Westend: Novemeber 2015

PLACES TO EAT: OVER 200 RESTAURANTS • J. MARCH: GROSSE POINTE MARAIS NOVEMBER 2015

SAFE OR NOT? GROWING CONCERNS ABOUT USE OF WEED CONTROL CHEMICAL STILL IN USE BY OFFICIALS IN OAKLAND

DDA FUNDING: OVER $117 MILLION IN TAXES CAPTURED IN DECADE DIA TRANSPARENCY: SHINING A LIGHT ON REGIONAL NON-PROFIT ENDNOTE: THE WOLVERINE LAKE COUNCILMAN CENSURE ECRWSS Postal Customer EDDM PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ROYAL OAK, MI 48068 PERMIT #792

Dog Adoption Event!

November 7 12:00-3:00 pm Marshbank Park, West Bloomfield More than 100 adoptable dogs from multiple animal rescue groups

For more than 100 years, Coldwell Banker has helped people find homes, and now our mission extends to man’s best friend.

We’ve teamed up with Adopt-a-Pet.com, North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website, to help adoptable dogs find a loving home.

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WEIR MANUEL

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WESTEND11.15

21

Use of weed control chemical faces growing concern Concerns are increasing, nationally and world-wide, about the use of the weed control chemical glyphosate, which some communities and school districts still use in Oakland County.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

8

Publisher David Hohendorf notes the publishing group's latest expansion effort and gives an inside look at some of the past long-form journalism features Westend has presented that makes the publication different than others in the market.

CRIME LOCATOR

12 Capturing Oakland taxes Downtown development authorities in Oakland County have captured over $171 million in taxes in the last decade from local governments, the county, school districts and parks authorities.

11

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

39

Commerce DDA and township approve budgets; builders oppose design standards; village councilman to be censured; Commerce to hire full-time planner; new library update; plus more.

AT THE TABLE

53 31 Shining light on DIA Some officials are questioning whether the non-profit group managing the Detroit Institute of Art should be subject to state laws on transparency.

One would think J. March had died and gone to heaven after a visit to Marais in Grosse Pointe where Garrett Lipar, formerly of Torino, has take over the kitchen.

ENDNOTE

54

Our thoughts on the move in Lansing for more transparency on the part of those in charge of the Detroit Institute of Arts and the plan in Wolverine Lake Village to censure a problem councilman.

FACES 18 Calvin Gee 29 Jack Kennedy 37 Sheila Kasselman

THE COVER A fall view in Long Park of Berry Lake, named after former Commerce Supervisor Robert Long and former township employee Wynn Berry, both of whom worked to preserve sensitive natural areas in the township.

Westend photo.

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248-642-3000

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 DIRECTOR David Hohendorf ADVERTISING SALES Mark Grablowski GRAPHICS/IT MANAGER Chris Grammer OFFICE 124 W. Maple Birmingham MI 48009 248.792.6464 DISTRIBUTION/SUBSCRIPTIONS Mailed monthly at no charge to most homes in the Commerce, Wolverine Lake, Walled Lake and Union Lake area. Additional free copies distributed at high foot-traffic locations in west Oakland.

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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.

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

y father, a senior production engineer with the General Motors company many decades ago, had two pieces of advice as I was thinking of heading off to college (too many years ago to mention here) when I told him I might seek out a career in journalism: you will work untold hours and you won't make much money.

M

Of course, my mother understood the drive that motivated me as she dutifully drove me each month from Sterling Heights, then an undeveloped migrant-farm community, to the then-Pontiac Press to turn in my high school correspondent column to editors there. It was in my DNA, so to speak. Now I have come full circle in life where my storytelling inclination allows me, and a dedicated staff of writers/reporters, to bring our newsmagazine to over 75,000 homes in Oakland County with the addition this month of a new edition of Downtown for Rochester and Rochester Hills.

monthly publication months, and even sometimes a year or more, before anyone else recognized the importance of an issue.

Take for instance the recent reports in one of the Detroit newspapers about the Michigan House finally starting to address legislation banning the use of plastic microbeads in personal care products like toothpaste, facial cleaners and shampoos. It's a story that Westend devoted considerable space to in February of 2014 because we recognized the trend developing across the country.

We applied this same logic in May of this year as Canadian officials were nearing a decision on allowing lower level nuclear waste material to be stored underground within a stone's throw of the shoreline of Lake Huron, once again part of the chain of water resources we rely on in southeast Michigan for our drinking water.

My dad was correct. Untold hours. Not great money. But there are trade-offs, such as the opportunity to educate the public and hopefully allow them to shape the public agenda.

Priceless.

In recent years we have tackled such topics as dangerous cargo being carried by trains through local communities; dating violence among teenagers; the gangs of Oakland County; and the rise of heroin use in the suburbs. More recently, we have focused on the racial and gender make-up of local police departments, tax free properties in Oakland County, and the cost of taxpayer-financed mailings by state lawmakers.

And because of the type of journalism we pursue at Westend newsmagazine, there is also the pride of bringing a different type of local news to residents here. Our focus is what we call hyper-local and we understand best what makes the local municipalities click because we are students of government.

Yet our definition also includes looking at more substantial issues that impact our local area, something readers don't get from the other publications in the market.

We take the time, in each case, to identify and seek out the experts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; locally, in the halls of government in Lansing, the degreed experts at the universities in Michigan, various departmental offices in Washington D.C. and elsewhere in the country to talk directly to those who have a command of the information and data on a topic. We do the legwork, on behalf of our readers, to get the myriad of questions answered on issues of importance.

Our news organization is a rare breed in that we invest the staff, time and resources in what we refer to as long-form journalism, an opportunity to tell a longer than normal story that attempts to present a broader and more detailed take on issues we judge to be critical for our readership.

And in each case, we bring our storytelling to our readers long before anyone else in this and other markets has even recognized the issue is a developing concern. It is one of the reasons that our monthly newsmagazine is read, literally, cover to cover, and in many cases kept beyond its monthly shelf life.

One of the so-called 'perks' that are naturally part of the job as a newsperson is also knowing that, as a monthly newsmagazine, we often bring the major stories to our readers first. So we have our prideful moments, if you will, at Westend newsmagazine when one of the Detroit daily newspapers or a television station starts to cover a topic that we carried in our

Long hours. Not great money. But a real satisfaction that we are performing a service for the public that no one else provides.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com

CRIME LOCATOR

NORTH

Map key

Sexual assault

Assault

Murder

Robbery

Breaking/entering

Larceny

Larceny from vehicle

Vehicle theft

Vandalism

Drug offenses

Arson

These are the crimes reported under select categories by police officials in Commerce Township, Walled Lake and Wolverine Lake Village through October 28, 2015.

Placement of codes is approximate.

BY KEVIN ELLIOTT

M

ore than $171 million in taxes intended for local schools, community colleges, parks, libraries, local governments and other millages were diverted through tax increment financing (TIF) from 2004 to 2014 to two dozen downtown development authorities (DDA) in Oakland County.

Yet, when it comes to knowing what a DDA or TIF is and how they work, the majority of taxpayers are simply left in the dark.

"What we hear from the residents is, 'you're taking our money,' said Clawson DDA director Joan Horton. "What some don't understand is that with a TIF, we are keeping that money in the community that would be going off to the county and spread out to other taxing authorities.

That is something that benefits the community as a whole.

"They truly don't understand the amount of funds that would leave if we didn't have a DDA. About 60 percent of our funding is from TIF, and that is money that would leave if we didn't have it."

Granted with the ability to collect taxes and other sources of revenue, a downtown development authority is a taxing entity intended to help support a community's downtown area by diverting property taxes from local sources and reinvesting the funds back into the downtown from where they were collected. That means taxes collected for local schools, community colleges, governments and other taxing jurisdictions are instead used for capital improvement projects in a downtown district.

Utilizing this tax increment financing mechanism, some DDAs have been able to transform their downtowns into booming economic districts. In Ferndale, the DDA was able to decrease vacancy rates in the downtown area from 30 percent to about two percent over the past decade, along with more than $68 million in public/private investment. In northwest Oakland County, the small village of Holly has boosted occupancy rates from 50 percent to nearly 100 percent in the past five years.

DDA FUNDING HOW DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES CAPTURE MUNICIPAL, SCHOOL TAXES

Granted with the ability to collect taxes and other sources of revenue, a downtown development authority is a taxing entity intended to help support a community's downtown area by diverting property taxes from local sources and reinvesting the funds back into the downtown from where they were collected. That means taxes collected for local schools, community colleges, governments and other taxing jurisdictions are instead used for capital improvement projects in a downtown district. Utilizing this tax increment financing mechanism, some DDAs have been able to transform their downtowns into booming economic districts. In Ferndale, the DDA was able to decrease vacancy rates in the downtown area from 30 percent to about two percent over the past decade, along with more than $68 million in public/private investment.

"By and large, they have been beneficial.

They really support economic development in their districts," Dan Hunter, deputy director of Oakland County Economic Development and Community Affairs, said about the 25 downtown development authorities in existence in the county.

"Downtown Ferndale or Rochester, those are two shining stars out there, and Holly. By and large, they have helped with infrastructure, marketing and events in their respective areas."

Currently, there are 25 DDAs in the county, according to Oakland County Economic Development and Community Affairs, including DDAs in Auburn Hills; Berkley; Clawson; Commerce Township; Farmington; Ferndale; Hazel Park; Highland Township; Holly Village; Lake Orion Village; Lathrup Village; Lyon Township; Madison Heights; Milford Village; Ortonville; Oxford Village; Pleasant Ridge; Rochester; Royal Oak; Royal Oak Township; Southfield; South Lyon; Troy; Walled Lake; and Wixom.

Despite the potential benefits DDAs offer a community, a number state and local policymakers are calling for reforms to the DDA's tax increment financing model. In March of this year, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners passed, for the first time, a policy calling for a sunset on how long taxes may be diverted through the TIF districts.

In 2013, the Michigan state legislature and Gov. Rick Snyder passed a package of bills to prohibit Tax Increment Financing Authorities (TIFAs), including DDAs, local development financing authorities and other entities utilizing TIF, from capturing revenue from the Detroit Zoo and Detroit Institute of Arts millages in order for the money to remain with the zoo and the museum. In 2014, further changes were proposed to the state's law allowing the establishment of downtown development authorities. And, in October of this year, the state House Committee on Local Government took testimony from others calling for TIF reform.

Oakland County Commissioner (R-White Lake, Waterford) and former state Rep.

Eileen Kowall, who sponsored the 2013 and 2014 legislation, said the policy at the county level and proposed changes to the state law were done as a matter of "public trust."

"With the zoo and DIA, Oakland, Macomb and other TIFs were capturing the millages," Kowall said. "We didn't think it was right that people voted for a millage for the zoo and then have some of that taken off the top for sidewalks or other projects. In the future, if any entity wants a similar millage collection for whatever purpose, people would be more suspect."

At the county level, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners has implemented a new policy for DDAs and other bodies requesting new or revised TIF plans, which requires the DDA to agree to a sunset provision establishing a set time frame on how long taxes in the district can be diverted. Currently, DDAs created prior to 1994 may collect taxes indefinitely.

Oakland County Deputy Executive Robert Daddow said the county had been interested in establishing such a policy since 2006, but placed it on hold during the recession.

"We had looked at it around 2006 and 2007, and thought it had to be updated.

Then 2008 rolled around and, boy, that went on the back burner as projects went away," Daddow said. "As we pulled out of the recession, as it relates to property, people became more interested in DDAs. We came up with two or three more communities doing major projects. As a result, we said, 'Wait a minute, we are already contributing more than $7 million a year on property taxes, and we have potential projects where we will contribute even more going forward.

We wanted to bring that off the back burner and put it on the front burner."

Jerry Dettloff, executive director for the Michigan Downtown Association and a member of the Rochester Hills Planning Commission, said the association welcomes reforms, but believes it should be done in a smart, lasting way.

"We are all about reform, but if you are going to do it, do it right," he said. "We don't

want to see DDAs harmed in any way because they are such a vital economic tool to our state."

In total, DDAs in Oakland County retained $39.5 million from 2004 to 2014 in funds for their communities that would have instead been collected for Oakland County's operating fund. About $2.3 million in funds were kept by DDAs that would have gone to the county's parks and recreation fund, according to Oakland County's Equalization Division.

Broken down by year, total funds collected by DDAs in the county totaled $16.4 million in 2004; $20.7 million in 2005; $14.4 million in 2006; $18.9 million in 2007; $19.8 million in 2008; $19.1 million in 2009; $15.9 million in 2010; $12.4 million in 2011; $11.2 million in 2012; $10.8 million in 2013; and $11.7 million in 2014.

While the figures may represent lost revenue to other taxing jurisdictions, they also represent the impact that DDAs have had on property values in their own communities. That's because funds captured by a DDA's tax increment financing plan include only the amount of property tax increases from the year that its TIF plan was created. In other words, while a DDA may be able to collect taxes through TIF in theory, it can only collect the amounts equal to the increase in property value from the year the DDA's TIF plan was approved. Property taxes at or below the level recorded when a TIF is established aren't captured by the TIF district.

A taxing authority may only opt out of a DDA's tax capture if the DDA's tax increment financing plan was approved prior to 1994. In cases where DDAs were created after 1994, taxing authorities may opt out only at the time the DDA is created, or when there is an expansion of the tax capture area. Taxing authorities with the ability to opt out may include Oakland County, Oakland County Parks and Recreation, the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority (HCMA), Oakland Community College (OCC), local school districts, and other tax levies approved by voters, such as SMART bus millage or other taxes. Millages

While the figures may represent lost revenue to other taxing jurisdictions, they also represent the impact that DDAs have had on property values in their own communities. That's because funds captured by a DDA's tax increment financing plan include only the amount of property tax increases from the year that its TIF plan was created. In other words, while a DDA may be able to collect taxes through TIF in theory, it can only collect the amounts equal to the increase in property value from the year the DDA's TIF plan was approved. Property taxes at or below the level recorded when a TIF is established aren't captured by the TIF district. In most cases, the investment from public and private funds going into a DDA district is far greater than the amount of taxes captured by that DDA.

collected for the Detroit Institute of Arts and Detroit Zoo can't be captured by DDAs, under a state law passed in 2013.

Those taxing authorities that do choose to opt out may do so completely or on a partial basis, if the taxing authority and the DDA come to an agreement at the time of creation or when the capture area is expanded. The Oakland County Equalization Division said OCC and the HCMA have opted out of some agreements, either completely or partially. A spokesperson for the equalization division said they weren't aware of any local school districts that have opted out of DDA capture districts.

Bob Donohue, chairman of the Michigan Downtown Association's board and director of Main Street Oakland County, said that in most cases, the investment from public and private funds going into a DDA district is far greater than the amount of taxes captured by that DDA. However, not all downtowns are created equal.

"The amount of money diverted to DDAs has generated far more in investment, no question," Donohue said. "When Main Street started in 2000, we required collecting data, and hard data shows overwhelmingly that there is far more investment being put in."

The Rochester DDA captured about $20.3 million through tax increment financing from 2004 to 2014, according to Oakland County's Equalization Division, indicating a steady rise in property values. Meanwhile occupancy rates in the city's downtown district are currently close to capacity, said Rochester DDA Director Kristi Trevarrow.

"We are at 98 percent, currently,â&#x20AC;?

Trevarrow said. "Though, we never have been all that down. Ten years ago, we were probably at 92 or 93 percent.â&#x20AC;?

Some of the projects included in Rochester's DDA include a Main Street makeover in 2012, which included a partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation to rebuild the road and streetscape in that area. This year, the DDA is constructing its second parking platform, with the city contributing about $12 million in the structures.

"Plans are different for every community, depending on where they start. When we got started, we focused on capital improvement projects," Trevarrow said. "As time goes by, you focus on the types of businesses you want to see in your district, then how to drive traffic to the businesses through special events and marketing."

The Rochester DDA was formed in 1983, and has since partnered with Main Street Oakland and utilizes the national Main Street Four-Point Approach, which focuses on design, organization, promotions, and economic restructuring.

In addition to the DDA, Rochester also utilizes a Principal Shopping District (PSD), which is a separate entity from the DDA and collects taxes through a special assessment. And, while the DDA is permitted to levy up to 2 mills on properties in the downtown district, Trevarrow said that tax isn't being levied.

"They work vey well together," Trevarrow said of the DDA and PSD, which was created in 1994. "The DDA is focused more on capital improvement and business retention, and the PSD more on promotion of the district."

Major capital improvement projects in a DDA district may also be funded through a bond issue. By utilizing TIF funds to repay the bonds, a DDA is essentially borrowing against future tax increments brought about by those projects. In Rochester, all of the DDA's bonds have been repaid and the DDA isn't carrying any debt, Trevarrow said.

While Rochester's DDA has received accolades from the county for its operation, other communities may find themselves under criticism. Donohue points to his own community of Commerce Township, which is currently carrying about $75 million in debt to essentially build a downtown that doesn't yet exist.

Created in 1984, the Commerce DDA was originally established to stop annexation of the township's property by Wixom and Walled Lake by providing sewer and water services in the district, which currently includes a 2,705-acre development area and a 1,719-acre capture

area in the southeast portion of the township. In 2003, the DDA began using bonds to purchase land in the area, including two former golf courses and parkland. The DDA then constructed Martin Parkway, a road running from the terminus of M-5 at Pontiac Trail, north to Richardson Road. The property purchase now also includes plans for Commerce Towne Place, a 330-acre area that will consist of single and multiple family housing, a lifestyle center, assisted care living, and other commercial and business developments.

However, with a current bond debt of about $75 million, the Commerce Township DDA has collected about $20 million from its TIF in the decade from 2004 to 2014. The DDA is also hoping to expand areas of its TIF capture to include future development.

"The DDA law, most people will tell you, is extremely, poorly written. There is no definition of a downtown," Donohue said.

"There's no downtown in the Commerce DDA, and situations like that across the state have turned people against DDAs. It's the first 'D' in DDA that is an issue. That was part of the controversy, last year."

Originally passed in 1975 as a way of encouraging vibrant downtowns to support the overall community, Michigan's Public Act 197 outlines the establishment of a downtown development authority to focus on downtown revitalization. In 1980, the state's Tax Increment Financing Act was passed to assist the financing of downtown revitalization.

The process for establishing a DDA begins with the local governing body, which must hold a public hearing and pass a resolution declaring its intent to create a DDA. Taxpayers within the proposed downtown district must be notified, as well as each of the taxing entities in the proposed district. In the cases of DDAs established after 1994, the taxing entities within the DDA district may opt out of the TIF capture, while those created prior to 1994 may not. The municipality must then establish an ordinance creating the DDA and designating its boundaries. A DDA governing board is then created, which

The process for establishing a DDA begins with the local governing body, which must hold a public hearing and pass a resolution declaring its intent to create a DDA. Taxpayers within the proposed downtown district must be notified, as well as each of the taxing entities in the proposed district. In the cases of DDAs established after 1994, the taxing entities within the DDA district may opt out of the TIF capture, while those created prior to 1994 may not. The municipality must then establish an ordinance creating the DDA and designating its boundaries. A DDA governing board is then created, which must consist of the municipality's chief executive officer and eight to 12 members appointed by the municipal governing body. In general, a majority of the board must be individuals with ownership or business interests in the property.

must consist of the municipality's chief executive officer and eight to 12 members appointed by the municipal governing body.

In general, a majority of the board must be individuals with ownership or business interests in the property, with one residing in the district.

If a DDA board anticipates the need for capturing tax or using revenue bonds, it must create a development plan and TIF plan, and have those plans adopted by the DDA board and municipality.

The creation of the authority then allows for a variety of funding options, which in turn can be used to fund public improvements in a downtown district.

Funding may include a tax increment financing, tax millages, special assessments, bonds, donations, contributions, revenue from the property or a combination of available options. By far, the most utilized form of financing is TIF. According to the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC), a total of 416 DDAs utilizing TIF are operating in the state.

According to the MAC, the purpose of the state's DDA law has been misinterpreted by some communities to fund projects not intended in the law.

Further, the reporting to the state required by law of various authorities utilizing TIF capture hasn't been occurring as it should.

"What we are working on now is reform at the state level regarding the statutes of how DDAs and other tax increment financing authorities operate," said Derek Melot, a spokesman for the MAC. "State law requires them to report to the state, specifically treasury. Representatives of treasury testified that most don't file, or about two-thirds don't. The language was that we never had more than 200 report in a year. They make the case, and we agree, that in order to properly oversee public policy, you need to know what is going on, and right now we don't have a good feel for that."

The issue was highlighted in a 2014 study written by University of Michigan professors David S. Bieri and Carla Maria Kayanan, who initially set out to

understand the status of TIF usage in Michigan.

The state is one of 49 in the country where TIF is used, according to the study.

In addition to DDAs, there are seven other authorities in the state that may utilize TIF to fund projects. Among the study's findings was that about 20 percent of the some 698 authorities utilizing TIF are submitting required reports to the state on a regular basis, with DDAs being among the bettertracked districts in the state.

Donohue said the Michigan Downtown Association supports current TIF reform efforts at the state level, but didn't back all of the proposed changes to the DDA law that were previously proposed.

"Downtown management has been where the MDA has centered on," he said.

"We successfully worked a grass roots effort across the state to look at a more transparent method of operating," Donohue.

"The Michigan Municipal League, the Michigan Association of Counties, and other are working on it. It appears those early discussions are on accountability. But, as accountable and transparent as DDAs want to be, the state has no system in place to track it."

While Donohue said the lack of resources at the state level doesn't absolve DDAs from not reporting, he said many may not be reporting because they know there won't be any repercussions if they don't.

The 2014 study by Bieri and Kayanan proposes the state creates a database, dubbed MiRTIF, at the state level to track TIF finances. It also provides a step-by-step orientation of TIF in Michigan.

"This seemingly elementary step is critical in order for actors involved in the TIF use or reform to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the TIF process from start to completion," the study states. "Any discussion that is not based on the fundamental principles of the TIF tool will result in eroding its effectiveness and in municipalities appropriating it for nonintended purposes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Developing a streamlined reporting process based exclusively on the reporting

requirements of the Michigan legislature removes the barriers that have made it nearly impossible for authorities to report mandated information. As tax capture authorities across the state slip in and out of financial trouble, looking to taxpayers for help, MiRTIF would provide data that is systematically tracked and can be reliably aggregated, providing a more complete picture of all aspects of TIF activities.â&#x20AC;?

Former Rep. Kowall, who introduced HB 5856 in 2014, said she did so to try to reign in DDAs that use diverted taxes to fund projects that the municipality should be funding instead.

"It hadn't been looked at for so long, and there were no meaningful reforms since it was enacted in the 1970s, and it was time to take a look at it," she said. "I felt the whole thing had gotten out of control. There didn't seem to be enough reporting.

Treasury couldn't even tell me how much indebtedness (from DDAs) there was statewide."

The bill went through several drafts before eventually being abandoned, but initial versions of the bill would have reset the base year of all TIF districts, essentially cutting all TIF funding in the state, while another version would have created a sunset on all TIF districts.

"We were following it closely, but I don't think anything that was going to be that detrimental would be passed," said Milford Village DDA director Ann Barnette. "There were things early on that were ridiculous, but there was enough pressure on the legislature to take some of that out."

Holly Village DDA director Andrew Potter said the initial legislation would have had a detrimental effect on the village's DDA if passed as it was introduced.

"It would have killed all downtown development," Potter said. "There were six drafts to it."

In it's final draft, the bill would have, among other things, provided a more restrictive description of what constitutes a downtown; limit the amount of time a DDA could hold revenues; expand the content of an authority's required annual status reports

and require the report to be sent to all taxlevying units; prevent the use of DDA revenues on public services that are "generally provided" services, unless determined necessary; require a DDA to hold an annual meeting; require an authority to maintain a website containing finance and operational information; and impose penalties on local units for violation of the act and repeal three tax increment finance statutes.

Oakland County Deputy Executive Phil Bertolini said the county felt the final version of the bill didn't go far enough to regulate TIF. "Our problem was that it didn't go far enough to take care of the earlier DDAs," he said. "We wanted earlier DDAs to have a sunset. That capture goes on forever, and we wanted to review those and potentially do that, and nobody wanted to do that."

While efforts at the state level failed, in March 2015, the Oakland County's Board of Commissioners implanted a new policy regarding the county's TIF participation for those established after 1994.

Deputy executive Daddow said that under the policy, the first step the county takes when presented with new or amended TIF requests is to deny it.

"The first thing we do is to deny it, which we have to do under the state statute, to bring the two parties together to discuss the project itself on the table," Daddow said. "We

can't accept it unless you clue us in on what you plan on doing. To that end, we have the ability in post-1994 TIFAs and DDAs to modify the arrangement and renegotiate."

Donohue said the policy sounds hardnosed on the surface, but it is a smart way of creating a more meaningful dialogue between the taxing authorities.

"In most cases, they are opting in through a contract, so that's a smart way of going about it," he said.

Kowall, who worked on the county's policy, said the policy forces municipalities with an existing TIF district looking to modify it or create another to agree to a sunset on their existing TIF district.

Auburn Hills DDA Executive Director Don Greise said while the city's original DDA was created in 1983, the city never utilized it.

The city recently decided to bring the DDA back to life. The DDA this year entered a 15year agreement with the county to establish a TIF district in the DDA. "Basically, we are trying to meet the city council's goals and objectives, and part of that is to continue to expand our downtown area. We feel it attracts investment, maintenance and availability of funding," Greise said.

Other communities with longstanding TIF districts are less inclined to enter into an agreement that places a time limit on how long it can divert taxes.

Commerce Township DDA Director Mark Stacey said while their DDA would like to modify its current TIF capture area to include upcoming developments in the Commerce Towne Place project, it's uncertain if it will be able to do so.

Currently, the DDA is expected to be paying bond debt through 2037, but will then need to use TIF funds to repay the township, which has been covering nearly all the DDA's debt payments.

"It's very draconian for DDAs under the old rules," Stacey said of the new policy. "The sunset provisions are very hard to swallow."

As the county and state look to implement reforms and limitations on TIF funding, Holly DDA director Potter said the DDA looks for other ways to attract development and funds, as promoted by the county and national Main Street program, which requires members to undergo a certification process each year.

"As part of that (certification), they require fundraising, so you don't rely on TIF," Potter said, who noted the DDA is also focusing on business development, rather than events and festivals.

"The bottom line is, when people call, we don't just tell them where to look. We court businesses to come to Holly. It's called knowing every building owner in a downtown. It all involves customer service."

FUNDS DIVERTED FROM TAXING AUTHORITIES TO DDA TAX INCREMENT FINANCING AREAS DDA

Total Capture

County Operating

County Parks & Rec

Berkley

$2,289,261

$419,888

$24,205

Clawson

$1,565,074

$267,508

$15,422

Commerce

$19,923,035

$7,724,152

$477,582

Farmington

$2,808,932

$517,708

$29,844

Ferndale

$4,487,999

$618,822

$35,674

Hazel Park

$7,773,809

$665,138

$38,356

Highland Twp.

$2,055,194

$650,151

$37,287

Holly Village

$1,708,562

$327,062

$43,558

Lake Orion

$7,000,856

$1,332,144

$76,799

Lathrup Village

$2,466,180

$402,055

$23,177

Lyon Township

$15,017,283

$5,938,571

$338,658

Madison Heights

$1,682,017

$277,272

$15,985

Milford Village

$3,970,420

$1,188,237

$67,618

$882,829

$175,506

$10,024

Oxford Village

$4,437,968

$766,453

$44,185

Pleasant Ridge

$893,940

$148,028

$8,533

Rochester

$20,299,922

$3,198,832

$184,411

Royal Oak

$29,162,977

$5,118,226

$294,435

Royal Oak Twp.

$1,023,487

$330,433

$19,050

$0

$0

$0

Ortonville

Southfield South Lyon

$500,729

$113,480

$6,542

Troy

$25,894,377

$6,913,926

$398,658

Walled Lake

$9,239,905

$1,355,094

$78,125

Wixom

$1,977,210

$459,664

$26,494 * Source: Oakland County Equalization Division

FACES Calvin Gee uite literally, Calvin Gee has the charisma of a radio personality, the compassion of a philanthropist, the gumption of a skydiver and the brilliance of a successful entrepreneur.

“I was an intern for Mojo in the Morning (Channel 95.5) just after high school,” Gee said. “I would help associate produce the show and work the phones. I never expected to go into radio.”

Gee had been a straight-A student at Walled Lake Central High School and went on to earn a degree in bioinformatics from the University of Michigan. Throughout his college years, he maintained a relationship with the crew at Mojo in the Morning.

His chemistry with the wildly popular morning show paid off when a spot opened up after he graduated from college.

Gee, who had earned the moniker “The Director of Awesome”, took the on-air position and joins in the lively banter weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m with his hilariously edgy cohorts. He takes the most pride in the philanthropic work the station integrates into their program. “We’re lucky to reach a large audience. We do a lot of charity work. We were able to raise money for the homeless population in Detroit.”

Social consciousness was crucial to Gee even as a teenager.

“I co-founded Celebrities Against Autism with Val McFarland,” he said. “Val reached out to me because I was involved in a lot of non-profit things and I got really passionate about the cause.”

Celebrities Against Autism has received support from many celebrities, including Bradley Cooper, Snoop Dog, Zooey Deschanel, Barenaked Ladies and the Detroit Red Wings.

Although Gee has not been directly affected by autism, the families he has met compel him to advocate for those affected.

He has also offered his time and talent to the Autism Alliance of Michigan, a group that advocates for families and individuals affected by autism.

Gee’s company, InSilico, also assists the medical community. “(InSilico) develops applications and hardware for people affected by autism,” he said. Gee creates tools, games and activities that target different areas of development in children with autism.

Henry Ford Health Systems partners with InSilico to release the programs to the public at no cost.

Gee also works as a high-tech consultant for Mott Children’s Hospital.

“I do a lot of things with technology that impact patients,” he said. “I’m mostly a consultant on special projects.”

Adding to Gee’s remarkable list of achievements, the 25-yearold enjoys skydiving and is a world explorer who has climbed to the highest peak of the Great Wall of China, twice summited the highest point of the Smokey Mountains, and hiked the Appalachian Trail.

His latest project is Ice Cream Detroit. The West Bloomfield resident makes alcohol-infused ice cream by hand. He has done some catering work for Google, Microsoft and The Discovery Channel.

The young mastermind has accomplished a lifetime of achievements in less than three decades with no sign of decelerating. “I just want to get the most I can out of life,” Gee said.

Q

Story: Katey Meisner

Photo: Jean Lannen

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THE DEBATE OVER GLYPHOSATE AS COMMUNITIES, COUNTRIES BAN ITS USE WHILE CHEMICAL STILL EMPLOYED IN OAKLAND

BY LISA BRODY

It's a chemical most have likely never heard of, glyphosate, other than as the weed killer Roundup. A white crystal that is odorless, it was introduced by Monsanto in 1974, and it has since become the world's best selling herbicide of all time. It was developed to control a wide variety of weeds, grasses and broadleaf plants.

Originally designed for farmers, it is also used, in a slightly different formulation, by landowners, local municipalities and school districts, and residential homeowners to keep weeds in check.

According to scientific papers, the use of glyphosate in agriculture was originally limited to post-harvest treatments and weed control between established rows of tree, nut and vine crops. But widespread adoption of no-till farming practices, which increases the amount of water in the soil while expanding organic matter retention and more efficient farming, led to some crop varieties that became resistant to glyphosate. To accommodate that, in the late 1990s, Monsanto began selling genetically engineered seeds, such as soy, corn and cotton, that would be tolerant of glyphosate while the weeds around it were killed. Today, according to reports, 90 percent of the soy and 70 percent of corn grown in the United States are genetically modified.

According to the Chemical Watch Factsheet, in the United States alone, approximately 180 to 185 million pounds of glyphosate are applied each year, with the greatest use, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, in the Mississippi River basin for weed control on corn, soybeans and cotton. But throughout the heartland of the country, including in Michigan, use has climbed, with 57 million pounds of glyphosate applied to cornfields in 2010, compared to 2000, when 4.4 million pounds was applied to U.S. cornfields. Despite U.S. consumption, China currently produces more than 40 percent of the world's supply of glyphosate, and exports 35 percent of it, notably to South America.

Additionally, parklands, playgrounds, sidewalks, school yards and other areas all over the country are routinely sprayed with Roundup or a generic version, in order to keep areas weed free. It's available for homeowners seeking to prevent weeds from invading their flower beds, lawns and sidewalks at every Home Depot, Lowe's and neighborhood garden center across the country. The question comes up, therefore – is it safe for us to be around glyphosate?

Critics of the pesticide assert that exposure to Roundup and glyphosate,

APPROXIMATELY 180 TO 185 MILLION POUNDS OF GLYPHOSATE ARE APPLIED EACH YEAR IN THE COUNTRY

which can come through to humans running on sprayed grass to exposure in drinking water from surface runoff or drainage into wells, possibly through our drinking water, the fish we eat, and off of agricultural products, may damage liver and kidneys, cause irregular heartbeat, reproductive disorders, neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's, to cancer. Some cities, such as Chicago, New York City, and Boulder, as well as countries like Holland, Denmark, and Sweden, have banned the use of the chemical in all public spaces. In September, California's EPA stated it will now list glyphosate as known to cause cancer.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) only performs intensive safety tests on chemicals every 15 years, with 2015 a testing year. The agency's glyphosate fact sheet for its Drinking Water and Health page notes, for the time being, that long-term high exposure to glyphosate “has the potential to cause reproductive effects, and that there is inadequate evidence to state whether or not glyphosate has the potential to cause cancer from a lifetime exposure in drinking water.” It states the major source of glyphosate in drinking water is runoff from herbicide use.

A report, Epidemiological Studies of Glyphosate and Cancer: A Review, by Pamela Mink, Jack S. Mandel, Bonnielin K. Sceurman and Jessica I. Lundin in August 2012, stated, “The United States Environmental Protection Agency and other regulatory agencies around the world have registered glyphosate as a broad spectrum herbicide for use on multiple food and nonfood use crops. Glyphosate is widely considered by regulatory authorities and scientific bodies to have no carcinogenic potential, based primarily on results of carcinogenicity studies of rats and mice...Our review found no consistent pattern of positive associations with cancer.”

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment published a toxicology review in 2013, finding that “the available data is contradictory and far from being convincing” with regard to correlations between exposure to glyphosate formulations and various cancers, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

A 2002 review by the European Union determined that exposure to Roundup posed no health risk to humans. But a 2014 review article in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health updated that, reporting a significant

association between B-cell lymphoma and glyphosate exposure.

In its literature, Monsanto has long asserted that Roundup poses no risk to humans nor to the environment.

In March 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an arm of the World Health Organization (WHO), classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Their determination was based on epidemiological studies, animal studies, and in vitro studies by 17 cancer experts from 11 countries who looked at the available scientific evidence on five different pesticides, including glyphosate.

The WHO report stated that “Glyphosate caused DNA and chromosomal damage in mammals and in human and animal cells studied in laboratories. Studies of workers who had been exposed to glyphosate in the U.S., Canada, and Sweden were found to have increased risks for non-Hodgkin lymphoma that persisted after adjustment for other pesticides.”

Responding to questions on its safety to humans, EPA spokesperson John Peterson of the EPA's Chicago region office said, “We are nearing completion of our cancer review which included consideration of the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) review. We expect to release our draft risk assessment within the next few months.”

With all of the conflicting data on the pesticide, what's the real deal on glyphosate?

Representatives at Monsanto did not respond to questions from Westend newsmagazine, but according to the company's website, glyphosate, and other similar chemicals they produce, helps farmers produce more from their land while conserving more of the world's natural resources like water and energy. The website states that “Glyphosate-based herbicides are supported by one of the most extensive worldwide human health, safety and environmental databases ever compiled for a pesticide product. Comprehensive toxicological studies repeated over the last 40 years have time and again demonstrated that glyphosate poses no unreasonable risks to people, the environment, or pets when used as directed on the label.”

Local experts and scientists disagree, and are concerned for human, animal and environmental welfare.

“There is a concern. There is much more intensive testing in Europe than the EPA has done – much more in-depth, and longer,” said Oakland County Water

CHEMICALS THAT ARE EMERGING TO BE OF MOST CONCERN ARE THE ONES IN THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT

Resources Commissioner Jim Nash. He noted that his office does not measure for glyphosate at all. “It's considered safe by the EPA, and that's what the MDEQ (Michigan Department of Environmental Quality) relies on.”

According to spokespersons from MDEQ and Michigan Health and Human Services, the state of Michigan does not test for nor regulate glyphosate as it is a federal issue controlled and monitored by the EPA. Despite not monitoring it locally, Nash said glyphosate is a chemical he personally worries about, and doesn't use. “A professional applicator has to be trained.

But when people just buy it and apply it themselves, they may not follow the directions,” he noted.

Nash said he is most concerned about buffers, or a lack of buffers, between lawns and water. “When lawns go to the water's edge, anything on the water flows right off of it. It's not much more impervious than concrete. Anything you put on it can flow right off. Often, you're encouraged to have a buffer of bushes, native plants with deep roots, things that can get absorbed in that area,” he said. “When glyphosate gets into the water, it says on the label it can hurt fish and invertebrates which fish feed on.”

In particular, scientists have noted that when glyphosate is combined with other chemicals, it becomes even more toxic, as the other chemicals become similar to a conductor for the glyphosate. A French study, reported in Scientific American, stated that umbilical cords were especially sensitive, and stress them “to suicide.”

The study also looked at a pond filled with frog and toad tadpoles. The scientists added the manufacturer's recommended dose of Roundup; returning two weeks later, they found 50 to 100 percent of the population of several species of tadpoles had been killed.

“The thing that concerns me the most is the prevalence of its use and health concerns. The rate of exposure to glyphosate, and how much humans are exposed to it is one thing, for human health.

But we also need to look at what it's doing to the ecostructure,” said Wayne State University Law School professor Nick Schroek, director of the Transnational Environmental Law Center. “Whether it's just toxic or a carcinogen, it all comes down to exposure. We're exposed through so many sources, from big farms to local stores. If we're exposed with our food and in our yards, eventually that level of exposure can lead to big problems.”

Schroek said the chemicals that are

emerging to be of most concern are the ones in the aquatic environment. “What happens is you have runoff from treated yards and fields from rain events into rivers, lakes and streams, and that mixes with other chemicals. It's one thing when it's just one chemical. It's another when it's a mixtures of chemicals. We need to look at what it's doing to birds, mammals, aquatic life, reptiles with such a wide use of adoption.”

“I hate the chemical. It's a pet peeve of mine,” said Linda Schweitzer, associate professor in environmental chemistry and toxicology at Oakland University. “While we're not sure what it's doing with the ecosystem, the human health implications are profound. There's evidence that does suggest that it has toxicity to human cells, and cancer may be one disease that has involvement.”

Schweitzer takes that statement even further, stating, “There seems to be a link between glyphosate and cancer. If you see increases between the two, and the scientific literature sees these links, then you can call it a carcinogen. Which is exactly why the World Health Organization is calling it a carcinogen. I say if there's a body of evidence, it says a lot.”

When asked why the EPA has been reluctant to make that connection, she explained, “The EPA says there has be a strong amount of evidence, and different kinds of evidence. There has to be animal studies, and different kinds of epidemiology, as well as evidence on the molecular level.

For the EPA, it's not just circumstantial evidence. It has to be rigorous, scientific studies that shows the evidence stands up.

“However, the body of evidence is stacking up very quickly,” she emphasized.

“Their old data is becoming outdated very quickly.”

A scientific study done in 2014 by scientists in Washington state, Oklahoma and Germany, by Swanson, Leu, Abrahamson, and Wallet, concluded, “Evidence is mounting that glyphosate interferes with many metabolic processes in plants and animals and glyphosate residues have been detected in both. Glyphosate disrupts the endocrine system and the balance of gut bacteria, it damages DNA and is a driver of mutations that lead to cancer.”

“Cancer rates in children are much higher than they were pre-World War II, when lots of chemicals started entering the environment. It's not just better diagnoses, it's exposure,” affirmed Donna Kashian, associate professor for environmental

MANY LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS USE ROUNDUP, OR GENERIC FORMS OF GLYPHOSATE

toxicology at Wayne State University. “We need to be more cognizant of the chemicals we expose ourselves to and the food we eat.

We keep saying chemicals are OK, until it gets to a level that we have to stop. The data we have now may not give us all the risks.”

Kashian, unlike some of her fellow scientists, doesn't totally invalidate the use glyphosate.

“Large agriculture is one thing,” she said, noting it's different to her from home use, because in large scale agricultural use, glyphosate can protect the food supply.

“You have to take a risk assessment. It's different than lawns. At what level is it dangerous, but does the human population need the food? We keep taking more and more land out of agricultural use. So we have to magnify the efficiency of our cropland. Pesticides are one tool that help us do that. It's worth the risk because we have to accept some level of risk.”

But she draws her line in the sand there.

“Municipalities, schools, homes, gardens – they're a different story,” Kashian said. “I just say, c'mon. Around your children? I live around wells. The possibility of it getting into our water supply is very high, and it's not worth it.

“The general population should minimize chemical use completely,” she said.

“Americans have to have perfect lawns and no dandelions. It irks me. I can't justify it.

There are many different ways to manage weeds. We can accept weeds, or plant natural grasses, or rock gardens. Common sense should tell us this.”

Kashian believes that “the scientific community probably knew it wasn't a good thing. I suspect it is an endocrine disrupter and a carcinogen. But it's not a new DDT because it doesn't last the same way in the environment. DDT's half life in the environment was so long and it could biomagnify.”

“It's a little bit of apples and oranges,” said Schweitzer regarding comparisons to DDT, while noting there are similarities to the release of a potentially toxic chemical into the environment, and then seeing harmful effects decades later.

Like glyphosate, DDT was a colorless, odorless crystal known for its insecticide properties. In an introduction to Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, which exposed the environmental impact on entire species of indiscriminate spraying of DDT in the U.S., “DDT enabled the conquest of insect pests in agriculture and of ancient insect-borne disease just as surely as the atomic bomb destroyed military enemies and

dramatically altered the balance between humans and nature.” The book exposed how DDT use was poisoning both wildlife and the environment, and endangering human health.

That is the same allegation that opponents of glyphosate are making today.

Schroeck said the difference is that “DDT was harmful because birds and animals couldn't even form eggs. We're not seeing that kind of complete species collapse, so I wouldn't go that far at this point. What I am concerned about is bioaccumulation, where a small organism ingests the toxin (of glyphosate), and then that organism gets eaten by a bird or another organism up the food chain, or gets eaten by something else.

We're seeing mercury, lead, and various toxins showing up. That's what you have to be worried about.

“I'm more concerned about the end product being about human health,” Schroeck continued. “After a rain event, glyphosate is washed into our water supply.

Then there are a lot of potential ways for these chemicals to get into our bodies.

We're drinking the water. We're eating the fish. We're eating fruits and vegetables that have been treated agriculturally. The reality is, regulation over these herbicides and pesticides is not stringent enough. We could require more environmental assessment over these products before they're ever released on the market.”

Schweitzer agrees. “It wasn't tested for how it reacts on humans or the environment,” she said. “Human health implications are profound, and so are they for soil microbes. Glyphosate inhibits herbs.

It wasn't supposed to be designed for humans, but what they failed to realize is that although it may not have toxicity, there are microbes in our guts. Our digestive system requires microbes, and so it is only recently that scientists have begun studying glyphosate on these microbes. I believe it's the change of these microorganisms in our guts, that could be one reason why we're all fat. But until someone proves it, it's just a theory. It could be public enemy number one.”

Environmentally, Schweitzer said glyphosate kills soil microbes, “and the soil is a living organism. It's not just a dead place to douse insecticides. Healthy soil is supposed to be a healthy place with lots of stuff growing in it, little organisms, fungi, bacteria, bugs. Well, glyphosate is killing all the healthy stuff in the soil.”

Many local municipalities and local school districts use Roundup, or generic forms of glyphosate, in weed control. Others

COMMUNITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE QUESTIONING EXPOSING RESIDENTS TO GLYPHOSATE'S TOXICITY

outsource the contractual work, stating they are unaware of what is used in their own community.

Bloomfield Township Department of Public Works director Tom Trice said the township uses Roundup or another type of “total kill” herbicide around fences and landscaping areas to keep weeds under control. In Birmingham, Lauren Wood, director of public services, said the city uses a product with glyphosate in it for spot treatment of weeds in gravel areas and sidewalks, as needed, but it isn't used near water areas. However, Jamie Spivy, foreman for Bloomfield Hills Department of Public Works, said they use calcium chloride in most places. In Beverly Hills, a spokesperson said they don't use Roundup or any product with glyphosate “because they don't want that pesticide in their parks.”

Bingham Farms doesn't spray for weed control.

“The city uses it for weeds with bare grounds, warning tracks, and areas as needed,” said Bill Wright, with Farmington Hills parks and recreation department.

Brian Pickworth, with Farmington Hills' Department of Public Works, said they use Roundup Pro and other herbicides, which do not contain glyphosate, when Roundup alone doesn't work.

“We've been using a combination of the two for about four or five years,” he said.

“Roundup is used around fences, guardrails, and some other areas.” He said the other combination works well for poison ivy, a problem the city has had in the past. When either pesticide is used, the city posts it, which he said is required by applicators under state law.

Commerce Township also uses Roundup for weed control in its parks and other areas, township supervisor Tom Zoner said.

In Waterford, Dave Papke, superintendent for facilities and operations said glyphosate is only used in the the parking lot areas of the township campus for weeds in the cracks. “The township uses TruGreen for the other areas, and TruGreen doesn't use glyphosate.”

Michael Hartner, director of the Rochester Hills Forestry Department, said the city uses an outside contractor that uses glyphosate for controlling phragmites, a large perennial grass found in wetlands that is dense, tall and very invasive. However, the Rochester Department of Public Works said they only use a root-based herbicide, rather than glyphosate, “which will kill anything with chlorophyll.”

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• All Sports main lakefront • 1703 square ft of living space • 100 feet of sandy frontage • 2 car detached garage • Beautiful hardwood floors • Original stone fireplace • Year round lakeside sun room • Second story ready to finish • Whole house generator included

• • • • • • • • •

$169,900

Main lakefront home Granite kitchen w/breakfast bar Quiet cul-de-sac location 241 Acre all sports lake 80 plus feet of lake frontage 2 bedroom 2 bath home Partially finished basement Over-sized garage is 25 x 22 Lakeside sun room leads to deck

• • • • • • • • •

Located in The Harbours Popular Lakeside condo complex 3 Bedroom and 2.1 baths Deeded boat dock included 2 car attached garage New hardwood floors on main flr Private Deck overlooks treed area Quiet cul-de-sac location Sought after end unit.

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Huntington Woods, and Highland Township, reported that they contract out their services and aren't aware of what is used. If it is utilized in Huntington Woods, officials said the only areas that would be sprayed would be along the I-696 service drive.

Many other Oakland County communities did not respond to repeated calls, including West Bloomfield, Wolverine Lake Village, Walled Lake, Auburn Hills, and Royal Oak. Just as worrisome, or even more, are the schools which use a form of glyphosate for weed control, which can come into some contact with children.

Both Bloomfield Hills Schools and Birmingham Public Schools use Roundup. Marcia Wilkinson, Birmingham Schools spokesperson, said, “We use Roundup minimally on sidewalk cracks and fence lines. It is not used near playgrounds, etc. It is applied by personnel who have been trained in how to properly handle and dispense the product.”

In West Bloomfield, they also utilize glyphosate. West Bloomfield Schools spokesperson Pamela Zajac said, “The West Bloomfield School District has used products that include the chemical glyphosate in a limited capacity in order to treat weeds on concrete and asphalt areas which are also known as 'right-of-way' areas. This chemical is not applied on grass or playground areas and the district only applies treatments during summer months while school is not in session. In the limited capacity that the school district has used products that include glyphosate, the district always used pre-mixed and ready-to-use products as opposed to concentrate that requires mixing on premises. The district applies the product according to label instructions.”

Judy Evola, spokesperson for Walled Lake Consolidated Schools said they also use glyphosate, “but only in various cracks of the sidewalk and in pavement around school property where weeds may grow. We use it strictly in the summer and on weekends when there are not children in the area, and we follow all application guidelines. We use 'ready to use' containers and there is no mixing it with any other products.”

Novi Community Schools also uses glyphosate, according to maintenance director Mike Dragoo. “We use the generic chemical glyphosate. We use it all over, although not on general grounds, like we don't use it on playgrounds. But we do on beds and mulch beds. By keeping up our mulch, we don't need as much, and if we have tall weeds, we hand pull,” he said. “My guys all have their pest licenses, and go to continuing education. We even mix a little bit less than protocol, because the stuff costs us so much money. We also use a pre-emergent in the spring and summer.”

Cranbrook Schools uses it for spot treatment on all of their grounds, according to Stephen Pagnani, head of marketing for Cranbrook Education Community. “We use it in limited treatment for spot treatment, such as in sidewalk cracks where something has sprouted, like in the spring after heavy rains. We don't use it at all for heavy treatment, and we don't spray the whole playing fields.”

Many schools have determined they don't want to expose their students to toxic chemicals. Lori Grein, director of communications for Rochester Community Schools, said they do not use glyphosate. Similarly Troy School District, Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, The Roeper Schools in Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham, and Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Township, don’t utilize glyphosate.

Mercy assistant principal Larry Baker said, “No, our personnel doesn't utilize any chemicals on our grounds.”

Detroit Country Day Schools refused to supply any information.

Cities around the country are questioning the wisdom of exposing their residents to glyphosate's toxicity, as well. Chicago, Boulder, Colorado and Richmond, California are all municipalities which have banned the use of the pesticide in the last 18 months. In the summer of 2015, groups actively protested the heavy use of Roundup in New York City's parks, including a Change.org petition urging residents to fight its use. Around the world, between 2013 and 2015, Argentina, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Bermuda, Columbia, El Salvador, and France have all banned the use of glyphosate.

“When a chemical has the ability to change the gender of frogs and completely warp the mating habits of amphibians, shouldn't that chemical be considered a threat to life on the planet and be forbidden from use?” asked Natural News in July 2015, regarding the EOA assessing dangers of glyphosate. “Does anyone care about endocrine system health?” westendmonthly.com

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2Booli • Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar & Grille • Benstein Grille • Bonefish Grill • C.A.Y.A. Smoke House Grill • CJ’s Brewing Co. • Cold Stone Creamery Dickey’s Barbecue Pit • Edgewood Country Club • Edible Arrangements • Fiesta Fajitas • Great Harvest Bread Co. • Gypsy Vodka • Happy’s Pizza • Jet’s Pizza The English Tea Garden • Tim Hortons • Uptown Grille • Willson’s Pub ‘n Grill • Wixom Station All Tire & Service Center American Plastic Toys, Inc. Annie’s Party Shop Bay Pointe Tanning Beckie’s Bouncers Belle Tire Biggby Coffee Body Language Box of Detroit Brentwood or Beacon Hill Golf Course Buttercream Bakeshop Camp Bow Wow The Cheesecake Factory Clifford Smart Middle School PTA Commerce Elementary PTA Commerce Village Vet Dairy Twist Café Davis Iron Works, Inc. Detroit Pistons Detroit Red Wings Detroit Tigers Detroit Zoological Society

Darrel Dickerson DQ Dublin Elementary PTA Einstein Bros Bagel Emagine Theatres Fathead Fitness 19 Beverly Fitzpatrick Jodi Gallo G.E.B. Collision Inc. James Geisler Middle School PTSA Glengary Elementary PTA The Glengary Inn Granby Mold, Inc. Graphik Concepts, Inc. Great Lakes Ace Hardware Mary Helen Guest Elementary PTA Gypsy Vodka Hands on Stress Management The Henry Ford Hickory Woods Elementary PTA Highland House

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Home Depot – Commerce Husky Envelope Insite Commercial Jackson Associates, Inc. Jasmine Nails & Day Spa Patricia Jeffrey Jennifer’s Café Jonstar Keith Elementary PTA Klint Kesto - Representative District 39 Paul & Deb Kirkwood Lakeside Towing Lakeview Market Library Pub Rebecca List & Lloyd Lacey Little Caesar’s Pizza Loon Lake Elementary PTA Mainstreet Marketplace Meadowbrook Elementary PTA Michigan Science Center Modern Carpet One Floor & Home The Nail Boutique

New Bright Industries Oakland County Parks Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Oakley Park Elementary PTA Office Furniture Solutions Pampered Chef – Kathy Ferguson Park West Gallery PartyLite Inc. - Angie Klebba-Pesta Paul’s Automotive Penguin Toilets Marty Perpich Potbelly Sandwich Works Chris & Kathryn Potchynok Sandy Richards-George Sarah Banks Middle School PTSA Shark Club Skull Island Camp Specs eyewear studio Splash Universe Water Park Resort Squeals Landscaping Inc. Super Car Wash Chad Szakacs

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Jack Kennedy p-and-coming rapper Jack Kennedy has never shied away from the center stage and to prove it, the academic superstar and college football quarterback recently took the big stage opening for Lil Wayne.

“I feel like I finally have something to show for everything I’ve done up to this point,” said Kennedy, a Walled Lake native. The producer and lyrist chose his original song “It’s Time” to perform for Lil Wayne's "Big Show at the Joe.” “I was on stage for about five minutes,” he said. “Friends who were with me from day one, when no one else was there, came out. It was fun and that was the main thing. I was just excited.”

The former Wolverine walk-on quarterback for Michigan said that his experience on the field at Michigan Stadium prepared him to perform at Joe Louis Arena. “After football, it’s not that overwhelming,” he said.

Nothing is bigger than The Big House. (Performing) was a lot of fun. It was a very friendly crowd.”

Kennedy’s dad and his good friends were invited back stage.

“Denard (Robinson) was there,” Kennedy said. “(Michigan’s) Coach Harbaugh had a custom Michigan jersey made for Lil Wayne. It was cool because Lil Wayne was a big fan of Denard’s, too. On his way out, (Lil Wayne) stopped and talked to us.”

Kennedy‘s musical interests began early. He played the drums in a band growing up. “It was an '80s hair metal band,” he said. “I had a few guitar lessons and I took piano lessons, but I didn’t have any formal education as a musician.”

U

By high school, Kennedy had become more interested in rap music.

“Kanye is a big influence and Drake,” he said.

Kennedy was proficient in high school math and science. He was accepted into the University of Michigan where he majored in physics and mathematics.

With a bright academic outlook and a rising football career, Kennedy could have focused on professions that would ensure a comfortable career, but his passion has always been his music.

Kennedy recently played at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor and the Vans Warp Tour at the Palace of Auburn Hills. “It’s always a rush. It gets your adrenaline going.”

Kennedy writes his own original music and much of his lyrics are based on real life experiences. “It’s always about something I’ve seen or done or been through.”

A true Detroiter, Kennedy grew up listening to Motown and the sound influences the direction of his music. “It’s like Drake meets Kanye meets Motown,” he said. “I like all (Motown), but I really like The Temptations.”

Kennedy maintains a residence in Ann Arbor and he is a full-time musician who also mixes for other musicians. Although rapping is competitive career choice, Kennedy is fully committed.

“You don’t go to a job with the guarantee of making money. You make something and hope people like it,” he said. “But, this is what I want to do. I just wanted to be a rapper. The odds don’t matter.”

Story: Katey Meisner

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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30

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11.15

INSIDE THE DIA SHINING A LIGHT ON REGIONAL NON-PROFIT

BY LISA BRODY n Tuesday, August 7, 2012, 64 percent of Oakland County voters approved a property tax millage, along with residents in Macomb and Wayne counties, to help funnel approximately $23 million a year for 10 years, to help the operations of the Detroit Institute of Arts. The .2 mill property tax adds about $20 a year to the tax bill of a homeowner whose home has a market value of $200,000 and a taxable value of $100,000. Today, the tri-county millage accounts for approximately 70 percent of the operating budget of the DIA, which is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Oakland County residents alone provide the DIA with $11 million annually.

O

Therein lies a problem, according to some Oakland and Macomb county commissioners and state lawmakers. As a non-profit, the DIA is technically exempt from the state's Open Meeting Act and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) laws, also known as “sunshine” laws, which are applicable to public, governmental bodies, because they provide light on what goes on behind the scenes. The issue of transparency, of providing information on what occurs at DIA board meetings and at county arts authority meetings, has become an issue between county commissioners, representing taxpayers, and museum officials, who have typically been accustomed to operating in the more cloistered world of the arts.

According to all of those involved, great efforts are being made towards greater transparency, with leadership of the DIA meeting and working with Oakland and Macomb county commissioners to accomplish that goal.

“We welcome that topic at the museum,” said Eugene Gargaro, chairman of the board of the DIA. “There is a subcommittee of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners that will be talking to us about the popular topic of transparency. The meetings with the arts authorities and the commissions are open meetings, those are Open Meeting Act venues. Members of the public do come (to those meetings), ask questions, and we do want them involved, as they should. It's their money. They should know where their money is going. The DIA is a private institute receiving public funding.”

However, Gargaro is adamant that the institute's board meetings themselves remain private.

“Like many other private institutions, they are not legally subject to Open Meetings Act,” he said. “We have told citizens of all three counties, all of our financials are online, all of our financial statements are online and available, and I am open for discussion.”

T

he museum has posted its 990 forms from 2011, 2012, and 2013, which reveals its annual revenue and expenses, online along with its mission statement. A 990 form is an annual reporting return that certain federally tax-exempt organizations must file with the Internal Revenue Service. It provides information on the organization's mission, programming, and finances.

“My concern is that 60 to 70 percent of the DIA funding for the DIA budget comes

from the taxpayers in the tri-county area, so I feel we need much greater openness on how they are spending your money and mine,” said Oakland County commissioner Shelley Taub (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township), who is vicechair of the general government subcommittee of the board of commissioners. Taub initially stated she was preparing a resolution to go before the full board of commissioners requesting greater transparency be sent to the state legislature.

Fellow commissioner Marcia Gershenson (DWest Bloomfield, Farmington Hills) recommended the county art authorities meet with them to see if an agreement on transparency could be worked out.

“The suggestion came up to form a study subcommittee to look at the whole transparency issue,” Gershenson said. “Gene Gargaro from the museum and Tom Guastello (chairman of the Oakland County Arts Authority) showed up, and they were very interested in our point of view.”

Gargaro concurred. “Rather than go to the extreme (of mandating open meetings), we are trying to communicate at the local level with county commissioners, rather than with Lansing. We think it's preferable to stay on the local level, and that's what we are engaged in.”

The issue of transparency initially came about in October 2014, when the museum approved substantial retroactive bonuses and double-digit raises to former director Graham Beal and COO Annemarie Erickson.

A bipartisan group of Oakland County commissioners demanded that the bonuses, worth $50,000 each, be returned. They were not.

Displeasure at a lack of transparency on the part of the board of directors of the DIA continued through the summer of 2015, after Beal had retired, and the tri-county arts authorities were informed of a proposed retroactive $30,000 performance bonus for Beal for fiscal year 2013; a $65,000 bonus for Erickson for fiscal years 2013 and 2014; a $40,000 performance bonus for the chief financial officer Robert Bowen for fiscal years 2013 and 2014; and forgiveness of a $155,832 home loan and a retirement severance of $285,000 for Beal. The bonus disclosures and Beal's severance and mortgage forgiveness prompted a public uproar and caused the Macomb County Board of Commissioners to issue an official resolution opposing the bonuses; urging the DIA and the Macomb County Art Authority to implement accountability procedures for greater transparency, noting, “the bylaws,

detailed budget, and schedule of meetings of the DIA Board of Directors are not easily accessible to the public or media even though the DIA is primarily a publicly funded entity.”

The resolution urged that compensation decisions for senior executives should be reviewed and approved with representatives of the three counties' art authorities before being implemented “regardless of the funding source.” It also emphasized that the practice of back pay for prior years should be eliminated.

Taub, working with Macomb County, was preparing a similar resolution for the Oakland County Board of Commissioners when Gargaro and Guastello requested to meet and see if they could work together to solve the issue voluntarily.

“I'm going to meet with them to see if we can solve this,” she said. “In my personal opinion, if you take 70 percent of your budget from my taxpayers, you need to have fiscal accountability. I think that's fair.”

S

he said she and other Oakland County commissioners are seeking to have DIA board meetings posted and open to anyone; have their minutes posted online; their budget posted online; “and we would like to have their salaries published for every employee, but not necessarily by name. And I'd like to have FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) available.

Everyday people and the press should have access to what's happening at their museum.”

To help facilitate that happening, in August 2015, state Reps. Jim Runestad (RWhite Lake, Waterford) and Ken Goike (RRay Township) drafted legislation that would subject the DIA to the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act in an effort to impose greater transparency. The bills, house bills 4889 and 4890, are currently in committee.

“We did this because it was a surprise to find that there were these huge bonuses, and more recently, the exorbitant severance package to the outgoing director,” Runestad said. “And I can't get any information on his payout on his loan. Was it private or public funds being used to pay off his mortgage?

Are the public funds going to pay for these high salaries, or for operations and procurement of art? Under FOIA, all of the documents of how the decisions are made would be public and transparent. The same with Open Meetings Act. With public funds,

you can't have meetings where the public is excluded.”

“The taxpayers were asked to help this organization because it was struggling to stay open, but now it seems we were really asked to subsidize large raises for its top officials,” Goike said in a statement upon sponsoring the legislation. “The DIA needs to be more transparent for the sake of metro Detroit residents, so they can have a better understanding of what this organization is spending their tax dollars on. We’re paying a hefty price to keep the DIA afloat, and it has a responsibility to show that money is being put to good use, not simply to line the pockets of its high-ranking officials.”

All of this came on the heels of the reality that throughout much of 2013 and 2014, there were genuine fears that the DIA itself might not survive, as Detroit teetered in bankruptcy, and some creditors sought the museum's valued collection as collateral, or for the art work to be sold to pay off creditors. A solution was found, which came to be known as the Grand Bargain. The Grand Bargain raised about $800 million from foundations, private donors, and the state of Michigan to help save public workers' pensions, and in the process, placed the art institute building and all of its art work into a private charitable trust. For the first time in its history, the DIA is an independent entity, but it had to raise $150 million from donors in order to achieve that autonomy.

“The $150 million we raised for the the Grand Bargain – none of that went to the DIA. It all went to the pensioners,” Gargaro said. “But it gave us independence. The DIA received title to the artwork and the building. We told the three counties, we're going to increase our endowment, so we can be independent and hopefully, we don't have to come back to the citizens. Our endowment is insignificant compared to cities like Cleveland, Indianapolis and Toledo. We know we can't rely upon our citizens. But now, with the Grand Bargain, when people make a donation to the DIA, it goes to the DIA, and not the city.”

T

he DIA, established in 1885, has spent the life of its existence fighting to stay solvent while simultaneously acquiring and maintaining a world-renown collection. Among its first sponsors were local newspaper magnate James E. Scripps and his brother George H. Scripps, William H. Brearly, Dexter Ferry, Hiram Walker,

Christian Buhl, General Russell Alger, James and Hugh MacMillan, John Newberry, George Lothrop, Thomas Palmer, George Remick, James F. Joy, David Whitney, and Cyrenius A. Newcomb. They, along with other prominent Detroiters of their era, all were encouraged to donate significant works of art. Brearly then persuaded 40 of them to donate $1,000 each help fund the building of a permanent museum, located on Jefferson Avenue. Scripps donated $50,000, and with the other $40,000, the Detroit Museum of Arts was established in 1888, filled first with 70 pieces of art Scripps had purchased on trips to Europe, and subsequently, with hundreds of other bequests.

The trustees of the museum changed the name to the Detroit Institute of Arts in 1919, and fundraising began to design and build the Beaux Arts building on Woodward and Farnsworth. The present building was opened October 7, 1927.

The trustees made another momentous, and long lasting, decision in 1919. At that time, they transferred ownership of the museum to the city of Detroit in order to begin receiving city operating funds. The Founder's Society was created as a private support group designed to provide additional funds for acquisitions and other museum needs. But the decision to transfer the ownership of the DIA to the city, an unusual move for a museum, would come back to bite it, and confound its ability to support itself. In the 1970s and 1980s, Detroit's fortunes, on the heels of race riots and the once-dominant auto industry, began to spiral downward. Public support for the DIA fell as well. Staffing levels were cut and galleries were closed. It got so bad that in June 1975, the city had to close the museum completely for three weeks.

The state of Michigan provided funding in order for the museum to reopen, and by 1990, 70 percent of its funding was coming from the state. Yet, another major recession hit the state, forcing more staffing cuts and ability for the museum to be open to public.

The state of Michigan, itself having difficulties with money, had issues supporting the museum. The Founder's Society took over management responsibilities in 1998, but the city continued to own the museum and its collection until late 2014.

“It's a new experience for the DIA. But even in the best of families, there are disagreements,” noted Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner, who has attended every Oakland County Art Authority meeting. “They perceive a great value from

Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties, and they believe they are sacrificing some of the internal processes to be more transparent. I hope it's seen as a value by both sides. We just want to make sure we're on the same side. We want to make sure we resolve the differences on the side of partnership.”

B

arbara Dobb, a Commerce Township CPA and former state lawmaker who sits on the Oakland County Art Authority Board, said, “I don't believe there's any deliberate attempt to not be transparent.

They're not required to be. They're a private, non-profit, so they don't have to be transparent. This is the first time they've accepted public taxpayer money, so it's been a learning experience, a learning process for everyone. You throw the city bankruptcy debacle into it, and everyone has been working very hard, with the great intent to make sure the taxpayers' money is being spent on the programs promised and on the service agreements promised.”

As a member of the Oakland County Art Authority Board, Bloomfield Hills attorney Alan Ackerman said the museum, “gave us their book and said the authority can look at anything. I knew what they were doing with the salaries. But there should be a little more transparency. We're really working with the county commission. We're going to get it worked out with open meetings and Freedom of Information, so people can see salaries and go to meetings.

“The DIA must be responsive to the needs of the county,” he continued. “But it's important to maintain the DIA.” “I think FOIA and Open Meetings Act are a slippery slope,” countered Dobb. “I think the DIA dealt with that by setting up a restricted fund specifically for contributions for incentive or performance bonuses for executives or management only, but those are private funds only.” She said those would be available for view by the public in the DIA's 990 form.

“Personally, I think you should be able to FOIA forms and information from the DIA, because the 990s are public,” she said. “But, at the same time, taxpayers' monies go to a lot of private corporations via state grants, and they're not subject to the Open Meetings Act. The state gives out tons of grants to private institutions, and none of them are subject to the Open Meetings Act. I don't know how you would single out one nonprofit, one institution.”

“I think since there are taxpayer dollars

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being used, they should be subjected to transparency and accountability, especially since it was so controversial it was put on the ballot, and it was asking taxpayers to subsidize their operating budget,” opined state Rep. Klint Kesto (R-Commerce Township, Walled Lake, Wolverine Lake, West Bloomfield). “I know the DIA says the officials should have an increase in their salaries. I don't know if they should or shouldn't. If that's the market for those executives, then that's the market. It's just that it shouldn't be kept secret.”

“I understand where those concerns are coming from, now that public dollars are attached,” said state Rep. Michael Webber (R-Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township). “It's something that needs to be looked at and discussed. The DIA is a good part of our community, our region, but there have been concerns about staff salaries.

Some people in our area have been skeptical about the millage in the first place, and that was realized with the salaries. So there is a push for more transparency.”

“I think voters are looking for more transparency in government and authorities.

What's happening with taxpayer money is important for them to know. No one should be afraid to disclose that,” said state Sen. Marty Knollenberg (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester, Rochester Hills).

“If 70 percent of their operating income comes from public funding, there may be a need to see if they fall within the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act,” concurred Rep. Mike McCready (RBirmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield).

Kirk Profit of Governmental Consultant Services, lobbyist for the art institute, disagrees with the lawmakers.

“We are talking about this because they are transparent,” he countered. “It's important for all of us DIA enthusiasts that we don't be viewed as trying to resist or anything other than trying to embrace transparency. They have done so much to invite or embrace it.”

P

rofit acknowledged that the subject of executive compensation was handled badly “and left a bad taste in mouths, I think that's true, especially coming up during the millage and bankruptcy. But I think that's different than transparency.

There is a substantive issue about what we pay, and whether we tell people about it. We are happy to tell people about it. I think the

DIA is being transparent. If they were anything but, this wouldn't be an issue until they filed their 990.”

W

hile the millage accounts for 70 percent of the DIA's operating budget, part of the goal in putting it in place was to allow the museum to significantly grow its endowment during the 10 years the millage is in place, so that it will hopefully not need to come back to the counties for future millages. In addition, in light of the salary conundrum, private funding sources are being sought to offset what the operating budget can afford to provide to executives, in order to maintain a world-class art institution.

“At the core of the millage is building for the future, and building an endowment. No one knows if there will be a second millage,” said Lynne Friman, director of strategy for the arts non-profit CultureSource, and a consultant for the DIA. “They have to make the most of this opportunity for the public.”

She noted former director Beal's focus was reaching out to the public, making the museum more accessible. “He wanted the museum to talk about art and its meaning to more than just the one percent who understand art, to give people in the community an understanding of what something means, and why they should care about it.”

She said the millage provides for free admission for residents. “It provides accessibility for everyone. The barrier is not that you have to pay money for a ticket to see art. You can just come.”

However, she did state that the staff of the DIA is undervalued compared to similar museums nationwide.

Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner said that has been where county representatives and the DIA have had some differences of opinions.

“The county arts authorities were of a view that, as a representative of many millions of dollars, they wanted to have a say in how the institution is managed, and where the money is going,” he said. “The DIA and their executive board had a different point of view, that they know their business, and they're an internationally recognized organization, they felt they were experts in how to run an art museum. Those perspectives are different.

Oakland County Arts Authority chair Tom Guastello has put his foot down, especially on certain issues like executive compensation

and transparency. The DIA took the position that there are standards out there, and to attract quality people, this is what we've got to pay. There's now a greater middle ground.

The expectations have been reconciled between Gargaro and Guastello. Both are statesmen.”

The arts authority approved a salary of $375,000 for new director Salvador SalortPons.

Gargaro said he has invited members of the three county commissions and their arts authorities to attend the five annual DIA board meetings. “They are the representatives of the public,” he said.

“As part of the millage, each county said, 'I want to be at the table.' We invited them to be part of our process,” he continued, with each county appointing two representatives as board members to the 45-member board.

“They're terrific additions, and they report back to their county leadership.”

He said several were also invited to be part of the 15-member executive committee. “So the information the public is seeking is quite available,” Gargaro said. “We're very fortunate to have these people representing on our board, because they're very knowledgeable and passionate.”

“I am of the opinion, though, that because of the public funding, there is a greater need for transparency. A public entity has an absolute necessity to report out to their public, and although the DIA is not a fully public entity, the receipt of our funding makes it necessary to report their use of public dollars,” Meisner said. “It's important not to offend the public. We have skin in the game and we have the right to have a say.”

Lobbyist Profit counters that there is a “delicate space where there is government in a private space, between the donor and the private entity, because some donors want privacy. It's a legitimate expectation of privacy between a private donor and a private entity, and it would be a great shift in American law to permit the government in (with FOIA and Open Meetings Act). It's been a historical protection between private and public bodies.

Once you require a non-profit, part of the private sector, to be subject to FOIA , that's a real departure of FOIA, and all sunshine laws.”

Profit said he is meeting with Reps. Goike and Runestad in an effort to find a solution that will appease both the public and the DIA. “I'm seeing if this is something that can be worked out with the counties,” Profit said.

“Every issue that comes up in a local community doesn't need a legislative solution. This is one of them. We're working this out as we speak with the counties.”

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Sheila Kasselman ounder of the Sky Foundation, Sheila Sky Kasselman is employing her remarkable endurance and vivacity to attract awareness to pancreatic cancer, a condition that nearly claimed her life.

“I want everyone to think purple for the month of November,” she said.

To that end, the Sky Foundation has partnered with General Motors to light the Renaissance Center up purple from November 7-14 to bring awareness to the often fatal disease.

“Pancreatic cancer is a small, deadly cancer. But, I want to be verbal about the fact that there is hope. I feel like we are getting closer (to early detection testing).”

Kasselman’s foundation will hold a fundraiser at the MGM Grand Hotel in Detroit on November 8 from noon - 3 p.m. Tickets are available at skyfoundationinc.org. “We’re hoping for 400 people,” Kasselman said.

There will be complimentary valet parking at the hotel, live entertainment and a silent and live auction.

A year before her own diagnosis, the feisty 75-year-old knew something was amiss. “I experienced unexplained weight loss, exhaustion, anxiety, sludge in the gall bladder,” she said. “I became a diabetic and then it went away. It’s a bizarre set of symptoms.”

Surprised to learn there is no test for early detection for this aggressive cancer, Kasselman said it is seldom discovered early, making it a leading cause of cancer death. Just six percent of diagnosed patients live five years after discovery, she said.

“In my case, I responded positively to chemotherapy, radiation and Whipple surgery,” she said. “I think that I was very lucky to have a slow

F

growing tumor. The disease was confined to my pancreas and it didn’t spread. It only had to take one little cell to escape.”

While still in the recovery stages, Kasselman’s Henry Ford Hospital physician prompted her to start a foundation. To the surprise of no one, the woman who is slight in stature but mighty in spirit dedicated her life to giving others a better chance of beating the cancer.

“I started Sky Foundation in June of 2008,” she said. “I called friends.

I called professional women and men. We met in a friend’s living room and that was the beginning of Sky Foundation.”

Statistics are disheartening. As a survivor, Kasselman feels compelled to speak on behalf of those before her who did not survive.

“Now that we’ve been around for so long, people make donations in memory (of loved ones),” she said. “We are working on a reliable, early detection test.” Funds are donated largely to different Michigan research teams that have a project that interests the foundation.

“We have given away over a million dollars.”

The one-time business owner of a local financial investment firm works at least 40 hours a week with the foundation in their Bloomfield Hills offices. The mother of three and grandmother of four, a West Bloomfield resident, does Pilates in Birmingham and quite literally lets nothing get her down.

“I’m very spunky and I keep going. I’m driven, alert and alive. I just feel lucky.”

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MUNICIPAL ‘Hall of Shame’ leads to censure

By Kevin Elliott

A Wolverine Lake Village councilman is expected to be censured by fellow councilmen next month for comments and actions he made in September during a television news report about a public lake access point next to his home.

Wolverine Lake Village councilman Ed Sienkiewicz came under scrutiny following a Wednesday, September 16, "Hall of Shame" report produced by FOX 2 news reporter Rob Wolchek. In the report, Sienkiewicz is labeled as a "lake grouch" who uses his position on council to keep people from accessing the lake through a public road ending next to his property on Marchar Drive.

Fallout from the report led to more than a dozen letters being written to the council, both calling for action to be taken against Sienkiewicz, as well as some in support of him. However, claims made by Royal Oak attorney Steven Z. Cohen, who attended the council's meeting on Wednesday, October 13, indicate that the recent controversy wasn't the first time Sienkiewicz has been caught blocking access to the lake.

Cohen, who said he was representing "a great many of the village residents," indicated he was attending the meeting in hopes to "avoid litigation." According to a letter he sent to council members prior to the meeting, Cohen claims similar issues arose when Sienkiewicz was on council in 1986, as well as issues in 1995 and 1996.

"He's been here for a long time and has done a lot of good for the village," Cohen said of Sienkiewicz. "What he's not doing good for the village is engendering this kind of difficulty."

In the September news report, Wolchek sent two teenagers to the site with a kayak to test whether Sienkiewicz would instruct them to stay away. Finally, Wolchek went to the site himself with a fishing pole and was told by Sienkiewicz he wasn't allowed to fish at the site.

In the video, Sienkiewicz can be heard on the video telling the boys "that's not your property," and admonished the teens for damaging the cattails that are thriving at the site, claiming the vegetation was planted there. Sienkiewicz was also westendmonthly.com

Builders leery of home design standards n effort to increase the variety of homes built in by requiring developers to adhere to new design standards has received opposition from home builders working in Commerce Township.

The design standards would basically require builders to have variations in newly constructed homes so that the same model couldn't be built within three adjacent homes on a street. The requirement on Wednesday, September 16, was presented to the township planning commission for review. However, builders attending the meeting said the standards would be difficult to support.

Jim Galbraith, president of Lautrec, who is working on multiple developments in the township with M. Shapiro Development, said he would have a hard time getting behind the design standards as proposed. Galbraith was joined by Randy Wertheimer of Hunter Pasteur Homes, as well as a representative of Pinnacle Homes in voicing their concerns about the proposed standards.

The proposed standards were developed with the assistance of McKenna Associates planner Amy Neary at the request of the township board. Trustee Rob Long in June asked if such a standard could be developed in order to eliminate "cookie cutter" designs from proliferating in the township.

Neary said in June that some communities have developed similar standards, which require having a certain number of housing models or styles per development, but that "developers don't usually like that."

Galbraith said there are ways to address variety in a development, but he and other developers want to be able to provide input on how best to do that, and to be able to do it in a realistic way. In general, developers at the meeting indicated the standards would be impossible to enforce as written and financially onerous.

Planning Commission chairperson Larry Haber agreed that all stakeholders should have input on the standards, including developers in the township. The board tabled reviewing the standards to allow input from additional stakeholders.

A

heard on the video telling Wolchek that fishing wasn't allowed at the site, as well as saying the cattails were planted by "Mother Nature."

"Trust me, because I'm part of the village over here," Sienkiewicz says while the being recorded by a hidden camera.

Wolverine Lake Village attorney Jennifer Elowsky said during Wednesday's meeting that the road ending is intended for public ingress and egress to and from the lake, however, what other activities are allowed are a bit "murky."

"There is no policy that says what you can and can't do at the road end," she said. "It's not up for the public to determine what rights of use they have because one person may say they can fish, another say swim and you could go on forever deciding what rights you have."

She also said there's no clear definition as to what interference with ingress and egress is, but that she would be looking into the matter.

Elowsky said its possible for the

village to establish a road ending usage ordinance to help bring some clarity to the issue, which persists at multiple sites around the lake.

While the type of activities permitted at such public road endings in the village isn't clear, council members agreed that it was clear in the news report that Sienkiewicz was in the wrong by representing himself as a member of council to add weight to his argument.

"I agree. I can see where me saying that I'm a councilman or that I'm on the council, that was probably something that was inadvertently a mistake on my part," Sienkiewicz said following a motion by councilman John Scott requesting he apologize to the council and residents for his actions. "I do apologize to everybody here, but everything that I stated about that easement is exactly what the police chief told the reporter, so I'm not the only one that has misinformation about that."

Wolverine Police Chief John

WESTEND

Ellsworth told Westend on Thursday, September 17, the site is able to be used for public access to and from the lake, but not activities such as fishing, sunbathing, swimming or other similar activities. However, Scott said it's clear from previous discussions at that site that Sienkiewicz was aware that he couldn't keep people away from the site, but tried to do so anyway.

"What really upset me was to get a copy of the letter presented and see that you had knowledge of this being a road ending, yet you continued to present yourself – in your own interests and over and above the village's interest or the public's interest – to block access.”

Scott said it was appropriate for the council to censure Sienkiewicz in order to have a record of the incident, and why the conversation was occurring that day. Council approved a motion to direct the city attorney to write a resolution of censure to be presented at the next council meeting. Council agreed passed the motion, with Sienkiewicz voting no.

Council member Mike Stack said the incident caused him to lose confidence and trust in Sienkiewicz, leading him to request he resign from his position as president pro tem.

"Absolutely not," Sienkiewicz responded.

"Then I'd like to ask you to resign from council," Stack said.

"Absolutely not," he answered.

Council president John Magee said while he was "disappointed" in Sienkiewicz representing himself as a councilman while trying to keep people out of the property, the decision as to whether he should be removed should rest with the residents.

“As elected officials, we are answerable to the people, but the primary time we are answerable to the people is the election,” he said.

"That’s the purpose of that election. I take that seriously, and I don’t say that just for Ed, but for all the council members. When issues come up, the fact that you are an elected official means you’re answerable to the people.

“The people put you there; I hope that you take that in the spirit you should as an elected official, and in a lot of cases it’s up to the people to decide whether you should continue in that office.”

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Township hires full-time planner

By Kevin Elliott

A full-time planner will head up the Commerce Township planning department for the first time in more than a decade beginning this December when Hartland Planning Director David Campbell is expected to start as Commerce Township's new planning director.

The Commerce Township Board of Trustees, in an unexpected chain of events on Tuesday, October 13, broke months of inaction by agreeing to hire a full-time planner for the township and offered the position to Campbell. The board announced on Tuesday, October 27, that Campbell had accepted the job, and will start about Monday, November 30.

Board members in July interviewed seven people being considered for the full-time planning director position following the resignation of former planning consultant Kathleen Jackson in April.

Board members in September conducted a second round of interviews, narrowing the list of potential hires to three. However, the board also solicited bids from area planning firms in order to entertain bids for a part-time planning consultant.

On Tuesday, October 6, board members agreed to continue contracting planning services with McKenna Associates while they continued to mull which direction they would take in staffing the planning department.

The board on Tuesday, October 13, put an end to the waiting process with a series of three motions, including one to hire a full-time planner; a second motion to offer the position to Campbell; and a third motion including the details of the offer. All three motions passed by a vote of 6-1, with supervisor Tom Zoner voting against each.

For months Zoner had voiced his desire to the board to retain McKenna Associates as a part-time planner for the township, which has been providing services since Jackson's official departure in May. Following the motions, trustee Bob Berkheiser questioned Zoner as to whether he would offer his support to the new director, if he accepted the position.

"Since you voted 'no' on all these, are you going to provide support, or be against them all along," Berkheiser said.

Zoner said he would offer his full westendmonthly.com

support to staff when hired.

"I'm a little appalled by your question, but I don't care," Zoner said.

The board approved an offer in the amount of $70,000, plus benefits, to Campbell. Under the motion, Campbell would be required to pass a standard background check and accept the offer within two weeks, which he did. Board members also stipulated wages wouldn't be subject to review until January 1, 2017.

In addition to bringing on a fulltime planning director, the board indicated it would retain McKenna Associates to help with the transition and provide support at special meetings, such as the zoning board of appeals.

In coming to its decision, the board determined the total cost of a full-time planner would be about $112,000 annually, including salary and benefits. An estimate provided

by Zoner in September estimated part-time planning services to cost about $142,000 annually. However, the part-time estimate didn't include additional fees for special meetings.

McKenna later said that figure would be $128,739.

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DDA won't need advance of funds

By Kevin Elliott

The Commerce Township Downtown Development Authority (DDA) on Tuesday, September 22, approved a $5.6 million budget for the 2016 calendar year that doesn't include an advance of funds from the township.

The proposed budget was set to go before the Commerce Township Board of Trustees for final approval in October.

The budget includes about $3.3 million in revenues from the DDA, including about $2 million from the sale of properties owned by the DDA. The remaining budget shortfall will be covered by a portion of the DDA's $3.7 million fund balance.

The DDA has historically received cash advances from the township in order to pay for debt service related to bond debt. However, the sale of DDA property in the past year, as well as sales anticipated for the next calendar year, will be utilized to pay the DDA's debt. The DDA's total debt is about $75 million.

Debt owed by the DDA includes interest and principal on bonds used for the $10 million purchase of the former El Dorado Country Club in 2004, and $14 million spent to purchase the Links of Pinewood golf course in 2006 and 2007, as well as a portion of land from the Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority. The goal of the project, north of M-5 between Welch and Haggerty roads, was to enhance the economic stability of the township, to allow for preservation of open space, and to alleviate traffic congestion with the creation of Martin Parkway. Key to repaying the DDA's debt is the development of Commerce Towne Place, a mixed use area that includes commercial and residential developments.

Tax revenue generated from development in the project area is key to repaying the DDA's debt, along with money generated from the sale of DDA property. However, property sales and tax revenue aren't expected to sustain adequate revenues to repay debt in the future.

A five-year budget projection estimates no cash advances from the township in 2015 or 2016. Projections call for about $400,000 from the township in 2017, with nothing in westendmonthly.com

Single-family housing plan approved lans for an upscale single-family development and attached public park north of M-5 and Pontiac Trail were approved on Monday, October 5, by the Commerce Township Planning Commission.

Hunter Pasteur Homes of Novi, in September of 2014 entered a $2.65 million purchase agreement with the township's downtown development authority (DDA) for about 43 acres of land south of Oakley Park Road, between Martin Parkway and Haggerty. Site plans for the development, since named Merrill Park, were submitted to the township in early September.

Plans include the construction of two single-family groupings consisting of about 100 units, with a mixture of 80-foot front lots and smaller 55-foot lots. Homes will range in size from 2,500 to 3,200 square feet on the larger lots and an average of 2,500 square-feet on the smaller lots. Average home prices are expected to list between $425,000 and $450,000 for the larger homes and between $375,000 and $400,000 for those on the smaller lots.

The development also includes a a seven-acre community park that will have extended pathways and park amenities intended for public use.

Final site plan approval hinges on permit approval from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

High ground water levels discovered at the site last year had delayed the project, as a hydrological study was performed to determine whether additional soil would be needed to mitigate potential flooding.

Randy Wertheimer, of Hunter Pasteur, said about 60,000 yards of soil will be needed to fill portions of the site.

Dewatering at the site is expected to begin in the spring of 2016, with construction to follow. Wertheimer said he intends to develop the site by next April, with construction scheduled for the spring.

P

2018, based on projected land sales.

Cash advances from the township are estimated at $1.1 million in 2019 and $3.3 million in 2020.

"What this picture is telling us, which will change, is that it's a different picture than three or four years ago when we were much more conservative on land sales," said Joe Heffernan, audit partner with Plante Moran. "Previous advances were about $3.5 million a year. The economic model was that the township raised their taxes to allow the general fund to create a debt sinking fund to support the DDA. We expect that will continue in the future, but anticipate the DDA will repay that when the bonds are paid off."

Currently, the DDA is paying interest and principal on bond debt.

However, the DDA cannot apply additional funds to the principal debt.

Township supervisor Tom Zoner said the DDA will be paying bond debt until 2037, after which the DDA will be required to repay the township for the cash advances.

"You won't be out of debt for a long time because you have to pay the township back," Heffernan said.

North side of Dodge Park 5 is closed The north side of Dodge Park 5 off of Commerce Road is closed to the public while crews begin work on the future Commerce Township Library that will be built in the park.

Commerce Township Supervisor Tom Zoner said crews have staked out an area of trees that will be cleared and will begin to move a pavilion at the park where the library will be constructed. However, Zoner also said on Thursday, October 1, that there has already been some vandalism to the area.

"The construction trailer there had some windows broken and things stolen," Zoner said. "They also cut a snow fence there between the posts so it would cave in. We had problems when we did the soccer fields, too. It's likely kids."

Zoner said the construction trailer will be secured with bars over the windows to prevent further break-ins.

He also said it's likely that a camera will be placed somewhere in the park to monitor the area.

The township board of trustees in

WESTEND

October 2014 voted to build a library at the park property, which is owned by the township. The facility will replace the township's current library, 2869 N. Pontiac Trail. The future building will be about 35,000 square feet, and is budgeted to cost about $7 million.

Construction of the library is expected to be complete in 2018.

Dodge Park library plan moves forward Efforts to construct a $7 million library inside Dodge Park 5 at S. Commerce and Commerce Roads are moving forward as planned, said Commerce Township Supervisor Tom Zoner.

"The library is a done deal. It's going where it's going to go," Zoner said, dispelling any rumors of using an alternate site for the township's future public library. "There was some discussion as to why (board members) weren't having the opportunity to look at the former Hiller's as a secondary location. The bottom line is, the board approved a motion to put it at Dodge Park."

The township board of trustees in October 2014 voted to build a 35,000 square foot library at the park property, which is owned by the township. The facility will replace the township's current library, at 2869 N. Pontiac Trail.

However, Zoner said trustee Bob Berkheiser had questioned whether the township could utilize a shuttered Hiller's grocery location on Union Lake Road to house the library. That proposal wasn't formally introduced to the board.

Zoner said the township has already spent about a half-million dollars on planning and design services to construct the library at Dodge Park 5.

"We have some trees to clear so they can get the equipment in there and start placing the foundation for the library," he said.

Zoner said crews will cut some trees at the park, then move a pavilion to a new location in the park. Crews should then be able to begin placing the foundation for the building and clear the area where the parking lot will go, before beginning actual construction this winter.

"We are looking at completion in 2018 sometime," Zoner said. "We are about eight months behind. If we would have started on a regular schedule, in April, it would probably be functioning in 2017, but we had a lot of delays."

43

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OPPORTUNITY

Land sales hinge on road ordinance

By Kevin Elliott

More than $18 million in land sales could be at risk if an ordinance amendment to allow private roads in the Commerce Township Downtown Development Authority's (DDA) area doesn't gain final approval by the township board of trustees.

"We have purchase agreements that were predicated on the private road issue," DDA Director Mark Stacey explained during a special board of trustees meeting on Tuesday, October 27. "It's extremely important to the DDA." Stacey said the construction of private roads is a "key element" of a massive lifestyle center being planned by Robert B. Aikens & Associates in the area north of Pontiac Trail and east off of Martin Parkway. The lifestyle center is expected to be the main retail development within Commerce Towne Place, a 330-acre planned unit development (PUD) to include a mix of residential and business developments.

Aikens and the DDA have a $10.5 million purchase agreement for about 51 acres of land. The DDA also has a $2.65 purchase agreement with Hunter Pasteur Homes for a 41.8-acre residential development; as well as a $5.15 purchase agreement with M. Shapiro Development for a 299-unit apartment complex.

A PUD is a development plan and regulatory process that permits a developer to meet community density and land use goals without being bound by zoning restrictions on individual parcels. It must be supported by amended ordinances to be effective.

Stacey said Hunter Pasteur is requesting private roads to meet customer requests, and that they would be constructed to public road standards. He said private roads in the Shapiro development would also meet public road standards, but allow for maintenance at a higher standard than those required by the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC). He said private roads will also allow developers to take measures to prevent motorists from using side streets as "cut throughs," thus limiting traffic on residential streets.

The township board in October of westendmonthly.com

2014 unanimously approved amending the PUD agreement to allow for private roads in the Commerce Towne Place project area.

Nearly a year later, board members were asked to approve an amendment to the PUD to permit private roads, as without an amendment to township's road ordinance, the private road agreement in the PUD would be void.

However, board members on Tuesday, October 13, rejected an amendment to the township's road ordinance that would have allowed for the construction of private roads in any PUD agreements in the township.

That ordinance amendment was rejected by a vote of 4-3, with township supervisor Tom Zoner, treasurer Molly Phillips and trustee Robert Berkheiser voting for it and clerk Vanessa Magner, and trustees Rick Sovel, Rob Long and John Hindo voting against.

Long said he didn't see any advantage to creating private roads in a residential area, and that other private roads have been problematic due to lack of maintenance.

"Every property that has been sold, there has been some exception to what we had agreed," Sovel said, referring to other PUD amendments approved by the board over the past two years.

Township Attorney Phillip Adkison explained to board members he believed the ordinance amendment to be a "housekeeping" matter to bring the township's ordinance in alignment with the PUD the board had passed the previous year.

The first reading of a revised amendment limiting private roads to only the Commerce Towne Place PUD was approved by the board on Tuesday, October 27, by a vote of 4-3, with Long, Sovel and Hindo voting against it.

While an initial amendment was approved, the previous rejection caused the DDA to delay a Tuesday, November 3, closing date with M. Shapiro Development until December.

A portion of the $5.1 million purchase was to been used to pay a portion of the DDA's bond debt due on December 1, which may now have to be advanced to the DDA by the township if the purchase agreement can't be finalized before the payment is due. That payment is expected to be about $1.1 million.

The board will consider the issue at its November 10 meeting.

LAYA event raises more than $36,000 The Lakes Area Youth Assistance on Tuesday, September 29, raised more than $36,000 through its annual Taste of the Lakes fundraiser at the Edgewood Country Club.

"Once again, the Walled lake Schools' community came together to support the students and families for this amazing Lakes Area Youth Assistance event," said Nancy Van Leuwen, a youth assistance board member. "Lakes Area Youth Assistance sincerely thanks all the restaurants; the host, Edgewood Country Club; the Walled lake Schools PTAs for donating baskets; hundreds of businesses who donated silent auction items; and everyone who attended."

This year marked the 15th for the annual fundraiser.

Lakes Area Youth Assistance provides counseling services and programs for the prevention of juvenile delinquency and neglect in the school district.

DDA chairman Gotts improves after stroke Long-time Commerce Township volunteer and current Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Chairman Jim Gotts is improving after being in a medical coma for nearly three weeks following a stroke.

Tim Hoy, a long-time friend of Gotts and member of the DDA board, said that Gotts recently came out of a coma after suffering a stroke about three weeks ago. The DDA board on September 22 voted to appoint Hoy as temporary president of the DDA board, pending Gotts' recovery.

Commerce Township Supervisor Tom Zoner on Thursday, Septembers 3, confirmed that Gotts was hospitalized on Tuesday, August 25, after suffering an apparent stroke.

Gotts, who has served on the DDA board since 2006, was flown to Detroit Receiving Hospital on August 25 where he was being monitored after being admitted into a special Neurological Intensive Care Unit.

Gotts previously served as a former chair of the township's planning commission. He is also active in civic pursuits and has contributed to the Walled Lake Schools district as a grant director and football coach.

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Member of Downtown Publications

248.792.6464

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PLACES TO EAT 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.

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.

CAYA Smokehouse Grille: Barbeque.

Dinner, Tuesday - Sunday. No

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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.

Gravity Bar & Grill: Mediterranean.

Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner,

WESTEND

come as you are

C.A.Y.A. THANKSGIVING TO GO Everything you need for your holiday meal!

8-10 People $150 Meal includes: 2 Smoked Turkey Breasts 2 Roasted Drumsticks 2 Roasted Thighs Gravy Cranberry Sauce Mashed Potatoes Sweet potatoes Stuffing Green Beans 1 Pumpkin Pie

12-15 People $225 Meal includes: 3 Smoked Turkey Breasts 3 Roasted Drumsticks 3 Roasted Thighs Gravy Cranberry Sauce Mashed Potatoes Sweet Potatoes Stuffing Green Beans 2 Pumpkin Pies

18-20 People $300 Meal includes: 4 Smoked Turkey Breasts 4 Roasted Drumsticks 4 Roasted Thighs Gravy Cranberry Sauce Mashed Potatoes Sweet Potatoes Stuffing Green Beans 3 Pumpkin Pies

Extra pies are $9 each All orders must be received by Sunday 11/22/15.

A 50% deposit is required.

All orders must be picked up Wednesday 11/25/15 before 10 p.m.

Heating instructions will be given with all meals.

NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS FOR HOLIDAY PARTIES! 248.438.6741 • www.cayagrill.com 1403 S. Commerce Rd., Wolverine Lake

The west Oakland area is filled with discriminating diners and an array of dining establishments. Make sure the message for your restaurant reaches the right market in the right publication—Westend.

Contact Mark Grablowski for advertising rate information.

O: 248.792.6464 Ext. 601 C: 586.549.4424 MarkGrablowski@downtownpublications.com

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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;

westendmonthly.com

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 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, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 25485 Telegraph Rd, Southfield, 48034. 248.358.1310.

WESTEND

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.

49

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.

well as an eight-course tasting menu for $65, with an optional $35 beverage pairing.

Basketball flavors

Chef Kate Williams, formerly of Republic, has a new restaurant in the works, called Lady of the House, though she has yet to announce a location. Williams and Peter Dalinowski, owner of Hamtramck’s pop up restaurant Revolver, are preparing to embark on a pop up tour, spanning at least six U.S. cities, Dalinowski said. In addition to organizing the tour, Dalinowski has been in communication with an Ann Arbor location in which to hold Sunday pop up dinners. “It’s an old businessman’s club that wants to freshen up and do dinners,” he said.

“It’d be the same format (as Revolver), but I’d probably do residencies,” and have one chef serve their recipes for a few months. “Kate (Williams) is planning to work there for two or three months, once a week, while she works on recipes. If she’s available, then she would be the opening chef.”

Lady moves on Michigan State University basketball coach, Tom Izzo, is now part owner of Novi’s Toasted Oak, located in the Baronette Renaissance Hotel, at 27790 Novi Road, along with Lansing-based owners Wicken’s Group.

Chef hopping Antietam’s former executive chef, Brion Wong, who recently departed the vintage-styled French restaurant for a new culinary adventure, has been named chef de cuisine at The Peterboro, a soon-to-open contemporary American-Chinese restaurant located at 420 Peterboro Street in Midtown. Seth High, former sous chef of Antietam, 1428 Gratiot Avenue near Eastern Market in Detroit, has taken the helm as executive chef, working with chef Justin James Feggan. “This is normal business for us,” said Antietam’s owner Gregory Holm.

Chuck Inchaustegui, co-owner of The Peterboro, opening in midNovember, and general manager of Sugar House, said, Wong “will bring a whole new aspect to what we were planning on doing. He’s very organized, refined, classically trained, and very imaginative in his dishes.”

More from Supino’s Supino Pizzeria chef and owner, Dave Mancini, recently opened La Rondinella, at 2453 Russell Street in Detroit, next to the well-known pizzeria. The new Italian restaurant will carry some of the staples served at Supino’s, including lasagna and cannolis, plus new offerings including farinata and gnocchi.

New unique locale Mabel Gray, launched by chef James Rigato, co-founder of The Root Restaurant & Bar, is now serving in Hazel Park at 23825 John R. Road. Thoughtful, adventurous and hyper-rotating are the words Rigato used to describe the handwritten menu, which changes daily and is often posted to their Facebook page. Mabel Gary offers a la carte fresh, seasonal options as

Forest to open Forest is the new name for the recently renovated Forest Grill, 735 Forest Street in Birmingham, which will reopen in early November under the management of Samy Eid. Allicia Janutol, wife of the restaurant’s executive chef Nick Janutol, has been named general manager. Ms. Janutol was formerly the general manager of Townhouse in Birmingham.

Modern American bistro Adam Hightower, of MotorCity Casino’s Iridescence, is executive chef and consultant for the new Auburn Hills bistro, Parkside, owned by Nick Lucaj, at 3315 Auburn Road. “We’re a modern American bistro, celebrating the culinary diversity of the U.S. We’re a scratch kitchen, except for pastries and baked goods, which come from Give Thanks (in Rochester). We feature a lot of organic farms, using Otto’s Farm, Fogler’s Farm in Rochester, and others in Michigan.”

Belt alley offerings Standby, a new Detroit restaurant and cocktail lounge, is set to open

by November 14, at 225 Gratiot, at

the corner of the Belt alley in Detroit. “Come for the drinks and stay for the food,” said beverage director Joe Robinson, formerly of Michael Symon’s Roast and coowner of Bailout Productions, a cocktail consulting group. It’s dimly lit atmosphere is “designed to offer a little refuge from your day-today,” said Robinson, noting the unusual entrance “through an alley into an old elevator shaft.” Standby is a collaborative project consisting of Brendon Robinson, Edwards, Anthony Curis, partner in the nearby Library Street Gallery, David Goldman, founding partner in Mobile Food Concepts, and Bedrock Real Estate Services.

Birmingham coffee bistro La Strada Caffe, Birmingham’s newest bistro expected to open by early November at 243 E. Merrill Street, intends to have “the same quality as Tre Monti (Ristorante)” located in Troy, said Zharko Palushaj, owner of both establishments. Opening at 7 a.m., the morning crowd can get “espresso and biscotti,” said Palushaj, or toast with various spreads including marscopone, jam, and hazelnut-chocolate spread. A patron can walk up to the counter, or sit down for service. The menu includes crepes, salads, soups, and Italian paninis. Palushaj said he’s going for a neighborhood spot, an “old world coffee bar.”

Socio-cultural resto coming Coming to Ferndale will be the latest endeavor from Thom Bloom and the Toast Restaurant Group, Otus Supply, a restaurant, bar and music venue slated to open in the first quarter of 2016 at 345 E. Nine Mile. Myles McVay, executive chef, has been busy in the kitchen since he was 13. Prior to joining the Toast group, McVay worked at Opus One and D’Amato’s. “(McVay’s) a really talented guy. He’s in a band, got long hair, and is tattooed on about every inch of his body,” said Bloom.

The renovated space will include a main dining room, a four-season patio room, a music event space, and three rooms available for rent.

“The concept was born three or four years ago. We’re real excited about it. It’s all about getting away from GMO garbage food” and harkening back to “when families got together, when one brought the

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.

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

220 S. Main St., Clawson, 48017.

248.288.0220.

The Fly Trap: Diner. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 22950 Woodward Ave., 48220. 248.399.5150.

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.

Inyo Restaurant Lounge: Asian Fusion.

Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

mandolin and one brought the corn, not ‘hurry up and choke down a McDonald’s hamburger while driving to a soccer game.’”

Award winning chef Birmingham resident and executive pastry chef Eric Voigt, of the city’s Big Rock Chophouse, 245 S. Eton Street, and The Reserve, an event venue at 325 S. Eton Street, was awarded 2015 Pastry Chef of the Year from the American Culinary Federation’s Michigan Chefs de Cuisine Association. The dessert creation that earned him the honor was a Meltaway Carmalized Chocolate, “featuring delicate pineapple and cherry fancier with orange foam, Chantilly and salt garnish,” a representative from Big Rock said.

A classic reopens After a brief closure, 25-year-old Kruse & Muer on Main, 327 S. Main Street in Rochester, has reopened. “The remodeling was stimulated by a visit to my friend Bill Roberts new restaurant, Bill’s, in Bloomfield Hills,” said Bill Kruse.

“I was so knocked out by Bill’s that I immediately called Ron Rea, who I knew had recently completed Bill’s and said, ‘I need you at Kruse & Muer on Main tomorrow!’” New menu items, created by executive chef Chris Hessler and staff, include the Crispy Parmesan Encrusted Ravioli made with Maine lobster, and Spice Grilled Tuna Tostadas. Seafood, pasta, and other mainstay dishes have remained on the menu. “We added menu items that are designed for a casual get together, with some great small plate appeal,” said Kruse.

Avenue in Detroit, is Norberto Garita’s more affordable and casual Mexican-Italian eatery situated adjacent to his first restaurant, El Barzon, 3710 Junction Street. La Noria is awaiting the arrival of an Italian wood-fired pizza oven, a necessity for the menu, which includes pizza, “tortas – Mexican sandwiches – and specials on Saturday and Sunday,” said Bertin Garita, Norberto’s son. “It will be totally different from El Barzon. We want to keep this more fast-paced, more casual. We will have a couple TVs there, so if someone wants to hang out and watch the game, they can. It will be all seasons. In winter, we’ll have garage doors and it will be warm, and in summer, we’ll open the doors so it will get the breeze.”

New incarnation The Block, formerly known as The Grille Midtown, at 3919 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, is embracing change. With a new name, new chef and simplified menu, marketing manager Stephanie Byrd, 32, said, “We wanted to be a better reflection of the neighborhood, and we wanted to make our concept more approachable and affordable, a reflection of true Midtown.” New chef Rashad Patrick brings experience from the kitchens of Greektown Casino, Hopcat, and Coach Insignia. Now with an expanded drink menu, and less salads and appetizers, the familyrun business, which opened two years ago, is focusing on upping the quality and “making a few things great” said Bryd. “Now we’re considered casual. A place to hang out, have a drink and have some signature wings.”

Tom’s revamps The menu at Tom’s Oyster Bar, 318 S. Main Street in Royal Oak, which also serves its neighbor, Ale Mary’s Beer Hall, underwent significant changes with the recent addition of chef Norman Fenton, formerly of Royal Oak’s Bistro 82, 401 Lafayette Avenue. Fenton said he has “modernized the food at Tom’s; it’s simple thoughtful food done right. The menu in general has gone to more sharable size plates.”

For El Barzon lovers Slated for a January opening, La Noria Bistro, 5517 Michigan

Eatery on the move Rock City Eatery, owned by soonto-be newlyweds Nik Sanches and Jessica Imbronone, is moving from Hamtramck to Midtown, in February, to 4216 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Citing the better location and larger space, Sanches said, “The menu will probably change when we move, it depends on what kind of kitchen equipment we get, but we’ll probably keep the staples.

I’m trying to buy a wood-burning pizza oven. I try trendy things all the time, so I don’t know what will pop into my head in February. The

menu is pretty adventurous. It’s new American, global food.” The couple also owns a burger joint in Hamtramck called Campau Tower.

No more brunch The breakfast joint that owner Tina Motley opened this summer, Le Petit Dejeuner, 3411 Brush Street in Detroit, is closed until further notice.

POP UP INTEL Yemans Street, 2995 Yemans Street in Hamtramck: Now serving lunch, every Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a new menu each month. Pre-pay dinners: Jordan Ceresnie, pastry chef at The Root Restaurant & Bar, November 5. Industry night, with discounted prices, hosted by Reid Shipman, Josh Stockton, Brandon O’Sullivan, Jason Osburn, and Adam Verville, all formerly or presently of Gold Cash Gold; and Albert Borrego, of Toasted Oak, November 9. Brent Foster, formerly of the WAB (Woodward Avenue Brewers), November 13. Juliann Botham, of Ann Arbor’s Aventura, November 14. Mike and Matt Romine, chefs, twins and founders of Mulefoot Gastropub, November 18. Kelli Lewton, of 2-Unique Catering and Pure Food 2-U organic food home delivery service, November 20. yemansstreet.com The Menagerie, 31 N. Saginaw Street in Pontiac: Owners and chefs April and James Forbes are preparing to open Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., serving made-to-order artisan pizzas, cooked by the Forbes. A la carte brunch: Sundays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kyle Williams, of J.B. Chowhounds. Pre-pay dinners: Jeffrey Tatum, of Over the Top Catering, November 7. Graham Schave, of Your Gourmet, catering and personal chef services, November 20. menageriekitchen.com 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.

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 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: 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,

52

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. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. 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.

Jefferson House: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 2 Washington Blvd., Detroit, 48226. 313.782.4318.

Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Sunday Brunch. 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.

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.

WESTEND

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 Block: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 3919 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48201.

313.832.0892.

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.

11.15

AT THE TABLE Again, mock if you must but when great ingredients are prepared simply, it is truly the thing dreams are made of.

The next dish embodied the seasonal approach in

By J. March flavors, execution and item selection. Cauliflower three ways with burnt in chips and pureed with chicken fat broth. Though at first we thought it needed something 've dined at some pretty classy places in my life. Most to brighten it up, we did agree that on a rainy fall day, of them 20 plus years ago when I was just getting this is what you should eat. This course came with into this whole eating seriously thing. And though food bread that I was more then okay with skipping until I was simpler then, I was still intimidated by the linen watched a guest scarf down two pieces and attempt to tablecloths, dessert carts and tuxedo clad waiters, hide another in their coat. What looked to be heavy waitresses and bartenders. sourdough was light in body yet yeasty and rich in flavor Since then haute cuisine has given way to more and served with house churned (churned, not whipped) casual atmospheres, relaxed diners and menus that skip butter with a light dusting of sea salt. Chef Lipar told us the heavy sauces, fancy terms and maitre d's. If I had to what about its preparation made it so unique, but in full guess I would say that where eating out was once a disclosure I was already thinking about how I was going special occasion, it is now commonly a bi-weekly thing to explain any of what we had eaten so far without and to have more approachable choices makes sense. using phrases like “mother-loving awesome.”

All to say, this is the kind of dining I have become The first protein out was trout in chestnut broth grossly uncomfortable with and the reason why my with olive oil, celery leaves and palms got a little sweaty upon entering roasted chestnuts. It was the only Marais. flop of the night due to the flatness of Not much more then 13 miles from the broth and the uninspired trout downtown Detroit, Grosse Pointe is not that looked paltry in the bowl and the first place you think of to grab a tasted like it looked. bite. However, with its opening in The chef is a fan of Mangalista and September of 2013 and the Hour it only made sense that it should Restaurant of the Year appointment make an appearance. Rich, lovely, shortly after, Marais has definitely been velvety, fatty loin with a jus made a point of interest for serious diners. from the bones garnished with Dave Gilbert carried it as the executive shaved and roasted crab-apples. chef up until about a month ago when Simple, balanced and flat out Garrett Lipar, formerly of Torino, took spectacular, I was pretty sure nothing over. Between the two of them the could improve it. Then came the accolades are huge, including four macaron. Macaron you say? That's Restaurant of the Year titles, a James dessert! Not if it's an onion macaron Beard Rising Star of the Year Semifilled with sherry and foie gras.

Finalist and a James Beard nomination Admittedly, I do not like foie gras. for Best Chef: Great Lakes. Pretty You say it's an unsophisticated impressive and most certainly a reason Cultured blackberries & raspberries with a sorrel granita & flowers. Westend photo: Jean Lannen palate; I say nothing that awful is to get excited about dining at Marais meant to be enjoyed alone. However, where this duo and their staff form with sweet sherry and pungent onion, this foie-filled composition and list of ingredients, a symphony of what I can only think of as the Hydra of chefs. macaron changed my liver-hating ways. Not since the apron clad angels let loose a chorus of “hallelujah.”

We were seated in the middle of a spacious formal strawberry and spruce dish at Torino have I been so Scoff if you must, but it was the miracle of purity that I dining room with a tin ceiling, massive chandelier, happy to be so wrong about an ingredient. That Chef have been waiting for and in the form of the grandest fresh cut flowers and a view of the semi-open kitchen.

Lipar is one clever guy. Imagine taking classically It was pretty much the stuff that formal restaurants are of all things...tomatoes. Perfectly blanched, softly prepared ingredients and incorporating them in dishes acidic tomatoes with a touch of sweetness from the made of, with the exception of the mismatched melon broth and a smidge of bitter from the petals. Not that allow the diner to see another side. photographs of various kitchens and a thought Fermented berries with sorrel granite was the the grand chandelier, champagne cart or Escoffier provoking picture of jungle animals. dessert course. Though I can appreciate the idea of himself could have stopped any of us from shamelessly The a la cart menu is small, as expected, and making the berries more complex, the acidity was so picking up our bowls and downing every single drop. follows the philosophy of all things local. Although the high I couldn't eat more than one bite. Tarrgon Squash, kraut, pistachios and pistachio puree appetizers and entrees listed make sense for return meringue and raw milk custard petit fours and arrived next. The kraut is clearly a labor of love from diners looking for a bite, the Tasting Menu is where it's fermented peaches were on the last of our ten plates this kitchen and had a distinctive flavor that can only at and is, in my opinion, mandatory if you really want and a fitting ending to what was nothing short of a to experience the range of Lipar's talent and the beauty be described as “meatier” than most. The delicately mind-blowing dinner. sweet squash was a nice contrast in flavor but not so of simple, local food.

Admittedly, Marais isn't cheap. The tasting menu is much in texture.

The tasting menu is presented to you in the form of $135 and the wine is $70 extra (splurge, the sommelier There aren't many places that don't have beets in a list of ingredients. One word in association with no is on point). However, that $135 gets you what you some form on the menu. I've been hard pressed to find other that lets you know what you may experience but can't buy anywhere else. A litany of local ingredients unique presentations but was not disappointed on this not how it is prepared or paired with. Brilliant, I say, consistently and classically prepared by a guy with night. Roasted, sprinkled with hay ash and on a bed of since this allows the man in charge to change all dreads and a charming accent, I can promise you, it's burnt peanut butter garnished with Balitone cherries, things based on availability and wherever his worth every penny. these beets put every other execution to shame. fiendishly creative mind wants to go. Though I was Earthiness plus smokiness plus peanut butter, plus intent on keeping track of the simple, verbal Marais, 17051 Kercheval Avenue, Grosse Point sweet and tart, equals what is the greatest explanation given each dish, I got a little lost after the 48239. Reservations can be made on their website at combination of peanut butter since Reese's. first course. No, a lot lost. Understanding the task at Maraisrestaurant.com or by calling 313.343.8800.

Not to be outdone, the fourth dish came looking hand, I willingly gave myself up to relying on nothing other then my sense of taste and smell. Given there are more inconspicuous than the last. A single shallot with Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30 p.m – 11 p.m with brunch coming soon. Street parking petal-like skin on the exterior and a custard filling. The no written descriptions, I will do my level best to available. Handicap accessible. shallots were roasted in soil then filled with a beef fat explain the ten courses that were put in front of me. custard and again roasted to add texture to the skin. It However, exact description is much less important as J. March has 25 years experience in the restaurant is here where my imagination took me to a place each experience is unique and it is the execution and industry in southeast Michigan, including certification where I bathed in tomato and melon broth while the style of Chef Lipar that is most astounding regardless as a sommelier. aforementioned angels fed me custard filled shallots. of its form.

For serious diners, Marais in Grosse Pointe is impressive

I

The first dish was an assorted Amuse-Bouche consisting of fermented Michigan blueberries with thyme, a nasturtium “wonton” filled with eggplant, crispy skin trout with basil crème fraiche and lichen (edible moss) topped with crispy lardo. The range was insane, as were the flavors. Tangy berries with herbal notes, the small cube of lichen punched with the fattiness from the lardo, ripe green flavors from the nasturtium filled with pungent, acidic eggplant and the crisp skin of local trout that finished perfectly with the crème fraiche. What was most amazing about this dish was the progression of flavors and how each translated perfectly into the next. What was best about it was the last bite. A small pile of proscuitto, lovingly made months prior by charcuterie phenom Jessie Patuano, and perfect in its debut as the encore in the first act of many.

Our second course was blanched summer tomatoes in melon broth and tomato water with sunflower petals. When this dish hit the table, humble in its

ENDNOTE

Village censure sends the right message lans by the Wolverine Lake Village Council announced on Wednesday, October 13, to censure councilman Ed Sienkiewicz is an appropriate and necessary measure to retain the public's trust in the village council.

Sienkiewicz came under fire by council following a September 16 "Hall of Shame" report produced by FOX-2 news reporter Rob Wolchek, who happens to live in the local area. In the report, Sienkiewicz is accused of using his position on council to keep people from accessing the lake via a public road which ends next to his property. And, while questions still remain unclear about whether Sienkiewicz's assertions about the road ending are correct, what is clear from the footage is that his actions were an improper use of his position.

Sienkiewicz has provided many years of commendable service to the village, notably his work on the village's lake improvement board. One could conceivably see how such efforts could result in a personal attachment to the care of the lake.

However, when such attachments turn to exclusivity of public property, action must be taken to rectify the issue. In this case, that action should come in the form of censure, which council has announced will take place formally at their November meeting.

In his defense, Sienkiewicz claims he was

P

ambushed by Wolchek, and that the footage was edited to cast him in the worst possible light. If there is some truth to his defense, that argument is not enough to totally excuse him from preventing people from public access to the lake. In fact, further revelations revealed in the nearly two-hour discussion of the matter during the council's October 13 meeting indicate that the incident captured on video wasn't Sienkiewicz's first time trying to run people off the small lot next to his property.

Considering past incidents regarding access to the lot, and Sienkiewicz's apparent reluctance to let go of the issue, we agree with several council members who stated that something should be put on record to address the issue. With that said, we also feel the village needs to take steps to ensure these kinds of problems don't arise again. It's imperative that there are clear rules and procedures established if they do.

Wolverine Lake Village Manager Sharon Miller said council is currently working on creating a formal ethics policy. In doing so, the policy must state clear what constitutes improper use of a council position. Doing so will ensure that misuse, whether intentional or tacit, doesn't erode the public's trust and confidence in the governing body.

The Michigan Municipal League provides

samples of such ethics policies, including the following: A public official must use the position and power of public office for the benefit of the community as a whole. It further reads that a "public servant shall not take any action, or create the appearance that adversely affects the confidence of the public in the integrity of the city."

These are statements that echo those made by several members of the public at the meeting, as well as fellow council members.

We also concur with the council's decision to investigate the actual rights of the public at various road endings and outlots throughout the village.

Currently, neither law enforcement officials nor legal experts at the village can say with a degree of certainty what is permitted at each specific location.

While we believe censure is appropriate, we don't feel it necessary to force Sienkiewicz from the village council, nor for him to resign from council.

Rather, we feel, as others have stated, that it is up to the public to decide whether or not they want Sienkiewicz to remain in office. His term expires in three years.

It makes sense for council to voice their disapproval through censure. However, the decision as to whether the public has lost confidence in Sienkiewicz should be made by voters.

Transparency best for DIA, taxpayers he value of the Detroit Institute of Arts to residents of Oakland County, and the region as a whole, is undisputed. The DIA, first established in 1885, is known worldwide for having one of the largest and most significant art collections in the United States, and some rank it among the top six museums in the country.

However, for almost its entire history, it has relied on public funds to function, transferring ownership of the museum to the city of Detroit in 1919 in order to begin receiving city operating funds.That decision proved to be their Achille's heel, confounding the museum's ability to support itself.

In 2012, 64 percent of Oakland County voters approved a property tax millage, along with residents in Macomb and Wayne counties, to help funnel approximately $23 million annually for 10 years, to help the operations of the Detroit Institute of Arts. Today, that tri-county millage accounts for approximately 70 percent of the operating budget of the DIA, which is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Oakland County residents alone provide the DIA with $11 million annually.

Our first concern when large amounts of taxpayer money is involved is transparency â&#x20AC;&#x201C; how

T

is the art institute using our money, especially in light of October 2014 when the museum approved substantial retroactive bonuses and double-digit raises to former director Graham Beal and COO Annemarie Erickson. A bipartisan group of Oakland County commissioners demanded that the bonuses, worth $50,000 each, be returned. They were not. The insensitivity and lack of transparency on the part of the DIA continued this past summer when Beal retired, the tri-county arts authorities were informed of a proposed retroactive $30,000 performance bonus for Beal for fiscal year 2013; a $65,000 bonus for Erickson for fiscal years 2013 and 2014; a $40,000 performance bonus for the chief financial officer Robert Bowen for fiscal years 2013 and 2014; and forgiveness of a $155,832 home loan and a retirement severance of $285,000 for Beal.

Oakland and Macomb county commissioners demanded greater transparency, as they should.

Art Institute board chairman Eugene Gargaro sat down with commissioners and Oakland Art Authority members, and we are told by all parties that progress is being made toward greater transparency on salaries and other issues. We are pleased to see the Oakland Art Authority meetings

are open to the public, and that DIA is now posting their financials.

While the DIA is a non-profit, which currently is not subject to Open Meetings Act and Freedom Of Information Act requirements, despite current legislative initiatives, we must remind them that since the tri-county millage, they are actually part of a public/private partnership. A 70 percent ownership by the public requires transparency and accountability to that public which supports them.

For the time being, we will withhold our support of legislative efforts, led by one of Oakland's state lawmakers, to codify into law that the DIA be subject to state transparency regulations, for two reasons.

First, as a non-profit, there are a host of questions that arise when â&#x20AC;&#x153;sunshineâ&#x20AC;? laws enacted to regulate the government are applied to private entities and, second, we are being assured by members of the Oakland Art Authority that progress is being made to reach the goal of transparency.

But failing that effort, we will be among the first to push for legislation requiring that the taxpaying public have its interests protected through state law.

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•5600+ Living SF, 4Bed, 3.5Bath, Fin Walk-out, Sun Room •Living, Dining, Kitchen/Nook- Granite-SS Appl-Hardwood •Huge Master-Fireplace-2 W.I.C-Jet Tub Bath, 3 Car Garage

D FOR TER WA

•3,900 SF, 4Bed, 3.5Bath, Upgraded Fixtures Thru-out •Great Rm-Fireplace, Dining Rm-Butler’s Pantry, Library •Kitchen-8’ Island, Master Ste-Luxury Bath, Guest Ste-Bath

E ERC MM CO

D FOR MIL

$599,900

•3,487 SF + Finished Walk-out, 5Bed, 4.5Bath, 3 Car Garage •Living, Dining, Kitchen/Bay Nook- Granite, SS Appl, Hardwood •Master Suite-Fireplace-Jet Tub Bath, Trex Deck, 3 Car Garage

$599,900

•3,390 SF +1800 SF in Fin Walk-out, 5Bed, 3.5 Bath, Deck •3 Fireplaces, Cathedral Master -Jet Tub Bath, Walk-in Closet •Living-Dining-Family Rms,3 Car Att + 2 Car Det, Pole Barn

•5,466 SF, 4Bed, 4.2Bath, 1st Fl Master Ste-W.I.C., Jet Tub •2 Story Great Rm-Fireplace, Formal Dining, French Dr Library •2 Guest Suites, Granite Kitchen/Nook-SS Appliances, Florida Rm

D FOR MIL

N RIO MA

$549,000

$499,900

$474,900

DESIGNER HOME WITH FINISHED WALK-OUT 100’ OF SHORELINE ON ALL SPORTS SCOTT LAKE

CUSTOM BUILT (5300 LIVING SF), PRIVATE (5+ ACRES) IN-GROUND POOL, NEAR STATE PARK & RIDING TRAILS

ELEGANT COLONIAL IN SHORES OF GLENWOOD BEAUTIFULLY LANDSCAPED, BACKS TO WOOD

LARGE CONTEMPORARY WITH FINISHED WALK-OUT BEAUTIUFL (2.7 ACRE) ALL SPORTS LAKEFRONT LOT

GORGEOUS (2.3 ACRE) COUNTRY SETTING - NEAR STATE PARKS, CHARMING DOWNTOWN MILFORD & FREEWAYS

#215054354 EXT. 148

#215100737 EXT. 137

#215111283 EXT. 160

#215041084 EXT. 163

#215102405 EXT. 186

•3199+1100 SF, 4Bed, 3.5Bath, Dining, Great Room-Fireplace •Granite Isle Kitchen-SS Appl-hardwood, Rec Room-Wet Bar •Master Ste-Fireplace, 2 Car + 1 Car Garage, Composite Decks

P TW SE RO

•5Bed, 3.5Bath, Finished Walk-Out, Tiered Deck, Patio, 3 Car Garage •Cathedral Living Rm, Formal Dining, French Dr Library, Sun Room •Isle Kitchen-Appliances, Family Rm-Fireplace, Master Ste-Jet Tub Bath

$449,900

•2,406 SF+ Fin W/O, 3 Bed, 3.5 Bath, 3 Car Garage + Pole Barn •Vaulted Great Rm-Fireplace, Dining Rm, Kit/Nook-Appliances •1st Floor Master Suite, LL Family Rm-Wet Bar-4th Bed-Bath

$449,900

$449,900

2014 CUSTOM BUILT RANCH-WALK-OUT BASEMENT GORGEOUS VERANDA - VIEWS OF WOODS & POND

CUSTOM BUILT HOME-FLORIDA ROOM, DECK & HOT TUB OVERLOOK PRIVATE (4.31 ACRE) WOODED LOT

GORGEOUS BRICK HOME-FIRST FLOOR MASTER SUITE FINISHED WALK-OUT AND BEAUTIFUL WOODED LOT

MODERNCRAFT NEW CONSTRUCTION-HILLS OF BOGIE LAKE-CLUBHOUSE, POOL, PLAYGROUND

#215086970 EXT. 158

#215097553 EXT. 193

#215101727 EXT. 140

#215099481 EXT. 118

•2,050 SF, 3Bed, 2.5Bath, 12’ Ceilings, Rich Crown/Base Molding •Granite Kitchen/Nook-SS Appl, Great Rm-Fireplace-Hardwood •Master Suite-Bath & Deck, 1st Floor Laundry, 3 Car Garage

•4,348 LSF, 4Bed, 3.5Bath, 1st Floor Master Suite-Jet Tub Bath •Vaulted Great Rm-Fireplace, Dining Rm, Isle Kitchen-Appliances •Finished Basement-Huge Rec Room, Sauna & Bath, 3 Car Garage

E LAK ITE WH

VI NO

$424,900

• SF, 4Bed, 4.2Bath, 1st Fl Master Ste-W.I.C., Jet Tub •2 Story Great Rm-Fireplace, Formal Dining, French Dr Library •2 Guest Suites, Granite Kitchen/Nook-SS Appliances, Florida Rm

ST WE

$399,900

LD FIE OM O L B

•2,850 SF, 4Bed, 3.2BA, 9’ Walk-out Basement, 3 Car Garage •Hardwood in Foyer, 2 Story Great Rm-Fireplace & Dining Rm •Kitchen/Nook-Granite & Hardwood, 1st Flr Master-Jet Tub Bath

$425,000

METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED HOME BACKS TO PROTECTED PRESERVE

•3,053SF, 4Bed, 3.5Bath, Deck, Formal Living & Dining •Island Kitchen/Nook- Granite, SS Appliances, Hardwood •Master Ste-2 WI.C. & Bath, Family Rm-Fireplace, Rec Rm

#215068527 EXT. 119

E LAK ITE WH

$370,000

•3,179 SF +1500 SF in Fin Walk-out, 4Bed, 4Bath, Living & Dining •Granite Kitchen/Nook, Family Rm-Fireplace-Wet Bar, Library •Master Ste-Bath, 1st Fl Laundry, 3 Car Garage, Pole Barn, Cedar Deck

E ERC MM CO

E ERC MM CO

E ERC MM CO

D FOR MIL

$469,900

•3,379 SF, 3Bed, 2.5Bath, 11’Ceilings, Brazilian Cherry Flrs •Great Room-Fireplace, Dining, Kitchen/Nook- Granite & SS •Huge Master-Fireplace-2 W.I.C-Jet Tub Bath, 3 Car Garage

D FOR MIL

$324,900

$329,900

LARGE COLONIAL IN WINDRIDGE PLACE OF NOVI WITH FINISHED BASEMENT AND PAVER PATIO

FABULOUS TWO STORY- FINISHED DAYLIGHT BASEMENT - PRIVATE YARD - DECK & PAVER PATIO

EXQUISITE BRICK HOME WITH FINISHED BASEMENT QUIET CUL-DE-SAC STREET-PRIVATE LOT- LARGE DECK

BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED LAKEFRONT HOME ON ALL SPORTS SUGDEN LAKE

METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED HOME ON 2.33 ACRE LOT GAZEBO, DECK, STAMPED CONCRETE PATIO/WALKWAYS

#215070318 EXT. 190

#215094961 EXT. 141

#215114036 EXT. 135

#215079296 EXT. 146

#215086014 EXT. 112

•2,289SF, 4Bed, 2.2Bath, Formal Living & Dining Rooms •Kitchen & Nook-Granite, SS Appliances, Hardwood Floor •Family Room-Fireplace, Master Suite-Jet Tub Bath

EQUAL HOUSING

OPPORTUNITY

•3,102 + 1,500 SF, 4Bed, 3.5Bath, Formal Living & Dining Rms •Library, Granite Isle Kitchen/Nook-SS Appliances-Hardwood •Cathedral Master- 2 W.I.C.s & Jet Tub, Rec Room, 3 Car Garage

All Star

•3,602 LSF, 4Bed, 3.5Bath, Formal Living & Dining Rooms, Library •Granite Kitchen/Nook, Vaulted Great Room-Fireplace & Wet Bar •Vaulted Master Ste-Jet Tub Bath, LL Rec Room-Bath, 1st Fl Laundry

•2,666 SF, 4Bed, 3Bath, 2 Car Garage, Deck, Dock, Seawall •Granite Kitchen-Ceramic Backsplash, Appl, Hardwood Flr •Great Room - Fireplace, Master - Fireplace & Jet Tub Bath

TheStocktonTeam.com

•2,608 SF +1667 SF in Fin Walk-out with Hot Tub, 4Bed, 3.5Bath •Dining, Granite Kitchen/Nook, Cathedral Great Rm-Stone Fireplace •Library, Master Ste-Bath, 1st Fl Laundry, New Carpet/ Paint Thru-out

MOBILE

2014

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