Westend: July 2015

PLACES TO EAT: OVER 200 RESTAURANTS • J. MARCH: THE LAUNDRY IN FENTON JULY 2015

CK CHE EW N OUT

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FACE OF PUBLIC SAFETY DIVERSITY STATS FOR LOCAL POLICE

NEPOTISM IN GOVERNMENT WHERE REGULATIONS EXIST AND ARE ABSENT

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Quality custom construction automated home. Beautifully maintained stone/brick exterior. Inviting 2 story entry with custom front door. Grand 2 story foyer with custom staircase. Hardwoods throughout main level. Formal dining with built in buffet. Kitchen with custom cabinets, granite, dual stainless farmhouse sinks and dishwashers, gourmet appliances, and skylights.2 generous sized bedrooms and 2 full baths on main level. Gorgeous office/library with built-ins and spectacular lake views. Master suite every owner deserves….private balcony, sitting area w/FP, private laundry, beautiful bath w/custom dual sinks, jetted tub, water closer, and oversized shower. Finished walk-out LL w/full kitchen and bath.Lakeside garage 750 sq ft for all of your lake toys. Pristine sandy beach and frontage with lighthouse and spectacular landscaping. $949,900.

PRICE REDUCED!!! Enjoy this summer at this Upper Straits Lakefront home in Shady Beach, one of Upper Straits prestigious subdivisions which hosts multiple family events throughout the year. Completely rebuilt in 1994.

Meticulously maintained home w/open floor plan perfect for entertaining. Great room w/soaring ceilings and beautiful brick fireplace. Formal dining area. Island kitchen w/stunning lakeviews. Cozy family room w/doorwall to deck. 2 generous sized bedrooms on entry level w/newly remodeled bath. Master suite w/wood burning fireplace, fabulous two story lake views from private balcony, large WIC, and private bath w/Jacuzzi. Additional room off master suite perfect for workout area/nursery. Finished walk-out lower level w/rec area, family room, and plenty of additional storage. New HWH and furnace. Heated 3 car garage w/additional overhead storage. Association includes boat launch, common beach area, and park. $649,900 PRICE REDUCED!! Beautiful waterfront home with spectacular all-sports lake frontage.

Inviting entry to 2 story foyer. Hardwoods and upgraded trim/crown throughout main level.

Private office/den and formal dining. Great room with floor to ceiling natural stone fireplace and a wall of windows with breathtaking lake views. Stunning island kitchen w/granite, beautiful cabinets and backsplash, undermount lighting, stainless appliances, bar area, and desk area. Breakfast nook with door wall to deck. First floor master suite w/cathedral ceilings and plenty of windows to capture lake views, WIC, and private bath with his/hers sinks, jetted tub, shower, and water closet. Generous sized bedrooms upstairs. Jack and jill and a main bath for remaining bedrooms. Large bonus room w/additional bedroom and room for a possible 6th bedroom. Finished walkout lower level w/gas FP, large family room/rec area, and powder room. Awesome mudroom entry off 3 car attached garage. Clarkston schools! Walk or bike to Indian Springs. $614,900

Keller Williams Realty

Panoramic views on one of all-sports Cedar Island's premier lakefront lots. Vacation at home and enjoy the beautifully manicured lot w/stone seawall and sandy beach with 257 ft of frontage on peninsula. This stunning brick ranch boasts an open floor plan. Living area with brick fireplace and built-ins, formal dining area, kitchen with breakfast nook and door wall to sun room with spectacular lake views and access to tiered deck w/built in seating. Generous sized master suite with full bath and door wall to private deck area. $550,000

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Lakeside master suite w/full bath. Finished walkout lower level with family room w/door wall to lake, rec area, full bath, and plenty of storage. Kitchen area in lower level opens up to sunroom w/slate floors and door to beautifully maintained deck with built in seating. Pristine landscaping. 2 car detached garage.

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Commerce Twp, MI 48382

WESTEND07.15

17

Reflecting the community: police force diversity Efforts are underway to make sure public safety forces in Oakland represent the ethnic and gender make up of the community but progress has remained slow for a variety of reasons.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

8

If Michigan’s economic revival is to have any staying power, state leaders must start to seriously address how to keep/attract the knowledge class of workers who don’t necessarily view the state as a very welcoming place thanks to messages lawmakers are sending.

CRIME LOCATOR

25 Environmental indicators Like a canary in a coal mine, there are a number of natural features we can monitor to determine the overall health of the environment here in Oakland County.

13

A recap of select categories of crime occurring in the past month in Commerce, Walled Lake, Wolverine Lake and the Union Lake area, presented in map format.

MUNICIPAL

36

Budgets for new fiscal year in Walled Lake, Wolverine Lake; Commerce Towne Place site plans submitted; Commerce marijuana grow ordinance; township drops DEQ suit; plus more.

AT THE TABLE

NEPOTISM

33 Government nepotism Most local governments have addressed the issue of hiring and favoritism before it becomes a problem in town hall.

47

The (French) Laundry in Fenton started with humble beginnings but has caught fire, and J. March says that with breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings, along with a bakery and brewery, it’s worth the trip to this restaurant.

ENDNOTE

50

Oakland officials cheated the public by being part of secret meetings on regional water authority; time for local governments to be pro-active on the issue of regulating medical marijuana grow operations in local communities.

FACES 15 AJ McKeever 23 Antonio Musse 31 Sheldon Cohn

THE COVER Long Lake in Commerce, photographed from the dock at the public access site.

Westend photo.

PUBLISHER David Hohendorf NEWS EDITOR Lisa Brody NEWS STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Allison Batdorff | Rachel Bechard | Hillary Brody Katie Deska | Kevin Elliott | Sally Gerak | Austen Hohendorf J. March | Kathleen Meisner | Bill Seklar PHOTOGRAPHY/CONTRIBUTORS Jean Lannen | Laurie Tennent Laurie Tennent Studio VIDEO PRODUCTION/CONTRIBUTOR Garrett Hohendorf Giant Slayer ADVERTISING MANAGER James Bishop ADVERTISING SALES Keenan Crow Heather Marquis 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 the Commerce, Wolverine Lake, Walled Lake and Union Lake area. Additional free copies distributed at high foot-traffic locations in west Oakland.

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 (westendmonthly.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 Commerce/Union Lake community. The traditional “letters to the editor” in Westend 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 WEBSITE westendmonthly.com

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

e will all remember the Great Recession here in Michigan, which we are still digging ourselves out of in 2015. And, yes, despite the whispered concern that our comeback cannot really be placed in the class of a solid, assured recovery, there are some positive signs.

W

For one, unemployment is down and expected to continue inching lower. The Research Seminar of Quantitative Economics at the University of Michigan projects the decline to continue, ever so slightly, and says 6.4 percent will be the rate in Michigan when we hit 2016.

Don't forget the growth of the Michigan Real Gross Domestic Product, a gauge of the monetary values of goods and services produced within the state's borders, no matter where the product was purchased. From 2012 to 2013 there was a two percent growth rate.

And property values appear to be climbing along with the sales price of homes on the market.

Thank heaven, some state and locals officials have even started to address issues beyond just a short-term improvement in economic indicators, chief among them the continued brain drain in Michigan – you know, the net loss each year of the knowledge population, defined as the younger generation ages 22 to 34, with a Bachelor's degree or higher. Of course, most are also well aware of the leaders from the business community and their efforts to draw the young Millennials back into rebounding metropolitan areas, where three-quarters of Michigan's in-migration takes place each year.

The fact of the matter remains, however, Michigan is still a net exporter of the knowledge population each year.

A 2008 study by think tank Michigan Future Inc. showed that one-half of Michigan college grads left here within one year of getting a degree.

The State Board of Labor just released a report showing that despite current efforts, the brain drain continues. In 2010, the state had a 4.4 percent net migration loss in the knowledge class, followed by a 2 percent loss in 2011; 2.2 percent drop in 2012; and a net migration decline of 3.5 percent in 2013.

State officials already know that 37 percent of the knowledge population in-migration comprises former Michigan residents moving home and there are some who say we need to focus more of our effort and direct more state policy at luring this group.

All of these efforts will ultimately prove fruitless unless we also address the perception, deservedly so, that Michigan is an unwelcoming place – which is certainly the view among the knowledge class members I know of who have left the state as I randomly conduct a windshield survey of their thoughts.

My youngest son, now residing in Manhattan, probably captured it best a few months ago when he offered that Michigan was regressive,

(i.e. – dominated by a far right agenda in Lansing) and not some place he would choose to move.

For my oldest son, also in New York City and a professional in the film industry, a return is out of the question. The message has been loud and clear in the last few years that the film industry incentives were, at a minimum, going to be reduced. This year they have been cut to $25 million, and from that $19 million goes to the bail out of a Pontiac film studio debt to a state pension fund that helped finance its start up by members of the Oakland County well-to-do class. Then we have the proposal in Lansing that come 2017, all funding will be cut, possibly including closure of the state film office.

But back to the viewpoint that Michigan has developed a reputation as not an inclusive state. The most recent example of a negative signal sent to those looking to move here from the knowledge group is the passage of legislation in Lansing to allow state religionbased adoption agencies to refuse service to those who don't pass audition under the groups' faith-based tenets. These groups get slightly over half ($10 million) of available state and federal budget funds (our tax money) each year to run their operations.

This legislation has been criticized as discriminatory against not only just same-sex couples, but also unmarried couples, those whose faith differs from the religious adoption agency's beliefs and those with no faith at all.

It's just one more step in a slow march by the majority (Republicans) in Lansing to tighten up control on personal rights advocated by a vocal religious and conservative minority which exercises inordinate power in the House and Senate.

If we are going to bring the state back to an even keel, now, while we build a foundation for the future by keeping our talented college graduates, bringing native Millennials back and those who have yet to even visit our state, then public policy must take into consideration what the next generation seeks rather than a knee jerk, short-sighted reaction to a special interest group that wields influence in Lansing or marching to the drumbeat of either political party. We already apply this logic as we design public services, such as mass transit and future infrastructure needs, based on changing demands and desires.

It is only fitting that we apply the same planning principles to social issues of concern.

I think that probably captures it best.

Have a good, and meaningful, Independence Day (Fourth of July) holiday.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com P.S. Take a minute to view our new dining gossip/news feature, Front/Back, starting on page 44, written and reported by Katie Deska.

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WESTEND

9

Canal Waterfront Lot INCOMING in Commerce Twp.

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Triple Nickel review

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442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI 48009

Sadly, I have to agree with the (Triple Nickel) reviewer (June/Westend).

As a recent guest on a Saturday night, I had the misfortune of sitting in the "echo chamber" that was mentioned in the review. There were six of us and it was so loud we could communicate by shouting at the person closest to us. The chairs were cheap and uncomfortable, the ceiling too low, the service slow and the food cold.

We did manage to find our way over to the other side of the upstairs restaurant open to old Woodward Ave. and it was much quieter and more comfortable over there.

I understand the great challenge the architects had in making this fantastic location work and I am hoping the owners can get this turned around. Like a lot of new restaurants, it was a place to been seen because it is new and trendy, but if they want repeat customers, they will need to make some improvements.

I wish them the best.

Name withheld upon request Birmingham

Triple Nickel cool place

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10

I just read the review in your paper of the Triple Nickel restaurant written

by J. March (June/Westend).

I have been to the 555 with friends during happy hours and family for dinners. I was just there last night with my wife and daughter and had the perch and it was excellent. My daughter loves the crab cakes. At happy hour, I regularly get the buffalo balls, scallops, escargot and frog legs. The burger will give Red Coat a run for the money. I did have fries that were too salty once (but) that was fixed.

Upstairs on a nice night is fantastic with all the open windows and open air atmosphere. In addition, my service has always been great. 555 is a cool place.

Keep it up, Triple Nickel.

Dan O’Hara Bloomfield Hills

Food, service spot on After reading your review of this restaurant, I sat back and wondered what your intentions were. I have never read such a hostile, negative and potentially damaging review of a new restaurant. I re-read the article and only found one positive note in the entire article, which was you liked the Indian chili.

My wife and I went to the Triple WESTEND

SPEAK OUT We welcome your opinion on issues facing the Commerce, Walled Lake and Union communities.

Opinions can be sent via e-mail to westend@downtownpublications.com or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 West Maple Road, Birmingham MI 48009.

While we don’t have a specific word limitation, we reserve the right to edit for length.

Nickel for dinner on a weeknight. We were seated promptly in a wonderful booth on the first floor. We ordered a bottle of wine and began to look through the menu and check out the decor. We felt the decor reflected the restaurant theme. We ordered the chopped salad split and it was plenty for the two of us. My wife had the perch and I had the frog legs, both excellent. The service was spot on.

We will definitely be going back.

The prices reflect the need for a medium priced neighborhood restaurant in Birmingham. I would like to see more medium price choices on their wine list.

Other than that, your ten cents worth of advice would be better spent redirecting your intentions.

By the way, I like Sinbad's also.

John Turner Bloomfield Hills

First and last time This is the first and last time I will ever read an article written by J. March. While it is nicely written, it was crude, irresponsible and inaccurate. While your taste and experience with your fellow diners was poor, I have been to the Triple Nickel no less than 10 times and continue to have a wonderful experience.

The staff is friendly when they meet you at the door, the service is fast and the food is very tasty. Not sure where you and your group get your taste buds, but they must be burnt out after all your dining experiences. To slam the restaurant so badly and be so critical is pathetic.

There must be some sort of underlying issue with someone to be so slanderous and negative. I personally feel the decor is interesting, tasteful and unique. I believe the 07.15

theme is genuine and well done. The only thing I agree with is the room upstairs is a bit dark and somewhat loud, but that certainly can be easily addressed with a tweak by Ron. You must have missed the open air bar upstairs and the private room overlooking Woodward. You must have missed the delicious chicken dishes, the filet and the salmon that were tasteful and nicely prepared. You must have missed the interesting wine list that is well priced. You must have missed the beet salad (that we had last night) that was quite flavorful.

I guess in your line of work you must create interest so people continue to follow you and be entertained by your terrible attitude. It is too bad the media has to sensationalize things to get individuals to follow them. This is yet another example of an irresponsible article with nothing good to say, which is again pathetic.

Gary S. Jackson, President, SunTel Services, Troy

Thanks for honesty J. March — thank you for your honesty in the 555 review (June/Westend).

I live in Birmingham and am so sick of fluffy reviews of anything new when a lot of the new fare is utterly disappointing. With four kids and a busy job, I don't get to go out to dinner that often.

I will put the 555 on the back burner until I hear that they've turned it around.

By the way, any thoughts on Bird and the Bread? My first experience was pretty terrible, but it was a long time ago.

Keep up the good work and honest reporting.

Mark Carroll Birmingham

Kudos to food critic Kudos to your food critic, J. March (June/Westend). I have never read a more scathing review of a restaurant.

No pussyfooting around, just the unvarnished truth.

The forthrightness of the column should prompt the restaurant to quickly up its game and in this regard the writer has provided a valuable service to both the Triple Nickel and the restaurant’s future diners.

Marvin Lee Bloomfield Township

No safe disposal Per a 2015 report by the US GAO, at Hanford WA, $19 billion has been westendmonthly.com

spent so far on forward thinking about ways to handle radioactive waste (May/Westend), and no working scale model exists or has been created to learn from.

In 25 years there has been no radioactive waste treated for safe permanent disposal at Hanford or anywhere else.

Jeannie Presler Vancouver, Washington

Nuclear waste storage You have written a very in-depth story on the Ontario Power Generation DGR (Nuclear waste/May). It is unfortunate, however, that we did not have an opportunity to answer any questions or provide some facts.

We would welcome the opportunity to do so in the future. We always seek to respectfully inform the fears of those who oppose this project.

We all live on these Great Lakes and the waters are as much ours as the people of Michigan. We take issues of the environment quite seriously and believe our environmental approval processes in Canada are among the most rigorous in the world.

Jerry Keto Vice President Ontario Power Generation

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Environmentalist drivel I would be interested to hear if Mr. (Jim) Nash (June/Westend), has any new thoughts on the subject of fracking upon the release of the 1,400page report from the EPA stating that "We find no evidence that these mechanisms have led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources in the United States."

Mr. Nash quotes the usual liberal environmentalist drivel from nonscientific sources, and finishes with, "Unless you have real proof, I wouldn't chance it..."

Of course, he needed no proof whatsoever to arrive at his own negative conclusion. The EPA and Obama administration have made it clear for years that they wanted control of these state-managed "mechanisms" and have been searching for that one smoking gun from state neglect. It didn't exist.

If this is the level of open-minded, fact-based thought going into other decisions by Mr. Nash and his department, a new (water resources) commissioner should be sought for next year.

Richard Hayes Birmingham WESTEND

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07.15

FACES AJ McKeever rom the abstract and vibrant to the simple and discernible, AJ McKeever’s drawings and imagination collide in her children’s book entitled “My Favorite Color.”

“The main character, Prisma, is definitely inspired from my own experiences,” McKeever said. “Prisma has multicolored hair and she is an indecisive young girl. She is interested in a lot of things.”

While meditating one day, McKeever came up with the idea for a 25-page children’s book about Prisma’s inability to decide which color is her favorite.

“Prisma takes this exploration outside her house,” she said. “It takes all day and goes into the night and the next day. She has a chameleon who changes all different colors and she realizes her chameleon can’t figure it out either. In the end she wakes up and realizes what is best and, of course, all is revealed.”

The book is set for publication in September 2015. It will be available on Schuler Books online store.

McKeever was brought up in Waterford, where her interest in the arts was celebrated and the creative side of her flowed onto her parent’s furniture. Her medium of choice was nail polish on corkboard and stools.

Rather than ruining her parent’s furniture, McKeever was encouraged to pursue her artistic and musical interests.

“I was largely involved in music,” said the Waterford Kettering alumnus. “I was involved in band, marching band and jazz for a bit. I played in the pit orchestra. I played the bassoon and the saxophone. That’s part of my inspiration for the book. I’ve always been all over the place as far as my interests.”

After high school, McKeever studied at Central Michigan University, but fell quite ill in her junior year.

“I wasn’t able to play my bassoon. I tried different courses and different extracurricular activities. I ended up getting an art history minor.”

As devastated as she was to give up her beloved bassoon, her artistic imagination was heightened and she became enamored with photography, acrylics and watercolor.

Like any good author, McKeever loves literature. She recalled her father reading to her and she would lose herself in the imaginary lives of fictional characters.

“I remember fondly making my dad read to me all the Baby-Sitters Club books when I was a little kid. It’s absolutely important that parents read books with their children.”

McKeever continues to read children’s books for inspiration and guidance in her career.

Now a circulation assistant at Kent County Public Library in western Michigan, McKeever helps readers choose the best books and stories to stir their imagination and enhance their education.

The young talent now lives in Grand Rapids with her husband.

“Hands down, he is the most supportive person in my life. He supports all my decisions and he’s kind of just along for the ride. Conversations are never dull in our house. He’s into IT, science and politics. I’m into art, psychology and music.”

Much like “Prisma”, McKeever struggles to fully decide on her metaphorical favorite color, but she is enjoying the journey.

F

Story: Katey Meisner

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BY KEVIN ELLIOTT n the early morning hours of July 23, 1967, a group of about 80 black people were celebrating the return of soldiers from Vietnam at a blind pig at 12th Street, now Rosa Parks Boulevard, and Clairmont Street in Detroit, when a predominantly white police force raided the club. What ensued after was a five-day riot that spread through Detroit, leaving 43 people dead, 1,189 injured, and more than 2,000 buildings destroyed.

The events leading to the 1967 riot can't be attributed to that single incident, and the riot was hardly the first of its kind in Detroit. Race riots also marred the city in 1943 and 1863, the latter of which led to the creation of a full-time police department in the city. Yet in 1967, about 93 percent of the Detroit Police Department were white males in a city where about 33 percent of its population was African American. And, while the department and attitudes have evolved during the course of recent history, many police departments across the nation are hardly representative of the communities they serve, including several in Michigan and Oakland County.

Today, law enforcement agencies across the country, state and county are striving to increase the number of officers belonging to minority groups. However, recruiting, hiring and retaining diverse candidates can be a challenge, according to local police chiefs and the Oakland County Sheriff's Office. In addition to strong candidates from minority or ethnic groups, police departments also face challenges in recruiting women. The issue is now one that is being discussed at a national level and among academic leaders at the state's universities.

Brad Smith, interim chair of Wayne State University's Department of Criminal Justice, said having diversity amongst law enforcement serves to benefit both departments and the public in general.

I

REPRESENTING THE COMMUNITIES IN PUBLIC SAFETY

DIVERSITY

"In a democratic society, the police should be representative of the people that they serve. It brings a variety of unique perspectives, and they can connect with people of different backgrounds," Smith said.

"Whether it's racial or ethnic diversity or male-female, most of our departments are not very diverse. Most of our departments are dominated by men, and white men."

In terms of female police, about one in eight police officers across the nation are female, including about one in 10 first-line supervisors, according to a 2013 survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics. The study, which was published in May 2015, includes the most recent figures available on local police department personnel, policies and practices.

In 2013, about 58,000 – or 12 percent – of the full-time sworn personnel in local police departments were female. That figure remained the same from 2007 to 2013, but was up about 8 percent since 1987, when the survey was first conducted.

Since the inception of the study, the employment of female officers has increased in all population categories, but larger jurisdictions have continued to employ females at a higher rate, a trend that is found among officers of ethnic or minority populations. In departments serving populations between 50,000 and 100,000, female officers represent about 9.7 percent of sworn officers. The figure drops to 8.8 percent in municipalities between 25,000 and 50,000; 7.8 percent in those between 10,000 and 25,000; 7.5 percent in populations below 10,000 but more than 2,500; and 6.1 percent in communities with less than 2,500 people.

Statewide, the number of female officers is just below 12 percent, with 2,264 of the state's 19,041 certified police officers being women, according to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES), which is responsible for certifying all peace officers in the state. In Oakland County, about 9.9 percent of the county's 2,058 sworn officers are women.

Of the roughly 596 different law enforcement agencies in Michigan, about 26 have female police chiefs, including the Michigan State Police department, which is headed by Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue.

A program of the Feminist Majority Foundation, the National Center for Women and Policing, has promoted increasing the number of women at all ranks of law enforcement as a strategy to improving police response to violence against women, reducing police brutality and strengthening community policing reforms.

"Twenty years of exhaustive research demonstrates that women police officers utilize a style of policing that relies less on

physical force and more on communication skills that defuse potentially violent situations," according to the center's website.

"Women police officers are therefore much less likely to be involved in occurrences of police brutality, and also much more likely to effectively respond to police calls regarding violence against women."

Comment from the center wasn't available, as it is no longer in operation since the person who had been running it has since retired, according to the Feminist Majority Foundation.

Wayne State University's Smith said one of the reasons that there may be fewer women in law enforcement is that there are fewer informal support networks for women in policing, including a host of challenges for recruiting. However, he said there is still mixed research on what factor race and gender play in violent encounters.

"I don't think you'll see a reduction in shootings," he said. "It doesn't matter the race or gender or ethnicity of a person when they are threatened with a weapon. But in less serious situations, you may have fewer conflicts."

Sgt. Meghan Lehman, spokeswoman for the Troy Police Department, said she doesn't feel there is a specific style attributed to males or females.

"I don't think there's a style that is specific to gender. I think it varies from officer to officer," she said. "It could. You never know who the individual officer you're talking to might relate to. It could be a factor that helps."

Of the 100 sworn officers at the Troy Police Department, Lehman said 11 are female.

And, while she said the department doesn't track race or ethnicity among the ranks, she said it's helpful to have a diverse workforce.

"There are over 80 languages spoken in Troy, so when we have officers that speak those languages, it's helpful," she said. "We have outreach programs, so we try to establish ourselves as a helpful presence and hopefully spark an interest in law enforcement as a career for a variety of people."

Nationally, about 27 percent of local police officers belonged to a racial or ethnic minority in 2013, compared to just 15 percent in 1987, according to the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics.

About 130,000 minority local police were employed in 2013, up about 78,000 (150 percent) from 1987. About 58,000 African American officers were employed by departments in 2013, up 5 percent from 2007.

Approximately 55,000 Hispanic or Latino officers were employed by departments in 2013, up about 16 percent since 2007; and about 14,000 officers were members of other minority groups (Asian, Native Hawaiian,

other Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaska native), up about 2.7 percent in 2007 and four times more than in 1987, according to the study.

The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards began automated tracking of racial and ethnic minorities in law enforcement in 2004. Statistics from MCOLES that include race or ethnicity prior to 2004 aren't available. Statewide, 5,451 officers have been certified since 2004, including 614 African American officers; 128 Hispanic or Latino; 51 American Indian; 37 multi-racial or other; 36 Asian; 17 Arabic; four Pacific Islander; and two Alaskan.

In Oakland County, a total of 601 law enforcement officers have been certified by MCOLES since 2004, including 27 African American; eight Hispanic or Latino; four Asian; and two Arabic.

Often criticized as one of the metro Detroit locations for Caucasians fleeing urban Detroit, Oakland County has been a landing strip for white flight from the city for decades.

Today, with a population of about 1.2 million people, according to the latest U.S. Census numbers, about 76.9 percent of Oakland County's residents are white, compared to 80 percent of the state's 9.9 million residents.

Yet about 15 percent of the county's largest law enforcement agency, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, are considered minorities.

That figure increases to slightly more than 26 percent if women are included. Those percentages include only sworn officers, which are certified peace officers through the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, which licenses all law enforcement officers in the state.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said his office works to recruit a diverse workforce. Doing so, he said, is healthy both for the department and the communities it serves.

"Demographically, if you look at the last numbers, the Hispanic and African American population is about 16 or 17 percent in Oakland County, so we are pretty darn close to being reflective," Bouchard said. "I think it's helpful to have a diverse workforce in order to have different perspectives of a situation. Everyone grows up with their own kind of optics. If you have 30 different optics looking a situation, you might get 30 different perspectives, and that's helpful. It also helps us connect with the communities we serve."

Census figures for Oakland County in 2013 indicate the African American population makes up about 14.4 percent of the county, while the Hispanic population accounts for about 3.7 percent of the total.

However, the Asian population in Oakland County accounts for about 6.3 percent of the total population, while people of two or more other races make up approximately

2.1 percent of the county's population.

Bouchard said the department doesn't go so far as to break down ethnic minority groups into smaller categories. Regardless, he said the department works to encourage people from all groups to consider a career in law enforcement. In addition to attending job and recruiting fairs, Bouchard said the office is trying to spark interest in a police/militarycentric education program in Pontiac.

"It would be good to encourage more people to think about it," Bouchard said. "I know we've been to at least eight job fairs this year."

Despite efforts in recruiting, Bouchard said the department hires the best people, without regard to any optics.

"That's the way we promote, too," he said.

"We don't say 'this is a white guy promotion.'

We don't want to get into that. We want to look at who is the best person and who is the most qualified to be hired today, and basically be colorblind. But we do want to actively recruit applicants from minorities."

In other words, while departments such as the sheriff's office work to bring more diversity into the application pool, those that make the cut and who are retained are based on performance and skills. And while such practices can be inclusive, they also are exclusive in their hiring.

The recruiting and hiring process is part of the challenge for law enforcement agencies that are working to attract diverse candidates, said Wayne State University's Smith.

"There are a variety of challenges," he said.

"First, racial and ethnic groups in economically disadvantaged areas tend to be disproportionately involved in the criminal justice system. Many agencies have pretty thorough background checks, and they exclude people for felonies, for drunk driving, and even misdemeanor charges," Smith said.

"If a kid gets caught with alcohol and gets a minor in possession ticket, as an adult he may not be able to get a job in a lot of police agencies. That screens out a lot of kids from poorer backgrounds because they are more likely to have a bad encounter with police."

The scenario also raises the issue of having negative relations with police. While some folks are raised with the notion that police officers are friends that can be trusted and are there to help, others are raised in a culture of being fearful or consider the police simply disrespectful. Such a situation obviously does little to encourage a career in law enforcement.

Michigan State Police First Lt. Robert Hendrix is currently responsible for recruiting and selection in a newly developed position designed to create diversity among potential candidates and the department.

"In today's times, it's a harder sell than it

has been before," Hendrix said about recruiting. "We are looking for folks that are service minded and want to give back to their communities, not just criminal justice majors."

Black and raised in Detroit, Hendrix said the state police department had an appeal to him that wasn't present in the local Detroit department.

"I was going to be an electrical engineer. I ended up staying in that job until I learned the state police were hiring. I knew state police were different than the Detroit Police Department where I grew up. The next thing I knew, I was in recruit school. I was 28 at the time.

"I wouldn't have considered the Detroit Police Department at that time," Hendrix said. "(State police) seemed more professional. When I was younger I had gotten stopped by them, and they were always professional. They were professional and polite, and that's the way I was raised by my parents. I joined in 1989. I have 26 years in now."

Of the total 1,836 sworn officers at the Michigan State Police department, 171 are white females, which includes the department's director; 29 Native American males; nine male and two female troopers are of Pacific Islander ethnicity; 103 male and 10 female, African Americans; and 50 male and one female, Hispanics.

The department earlier this year caught headlines for its decline in diversity since federal mandates were lifted at the department for failing to hire enough females and minorities. While Hendrix said it may be true that the number of minorities in the department have fallen in recent years, he said the overall number of troopers has also fallen to about 1,836, from close to 2,700 or more in 1989. In July of 2014, the department moved its recruiting section from the training division into its Lansing headquarters, where Hendrix heads the unit.

The decline in law enforcement officers is a trend across the state, as the number of officer positions has dropped from about 23,150 in 2001 to 19,039, as of May 2015, according to monthly law enforcement population trends released by MCOLES. "That's one of the big stories. It's been dropping since Sept. 11, 2001,� said MCOLES Deputy Executive Director Hermina Kramp.

"The drop in population was heavily impacted by the downturn in the economy, as well as a downturn in revenue sharing. It's not that (agencies) don't need officers. It's a dollars and cents issue for them. A lot of agencies and communities have had to make tough choices."

The recession, beginning in 2008, caused additional difficulties for police departments throughout the nation, including problems

with budget and workforce reductions, consolidations, while at the same time increasing responsibilities and difficulties attracting and hiring qualified, diverse and skilled personnel, according to Jeremy Wilson, research director and associate professor at the Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice. However, regardless of economic conditions, departments have historically had a difficulty recruiting and maintaining a workforce that reflects their communities, Wilson said in a 2014 paper, "Strategies for Police Recruitment: A Review of Trends, Contemporary Issues and Existing Approaches." Additionally, Wilson says that historical concerns about recruiting minorities and women have now expanded to concerns about whether the profession can market itself to a new generation of workers.

"Whereas departments have historical difficulties recruiting women and minority applicants, their inability to grapple with generational differences has shown the profession to be underprepared for the rapidly changing and uncertain economic and social landscape," he said in the paper.

Wayne State's Smith also said departments that want to increase diversity have to take affirmative steps to recruit people, including going to career fairs that extend beyond their state.

"Wayne State has a career fair that is cosponsored by the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Executives. They reach out to agencies to show up, so we get agencies as far away as Texas," he said. "If departments are serious about recruiting, they have to seek them out, and that means going far. There is a demand now, and they are fighting for candidates now, which is great for students who want to go into law enforcement."

Part of the challenge for law enforcement agencies, Smith said, is drawing people into the field from underrepresented groups.

"It's not that it isn't respectable, but a lot of young men have had negative encounters with police, so why would they want to be a police officer?" he asked. "Others have high crime in their neighborhoods, so they have a desire to commit to changing that. That's what some of these agencies need to look at, and they need to sell themselves as that."

Novi Police Chief David Molloy said the ultimate goal in recruiting is to have a department be representative of the community. Novi, he said, has a population that is about 72-73 percent white; 8 percent African American; 3 percent Hispanic; and about 16 percent other, which includes many Asian, Japanese, Korean and Indian populations.

Like Troy, Novi has a diverse population with many different languages spoken.

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"We would love to have a department that is representative of that population," he said.

"We try to be as representative as we can, but it's always a challenge."

Of the 64 officers at the Novi police department, he said seven are female; one is African American; one Hispanic; one Indian; one Albanian; and one of Middle Eastern descent.

"Since becoming chief in 2005, the numbers have gone up," he said. "For a long time, we only had three women. In 2007, we had a lot of good candidates that we were able to attract. I think it's a good thing. They have communication skills and the physical ability to handle any situation they are placed into."

In terms of the hiring process, departments cannot factor race or ethnicity into their decisions, under state law.

However, Molloy said the department works to recruit from specific areas when possible.

"We are very close partners with the Japanese School of Detroit, in Novi," he said.

"We want to help Asians who are moving and coming to Novi. Any given Saturday, you have 800 families coming to the school here, and we are looking for ways to reach them.�

One way Novi has worked to attract candidates is by having a police cadet program for many years. Molloy said the program has worked as a feeder system to the department, resulting in dozens of applications for open positions, while still holding hiring standards high.

"We have had a bachelor's degree requirement for 40-plus years," he said. "We were one of the first in the state to mandate that. I don't think we should lower our standards at any point and time, we should hire and retain the best people, regardless of their race."

The Bloomfield Township Police Department also requires officers to have a bachelor's degree, said Capt. Scott McCanham, who said the department works with EMPCO Inc. to find potential candidates, as well as the Macomb County police academy.

"We require a bachelor's degree. That sort of thins out the recruits to begin with," he said. "We are looking for the best officer, versus gender or race."

Of the 66 sworn officers in the Bloomfield Township department, McCanham said seven are female; one is Hispanic ; one is Asian American; and one is Chaldean.

"We are actively recruiting out of all minority groups, but it's hard to get qualified candidates. The academy classes are as big as ever," he said. "We focus on what we have to offer here. The competition is extremely stiff, and so many departments are hiring with the economy recovering. They are all

filling those spots that they cut five or eight years ago."

One change from previous years is that departments are often hiring officers that are already accredited or have gone through a training academy. In prior years, departments would often send new recruits to a training academy as part of the training process. However, companies like EMPCO, which is utilized by several departments in Oakland County, provide candidates who are already trained.

"We tell EMPCO what we want, and we hope there are minorities there," said Detective Lt. Curt Lawson of the West Bloomfield Police Department. "The community itself is very diverse. Chaldean, Jewish, African American, Hmong, Russian – it's a mixing bowl here. Even though our officers are predominantly white, we provide diversity training. They are comfortable in their own skin working in this community."

Lawson said the department has 69 sworn officers, but is hoping to reach 77 in the next 12 months. Of those currently employed, he said five are female; two are African American; and three are Chaldean.

"There are some others, but I'm not comfortable asking what they are," he said.

"We continue to look for top quality candidates out there for our police department."

Bloomfield Hills Police Department Chief Dave Hendricksen, who was with the Warren Police Department prior to coming to Oakland County, said the department hires about once every two years.

"In Warren, we really tried to hire African Americans. We really did, and there really wasn't much interest on their part," he said.

"I can't blame them. They view the police as a not very welcoming place. Here (in Bloomfield Hills) we only hire every two years or so, and we have to hire the best. We don't know who they are – it's blind interviews. We recently had a woman get pretty far through the process, but we ended up with more white males.

"I'd like to get some different diversity and gender diversity. We don't have a lot of applicants that aren't white males."

Despite the lack of diversity in some communities, Southfield Police Chief Eric Hawkins said African-American officers are one group that is fairly well represented in law enforcement, both locally and nationally. Of the 123 sworn officers at his department, he said 15 are white females; 13 black males; one black female; and two Chaldean males.

White Lake Police Chief Adam Kline said the department doesn't track ethnicity or race, but that two of the 26 sworn officers in the department are women.

"The only trend I've noticed is that

applications and volume was down from prior years," he said. "My opinion is that it's because there are more departments hiring.

I can only point to economics and population movement."

Wolverine Lake Village Police Chief John Ellsworth said his department has 10 officers, two of which are women.

"I don't particularly look for male, female, African American or their descent. I look at qualifications. I eliminate the ones that aren't qualified and go that route," he said.

Walled Lake Police Chief Paul Shakinas said the department has 18 sworn officers, of which three are women. "One is a minority, or non-white, if that's the correct terminology," he said.

Shakinas said the department advertises openings through the state's MCOLES. "With that, every applicant that has experience gets a thorough review and possibly an interview if they pass an initial background check."

Birmingham Police Chief Don Studt said the department also uses EMPCO to find candidates for both the police and fire departments. Of the 30 sworn officers at the Birmingham Police Department, the department employs four white females; one black male; and one Arabic male.

"They provide the written test, and we pull from their list," he said. "We go with the ones that stand out."

Milford Police Chief Tom Lindberg said of the department's 18 sworn officers, two are female, and two are non-white.

"We don't have a major concern, as say Troy or Novi, or Farmington Hills, which has a large Indian population," he said. "In small communities, it may be a little different."

Lindberg, who is head of the Oakland County Police Chiefs Association, said there often are conversations among the members about diversity amongst the ranks.

"Nobody knows what a real good answer is.

In every community you want a police force to reflect their community," he said. "Culturally, there are some groups that aren't drawn to police work or the public sector. That could be a byproduct of the culture. It's difficult for us to manage. Milford is significantly different in terms of the population base, but we should have a little more diversity than we have."

Lindberg said there seems to be a lack of effort in the educational system to push students into police work or public service, which affects all aspects of recruiting. He said finding a way to push young people toward a career in law enforcement, while still in college, could help increase diversity in the recruitment pool.

"Hopefully, if you push that a little, there's some investment in it, and colleges with a with a diverse student base can push some students into law enforcement."

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Beautiful cul-de-sac location Highly sought after location 3/4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths View 2 ponds from this site First floor master suite.

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6611 Commerce Road

FACES Antonio Musse usician Antonio Musse admits that he got a late start to the saxophone, but that hasn't stopped the Waterford business owner from paying his dues for the past 14 years.

"I used to belong to a big church and there was a saxophone player there, Eugene Mann. We had about 2,000 members, and I thought it was amazing how much power he had just by playing a piece of metal. He became my teacher," Musse said about what inspired him to begin playing. "I was 27 years old. I had never played any instruments before. I started off with books and CDs for the first two years, and he was my first teacher."

Musse is used to hard work. Working two or three jobs for years, he later started his own landscaping business, A2A Lawns, requiring him to work 70 to 80 hours per week during his busiest season. The long hours didn't leave much time for practicing the alto saxophone. And the fact that he lived in an apartment meant there wasn't much opportunity to practice at full volume. On top of those challenges, Musse said his initial ability was, to put it nicely, lacking.

"It was a lot of work. I had no rhythm, no ear," he said.

"My son played for about two hours and could play 'Mary Had a Little Lamb.' It took me about seven years to play by ear. I had no gift. Just art."

In his quiet apartment, Musse would practice playing sheet music without actually blowing the notes. During the day, he would tap out his scales on the handle of the lawnmower.

"I would play every day, whenever I could. I never missed a chance to practice."

Eventually, the hard work started paying off. First with basic jazz standards, and later expanding into rhythm and blues, pop songs and other styles, Musse's craft began to take shape. He was able to play along with recorded music, joining others live, and eventually started writing his own songs.

Just as his music ability began to flourish, Musse faced bigger challenges. A rollover car crash nearly claimed his life. With four broken ribs and a ruptured spleen, Musse was unable to work at his landscaping business for months. Instead, he poured himself into his music, which started paying bills and filling voids.

"I made my living off of music," he said about the recovery. It also served as a source of solace and strength.

"Within the last three years, I've lost eight family members. Music has been my stronghold," he said. “Whether you're mad or sad, playing music takes all that away."

Musse is now back to work at his lawn company, but he's trying to cut back where he can and expand his music. Monday nights, Musse can be found hosting a smooth jazz series at the Good Night Lounge in Detroit.

The style of play is his favorite. However, other solo and group gigs at special events, retirement homes, clubs and concerts often call for rock, soul and other sounds. In June, Musse played with Kat Beal at the Downtown Hoedown at Hart Plaza.

"My dream would be to walk into a mall and hear my soundtrack playing throughout the place," he said. "Or to hear it on the radio. That, more than being in a huge band."

M

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Jean Lannen

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RealEstateOne.com

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MLS 215058965 – $449,000 “Private” All Sports Oxbow Lakefront located on desirable peninsula with 155’ lake frontage, seawall.

Spacious comfortable 4 bedroom home offering spectacular lake views from every window, custom kitchen with 10’ ceiling, washed cherry cabinets, hardwood floor, lakeside sun room, 2nd kitchen/laundry room is perfectly located for outdoor entertaining on 22 x 24 cedar deck, master bedroom with dressing room, lakeside balcony, heated 3 car garage plus workshop. 248.363.8300

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MLS 215065033 – $307,000 Great Colonial home on quiet cul-de-sac, very well maintained family home for three generations, hardwood floors in all bedrooms under carpet, newer windows with lots of natural light throughout entire home, large family room with natural fireplace and access to backyard paver patio, beautiful private backyard with gorgeous landscaping, partially finished basement, new roof in 2009. 248.363.8300

MLS 215061370 – $430,000 Over 5000 sq. ft. including finished lower level, updated and upgraded with granite, hardwood floors and beautiful cabinets, kitchen has seating area for entertaining, stainless steel appliances, tiled floor and backsplash, formal dining room, family room with stone fireplace, beautiful study with French doors, first floor master bedroom, master bath with newer granite, garden tub and walk in shower, three additional large bedrooms on second floor with bridge to loft/office area. 248.363.8300

MLS 215049596 – $399,000 Large 4 bedroom home on 16+ picturesque wooded acres offering very flexible floor plan, wrap around porches, light bright great room with door wall to inviting screened porch, loft area with skylights works well for office/library and overlooks the lower family room with cozy wood burning stove, detached two car garage plus wonderful pole barn, great home and property for entertaining. 248.363.8300

MLS 215048362 – $925,000 Luxury living on private All Sports Lower Straits Lake. Wonderful entry level master suite with fireplace, private balcony and spacious bath w/jetted tub and marble floors, large bedrooms with walk-in closets and a generous kitchen with walk-in pantry, 3500 sq. ft. plus additional 2800 sq. ft. in walkout lower level, perfect for entertaining, beautiful lake views from all rooms. 248.363.8300

MLS 215048161 – $499,900 10 rolling, wooded acres perfect for horse owners and non-horse owners alike, open floor plan with deck access is great for entertaining, vaulted ceilings in living room and great room, family room with floor to ceiling windows is a great escape to enjoy all nature has to offer, updated eat-in kitchen has granite counters, tile flooring, master bedroom with balcony overlooking pond, 4 large bedrooms with built in desks, 2 story horse barn on property. 248.363.8300

MLS 215063232 – $539,900 Spectacular updated home on All Sports White Lake with 93 feet of sandy bottom frontage, gorgeous great room with mantled fireplace and state of the art kitchen with fantastic views of the lake, spacious master, private bath with jetted tub, beautiful wood floors throughout the entire first floor, finished walk out basement with bar, kitchen, recreation area, family room with stone fireplace, full bath and French doors leading to brick paver patio, 2 car heated garage with finished loft, additional 1 car garage. 248.363.8300

MLS 215049068 – $414,900 Absolutely gorgeous home with upgrades galore! Dramatic foyer with custom limestone/granite flooring leads to beautiful great room with soaring ceilings and lovely two sided fireplace, all trim work upgraded including crown molding and baseboards throughout home, first floor master suite with custom walk in closet and jetted tub in bath, kitchen and butler’s pantry offer granite counters and glass tile back splash, walk in pantry, large laundry room and wine cooler. 248.363.8300

MLS 215062297 – $410,000 Beautiful home in desirable Birkdale Pointe features over 3300 sq. ft, of living space and 3 car side entry garage, very well maintained, oversized kitchen features island seating, granite countertops and butler’s pantry, open floor plan, hardwood floors in kitchen, vaulted ceilings throughout, great room and kitchen share a beautiful natural burning fireplace, gorgeous formal dining room with architectural ceiling, daylight basement with raised ceilings and lots of storage, newly stained, large cedar deck overlooking nice wooded lot, award winning Walled Lake Schools. 248.363.8300

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Lakes Area (248) 363-8300

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BIRDS AND THE BEES THE STORY THEY TELL ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENT

BY LISA BRODY AND KEVIN ELLIOTT ees humming in and about bright pink roses collecting treasured nectar, butterflies prancing above. Birds flying overhead in perfect formation. Frogs and toads hopping, in and out of streams, with fish darting about. A vision of nature at its most perfect.

If only that environmental picture was representative of the natural world today. Worldwide, bees are dying of colony collapse disorder. The migration pattern of monarch butterflies is challenged and jeopardized by deforestation in Mexico and the loss of habitat in the Midwest. Frogs and toads are slowly dying off. Bird counts, calculated annually, show changes in species landing and nesting in Oakland County over the decades. Bats, which devour agricultural pests, are losing their natural habitat, as well as dying off from pesticides and fungal disease.

What's going on?

“A scientist once posted that the ecosystem is always in flux. Nothing is static in the ecosystem,” said Brad Wurfel, director of communications for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). “Our overall ambient air quality in the state of Michigan is the best it has been in our lifetime. That's not to say we don't have problems. There are always new discoveries in the air, water and soil – and when you look more, and you look harder, you find more problems.”

He noted, for example, while it appears there is more E. coli bacteria in local lakes and water systems, it is just that there has been more tracking of it, but not actually more E. coli.

On the other hand, “Invasive species have invaded water systems more, and that is changing ecosystems, like Lake Erie.”

B

In August 2014, residents of Toledo, Ohio, were told they could not consume or use city water after poisonous algae clogged an intake water pipe valve from Lake Erie, which feeds Toledo's water system. It is believed the algae is fed by poisonous run-off from fertilized farms, cattle feedlots, and leaking septic tanks. Lake Erie is not alone – all of the Great Lakes are victimized from the same sources.

Wurfel said the fertilizer runoff, notably phosphorus, “eats the natural species, helping to destroy the ecosystems.”

Six years ago, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state agencies along the Great Lakes issued a joint report warning of the dangers of phosphorus and the pollution.

“The federal government is recognizing the problems and trying to find ways to find money to rectify the problem,” said Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash. “It's currently mostly with Ohio, but we work with it too, in the local watersheds.”

On the other hand, Wurfel said that invasive species, and the destruction they bring, can provide other natural opportunities.

“The salmon crash in Lake Huron about seven years ago, where the population just crashed because of overpopulation and there wasn't enough other fish for them to eat (due to devastation of other organisms from invasive species), killed the economy,” Wurfel said. “But then native species that had been gone, like lake trout, small mouth bass and walleye, began to return to their natural habitat after the salmon died off. You get winners and losers. It was a silver lining.”

Nash, an environmentalist, also believes problems with land, water, animals, birds, insects and other species are interrelated, with a worldwide reason: global warming.

“We're having serious issues all over because of global warming,” he said. “Part of global warming is the warming of the water and their getting more acidic. Coral all over the world is bleaching. Starfish on the west coast is dying off. We're not near the oceans, but it has a huge impact. It's part of the reason phosphorus and nitrates are blooming with algae growths in the Great Lakes. Other things, like pesticides and killing off natural habitats (for species) is within our control. Once we become aware, we try to change. There's some resistance to it, but we're starting, as a society, to come to grips with it.”

Coming to grips with changes in the environment, and changes in species habits, habitats, and migratory patterns, is a litmus test for humans because we share the air, water and ground they inhabit. At Oakland County Parks and Rec, Brittany Bird, natural resources planner, said they use staff and volunteers to do qualitative studies based upon observation and counts of frogs, toads, butterflies, turtles, snakes, grassland nesting birds, and monitor bluebird boxes for nesting patterns at 12 of their 13 parks.

“That provides us with baseline data with which species we have in Oakland County parks, and where in the parks they are inhabiting and migrating,” Bird said. She said their biggest concern is a global concern over pollinator issues, affecting bees, butterflies, bats and other insects.

“We're trying to install native grasses in swales, no-mow areas and storm water areas, and practicing best practices throughout our parks, but especially in our golf courses,” she said.

“Birds are excellent environmental indicators. They need what we need – clean air, clean water, and because their bodies are so small, they're sensitive to changes in our air and water

quality. Their bodies show the effects of pollution faster. If we take the time to watch and count, we can monitor our own environment,” said Dan Badgley, manager of the E.L. Johnson Nature Center in Bloomfield Township, part of Bloomfield Hills Schools. “Birds are the canary in the coal mine – the bird would go down first. But we don't need to be in a coal mine. We can just observe them in the same environment we live in.”

The Johnson Nature Center has done an annual bird count for the last 25 years or so in the first two weeks of May, “which is the peak of migration in southeast Michigan,” Badgley said, counting for three days the first week of May each year, and three days in the second week of May. “In general, bird species are stable. We're not seeing significant changes over the last 25 years in that there hasn't been great fluctuations,” he said, noting they had a recordbreaking count this May, seeing 93 species of birds.

What was unusual this year was that they saw a loon, an aquatic bird similar in size to a duck or goose more typical in northern Ontario or Wisconsin, and a sandhill crane, a large bird more typical to Nebraska's Sandhills or northeastern Siberia.

What isn't seen? “We no longer see birds that live in fields, like meadowlarks, bobolinks, bluebirds, pheasants,” Badgley said, who has records from the previous owners of the 30-plus acre site on Franklin Road north of Long Lake Road going back to 1947. “What we notice going back to the '40s and '50s is the kinds of birds have changed. There's not a decline in the number of birds, but because the habitat has changed here, we see different birds. The big, open fields are not common anymore.

“We saw a mockingbird here this year, which was unusual,” he continued. “We don't usually see them anymore, because they're more of a forest bird. We have been invaded by an invasive species that is really growing, called buckthorn, that has created a dense thicket, but it's different from a dense Michigan forest. That really limits the kind of birds coming here, as well as the insects, butterflies, amphibians and reptiles. It changes the demographics when a property is invaded by one kind of plant. The species composition is altered, and typically lowered, when an invasive species dominates the landscape.”

For the last 100 years, the Oakland Audubon Society, in conjunction with the national Audubon Society, has conducted Christmas bird counts on the same day, either 10 days before or 10 days after Christmas, said Don Burlett, president of the Oakland Audubon Society.

“In the 1800s, there were side hunts, where hunters would just go blast everything in sight,” Burlett said. “So conservationists wanted an alternative, and said, 'let's do a count of birds.' For 100 years, by doing it at the same time of year, the Audubon Society has been able to get a strong snapshot of habitats and distribution areas. We're citizen scientists providing information to researchers. Lots of us are conservationists.”

Around the world, he said, there are about 10,500 bird species. “In the United States, we have only about 90 species available to us,” he said. Scientists have spotted over 6,000 in bird counts, he said.

Looking back at the society's data over 100 years, “What I saw, in 20-year increments, was the distribution changing in Oakland County, and the bird species that were expanding their

range up into the northeast and more north, where we didn't use to see these birds, whether from climate change or not, we don't know.”

He said the rusty blackbird population, which prefers wet forested areas, has dropped about 90 percent in the last 40 years as its habitat has gone away. Other birds are hardy and adapt, like robins, cardinals and crows, which he said have shown an ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

“Some species, like bobolinks, have fallen off because they like to nest in grasslands and open fields, and that's few and far between. Those are cultivated now,” Burlett noted. “Wood thrush like to nest in woods. The size of the lot they need needs to be large. They like it to be a half-mile in from the edge. So, if the lot is only a half-mile in size, they won't nest there. When we build subdivisions, mow grasses, we have an impact. It's not good for natural stuff. And we spray edges with insecticides – but insects are a good food for birds. That's their food sources.”

He said the Audubon Society nationally sends out more rare bird alerts around the country. Along the southern coast of the U.S., they are seeing more Mexican species showing up with greater regularity.

“Climate change is part of it,” he said. “Birds are changing their distribution.”

A problem facing birds, as well as bats, is windmills and wind turbines. “Worldwide this is a problem for birds and bats,” said Rob Mies, executive director for Organization for Bat Conservation at Cranbrook Institute of Science. “They're spinning really fast, and it affects their migratory patterns.”

“They're put in windy areas. Birds like wind, they migrate at night, and don't see the windmills and they get caught in them.

Those blades come around pretty quick,” said Burlett, noting they are especially a problem with hawks.

Most people don't recognize that bats are an integral part of the agricultural landscape, but Mies said bats are the primary predator of nighttime insects. “They eat a lot of agricultural pests, a lot of moths and beetles, mosquitos, flies and gnats,” he said, along with invasive nuisance bugs Emerald ash borer, corn earworm moths, tomato hornworm moth, and spotted cucumber beetle.

“Michigan relies a lot on the agricultural industry, and bats provide a great ecological benefit,” Mies said. “We benefit from them because we don't spray as much herbicides to control insects, which is healthier for us as well as the environment. A study published recently noted that American farmers saved upwards of $53 billion annually just through bats, through their ability to protect corn, cotton and trees.”

Bats, however, are under assault by more than just wind turbines. Along with development and urban sprawl comes destruction to their natural habitats. Mies said that pollution and pesticides kill them, as well as their prey of insects.

“They're not as healthy, and the food they eat aren't as healthy.”

Additionally, in Michigan, bats have been hit by an invasive fungus, called white nose syndrome, which Mies said came from Europe, although no one knows how.

“Unfortunately, it's a cold-loving fungus, and it lives in caves and mines. When bats hibernate, the fungus grows on them, causing them to wake up too many times, and they starve to death before the winter is over,” he said. “In warm weather, they're fine. It affects them in cold weather.”

He said about one million bats a year are dying from white nose syndrome. The worst affected in Oakland County is the big

brown bat, which eats beetles and Junebugs, which burrow in and destroy lawns.

At Cranbrook Institute of Science, they have an active Save the Bats campaign to educate the public on why bats are important to the environment, and how individuals can build their own bat house or wildlife garden. Bats, he said, live in bat houses, dead trees, barns, or occasionally, people's attics. They are harmless to humans.

“A bat would never bite you unless you were bothering it,” he said.

While there are nine species of bats in Michigan, five of which can be found in Oakland County, in the southern United States and the tropics, bat species are pollinators, where bananas, agave, and avocados are pollinated strictly by bats.

Pollinators are a critical part of agricultural life, evolution, and the conservation of ecosystems. Along with bats, bees and butterflies are pollinators, along with some birds. Honeybees are the species of bees that the agricultural world is dependent upon, with one of every three bites of food dependent upon pollinators for a successful harvest.

Honeybees are responsible for pollinating almonds, apples, cranberries, melons, pumpkins, grapefruits, blueberries, cherries and broccoli. Almonds, in particular, can only be pollinated by honeybees, while the other crops rely on bees by about a 90 percent margin.

“We all depend on bees and monarch butterflies as pollinators,” said Oakland County's Nash. “If we lose that, we have to depend on farmers to do that, and it's much harder and more expensive.”

Across the world, honeybees are disappearing. Called colony collapse disorder, researchers are beginning to discern two distinct and equally damaging causes for the disorder. One, Nash noted, is caused by pesticides which contain neinicotinoids, one of the world's most used type of insecticides.

“The byproduct of neonicotinoids is it interferes with their sense of direction, so they leave their nest and can't get home, and they starve to death,” Nash said.

In December 2013, neonicotinoids were deemed so dangerous by the European Commission (EC), they imposed a two-year ban on the class of pesticides for seeds and plants attractive to bees. While several environmental groups, as well as commercial beekeepers, in the United States filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its continued approval of neonicotinoids, they continue to be approved and are used on about 95 percent of corn and canola crops; the majority of cotton, sorghum, and sugar beets; half of soybean crops, and a majority of fruit and vegetable crops, as well as cereal grains, rice, nuts, and wine grapes – all told, an $18 billion a year pollination service by honeybees.

According to Elizabeth Grossman in Environment:360, the insecticide stays with a plant as it grows, exposing bees through nectar, pollen or leaf surface moisture, where a growing number of studies are finding evidence of neonicotinoids.

Yet neonicotinoids are just one reason honeybees are disappearing.

“Back in the fall of 2005, early 2006, professional beekeepers were suddenly seeing adult bees just disappearing, leaving baby bees on their own. It was an odd phenomenon never seen before,” said Mike Hansen, regional supervisor/state apiarist, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“Beekeepers in 22 states saw it. Over the last five years,

(besides pesticides), research led us to believe it was caused by one of two viruses that bees get, microsporidiriom, a fungus growth in the stomach of bees.”

They don't think that was it, though.

Hansen said in the 1980s, two parasitic mites entered the United States. The first, which they saw in 1988, tracheal mites, gets into the trachea, or breathing tube, of bees, and kills them.

“We saw huge losses for Michigan beekeepers then,” he said.

“But quickly after, we saw the Varroa mite, a native of eastern Asia, which is the more damaging of the two, and it quickly became much more damaging than the tracheal mite and outran it. The Varroa mite became the major parasitic mite getting into bee colonies and causing damages. It feeds right onto bees – it puts its mouth right onto the bee and sucks its nutrition right out of the bee, killing it.”

Hansen said the Varroa mite takes its destruction further, destroying the lifecycle of the honeybee by “both the male and female mite going into the frame of the colony cell where young bees are being born and raised, and as the bee gets past the egg stage to be a baby bee, the bee gets a wax coating. Just before then, the mite sneaks into the cell and the female mite lays eggs in the cell and the eggs feed on the developing bee, causing even more damage. The more mites, the more damage.”

If that wasn't enough, the Varroa mite also transmits viruses to bees, such as deformed wing virus, cashmere bee virus, black Queen cell virus, and others, which endanger the health of the bees in the colony. “You open up a bee colony and find half the bees with deformed wings. They can never get out and fly,” Hansen said.

He said researchers at a U.S. Department of Agriculture lab in Baton Rouge have identified a trait in honeybees “where worker bees can sense when there are mites in the colony feeding, and they will pull out the mite larvae and throw them out. The scientists are working to add that trait in (to honeybees) to counter the effects of Varroa mites.”

How do the mites get transmitted from colony to colony?

Hansen said that contrary to popular opinion, “bees do not always go back to their own colonies. If they're out foraging, and their stomachs are full of nectar, they'll go to a colony that's close. They can transfer diseases and mites.”

Monarch butterflies are another pollinator experiencing declines and changes in migration habits, although disease is not the culprit, but rather rapid deforestation where monarchs migrate in the winter; bouts of severe weather along their migratory paths; and the destruction of milkweed flora in the Midwest, where they lay their eggs.

For generations, every November, millions of monarch butterflies would arrive in the fir forests of central Mexico, migrating from around the United States and Canada to survive the winter. But recent winters have begun to show a different, new vanishing act. Twenty years ago, monarch butterflies occupied 52 acres of trees in Mexico; in 2011, it was down to just 7 acres. And in 2014, it had dwindled to an acre-and-a-half of tree covered land, with roughly 50 million butterflies per 3 acres of land. The biggest reason for the decrease, according to biology professor Lincoln Brower, is the progressive illegal deforestation of the overwintering habitat in Mexico.

“But the probably most egregious problem is the result of industrialized agriculture in the Midwest, ” he said, where herbicides have killed milkweed growing on agricultural fields

and the edges of fields and the sides of roads. “There are 108 species of milkweed in the U.S., and the whole monarch migration has evolved in relation to the evolution of milkweed flora. Where they use herbicides, it kills all emergent seedlings and all the emergent plants.”

Brower said it's estimated that 60 percent of milkweed has been eliminated from the grassland ecosystem, meaning monarchs have no place to lay their eggs, and emerging caterpillars, which hatch four or five days later, have no place to later form a chrysalis.

“I think the monarch is the canary in the coal mine telling us that things are beginning to go really wrong, when you can take a widespread migration of this sort and completely dismantle it as a result of human activity,” he said.

Another indicator of environmental health and habitat quality is the MDNR annual frog and toad survey, which has been an ongoing research project for two decades.

“We have collected a large, valuable data set to help us evaluate Michigan’s frog and toad populations,” said Lori Sargent, the MDNR’s survey coordinator. “We’re now able to start watching trends and thinking about how to slow down some of the species’ declines.”

Declining populations of frogs, toads and other amphibians have been documented worldwide since the 1980s. Studies suggest that amphibians are disappearing due to habitat loss, pollution, pesticides, disease and collection.

Like most amphibians, frogs and toads have thin skins that absorb or lose water, making them particularly susceptible to pollution or harmful elements that enter fragile habitats, such as wetlands, ponds, marshes, streams and other sensitive areas where they are located. By monitoring frog and toad populations, researchers gain a better understanding of the quality of those habitats.

Michigan is home to 13 species of frogs and toads. In recent years, observers have been concerned with the rarity, decline and population die-offs of several species. The concern isn’t only for the species themselves – which provide several benefits to humans – but also for the ecosystems on which they depend.

Like other aquatic organisms, they are sensitive to changes in water quality and land use, making their populations serve as an index to environmental quality.

Sargent pointed out that there has been a decline over the past two decades in Fowler’s toads and mink frog populations, two species that have limited range in the state, unlike most other species that are found statewide.

Fowler toads, which grow to about two to three-inches long, are typically found in sandy woodland soils on the southwestern side of the lower peninsula, but have been found in rare instances in the upper peninsula and in the southeastern portion of the state in limited areas. However, Sargent said observations for Fowler’s toads have increased in recent years. Of the 1,197 sites statewide that were surveyed, Fowler’s toads were found at 17 locations in 2014 and 26 in 2013. That’s an increase from previous years where the toads went virtually undetected, according to a seven-year summary from 1996 to 2002.

Mink frogs, a blotchy, greenish-brown frog that grows between two and three inches long, are fairly uncommon in bogs and ponds in the upper peninsula, but have have had increased observations since last year, Sargent said.

“Mink frog observations continue to be low, but were

reported at five sites in Zone 3 and eight sites in Zone 4, an increase from last year,” she said.

The DNR said there is concern that data isn’t representative of the actual population due to the difficulty of surveying for this species. They tend to call at very early hours of the morning.

There are still thoughts among the scientific community that mink frogs are actually declining in Michigan.

Volunteers and others who help conduct the survey monitor specific routes each year that consist of ten wetland sites which are visited three times a year, including in the early spring, late spring and summer. The volunteer observers identify species that are present during their breeding season by calls or songs, then make an estimate as to the number of each species.

The 13 species of frogs and toads native to Michigan include the Blanchard’s cricket frog; bull frog; Eastern American toad; Fowler’s toad; the Eastern gray tree frog; the Cope’s gray tree frog; green frog; Northern leopard frog; Northern spring peeper; Pickerel frog; Western chorus frog; and the wood frog.

Overall, 2014's data shows that Pickerel frog occurrence remains low, possibly a result of the confusion between this species’ calls and that of the Northern leopard frog. Sargent said Pickerel frog occurrences have been known to be lower than the leopard frog in other Great Lakes states. Northern leopard frog observations continue to increase.

The DNR said most species’ trends appear to be stable or increasing, with a decline in six species according to a 19-year analysis, down from a decrease in nine species in 2013.

In addition to the statewide frog and toad survey, local watershed councils in Oakland County also survey amphibians and other wildlife throughout the year.

“Frogs and toads are tied to habitat quality,” said Sally Petrella, volunteer monitoring program manager for the Friends of the Rouge watershed council. “They need high quality habitat and not a lot of development, and they have to have access to other habitat for breeding. Some will travel a ways out of the wetlands.”

While Petrella said there haven’t been any drastic changes in populations in the Rouge watershed, she said some areas are simply better than others.

“We have seen loss of wetlands as they get developed,” she said. “Most of the really bad areas are farther downstream, on the main stem of the river, where you have more industry located.”

In addition to amphibians, watershed councils and their volunteers conduct several surveys for microinvertebrates, or bugs, which require high quality water to support life. Stoneflies, for instance, are extremely sensitive, so the presence of the bugs indicate low pollution and high levels of dissolved oxygen in the water. Because stoneflies are most active in the winter, watershed councils and volunteers search for them throughout the river each January. Other surveys are conducted in the spring and fall, and include other bugs, such as caddisflies, crayfish and other organisms.

"Stoneflies are the pickiest – they really like clean water, said Anne Vaara, executive director of the Clinton River Watershed Council. "If you go out and find nothing but leeches and worms, then that's not a great water quality."

Watershed ecologist Matt Einheuser, with the Clinton River Watershed Council, said the surveys are showing higher water quality in the Stony Creek and Paint Creek areas. "Further into the watershed, and into more urban areas, like Macomb County by Sterling Heights and Mount Clemens, it starts to peter off a little."

Einheuser said there tend to be more storm drains which drain the land into marshlands and the river. That storm water typically

carries pollutants it picks up, which eventually get into the river and lowers the water quality. "That's reflected in the bugs we see every year," he said. "In Paint Creek and Stony Creek, we see those that are more sensitive, like stoneflies, mayflies and caddisflies. Those are big indicators of good water quality, often associated with trout, because they need high, cold water quality."

The Friends of the Rouge have been surveying such bugs in the watershed for about 15 years. Stonefly searches are typically done in the winter, while other microinvertebrate searches are done in the spring and fall.

The Rouge River Watershed is located in Wayne and Oakland County, with four major branches, with the main branch starting in Rochester Hills, and smaller tributaries in West Bloomfield where the upper branch is located, and the middle branch starting in the Walled Lake and Johnson Creek area.

"Overall, based on our fall monitoring, we've are seeing a significant decline on the scores of the main branch, which goes through Birmingham and has tributaries in Bloomfield Township, including Franklin," Petrella said. 'We are also seeing a decline in the upper branch, which starts in West Bloomfield and goes through Farmington."

The middle branch of the watershed, which goes through Novi and Walled Lake, Petrella said, is seeing an increase in microinvertebrates. She said area of the creek near Lloyd A. Stage Nature Center, which consists of more than 100 acres of naturally preserved land, is one of the healthiest parts of the watershed, but water quality declines downstream as more storm water starts draining into the river.

"Booth and Linden Park (in Birmingham) have had some sensitive organisms there, even as far as Douglas Evans (in Beverly Hills)," she said.

The Franklin branch of the watershed doesn't offer much support for sensitive organisms, she said.

"The water quality isn't as good there," she said. "At the Franklin Cider Mill, there is little living in the stream there. We're not sure why. It could be something upstream, or just people feeding the ducks."

Overall, Petrella said, water quality of the Rouge watershed is good in Oakland County.

"Up in Oakland County, the water quality isn't too bad. It's when you have increased paved surfaces, it creates more problems," she said. "There are some E-coli problems in Oakland County, with high levels of bacteria. We're not sure what's causing it."

Petrella said high levels of bacteria in surface water in the Southfield and Farmington area is being investigated by the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner office. She said possible issues could be leaking septic tanks or illegal sewer connections.

Paul Steen with the Huron River Watershed Council said portions of the watershed in Oakland County are much healthier than those in Washtenaw County.

"Oakland County is kind of the headwaters for the Huron River," he said. "There's Indian Springs Metropark and the area that goes into Milford. Pettibone Creek, which is a pretty nice creek, and Norton Creek, which is particularly bad – that's a very poor area of the river that has oxygen and phosphorus issues, all around the Wixom area. There are a lot of old industrial areas and suburban housing there. The amount of roads in Wixom compared to Milford is very different. That has a definite impact on water quality."

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WEIR MANUEL

FACES

Sheldon Cohn est known for producing popular commercials like Mazda’s “ZoomZoom” ad campaign, Sheldon Cohn recently completed filming the star-studded Michigan-made comedy “The Pickle Recipe.”

“It’s always been my dream to have all my friends and family at the Maple Theatre to watch my movie one day,” said the award-winning writer and producer.

Cohn worked on many projects with longtime Doner Advertising coworker, Gary Wolfson. The creative camaraderie gave way to “The Pickle Recipe.” “We didn’t want to just be writers of a movie and sell it.

We wanted to create it.”

The comedic duo began writing a script inspired by Wolfson’s real-life grandmother who had a delicious pickle recipe, but died before she was able to share it with her family.

The two soon began pitching the idea to investors.

“We had a lot of 'no’s' and then a few people started saying 'yes,'” Cohn said. “A couple investors said they were laughing out loud when they read the script.”

Filming took place in Detroit and surrounding suburbs, including West Bloomfield. “We love Detroit,” Cohn said.

The grandmother is played by Lynn Cohen, who played the character Magda on “Sex and the City.” Also included in the cast are Oscar nominee David Paymer and comedian Jon Dore, who appeared on Comedy Central’s “Inside Amy Schumer.”

“We had to get some names in the cast,” Cohn said. “Lynn Cohen is the perfect person to play the Jewish mother. I just can’t believe we got the person we wanted.”

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Cohn is hoping for an October 2015 premiere.

His love for film was first sparked at his bar mitzvah when he received a video camera as a gift. The young man who wanted to be a paleontologist was soon making amateur films. “My brain must have shifted from one lobe to the other,” he said.

Growing up, Cohn was given the freedom to stretch his artistic prowess and it became the component that defined his career.

“Film was something I always wanted to do and it turned out to be my major,” said the University of Michigan graduate. The aspiring film maker, who called once a week for six months to land a modest position at Doner, later became a shareholder.

At one point, Cohn even did some work at the Skywalker Ranch.

“The Skywalker Ranch is unreal. I met George Lucas while I was there.”

After achieving a great deal of success and collecting awards for his work, he retired from Doner and put his heart into “The Pickle Recipe.”

“It’s already a dream come true.”

Cohn lives on five beautiful acres in West Bloomfield with his wife, Barbara, and two sons.

“It’s a very great place to be creative,” he said. “I have a treehouse I go up and write in.”

As for the movie, Cohn’s greatest hope is that the film gets a theatrical release. Perhaps he will soon see the faces of his friends and family waiting to view his movie at the Maple Theatre in Bloomfield Township like he once dreamt.

Story: Katey Meisner

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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HOW IT IS REGULATED IN OAKLAND GOVERNMENTS

NEPOTISM

Nepotism is favoritism granted to relatives. The term originated with the assignment of nephews to cardinal positions by Catholic popes and bishops.

Nepotism can occur in various fields including: politics, entertainment, business, and religion. — wikipedia.org

BY LISA BRODY Rupert Murdoch has announced he is turning over his huge media empire to his two sons, James and Lachlan, to run. Mark Reuss, executive vice president of global product development, purchasing, and supply chain at General Motors, grew up watching his father, Lloyd Reuss, who was the 18th president of GM, and began working at the automotive corporation right out of college. Former Amway president Rich DeVos, saw his sons, Dick and Doug, take their place as former and current presidents of the health and beauty corporation.

Kids of policemen often grow up wanting to be police officers; ditto firefighters' sons. It's not unusual to hear children of doctors yearning to head to medical school, and real estate professionals schooling their kids on the ins and outs of the business.

Growing up at a dinner table, hearing a parent's passion for their chosen field, it's no surprise that a son or daughter would want to follow in their parent's footsteps. Family businesses thrive generation-to-generation in just such a manner.

But when does it become nepotism, rather than a helping hand? And can there be situations where it impedes a healthy work place for others, as well as the individual getting a leg up.

Once upon a time, tradesmen, such as builders, electricians, plumbers, and others, would learn their profession through apprenticeships, with the primary way of getting “in” was through who you knew. Same with membership in many union jobs.

The issue of nepotism arises when a relative is given a job over another qualified individual, giving rise to favoritism. Many corporations and local governments have nepotism policies included in their employee handbooks or local ordinances, in order to prevent direct supervision by a family member of another.

It's believed that nepotism decreases the job satisfaction and the morale of all of the other employees in a company or organization – other than those people benefitting from the nepotism hire. In a study of nepotism published by the International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, nepotism had a significant detrimental impact on employees' overall job satisfaction, intention to quit their job, and likelihood of their talking negatively about their job, to either co-workers or potential customers. A successful nepotism policy can ultimately improve the morale of an organization.

The existence of a nepotism policy ensures that individuals can't influence the hiring, promotion, or discipline of a relative. Policies are designed to reduce the perception of favoritism by requiring employees to disclose relevant conflicts, and by restricting that involvement with their relative if the relative is hired.

Nepotism in and of itself is not illegal, and there is no federal nepotism law that prohibits nepotism in all 50 states. Many state legislatures do have nepotism laws, and although Michigan has a code of ethics for legislators, it does not directly address nepotism. ccording to Donna Ballman in Legal Newsroom, “Playing favorites is not illegal. Hiring relatives is not illegal. Not if you're in the private sector. Now, if you work for the government, every state has some law about conflict of interest or hiring relatives at some level. Under SarbanesOxley (Act of 2002, federal law which set standards for all publicly-held U.S. companies), management has to disclose potential conflict of interest.

So hiring of relatives can't be hidden from shareholders.”

In local government, preventing the appearance of favoritism is an important factor, and many cities, townships and villages have nepotism policies to prevent the hiring of relatives, whether they are related to employees or members of council. From Novi to Rochester, most Oakland County communities address the issue in order to avoid having to tackle it.

“We don't recommend a community have, or not have, one, but we have sample (policies), and we do talk to them about them along with ethics policies,” said Catherine Mullhaupt, director of member information

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services, Michigan Townships Association. “A nepotism policy is not required, and it's up to the local unit to decide if it wants to have one and how restrictive it wants to be. But by law, planning commissions are required to define what conflicts of interests are to them. They are pretty broad.”

While township boards of trustees do not have to have nepotism policies, the Michigan Planning Enabling Act requires municipalities' planning commission to have a definition of a conflict of interest.

In section 9 of the act, it states: “Before casting a vote on a matter on which a member may reasonably be considered to have a conflict of interest, the member shall disclose the potential conflict of interest to the planning commission...Failure of a member to disclose a potential conflict of interest as required by this subsection constitutes malfeasance in office.

Unless the legislative body, by ordinance defines conflict of ordinance...the planning commission shall do so in its bylaws.”

Mullhaupt said that because planning commissions by law must put that into writing “and define it, that's often where you get a township board looking at nepotism policies.” owever, she clarifies, “there is nothing in the law that prohibits nepotism. But it could be a public perception.

What do you want the perception of your community to be?

It's similar to board appointments. Some of it depends on how large you are (as a community). Some small communities, it's hard not to hire a relative. And then, what about supervision. These are the rights the township board has to discuss and determine.”

Perception and transparency is what led Bloomfield Township trustee David Buckley to request supervisor Leo Savoie and the board review the existing nepotism policy in May of this year.

“In the overall hiring process, when looking at large corporations and their transparency, there has not currently (in the township) been a lot of communication when there has been hiring in departments and of department heads,” Buckley said.

He said he wanted to know what the current policy was, when it was last updated, changed and amended, with the rationale to avoid conflict of interest in hiring, whether it was real or perceived.

“It should become the practice of our community, and it should be made with no exceptions,” he said. “We don't have a true HR person in Bloomfield Township. For entry level positions, the best qualified person should be looked at. I know township employees get first crack at positions, but I saw people asking, 'How can my kid become a day laborer for the summer?' Were all the jobs being posted? Even for entry level jobs, we should be getting the best qualified person.”

Buckley was concerned about the direct hiring and direct reporting to of family members, whether in roads or the police department, although he acknowledged there was nothing that specifically prompted the concern.

Ultimately, after reviewing the township resolution which was initially adopted in January 1979, which prohibits the full time hiring of a spouse, child, parent, guardian, brother, sister, spouse's parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, in-law, grandchild, grandparent, aunt or uncle, if they are relatives of elected officials or full-time employees, trustees decided they were still happy with the policy, which had previously been reviewed in 1999.

In the Bloomfield Township Police Department, a nepotism policy effective February 14, 2011, reads, “No employee may be the direct supervisor of their spouse, parent, child or grandchild.”

The Bloomfield Township Fire Department states that related employees will not be permanently assigned to the same shift, and that “any other situation that would cause an employee to be directly supervised by a relation shall be avoided.”

Township Clerk Jan Roncelli said that there have been a couple of instances over the years where someone from dispatch has married a police officer, but have not been supervised by one another, avoiding the conflict of interest.

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While the West Bloomfield Police Department doesn't recall any issues, they have a written anti-nepotism policy, stating that “spouse, child, grandchild, parent, grandparents, brother, sister, half-brother, or halfsister”, including by adoption, are disqualified from holding employment in West Bloomfield. It does not apply, it states, if the relationship arises after the employment or relationship occurs.

“If someone marries someone once they're hired, by law you can't prohibit their employment once they're already hired,” said Birmingham city manager Joe Valentine, who said Birmingham has had a nepotism policy that prohibits employment by a relative by blood or marriage citywide, for decades. “Nepotism only applies to hiring.”

Bloomfield Hills adopted an ordinance prohibiting nepotism two to three years ago, city manager Jay Cravens said, dealing with hiring employees within departments citywide, as well as commissioners, because of conflicts which arose in the public safety department with former chief Richard Matott, whose son had been hired as a Bloomfield Hills public safety officer during a year interim period after Matott the father had retired, before he was rehired in as chief.

However, issues arose while Matott was chief and supervising his son, when his son had several serious disciplinary issues and it appeared he was not properly disciplined compared to other officers, including a drunk driving arrest where he had a loaded gun on his lap in another municipality.

“The son got hired in during that period and (Matott Sr.) wasn't part of the interview process and hiring. It really stuck under his craw when commissioners made comments about it,” Cravens said. “It was a proud moment for him, especially after he was hired in as chief.”

However, nepotism – the problem of favoritism – became a significant issue in Bloomfield Hills after the son's problems came to light, and ultimately, was one of the reasons the chief was forced to resign.

Now, Bloomfield Hills has an ordinance reading: “The appointment, employment, or promotion of a member of the immediate family of any elected or appointed official, shall be prohibited. An employment decision regarding an employee who is a member of the immediate family of an elected or appointed official, shall be based upon merit and shall not be based on nepotism. No two or more persons who are within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity shall be employed within the same department of the city.”

Commerce Township Supervisor Tom Zoner said they have had a nepotism policy in their personnel handbook since the early 1990s, and it is currently under review by the board of trustees.

“The employee handbook is for everyone,” Zoner said. “It does allow for elected officials or hired employees to have a relative hired if they're not a direct supervisor.”

“Relatives of persons currently employed by Commerce Township may be hired only if they will not be working directly for or supervising a relative or will not occupy a position in the same line of authority within the organization. The policy applies to any relative, higher or lower in the organization, who has the authority to review employment decisions. If the relative’s relations is established after employment, the individuals concerned will decide who is to be transferred,” Commerce's policy reads. If a conflict arises, they may be separated, reassigned, or even terminated. oner explained that it has occasionally happened with part time summer help. “If someone is hired as temporary employees, as long as they're not being supervised by their direct relative, it's been permitted,” he said. He used the example of a son of a firefighter being hired onto a landscaping crew, for a summer position. “I hired that lawn cutter. He had no contact with the fire department.”

Commerce Township does not have its own police department, subcontracting with the Oakland County Sheriff's Department, “so we only have a fire department,” Zoner said, and he noted it is not a large department.

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“If the chief wanted to have his son become a firefighter – the chief hires and is the direct supervisor and handles the union negotiations, so that would be in conflict,” Zoner said. “The son would have to go work for a different department.”

The city of Troy does not have a nepotism policy, but a memorandum which was originated in March 1981 that was re-evaluated in October of 1995, with the purpose of assisting employees in avoiding “potential conflict of interest situations and the appearance or allegation of partiality due to the employment of relatives, and to promote efficient and effective management and supervision of city personnel.”

Similar to in Commerce, relatives cannot be hired within a division or department where they would supervise or be supervised by a current employee. ovi revised their nepotism policy in April 2013, stating that in the hiring of relatives of current and potential employees, “in order to avoid the appearance of conflict of interest between private interests and the general public”, relatives can only be hired if they will not be working in or assigned to the same department, and if they won't be reporting to or supervising a relative, nor occupying a position in the same line of authority where a decision could benefit a relative.

“I've been here for seven years, and we've never had to execute our nepotism policy, which is within our ethics ordinance,” said Jaymes Vettraino, city manager of Rochester.

As in Commerce, Novi, Troy, and several other communities, relatives cannot be employed in the same department or a direct line of supervision. Their policy also covers council members and city manager, preventing their relatives' employment, only excludes employment if a relative held a position before their election or appointment in the city.

Walled Lake city manager Dennis Whitt, who has been in his position for the last five years, is very proud that Walled Lake has had a nepotism policy in the city's charter since 1954.

“It was pretty much ahead of its time,” Whitt noted.

Section 5.16 of the Walled Lake city charter, under Employee Welfare Benefits, Anti-Nepotism, states that any elected official or his or her spouse; the city manager or his or her spouse; city department heads or their spouses, “are disqualified from holding any appointive office or employment during the term for which such elected official was elected.” Also included are city manager and department heads.

Because it's not required, not all communities have these policies. White Lake Township, for one, does not. Neither does Waterford Township.

“I can't find anything etched in stone, but we monitor it very closely.

We try to find the best qualified candidates for every job,” said Waterford Township supervisor Gary Woll, who was first elected two and a half years ago.

He said Waterford is a close community. “Everyone knows everyone else in Waterford. It's large, but a close-knit community.”

Echoing the sentiments that many sons admire the fathers, especially in police and fire, Woll said, “It's not uncommon for a son to follow in his father's footsteps in law enforcement and fire. They may go to different departments.”

As for himself, Woll did acknowledge that nepotism can be appreciated, even if he may not see it that way.

“After I was hired, I hired my daughter for a clerical position,” he said. “She's my close assistant, the aide to the township supervisor.

She's my assistant, my go-to person. In this job, you have to have someone who has your back or you can be hung out to dry. She took a $12,000 pay cut from working for a heart surgeon to work with me. No one in the township, to my knowledge, has a problem with it.

“Here in Waterford, there are dispatchers that have married police officers, and DPW people that have met and married on the jobs. Family members that have followed them on the job. I don't see it as nepotism.

It's quality people. In Waterford, I see it as people wanting to work in the same community as the rest of their family.”

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MUNICIPAL DDA hires landscape architecture firm The Commerce Township Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has contracted with a landscape architecture firm to develop amenity standards and guidelines for the right-of-way area along Martin Parkway in the DDA's Commerce Towne Place project area.

Grissim Metz Andriese Associates of Northville has been retained for the DDA undertaking.

The project will include guidelines for site lighting, including roadway and pedestrian poles, and landscape accent lighting; site amenities, such as benches, litter receptacles, bike racks, ornamental fencing, screen fencing, walls, banners, environmental graphics and other place markings; signage, including parkway identity, gateway signage and wayfinding; as well as landscape and irrigation guidelines.

The guidelines and standards will be used by the township staff and design consultants in the process of developing new projects along Martin Parkway. The standards also will ensure a consistent design theme for aesthetic and maintenance purposes.

The contract calls for a lump-sum payment of $34,250, which will be paid for by the project area's homeowners association, which will bill property purchasers in the DDA at a prorated share.

The project will be developed in four phases, with the first being a programming and data collection phase, which will include initial stakeholder meetings and collection of background information. Next, they will proceed with the preliminary planning phase, which will include the development of standards and guidelines and preliminary designs.

The third phase will include a review by the township planner of the initial design and a package review session with the planner and DDA board. The final phase will include a review and revisions with additional meetings with the planner, DDA and ultimately the Commerce Township Planing Commission. A full time frame of the project wasn't immediately known.

DDA Director Mark Stacey said the public will be offered a chance to comment on the project as it progresses.

"That's the entire layout for specs and design for the entire Martin 36

DDA developer submits site plan

By Kevin Elliott

ite plans for a 299-unit condominium complex in the Commerce Township Downtown Development Authority's (DDA) Commerce Towne Place project area have been submitted by a Farmington Hills developer to the DDA board members.

Shapiro Development Company gave the township formal plans for its Barrington development, including associated roads, utilities, landscaping, a 4,000 square-foot clubhouse and 299 condominiums, in a presentation at the DDA monthly board meeting on Tuesday, June 16. The plan is expected to go before the township's planning commission in July to be considered for approval.

In 2013, Shapiro signed a $5.15 million purchase agreement with the DDA to construct the development on about 60 acres of land. The original plans, which had included about 400 condominiums, had been stalled while the developer was working to secure permits for the project from the Road Commission for Oakland County and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The agreement with the DDA was amended five times to extend the due diligence period of the developer while Shapiro worked to obtain the required permits. In May, the contract was extended to July 22.

Jim Galbraith of Shapiro Development said the site plan includes only plans for the residential development, which will be built on approximately 54 acres of land northwest of Martin Parkway and Pontiac Trail, and just west of the current Commerce Township Library.

The development also will include a portion of commercial development in the area, which will be determined at a later date.

"We received the wetland permit from the DEQ, and we have a permit from the RCOC for the Welch Road connection and curb cuts on Martin Parkway and Pontiac Trail," Galbraith said. "We are hopeful of making it before the planning commission on July 13. We hope we have enough lead time to revise and submit the plans, but we believe we have submitted a rather complete project."

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Parkway system," Stacey said of the project. "There will be public input on that."

Martin Parkway lights to be addressed Broken and inoperable street lights along Martin Parkway in Commerce Township will need to be addressed in the near future, Commerce Township Downtown Development (DDA) Director Mark Stacey said at the Tuesday, June 16, DDA board meeting.

"We have had some damage over the years," Stacey said. "We did a lighting survey recently, and there are significant portions (of the lighting system) that aren't working."

Stacey said some of the light fixtures have been broken in some areas, while entire poles have been damaged in other locations. A number of lights near the library

aren't working. He said the source of the problem for many of the lights isn't known.

"It looks as if we have some significant electrical issues," he said.

Ultimately, the DDA will hand ownership of the lighting system over to the Commerce Towne Place Homeowners Association, which will then be responsible for maintaining the system. However, Stacey said the system must first be fully functional before ownership can be transferred.

"I can't turn it over when it doesn't function," he said.

The scope and cost of repairs isn't yet known. Many of the poles themselves cost in excess of $8,000 each at the time they were purchased, and their current availability is unknown.

The DDA board unanimously approved allowing Stacey to retain a contractor to investigate the issues with the lighting system and develop an estimate for repairs.

WESTEND

Commerce appoints new DDA member The Commerce Township Board of Trustees, Tuesday, June 9, approved a recommendation to appoint township resident Susan Averbuch to the Commerce Township Downtown Development Authority (DDA) for a four-year term.

Averbuch, who worked as an attorney and special education teacher, will replace former DDA member Mark Stacey, who left the board position in May after being hired as DDA director following the resignation of former director Kathleen Jackson.

Averbuch has become a regular fixture at the township hall over the past decade, regularly attending DDA meetings, as well as meetings of the board of trustees, planning commission and other municipal boards. In 2004, Averbuch was a founding member of Concerned Citizens of Commerce, which opposed the construction of Martin Parkway in the DDA project area beyond that of a three-lane road.

"For the past 18 years, as a resident and highly interested resident, I have actively participated as an 'outside, concerned Commerce resident,' voicing my concerns and raising pointed questions to the DDA," Averbuch said in her request to serve on the board. "I also reside within the DDA boundaries, and I want to assure that any DDA developments benefit the current and future DDA residents, along with improving the entire cohesiveness of the areas.

"Eighteen years ago, the DDA promised that this 'pie in the sky' would be the 'showcase of Commerce Township.' Eighteen years later, through ups and downs; through the leadership changes; through bad economic times, the DDA has finally put forth a development that the residents of Commerce Township will be proud of. It would be my privilege to be part of the Downtown Development Authority as it strives forward to implement, build out, sustain and maintain this 'showcase'."

Averbuch previously served as president of the Campbell Creek Homeowners' Association. She holds a degree in special education from Michigan State University, a master's in special education from Wayne State University and a law degree 07.15

Walled Lake passes budget, sets millage

By Kevin Elliott

alled Lake City Council members on Tuesday, June 2, unanimously passed a $4.7 million budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year, as well as an estimated $4.9 million budget for the 201617 fiscal year, and set millage rates for the upcoming fiscal year which runs from July 1 to June 30.

Walled Lake Finance Director Colleen Coogan said the budget is the first two-year budget prepared by the city, and marks the point that Walled Lake is out of the day-to-day crisis management of the past and transitioning from a "recovery to stability" phase.

The budget includes a total of $4.74 million in estimated general fund revenues and $4.73 million in general fund expenditures for the 2015-16 fiscal year; as well as $4.83 million and $4.9 million in revenues for 2016-17. Those budgets are up by about $620,000 from the 2014-15 budget year and the 2014-13 budgets, due in large part to a new public safety millage that was passed by voters in August of 2014.

Walled Lake voters in August 2014 passed a 5-year public safety tax of 3.95 mills that will produce about $692,000 per year. Prior to the millage approval, the city was operating with a revenue shortfall of about $350,000 in the previous two years. The city had been covering the shortfall with the fund balance from prior years.

Police expenditures top the city's appropriations in both the 201516 and 2016-17 fiscal year budgets, coming in at $1.6 million and $1.64 million respectively, while fire expenditures are estimated at $897,616 and $892,200 for the same years.

Coogan said additional expenditures in the budget over the previous year include increases for major capital outlay projects, which total $467,500 for 2015-16, compared to $192,000 the previous year. Coogan said projects include parking lot improvements at the police and fire stations, as well as some road improvements along Maple Road.The budget also includes funds for about 5.5 full-time equivalent public safety personnel. The 2016 Public Safety operating budget is $2.65 million, an increase of $312,881 from the prior year.

The combined operating and public safety millages will generate an expected tax revenue of $2.95 million in the general fund. The library fund's two millages will net about $291,000 in tax revenue, and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) will capture about $700,000 in tax revenue. With exception of the new public safety millages, all millages will be rolled back by .9916 mills due to Headlee rollback provisions. The general operating millage for fiscal year 2016 will be 15.8186, down from 15.9526; the public safety millage in 2016 will go from 3.95 mills to 3.9168 mills; and the two library millages will go from .7975 mills to .7908 mills, which was passed in 1963; and from .9846 mills to .9763 mills, which was passed in 2014.

Coogan said financial topics that still remain to be solved during the city's "stability phase" include addressing water and sewer operating and capital losses; capital investment; retiree health care debt and pension debt.

The city is currently working on an asset management plan for the water system, as well as an engineering financial analysis of the water system before addressing rates. A 10-year capital investment plan is included in the budget.

To address the city's retiree health care fund, the council has bought out all post retirement health care commitments for current employees and instead makes small monthly deposits into individual health care savings accounts. There remains about $2.2 million in liability for employees that have retired or separated, which is 75 percent of the 2016 general fund tax revenue and about 116-percent of the entire general fund reserves. The retiree health care fund budget is a five-year projection.

About 10 percent of the general fund, or $483,500, is committed for pension payments in 2016. At the close of fiscal year 2016, the city will have 24 years left to pay off the $7.4 million liability of pension debt. The city has a closed amortization cycle, which means the annual required payments are structured so the debt is paid in full over a certain number of years.

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from the Wayne State University Law School. She was worked as an attorney, specializing in labor law, and served on the state's Worker's Compensation Appeal Board and as a Michigan Special Education Hearing Officer. She volunteers with Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy and at the HCR Marvin and Betty Danto Care Center.

Village passes budget for new fiscal year The Wolverine Lake Village Council on Wednesday, June 10, unanimously passed a $2.66 million general fund budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.

Council President John Magee said the budget includes $2.7 million in revenues and expenditures, as the village is required to submit a balanced budget each year. However, the 2016 budget includes a revenue surplus of about $285,980, for a total fund equity of about $2.3 million.

The budget includes about $1.38 million in tax revenues and penalties, which represents about 55.68 percent of total revenues. State shared revenues total about $351,900, or 14.41 percent of total revenues, while solid waste fees total about $292,000 or 11.97 percent of total revenues.

The remaining revenues come from personal property taxes ($24,000); Commerce rebate ($43,000); and other fees and interests.

The majority of tax revenues come from the general operating millage, approved at 9.573 mills, which has gone unchanged for about 15 years, Magee said.

The largest expenditure of the village's total costs include $713,000 for the police department, which makes up about 30 percent of total expenditures; $482,300 for general services, which comprises about 20 percent of total expenditures; rubbish and leaf collection ($276,000) and the department of public works, ($284,550). The budget includes $182,300 for capital expenditures.

"There are a couple of items we want to address this year that we don't have included in the budget because we don't have a good budget estimate for them," Magee said. "We know we have a pathway project we may or may not do, and we would like to address a situation with the employee retirement funding."

Chamber awards annual honors The Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce (LACC) held its Annual Awards Breakfast on Tuesday, June 16, to honor several area businesses and volunteers for 2015.

Awards included the 2015 Outstanding Business; Outstanding Citizen; Outstanding Student; Outstanding Non-Profit Organization; Outstanding Chamber Champion, Outstanding Chamber Member, Outstanding Ambassador, and members celebrating anniversary milestones.

This year's recipients included: Richard Hockstein, posthumously, for the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement; Outstanding Citizen, Bear Hall; Outstanding Students, Ashley Peits, of Conlara High School, Austin Dudas of Lakeland High School, Madison Stump of Walled Lake Central High School, and Gabrielle Alvira, of Lakeland High School; Outstanding Volunteer, Lorene McVey; Outstanding Chamber Member, Gail Cresswell; and Outstanding Chamber Ambassador, Audrey Ryskamp.

Medical marijuana ordinance approved

By Kevin Elliott

A zoning ordinance to regulate medical marijuana cultivation facilities in the township was unanimously approved by the Commerce Township Board of Trustees on Tuesday, June 9, following a recommendation the previous day by the township planning commission to approve the ordinance.

Specifically, the ordinance states where in the township medical marijuana can be grown, with exception to plants grown by patients under state law. Under the ordinance, a "cultivation facility" is considered any building on one lot where more than 12 marijuana plants are being grown in compliance with the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act (MMMA). The ordinance permits such facilities in areas zoned for industrial, research and laboratory use, and would be considered a special land use.

"This is a unique land use with ramifications not addressed by more traditional zoning," the ordinance

states. "It is the intent of this section to protect the health, safety and general welfare of persons and property by limiting land uses related to marijuana cultivation to the district that is most compatible with such use. Additional regulations in this section are intended to provide reasonable restrictions within the district so that the use does not compromise the health, safety and general welfare of persons in the district, or other uses allowed in the district."

The ordinance still prohibits medial marijuana dispensaries in all zoning districts.

Under Michigan law, a registered caregiver may grow up to 12 plants for each qualifying patient, who is registered to the caregiver with the state. One individual caregiver can assist up to five patients, who can be a relative, friend, associate or other known relation, as long as they've never been convicted of a felony drug offense. If a caregiver also has a state issued patient card, one caregiver can have a total of 72 plants.

Under the township's ordinance, medical marijuana cultivation would be required to have a separate grow area for each patient, with a written log of each person entering the facility, which would be made available to law enforcement pursuant to a subpoena or search warrant. Inspections of the facility would be required on an annual basis and would be required to be available for inspection within two hours notice.

Facilities, under the ordinance, are required to have a security system installed at the facility, which would include monitoring cameras with audio capability. Recordings and data from the security system are to be kept a minimum of 365 days, and recordings would be subject to subpoena or search warrant.

More than a dozen people attended the June 8 planning commission to oppose the ordinance, including several Commerce Township residents, as well as promedical marijuana people from outside of the township's borders.

Planning commission chair Lawrence Haber on June 8 advised those speaking against the passage of the ordinance to attend the township Board of Trustees meeting on June 9.

"We are trying to do something to regulate them; we aren't trying to restrict it," Haber said.

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Township withdraws from suit against DEQ

By Kevin Elliott

he Commerce Township Board of Trustees, on Tuesday, June 9, elected to withdraw from a lawsuit against the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) that stemmed from a disagreement over storm water permits from 2008.

The township, in 2008, filed petitions with the state Office of Administrative Hearings contesting the terms of two permits that are issued by the MDEQ regarding storm sewers. Essentially, the township said the permit requirements were overly burdensome and onerous, and that the MDEQ went beyond its authority to impose them. The township's petition was joined with those of 72 other municipalities, counties and authorities.

Specifically, the permits related to the municipal separate storm sewer system general watershed permit and a jurisdictional permit related to storm water outfalls. Township engineering consultant Jason Mayer said the purpose of the program is to monitor outfall and discharges to surface waters of the state.

The permits in question had required the township to monitor every single outfall in the township, including those owned by private landowners, rather than those simply owned by the township. The monitoring and permits are required for the township to be in compliance with federal Clean Water Act requirements. Under the program, township outfalls are inspected twice a year. The township also conducts some educational outreach efforts under the program. The cost to the township for that less burdensome program is about $15,000.

The township's petition was joined with the others, and Commerce Township came to be represented by Oakland County. Eventually, MDEQ withdrew the contested permits, then filed a motion with the Administrative Law Judge to dismiss the contested cases. However, the court found the claims weren't resolved, as the MDEQ may repeat the issue with future permits.

While the case was permitted to move forward in Ingham Circuit Court, township attorney Phil Adkison said Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash was generally dissatisfied with the process and believes he will achieve better results negotiating new permits directly with the MDEQ. About 60 communities remain in the contested case. Those remaining in the case must decide by July 16 whether they wish to remain in the case or withdraw.

"The county is taking the position that they think they can negotiate with the MDEQ and get better results than litigation," Adkison said, recommending to trustees that the township withdraw from the suit.

Adkison said key to the township's decision whether or not to remain in the suit was the likelihood of success in the case and the township's willingness to comply with the current permit requirements.

"I do not anticipate a successful outcome in the contested cases," he said.

The township board of trustees voted unanimously to withdraw from the case and continue to meet the current permit requirements set by the MDEQ.

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Those opposing the ordinance said it is too restrictive, and may violate court rulings protecting the MMMA. Haber said the township currently has about 40 medical marijuana facilities which have received permits from the township. That number

doesn't include at-home grow operations allowed under state law.

"Commerce has been one of the most progressive townships in complying with the (Michigan Medical Marijuana Act) and allowing people to grow medical marijuana

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and providing a friendly and safe place for people to comply with the act, but the ordinance is prohibitive," said Southfield attorney Farris Haddad at the June 9 board of trustees meeting during public comment. "There are so many little restrictions that would prohibit people. A lot of people want to comply with this, but the way that it's written today, nobody can."

Among the issues he cited in the ordinance are requirements for caregivers to install security cameras inside and outside of their facility and retain footage for a minimum of 365 day; requiring individual rooms for each patient the caregiver is growing; and the extent of record keeping required.

Farris said the video recording requirement would be cost prohibitive to caregivers. He said initial estimates of meeting security measures alone would likely cost caregivers more than $30,000. Others said that record keeping requirements appear to be an invasion of privacy for caregivers.

Commerce Township Attorney Phil Adkison said at the board of trustees meeting that he couldn't address the cost of complying with the ordinance, but that if it turns out to be cost prohibitive then the issue could be addressed at a later time.

"Essentially, it makes sure that where more than 12 plants are cultivated, that it will occur in the industrial district and ensure that it will have a plan and be in compliance," Adkison said. "If it turns out that these folks want to work with our office to point out areas that are problems, then we will work with them."

Adkison said if it turns out that areas of the ordinance appear to be overly prohibitive or violate the state's law regarding medical marijuana, then the ordinance could be amended in the future.

Trustee John Hindo said the ordinance specifically states that it doesn't trump the state's law. In fact, the ordinance includes a clause that states, "The Michigan Medical Marijuana Act supersedes this ordinance where there is a conflict between them."

"We are saying the MMMA trumps our ordinance," Hindo said. "This is an evolving process. There is a bill right now being considered in the legislature. There is no intention to violate the MMMA. We are saying that clearly in this ordinance."

07.15

CONNECT

Housing variety sought by township Housing developers working in Commerce Township may need to offer a greater variety of housing styles in the future under an effort approved on Tuesday, June 9 by the Commerce Township Board of Trustees.

Trustee Rob Long asked planning consultant Amy Neary, "What can we do so we don't look like cookie cutters?"

Long said he would like to ensure future residential developments in Commerce Township include a variety of housing options, rather than having a plot of 80 homes or more that essentially look the same.

Housing developers typically offer potential residents a limited number of home styles, which can help reduce development costs. However, Long said he feels new development should include more options, in order to help retain home values and aesthetics of neighborhoods.

"In a development with 80 homes, I think every eighth or tenth home, or 10 percent or more," Long said on the amount of variety he would like to see in a subdivision. "I don't want them just flipped around, either."

The board approved a motion, by a vote of 5-2, to direct Neary to work with the planning commission to come up with design standards to eliminate "cookie cutter" designs in the township.

Trustee Rob Berkheiser and township supervisor Tom Zoner voted against the motion.

Neary said there could be changes to roof pitches or other elements to vary the exterior design of a home without altering the floor plans that could add some variety to future developments.

"There are some communities that adopt similar residential standards, such as having x number of models and other items" Neary said. "But developers don't usually like that."

Condo site plans okayed by township A 78-unit condominium development on the north side of Glengary Road, between Benstein and S. Commerce Road, received westendmonthly.com

unanimous site plan approval on Tuesday, June 9, by the Commerce Township Board of Trustees.

The development, which will be situated on about 36 acres of currently vacant property, will be developed by Pinnacle Homes of Bloomfield Hills. Owner Brad Botham said the development will consist of about 15 acres of open space and connect to an existing park, as well as another park that will be situated on the site. The development also will connect two pathways.

Homes will consist of two-story single-family condominiums and stacked ranches with brick fronts, with attached garages, ranging from 2,300 to 2,400 square feet. Pricing will start at about $350,000 per unit.

In order to ensure that the minimal amount of trees are lost during the construction phase, the developer said they would identify preservation areas with bright, orange snow fences, which would protect those natural areas that shouldn't be disturbed. Botham also said he invited township building inspector Jay James to walk the site to ensure that the process is done correctly.

"We take more of a scalpel approach than a machete," he said.

City council to decide lake docking issue

By Kevin Elliott

A request to allow boat docking on Walled Lake at the East Bay Village Condominium Association that was previously denied by the Walled Lake Planning Commission will be decided by city council members.

East Bay Village initially approached the city of Walled Lake in July of 2014 to request an amendment to the property's master deed to expand the current uses of the lakefront property, located at East Bay Drive and Walled Lake Drive. Under the current deed, the use of the property is limited in regard to watercraft. While residents may use carry-on watercraft and launch from the waterfront, then take the craft out when they are done using it that day, there is no

overnight docking or mooring allowed.

The change, which will require approval from city council, was referred to the city planning commission, which subsequently rejected the request. The association is seeking up to 25 boat slips, including docking for motorized boats.

City council members instructed East Bay Village's association board to garner a two-thirds approval vote from the co-owners in order for council to consider the matter. The association says the change will improve property values and allow East Bay residents to have the same level of access to the lake as other property owners.

If approved, the association said it would likely extend the dock at the south end of the property and reconfigure an existing portion to allow for a large, safe area for swimming and other non-boat activities. The association board said its intention would be to pay for the cost of installing and maintaining the slips through fees from those who actually use them, rather than spreading the cost to all co-owners.

May Ann Szwabowski, a coowner at East Bay Village, says she is against adding boat slips as proposed because only those residents who are able to secure a slip would be able to use them. She said she would prefer slips that would be used in a similar manner as the existing carry-on launch, by making them available to all coowners through a daily reservation process.

"Why would a co-owner want to give up part of their waterfront so that a select few will have a betterment," she said in a letter to city council members. "The answer, possibly because the co-owner does not understand what they will be forfeiting for the benefit of those select few."

Despite such concerns, the association passed the request by more than the required two-thirds vote. The petition was delivered to city council members at its June 2 meeting. Council then advised the city attorney to review the petition, which will come back for council's consideration at a future meeting.

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BUSINESS MATTERS Doggy day care opening A new doggy day care is coming to Commerce Township. Dogtopia is planning a new location at 3050 Union Lake Road. Dogtopia locations offer boarding and spa services for dogs, including play dog daycare, and overnight boarding. The daycares include live webcams for a peek into each dog’s day. Other Dogtopia locations in Michigan include Dogtopia of Bloomfield, with additional locations coming to Birmingham and Utica.

Help for special needs kids Lakes area families with children struggling with Sensory Processing Disorders, Autism, ADHD or other developmental delays have new options with the opening of Sensory Kids Pediatric Therapy, 341 N. Pontiac Trail, in Walled Lake. Owner and therapist Michelle Cody gained more than 20 years experience in school, clinical and hospital settings before recently branching out with her own location in Walled Lake. An occupational therapist and a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Cody has a

40

wide variety of training to provide help with sensory integration; tactile defensiveness; autism; ADD and ADHD; handwriting; vision therapy; feeding difficulties and other issues.

“Autism, the diagnosis for children who are having difficulty in school in terms of attention and toleration of their environment, what they will and won’t touch or eat – it’s really on the rise,” Cody said. “Occupational and speech therapy are essential in trying to problem solve those issues. It really targets those areas that they are struggling with, and gives parents a lot of tools at home that they can work with as well.” Cody said she strives to give a personalized, individual approach to families. “It makes a big difference when the families understand how much of an impact they can make on a daily basis, given the right tools.”

Caterer opens pizza locale Annabel Cohen has been working with and writing about food for decades, but when her catering business, Annabel Cohen Cooks Detroit, ran out of space in Sylvan Lake, she found a new location in West Bloomfield. The space, on

Orchard Lake Road, came with two big ovens, which she initially assumed were pizza ovens. “I came to find out they were bagel ovens,” she said. “I always loved pizza, and I decided to add it to the catering menu, and it grew big and fast.” Now, Cohen has opened another business, in addition to her longtime catering business. Pizza, 4301 Orchard Lake Road, in West Bloomfield, opened in late June. Pizza will focus on artisanal, Napolitano-style pies that Cohen said will promise to make you homesick for Italy – even if you’ve never been there. The thin-crust, traditional Napolitano-style pizza is crafted with imported tomatoes, 00flour, hand-stretched mozzarella and a choice of about 30 different toppings. Each pie that comes out of the oven is flame-torched by hand for color and caramelization. In addition to pizza pie, Pizza will offer salads, panini and additional items. Chef Bryan Kessler, formerly at Ottava Via in Detroit, will be heading the day-today operations at Pizza.

Market opens its doors Value Center Fresh Marketplace, 7300 Highland Road, in Waterford

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Township, has opened its doors for shopping after six months of refurbishing the former VG’s Grocery at the same address. Kennice Farida of VC Marketplace said earlier this year that the 60,000 square-foot space was being renovated, with a target opening date of mid-spring. VC Marketplace opened in early June.

The former VG’s Grocery closed in March of 2014. The focus of the new grocery is to provide the freshest produce, meat cuts, deli and other perishables, Farida said. The store specializes in locally-sourced foods from local farmers at Detroit’s Eastern Market, where items are received about three to four times per week. The new store includes a deli, bakery and pharmacy services. The deli offers Boar’s Head brand items, as well as ready-to-eat deli trays, roasted meats and other items. The new location is the fourth for the chain, which has locations in Madison Heights, Livonia and Clinton Township.

Business Matters for the west Oakland area are reported by Kevin Elliott. Send items for consideration to KevinElliott@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.

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Melody Arabo, Avon-Donna Camardese, Biggby Coffee-Commerce, DMF Bait Co., Edgewood Country Club, El Nibble Nook, English Gardens, Gest Omelette, Michelle Fiebke-Lang, Foundation for Excellence, Sandy George, The Henry Ford, Hersh-Beattie Orthodontics, High Performance Sports, Home Interior Warehouse Furniture & Design, Indigo Salon, Deb Koval, MainStreet Marketplace, M3 Investment Services, MSU-Eli Broad Graduate School of Mgmt. Exec.

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PLACES TO EAT

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West Oakland Alex's Pizzeria and Bar: American. Lunch, Monday - Friday; Dinner, daily. Liquor.

Reservations. 49000 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393. 248.926.1700.

Anaam’s Palate: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2534 Union Lake Road, Commerce Township, 48382. 248.242.6326.

Applebees Neighborhood Grill: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 9100 Highland Road, White Lake, 48386. 248.698.0901.

Backyard Coney Island: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 49378 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393. 248.926.9508.

Bayside Sports Grille: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 142 E. Walled Lake Drive, Walled Lake, 48390. 248.669.3322.

Benstein Grille: American. Weekend Brunch & Lunch. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 2435 Benstein Road, Commerce, 48390.

248.624.4100.

Biffs Coney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

3050 Union Lake Road, Commerce Township, 48382. 248.366.7400.

Big Boy Restaurant: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Beer & Wine. 5834 Highland Road, Waterford, 48328. 248.674.4631.

Big Boy Restaurant: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

800 N. Pontiac Trail, Walled Lake, 48390. 248.624.2323.

Big Boy Restaurant: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Beer & Wine. 7726 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford, 48327. 248.363.1573.

Billy’s Tip N Inn: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

6707 Highland Road, White Lake Township, 48383. 248.889.7885.

Blu Nectar: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday - Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

1050 Benstein Road, Walled Lake, 48390. 248.859.5506.

Boon Kai Restaurant: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1257 S. Commerce Road, Commerce, 48390.

248.624.5353.

Buffalo Wild Wings: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

5223 Highland Road, Waterford, 48327.

248.674.9464.

Carino’s Italian Restaurant: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 500 Loop Road, Commerce Township, 48390. 248.926.5300.

Carrie Lee’s of Waterford: Chinese.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 7890 Highland Road, Waterford, 48327. 248.666.9045.

Casey’s Sports Pub & Grill: Deli. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1003 E. West Maple Road, Walled Lake, 48390. 248.669.5200.

westendmonthly.com

CAYA Smokehouse Grille: Barbeque.

Dinner, Tuesday - Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 1403 S. Commerce Road, Wolverine Lake, 48390.

248.438.6741.

China Garden: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner daily. No reservations. 49414 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393. 248.960.8877.

China House: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 901 Nordic Drive, White Lake Township, 48386.

248.889.2880.

China King: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 4785 Carroll Lake Road, Commerce Township, 48390.

248.363.9966.

CJ’s Brewing Company: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

8115 Richardson Road, Commerce Township, 48390. 248.366.7979.

Coffee Time Café: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

1001 Welch Road, Commerce Township, 48390. 248.624.0097.

Coyote Grille: American. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, Monday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 1990 Hiller Road, West Bloomfield, 48324.

248.681.6195.

Dairy Queen: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 10531 Highland Road, White Lake, 48386.

248.698.2899.

Daniel’s Pizza Bistro: Pizza. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2510 Union Lake Road, Commerce Township, 48382. 248.363.7000.

Dave and Amy’s: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

9595 Highland Road, White Lake, 48386. 248.698.2010.

Dave’s Coney Island: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No Reservations. 901 Nordick Drive, White Lake, 48383. 248.889.3600.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: Barbecue. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 4825 Carroll Lake Road, Commerce Township, 48382. 248.360.4055.

Dobski’s: American, Polish. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6565 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford, 48327.

248.363.6565.

Eddie’s Coney Island: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1749 Haggerty Road, Commerce Township, 48390.

248.960.1430.

El Nibble Nook: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations for 6 or more. Liquor.

2750 Haggerty Road, West Bloomfield, 48323. 248.669.3344.

El Patio Mexican Restaurant: Mexican.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

7622 Highland Road, Waterford, 48327.

248.666.5231.

Five Guys Burgers & Fries: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

5134 Highland Road, 48327.

248.673.5557.

Gest Omelets: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily until 4 p.m. No reservations.

39560 W. 14 Mile Road, Commerce Township, 48390. 248.926.0717.

Golden Chop Sticks: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 47516 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393.

248.960.3888.

Grand Azteca: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6041 Haggerty Road, West Bloomfield, 48322.

248.669.7555.

Taste of the Lakes

TE DA

The Places To Eat for Westend is a quick reference source to establishments offering a place for dining, either breakfast, lunch or dinner. The listings contain many dining establishments with seating in the west Oakland lakes area and then select restaurants outside the immediate area served by Westend. From outside the area, we have attempted to compile more noted eating establishments.

Day New Date d n a

Tuesday, September 29 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm JOIN US AT

Edgewood Country Club 8399 Commerce Rd. Commerce, MI 48382 - CASH BAR -

Enjoy Great Food From Local Restaurants & Help Our Communities Youth & Families

RAFFLE SILENT AUCTION DOOR PRIZE

$25 Per Ticket in advance $30 At The Door TICKETS MAY BE PURCHASED AFTER AUGUST 1, 2015 AT: CASH & CHECK ONLY

LAYA (Lakes Area Youth Assistance) 248-956-5070 - 615 N. Pontiac Trail Commerce Twp 248-624-0110 - 2009 Township Village of Wolverine Lake 248-624-1710 - 425 Glengary “TEAM ASHLEY” – PLATINUM SPONSOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE ANYONE INTERESTED IN HELPING THE YOUTH AND BECOME A SPONSOR CAN CONTACT US AT 248-956-5070.

WESTEND

43

FRONT/BACK Front/Back is a monthly column devoted to news stories, tidbits and gossip items about what's happening in both the front of the house and back of the house in the restaurants in the metro Detroit area.

Management, chef changes Townhouse Detroit, the new venture of Birmingham Townhouse owner Jeremy Sasson slated for an early July opening, according to chief of operations Jeff Bianca, has hired Brady Pankow as the general manager of the new Detroit location. Pankow, previously the general manager of Cameron’s Steakhouse in Birmingham, will be managing a staff of 150-160, and said he’s “excited about the opportunity to grow Detroit and give great hospitality and great food to an area that deserves it.”

Cameron’s has not yet named a replacement for Pankow.

Chef Michael Barerra has been brought to Townhouse from Streetside Seafood in Birmingham, where he worked for several years. Streetside Seafood has not yet named a replacement chef. Instead, Patrick Roettele, corporate chef for Roberts Restaurant Group, has been working with the three sous chefs at Streetside, said owner Bill Roberts.

Garden, beekeeping at Big Rock Executive Chef Matthew Fitchett, who joined Big Rock Chophouse in 2014, has a simple, yet noble goal: to be a “provider of good wholesome food for the Birmingham community.” This spring, he and his staff planted an array of veggies and herbs in five on-site garden beds. As the summer months give way to bounty, Fitchett says customers can expect to see broccoli, tomatoes, radishes, beets, peas, kale, corn – “knee-high by the fourth of July,” he says, hopefully – Brussels sprouts, cabbage, pumpkins, and more.

Already Fitchett is out trimming pea tendrils, tossing them in olive oil and lemon juice to make a unique side salad for patrons, and garnishing his plates with beet leaves and sprouted grains. Much of the produce harvested will be used during Big Rock’s monthly wine dinners and special events.

Big Rock also has a new bee box, which holds about 10,000 bees and is expected to yield 30 pounds of honey at the end of the season. Fitchett reassures patrons that the bee box is behind the restaurant near the train tracks, and said, “The bees are nice and humble; they don’t sting.” To learn the art of raising bees, Fitchett has been working closely with Francois Faloppa, a beekeeper who founded the Honey Bee Squad of Troy. Once the honey is harvested in September, Fitchett said, Executive Pastry Chef Eric Voigt will use it in Big Rock recipes, and maybe even create a honey menu. Other possibilities include selling it in the raw honeycombs or as jarred honey. Lavender, alfalfa, and buckwheat have been added to the garden to offer the bees a diverse diet, which keeps them healthy and their honey flavorful.

Chartreuse joins Detroit scene Sandy Levine, owner of The Oakland Art Novelty Company, a specialty cocktail bar in Ferndale, opened Chartreuse Kitchen and Cocktails with Executive Chef Doug Hewitt, formerly of Terry B’s in Dexter.

Hewitt is experienced in creating seasonal farm-totable menus, and Levine brings an expertise in the

cocktail arena. Located in Midtown Detroit in the 1920’s Park Shelton building at 15 East Kirby Street, suite D, Chartreuse is an eye-catching restaurant featuring a living wall of plants, a dried flower installation, a mural painted by a local artist, and table tops made from reclaimed wood.

Their top-selling menu item is the Twice Cooked Egg, a poached egg that’s breaded in panko crumbs then fried and served over roasted Brussels sprouts, pea tendrils and frisee, topped with salty cheese and a warm shallot vinaigrette. Another big hit is what’s called Recovery Park, a daily special named after Detroit’s RecoveryPark Farms, where the produce for that dish is grown. Each morning, Michelle Lutz, manager of RecoveryPark Farms, brings in produce and Hewitt creates that day’s selection. Although Chartreuse seats 125, the restaurant has what Levine calls “an incredibly small kitchen,” so sourcing local ingredients is not only a choice, but a logistical necessity as storage space is limited.

Of the opening, Levine said they’re “really excited to be in the neighborhood and operating. It’s been kind of a long process and now we’re able to do our real job, which is running a great restaurant.” Chartreuse opens at 5 p.m. for dinner and drinks Tuesday through Saturday, and by the beginning of July, will offer lunch Tuesdays through Fridays, as well.

Foodie chef at Peabody’s A standby of the Birmingham community, Peabody’s Restaurant, located at the southwest corner of Woodward and Maple roads, 34965 Woodward Avenue, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The restaurant, owned by sisters Susan, Barbara and Nancy Peabody, has a new executive chef. Chef Matthew Circle, 42, brings bakery experience and homestyle cooking to the restaurant. Circle, who’s a father of four, said he’s “excited to come into a place like Peabody’s that’s as family-oriented as it is.” Among other restaurants, Circle was a chef at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan, and then opened Dymaloma, a jam, jelly and bakery business in Traverse City, the name of which was created by combining the first two letters of each of his children’s names.

When creating daily specials for Peabody’s, Circle incorporates his personal recipes for specialty breads, garnish jams, pies, and more. The Pork Loin with Wild Pepper Jam, one of Circle’s 38 jam and jelly recipes, is a favorite among Peabody’s patrons. Other specials that pull from Circle’s personal recipe box include the ham and swiss sandwich on pretzel bread, topped with peach rosemary marmalade, and the French bread blossom appetizer, which is stuffed with cheese and baked. Circle was selected to be executive chef because of his culinary and business experience, his strong baking background, and the overall quality of his food. To sum up, Susan Peabody said, “He’s a great all around food guy.”

Previous Executive Chef Kelsy Peabody-Wortman, daughter of Susan Peabody, recently stepped away from the family business to open a food truck of her own in Colorado. Called Bounty for the Belly, the menu features gourmet sandwiches, salads, and sides, while focusing on locally sourced ingredients. Bounty for the Belly is stationed in Durango and travels to cater events such as weddings and festivals. Peabody-Wortman, 28,

Gravity Bar & Grill: Mediterranean.

Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday, Dinner. Reservations. Liquor.

340 N. Main Street, Milford, 48381.

248.684.4223.

Greek Jalapeno: Greek, Mexican.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6636 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford, 48327. 248.363.3322.

Green Apple Restaurant: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 7156 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford, 48327. 248.366.9100.

Haang's Bistro: Chinese/Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 225 E. Walled Lake Drive, Walled Lake, 48390.

248.926.1100.

Highland Grille: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 7265 Highland Road, Waterford, 48327.

248.666.8830.

Highland House: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2630 E. Highland Road, Highland, 48356.

248.887.4161.

Highland House Café: American, Pizza.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

10719 Highland Road, White Lake, 48386. 248.698.4100.

Hong Kong Express: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 5158 Highland Road, Waterford, 48327.

248.673.7200.

It’s a Matter of Taste: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2323 Union Lake Road, Commerce, 48390.

248.360.4150.

Jennifer’s Café: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 4052 Haggerty Road, Commerce Township, 48390. 248.360.0190.

Jenni’s Restaurant: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

1186 E. West Maple Road, Walled Lake, 48390. 248.669.8240.

Jeff's Kitchen: Asian. Lunch & Dinner daily.

Reservations. 1130 E. West Maple Road, Walled Lake, 48390. 248.669.8896.

Kennedy’s Irish Pub: Irish/American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 1055 W. Huron Street, Waterford, 48328. 248.681.1050.

L George’s: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1203 S. Commerce Road, Walled Lake, 48390.

248.960.5700.

Leo’s Coney Island: American/Greek.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6845 Highland Road, White Lake, 484386. 248.889.5361.

Leo’s Coney Island: American/Greek.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 4895 Carroll Lake Road, Commerce Township, 48382.

248.366.8360.

Leon’s Food & Spirits: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 29710 S. Wixom Road, Wixom, 48393. 248.926.5880.

Lion’s Den: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4444 Highland Road, Waterford, 48328.

248.674.2251.

Lulu’s Coney Island: Greek. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

1001 Welch Road, Walled Lake, 48390.

248.669.1937.

Mexico Lindo: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6225 Highland Road, Waterford, 48327.

248.666.3460.

Mezza Mediterranean Grille: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1001 Welch Road, Commerce Township, 48390.

248.926.2190.

Moonlight Mediterranean Cuisine: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 1123 E. West Maple Road,

Walled Lake, 48390. 248.859.5352.

Nick & Toney’s: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday; Sunday until 3 p.m. No reservations.

9260 Cooley Lake Road, White Lake, 48386. 248.363.1162.

North Szechuan Empire: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 39450 W. 14 Mile Road, Commerce Township, 48390. 248.960.7666.

On The Waterfront: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 8635 Cooley Lake Road, Commerce Township, 48382. 248.363.9469.

Panera Bread: Bakery, Deli. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

5175 Highland Road, Waterford, 48327.

248.618.0617.

Pepino’s Restaurant & Lounge: Italian.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations.

Liquor. 118 W. Walled Lake Drive, Walled Lake, 48390. 248.624.1033.

Red Lobster: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 479 N. Telegraph Road, Waterford, 48328.

248.682.5146.

Red Robin: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 3003 Commerce Crossing, Commerce Township, 48390. 248.926.2990.

Rudy’s Waffle House: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 674 N. Pontiac Trail, Walled Lake, 48390. 248.669.7550.

Samuri Steakhouse: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7390 Haggerty Road, West Bloomfield, 48322.

248.661.8898.

Shark Club: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6665 Highland Road, Waterford, 48327.

248.666.4161.

SIAM Fushion: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6845 Highland Road, White Lake Township, 48386. 248.887.1300.

Siegel’s Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 3426 E. West Maple Road, Commerce Township, 48390. 248.926.9555.

Sizzl in Subs & Salads: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2051 N. Wixom Road, Wixom, 48393.

248.960.0009.

Social House: American. Lunch, FridaySunday, & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 6139 Haggerty Road, West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.669.0777.

Swasdee Thai Restaurant: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6175 Haggerty Road, West Bloomfield, 48322.

248.926.1012.

Sweet Water Bar & Grille: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 7760 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford, 48327. 248.363.0400.

Taqueria La Casita: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 49070 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393.

248.926.1980.

Thai Kitchen: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. 7108 Highland Road, Waterford, 48327. 248.886.0397.

The Lake’s Bar & Grill: American. Lunch, Tuesday - Sunday; Dinner daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 2528 Union Lake Road, Commerce Township, 48382.

248.366.3311.

The Library Pub: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

6363 Haggerty Road, West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.896.0333.

The Root Restaurant & Bar: American.

Lunch & Dinner, Monday - Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 340 Town Center Blvd., White Lake, 48390.

248.698.2400.

TJ’s Sushi & Chinese Restaurant: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No

earned her culinary degree from the Art Institute of Colorado in 2007, so her return out west was a natural move upon leaving metro Detroit.

new fruit pops, called Dream Pops, will be sold at the Birmingham Farmers Market, available through a food truck owned by Maloney’s friend.

Chef promoted

Award-winner closes

Republic, located in the historic G.A.R. Building in Detroit at 1942 Grand River Avenue, has promoted Sarah Welch from sous chef to executive chef. Welch has been with Republic since it opened in February, and has replaced Kate Williams, who left the restaurant to pursue other endeavors. On their website, Republic describes the restaurant’s emphasis as “nose to tail eating.” Republic offers diners an old-world feel and a from-scratch menu, serving plates and boards topped with charcuterie, cheeses, and pickles that can be enjoyed leisurely over a few drinks.

Torino, the Ferndale restaurant located at 201 E. 9 Mile Road known for it’s prix-fixe tasting menu, served it’s final dinner Saturday, June 6. The statement released by the company explains, “We were visited by the Health Department and together we have determined that it is no longer possible to continue serving a menu of our caliber due to the current size of our facility.” Torino’s head Chef Garrett Lipar was a 2015 semifinalist for the Rising Star Chef category of the James Beard Awards. At this time, owner Noah Dorfman has not outlined any plans for a future location. To inquire about receiving a refund for a gift card, contact restaurant staff at info@torinoferndale.com or call 248-247-1370.

Management honors Lea Schofield, general manager of Bill’s in Bloomfield Hills, was named Restaurant Manager of the Year by the Michigan Restaurant Association. Schofield has been with the Roberts Restaurant Group since 2013, when proprietor Bill Roberts brought her aboard as a manager at Beverly Hills Grill, and subsequently hired her as the general manager to open Bloomfield Township’s Café ML. When it was time to open Bill’s, Roberts said, “it was a no brainer (to bring Schofield aboard) as she knew the guests in the neighborhood.”

With regard to Schofield’s award, Roberts said, “it’s all about Lea. She does a great job.”

Asked about her approach to customer service, Schofield said, “People who work with me learn from me. It’s a genuine care for hospitality, whether it’s the Kingsley 20 years ago (where she was a managing partner) or Bill’s now. Nothing about it other than I truly care about these people and I know them.” The Roberts Restaurant Group includes Bill’s, Café ML, Beverly Hills Grill, Streetside Seafood, Town Tavern, and Roadside B&G.

Mae’s sold to Whistle Stop Mae’s, the quaint yet bustling diner located at 24060 Woodward Avenue in Pleasant Ridge, is under new management and has undergone renovations, including new tile and paint. In 2010, Jessica Lundgren and Sean McCarthy opened the restaurant, and recently sold it to the owners of Birmingham’s Whistle Stop Restaurant & Bakery, Valter and Elda Xhomaqi. Elda Xhomaqi said Mae’s menu has not changed, and they will still be serving Great Lakes Coffee. One new menu addition, Xhomaqi noted, is the cinnamon buns made at Whistle Stop.

Treats for Midtown Treat Dreams, the popular homemade ice cream parlor in Ferndale, has opened a second store in Midtown Detroit, located at 4160 Cass Avenue. Owned by Scott Moloney, Treat Dreams is a bakehouse and microcreamery specializing in small batch ice creams and custom desserts. Treat Dreams also sells sorbet and vegan ice cream, and has a weekly flavor board. Some flavors they’ve come up with include Red Velvet Cupcake, Nuttin’ Better Than Bacon, Chocolate Covered Potato Chip, and Mango Unchained, made of mango, Southern Comfort and cayenne pepper. The

Pop-up Intel After welcoming a baby into their lives, Matt and Corrie Tinker have re-opened Yemans Street pop-up restaurant in Hamtramck, at 2995 Yemans Street. Brunch is available every Sunday (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), no reservations needed, prepared by Chef Jeremy Kalmus, who’s cooked at Local Kitchen & Bar, NO.VI Chophouse, and is a private chef.

Dinners at Yemans Street are offered throughout the month and consist of unique menus planned and prepared by various local and national chefs. Tuesday, July 14, Yemans Street is hosting a five chef event – four are local and one is from Chicago. Graham Schave, personal chef and founder of Your Gourmet, will present dinner on Friday, July 24. Friday, July 31, Robyn Corvin, of Roberts Restaurant Group, will prepare the fare. All dinners require pre-purchase of tickets. yeamansstreet.com.

Revolver, a pop-up restaurant in Hamtramck, doesn’t take its name from the handgun, but rather from the root word, revolve, as they serve a revolving menu and host a medley of chefs. Located at 9737 Joseph Campau Avenue, the restaurant is operated by Peter Dalinowski and offers unique dinners multiple times a month, with a seating at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Dinner at Revolver is approximately 4-5 courses and is prepared by a guest chef who sources fresh and local ingredients whenever possible.

Brad Greenhill, partner at Katoi, will be presenting dinner on Friday July 17; followed by Nick Janutol, executive chef at Forest Grill, on Friday, July 24; and James Rigato, partner and executive chef at Root Restaurant & Bar, on Thursday July 30. Rigato said he will be presenting a meal in the “thoughtful and adventurous style and philosophy” that embodies Mabel Gray, the restaurant that Rigato and his partner at The Root, Ed Mamou, will be opening in Hazel Park this summer. revolverhamtramck.com. Advance tickets recommended.

Front/Back is reported each month by Katie Deska.

KatieDeska@DowntownPublications.com. We welcome news items or tips, on or off the record, about what's happening in the front or back of the house at metro area restaurants.

reservations. 8143 Commerce Road, Commerce Township, 48382.

248.363.3388.

Uptown Grill: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

3100 W. Maple Road, Commerce Township, 48382. 248.960.3344.

Village Bar and Kitchen: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 525 N. Main Street, Milford, 48381.

248.529.3859.

Village Grill: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

1243 N. Commerce Road, Commerce Township, 48382. 248.366.3290.

Volare Risorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 48992 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393.

248.960.7771.

VR Famous Fried Chicken: American, Cajun. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 47520 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393. 248.926.6620.

White Palace: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6123 Haggerty Restaurant, West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.313.9656.

Wilson’s Pub n Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2256 Union Lake Road, Commerce Township, 48382. 248.363.1849.

Wixom Station Food and Drink: American Contemporary. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 49115 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393. 248.859.2882.

Wonton Palace: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 5562 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford, 48327.

248.683.5073.

Woody’s Café: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

235 N. Pontiac Trail, Walled Lake, 48390. 248.624.4379.

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

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.

Mene Sushi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine.

6239 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.538.7081.

Meriwether’s: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-

46

Saturday. 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.

Sweet Lorraine’s Café & Bar: American.

Weekend Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 29101 Greenfield Rd., Southfield, 48076.

248.559.5985.

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.

The Lark: American. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 6430 Farmington Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.661.4466.

Yotsuba: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 7365 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield, 48322.

248.737.8282.

Birmingham/Bloomfield 220: American. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 220 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.646.2220.

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.

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.

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.

Bistro Joe’s Kitchen: Global. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Sunday brunch. Liquor.

Reservations. 34244 Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.0984.

Café ML: New American. Dinner, daily.

Liquor. Call ahead. 3607 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Township.

248.642.4000.

Cafe Via: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 310 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.644.8800.

Cameron’s Steakhouse: American.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 115 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.723.1700.

Churchill's Bistro & Cigar Bar: Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

116 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.4555.

Eddie Merlot's: Steak & seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 37000 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.712.4095.

Elie’s Mediterranean Cuisine: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations.

Liquor. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2420.

Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 323 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.0134.

Griffin Claw Brewing Company: American.

Dinner, Tuesday-Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday and Sunday. No Reservations.

Liquor. 575 S. Eton Street, Birmingham.

248.712.4050.

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse: American.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 201 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009.

248.594.4369.

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.

Mandaloun Bistro: Lebanese. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, Daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 30100 Telegraph Rd., Suite 130, Bingham Farms, 48025.

248.723.7960.

MEX Mexican Bistro & Tequila Bar: Mexican. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Liquor. 6675 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301.

248.723.0800.

Mitchell’s Fish Market: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.646.3663.

Peabody’s: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 34965 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.644.5222.

Phoenicia: Middle Eastern. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 588 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.644.3122.

Roadside B & G: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

1727 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7270.

Salvatore Scallopini: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 505 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8977.

Social Kitchen & Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 5 or more. Liquor. 225 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4200.

Streetside Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily.

Reservations, Lunch only. Liquor. 273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.645.9123.

Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American.

Dinner. Monday-Saturday. Sunday brunch. Reservations. Liquor. 55 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.731.7066.

The Bird & The Bread: Brasserie. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 210 S. Old Woodard, Birmingham, 48009.

WESTEND

248.203.6600.

The Franklin Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 32760 Franklin Rd, Franklin, 48025. 248.865.6600.

The Rugby Grille: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5999.

The Stand: Euro-American. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

34977 Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.220.4237.

Toast: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 203 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6278.

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. Dinner daily. Liquor.

Reservations. 555 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham 48009. 248.480.4951.

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. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. 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.

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, TuesdaySaturday. No reservations. 500 E. Fourth St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.547.7916.

07.15

AT THE TABLE The Laundry in Fenton worth the drive at any time

By J. March

ark Hamel and Chad Brennan in 1997 opened a small cafe and market called The French Laundry in Fenton. Yes, Fenton. And though many naysayed the idea of this concept catching fire in the sleepy town of 11,500, catch fire it did.

Zingerman’s bread, fresh pastries and coffees seemed to be just what the Fentonites were looking for and paved the way for expansion in the form of a dining room and bar. Not content to stop there, The French Laundry decided to take a stab at a bakery of its own and Crust was soon born. Still not ready to call it a day, the dining room was expanded and shortly after that, Lynchpin Brewery was added, creating quite an amazing trifecta of food, beer and baked goods. Along with these changes the French Laundry, in an attempt to become more approachable, became simply The Laundry.

Opening daily at 7 a.m., The Laundry offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you've never been, then take any common notions of breakfast or lunch out of your head. The breakfast menu offers pancakes, skillets and sandwiches that go by names like the Fat Elvis, Spanish Conquistador and Ask the Rabbi.

Lunch is no different, offering over 50 sandwiches that cover almost any protein, vegetable or condiment you can imagine, including liverwurst (appropriately named The Downriver), ancho-chili roasted pepper savory jam and artichoke hearts. Throw in breads and pastries from Crust, a Lynchpin Gentleman's Blonde Ale and you've got what can only be referred to as the Laundry Triple Crown.

Having dined at The Laundry regularly for breakfast and lunch (years ago but always enjoyable), I decided to focus on dinner. I had not revisited since the expansion and was eager to see what Ron Rea had done and what new additions Chef Jody Brunori had brought to the table. A Schoolcraft graduate, Brunori has been a lover of local since her start, so much so that there is a chef's garden adjacent to the building, along with bee hives, all of which supply local vegetables, herbs and honey. Much to my pleasure, the expansion had little effect on the eclectic main dining room and bar. The once too-small bar had been elongated yet still had bar stools from vintage to current to retro and the tables that mirrored those same styles still filled the space. A skylight above with colored panel windows allowed sun to stream in and absorbed some of the sound that can quickly escalate in the main dining room. The menu had also had quite a few new additions and after a properly made Negroni, I put on my game face and got down to business.

As a big fan of small plates, I was a tad disappointed with the appetizer offerings. Not only was there not much on the list, but the whole Artichoke Dip/Pretzel/Chicken Wing thing is tired.

For lack of anything better, I opted for the Grilled Oysters with a mignonette of corn, scallion and jalapeno and the Smoked Pork Bahn MI Sliders with cucumber, jalapeno, daikon, pickled carrot and cilantro. The grilled oysters (one of which was bad, clearly, visually bad) varied in size, resulting in one or two smaller ones with great texture and smoke and the vastly larger ones tasting barely grilled and

M

Coq au vin is The Laundry’s take on a French classic. Tender boneless chicken thighs braised in a rich red wine sauce paired with Boursin mashed potatoes and vegetable du jour. Westend photo: Laurie Tennent

displeasing in temperature. The mignonette was beyond dismal. Not only did it consist mostly of red onions, it had no bite and I am almost absolutely certain the corn was frozen. I had to revisit it again and again simply because I would feel awful making this claim unless I was certain. All I can tell you is that if it was not frozen, it tasted like it was. The sliders were tender and tasty, but how pickled carrot, daikon, jalapeno and cilantro can offer up zero flavor is lost on me.

Once again I made the rookie mistake of ordering a Caprese salad out of season. My tomato-loving heart really wanted to believe that the tomato fairy had sprinkled some magic and the Heirlooms listed would be all I dreamed about and more. Nope. I don't think they were even Heirlooms; instead, your grocery store variety softball textured beefsteak. The burrata that accompanied it was delicious, as was the fresh basil and perfectly reduced balsamic drizzled over it. The Caesar salad had the addition of hard boiled eggs which was nice, but when the boiled egg flavor trumps the dressing, something is a-fowl.

Casual Fare is a category containing just that.

Burgers, Chicken and Waffles, Shrimp and Grits, Meatloaf…you get the picture. Once again, I passed on these common offerings and opted for a hard to find classic in the form of Coq au Vin, a seafood dish of Shrimp and Gnudi (which I had never heard of) and bartender's choice which was the Duck. The suggestion was made due to the fact that the duck was in the form of breasts rather than the "tired old confit you see everywhere". To his credit, the breasts were moist and perfectly cooked, but the fatty skin was just fatty…and thick…and rubbery and altogether not good. The cranberry quinoa was delicious, but neither the braised cabbage, nor the pomegranate sauce, had any acid or flavor, which was needed.

The Shrimp and Gnudi was off the charts. The shrimp was perfectly cooked, the gnudi (gnocchi made from ricotta) was fluffy and light with a slight char on the outside and some of the best I have ever had, if not the best. The sun-dried tomatoes, peas, crispy prosciutto and mushrooms combined salt, earth

and texture, making this about as well balanced as a dish can get.

Lastly, the Coq au Vin. Oh how I love Coq au Vin. Chicken thighs, tomatoes, garlic, mushrooms, red wine carrots – peasant food at its finest and The Laundry did France proud with its perfect execution, down to the Boursin mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. From what I understand, this dish has been on the menu since the start and I can certainly see why. I can only hope the Laundry doesn't do away with this classic dish.

Again, at the suggestion of the bartender, I ordered the seasonal cream pie that was Lemon Merengue.

Once again, a classic dish prepared spot on and I fully intend to go back for the banana or the coconut that work their way into the rotation.

The bar is extensive as is the creative list of house drinks and the additional "100 Classic Cocktails" for you to peruse. Know what you want though as I overheard a patron order a drink not listed and the bartender didn't care to take the time to look it up – an egregious error in my mind.

The beer selection is extensive and includes three or four of the Lynchpin Beers, along with lots of local choices. Sadly, the wine list has taken a hit from times prior. It's smaller than ever and missing the eclectic selections offered in the past. No sparkling by the glass and dismal glass choices had me thinking that liquor is king at The Laundry now.

All in all, I think The Laundry is worth the trip. With offerings of breakfast, lunch, dinner, the bakery and the brewery, you're bound to find something pleasing.

The Laundry, 125 Shiawassee, Fenton 48430.

810.629.8852. Reservations for parties of 10 or more. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Sundays. 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. Street parking available and handicap access.

J. March has 25 years experience in the restaurant industry in southeast Michigan, including certification as a sommelier.

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.

Lily’s Seafood: Seafood. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 410 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.591.5459.

Local Kitchen and Bar: American.

Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 344 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.

248.291.5650.

Lockhart’s BBQ: Barbeque. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. 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.

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/ Trattoria Da Luigi: Italian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 415 S, Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.542.4444.

Vinsetta Garage: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

27799 Woodward Ave., Berkley, 48072.

248.548.7711.

Troy/Rochester Brookshire: American. Breakfast, daily.

Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Liquor.

Reservations. Liquor. Royal Park Hotel, 600 E. University Dr., Rochester, 48307.

248.453.8732.

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.

Ganbei Chinese Restaurant and Bar:

48

Chinese. Lunch, Monday-Saturday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 227 S. Main St, Rochester, 48307.

248.266.6687.

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.

Miguel’s Cantina: Mexican. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 870 S. Rochester Rd, Rochester Hills, 48307.

248.453.5371.

Mon Jin Lau: Asian. Lunch, MondayFriday. 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.

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.

The Meeting House: American. Weekend Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 301 S. Main St, Rochester, 48307. 248.759.4825.

Tre Monti Ristorante: Italian. Lunch, Thursdays. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 1695 E. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 48083. 248.680.1100.

Detroit Angelina Italian Bistro: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

1565 Broadway St., Detroit, 48226.

313.962.1355.

Antietam: French. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 1428

Gratiot Ave., Detroit, 48207.

313.782.4378.

Bucharest Grill: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2040 Park Ave., Detroit, 48226.

313.965.3111.

Cliff Bell’s: American. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 2030 Park Ave., Detroit, 48226.

313.961.2543.

Coach Insignia: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

100 Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243. 313.567.2622.

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.

El Barzon: Mexican. Lunch, TuesdayFriday. 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.

The Grille Midtown: Steak & Seafood.

Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 3919 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48201. 313.832.0892.

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.

Maccabees at Midtown: American.

Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

5057 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202.

313.831.9311.

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, MondaySaturday. 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.

Roma Café: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

3401 Riopelle St., Detroit, 48207.

313.831.5940.

WESTEND

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, 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, MondaySaturday. 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 Detroit Seafood Market: Seafood.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 1435 Randolph St., Detroit, 48226. 313.962.4180.

Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 519 East Jefferson Ave., Detroit, 48226.

313.964.4010.

Top of the Pontch: American. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservation. Liquor. 2 Washington Blvd, Detroit, 48226.

313.782.4313.

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.

07.15

ENDNOTE

The secret regional water authority talks ooperation across the region is usually something we applaud. However, the recent news that the Great Lakes Water Authority had signed a lease to take over the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department's (DWSD) utility, including all of its debts and unfunded liabilities, as well as a water bill assistance program, has not only left us perplexed but also greatly disturbed at the secrecy in which the entire process had been shrouded.

To provide some context, there have been talks for years about creating an alliance or some way of sharing in the decision-making at the DWSD, from where a majority of Oakland County residents receive their water. Regional leaders have felt that the DWSD has not been well run, nor has its infrastructure been maintained, and they have sought through a number of state legislative efforts to gain a voice at the table for services their residents receive. Detroit consistently fought outside involvement and control, and in 2014, during the Detroit bankruptcy proceedings, federal Judge Sean Cox was appointed as mediator to help Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties and the state of Michigan hash out issues with the city. Cox immediately instituted a gag order upon all parties, preventing any word of how the four entities were reconciling their differences from becoming public, or if there would be a regional authority to provide water and sewer to residents and businesses, and how we would all be billed.

Frankly, we're appalled this mediation was permitted to continue for so long, and we're disappointed that Oakland County executive government representatives, such as L. Brooks

C

Patterson, Bob Daddow and Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash, willingly participated and did not walk away from dealings that, while not illicit, did not pass the smell test. This was a bad example of how government should operate. Doing the active work of government completely in secret is simply bad public policy.

On June 12, after fits and starts, a new water authority was formalized by a vote of 5-1, with only Macomb County voting against it. Under the deal, Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties will lease the city of Detroit's water system for 40 years for $50 million a year. The water department provides water to Detroit along with 127 communities, and sewer services to Detroit and 76 communities.

Now that the deal has been voted on, information has been revealed that water department officials released a feasibility study indicating that a new water authority could sustain $50 million annual lease payments to Detroit, along with contributing about another $50 million a year to city pensions and funding a water bill assistance program for those unable to pay their water bills. The city of Highland Park, which has a $25 million debt to the the DWSD, may also be included in the deal. To meet those payments, Plante Moran, which conducted the study, said the water authority revenues would need to be raised beyond the maximum four percent at which we all were led to believe would be the annual cap – at least until the talks were made secret. Expect to pay much more for water and sewer in the years to come, quite possibly as high as 10 percent, but then who knows – we were all shut out from the decision process.

There are a few conditions that still must be met before this is a complete deal, such as customer communities agreeing to assign their DWSD contracts to the new authority; agreement between Detroit and the Detroit General Retirement System to manage pension obligations; the authority must get at least 51 percent of bondholders to agree to the transfer of the regional asset and bond obligation from DWSD; bond rating agencies have to confirm ratings on the bonds it’s assuming; and a bond ordinance is needed to mirror the existing bond ordinance. Failing that, then the whole agreement will be moot.

Macomb voted against the deal because county executive Mark Hackel said studies appear to show lease costs of closer to $90 million a year – which will be passed on to residents. Hackel said he believes the deal is a bad deal, with potential 10 percent annual increases, and we agree with him. To his credit, Hackel refused to be part of secret talks about a clearly public issue like a regional water authority.

Come January 1, when the new authority is slated to come into full effect, not only will the cost of transporting water to local communities go up – significantly – under this deal, but we all will be paying long term for the debt and unfunded liabilities incurred by DWSD over decades. Was this the best deal our government leaders could come up with? Perhaps. But we, citizens of Oakland County, will never really know, because the lack of transparency in the process prevented us from seeing, and understanding, how the sausage was being made.

Getting marijuana business under control ichigan's medical marijuana business is growing like a weed, one which local municipalities would be wise to get under some form of local control before it's too late, or costly.

In case you haven't heard, Michigan voters in 2008 approved a state law legalizing the use of marijuana for certain medicinal purposes. Patients using marijuana must meet certain criteria and apply for a medical marijuana registry identification card with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Those who receive cards can grow up to 12 marijuana plants themselves, or if they prefer, have a caregiver licensed by LARA grow their plants for them. Under the law, caregivers may grow up to 72 plants, which includes a dozen per patient, plus an additional 12 for themselves as patients.

There are 33,395 active, registered caregivers in Michigan as of June 17, according to LARA, up from 27,046 in 2013, with no signs of a decrease. As the number of caregivers increases, so does the demand for facilities to conduct grow operations, which are a protected activity in accordance with state law. In fact, the Michigan Supreme Court in 2014 ruled local governments can't prohibit actions protected under the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act (MMMA).

Of course, none of the above information is new for

M

public officials in the city of Birmingham, where the city's zoning ordinance attempting to prohibit grow facilities was challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union, and ultimately found to be unconstitutional under Michigan law. Despite the city's attorney confirming that the ordinance isn't enforceable, the city's planning director continues to regard medical marijuana as a prohibited use as the city's planning board continues to drag its feet to amend the land use zoning ordinance to comply with state law, thus opening the city to potential lawsuits.

While the ordinance has yet to be challenged in Birmingham, it seems inevitable that someone will force the issue there or in other municipalities that have previously attempted to keep medical marijuana operations out through zoning ordinances.

By and large, the majority of medical marijuana growing operations are conducted in accordance with state law. Failing to do so would result in financial and criminal penalties. However, concerns about such facilities often stem from the strong, distinctive odor wafting from just such a facility, and the high potential for them to be targeted by criminals looking to steal and sell equipment and plants.

The most effective way for municipalities to address such concerns is through carefully crafted

zoning ordinances. Instead of blocking such facilities, it would better serve communities to provide thoughtful regulations that address concerns of the community. That was just what Commerce Township recently attempted in approving their recent zoning ordinance, a community which has about 40 active grow facilities.

Under the Commerce Township zoning ordinance, medical marijuana cultivation facilities are permitted under special use zoning, and are required to meet several requirements, including standards regarding security, safety and other issues. And, while proponents and operators of the facilities voiced concern about some requirements being overly burdensome, the township indicated it would maintain an open dialogue to address concerns.

We feel taking a proactive approach to addressing medical marijuana grow facilities is a direction that Birmingham, as well as other municipalities dealing with the issue, should move on soon, rather than later.

Birmingham's reluctance to follow the state's MMMA has already resulted in one lawsuit. We doubt it will be much longer before the issue is passed around to another party that will challenge the city. It would be a costly lesson to learn, and one that can be prevented.

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