western society has agreed that, once a baby is actually born, parents have an obligation to keep that baby alive. Failure to do so is negligence at best and homicide in the worst case. This is true regardless of the circumstances of hardship of the family. Federal law establishes 24 weeks gestation is the latest someone can legally get an abortion. Yet every pregnancy is different, and babies have been able to survive as early as 21 weeks and 4 days. Do premature babies born this early have less of a right to live than those born after the threshold? It becomes a slippery slope. The one clear cut exception is when the life of the mother, which has moral value equal to that of the baby, is in danger by carrying the baby to term. CODIFYING CIVIL RIGHTS Yes, Elliot-Larson should be expanded to include sexual orientation. Gay and lesbian Michiganders have the same dignity and rights as other citizens. ElliotLarson is well-established law. I count gay men and women as some of my closest friends. The thought of them being denied a job or housing that they would otherwise be qualified for is upsetting. Extending the law would not beseech anyone to change their deeply held beliefs or infringe on any fundamental rights. It simply provides the same basic opportunities for the LGBT community that everyone else has. WHY YOU Do you believe in the American Dream? I do. Michigan was the place where, in the 1950’s and 1960’s, my grandparents, fresh off the boat from Poland, were able to work hard and make their way into the middle class. It was the best place in the world to work, live and raise a family. That’s why I joined the Marines. I wanted to give back, and at 18, I pledged to continue that drive to preserve the American dream. I will work tirelessly to regain that stature that faded near the end of the 20th Century. I am focused on solving the issues that matter most to Michigan. Roads, high tech infrastructure, education, jobs and veterans’ support are issues that both Republicans and Democrats can agree we need to work on to be competitive in the 21st century economy. 23B
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According to reports, protesters in Ferguson carried signs, with many holding their hands in the air while shouting “don't shoot,” apparently in reference to rumors that Brown had had his hands raised in an attempt to surrender when he was shot. Yet according to police, some protesters threw bottles at them, which prompted them to use tear gas in an effort disperse the crowd. The following day, about 70 SWAT team officers joined police to face an even larger crowd of protesters, using smoke bombs, flash grenades, rubber bullets and tear gas on protesters. As the protests grew, so did national news coverage, and the image the country saw were police officers looking like armed forces attacking unarmed citizens. On August 14, Sen. Clair McCaskill (D-Missouri) stated that “militarization of the police escalated the protesters' response.” By August 23, President Obama ordered a review of the distribution of military hardware to state and local police, questioning whether the use of such equipment contributed to the racial unrest in Ferguson. Obama suspended the program, but it was re-instituted by President Trump in August 2017. Then-Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement in 2014, “It makes sense to look at whether military-style equipment is being acquired for the right purposes and whether there is proper training on when and how to deploy it.” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard disagrees. “Tanks are used to destroy things. Armored vehicles are used to protect people,” he asserted. The Oakland County Sheriff's Department has acquired millions of dollars of surplus military equipment over the last 20 years, when the equipment became available to them, most of which officials say has proven beneficial for officers, as well as taxpayers, because it is free for the asking. The only expense is the cost of going to get the equipment and then providing maintenance and storage. Bouchard, and many law enforcement chiefs, state the equipment offers protection to both law enforcement and citizens without having to dip into taxpayer funds. “Since the Great Recession, I don't know a single department that has bounced back,” said Rick Myers, executive director, Major Cities Chiefs Association. “Every department has less cops on the street but with an increased population and more responsibility. Because of that, leaderships are more mindful of efficiencies and responsibilities of deploying resources.” ost law enforcement agencies around the United States have not just decided they would like to buy a bunch of militarygrade equipment to have on hand, and law enforcement in Ferguson, Missouri, didn't just randomly buy a bunch of military-grade tanks and weapons. Rather, since 1997, police agencies around the country have participated in the 1033 program, which legally requires the U.S. Department of Defense to make various items of equipment available to local law enforcement agencies. The 1033 program, operated for the Defense Department through the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), which has Michigan locations in Warren and Battle Creek, transfers excess or out-of-date military equipment to law enforcement agencies and schools around the country. The program began as the National Defense Authorization Act of 1990, an act of Congress, not the Pentagon, defenders note, to authorize the transfer of military hardware from the Department of Defense to federal and state agencies specifically for the use in the War on Drugs, according to 1033 Program information. Until 1997, it was called the 1208 program, and run through the Pentagon. By 1995, there was the realization that all law enforcement agencies would benefit from acquiring surplus military equipment, and the Law Enforcement Support Office was created within the DLA to
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work exclusively with local law enforcement agencies. With the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997, the 1208 program was expanded to become the 1033 program, allowing “all law enforcement agencies to acquire property for bona fide law enforcement purposes that assist in their arrest and apprehension mission,” with “preference given to counter-drug and counter-terrorism requests,” the act stated. The theory behind the initiative was that the military’s unneeded equipment might as well be put to good use, rather than be destroyed or warehoused. dam Andrzejewski, founder and CEO of OpenTheBooks.com, which posts on every “dime” taxed and spent by federal, state and local units of government across the U.S., said, “Liberals tend to raise civil liberty concerns while conservatives question why the federal government is involving itself in area of responsibility traditionally reserved for states and local communities. Both sides would probably agree that the federal government itself has become a ‘gun show’ that never adjourns and is distributing massive amounts of firepower to local police departments.” From 1997 through 2014, $5.1 billion in military hardware was transferred to various local law enforcement agencies around the country from the Department of Defense, according to DLA's Law Enforcement Support Office, with more than 8,000 agencies participating since it began. According to OpenTheBook, in 2006, $29.5 million worth of equipment – 32,500 units – was given out through the 1033 program. In 2014, it had grown to $787 million and over 490,000 units. In 2015, the last year records were released, after the program was allegedly stopped, $460 million worth of equipment was disbursed to local agencies, with a total of 540,176 individual items. The Oakland County Sheriff's Department has acquired about $4.5 million worth of equipment through the 1033 Program over a period of 18 years, although Bouchard said that some of the requested armaments were returned as his department discovered they either didn't work properly or weren't worth what they thought they would be. Others, including about 540 rifles over a period of 16 years, have been a huge benefit. “When I became sheriff (1999), we were able to procure rifles through the 1033 program, and we were able to train in rifles, so that at any time across the county if there is an active shooter with a rifle, we can respond, engage and protect law enforcement and the public,” Bouchard said. Why is there so much surplus weaponry and hardware available in the first place that can be acquired by non-military agencies? The Defense Department says they have a great deal of surplus equipment by the reduced American presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, but at the same time, 17 years of war has produced a surfeit of property, whether it's vehicles, rifles, air conditioners, clothing, computers or medical equipment. About a third of the equipment transferred to local law enforcement is new, and the most commonly obtained item from the program is ammunition, according to DLA. Other commonly requested items are cold weather clothing, sand bags, medical supplies, sleeping bags, flashlights and electrical wiring. Office equipment, which some smaller police departments can't afford, is requested, and the DLA has offered tactical armored vehicles, grenade launchers, watercraft and aircraft. There are some that have said that some of the items, like Humvees, mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles, aircraft, boats, sniper scopes, and M-16s, can raise eyebrows. Yet, facilitators of the program point out that only about five percent of the available equipment is weaponry, and less than one percent is tactical vehicles, which have been stripped down before they're repurposed for police agencies. Most of what law enforcement agencies receive are leftover
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office equipment, blankets and sleeping bags, flashlights, cameras, clothing and other less exciting disbursements. The DLA determines what becomes available to civilian law enforcement – not police agencies who may request items. They, as part of the Department of Defense, have the final authority to determine which excess equipment and military gear is appropriate for use for law enforcement activities. And the DLA does site visits periodically to make sure the equipment they've allocated is being used appropriately. “It is up to local law enforcement to determine how and when and where and under what circumstances they use excess military equipment,” former Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said in 2014. “We don't take a position on the way the equipment is used.” “It's been a huge benefit because we're taking surplus and devalued equipment and utilizing it,” Bouchard said. “It's a great benefit to taxpayers because they've already paid for it, and it's being put back to use – it's being put back to great use for us.” ow could the acquisition of large trucks, tactical armored vehicles, night vision goggles, rifles, and other equipment, possibly be a benefit to Oakland County taxpayers? Bouchard is accurate, in that there is no cost from the federal government to local law enforcement agencies, who are essentially taking the proffered items off of the feds' hands. In exchange, local agencies do have to go and get the equipment or pay for shipping costs, and then pay for its storage and maintenance – but there is no fee or payment required for the actual items acquired. The DLA notes that “the program gives smaller police departments access to material that larger police departments are usually able to afford without federal assistance.” “If I had the money to just buy an armored vehicle that was designed for civilian law enforcement, I would. It's not the vehicle I would have chosen if money wasn't an option, if I could just go buy a vehicle,” said West Bloomfield Police Chief Michael Patton of the $733,000 mine resistant vehicle the department obtained in May of 2014. “But the need is there. Timeliness is there for us to respond to an incident and not have to wait for the Oakland County Sheriff's Department and Michigan State Police – there's always a time delay. We're sending our officers into harmful situations. We don't always know what the risk is going to be when we go into it.” Patton noted that in 2012, West Bloomfield officer Patrick O'Rourke, 39, a 12-year veteran of the force was killed in a shooting by a barricaded gunman. The Sheriff's Department provided a SWAT unit and a robot with a camera to try to find the shooter. “We put neighbors, little kids, whole families, inside our armored vehicles and evacuated them safely,” Bouchard said, pointing out an example of how the department has used repurposed military armored vehicles – tanks – to protect officers and the public, rather than as quasi-military. “That's just one example. We have numerous examples where we have safely evacuated and protected people.” Bouchard said they utilize equipment in that manner on a regular basis. Major Cities Chiefs Association Myers pointed out, “We've shifted from a warrior mindset to a guardian mindset, but there are unfortunate times when they have to shift to warrior mindset – when cops have to go to battle, and we want them to battle safely – and come home safely.” Mark Fancher, attorney for racial justice work for the ACLU in Detroit, said, “We generally oppose the militarization of police and the 1033 program that facilitates that. What contributes to tensions between police and communities of color is the police having a warrior mentality rather than being individuals to protect and serve the community. We believe policing is a bad idea to approach from a military point of view.”
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Fancher continued, “If there is a presumption that the community is a danger, that they have to be dealt with fear, aggression, if it is in the form of assault weapons, military weapons, then all the ingredients are there for violent conflict. The police will often say they have to approach with a warrior attitude because they don't know them – but that implies implicit bias that does not necessarily extend to an affluent, white community.” Yet, data show that law enforcement agencies in Oakland County vary not based on demographics, with some affluent communities choosing to take advantage of the opportunity to procure excess military equipment, while others rely on the sheriff's department, and some less affluent departments choosing that route as well, while others got trucks, rifles and expensive sight goggles. West Bloomfield Police have also acquired a pan and tilt assembly thermal viewer through the 1033 program, worth almost $3,000 in July 2014; a $77,000 remote-controlled vehicle in June 2017; and 200 $3 first aid field dressing kits in June 2017. “Storage costs are pretty minimal,” Bouchard said. Patton concurred, noting they utilize an indoor facility for their MRAP. Available equipment shows up on a military surplus list on a rolling basis, Bouchard said, rather than on a monthly or annual basis, “so we have someone on staff who peruses it regularly.” He said it's not a centralized list, though, because items are located all over the country, and they are not geographically specific. “It's whoever gets it first,” Bouchard said. “It could be in Tennessee, or in California.” Shipping costs for small items, like first aid items, may be minimal, but if it's for a large utility truck, sending deputies to California to acquire it and drive it back may not justify the “free” cost. A memorandum of agreement between the DLA and states that participate in the 1033 program requires local police to either use the military equipment within one year or return it to the DLA. “Certain equipment, if you don't use it – or don't want to use it – it must be returned to the military or given to another law enforcement agency,” he said, or items that include firearms, armored vehicles, “and other more controlled items, where there has to be strict inventory control. Some items, once you have them for a year or two, they fall off of accountability – like boots, coats, filing cabinets, first aid kits. They're not controlled, and if you disposed of them, or you didn't utilize them, they can be thrown out.” ccording to records from the Federal Weapons Loaned to Public Bodies, the sheriff's office first began accessing and acquiring surplus items from DLA in 1999, the year Bouchard became the county sheriff. Besides the 540 rifles acquired over the years, beginning in December 1999, and then in September 2000, with rifles and night vision goggles. They accelerated their acquisitions in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. In 2012 alone, the sheriff's department requested and received dozens of rifles; 400 infrared transmitters; night vision goggles; 200 sight reflex, which are optical devices, worth $1,170 each; four telescopes at $2,000; 10 other telescopes worth $800 a piece; four robots worth $8,000 a piece; binoculars; five night vision viewers worth $10,427 each; 22 ballistic and laser protective spectacles, at $20 each; 400 infrared illuminators, at $360 a crack; a thermacam camera, worth almost $12,000; a parts kit, valued at $28,816; and two utility trucks – one valued at $172,193, the other at $329,000. The department acquired a utility truck in 2011, as well, worth $46,983, and two in 2013, each valued at $58,939. Other significant acquisitions requisitioned from DLA in 2013 were eight laser range finders worth $20,501 each; 50 infrared illuminators, valued at $160 each; three inflatable life rafts, $5,432 a piece; four supplemental armor sets at $24,709 each; and 150 holographic weapon gun sights, at $507 each.
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Along with rifles, the other major acquisition by the department occurred in January 2016, when they were able to procure a mine resistant vehicle worth $733,000. That's almost $2.6 million worth of law enforcement equipment the department acquired without any cost to taxpayers – much less all of the other equipment over the years. “We don't get things like grenade launchers. But why should we go out and buy something when you have thousands of it in inventory in storage?” Bouchard asked. He pointed out that bayonets, with their swordlike, bladed weapontips over a rifle, have the perception of a war weapon. In actuality, according to the Elite Forces Handbook of Unarmed Combat, today a bayonet is rarely, if ever, used in one-to-one combat – although it is still issued by many armies. It is often used for controlling prisoners, or as a weapon of “last resort.” It is also used by soldiers as a ground tool, as a survival knife. Hence, the availability of bayonets to local law enforcement through the DLA and 1033 program. Bouchard said a practical use to local law enforcement “is to cut someone out of a seat belt in a car accident, or to cut wires away. It's as a life saving or first aid tool. There are also ceremonial bayonets, for our ceremonies, for funerals and parades. They're part of our honor guard.” They are not for actual use, he pointed out. “The bottom line is – we hope and pray we never have to use this equipment. But in our line of work, hope and prayer is not a strategy,” Bouchard emphasized. “Preparation is. So we work and prepare.” For him and his officers, a lot of this excess military equipment helps with the preparation part. ut there are arguments across the country that smaller police departments are collecting battlefield worthy arsenals, all thanks to the 1033 program. And while the Oakland County Sheriff's Department spends money and time on training its officers and on proper maintenance and storage, lots of small law enforcement departments around the country – even around the county – do not make that same effort. The concern is that they are stockpiling military equipment which could be misused – or worse, get into the wrong hands. In Wixom, with a population of 13,500, the public safety department acquired a utility truck worth $41,061 in 2012, and another worth $47,023 in 2013. They also received a mine resistant vehicle, worth $658,000, in 2013. They have not received anything else from the 1033 program. Novi Police Department also received a utility truck, worth $46,983, in 2011. The Troy Police Department also received a utility truck, worth $49,897, in 2012, along with 45 reflex sight vision goggles, each valued at $315. Farmington Hills Police received 152 military field packs in 2016, each valued at $349, and 600 field first aid dressing kits, at $3 a piece in 2017. Farmington Police also received field first aid dressing kits in 2017, 92 worth $3 each, as well as four $138 rifles in 2000; six rifles worth $749 each in 2014; and 23 military field packs, each valued at $349, in 2016. The Waterford Police Department has not received anything since 2002, when they acquired one 5.56 mm rifle worth $500. They acquired 17 of the rifles in 1998, and two other rifles in 1995, along with a pair of $2,200 night vision goggles in 2000. The Lake Angelus Police Department acquired 13 $500 rifles in 2012. Southfield last had an acquisition in 1995, when it received nine rifles worth $138 each. Lathrup Village acquired rifles, as well, two valued at $500 in 1998; and two worth $500 in 2002. Ferndale's police department received 10 $138 rifles in 2001, and 100 $3 field first aid dressing kits in 2017. In Orchard Lake Village, two $500 rifles were procured in 2005.
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Sylvan Lake Police got four rifles worth $138 each in 2000. Lake Angelus Police received 13 $500 rifles in 2012. In S. Lyon, the police department was able to get four rifles, two worth $120 in 2009; and two worth $750 in 2014. Clawson's police department acquired an armored truck in 2000, worth $65,070, and 17 $500 rifles in 2012. In Beverly Hills, they received six rifles, at $138 each, in 2003. But many other departments choose not to take advantage of the 1033 program. “We have nothing, and we have never asked for anything,” said Birmingham Police Chief Mark Clemence. “A lot of that stuff is super for a big city or a county. If you have a SWAT team, or marine protection, where you need that. But we don't. We'd have the expense of housing it, and insuring it and maintaining it. It's free to get it – but then you have other costs. “It's a wonderful program – I'm very supportive of it. It only increases officer safety. For a municipality to buy an armored vehicle is big money – and then to work it into their budget, it may no longer meet military standards, but it's ideal for a county like Oakland, or a big city.” “I've got nothing. We've never done that,” said Bloomfield Township Chief Scott McCanham. “We don't have a tactical unit. We use Oakland County's (Sheriff Department). I know they have benefitted (from the program). “It's never been in our past, and I don't see it in our future. For us to take it – there are people who need it more than us.” Bloomfield Hills Public Safety Chief Noel Clason concurred. “We don't have any, and never had,” he said. “We rely on the county for any tactical needs.” He also said they are able to receive enough funding for their primary needs – a critical reason why so many local law enforcement departments around the country have turned to the 1033 program. “We're able to fund any patrol rifle, and they're military grade,” Clason said. “If we need anything, we would go with Oakland County SWAT or the Michigan State Police. Plus, we don't have any storage for any of it.” Rochester has never sought or received any surplus military equipment, either. Royal Oak Police Deputy Police Chief Mike Frazier said he believed they did procure a few items years ago, “but a lot of it wasn't worth it. We gave the guns back because we didn't use them. The night vision apparatus weren't in working order, and it would have cost us more to bring them into working order than buying new ones.” He said the accounting process, while necessary, is a lot of paperwork, and perhaps not worth the value of the acquisitions – at least for them. The 1033 program was halted in 2014 by President Obama after Ferguson, much to the chagrin of Bouchard and others, and some large scale equipment, like tanks and trucks, had to be returned to the Department of Defense. President Trump re-instituted the program in August 2017, but acquisitions have been slow around the country. Myers, of Major Cities Chiefs Association, said, “After the cessation of the 1033 program, some departments struggled because some equipment they needed couldn't be purchased with their budgets. What's interesting, it was predicted by some there would be a rush to acquire the equipment when it was allowed again, but actually, it's been slow. I have a theory – in the aftermath of the ban, it's lead many chiefs to reflect the use of that equipment – if it's needed, what's the proper usage, and how to avoid the backlash like Ferguson. “When I was a chief of a large city department (he was chief in Plymouth years ago), we certainly had an armored vehicle for a SWAT situation, but we never used it for a 4th of July parade. I think we've all seen the images of N. Korea and Russia, and images of the military parades, and I don't think those are the images we should be using and leading with. This equipment is merely tools, not the basis of police work. Think images of Pulse Nightclub, the Vegas shooter, where the shooter is heavily armed – we have an obligation to arm our officers with the equipment to meet and fight the shooter or shooters to protect the public, but that does not equate to showing off our toys.”
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FACES Linda Schlesinger n 2008, during the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, stores and companies across the country were just trying to stay afloat. Instead of continuing her well-known knitwear line which she had run for the last 30 years, Linda Schlesinger decided to do something not many people would have done then: start a brand new business. “I just thought, ‘Ugh, I’m not doing this anymore,’” she said about her former knitwear line. “The thought was, ‘What can I do that’s going to apply to every woman, every size, every age.’” Her idea was simple – create a camisole that was a little bit longer than others. As an older woman – Schlesinger was 60 at the time – she wanted something where if she leaned over she wouldn’t have to worry about it pulling up and showing her stomach. Sometimes, the most simple ideas lead to greatness, like it has for Schlesinger and her company, Skinnytees. Schlesinger said when she started she had a little bin with only 10 colored camis and about $1,000. Now, they do their tanks in over 100 colors, have products that range from activewear to leggings and their best-selling item, the bra-friendly basic tank, and have much, much more than $1,000 in their bank account. The company also quickly outgrew their original space, Schlesinger’s home, before ending up in their current warehouse location in Birmingham, which is 7,000-square-feet. “Its like being a kid in a candy store,” Schlesinger laughed. Their warehouse is filled floor-to-ceiling with all of their items. They need that kind of space, considering they not only sell all over the U.S. and Europe, but can be found on morning shows like The View and Good Morning America’s Deals and Steals, which they’ve been on six times within the last year alone. Skinnytees have also been on QVC in the U.S. and Europe. Oh, and Oprah wore one of their scoop neck long sleeves on her March issue. “That became very popular (on the website) that month,” Schlesinger said. As wonderful as all this success has been, it isn’t just about making money for Schlesinger and Skinnytees. It’s also about helping others. Every year they raise money in October for a mother in need going through breast cancer treatment. That is only the tip of the iceberg of giving back, which has been important to Schlesinger since Skinnytees’ inception. “When I was divorced and going through a difficult time – and I was 60-years-old and had to recreate myself – I would say if I make it it’s going to be all about paying it forward,” Schlesinger said. “I was always successful, but this is a different kind of successful.” For Schlesinger, part of her success comes back to yet another simple idea, having excellent customer service. It shows in their return rate, which is below 10 percent. Schlesinger said if she’s in town, every single return request or exchange gets a personal note from her, and if there’s a customer on the phone that is having an issue she speaks with them directly. “I kill them with kindness,” she said. “Being good and kind works. And they love hearing from me.” Customers will be hearing from her for a long time. Schlesinger has no plans on turning the business over any time soon. She’s having too much fun. “Well, I just turned 70, and I’m not retiring,” Schlesinger said. “I love this.”
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MUNICIPAL Joint panel meeting on city retail, parking By Lisa Brody
At the annual Birmingham City Commission/Planning Board joint workshop session, held on Monday, June 18, the two boards discussed potential future changes to the residential parking requirement standard in downtown Birmingham as well as possible alterations to the boundaries of the redline shopping district for the first floor retail ordinance. Planning director Jana Ecker said that changing the city's residential parking standards is “something we've talked about time and time again. Because the parking requirements are so high (two parking spaces for each residential unit in the central business district), it causes large (residential) spaces, and there are higher costs for the upper level units.” She said the planning board has talked about eliminating the residential parking standards, and have draft language for a new ordinance. Currently, for new five-story mixed use buildings, the first floor must be retail, the second and third floors commercial, or office, the fourth floor a mixture of commercial and/or residential, and the fifth floor must be residential. Retail and commercial space do not have to provide on-site parking if they are in the parking assessment district – essentially in the central business district – because they pay an assessment for the city's parking structures, where office workers and shoppers park. Ecker suggested that perhaps there should be something different in downtown “because there are public structures. Most people (living in downtown) use them in the evenings and weekends, when they're emptier.” Commissioner Mark Nickita asked how the city can anticipate this, if the planning board has been studying it. “I'm all in favor of lowering the residential parking requirement,” he said. “The amount of parking we have – we know there are cars, and they'll want to go somewhere. Would this alter the office requirement? There's a lot of office and not enough residential, and parking is the driver.” “I think you have an opportunity to do an either/or or both,” responded downtownpublications.com
Restaurant changes to screening room n amendment to the special land use permit to allow Emagine Palladium to put in a private, rentable theater where they had previously had Four Story Burger was approved by Birmingham city commissioners on Monday, June 4. Planning director Jana Ecker explained to commissioners that Emagine Palladium, 209 Hamilton Row/250 N. Old Woodward, in the Palladium Building, was proposing to put in a private theater that could be rented out, which would then be their sixth theater in that location. The small theater would have between 24 and 35 seats, depending upon the size of the seats. Ecker said Four Story Burger, a restaurant on the fourth floor of the Palladium Building owned by Paul Glantz and Jonathon Goldstein, owners of Emagine Palladium, had closed “a while ago.” “The pizza ovens, lounges, the food, and all of the other things would stay the same,” Ecker said, as the theater would offer food and beverages to patrons. “Their thought is they would rent it out for birthdays and functions. You would enter, have food in the front area and see a movie.” Emagine Palladium has one of the city's Class C liquor licenses. Mayor pro tem Patty Bordman asked if other times the theater would be a regular movie theater. “We would be honored to host people on a regular basis. It would be predicated on demand,” Glantz said. Glantz said the seats will be moveable.
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city manager Joe Valentine. “You can work with a consultant who would analyze it and then give it to the planning board to study.” “So you're saying this is the tip of the iceberg?” Nickita asked. “This is the process that gets you where you want to go,” Valentine said, by having a consultant study parking and land use issues. Planning board member Robin Boyle disagreed. “Therein lies the problem – they're parking consultants. We're looking at ways to take out space to park cars. It's a conflict of interest. We have to be careful of the advice we seek when we are challenging the industry.” “The big issue is not only to expand retail but to create a disincentive to more offices and more packed offices,” said commissioner Carroll DeWeese. “I'd like to see the city go to smaller apartments/condos that wouldn't require parking – that would be 800 square feet and they're using Uber. Our parking problems seem to be directly related to more office. How do you keep it so that retail workers can still use it with their reduced incomes.” “I have a car, my wife has a car, we're still going to have two cars for years to come, and I'm not going to Uber everywhere,” said planning board member Bert Kosceck. Commissioner Patty Bordman agreed.
“Shared parking is a key component. There's a significant number of parking spaces at night, when residential needs it,” Nickita said. “We need to think more freely about daytime/nighttime parking uses. The 2016 Plan says to get more residential downtown.” “We do not want to solve one problem by creating another one,” commissioner Pierre Boutros said. It was agreed to hire a parking consultant to study the situation. Brooks Cowan, assistant planner, showed the group a color-coded map of the redline, or shopping, district's boundaries, with it divided into six different areas, “to determine if there is enough demand for retail in all 3.2 miles of Birmingham's boundaries,” he said. He noted the highest distribution of retail on Maple, where rents around Maple and Pierce streets are going in the $40-$50 per square foot range, he said, and the ends of Maple Road on either end in the mid-$30s a square foot. He said the next highest concentration of retail is on N. Old Woodward and S. Old Woodward where rents are also in the mid$30/per square foot. Across from Booth Park, the retail resurgence there, rents are also in the mid-$30s a square foot, while farther north on north N. Old Woodward rents are between $20 and $25 a square foot.
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He said retail on Hamilton and Willits streets, rents are about $25 a square foot. He said the planning board feels it does not have enough marketing information and retail information to make recommendations as to what should go where and what the boundaries should be. He asked if there was interest on the part of the city commission to hire a consultant to assist the planning board in making a decision. “We're working through different levels of analysis – there is no end game,” planning board chair Scott Clein said. “We clarified that we don't want office in the first floor retail, but that the redline district may not need to stay as it is – a recognition there is very, very high standards at the core, and some other standards on the edge,” said Nickita. “Also, these nonconforming sites that we're requiring to be retail, but they're unusual retail sites because of the way they're built, that's one of the directives. It doesn't seem that difficult to figure out.” He, and other commissioners, recommended tapping into the knowledge and expertise of Buxton, the retail marketing group working with the Birmingham Shopping District (BSD). “We need to know retail trends four, five, six, seven years in the future, and what those retail trends are and what they're planning,” said planning board member Daniel Share. Mayor Andy Harris noted they cannot approach Buxton until they create a request for proposal (RFP) to send to them. “As for where retail is going – I have no problem with drawing up an RFP. Let's move forward,” said city commissioner Stuart Sherman.
City commissioners set 2018-19 budget Birmingham city commissioners unanimously approved the city's $36.5 million fiscal year 2018-2019 budget at their meeting on Thursday, May 24, which includes a small decrease in the city's millage rate, from 14.6739 mills in fiscal year 2017-2018 to 14.5142 mills for the upcoming fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. The difference is due to an increase in taxable value of properties in the city, finance director Mark 75
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A s s o c i a t e B r o k e r
248.797.0784 | cgpero@yahoo.com
over $34 million closed & pending yTd in 2018
1222 Fairfax - Birmingham - $1,599,900
2000 custom built Quarton Lake Estates colonial. Excellent floor plan and lavishly upgraded throughout. 4 bedrooms, 4.2 baths.
275 S. Old Woodward Downtown Birmingham
336 Suffield – Birmingham - $1,550,000
Wonderful Quarton Lake Estates colonial on a 120 foot wide lot. Spacious floor plan with beautiful remodeled kitchen & butlers pantry. 4 bedrooms, 3.1 baths.
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2781 Turtle Shores - Bloomfield Hills - $899,900
611 Chesterfield - Birmingham - $889,900
Wonderful lot opportunity in prestigious Turtle Lake. Amazing value for 1.94 acres on Turtle Lake with approximately 162 feet of lake frontage.
Renovated 4 bedroom Quarton Lake Estates colonial. Beautiful remodel is in move in condition. Just a few blocks from Quarton Elementary. Finished basement. Two car garage.
30795 Bruce Lane - Franklin Village - $725,000
411 S Old Woodward, #912 - Birmingham - $699,900
2000 built home on a large double lot, 1.4 acres. Beautiful kitchen with granite & center island. 4 bedrooms, 3.1 baths. Fully finished walkout.
Spacious unit in Birmingham Place on the 9th floor with picturesque southern views. Gorgeous kitchen. Doorwalls to two separate balconies. Step outside and enjoy downtown Birmingham.
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560 Berwyn - Birmingham - $589,900
Character and charm fill this 4 bedroom, 2.1 bath cape cod on a .37 acre lot with a huge backyard. White kitchen opens to nook and family room overlooking yard.
2795 Buckingham - Birmingham - $289,900
Pembroke Park 3 bedroom, 2 bath bungalow. Updated kitchen. Master upstairs with full bath. Partially finished basement. Walk to park.
6850 Oakhills – Bloomfield Hills - $450,000
New listing in Oakland Hills Country Club sub. A spacious ranch on just over a 1/2 acre. 4 bedrooms and 3.1 baths. Two car attached side entry garage. First floor laundry.
1563 S Hill - Bloomfield Hills - $159,900
Two-story 2 bedroom condo. Association includes club house, swimming pool, tennis courts. One car attached garage. Avondale Schools.
MUNICIPAL Gerber explained in a memo. Due to the increase in taxable value and results of the Headlee Tax Limitation Act, “Overall, the revised millage rate is .0269 mills less than what was proposed in the recommended budget and .1597 mills less than the 20172018 total levy,” Gerber wrote. Breaking the millage down, the city's operating levy is 11.2099 mills; the Baldwin Library levy, which was rolled back due to Headlee, is 1.3891 mills; the refuse levy is 0.8036 mills; and the debt levy is 1.1116 mills, for a total of 14.5142 mills per homeowner. A millage rate is the amount per $1,000 of property used to calculate local property taxes, and is based on half the homeowner's assessed value. Of the $36.5 million anticipated general fund revenues for the upcoming fiscal year, the city expects to take in $25 million in property taxes; $3.4 million in charges for services; $3.2 million in permits and fees; and $2.1 million in intergovernmental revenue. Expenditures for fiscal year 20182019 are budgeted at $13.7 million for public safety; $6 million for general government services; $5 million for engineering and public services; and $3.4 million in community development. Commissioners voted 7-0 to accept the budget.
Social Kitchen plan for rooftop approved By Lisa Brody
Social Kitchen and Bar in Birmingham received recommendations for approvals from the Birmingham Planning Board at its meeting Wednesday, May 23, to allow improvements to its rooftop dining area with a new retractable awning, as well as improved greenery, new seating and painting of the exterior of the restaurant. Planning director Jana Ecker noted that Social is one of Birmingham's original bistros, with seats in its interior, as well as seating outside in the via and on its rooftop, for a total of 150 seats. “They are not planning to change the number of the seats on the rooftop,” Ecker said. “Right now they have a cover, but it's not very large. This would be a much larger, greenhouse-type structure with lattice on the ends and retractable fabric.” She said they were planning on downtownpublications.com
adding five new floor lamps under the hanging area of the pergola with LED lights, although the photometrics would not be changed. Fans and hanging planters would be added. Existing Bradford pear trees in one area of the rooftop would be replaced with a planter, and a service door would be moved. New furniture would be added. “There is no enclosure around this dining area; it's more of an awning,” she said. “The building department deemed this a building and a structure and will need to go through all city departments for approvals.” Ecker said they were planning to paint the entire exterior of the building a new shade of green. “They are also planning some type of public art on the east part of the via, but it is not part of this application,” she said. Designer Roman Bonislawski of Ron & Roman design firm in Birmingham said, “Social has remained a mainstay in Birmingham – it needs a refresh. I want to assure everyone it is not an enclosure – it's a pergola-style awning. We're doing linear style lighting along the pergola. There's no other changes. It's just dressing that doghouse.” Social had run into controversy over the years by fully enclosing their outdoor dining area on the via with plastic Eisenglass for year-round use. They had also had continual issues with the city over dying greenery and using plastic greenery, which is not permitted in the city. Mitch Black, owner of Dick O'Dow's on Maple, spoke up against its changes. “I remember distinctly when Social came before the board – the rooftop was going to be for private parties. These places (bistros) were supposed to be small, quaint places – I'm one of the few legacy (Class C liquor license) holders left – if there are bar stools on the roof, then there aren't 10 bar seats; there's 20. Tallulah had a private room; now it's part of the restaurant. Bella Piatti has more seats. At what point do we look at the original bistro intent? Look at Toast – their patio is massive. On our end, we're trying to compete.” “A lot of these issues have been raised (by the planning board and city commission, which are reviewing them), and we are looking at tightening them up,” said Ecker. She noted that Social's application would be grandfathered in. Social currently has 64 interior
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seats, 56 in the year-round via, and 30 rooftop seats, for a total of 150 seats – far more than the 65 seats maximum in the bistro ordinance. “When the bistros come back, we should probably talk about enforcement,” said board member Bryan Williams. “We really have a bistro here that has 150 seats,” noted board member Bert Koseck. “On the other hand, they bring 150 into Birmingham when the city is making a lot of improvements,” said board member Robin Boyle. “A private investment that is activating that via, that we didn't do anything about.” Board members voted 5-2, with Williams and Koseck voting against, to recommend approvals to the city commission.
Possibility to bond to improve city parks Birmingham City Manager Joe Valentine explained to city commissioners at their meeting on
Monday, June 4, that a funding opportunity has arisen to take advantage of the city's financial position and reinvest in the city's parks through a parks and recreation bond, and commissioners unanimously directed the parks and recreation board to review their 2018 master plan's fiveyear capital improvement plan and prioritize projects so the city can issue up to a $20 million bond proposal for voters to approve. “There's a unique opportunity,” Valentine said regarding the parks and recreation master plan, which the commission adopted in March of 2018 to “plan for future park improvement projects and comply with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) best practices. Adoption of this plan also makes the city eligible for MDNR grants as they become available.” He said the plan outlined several park improvements with costs of several million dollars, but city funding limitations have “have relegated these parks improvements primarily to grant availability.”
During the annual budget process this spring, he said staff identified an additional funding option – bonding to raise the needed capital. “Just about every park needs a touch up,” he said, noting some parks and facilities haven't had renovations since the 1990s. “The city is AAAbonded, we have low debt, and municipal bonds are attractive and allows us to do it in the short term. The last parks and recreation bond was authorized in 2001.” He said currently, the city's bond capacity is 10 percent of its total assessed valuation. “Currently, we have utilized about six percent of our debt limit as of June 20, 2017,” Valentine said. The city will begin having diminishing bond obligations, with sewer bonds paid off in 2021-2022; and in 2023-23, the last payment on the first parks and recreation bond will be paid off. He said if there is bonding for a new parking structure, that would be paid off from the parking system revenues, which is not part of the city's debt.
He asked commissioners to direct the parks and recreation board to review the 2018 parks and recreation master plan five-year capital improvement program and determine which parks facilities need improvements, and to conduct public engagement programs. It would then be brought back to commissioners for final approval, along with ballot proposal language to ideally be put on the November 2018 ballot, Valentine said. However, to be approved for the November election, ballot language would have to approved by Oakland County by early August, so commissioners noted that could not occur in the limited time frame. Commissioner Rackeline Hoff asked if Valentine had any thoughts about bond amounts. He said between $10 and $12 million, for projects which could be completed in a five-year time line. “I think it's a very good idea, but I would not suggest the parks and rec board rush this for August for the November ballot,” Hoff said. “I think this should take some time.”
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Birmingham Schools’ Nerad retiring in June After six years with the district, Birmingham Schools Superintendent Daniel Nerad is calling it a career, and retiring at the end of June. Nerad, a native of Wisconsin, announced he will be retiring effective June 30, and will move back to his home state, where he still has family. “He lived there his whole life until he moved here,” noted district spokesperson Marcia Wilkinson. Nerad joined the district in 2012, and continued the level of excellence the district has been known for. Prior to becoming superintendent of Birmingham Schools, he spent 37 years in schools in Green Bay and Madison, Wisconsin. He was superintendent of the Madison Metropolitan School District for six years before moving to Michigan, and before that, was superintendent and worked in administration in Green Bay. In 2006, Nerad was named Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year. Wilkinson, who announced she would also be retiring effective June 30, said Nerad decided it was a natural time for him to retire. “We wish Dan and his family all the best in the world, and we appreciate all the work he has done in continuing the level of excellence for Birmingham Public Schools,” she said. The board of education is beginning a search for a new superintendent by contracting with an educational search firm, and will perform a national search, beginning at their board meeting Tuesday, June 5. At the June 5 board meeting, John Silveri, who has been acting as both the interim assistant superintendent for human resources as well as interim deputy superintendent for school administration, was named interim superintendent for the district. Silveri retired in 2015 as superintendent of the Waterford School District. In a statement, the board said, “We believe that as an experienced educational leader and someone who knows our community and culture, Mr. Silveri will provide a seamless leadership transition for our district in the year ahead.”
Several openings on school boards Birmingham Public Schools and Bloomfield Hills Schools' Boards of downtownpublications.com
Education have board members' seats expiring, with a deadline date of Tuesday, July 24, at 4 p.m. for potential candidates to file to run to serve their school communities. Voters will select school board candidates in the November general election. There will be three open seats on the seven-member Birmingham board, with current board members Jessica Thomas, Walter Rothschild and Steve Scheidt terms expiring. Scheidt, currently the board president, has stated he is retiring from the board, schools spokesperson Marcia Wilkinson said. He was first elected in 2010. Thomas is completing her first term, as is Rothschild, who is currently board secretary. Birmingham Schools board seats are six-year terms. Four board members' seats are expiring on the Bloomfield Hills board – Howard Baron, Ed Ford, Paul Kolin and Jason Paulateer. Paulateer, who was appointed in July 2017 to finish former board member Ingrid Day's term, said he will be running for a full first term. Both Kolin and Baron said they will be running for a second term. Ford has been a schools' trustee since 2008. Bloomfield Hills Schools trustees serve for four-year terms. The election will be held Tuesday, November 6.
Aldi gets final okay at Village project Aldi, a no-frills discount grocer, received unanimous approval from Bloomfield Township trustees at their meeting on Monday, June 11, for their final site plan at 1939-1969 Telegraph Road, within the Village at Bloomfield development. Patti Voelker, township director of planning, building and ordinances, informed trustees that “we're well into the build-out and approvals for the Village at Bloomfield.” There are five acres that fall into Bloomfield Township, with the other 85-acres of the development in a 425 joint development agreement area. The master plan for the Village at Bloomfield references a grocer, with Aldi fitting the profile. “20,000 square feet of the 22,000 square feet of Aldi's floor plan fall within Bloomfield Township,” Voelker said. She said the developer, REDICO, is collaborating on DOWNTOWN
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SAL & MARK Selling... Pleasant Ridge Landmark
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18 Ridge Road | $1,195,000
Sal Impastato REALTOR®
248.763.2223 simpastato@hallandhunter.com
Mark L. Bess REALTOR®
248.425.3778 mbess@hallandhunter.com
salandmark.com
442 S. Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009
Stately Arts & Crafts inspired French Manor landmark home sited deep on a beautifully manicured lot. Gracious rooms with 9’ ceilings include living room with bookcases and French doors opening to leaded sunroom with French limestone floor and custom plaster detail. Extensive use of leaded glass adds to the authenticity of this 1913 gem. Formal dining room has original butlers pantry. Stunning new island kitchen features top-of-the line appliances. Double sinks with custom faucets, Carrera marble tops, coffered ceiling and custom display cabinets. Open staircase boasts arched window at landing offering views of front gardens. Private all-new master suite includes sitting room with built-ins, large paneled bedroom with walk-in closet. . Classic Carrera marble bath has large shower, claw-foot tub, heated floor and double sinks with nickel hardware. New boiler 2018, dual zoned A/C and spectacular parterre gardens. 3,841 Square Feet | 5 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218044273
SAL SA L&M MARK ARK Selling... Sell ing... Birmingham Classic
511 Hanna Str Street eet | $985,000
1712 Winthr Winthrop op Lane | $724,900
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Birmingham Vintage
Updated Quarton Lake Cape Cod close to Quarton Elementary. Open kitchen and family room has access to patio and private fenced yard. Amazing vaulted master th and walk-in retreat complete with 25’ x 19’ bedroom, sitting area, slaate baath closet. Finished lower level. 3,014 Square Feet | 4-5 Bedrooms | 3 Full Baths | MLS# 218042931
Bloomfield History
Birmingham Style
799 E. Long Lake Road | $299,000
35300 W Woodward Woodwar ood oodwar dA Avenue, venue, #506 | $299,900
Extraordinary opportunity to own the Bloomfield Hills former Briggs Estate Stable Master’s home. Set on 1.3 rolling wooded acres, this charming English cottage features two fireplaces & walkout LL. Kitchen opens to dining room with access to large wraparound balcony with views of yard and custom built-in barbecue. 1,569 Total Square Feet | 2 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218035053
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In-town Dutch Colonial blends charm & character with updaates tes for today’s lifestyle. Exceptional covered front porch with blue stone. Updaated white kitchen opens to family room & side deck with pergola. Spacious master has amazing new stone baath. Attached 2-car garage. 3,037 Square Feet | 4 Bedrooms | 2 Full,1 Half Half Ba Baths | MLS# 218040954
Penthouse views from this sophisticaated Poppleton Place top-floor remodel with premium upgrades throughout and prime southwest exposure New island white kitchen by Designs Unlimited. Open living room and dining room has new flooring and balcony overlooking downtown. Association fee includes heat and waaterr. 993 Square Feet | 2 Bedrooms | 2 Full Baths | MLS# 218040954
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MUNICIPAL a mixed-use building in a strip center adjacent to Aldi. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We're looking at approval for this building that is primarily in Bloomfield Township, with a portion in the joint development area in Pontiac,â&#x20AC;? said Mark Kellenberger with Aldi. He said Aldi has plans for a 22,565 square foot building â&#x20AC;&#x153;with an elevation that was specially-designed for this development.â&#x20AC;? He said that Aldi plans to begin construction as soon as possible, with anticipation of opening in mid to lateNovember of this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This will give us a prime location in Oakland County, to reach a new demographic in Oakland County,â&#x20AC;? Kellengerger said. He said Aldi is not as well-known in Oakland County as their sister company, Trader Joe's. In Bloomfield Township, Kellenberger said they will continue one of their unique features, rent-acart. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You rent it with a quarter, you shop, and then plug the cart back in and it kicks back the quarter,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It's a way to keep costs down, as well
as not littering the parking lot with carts.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;My wife and I shop at your Aldi's in Florida, and we love it,â&#x20AC;? said township attorney Bill Hampton. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Are you leasing or building the building?â&#x20AC;? asked clerk Jan Roncelli. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We're building the building but we have a lease with REDICO,â&#x20AC;? Kellenberger said. Tim McCafferty from REDICO then gave trustees an update on the Village. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Menard's is coming up, these guys are coming up. Henry Ford Health System â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they are putting in a world class ambulatory system. They're very excited about coming into the Bloomfield area. They'll be coming in as soon as we get plans ready â&#x20AC;&#x201C; probably August, September, we'll begin in the field. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hampton Inn Suites, they're going through a corporate refresh of their look. They think they'll be done with their internal review in July, August, and they expect 13 to 14 months of construction. We're talking to Planet Fitness. Edward Rose & Company, they're doing the apartments (to the south). They're out for bids, for 140 to
150 units in their first phase. They'll probably be in the ground by August.â&#x20AC;? McCafferty said a planned area for senior living in the northern most location has had some interest, â&#x20AC;&#x153;but it's probably our coolest piece.â&#x20AC;?
One parking, retail project moves forward By Lisa Brody
Birmingham city commissioners on Monday, June 4, unanimously approved continuing discussions with development group WaldbridgeWoodward Bates Partners to redevelop the N. Old Woodward parking lot with more parking, an extension of Bates Street, a liner of retail along the new street, a mixed use building comprising residential and office space, and a park, as well as to hire a development consultant to represent Birmingham in its negotiations. Assistant city manager Tiffany Gunter said the city had been studying increasing parking to meet the heightened demand for the last three
years, creating an ad hoc parking committee whose goal has been to see if they could redevelop the N. Old Woodward structure to get more parking, as well as to have residential housing to line the area. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Amenities we wanted to include were to increase parking, to add a new mixed use building, add service drives to the area, create a public park property and connect it between the new city street and the Rouge River property to the north, and connect it to Booth Park,â&#x20AC;? Gunter said. Planning director Jana Ecker said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We've talked a lot about this over the last few years. We narrowed down the teams who were qualified to do this.â&#x20AC;? A request for proposal (RFP) was sent out last fall to four pre-qualified teams. The parcel of land, approximately four acres in the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s central business district, consists of the current N. Old Woodward parking garage, an adjacent parking lot and adjacent parcels. The cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s objective had been to solicit creative and innovative development plans from qualified developers that will extend Bates Street from Willits to
Oyster Bay on Lake Charlevoix
This amazing six bedroom Glennwood custom home is one of 13 residences in exclusive Oyster Point, KRANHKKGEJC Â&#x2020; KJ ,UOPAN =U EJ )=GA D=NHARKET &P D=O PSK I=OPAN OQEPAO =J KLAJ Ĺ&#x192;KKN LH=J SEPD BKQN Ĺ&#x201A;NALH=?AO a three-seasons porch, a full kitchen with adjoining bar and breakfast nook, high-end appliances and much more. The living and dining rooms are joined by a cozy sitting room, inviting recreation/bonus room, and three laundry areas. Fabulous landscaping surrounds the home and expansive front lawn. MLS 454126 $2,995,000
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155’ OF PRIME FRONTAGE ON WALNUT LAKE with half mile vistas in 3 directions. Built on the property where the formal gardens of Albert Kahn’s summer estate once stood with it’s beautiful field stone walls preserved and incorporated into the present home, bringing nature indoors. Expansive lake views from floor to ceiling windows in every room. 1700 square foot master suite wing includes a complete home spa and private office/library with lake views on 2 sides & private deck. Finished walk out lower level, 3 car garage, elevator and whole house generator. Full service beach house with kitchenette and bath. One of a kind! 4786 Tara Court, West Bloomfield Twp. • 5,502 Sq.Ft. • 4 Bed • 3.2 Bath • Bloomfield Hills Schools • Offered At: $2,250,000
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248.877.9609
®
www.carolshapiro.maxbroock.com 4130 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills MI 48302
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The Stand to become casual restaurant By Lisa Brody
N. Old Woodward, connecting the north and south parts of Birmingham, to redevelop the remainder of the site by constructing a new parking structure that will provide an additional minimum of 380 parking spaces while replacing the 770 parking spaces currently on the N. Old WoodwardBates Street site, plus adding residential, commercial and/or mixed uses in order to create an activated, pedestrian-oriented urban streetscape while also providing public access to the Rouge River and Booth Park to the north. The RFP stated, in part, that the city was seeking a new parking structure with a minimum of 1,150 parking spaces; a new mixed use building adjacent to a parking structure facing N. Old Woodward Avenue; a service drive access to the adjacent buildings both north and south of the parking structure; new mixed use building facing Willits Street; public park property and connection between a new city street and the existing Rouge River to the north; and a residential building on the north end of the site, which can take advantage of the existing views in the area. The city initially had four development groups submit proposals, which included parking consultants, developers, architects, designers and consultants, but only three ultimately submitted completed proposals to the city by the January 3, 2018 deadline: REDICO, TIR Equities and Waldbridge/Woodward, Bates, LLC. REDICO withdrew from consideration. After reviews, staff felt the proposal submitted by TIR Equities, a Birmingham-based limited liability company incorporated by Ara Darakjian of Darakjian Jewelers on Willits Street, did not comply with the RFP, as it has a 15-story building as its centerpiece, and the group has requested a tax increment finance (TIF) district to help finance the development, which staff labeled, in essence, a subsidy by the city, which the RFP specifically said would not be part of this development. Staff also questioned some of the financial data presented by TIR relative to cost and revenue projections for the parking portion of the project. At the ad hoc parking committee meeting on May 2, members concurred. “TIR Equities is proposing four levels of underground parking, a 15-story building, multiple other buildings that are six-stories, an extension of Bates street, all zoned PP-public property, so you go any height, but all the other
buildings in the area are max fivestory,” Ecker said to commissioners. She said that Waldbridge/Woodward Bates also includes an extension of Bates Street, numerous buildings and a plaza improvement with retail along a liner which would activate the space. “Their parking is in the rear, with a couple of levels of underground,” she said. Gunter said staff did a side by side comparison of the two proposals, evaluating both plans, and in the end, TIR had 690 points and Waldbridge, 992 points. “The committee wanted staff to do further analysis in five key categories,” she said. Notable was that on page nine of the RFP, “it clearly said 'no city subsidy.' TIR has a TIF (tax increment financing) which is equivalent to a city subsidy, so they are not in compliance with the RFP, and they overestimated.” She further explained that actual cost obligations for the city for public elements under Woodward Bates would be $54 million and $70 million under TIR. She also said there were huge cost differentials for parking construction, with Birmingham estimating at $28,299 per space; Woodward Bates estimating costs at $37,000 per space; and TIR, with all parking underground, at $57,000 per space. Further, Woodward Bates, she said, could be built in phases, whereas with TIR, all elements are co-dependent and must be developed and built together. “With the new unchartered territory on trade and tariffs on steel and aluminum, we have concerns about building right now,” Gunter said. City manager Joe Valentine pointed out to commissioners that they were not being asked to choose a developer or development, “but to allow us to continue discussions with a developer to move forward with the project. A development consultant would be the point of contact for the city in negotiating with the development team in the development agreement. The consultant would best represent the city as we don't have that expertise on staff.” Commissioners expressed that they thought both development proposals were beautiful, but “we have to consider what is appropriate for our town,” noted mayor pro tem Patty Bordman. “We don't live in a metropolis. It's a town – four square miles. The one with a 15-story tower is just too big. It would create a mini-city within our little city, and overwhelm our city.”
he Stand Restaurant in the Greenleaf Trust Building at Maple and Woodward will be reinvented as Hazel, Ravines and Downtown, a casual and creative eatery with a grab-and-go market in a reworked front lobby area, after receiving unanimous support from the Birmingham Planning Board on Wednesday, May 23, to recommend approval for its final site plan review and special land use permit to the city commission. Birmingham Planning Director Matt Baka explained that operator Beth Hussey and chef Emmele Herrold were proposing to make exterior and interior changes and to change the name. The new owners were seeking to change awnings on the building, add planters, rework the vestibules and the entrance with indoor and outdoor dining, add three new raised evergreen shrubs reading “HRD” in an area in front of the building, and add painted metal trellises with nine-foot high climbing hydrangeas. “As it is an economic development license, it is not restricted in size nor does it require outdoor dining,” Baka said. The raised evergreen shrubs were not a hit with planning board members, who also pointed out that they would be placed in the roadway's right-of-way – and Woodward is owned by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), who would have to approve it. Board members also pointed out the lettering was considered noncompliant signage. Baka explained that in the front area of the restaurant they want to remove storefront glazing on the Peabody Street side and create an outdoor market, “a grab-and-go market, where you can eat in or outdoors, or just take and go,” he said. Plans also showed that they would enlarge the bar area, the conference room, and break up a large banquet room and the large dining room, called “cavernous,” and create three new smaller banquet rooms, while keeping the existing kitchen. Designer Roman Bonislawski of Ron & Roman of Birmingham said, “We're not proposing to serve out there (the lobby/outdoor area), nor are we proposing outdoor dining. This is a challenging piece of property – that's obvious. There's about $12 million that's been invested into the restaurants (referring to former establishments, Zazio's and The Stand).” He said of Housey, former Kramer Restaurant Group partner, of One-Eyed Betty's and Pop's Italian fame in Ferndale, along with Herrold, that they were not proposing to recreate those restaurants in Birmingham, but rather to create a vibrant center. “When we contemplated the property and all the traffic at Maple and Woodward, we looked at the opportunities to make this a vibrant center, beginning with breakfast, with grab-and-go coffee, pastries, to service the population,” Bonislawski said. He noted they were facing challenges in creating a welcoming environment in the space, which is a large building lobby. “This is a casual hangout space for this restaurant,” he said, which will have well over 200 seats. The Stand had 210 seats. Housey and Herrold are tentatively proposing a three-part menu, one more “homey,” the second, more “avant-garde and edgy,” Bonislawski said, and the third, “Birmingham,” representing different neighborhoods and populations in the city. “We're all in agreement that this is its best opportunity to succeed.” “The food is number one. If the food isn't good, it doesn't matter how it looks,” said planning board member Bryan Williams, noting the previous establishments. “I like the interior changes.” “I can't tell you how much I dislike the 'HRD' landscaping – and I'd bet you wouldn't get that approved by the state,” said chairperson Scott Clein. Bonislawski said he would pull it from the plans. “I really like the interior improvements. I love the interior patio – you're going to get so much morning and afternoon traffic,” said board member Janelle Whipple-Boyce. “I'm not a huge fan of the 'HRD.'” Board members unanimously voted to recommend approval of the final site plan and special land use permit to the city commission for final approvals.
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P.J. Edghill fter finishing her novel, P.J. Edghill (aka Pat Jones) took the next logical step and searched for a publisher. She would try, get rejected, wait a bit, then the cycle would begin again, until one day she realized there was a different way she could get her story out in the world. She could create a podcast. “I just realized, wait a minute. I’m a writer, I’m a producer, I’m a director,” she said. “Podcasting is basically theater. I can do this myself.” So she did. All eight episodes of “Ovid’s Flea” dropped last fall after help from a very successful Kickstarter campaign, where she received 200 percent of her original goal, and was therefore able to hire seven actors and get equipment. Jones said the podcast is her novel word-for-word. Her desire to tell this story began in 2006, when she was living in New York and started writing a short story about a man struggling with himself and his self-identity. She was partly inspired by a friend who came out of the closet late in life and really struggled with this concept of self-homophobia. “What if you’re in this situation where you have this chance to be your real self, or so you think – how do you navigate this?” Edghill said. “It was just a really fascinating thought and concept and just like a mind-meld for me. It was like, let’s play with this idea.” This lead to the development of the six other characters who would complete Ovid’s Flea, which she still hopes to see in print one day. There’s also hope to turn it in to a limited TV series, a goal she’s had since the beginning. Ovid’s Flea explores one of the seven deadly sins, pride, and how these characters wrestle with their own while trying not to destroy themselves or each other.
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“I love the inner-workings of people,” Edghill said. “That’s what it basically comes down to.” Jones has always been like that, even as a kid at Bloomfield Hills' Academy of the Sacred Heart, where she went for kindergarten through fourth grade. She was the only African American in her classes at Sacred Heart, as well as the boarding school in England she later attended, which sometimes made her feel like a fish out of water. “People just never quite knew what to do with me,” she said. “That means a lot of times people aren’t talking to you, so you observe a lot.” Even though she felt like a fish out of water, Jones said that her time at Sacred Heart really played a big part in her life and identify. Its part of the foundation of who she is as a person and a Catholic. “There was this – this is going to sound corny, but this is kind of who I am – there was just so much love at Sacred Heart,” she said. Jones has also been feeling a lot of love lately from people who have listened to her podcast, which she said has felt lovely. It’s been great to have people get emotionally invested in these characters she spent so much time creating. It’s also been some great vindication since Ovid’s Flea was something she felt she needed to write. “You know in your soul what you’ve written and you feel like ‘I have this story I want to tell you, I really think you’re going to love it,’” she said. “When people come back and are like OMG…it's great.” Story: Dana Casadei
Photo: Jean Lannen
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CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS
CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS
330 Lowell Court | $2,795,000
159 Nantucket Drive | $945,000
Brilliantly crafted masterpiece on 2.25 acres overlooking Endicott Lake. Panoramic views of rear grounds, serene lake, bluestone terrace & walkways. Stunning 1st floor owner’s suite. Chef’s island kitchen. Expansive lower level. 4-car garage. Co-listed with Ryan Wolf
Dramatic California-style ranch on acre of private, park-like grounds. Updated modern design incorporates exquisite materials. Gourmet kitchen with sizable breakfast area. Entry level master suite. Finished walkout lower level with terrace access.
Nanci J. Rands and Meredith Colburn top producers
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Associate Broker
442 S. Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, MI 48009
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BLOOMFIELD HILLS
BLOOMFIELD
BIRMINGHAM
4584 Private Lake Court | $634,900
1049 Home Lane | $395,000
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Immaculate contemporary ranch on 1/2 acre, private site. Interiors by award-winning local designer. Open and airy design. 1st floor master with luxurious bath. 3-car garage. Generator. Co-listed with Jessica Weisman
Classic Colonial in desirable Bloomfield North Estates. Island kitchen has access to private patio. Professional office/library. Elegant master suite. Large basement with abundant storage and space. Convenient location.
Exquisite in-town 2-bedroom corner unit offers fabulous views from every room. Private terrace. Spacious kitchen with newer appliances. Large master suite. 24-hour gym, community room, storage, laundry room & parking spot.
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FRANKLIN VILLAGE
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Fabulous, unique & modern. This “SMART HOME,” designed by AZD, is outfitted with the latest custom audio/video & lighting automation simply controlled by your phone or tablet. Open floor plan. Gourmet, quartz kitchen. Finished lower level with home theatre.
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CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS
SYLVAN LAKE
730 Falmouth Drive | $1,438,000
2714 Island Court | $1,370,000
Understated elegance. Ranch style home with walkout lower level on an elevated, private acre site near Cranbrook. Great floor plan and living spaces. Newly remodeled baths. Professional bar, wine cellar & tasting room. 4-car garage.
Exquisite lakefront contemporary. Highly sought-after site with 209’ of both lake and canal frontage. Expansive open floor plan. Panoramic water views through walls of glass. Owner’s suite has 2 full baths. Sleek entertainer’s kitchen.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
BLOOMFIELD VILLAGE
5330 Woodlands Estates Dr. S | $1,698,000
3380 Morningview Terrace | $1,125,000
Tobocman gem in gated setting! Fabulous living room & dining room. First floor has luxurious master suite plus 2 large bedrooms. Walkout lower level with theatre, family room, fitness, bedroom & 2 baths. Gilbert Lake privileges.
Classic Colonial with updated façade & superb “Down to the Studs” 2005 renovation & additions. Spacious L-shaped family room overlooking lawn & gardens. Well-appointed island kitchen. Luxurious master suite. Finished egress lower level.
CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
151 Manorwood Drive | $879,000
3781 Shellmar Lane | $725,000
Outstanding California contemporary on landscaped, private acre site. An entertainer’s dream! First floor master with Travertine bath. Fully finished walkout lower level with theater, bar & rec area. Tons of storage. 3-car garage.
Beautifully updated Colonial with tremendous curb appeal and exquisitely landscaped grounds. Open-concept kitchen adjacent to family room & 3-seasons sun porch. Exceptional master suite addition. 2nd floor laundry. 3-car garage.
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PLACES TO EAT The Places To Eat for Downtown is a quick reference source to establishments offering a place for dining, either breakfast, lunch or dinner. The listings include nearly all dining establishments with seating in the Birmingham/Bloomfield area, and then some select restaurants outside the immediate area served by Downtown.
Birmingham/Bloomfield 220: American. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 220 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.2220. 5th Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2262 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9607. Andiamo: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6676 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301. 248.865.9300. Bagger Dave's Legendary Burger Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6608 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301. 248.792.3579. Bangkok Thai Bistro: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 42805 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Township, 48304. 248.499.6867. Beau's: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 4108 W. Maple, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.626.2630. Bella Piatti: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 167 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.494.7110. Beverly Hills Grill: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor. No reservations. 31471 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills, 48025. 248.642.2355. Beyond Juice: Contemporary. Breakfast & Lunch daily; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 270 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.7078. Big Rock Chophouse: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 245 South Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.7774. Bill's: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Daily. Reservations, lunch only. Liquor. 39556 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.9000. Birmingham Sushi Cafe: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.8880. Bistro Joe’s Kitchen: Global. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Sunday brunch. Liquor. Reservations. 34244 Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.0984. Bloomfield Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 71 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.645.6879. Brooklyn Pizza: Pizza. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 111 Henrietta Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6690. Café ML: New American. Dinner, daily. Liquor. Call ahead. 3607 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Township. 248.642.4000. Cameron’s Steakhouse: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 115 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.1700. China Village: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 1655 Opdyke, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.758.1221. Churchill's Bistro & Cigar Bar: Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 116 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.4555. Cityscape Deli: Deli. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Beer.
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877 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.540.7220. Commonwealth: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 300 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.9766. Dick O’Dow’s: Irish. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 160 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.1135. Eddie Merlot's: Steak & seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 37000 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.712.4095. Einstein Bros. Bagels: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 4089 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.258.9939. Elie’s Mediterranean Cuisine: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2420. Embers Deli & Restaurant: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 3598 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.645.1033. Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 323 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.0134. Forest: European. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 735 Forest Avenue, Birmingham 48009. 248.258.9400. Greek Island Coney Restaurant: Greek. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 221 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.1222. Griffin Claw Brewing Company: American. Dinner, Tuesday-Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday and Sunday. No Reservations. Liquor. 575 S. Eton Street, Birmingham. 248.712.4050. Honey Tree Grille: Greek/American. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, daily. No reservations. 3633 W. Maple Rd, Bloomfield, MI 48301. 248.203.9111. Hunter House Hamburgers: American. Breakfast, Monday-Saturday; Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 35075 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.7121. Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 201 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4369. IHOP: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2187 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301. 248.333.7522. Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner daily; Sunday brunch. Reservations. Liquor. 39475 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.792.9609. Kaku Sushi and Poke': Asian. Lunch & Dinner. Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. No Liquor. 869 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.480.4785. Kerby’s Koney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2160 N. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.333.1166. La Marsa: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner daily. Reservations. 43259 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.5800. La Strada Dolci e Caffe: Italian. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 243 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.480.0492. Leo’s Coney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 154 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.9707. Also
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DOWNTOWN
The Birmingham/Bloomfield area is filled with discriminating diners and an array of dining establishments. Make sure the message for your restaurant reaches the right market in the right publication—Downtown. Contact Mark Grablowski for advertising rate information. O: 248.792.6464 Ext. 601 MarkGrablowski@downtownpublications.com
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METRO INTELLIGENCER Metro Intelligencer is a monthly column devoted to news stories, tidbits and gossip items about what's happening on the restaurant scene in the metro Detroit area. Metro intelligencer is reported/created each month by Dana Casadei who can be reached at DanaCasadei@DowntownPublications.com with news items or tips, on or off the record.
The Morrie, Part II Aaron Belen, owner of AFB Hospitality, is hoping to bring something new to Birmingham with the opening of The Morrie, which has plans to be up and running by early next year. “There just isn’t a place right now out here for people that want a neighborhood restaurant with a very approachable price point,” he said. The Birmingham restaurant, much like the Royal Oak one of the same name – located at 511 S. Main St. – will be family-friendly and have lots of entertainment, including local talent. Other than a few changes to the menu geared more towards the new Birmingham location, like pizza and build your own salads, the menu will look very similar to the Royal Oak location, Belen said, including their recently introduced vegan burger. And get your dancing shoes ready, because Belen has applied for a dance permit in Birmingham, as in Royal Oak, so when the entertainment rocks, diners can too.
Over and out It was short, but for those who had the opportunity to dine there, it was sweet. For those looking to visit Chapman House, 311 Walnut Boulevard in Rochester, for brunch or dinner this summer, they’ll have to look elsewhere. In May, the Rochester restaurant announced on their Facebook page they would be undergoing “improvements and changes” and “putting our regular dinner and brunch services on hold, at least through the end of summer.” For now, they will be focusing only on private events, curated dining, and imbibing experiences.
Home again Early next year Jim Brady’s Detroit will return to their roots with the opening of a Detroit location, where the original restaurant opened in 1954 and was in business for over 30 years. “For me, its kind of like a poetic, completing the circle kind of thing, bringing my grandfather’s concept back to the city,” said Tom Brady, the third-generation owner. The future restaurant – which Brady said is 8,100-square-feet and has a basement of equal size – will be located in a vacant Cass Corridor (or Midtown) building formerly occupied by Chung’s Chinese restaurant. They hope to do three things at the new location – the restaurant, a rooftop bar, and a catering division. While the menu is ever evolving, Brady said guests can expect to see the favorites they’ve grown to love on the menu. Jim Brady’s Detroit also has an Ann Arbor location in the works and plans to roll out brunch at their Royal Oak location. “He (his grandpa) would think I’m crazy doing all the places that we’re doing,” Brady laughed.
Empire now open Located at 3148 Woodward Avenue in Midtown Detroit, on the ground floor of the The Scott at Brush Park, residents will now find Empire Kitchen & Cocktails, a new American bistro that opened in May. “We wanted to serve the community that was living there and moving there as a place where you could go…A friendly, neighborhood place,” said Brian Adelman, who is co-owner along with Mike Abrams and Dave Pittaway. The food at Empire is described as contemporary American cuisine with craft cocktails in a sleek, chic environment. This isn’t the first time in the restaurant business for the three, either. The partners, called BAC Holdings, also own 30 Michigan locations of Five Guys burger chain, along with iconic Southfield sports bar Mr. Joe’s. Adelman and Abrams – who grew up in the area and have known each other since childhood – thought opening Empire would be a good opportunity to be a part of Detroit’s resurgence. Being on Woodward doesn’t hurt either.
Selflessly serving sandwiches Tersion Yatooma really loves sandwiches, which played a role in why he and coowner Patrick Maizy decided to open Spread Deli & Coffee House in Detroit. Located at 4215 Cass Avenue in Detroit, the duo hope to have the storefront open by the beginning of July. Spread Deli & Coffee House will serve a variety of sandwiches – Yatooma said the menu will probably have four to six, along with the ability to build your own – and offer simple coffee drinks. Just about every product used will be locally sourced from places like Eastern Market and Cadillac Coffee. “If our neighbors have such great products, why not use what they have?” Yatooma pointed out. Spread Deli & Coffee House also plans to give
6527 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.646.8568. Little Daddy’s Parthenon: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 39500 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.647.3400. Luxe Bar & Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily; Late Night, 9 p.m.-closing. No reservations. Liquor. 525 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.6051. Mad Hatter Cafe: Tea Room. Brunch, Lunch & Dinner. No reservations. Liquor. 185 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.540.0000 Mandaloun Bistro: Lebanese. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, Daily. Reservations. Liquor. 30100 Telegraph Rd., Suite 130, Bingham Farms, 48025. 248.723.7960. Market North End: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 474 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.712.4953. MEX Mexican Bistro & Tequila Bar: Mexican. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Liquor. 6675 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301. 248.723.0800. Nippon Sushi Bar: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2079 S. Telegraph, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9581.º Olga’s Kitchen: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2075 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.451.0500. Original Pancake House: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 33703 South Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5775. Panera Bread: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 100 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.7966. Also 2125 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.253.9877. Phoenicia: Middle Eastern. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 588 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.3122. Pita Cafe: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 239 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.6999. Qdoba: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 795 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.988.8941. Also 42967 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48304. 248.874.1876 Red Olive: Middle Eastern/American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 42757 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.7767. Roadside B & G: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1727 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7270. Rojo Mexican Bistro: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 250 Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.6200. Salvatore Scallopini: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 505 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8977. Sidecar Slider Bar: Burgers. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 280 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham 48009. 248.220.4167. Social Kitchen & Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 5 or more. Liquor. 225 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4200.
Stacked Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Delivery available. No reservations. 233 North Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.5300. Steve’s Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6646 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield, 48301. 248.932.0800. Streetside Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. Reservations, Lunch only. Liquor. 273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.9123. Sushi Hana: Japanese. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. 42656 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.333.3887. Sy Thai Cafe: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 315 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.9830. Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American. Dinner. Monday-Saturday. Sunday brunch. Reservations. Liquor. 55 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.731.7066. The Franklin Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 32760 Franklin Rd, Franklin, 48025. 248.865.6600. The Gallery Restaurant: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & wine. 6683 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.851.0313. The Moose Preserve Bar & Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2395 S. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7688. The Rugby Grille: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5999. Toast: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 203 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6278. Touch of India: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 297 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.7881. Townhouse: American. Brunch, Saturday, Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 180 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.5241. Triple Nickel Restaurant and Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 555 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham 48009. 248.480.4951. Vinotecca: European. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 210 S. Old Woodard, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.6600. Village Coney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 653 S. Adams. Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.7964. Whistle Stop Diner: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; No reservations. 501 S. Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.566.3566.
Royal Oak/Ferndale Ale Mary's: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 316 South Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.268.1917. Anita’s Kitchen: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 22651 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.548.0680. Andiamo Restaurants: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations.
Liquor. 129 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.582.0999. Assaggi Bistro: Italian. Lunch, TuesdayFriday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 330 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.584.3499. Bigalora: Italian. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 711 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. Bistro 82: French. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 401 S. Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.542.0082. The Blue Nile: Ethiopian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 545 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.547.6699. Bspot Burgers: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 310 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.268.1621. Cafe Muse: French. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 418 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.4749. Cork Wine Pub: American. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 23810 Woodward Ave., Pleasant Ridge, 48069. 248.544.2675. D’Amato’s: Italian. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 222 Sherman Dr., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.584.7400. Due Venti: Italian. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 220 S. Main St., Clawson, 48017. 248.288.0220. The Fly Trap: Diner. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 22950 Woodward Ave., 48220. 248.399.5150. GreenSpace Cafe: Vegan. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 215. W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.206.7510. Howe’s Bayou: Cajun. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 22949 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.691.7145. Inn Season Cafe: Vegetarian. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. No reservations. 500 E. Fourth St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.547.7916. Inyo Restaurant Lounge: Asian Fusion. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 22871 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.543.9500. KouZina: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 121 N. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.629.6500. Kruse & Muer on Woodward: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 28028 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.965.2101. Lily’s Seafood: Seafood. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 410 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.591.5459. Lockhart’s BBQ: Barbeque. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 202 E. Third St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.584.4227. Oak City Grille: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 212 W. 6th St, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.556.0947. One-Eyed Betty: American. Weekend Breakfast. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 175 W. Troy St., Ferndale, 48220. 248.808.6633. Pronto!: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 608 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.7900. Public House: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 241 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.
248.850.7420. Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 31542 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, 48073. 248.549.0300. Ronin: Japanese. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 326 W. 4th St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.546.0888. Royal Oak Brewery: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 215 E. 4th St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.1141. Strada: Italian. Dinner, Wednesday - Sunday. Liquor. No reservations. 376 N. Main Street. Royal Oak, 48067. 248.607.3127. Toast, A Breakfast and Lunch Joint: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 23144 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.398.0444. Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 318 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.541.1186. Town Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 116 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.7300. The Morrie: American. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 511 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.216.1112. Trattoria Da Luigi: Italian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 415 S, Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.542.4444. Twisted Tavern: American. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 22901 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.545,6750. Vinsetta Garage: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 27799 Woodward Ave., Berkley, 48072. 248.548.7711.
Troy/Rochester Bspot Burgers: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 176 N. Adams Rd, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.218.6001. Capital Grille: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2800 West Big Beaver Rd., Somerset Collection, Troy, 48084. 248.649.5300. Cafe Sushi: Pan-Asian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1933 W. Maple Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.280.1831. CK Diggs: American & Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 2010 W. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.853.6600. O’Connor’s Irish Public House: Irish. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 324 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.608.2537. Kona Grille: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 30 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48083. 248.619.9060. Kruse & Muer on Main: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 327 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.652.9400. Lakes: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 5500 Crooks Rd., Troy, 48098. 248.646.7900. McCormick & Schmick’s: Steak & Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Somerset Collection, 2850 Coolidge Hwy, Troy, 48084. 248.637.6400. The Meeting House: American. Weekend Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 301 S. Main St, Rochester, 48307. 248.759.4825. Miguel’s Cantina: Mexican. Lunch, MondayFriday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 870 S. Rochester Rd, Rochester Hills,
back to the community by serving one free sandwich to someone in need for every 10 sandwiches sold. The logistics aren’t completely worked out yet, but Yatooma said if they have to start going to local shelters and handing them out themselves they will. “I think there just comes a time in everyone’s life where you should do something in return,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s about taking care of your community.” And sandwiches.
Congrats – and goodbye On May 18, customers of Parks & Rec Diner, 1942 W. Grand River Avenue, in downtown Detroit, found out that Executive Chef Allie Lyttle would do longer be at the restaurant via a statement on their Facebook page. “The Diner had been doing very well, in terms of covers and total sales and media coverage. So I was completely taken aback,” said Lyttle, who had been there for almost three years. She found out right before leaving for her honeymoon she had lost her job – via text message. When she called the general manager, she was told her position had been eliminated and they were restructuring the culinary management team. Lyttle is the third executive chef to leave the Grand Army of Republic in the last few years. But Lyttle has no intention to stay home and nest. She currently has plans to open her own restaurant that incorporates a cooking school element, possibly in Hamtramck.
Mister B’s new speakeasy This summer, Mr. B’s Gastropub, 215 S. Main Street in Royal Oak, will debut three new projects: a speakeasy, vintage arcade, and exterior mural. The first, an underground and hidden speakeasy named Johnny’s, is targeted to open in June, and like all good speakeasies will have a not-so-typical entrance. In the current design, guests will enter the 1,500-square-foot speakeasy through a back staircase accessible from an exterior kitchen door, with an entrance inside disguised as a cooler door. “There is a certain sense of mystery, an allure, that you feel as you enter a speakeasy. Johnny’s is going to be a special place,” said Johnny Prepolec, owner and executive chef of Mr. B’s Gastropub. Johnny’s will have a craft cocktail menu and food items with a prohibition-era style theme, like lamb chop lollypops and lump crab Napoleon. The arcade is already open during the restaurant’s regular business hours, with over 20 vintage and classic games. They also have a 96square-foot pop art portrait, commissioned by Michigan-based artist Lisa Littell, on the east exterior wall of the building.
Aloha Detroit Lost River, a new tiki bar at 15421 Mack Avenue, Detroit, had their public opening in early June. Matt Mergener, the bar’s co-owner along with Karen Green, said both days went really well, with people dying to check out the tropical atmosphere – which includes a floral mural by local artist Ouizi – and interesting cocktails. “Tiki is a little bit more rum-based and there’s a lot of cool things you can do with it,” Mergener said. Needless to say, their full drink menu has a lot of rum on it, including seven classic tiki drinks, like Mai Tais and their already popular Painkiller, along with seven more with a Lost River spin on them, like a Moscow Mule made with passion fruit. There will also be shareable punch bowls and a variety of draft and bottle options. On June 13, the 1,000-square-foot bar began their regular hours, Wednesday through Sunday, 4 p.m. to midnight.
Bites Kate Williams, chef at Detroit’s Lady of The House, was recently honored in Food & Wine magazine. Williams was named one of their top 10 best new chefs for 2018. Cantoro Italian Market and Trattoria has opened their Troy location, at 1695 E. Big Beaver Road, for dinner. Lunch services are expected to begin later this summer. Como’s in Ferndale will live to see another day thanks to Peas & Carrots Hospitality group, which announced they will be reviving the restaurant with the same name and a “pizza-centric menu.” Plans are to reopen next year. The group, which includes Zach Sklar, also owns Social Kitchen & Bar in Birmingham, and Beau’s Grillery and Mex in Bloomfield Township. Gogi Seoul Kitchen in Royal Oak is open. Served in fast-casual style, the restaurant will offer Korean-inspired tree food and traditional Asian beverages.
48307. 248.453.5371. Mon Jin Lau: Asian. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1515 E. Maple Rd, Troy, 48083. 248.689.2332. Morton’s, The Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 888 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.404.9845. NM Café: American. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 2705 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.816.3424. Oceania Inn: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Village of Rochester Hills, 3176 Walton Blvd, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.375.9200. Ocean Prime: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2915 Coolidge Hwy., Troy, 48084. 248.458.0500. Orchid Café: Thai. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. 3303 Rochester Rd., Troy, 48085. 248.524.1944. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Somerset Collection, 2801 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084. 248.816.8000. Recipes: American/Brunch. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 134 W. University Drive, Rochester, 48037. 248.659.8267. Also 2919 Crooks Road, Troy, 48084. 248.614.5390. Rochester Chop House: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 306 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.651.2266. Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 755 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084. 248.269.8424. Silver Spoon: Italian. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 6830 N. Rochester Rd., Rochester, 48306. 248.652.4500. Steelhouse Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1129 E. Long Lake Rd., Troy, 48085. 248.817.2980. Too Ra Loo: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 139 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.453.5291.
Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.538.7081. Meriwether’s: Seafood. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 25485 Telegraph Rd, Southfield, 48034. 248.358.1310. Pickles & Rye: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6724 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.737.3890. Prime29 Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6545 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.7463. Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 6745 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.865.0500. Shangri-La: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Orchard Mall Shopping Center, 6407 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.626.8585. Sposita’s Ristorante: Italian. Friday Lunch. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 33210 W. Fourteen Mile Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248. 538.8954. Stage Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6873 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.855.6622. Yotsuba: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7365 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.8282.
West Oakland Gravity Bar & Grill: Mediterranean. Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday, Dinner. Reservations. Liquor. 340 N. Main Street, Milford, 48381. 248.684.4223. It's A Matter of Taste: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2323 Union Lake Road, Commerce, 48390. 248.360.4150. The Root Restaurant & Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday - Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 340 Town Center Blvd., White Lake, 48390. 248.698.2400. Volare Ristorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 48992 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393. 248.960.7771.
West Bloomfield/Southfield Bacco: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 29410 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.356.6600. Beans and Cornbread: Southern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 29508 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.208.1680. Bigalora: Italian. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 29110 Franklin Road, Southfield, 48034. Maria’s Restaurant: Italian. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2080 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48323. 248.851.2500. The Bombay Grille: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 29200 Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington Hills, 48334. 248.626.2982. The Fiddler: Russian. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 6676 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.851.8782. Mene Sushi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 6239
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North Oakland Clarkston Union: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 54 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346. 248.620.6100. Holly Hotel: American. Afternoon Tea, Monday – Saturday, Brunch, Sunday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 110 Battle Alley, Holly, 48442. 248.634.5208. Kruse's Deer Lake Inn: Seafood. Lunch & dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7504 Dixie Highway, Clarkston, 48346. 248.795.2077. Via Bologna: Italian. Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 7071 Dixie Highway, Clarkston. 48346. 248.620.8500. Union Woodshop: BBQ. Dinner, Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday – Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 18 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346. 248.625.5660
Detroit Bucharest Grill: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2684 E. Jefferson, Detroit, 48207. 313.965.3111.
Cliff Bell’s: American. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 2030 Park Ave., Detroit, 48226. 313.961.2543. Craft Work: American. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 8047 Agnes St., Detroit, 48214. 313.469.0976. Cuisine: French. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 670 Lothrop Rd., Detroit, 48202. 313.872.5110. The Detroit Seafood Market: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1435 Randolph St., Detroit, 48226. 313.962.4180. El Barzon: Mexican. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 3710 Junction St., Detroit, 48210. 313.894.2070. Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café: Cajun. Breakfast, daily. Sunday Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 400 Monroe Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.965.4600. Giovanni’s Ristorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 330 S. Oakwood Blvd., Detroit, 48217. 313.841.0122. Green Dot Stables: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2200 W. Lafayette, Detroit, 48216. 313.962.5588. Jefferson House: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2 Washington Blvd., Detroit, 48226. 313.782.4318. Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Monday- Friday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 400 Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243. 313.567.6837. Johnny Noodle King: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2601 W. Fort St., Detroit, 48216. 313.309.7946. Mario’s: Italian. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4222 2nd Ave., Detroit, 48201. 313.832.1616. Midtown Shangri-la: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 4710 Cass Ave., Detroit, 48201. 313.974.7669. Motor City Brewing Works: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 470 W. Canfield St., Detroit, 48201. 313.832.2700. 1917 American Bistro: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 19416 Livernois Ave., Detroit, 48221. 313.863.1917. Prism: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 555 E. Lafayette St, Detroit, 48226. 313.309.2499. Red Smoke Barbeque: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Trappers Alley Shopping Center, 573 Monroe Ave., Detroit, 48226. 313.962.2100. Russell Street Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 2465 Russell St, Detroit, 48207. 313.567.2900. Santorini Estiatorio: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 501 Monroe Ave, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.9366. Selden Standard: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner,
DOWNTOWN
daily. Liquor. Reservations. 3921 Second Ave., Detroit, 48201. 313.438.5055. Sinbad’s: Seafood. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 100 St Clair St., Detroit, 48214. 313.822.8000. Slows Bar BQ: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2138 Michigan Ave, Detroit, 48216. 313.962.9828. Small Plates Detroit: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 1521 Broadway St., Detroit, 48226. 313.963.0702. St. CeCe’s Pub: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1426 Bagley Ave., Detroit, 48216. 313.962.2121. Tap at MGM Grand: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1234. Taqueria Nuestra Familia: Mexican. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7620 Vernor Hwy., Detroit, 48209. 313.842.5668. The Block: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 3919 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.0892. Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch, MondayFriday. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 519 East Jefferson Ave., Detroit, 48226. 313.964.4010. Traffic Jam & Snug: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 511 W. Canfield, Detroit, 48201. 313.831.9470. 24grille: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, 1114 Washington Blvd, Detroit, 48226. 313.964.3821. Union Street: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4145 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.831.3965. Vince’s: Italian. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1341 Springwells St., Detroit, 48209. 313.842.4857. Vivio’s Food & Spirits: American. Saturday Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2460 Market St., Detroit, 48207. 313.393.1711. The Whitney: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & High Tea, Monday-Friday. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 4421 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.5700. Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria and Cucina: Italian. Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1646. Wolfgang Puck Steak: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1411. Wright & Co.: American. Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1500 Woodward Ave Second Floor, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.7711.
07.18
Grand landmark estate with extraordinary details
2644 Indian Mound S
| Bloomfield | $2,099,000
Known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Red Oaks,â&#x20AC;? this grand landmark estate features incredible attention to detail and finishes that enhance a sense of luxury. Remodeled in 2007 and 2014 while preserving original architectural details. Featured in Home and Gardens Magazine. Extraordinary carved woodwork and leaded glass windows throughout. Flowing floor plan, wonderful for entertaining. Tranquil outdoor pool surrounded by bluestone patio and lush mature landscaping. Other highlights include a magnificent paneled library, stunning living room, banquet-sized dining room with separate alcove and French doors leading out to patio. Sunroom leads to pool. Newer kitchen with granite counters and high-end appliances. Family room with fireplace from France has intricate carved details and French doors to secluded garden. Master suite has luxurious bathroom, laundry and large walk-in closet. Two additional bedrooms each with fireplace and balcony. 4th bedroom suite on 3rd floor with large separate study.
5,996 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 218044570
Cheryl Riback Associate Broker ABR, SRES
442 S. Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009 HallandHunter.com
248.808.3112 criback@hallandhunter.com
Birmingham | 118 Waterfall Lane | $4,995,000 Spectacular private Great Lakes Custom Builder new construction residence nestled on Quarton Lake with amazing views of waterfall, lake, park & river. Beyond the electronic gated entrance with camera/alarm system & heated drive, sits this exceptional private estate surrounded by lush landscaping. Stunning open floor plan with great room sharing a dual-sided fireplace with an elegant & warm library. Cook's kitchen has top-of-the-line stainless appliances, wood-mode cabinetry, walk-in pantry & command center. Master suite features a fireplace & its own private patio, spacious spa-like bath and beautiful custom closet/dressing areas. Walkout lower level complete with climate-controlled wine room, full bar area & spa/sauna. Impeccable materials, handcrafted mill work, gorgeous details & spectacular views from every window await the most discriminating buyer. 7,700 Total Square Feet | 4 Bedrooms | 5 Full, 3 Half Baths | MLS# 217089752
Birmingham 911 Brookwood Street | $1,849,000
Troy 4727 Rivers Edge Drive | $649,000
Built by Ken Kojaian & designed by Christopher Longe, this gorgeous residence boasts amazing details throughout the flowing floor plan. Gourmet kitchen opens to windowlined great room. Master suite with fireplace & spa-like bath. 3-car heated garage.
Gorgeous Colonial on generous lot in prestigious Oak River sub! Quality updates throughout include bathrooms, mechanicals, 6-panel solid doors, Marvin windows, extensive trim and hardwood & stone floors. Gourmet kitchen. Troy schools.
5,638 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 4 Full, 3 Half Baths | MLS# 218047591
3,181 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218055133
LD O S
LD O S
Birmingham 1316 Puritan Avenue | $2,599,000
Troy 4765 White Oaks Drive | $564,950
LD O S
Clawson 693 Shenandoah Drive | $239,000
Christine Drinkwater Associate Broker
248.318.4745 cdrinkwater@hallandhunter. com
442 S. Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009 HallandHunter.com
Amy Zimmer & Tiffany Glime R E A L T O R S
Amy Zimmer 248.469.6430
Tiffany Glime 248.930.5656
Your premier resource for residential real estate from luxury estates to leases in southeastern Michigan.
Follow us at www.ZimmerGlimeRealEstate.com
ORCHARD LAKE 2385 Orchard Place | $815,000
BIRMINGHAM 1721 S. Bates Street | $699,900
Initially the Pelletier farmhouse; this one-of-a-kind renovated home is resplendent with vintage charm & updated elegance. On almost an acre with lake privileges & docking available on Orchard Lake. Private, wooded setting. Circular drive.
Walk to town and enjoy the amenities of Birmingham living from this sophisticated custom Chicago-style brownstone. Newer construction. 9â&#x20AC;&#x2122; ceilings. 2-car garage with large upstairs area has gas & water lines. Serene backyard with deck.
4,689 SF | 5 Bedrooms | 4 Full Baths | MLS# 218052818
2,522 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218050612
www.2385OrchardPlace.epropertysites.com
www.1721Bates.epropertysites.com
WATERFORD 1770 Eason Road | $799,000
BIRMINGHAM 1119 Southfield Road | $700,000
Brand new custom construction on private all-sports Watkins Lake. 100 ft. of lakefront. Picturesque water views from almost every room. Open floor plan. Indoor/outdoor entertainment space opens to expansive paver patio & lake.
One of Birminghamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most recognizable homes, this one-of-a-kind gem features the hallmark of farmhouse homes: a wide covered wrap-around porch. Beautifully renovated and filled with charm! Close to amenities of town, on a beautiful corner lot. Finished lower level.
3,104 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218050596
2,735 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218011210
www.1770Eason.epropertysites.com
www.1119Southfield.epropertysites.com
442 S. Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009 HallandHunter.com
Like the beauty of a classic car, great service never goes out of style.
Ann Arbor | 660 Barton Shore Drive | $4,950,000 Spectacular Young & Young designed masterpiece in the heart of Barton Hills Village just minutes away from downtown Ann Arbor. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of Barton Pond on this breathtaking 4.5 acre estate. Exquisite finishes and exceptional amenities throughout this impressive gated residence. 14,256 Total Square Feet | 6 Bedrooms | 7 Full, 5 Half Baths | MLS# 21804198
Julie Flynn REALTOR®
Frank Flynn Associate Broker
Highland Township | 4273 Clyde Road | $429,000 Country oasis on five rolling wooded acres and landscaped grounds features a lovely custom-built home and a 3,200 SF heated pole barn. Vaulted great room accesses 38’ x 10’ screen porch. Open granite kitchen. First floor master suite. New roof, brick paver walkways and sprinkler system.
2,583 Square Feet | 4 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 218054267
248.835.4222 | jflynn@hallandhunter.com 248.835.4150 | fflynn@hallandhunter.com We are proud to be recognized as
HOUR DETROIT REAL ESTATE * ALL STARS * Real estate agent(s) whose closed sales volume ranks in the top 5% of REALTORS® in the metro Detroit area
Bingham Farms | 23635 Overlook Circle | $350,000
442 S. Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, MI 48009
Bingham Woods end-unit condo with desirable 1st floor master suite. Vaulted great room highlighted by beautiful views of nature. Large eat-in kitchen accesses private courtyard. Attached 2-car garage. Wonderful community complete with clubhouse, pool, tennis courts and walking trails.
2,504 Square Feet | 3 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218055832
West Beverly Charmer Beverly Hills | 19100 Warwick Street | $529,900 Picture-perfect ranch nestled among tall trees on almost a half-acre lot deep in the heart of West Beverly with interiors that match its curb appeal. Completely updated kitchen with high-end stainless steel appliances and eat-in nook opens onto large open-plan dining room and living room with fireplace. A cozy paneled den/office with fireplace and built-ins greets you from the entry. Three large bedrooms and two baths with all the updates off a private wing of the home. Breezeway and laundry off the attached two-car garage complete this convenient, one floor living concept with basement. Beautifully landscaped fenced back yard with paver patio. Privacy and charm abound! Walk to Beverly School and Beverly Park. Birmingham schools. 2,400 Square Feet | 3 Bedrooms | 2 Full Baths | MLS# 218042042
Susan Hill Associate Broker ABR, CNE
248.225.1399 442 S. Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009 HallandHunter.com
SHill@hallandhunter.com
Bingham Farms Village
City of Bloomfield Hills
31010 Bingham Road | $1,950,000
257 Pine Ridge Drive | $1,250,000
Custom home set on almost two picturesque acres with rear home views overlooking the Franklin River. Amazing features using quality materials and attention to detail. Chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s island kitchen with warm hand-finished mahogany floors opens to expansive great room. Extraordinary walkout lower level. Co-listed with Samuel Kaplunov 5,522 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 4 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 218011140
Grand custom-built residence offers expansive 1st floor master suite with fireplace, doorwalls to deck, dual walk-in closets, bath with secluded courtyard, and private staircase to finished 4400 SF lower level featuring exercise room, sauna, full bath and cedar closet. Oversized heated 4-car garage. 6,677 SF | 6 Bedrooms | 6 Full, 3 Half Baths | MLS# 218048634
City of Bloomfield Hills
Bloomfield
1825 Huntington Lane | $779,000
6485 Thurber Road | $387,500
Inviting home on 1.15 acres of privacy! Enjoy a generous kitchen accessing a patio with fire pit and fenced yard. The den and vaulted family room share a double-sided fireplace and have direct access to the vast, private grounds. Extraordinary master suite features oversized walk-in closet with island storage/sitting area. 5-car garage. 4,038 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218052211
Awesome ranch on double lot with Wing Lake privileges including beach, park, boat and dock facilities. Extraordinary master suite with direct access to brick paver patio & private fenced yard. Kitchen opens to spacious great room. Attached 2-car garage. Professionally finished grounds with water feature. Bloomfield Hills schools. 2,141 SF | 3 Bedrooms | 3 Full Baths | MLS# 218050929
Kevin Conway REALTORÂŽ
248.330.3344 kconway@hallandhunter.com
442 S. Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009 HallandHunter.com
Newer Quarton Lake Beauty Birmingham | 597 Westwood Drive | $1,124,900 Newer Quarton Lake brick Colonial boasts recent high-end designer touches including leather flooring in the den, luxurious carpeting, rich hardwoods, custom built-ins, ornate lighting and more. The home is ideal for entertaining and offers a large dining room, huge gourmet island kitchen and comfortable family room with 18’ ceilings. An ideal backdrop to showcase artwork & artifacts. Two powder rooms on the main floor. The upper level has a master suite featuring a tray ceiling, dual walk-in closets and an expansive marble bath with jetted tub and separate shower. A generous second bedroom suite rivals most master suites, and the remaining two bedrooms have large closets & share a bath. The upper laundry room has skylights & plenty of storage. The lower level is freshly finished with a full bath. The massive utility room has ample storage and newer mechanicals. The yard, accessed from the kitchen/ nook, has a paver patio. Rare 3-car garage. Walk to award-winning Quarton Lake School and the lake. 4,309 Square Feet | 4 Bedrooms | 4 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 218040606
*UHDW 9DOXH LQ %ORRPŽHOG 9LOODJH Bloomfield Village | 2929 Bradway Boulevard | $794,900 Stately pillared Village Colonial with designer finishes throughout. Enjoy a hilltop setting on a large lot with a circular drive. Classic layout ideal for formal entertaining and casual gatherings. A large den with custom built-ins opens to the living room and family room. The island kitchen has some newer upper-end appliances. Large master bedroom and bath and 2 additional bedrooms – one set up as a home office. Fourth bedroom currently converted to huge master walk-in closet with an island and shelving for 60 pairs of shoes. Large 1st floor laundry room. Lower level is partially finished with a full bath. The brick paver drive in the rear yard has a drainage system. The yard provides significant privacy and lovely landscaping. 3,275 Square Feet | 4 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218030877
Dan Teahan REALTOR®
248.514.6046 dteahan@hallandhunter.com 442 S. Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009 HallandHunter.com
Quarton Lake and Bloomfield Village Specialist
Bloomfield Hills | 1080 Dowling Road | $849,900
Bloomfield | 1774 Golf Ridge Drive S | $799,900
Iconic all-brick home perched atop one of the most beautiful lots in the area! 1.9 acres of professional landscaping. Stunning interior features, including custom cherry study, 4 fireplaces and chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kitchen opening to private pool with large patio area. Au pair/in-law suite in walkout lower level and so much more! Bloomfield Hills schools.
Desirable location on the golf course side of Golf Ridge Drive South in Wabeek. Amazing setting and views. The abundance of natural and open floor plan make it a great home for entertaining. Other improvements include a new roof, two new furnaces and two new AC units. First-floor master suite with luxury bathroom and walk-in closet.
5,884 Total SF | 5 Bedrooms | 4 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 218053323
6,452 Total SF | 6 Bedrooms | 4 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 218056030
Bloomfield Village | 204 S. Glengarry Road | $699,900
Bingham Farms | 32671 Bingham Road | $649,999
Quality updated Tudor with old world charm and curb appeal. $200k in improvements including windows, electrical, kitchen, bathrooms, perennial plantings, brick facade, lawn sprinklers. Gourmet kitchen opens to family room. Leaded glass French doors & windows. Two-car attached garage. Private backyard. Birmingham schools.
Exceptional Mid-Century modern on 2.17 acre property in desirable area. 195 feet of frontage. Expansive front and back yard. Live in, expand or build new in this area of multimillion dollar homes. Open floor plan with lots of natural light. Screened in porch. Enclosed hot tub room. Attached 2-car garage. Birmingham schools.
2,854 SF | 5 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218052349
3,411 SF | 5 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218044264
Birmingham | 1730 Pine Street | $419,900
Farmington Hills | 30750 Valley Drive | $369,900
Sought-after 63' x 115' corner lot for this charming, very well maintained center-entrance Colonial. Flowing floor plan features an updated kitchen that opens to dining room. Beautiful bathrooms. Quality hardwood floors. Newer windows and many other updates, including high efficiency furnace and updated electrical panel. 2-car garage.
Quality-built Colonial in an outstanding location just minutes from downtown Franklin. Private setting on 1+ acre with easy access to all major freeways. Marble entryway. Very spacious rooms. Upper level has three full baths including a Jack and Jill. Updates in kitchen. Additional living space in the finished lower level.
1,451 SF | 3 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218049497
3,134 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 218044348
TOP PRODUCER Michael Perrotta REALTORÂŽ
248.672.0494 mperrotta@hallandhunter.com
442 S. Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009 HallandHunter.com
Gillian Lazar, REALTOR Denise Zuckerman, REALTOR
Holly Geyer
248.613.3400
REALTOR®
glazar@hallandhunter.com
248.506.7345
248.535.8226
hgeyer@hallandhunter.com
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dzuckerman@hallandhunter.com
Bloomfield | 1450 Sodon Lake Drive | $935,000 Stunning ranch home with lush wooded setting in desirable area. Open floor plan with natural light. Gourmet kitchen opens to great room – perfect for entertaining! Master suite offers private study & luxurious bath. Third bedroom converted to home gym with full bath & sauna. Partially finished lower level. 3-car garage.
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4,090 SF | 3 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 218038856
Royal Oak | 1421 Lloyd Avenue | $339,900 Striking ranch in the highly sought-after neighborhood of Northwood Heights. Multiples updates include refinished hardwoods, crown molding with unique cove up-lighting, and mechanicals. Waterproofed lower level offers incredible storage. Outside, a spacious paver patio looks onto the beautiful newly-fenced yard. 1,120 SF | 3 Bedrooms | 2 Full Baths | MLS# 218055540
City of Bloomfield Hills | 1720 Hammond Ct. | $899,000 Sharp mid-century modern home on beautiful 1.66 acre property on Vhay Lake. Expansive views from all rooms of this serene property ideally located in a private cul-de-sac. Build your dream home in this neighborhood of multimillion dollar homes or complete the renovation on the existing home with an open floor plan. Master suite with updated bath. Walkout lower level adds 1900 SF. 3-car garage. 2,702 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218048441
442 S. Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009 HallandHunter.com
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BUSINESS MATTERS Pizza’s poppin’ Pizza Hut may have closed in the Papa Joe’s Plaza at 34200 Woodward Avenue in Birmingham, but it won’t stay vacant long, with Farmington Hills’ Tomatoes Apizza filling the joint with authentic Neapolitan pizza by the first week of August. Owner Michael Weinstein said the pizzas, which are coal-fired, are something unique and special in the marketplace. “I’m trying to make a pizza that’s very aggressive – that’s like an attack dog – it bites you,” he said. “It’s crunchy, and it’s going to sit well in your stomach.” There are two other Tomatoes Apizza locations, the original, at 14 Mile and Middlebelt, and their second, on Halsted just north of Grand River. While the 14 Mile spot has eat-in, the Birmingham Tomatoes Apizza will be carry out or delivery only.
Sixty years of shoes When England’s Queen Elizabeth celebrated her sixtieth anniversary, they called it her Diamond Jubilee. That might be a little grand, though, for Frank Konjarevich, owner and operator of Birmingham’s Frank’s Shoe Repair, 360 S. Old Woodward Avenue, but it’s no less momentous. He’s been at the same location for 57 of the 60 years – the first three were at the site of the current Merrillwood Building. Konjarevich, who was recently honored on his 80th birthday by the Birmingham City Commission, still comes in to work every day, where his son, Frank Konjarevich Jr., has been working with him for the last 40 years. “I think (this anniversary), it’s an amazing accomplishment,” Konjarevich said. “I enjoy the camaraderie of all my customers and being in Birmingham. It’s a good place to do business.” He said he has slowed down a little – he doesn’t come in quite as early as he used to. He loves that his son works with him, as does his grandson, daughter-in-law, and many employees who have been with him for 25 years or longer.
Lyudviga moves, expands Lyudviga Couture has moved from 105 Townsend Street in downtownpublications.com
Birmingham to larger digs at 168 W. Maple, where owner Lyudviga Shneyders is consolidating several fashion concepts into Adessso Concept. She will continue her one-of-a-kind couture as well as inviting customers to purchase fabrics, which she has imported from mills in Italy, Great Britain and France, “and then I can make their own designs, from business wear to day wear to evening wear. We are all about old school tailoring techniques.” The store also offers shoes, accessories and jewelry. Now in the former Complex locale, she said everything will be made “right in the heart of Birmingham, in classic designs with high-end fabrics.” They will also provide alterations and tailoring. With the added space, Lyudviga is excited to be able to offer master classes in sewing in the store, “and at the end, students will have a handfinished garment.” There is a 2,000 square foot private event space which she said is ideal for private parties, including sewing birthday and bridal parties with strawberries and champagne.
New flavor infusion A new fast casual restaurant offering sushi and poke, made to order, is looking to open in the former Subway and Polpetta location at 126 S. Old Woodward in downtown Birmingham. Kaku Sushi and Poké is owned and chef-operated by Kaku Usui and his wife, Maikue Vang. The couple also have another location at Long Lake and Telegraph roads. Usui, a native of Tokyo, worked for over 20 years at several area restaurants, including as head chef, before opening Kaku Sushi and Poké, Vang said. The concept of poké, she said, is like “a deconstructed sushi bowl. What is unique about ours is we offer customization of poké for our customers.” Diners choose a base of either white or brown rice or salad, then choose a protein of salmon, tuna, shrimp or scallops, and then do a mix-in. “That’s where we take certain toppings, like cucumber, onion and edamame, and a sauce, with seven to choose from, and we take it and mix it all together,” Vang
explained. They also offer sushi, including sushi combos. “The whole idea is fresh, light and easy,” she said, for diners eating in or carrying out at lunch or dinner.
Getting gorgeous After having her makeup line, Heidi D Cosmetics, featured and sold in numerous stores and salons in the metro Detroit area, as well as some international locales, makeup artist Heidi Denha is taking the plunge and opening her own spot in downtown Birmingham, Heidi D Cosmetics – The Beauty Club, at 327 Hamilton Row. Denha said her goal is to “help women feel and look beautiful.” She began her beauty career at Macy’s where she learned about prescriptives and cosmetics, and at MAC, where she focused on cosmetic sales and her artistry. After a couple of years, she knew she needed more in order to keep from becoming stagnant. She quit MAC and began renting out space, building a following and a loyal customer base. Heidi D. Cosmetics was established when she expanded her business with a custom line of lipsticks, blushes and bronzers. Today, her passion is to “continue to build long and trusting relationships with my clients while showing them how to enhance their beauty through makeup so they feel gorgeous and confident every day.”
So long for now According to a note pasted on the door, Cory Delong and Shasta Fase, owners of Old World Olive Press, didn’t want to close their doors at 282 W. Maple Road in downtown Birmingham, but word is rent increases was the cause of their closure. “We appreciate all of you who supported us through the years...Business continues in our four remaining stores, Plymouth, Rockford, Grand Rapids Monroe Center, and Grand Rapids Downtown Market...We are eager to find another small presence in Birmingham again.” Old Wold Olive Press, which offered over 50 unique and unusual flavors of extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars in an exclusive tasting
DOWNTOWN
room, as well as recipes, a bridal registry and cooking classes, was the brainchild of Delong and Fase in 2009, after they left the corporate worlds in 2007 and traveled around the world. “We believe our customers are not only health conscious, but they want a better food experience. Our goal is to continually provide only the highest quality, healthiest products. And we are dedicated to ensure that only the freshest oils and balsamic vinegars are represented in our stores,” they said in a statement on their website.
House of Bedrooms closing When owners Robert and Norma Goldman decided it was time to retire after 58 years of running House of Bedrooms and House of Bedrooms Kids, 1700 S.Telegraph Road and 1716 S. Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Township, it became the end of an era, with the two stores beginning liquidation sales. “It goes until we’re out of furniture. I have no idea when we’ll close,” said manager Ken Ciotti. House of Bedrooms, which originally opened in 1960, expanded to House of Bedrooms Kids in 1997, offering the largest showcase for nursery, youth and kids bedroom furniture in the state. Ciotti said the store currently is a full line furniture store, with a focus on premium bedroom collections from wellknown brands like Ashley, Aspenhome, Bernhardt, Durham, Hooker, Howard Miller, Kincaid, Legacy Classic, Lexington, Serta, Stanley, Universal, VaughanBassett, and Whittier Wood, as well as a wide range of Amish furniture and leather upholstery items and handmade Oriental rugs. Ciotti said discounts are available in every department during the sale. In addition, all three properties – which includes a warehouse on Franklin Road in Pontiac – are for lease or purchase as well. Business Matters for the Birmingham Bloomfield area are reported by Lisa Brody. Send items for consideration to LisaBrody@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication. 109
MICHAEL SBROCCA YOUR GO-TO GUY.
WHEN YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE BU YIN G OR S ELLIN G , YOU K N OW W H E R E T O G O .
102 ENDICOTT RD. BLOOMFIELD HILLS $1,959,000
Real Estate All Star
MICHAEL SBROCCA ASSOCIATE BROKER
248.709.9119 MSBROCCA@MAXBROOCK.COM 275 S. Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Michigan 48009
THE COMMUNITY HOUSE Summer for Our Children at The Community House It is often difficult to measure the “economic value that non-profits add to our society, simply because the end product of their organizational processes are not tangible products or services, but rather intangible outcomes. However, there is true economic value that non-profits add to our society, and, to mankind.” In addition to our own non-profit mission, The Community House is also “home” to 12 other non-profit and supported groups in our area. Noble organizations that are generously subsidized by The Community House.
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Those groups who also call The Community House home include: BIRMINGHAM BLOOMFIELD NEWCOMERS CLUB: For 70 years, the BBNC (Birmingham Bloomfield Newcomers Club) has been an organization that has made it possible for women who are new to the area to meet, make wonderful friendships and to participate in countless activities and events throughout the year. Our members represent over 30 countries and they currently live in or around Oakland County. PRESIDENT’S ADVISORY COUNCIL (PAC): The mission of The Community House’s President’s Advisory Council (PAC) is to advise and give counsel to the TCH President on a wide range of issues with special emphasis on “fostering philanthropy in the next generations; generating funds and support for TCH youth programs and services; and helping to inspire and promote modern leadership and community opportunities.” BIRMINGHAM TEEN COUNCIL (BTC): The mission of The Community House’s Birmingham Teen Council (BTC) is to bring together students from local schools and provide an opportunity for community service, as well as establish a source of teen leadership in the surrounding area by creating a safe environment where students from the area can collaborate and form bonds. RACE RELATIONS & DIVERSITY TASK FORCE: To actively promote and embrace an appreciation for diversity and to advocate for inclusivity, equality, and justice in the region. We come together to develop and maintain an open, intentional community that works to overcome racism, prejudice, and discrimination through education, advocacy and response. SENIOR MEN’S CLUB: An organization of active senior men (of sophistication) devoted to the promotion of fellowship, cultural interests and the rendering of community service. STORYTELLERS GUILD: To enrich the lives of children through the art and love of storytelling. TCH WOMEN’S CLUB: The purpose of The Community House Women’s Club shall be to provide fellowship, programs, and activities for the membership. BIRMINGHAM BLOOMFIELD CHAMBER: To serve our six communities as their leading resource for advancing business interests and building relationships. BIRMINGHAM LIONS CLUB: Service To Others – Lions Clubs are recognized for their service to the blind and visually impaired. This service began when Helen Keller challenged Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness” during the 1925 Lions Clubs International Convention. BIRMINGHAM OPTIMIST CLUB: To develop optimism as a philosophy of life; to promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs; to inspire respect for the law; to promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship among all people; and to aid and encourage the development of youth, in the belief that the giving of one’s self in service to others will advance the well-being of man, his community and world. BIRMINGHAM SHOPPING DISTRICT: Strives to provide leadership in marketing, advertising and promotion of the Birmingham Shopping District. We actively work to promote a district that is exciting, clean, safe and pedestrian-friendly, and ensure that the district continues to serve as a center for business, service, social and community activities. ROTARY CLUB: To encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster the development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service, high ethical standards in business and professions.
info@carollewisdayspa.com (248) 642-1570 386 E. Maple Rd - Birmingham, MI 48009
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For more information about these and other Community House events, please call 248-644-5832 or visit communityhouse.com. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are still available!
William D. Seklar is President & CEO of The Community House in Birmingham. downtownpublications.com
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In 2017 alone, The Community House provided critical support to these worthy organizations at a cost approaching $1 million dollars. Funds that The Community House covered via its revenue generating opportunities and supplemented by generous donors via our annual fundraising initiatives. It is right. It is what our founders called us to do. All utilized free space, and others free or discounted food or services. All extraordinary organizations raising awareness and bringing much needed support, visibility and funding, as well as time, talent and treasure to worthwhile causes operating within our community, our region, across the state, and around the world.
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Here is the update on the recent social scene. Many more photos from each event appear online each week at downtownpublications.com where readers can sign up for an e-mail notice when the latest social scene column is posted. Past columns and photos are also archived at the website for Downtown.
Project 1 Whose Your Bartender
Sally Gerak
Project 1 Whose Your Bartender If you like noise and crowds, don’t miss Project1’s annual fundraiser. This year Kellie Kennedy chaired the event that attracted more than 400 revelers to Dick O’Dow’s on a Tuesday night. They were basically supporters of Project1 and the other eight non-profits whose bartenders were vying for patrons’ business. When they weren’t bantering and imbibing they were devouring bites generously provided by the establishment. At closing time, the top three teams were: Sandy Nida and Stacey Dewey, who raised $7,533 for the Suite Dreams Project; Mike Walls and Rob Chimelak, who raised $6,495 for U Can-Cer Vive; and Niraj Sarda and Sasha Archer, who raised $5,895 for Imerman Angels. The remaining 6 teams raised $21,865 total. Doug McMaster won the 50/50 raffle that raised $1,450. Meadow Brook Theatre Guild Luncheon on the Aisle Since its founding in 1977, the Meadowbrook Theatre Guild has staged a popular fundraiser to finance the TLC it provides the season’s performers. And they have the event down pat. As guests arrive, (this year there were 540 with $35 tickets), they buy Basket Raffle tickets, peruse the impressive display of prizes (24) in the whimsically-decorated hallway and make their choices. Most check out the Bake Shoppe, the card raffle for a diamond & sapphire bracelet and the wine bar. When the Downtown Café bag lunches are distributed, guests adjourn with their repast to their reserved theatre seats. After door prizes and raffle winners are determined, the entertainment – selected scenes from the current musical “The All Night Strut” – begins. Thanks also to generous sponsors, the 41st annual event raised more than $17,000. Oakland County Bar Foundation Signature Event More than 350 lawyers, judges and their pals gathered at Oakland Hills Country Club to make nice with each other at the foundation’s annual cocktail supper fundraiser. Capricious Mother Nature was in a friendly mood, too, providing sunny warmth for chatting on the veranda that overlooks the legendary South Course. Since 2002, the OCBF, whose board is headed by Patrick McCarthy, has contributed more than $2-million to legal assistance and education programs. An early arrival at the party, judge Michael Warren, founded, with his then 10-year-old daughter, one of the foundation’s education beneficiaries – Patriot Week. Other grant recipients include CARE House’s Court-Appointed Special Advocates, the Family Law Assistance Project, Legal Aid for Children and Families and the Michigan Center for Civic Education. Thanks to generous ($206,000) sponsors, the 19th annual Signature Event raised $267,775. Michigan Women’s Forward Lights, Courage Action! What’s in a name? At the recent fundraiser that attracted 800 ($175, $250 tickets) to Cobo Center, those savvy women at the Michigan Women’s Foundation (MiWF) announced a name change that more accurately reflects the current mission of the organization Mary Jo Pulte founded 33 years ago but does NOT require a new domain name – Michigan Women Forward. And before the evening was over, young participants in various MiWF programs took the stage with props illustrating the organization’s four pillars Gina Coleman, Lori Lancaster and Betsy Meter chaired the dinner event which included a cocktail reception and silent auction ($25,000). MiWF leaders Carol Cassin, Peg Tallet, downtownpublications.com
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1. Kellie Kennedy of Birmingham, Yvon Russell of Rochester Hills. 2. Jodee Gibson (left), Anne Hall and Erin Keating DeWald of Birmingham and Renee Acho of Bloomfield. 3. Bela Kogler (left) of Rochester, Terri Macksoud and Jerry Hall of Birmingham. 4. Stacy Dewey (left) and Sandy Nida of Rochester Hills. 5. Annie Dalton (left) of Ferndale and Lauren Eaton of Bloomfield.
Meadow Brook Theatre Guild Luncheon on the Aisle
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1. Sue Jayroe (left) of Rochester Hills, Marge Kaiser of Oakland and Sue May of Waterford. 2. Birdie Kutcher (left) of Rochester, Dorothy LaBay of Clarkston, Kathy Warriner of Rochester Hills and Lynn Wilhelm of Canton. 3. Speedy Bates (left) of Rochester Hills, Sue Stellen of Bloomfield, Terri Bendes of Clarkston. 4. Karen Calavenna (left) and Mary Caughlin of Rochester Hills. 5. Syrenia Taborn of Rochester.
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Oakland County Bar Foundation Signature Event
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Pam Enslen and Denise Christy assured the assembled that the organization’s original mission – to promote financial and social equality for Michigan women – is even more strategically focused with the new brand. Thanks also to generous sponsors the event raised $675,000.
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1. Lynn Sirich & Jeff Hauswirth and Liz Luckenbach of Birmingham. 2. Keefe Brooks (left) of Bloomfield, Marta & John Schaefer of Birmingham. 3. Judge Michael Warren (left) of Beverly Hills, Tom Tallerico of Birmingham. 4. Judges Colleen O’Brien (left) of Clarkston, Linda Hallmark of Bloomfield and Wendy Potts of Birmingham. 5. Harvey Heller (left) of W. Bloomfield, Arthur Liss of Bloomfield.
Night in Monte Carlo
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1. Renee Cortright (left) of Troy, Kelly Dean of Rochester Hills. 2. Ahmad Simms (left) of Pontiac and Kim Roy of Sterling Heights, Dianne & Tom Cameron of Rochester Hills. 3. Maureen O’Reilly (left) of Birmingham, Sandee Rellinger of Rochester Hills. 4. Corrine & Bryan Barnett of Rochester Hills. 5. Jessica Zielke (left), Kevin Stewart and Sam Logan of Rochester Hills, Andrea Walker-Leidy & Seth Leidy of Rochester.
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1. Connie LaPointe Quarrier (left), Patti LaPointe Chinois and Paula Garrity of Birmingham. 2. Elana Ryder of Birmingham, Laura Keziah of Bloomfield, Nancy Barnett of Royal Oak. 3. Sara Bell (left) of Beverly Hills and Lisa White of Bloomfield. 4. Kelly Winkler Patterson (left) and Cheryl Sellers of Birmingham, Olethia Craighead of Detroit.
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Night in Monte Carlo The 16th annual benefit for the Meals on Wheels program at OPC attracted 350 supporters ($150 ticket) to the Royal Park Hotel. Before settling in for dinner, they socialized, cocktailed (cash bar) and bid more than $30,000 in the silent auction. Meals on Wheels volunteer Rick Jayroe represented the 300 volunteers being honored. Jayroe recounted a moving story of a 93-year old, recently widowed meals recipient for whom his visits are impactful. His remarks were a highlight of the program emceed by Dave LewAllen. After dinner, many danced or gathered at the gaming tables for a chance to win one of 13 prizes drawn at evening’s end. A Night in Monte Carlo raised more than $80,000 for the program that serves a population (seniors) which is, as OPC Executive Director Renee Cortright noted, larger than the district’s school population. Christ Child Society Boutique and Luncheon The chairs of this event – Connie LaPointe Quarrier, Patti LaPointe Chinois and Paula Garrity – looked to Audrey Hepburn’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” film for the aesthetics of the 30th annual version of the fundraiser whose founder, Joyce Korman, brought a sample invitation from the first year. And it was turquoise, just like the iconic Tiffany bags on the tables. The 305 guests ($75 tickets ) socialized and shopped at the 16 vendor booths and enthusiastically applauded Woman of the Year Nancy Barnett. (“It will take five people to do all the event management jobs Nancy has done for more than eight years,” noted presenter Elana Ryder, the 2017 awardee.) The fashion show presented by Bell & White Personal Styling was also applauded. And more than one of the outfits modeled by 10 members looked like they could have been in the iconic Hepburn movie. Thanks also to generous sponsors, the event at Pine Lake Country Club raised about $34,000 for the society’s work with the vulnerable children they serve. SKY Foundation Women’s Event Supporters (120, $75 ticket) of 07.18
pancreatic cancer survivor Sheila Kasselman’s project to find an early marker for pancreatic cancer gathered at the Townsend Hotel to hear the latest research news. The program emceed by WXYZ’s Alicia Smith included presentations by Gazala Kahn, MD; Timothy Frankel, MD; and Clare Thibodeaux, PhD. Their messages combined to offer knowledge and hope. The cocktail hour gathering also garnered nearly $30,000 for SKY Foundation research grants. HAVEN’s Blossom Gala Here’s betting the Royal Oak Farmer’s Market never looked classier than the evening 440 HAVEN supporters ($200, $500, $75 tickets) gathered there for the agency’s spring fundraiser. While more than 100 convened briefly for the VIP reception, most perused the extensive silent auction of 124 items displayed around the room’s perimeter or bought raffle cards while Detroit Circus artists performed. Paula Tutman emceed the dinner program which had highlights: presentation of the Heart of HAVEN award to Jeff and Jennifer Farber following a video that illustrated HAVEN’s impactful new, Farber Family Pet Center which they donated; abuse survivor Kelly Mays’ powerful saga of her long journey to independence inspired by her daughter’s threat (“...you leave or I will”); energetic pledging led by auctioneer Jim Alban that raised a record $69,825; and the live auction of eight great items that raised $25,150. Thanks also to sponsors, the Blossom Gala raised a new record total of $384,083 for HAVEN’s programs to end domestic violence and support survivor empowerment. Alzheimer’s Association Spring Soiree We always consider it a sign of an organization’s vitality when there are lots of new faces amid the loyalists at a charity event. Such was the case at the AA Spring Soiree which drew more than 215 ($75 and up tickets) to Neiman Marcus to sip, savor and shop before Mother’s Day. In addition, guests also bought more than 170 raffle tickets ($50 each) for the chance to win four seasons of NM shoes. During the very brief program, 12 caregivers who were invited to enjoy a well-deserved evening out were saluted. Rachel and Christian Adenaas, Tara and Steven Grekin, Tammy and Joe Haney, Danielle and Andrew Petcoff, Lori and Lawrence Rapp, Amie and Daniel Stern and Whitney and Eliot Weiner comprised downtownpublications.com
HAVEN’s Blossom Gala
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1. Honorees Jeff & Jennifer Farber of Bloomfield. 2. Board members Carole Winnard Brumm (left) of Bloomfield and Lara Phillip of Rochester Hills, Catherine Fetsco of Rochester. 3. Pat Hardy (left) of Bloomfield, Jimmie Brown (aka rapper Supa Emdee) & keynote speaker Kelly Mays of Westland. 4. Sponsor Kelly Services’ Steven & Sarah Green of Rochester Hills. 5. Jerry & past board member Marja Norris of Birmingham.
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Alzheimer’s Association Spring Soiree
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1. Steven (left) & Tara Grekin of Bloomfield and Tammy & Joe Haney of Grosse Pointe. 2. Whitney & Eliot Weiner of Birmingham. 3. Michelle (left) & Nathan Mersereau of Birmingham, Amie & Dan Stern of Bloomfield. 4. Lori (left) & Larry Rapp of Bloomfield, Jennifer Leppard of Royal Oak. 5. Danielle & Andrew Petcoff of Birmingham.
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ORT and the City
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1. Stephanie Freedman (left) of Bloomfield, Deborah Rosenthal of Franklin and Julie Rothstein of W. Bloomfield. 2. Jolie Altman of Birmingham. 3. Nate Forbes (left) of Franklin, Michelle Blau of W. Bloomfield, Veronika Scott of Detroit, Erika George of Birmingham. Photos: Jay Dreifus Photography.
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK the co-chair crew. Since a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s every 65 seconds, the chairs hoped to raise at least $65,000. Thanks to sponsors, the goal was exceeded. The next AA fundraiser is the popular Chocolate Jubilee which Dan Loepp is chairing Saturday, Oct. 27 at the MGM Grand.
Spirit of Manresa Banquet
ORT and the City Four hundred ORT supporters ($55 & up tickets) convened in Eastern Market Shed 5 for the annual spring fundraiser. They socialized, sipped and sampled yummy food truck cuisine from Pita Post, Sidecar and CACA, plus savory Plum Market passed bites. They also bid more than $21,000 in a silent auction that featured 23 one-of-a-kind works of art designed by emerging and nationally-recognized local artists. Each artist, selected and sponsored by local art collectors, was challenged to create an original design on a 30-inch diameter circle. Leah Cohen, Justin Hamburger and Ilene Kahan were voted People’s Choice Award winners. The casual evening raised more than $110,000 to support ORT’s global education programs. Jason Brooks, Kevin Elbinger and Renee Wolgin are chairing the next ORT benefit, Rub-a-Dub, 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 21 at Franklin Hills Country Club. It will honor Randy Wertheimer.
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1. Steve Raymond (left) of Birmingham, Grace Seroka of Bloomfield, Kathryn Rheaume of Birmingham. 2. Carol Chisholm (left) and Sara Marshall of Birmingham, Kathy McIntosh of Bloomfield, Kathleen Chisholm McInerney of Birmingham. 3. Leno & Maritza Corradi of Bloomfield, Carolyn & Jennifer Arafat of W. Bloomfield. 4. Judy Jonna (left) of Bloomfield, Ban Manna of W. Bloomfield.
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Variety Hearts & Stars
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Spirit of Manresa Banquet Over 300 supporters ($150 tickets) of the Jesuit retreat center gathered at Shenandoah Country Club where pre-dinner diversions included cocktails, tours of the Chaldean Cultural Center which covers history from 3,300 BC to present, and bidding in a silent auction. The dinner program, emceed by WJR’s Marie Osborne, featured sincere remarks by retreatant Judy Maten, a Manresa mission statement by Executive Director, Fr. Fran Daly, SJ and the keynote address by prolific author Chris Lowney. He brought his education in a Jesuit seminary and subsequent business experience on three continents to the topic of Pope Francis’ approach to leadership. The evening chaired by Deacon Michael and Joyce McKale, Allen Wall and Mary Cafferty, Johny and Leila Kello, Victor and Michelle Saroki and Bishop Robert Fisher raised money to fund spiritual retreats for the needy.
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1. Ed & Felicia Shaw of Birmingham. 2. Michael Coyne (center) and Paul (left) and Michael Sabatini of Bloomfield. 3. Dr. Jeffrey & Laurie Fischgrund of Bloomfield, Diana & Steve Howard of Franklin. 4. Lois Shaevsky (left) and Paul W. & Kim Smith of Bloomfield. 5. Nicole Gopoian Wirick of Bloomfield and Nathan & Michelle Mersereau of Birmingham.
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The Community House Birmingham Downs
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2 1. Ryan Polk (left) of Bloomfield, Annemarie Fisher of Rochester, Jacob Wawro and Matt McCormick of Birmingham. 2. Grant Juth (left) of Milwaukee, WI, Dana Sorensen of Bloomfield and Ali Restaino of Birmingham, Lauren Troyer of Granger, IN. 3. Gail Pope Rashid of Bloomfield. 4. Becky Sorensen (left) of Bloomfield, Rachelle Nozero of Novi. 5. Ted (left) & Pat Wasson and Anders & Julie Lundberg of Bloomfield.
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Variety Hearts & Stars Variety’s annual gala seemed a bit like a love-in this spring. It honored two people who have been extremely generous with their time and treasure for 25 years – Felicia and Ed Shaw. They began the evening in the Clancy Room at the Townsend Hotel with 125 other major Variety donors, including long time Variety team member Jean Bugeaud (who looked radiant), sponsors and the 36 members of the Wish Upon a Star Club ($500). After the Kentucky Derby broadcast, they joined the 150 other guests in the ballroom lobby where a chance raffle of decidedly desirable options garnered $10,000. The dinner program emceed by WJR’s Paul W. Smith had highlights. Smith 07.18
announced that his PAL golf tournament would add Variety to the list of beneficiaries. Michele Murphy explained how Felicia Shaw directed her to Variety’s Myoelectric Center for a prosthesis for her baby who was born without one arm. Kelly Shuert and Jeffrey King made a moving tribute to the honorees. (Jeffrey even got a tad teary as he likened Felicia to a fairy godmother who makes people beautiful, including the special needs models in the annual SHINE fashion show.) Speaking for both herself and Ed, Felicia said that Variety’s children are their family. Hearts and Stars raised more than $250,000 for Variety’s lifechanging services to children. The Community House Birmingham Downs The running of the Kentucky Derby was the excuse for TCH’s President’s Advisory Council to host nearly 200 people ($50, $75 tickets) at the historic meeting place. Hats were de rigueur for the ladies and at least one of the gentlemen as they chatted, sipped mint juleps and sampled bourbon-splashed bites from the buffet. Anonymous judges determined that the promised Best Dressed titles went to Linda Berger and Ryan Polk. Following the televised race, JD Entertainment’s Scott did the DJ honors for dancing. PAC members foster next generation philanthropy. Walsh College Springfest Some 250 Walsh College boosters ($100 ticket) sojourned to the Royal Oak Farmers Market to TGIF and benefit the Scholarship Fund. Craft beer, wine and food truck sustenance. Some bought $3,000 worth of raffle tickets and toasted Marsha Kelliher upon the first anniversary of her presidency of the college. The laid back evening raised over $60,000 for WC scholarships. Angels Place WINGS Evening More than 160 women ($60-ticket), including 108 new & returning members, attended the Angels’ Place W.I.N.G.S. (Women Involved in Nurturing and Giving Service) annual gathering at Neiman Marcus. In addition to serious socializing, diversions included light hors d’oeuvres, signature cocktails, shopping, mini beauty consultations by Chanel and Bobbi Brown, the Chance Raffle for the Season of Shoes donated by Neiman Marcus and, the main attraction, a runway show by Real Style Agency’s Kathy Remski and Rose Gilpin. With generous support of event sponsors, the evening raised over $21,000 for AP’s programs and services for adults with developmental disabilities. Women Rock Science One of the region’s educational jewels – the Cranbrook Institute of Science – staged a women-focused fundraiser and 200 attended ($100, $250, $1,000 tickets). They conversed, sipped, snacked and cruised the exhibits before convening in the mineral hall for the program. Highlights included a description by event sponsor/jeweler Robert Greenstone of a downtownpublications.com
Walsh College Springfest
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1. Marsha Kelliher (left) of Rochester, event chair Denise Asker of Grosse Pointe, Christine Potempa of Sterling Hgts. 2. Michael (left) & Courtney Plotzke of Bloomfield, Shaniece & Devin Bennett of Chesterfield. 3. Detroit Tigers’ Paws, Diane Aginian of Birmingham. 4. Susan Foley (left) of Birmingham, Brian Pilarski of Troy, Beth Geno of Royal Oak. 5. Dick Aginian (left) of Birmingham, Patti & Steve Swanson of W. Bloomfield.
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Angels Place WINGS Evening
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1. Sally Mezey (left) of Birmingham, Nora Hamill of Bloomfield. 2. Marianne McBrearty (left) of Bloomfield, Marge Devine of W. Bloomfield, Loretta Nagle of Bingham Farms. 3. Gina Zawaideh (left) of Birmingham, Renee Zawaideh of Bloomfield. 4. Jo Lincoln (left); Judy Ioannou and Beverly Gross of Bloomfield. 5. Liz Carter (left) of Royal Oak; Nancy Zimmerman of Huntington Woods, Becky Gersonde and Susan Norton of Birmingham; Sharyl Frye of Bloomfield.
Women Rock Science
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1. Mike Stafford (center) of Clarkston, Adele Acheson (left) of W. Bloomfield and Linzie Venegas of Grosse Pointe. 2. Trevor Lauer (left) of Bloomfield, Denita Beard of Eastpointe, Heather Rivard of Royal Oak, Yujia Zhoo of Ann Arbor. 3. Robert Greenstone (left) of Bloomfield, Max Acheson of San Diego, CA.
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK 15-carat natural yellow diamond valued at $375,000. It was from sponsor Forevermark’s collection, whose Jeff Skaret noted “...our diamonds are responsibly sourced...we are guests in these lands.” CIS board chair/DTE Energy’s Trevor Lauer introduced women on his team and passed the microphone to his associate Heather Rivard who was trained as an aerospace engineer. She echoed CIS director Matt Stafford’s message about the importance of getting young women interested in science. The evening, chaired by Adele Acheson and Linzie Venegas, raised more than $30,000 for outreach programming at the institute.
OU School of Nursing Nightingale Awards
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1. Judy Didion, RN, (left) of Rochester, Maggie Allesee of Bloomfield, Susan Grant of Birmingham. 2. Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz (left) of Rochester Hills, Dr. Shukri David and Tamika Frimpong of W. Bloomfield. 3. Marilyn Begle, RN, of Bloomfield. 4. Dan (left) & Michele Rausch, RN of Birmingham and Diane Zalecki Bertalan, RN, of Sterling Hgts., Amna Osman of Grand Blanc. 5. Kristen McGrath (center) of Birmingham, Dennis & Sharron McGrath.
Suite Dreams Project Hats Off Luncheon
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Suite Dreams Project Hats Off Luncheon Just as 17 years ago when this event debuted, most of the 365 guests ($150, $200 ticket) wore hats and looked like a million dollars as they socialized and sipped in the crowded Townsend ballroom lobby. The luncheon program highlights were the remarks made by the mothers and grandmother of the sick children featured in videos of rooms decorated by the talented SDP designers. One speaker marveled that “...they (change lives) for people they don’t even know.” Another declared the “new” room was a happy place, “... the best medicine my grandson could receive.” Event designer David C. McKnight announced two hat awards: Most Creative was Brandy Lewo; Most Chic was Patti Prowse. After the chance raffle prizes were announced, departing guests picked up yummy orange Creamsicle Push-Ups in the lobby. These were the final salute to the creative event orange sherbet color scheme. The 17th annual benefit was chaired by Amy Spitznagel and raised more than $100,000 to create special environments for seriously ill children.
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1. Amy Spitznagel of Bloomfield, David C. McKnight of Northville. 2. Kristin Smith (left) and Ian Hartwell of Royal Oak, Cathy Danley and Wendy Russell of Rochester Hills. 3. Kay Ponicall (left) and Kris Appleby of Bloomfield. 4. Brandy Lewo (left) of Birmingham, Kamila Zak of Beverly Hills. 5. Sara Young (left), Kari Michael, Laura Kezia and Gretchen Klotz of Birmingham.
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OU School of Nursing Nightingale Awards The 30th annual celebration of excellence in the nursing profession attracted 675 to the San Marino Club. During the social hour they bid $6,000 on 23 chance raffle items while jazz pianist Bob Allesee made music as he has done for every one of the 30 years. The after dinner program led off with the presentation of the inaugural Legend Award to Maggie Allesee, who founded the event. Then it put real live Florence Nightingales in the spotlight. The inspiring award winners in 10 categories, selected from more than 100 nominees, were each featured in a video before accepting their statuette. They included Pamela Laszewski, Diane Zalecki Bertalan, Michele Rausch, Kino Anuddin, Marilyn Begle, Sabrina Zott, Deborah White, and Leesa Jones. Their stories, as well as the runner-ups who were featured in the print program, confirmed OU president Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz’s assertion that “...nurses are the face of medicine.” Thanks to generous sponsors ($137,000), the event raised $170,000 for RN scholarships and research.
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Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, 48304; email samgerak@aol.com or call 248.646.6390. 07.18
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LOWER STRAITS LAKE - $1,750,000
WEST BLOOMFIELD - $2,490,000
iMpeccabLe estate hoMe in p restigious b LooMfieLd p ines s ub. 6182 sf of L iving s pace . custoM d etaiLs , g orgeous L andscaping .
p ine L ake at its M ost g Lorious ! b eautifuL L ake v iew s unsets !
M agnificent L akefront estate . 9500 sf of Luxurious L iving ! 107 f t. frontage . fabuLous M ain L ake v iews & sandy b each !
c ustoM new c onstruction . 8400 sf of Luxury. 5 br, 5 fuLL and 2 haLf baths . waLkout LL.Â
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DUCK LAKE - $729,000
UNION LAKE - $689,000
DUCK LAKE - $999,000
BLOOMFIELD HILLS - $495,000
stunning a LL-s ports L akefront hoMe w/90 f t. f rontage in d esirabLe s outh b ay s hores s ub !
a LL s ports L ake u nion L ake at its f inest. 100 f t. frontage with b eautifuL L ake v iews .
111 ft frontage on a LL s ports L ake with a Mazing L ake v iews .
r are o pportunity to b uiLd your d reaM hoMe on the Last reMaining Lot in c hestnut r un n orth . p rivate w ooded s etting on .6 a cres .
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ENDNOTE
Our endorsements for August primary oters in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills will be determining the fate of primary candidates in the Tuesday, August 7, election, either at the polls or through absentee ballots which are now being mailed out by municipal clerks. A local ballot question on safety paths will face Bloomfield Township voters, and voters in Bloomfield Township and Birmingham will cast ballots on a SMART transportation tax renewal question. This is a primary election in which you will be deciding who best can represent your party in the November general election, so you must vote on candidates in just one political party. Downtown newsmagazine sent questionnaires to candidates in contested primary races, the answers to which can be found in the special Voter Guide inside this edition or online at downtownpublications.com. When making our recommendations we considered a number of factors based on answers from candidates and our institutional knowledge of candidates and issues. In determining who we thought could best represent a party heading into the November contests, we looked at both views of the candidates, their ability to run a competitive campaign and how quickly they could assume office should they make it through the general election balloting.
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9th Congressional District – Two-year term Bloomfield Township Democrat All three Democratic candidates, Martin Brook, Andy Levin and Ellen Lipton, share pretty much the same views on the issues, have law degrees, and all three bring some semblance of experience to the table. While the betting money is on Levin, we’re not swayed by the fact that the family has been in Congress for decades. We may be spitting in the wind, but we’re going with ELLEN LIPTON. A lawyer and scientist, she had a good three-term run in Lansing, with an accomplished legislative record in the House, which is difficult when you’re in the minority party. In this race there is no GOP primary, and the district, which runs through south Oakland and Macomb counties, favors Democrats, so it could be one of the handful in the county where the primary will likely determine the winner in November. 11th Congressional District – Two-year term Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills Democrat This sprawling district zigzags just north of Pontiac into western Oakland County and part of western Wayne County. While five candidates are running, we struggled over two – Tim Greimel and Haley Stevens. One can’t ignore Greimel’s 11 years experience, spanning local school board, county commission and as current state House Minority Leader, where he fought for Detroit's Grand Bargain and for expanded Medicaid coverage. We were most impressed with HALEY STEVENS who jumped into this race early, willing to take on the Republican incumbent, who then opted not to seek re-election. She is running a
strong, aggressive campaign, a good indication of the energy she would bring to the November contest. As for her skill set if she gets to Congress, her experience as part of the Obama Auto Task Force charged with bailout of the auto industry has allowed her to build a strong network of contacts on The Hill and has proven her ability to navigate complex issues through the legislative process with both parties so she won’t just be a “back bencher” as often happens with freshman members. Bright, understands the issues – Stevens is primary voters’ best bet. 11th Congressional District – Two-year term Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills Republican Seeking the Republican nod are five candidates. One is known as the “Accidental Congressman” because he served a short stint in Congress by pure happenstance. Another, a female millionaire, with zero experience and a reputation as an embarrassing Trump acolyte who outdoes even her master in terms of abrasiveness. The other three, Klint Kesto, Mike Kowall and Rocky Raczkowski, all have legislative experience of varying degrees. We are more than familiar with all three, having been around the Oakland political scene enough decades to know where the bones are buried, as they say. Our choice in this primary – MIKE KOWALL – has represented over 50 percent of this geographic district as state Senator, including as current Majority Floor Leader. He's run these broad races before, and we suspect he may be more attuned to the district's residents, which is who a congressman is supposed to represent. 12th State Senate District – Four-year term Bloomfield Township Republican This is a heavily Republican-leaning district that meanders into the north part of the county, and there is no Democratic primary. Not to disparage Rosemary Bayer, the Democrat in November, but it is very possible that the winner in the Republican primary will prevail in the general election, thanks to gerrymandering. This district was redrawn for the current term-limited incumbent to include Bloomfield Township, along with Franklin, Beverly Hills and Bingham Farms – and then those communities were ignored by him. There are two current state representatives running who both understand the issues, although their approach to them differs. We are disturbed by reports that the state rep from the north part of the county either has or will be receiving financial support from a charter school lobbying group (GLEP) which is backed by some members of the western Michigan DeVos family that wields considerable control over those who take their special interest money. That quid pro quo system is part of the problem in Lansing now. Our endorsement goes to MICHAEL MCCREADY, not because he is a local boy but because he has shown an independent streak in his voting record when he felt it would not be in the best interest of his district or the state, even though he knew he would incur the wrath of party bosses and the far-right crowd in Lansing. We need
that type of leadership. McCready – high ethical standards, keeps in touch with the district – the candidate best suited to represent Republicans. 40th State House District – Two-year term Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township Democrat Term limits leave this seat open, and potentially vulnerable to be flipped from its long-term Republican hold. Democrats have two strong candidates – Nicole Bedi and Mari Manoogian – who are similar in their viewpoints, and either would be capable of representing their party in the November general election. NICOLE BEDI has run this campaign before, in 2016, coming fairly close, when it was more solidly Republican. An involved local activist, mother of two and a scientist, her edge in life experience – an intangible factor, we readily concede – makes her a better candidate to move on to November. 40th State House District – Two-year term Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township Republican We’ve given this race a lot of thought, and we admit we’ve gone through a conversion over who we think is best for the party. We eliminated people who were doctrinaire and idealogues. We have come to the conclusion that DAVID WOLKINSON has grown up and evolved since we first met him through a campaign for this very office in 2012, and believe that in the ensuing years he has expanded his viewpoints. He is well-prepared to represent the party heading into November. BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP Safety Path Millage Renewal Residents in Bloomfield Township are being asked to continue their safety path program by backing an existing Safety Path Millage, which was previously approved on August 5, 2014 for up to .4655 mills for five years. The renewal will be for an additional five years beginning with the December 2019 levy, for the same amount, up to .4655 mills per $1,000 of taxable value. The township safety path program, which began 20 years ago, has produced about 70 miles of paths for residents and connected the township to neighboring communities. There are currently 4.2 miles left to be completed of this successful program, and we recommend a YES vote on this renewal. BIRMINGHAM, BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP SMART Millage Renewal Voters in Birmingham and Bloomfield Township are being asked to renew a millage for the SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation) transportation system. Bloomfield Hills has long been an opt-out community. While this is a renewal, there will actually be a minor increase for residents if approved, from .9863 mills formerly authorized to one mill for four years, covering 2018 through 2021, inclusive, as the previous millage expired in 2017. As SMART provides not only busses for the general public, but transportation support for the elderly and disabled, a YES vote would be smart.
WITH ALMOST $70 MILLION SOLD YEAR-TO-DATE, WE HAVE PROVEN THAT OUR APPROACH TO MARKETING AND NEGOTIATING WORKS!
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