Trenton Times May 2025 by GO BIG MULTI-MEDIA

Trenton Announces New Public Safety Locations to Enhance Emergency Response Citywide

The City of Trenton is proud to announce the future site of the new Trenton Fire Department headquarters at the corner of West Rd. and Veteran’s Parkway. This strategically selected location will serve as a centralized hub to significantly improve emergency response times and operational efficiency across the city.

The site was chosen following a comprehensive study of citywide emergency response patterns and community coverage needs, conducted in collaboration with public safety experts and urban planners. The City successfully secured the location through purchase agreements with the Trenton Motor Inn and the Trenton VFW organization, whose partnership was instrumental in making this vision a reality.

“These new stations are a generational investment in Trenton’s public safety,” said Mayor Steven Rzeppa. “Through detailed analysis, planning, and negotiations, we know these locations will enhance the ability of our first responders to serve our community better than ever before. This project will completely transform that intersection into something Trenton residents will be proud of for decades to come. We can’t thank the voters enough for putting their faith in us to get this done.”

Mayor Pro-Tem Richard Benedetti, himself a retired firefighter stated, “I was pleased with the hard work and dedication that the Mayor and Administration put towards improving our service and response to the residents.”

Fire Chief Keith Anderson stated “The consolidation of our two fire stations into a new, state-of-the-art central facility marks a major step forward for Trenton. This move enhances our ability to respond more efficiently across the city, improves coordination among our crews, and ensures the highest level of service and safety for our residents. It’s a smart investment in both our infrastructure and our community’s future.”

Police Chief Mike Hawkins stated that “Building our new station is more than just bricks and mortar, it is a step toward a safer, stronger and inviting future for our community.”

The City of Trenton extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Trenton Motor Inn and Trenton VFW for their cooperation and commitment to the community’s safety. Construction planning will commence in the coming months, with regular updates provided to residents throughout the process.

In addition, the Trenton Police Department is excited to announce plans for a new station within a “municipal complex” near 3rd St. and Maple St. in the downtown district. Developed in partnership with city engineers and architectural firms, this modern facility will provide officers with state-of-the-art spaces aligned with best practices in policing. The new police station will also feature a training and community use room, available to residents for public engagement and events.

For media inquiries, please contact:

City of Trenton City Administrator Dean Creech dcreech@trenton-mi.com

Phone: (734) 675-6500

The City of Trenton, located along the Detroit River, is a vibrant community committed to enhancing the quality of life for its residents through strategic investments in public safety, infrastructure, and community engagement.

celebrates Koi Sushi and Hibachi

The City of Trenton welcomed a flavorful new addition to its dining scene on May 21st with the official ribbon cutting of Koi, a restaurant offering hibachi, sushi, Asian fusion cuisine, sake, and craft beers.

Backed by years of guest support and a passion for culinary excellence, the family behind Koi has brought their latest venture to life with a mission to deliver a unique and engaging dining experience. Their slogan, “Where Fresh Meets Flame,” captures the heart of Koi’s approach—combining fresh ingredients with the artistry and excitement of open-flame hibachi cooking.

The menu features an enticing mix of sizzling hibachi dishes, freshly crafted sushi rolls, savory teriyaki, flavorful bento boxes, and other Asian-inspired offerings. Koi blends traditional and contemporary flavors in a lively, welcoming space designed to bring people together over memorable meals.

Located at 3510 West Road in Trenton, Koi is now open and ready to serve the community. The owners extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported them along the way and invite all to be a part of this exciting new chapter.

Photos by Jim Jacek

Downtown Dollars Program

ANGELIA PUSINO

DDA Director

The Trenton Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is excited to announce our newest initiative, the Downtown Dollars Program! This innovative community currency is designed to support our local businesses and encourage the community to shop and dine in downtown Trenton. By participating in this program, you can help boost the local economy while enjoying the unique offerings of our vibrant community.

The Downtown Dollars Program is an alternative form of money, like a gift certificate. You can purchase Downtown Dollars at any time on the Trenton DDA’s website page at trentonmi.org or by scanning the QR codes found at participating businesses. We offer Downtown Dollars in the amounts of $10, $20, $50, and $100. The certificate arrives in your email and can be redeemed at any participating business in downtown Trenton. A participating merchants list is available online and comes with all purchased Downtown Dollars. You can also send Downtown Dollars to friends and family as a gift.

From June 16th through June 29th, we’re launching our Downtown Dollars Summer Deal (limited to one per person and while supplies last). This is the perfect chance to buy your Downtown Dollars ahead of time and use them during the Trenton Summer Festival or at any time in the future.

You can easily purchase your Downtown Dollars at the Trenton City Hall Treasurer’s Office with cash or online at trentonmi.org with a debit/credit card. There is a 3% processing fee for all card purchases.

By participating in the Downtown Dollars Program, you will not only receive great shopping deals but also support our amazing downtown businesses this summer.

For questions about the Downtown Dollars Program, please contact the Trenton DDA at (734) 493-3807 or by emailing dda@trenton-mi.com.

Managing obesity often involves making lifestyle changes, and in many cases, medical treatments or surgery are required.

At the Downriver Clinics in Grosse Ile and Trenton, we recognize the importance of addressing all all the factors contributing to obesity. Zepbound.

Walk-In Hours Mon-Fri 9:00am-6:00pm Sat-Sun 9:00am-4:30pm

Hours Mon-Fri 8:30am-8:30pm Sat-Sun 8:30am-6:00pm

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Elizabeth M. Abshire

Insurance Agent

Shaun Z. Abshire

Insurance Agent

DOWNRIVERCU ANSWERS

Watch for ‘Gray Charges’

There are many reasons you should be checking your credit and debit card statements each month to monitor your expenses, and spotting ‘gray charges’ is one of them.

Gray charges are expenses you may have forgotten about, or surprise charges that might have been deceptively tied to another offer you signed up for. They can also include accidental overcharges and double-billings.

Many of these charges come from ‘free trial’ offers or things such as subscriptions that automatically roll over when they are due, according to research released by BillGuard, a company that monitors credit card usage.

And while these charges are usually legitimate, at times they are somewhat deceptive. This is because there are some businesses that rely on you to forget to cancel an offer before costs kick in, or not reading the fine print when you purchase something.

While you can try to fight gray charges, it’s better to avoid these costs in the first place.

Here are some tips to protect yourself:

Beware of ‘free trial’ offers. Red lights should flash in your head if something is ‘free’ but a business wants your credit or debit card information at the time you sign up. Read the terms closely. Is there a cost once the trial ends? How much is it? How can you avoid it? Remember that ‘free’ usually is just a way to turn you into a paying customer.

purchase, such as a magazine or video subscription, future product shipments, or an extended warranty plan.

When purchasing a product, always read the fine print and look for boxes that might automatically be checked. Look for hidden fees, conditions or service charges, and be sure there isn’t another offer tied to your

When you subscribe to something, check for automatic renewals and to see if you’re starting at a reduced fee … because you could be paying much more at renewal time. Often, subscriptions made online will auto-renew until you cancel them, and you need to keep an eye on cost creep – higher charges from one billing to another. Be aware of what you expected to pay and how to cancel a subscription if necessary.

Use a calendar to keep track of when ‘free’ trials end and be sure to keep details of how to cancel an offer before charges begin. Having a good filing system to keep track of due dates, costs and contracts will help you keep track of fees and the businesses you are dealing with.

Can you fight the charges?

It pays to be aware of these costs before you get hit with them because they can be hard to dispute if they were part of the written terms you agreed to.

But you do have options.

If you truly feel there has been a billing mistake or that you have been deceived or defrauded, contact the business and explain why you’re contacting them. Make sure to have evidence which proves your contention. Ask to have the charges reversed, or for an immediate cancellation so you won’t have to pay again.

If that doesn’t work, lodge a detailed dispute with your card issuer for charges you are sure you didn’t initiate. Remember, the key to avoiding gray charges is knowing what you are getting into at the start.

Louie is an amazing dog. He resides with the Sensoli family in Southgate. Louie stays active doing zoomies, taking walks in the neighborhood, doing the sniper crawl and swimming during trips to Higgins Lake. On May 8th this active pup turned 3 years old. Happy Birthday, Louie!

Would you like to see your pet become “Downriver Famous” in our Go Big Multi-Media empire? Send a photo and a blurb to Sherry@ gobigmultimedia.com and we will do the rest.

Time to clear up the confusion about Estate Planning ... The following deﬁnitions lack legal precision, but makes it easier to get a clear picture of what may be needed in your case.

■ Will – letter of intent of where you want your personal property to go – or not go.

■ Living Will – Documents your wishes during your ﬁnal days including ﬁnal healthcare choices and possibly your burial wishes.

■ Trust – This is a “company” that you start, and you become the CEO, “Trustee” and “Settlor.” The company outlives you, but continues to manage your assets as if you were alive by the successor CEO – whom you designate.

■ Power of Attorney – Financial and Healthcare – you need both – the ﬁrst so someone can pay your bills, the second, sometimes called a Patient Advocate, designates someone to make “hallway at the hospital” decisions to take the stress oﬀ the family.

■ Ladybird Deed – probably the best thing that has happened to owning a home. I love these deeds – you grant yourself a life estate – in your own property - but retain the power to sell or borrow against the property. If you do not sell before you pass, this “springs” the house out of your estate, and your heirs have instant ownership, subject to any mortgage or taxes owed or similar.

Again, this is just a general description of the more popular terms – no one choice is a “silver bullet” but depending on how your estate gets planned out you can expedite a clean and clear process for the assets you worked a lifetime to save. Why wouldn’t you want to do that? Stop by or call and make an appointment and I’ll tell you what you’re going to need to do this right.

To my numerous former clients – thank you for allowing me to draft your estate plan!

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Green thumbs at MacArthur Park

The Trenton Gardeners hosted a successful community clean-up event at MacArthur Park. Volunteers gathered at 9:30 a.m. on May 7th, to help beautify the park.

The event saw a great turnout, with many community members coming together to lend a hand. The gardeners expressed their sincere thanks to everyone who participated and helped make the event a success. Their efforts played a key role in maintaining the park and contributing to the overall beautification of the area.

The Trenton Gardeners are grateful for the support and look forward to organizing more community-driven events in the future.

TRENTON PARKS AND RECREATION . . .

Photo by Dave Chapman

Trojans take second at Wyandotte Shores

By DAVE MERCHANT

The Trenton Trojans boys’ golf team turned in a strong performance on May 1st, finishing second in a four-team match at Wyandotte Shores Golf Course.

Carlson edged out the Trojans for first place with a team score of 158, while Trenton was close behind at 160. Woodhaven placed third with a 187, and Roosevelt finished

Szalka earns 400th win, reflects on baseball journey

By DAVE MERCHANT

Becoming a coaching legend takes time, dedication, and a genuine love for the game. Trenton baseball coach Todd Szalka certainly fits that description, both on the field and in the classroom.

Szalka earned his 400th career win this season in a matchup against Gibraltar Carlson on April 17th.

His passion for coaching began early. His father, Gary Szalka, was a longtime varsity coach at Melvindale High School, and it didn’t take long for Todd to follow in his footsteps.

“I started coaching when I was in high school, doing T-ball for the City of Woodhaven,” Todd said. “After college each year, I would come back and help out at Woodhaven and/or Melvindale on a volunteer basis. While at Central Michigan University, I coached the club baseball team before joining CMU’s varsity team as a student coach. After the fall season, I returned to playing for the club team.”

Szalka also spent several summers coaching with the Allen Park and Lincoln Park Legion teams. During his student teaching, he took on the JV coaching job at Riverview. The following year, he was hired by Trenton and began coaching the freshman team. After one year, he moved up to coach the JV squad. In 2008, he became the varsity head coach.

In addition to coaching, Todd teaches special education, a role he finds equally rewarding.

their future kids in mind. I want them to be able to share the game with the next generation. I coach baseball, but I also try to teach about life. There’s no better avenue than sports to help kids face adversity and learn to push through struggles.”

Szalka always knew coaching was in his future.

“I think it became part of my DNA,” he said. “I just wanted to be like my dad. I saw the joy he got from coaching and teaching. I actually started out as an engineering major at CMU but was quickly drawn back to education.”

fourth with a 217.

Trenton was led by consistent scoring across the board.

Grant Riley, Jona Zimbalatti, Jack Brownlie, and Ethan Gilbert each carded a 40.

Patrick Rogowski followed closely with a 41, and Branden Baymer shot a 42.

The Trojans will look to build on their strong outing as they continue Downriver League play.

“I love coaching baseball,” he said. “I grew up on the field, going to practices and games with my dad. I tell people it’s the family business.”

For Szalka, coaching and teaching go hand in hand.

“To me, they’re the same,” he said. “The field is just an extension of the classroom. If you teach using sound practices and explain the ‘why’ behind things, kids respond. They want to learn. When they see something working, they’re eager for more.”

Building trust, he said, is key in both environments.

“On the field, I try to coach players with

A required introductory course in special education ended up being a turning point.

“I was immediately drawn to helping students with emotional and learning challenges,” he said.

Coaching with his father was one of the greatest learning experiences of his life.

“I learned so much from him. Probably the most important lesson was to ‘always leave things better than you found them.’ That’s something I try to live by every day.”

Coaching runs in the family. Todd’s brother, Marc Szalka, has coached almost as long. He now teaches at Wilson Middle

Trenton crew earns multiple podium finishes at Wy-Hi Regatta

By DAVE MERCHANT

The Trenton High School rowing team put together an impressive showing at the annual Wy-Hi Regatta, earning several top finishes and placing well in overall team standings. The team finished third in the Combined Points Trophy, second in the Women’s Team Trophy, and fourth in the Men’s Team Trophy, reflecting a balanced and competitive effort across all categories.

Trenton claimed first place in several events. The Men’s Novice 4x+ crew of Myra Holbrook, Justin Blevins, Logan Hitchcock, Julian Olson, and James Metric secured a top finish. The Women’s Novice 4x+ boat, featuring Grace Hibbard, Kelsey Smith, Samantha Raredon, Millie Rodriguez-Nutter, and Leland Tait, also took first. Another first-place finish came from the Women’s Junior 4+, rowed by Khloe Cloutier, Mikayla Schmidt, Trinity Kelly, Katelyn Kuhn, and Nina Cooper. The Women’s Novice 8+ squad of Faye Ma, Kelsey Smith, Samantha Raredon, Hope Gomez, Brooke Johnson, Millie Rodriguez-Nutter, Leland Tait, Emma Spence-Himmelberger, and Stella Frederick continued the winning streak. Trenton’s Women’s

JOURNEY

Continued from PAGE 14

Novice 4+, also comprised of Mya Kopera, Kelsey Smith, Samantha Raredon, Millie Rodriguez-Nutter, and Leland Tait, rounded out the list of first-place finishes.

The team also brought home several second-place medals. Jake Koralewski finished second in the Men’s Varsity 1x. The Women’s Varsity 4x, rowed by Trinity Kelly, Katelyn Kuhn, Annika Hermanson, and Mikayla Schmidt, placed second, as did the Women’s Varsity 8+, with Khloe Cloutier, Natalie Glass, Trinity Kelly, Katelyn Kuhn, Kaelyn Barich, Nina Cooper, Annika Hermanson, Mikayla Schmidt, and coxswain Noah McCardell.

Rounding out Trenton’s podium performances were third-place finishes in the Men’s Junior 4+, which included Myra Kopera, Bryand Durbin, Tytus Kelly, Lane Hamilton, and Ronan Frank, and the Men’s Varsity 8+, with Grace Hibbard, Lane Hamilton, Tytus Kelly, Justin Blevins, Anthony Werling, Jake Koralewski, James Metric, Bryan Durbin, and Ronan Frank.

The results reflect a strong and deep roster for Trenton crew, with both novice and varsity rowers contributing to an impressive showing at one of the season’s key regattas.

School in Wyandotte and joined Trenton’s JV staff three years ago.

“Marc is a great coach and a daily positive influence on me,” Todd said.

Todd has been married to his wife Juli for 17 years. They have two sons, Luke, a freshman at Trenton High School, and Dean, a seventh grader at Arthurs Middle School.

Reflecting on his coaching highlights, Szalka finds it difficult to choose favorites.

“There are so many. Each season is special in its own way,” he said. “The 2008 team was memorable because it was my first year. The 2014 team won our first Regional Title and was incredibly teamoriented. The 2019 team made it to the Final Four for the first time. The 2020 team had most of those players returning but lost their season to COVID. Last year’s run to the Final Four, with three walk-off

wins in a row, was unbelievable. I may never experience that kind of adrenaline rush again. Losing in extras to Flint Powers was tough. They were a great team.”

Szalka credits many mentors with shaping him as both a coach and a person.

“Of course, my dad tops the list, but others have had a major impact as well,” he said. “Bob Kreszyn was my mentor when I arrived at Trenton. He was one of the greatest men I’ve ever known. We lost him to cancer in 2016 and I miss him every day. Bob Jones was also instrumental in helping me grow as a coach. He took my understanding of the game to another level and helped Trenton elevate its program. Bob Kloss, my high school coach, had an infectious personality. Andy Green gave me my first coaching job with Allen Park Legion and helped me get my start. Vic Bechard, who I coached with on the Downriver Hawks, really pushed me to take on more responsibility.”

He added, “I’ve been blessed with so many positive influences, and I try to give back to the game in

the same way it gave so much to me.”

Szalka’s coaching philosophy emphasizes positivity and realistic goal-setting.

“Players should set achievable goals, then work backward to map out how to get there,” he said. “Instead of focusing on stats, a better goal might be to move up in the batting order. Then they can list the steps needed to make that happen.”

As President of the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association for the past four years, Szalka also believes in the power of small, consistent effort.

“I follow the Rule of 18,” he said. “If you can dedicate 18 minutes a day - about 100 hours a yearto your craft, you’ll surpass 95% of the world in that area. Progress can feel slow, but eventually, it shows in a big way. Keep your head down and go to work. Take advantage of the opportunities you are given and more will come your way. Stay positive, the game of baseball doesn’t define you, but the work ethic you develop from the daily grind will!”

Trenton Rotary Club offering business grants

Members of the Trenton Rotary Club are part of a Rotary District 6400 wide LaunchDETROIT program, which is a Micro-Finance Program Benefiting Entrepreneurs in Metro Detroit since its inception in 2014. The program was designed to help entrepreneurs in under-resourced areas of Detroit with business education training, mentoring, and networking along with micro-loans up to $2,500 for those who qualified.

“To date, we’ve helped nearly 100 entrepreneurs, and we have more currently enrolled and ready to begin their business education training,” said Detroit Rotarian Margaret Williamson, chair of LaunchDETROIT.

The program then grew to creating other Launch cities, including LaunchTRENTON, which provided micro-funding to several Trenton businesses before the group took pause during the pandemic. “Four years later, we realized we still had funding for businesses that were not used and the committee had in turn disbanded. Rather than let the investment go dormant, the committee regrouped and explored other options that might align with the LaunchTRENTON values and help Trenton businesses.” Said Noel Jackson, Rotary Club President.

For this Grant, Trenton businesses are asked to simply: “Describe what you will use the funding

for.” They can also provide a summary of their business along with any photos, testimonials, marketing plans or budgets to demonstrate the business commitment to the community. Up to 5 grants from $2,500 - $5,000 will be awarded. The grant can be used for rent/mortgage, ADA compliance, renovations, permits, professional services, equipment, or business expansion.

Each owner of the business will be subject to a background check during the application process. Each applicant will be invited to an interview with the Grants Award Committee. If a business receives a grant, they will be invited to a Rotary Club meeting within six months to provide an update on their business and success they’ve achieved using the funds received. The deadline is June 1, 2025. This is a one-time grant. Current Rotarians are ineligible for this grant. Grants will be awarded by July 1, 2025. The application is available for download at www.trentonrotary.net. More information at 734493-3807 or email applications to kane@marketinsights.us.

About Trenton Rotary: It’s easy and FUN to get involved. Attend a weekly Monday 12noon meeting or once a month at 6:01pm- the second Monday of the month. Some club services include: Hands on events, marketing, fundraisers, foundation fundraising, international missions, projects at schools, homeless shelters, veteran services, food pantry’s, local economy/ community events, peace chain and conflict resolution activities, world health initiatives including water wells, literacy, humanitarian projects, youth exchange, maternal and child health initiatives, environmental sustainability and emergency preparedness. Committees in the Club: Fundraising, Interact, Scholarships, Blood Drive, International Service, Youth Exchange, Club Service/Fellowship, Vocational Service/Career Fairs, Peace Chain, Membership Committee, Marketing, Shred Day, Salvation Army Ringing, Family Fun Fair, Wild Game, Tree Planting, Fireside Chat, Health Initiatives, Hands on projects of service, Local economy projects, make new, lifelong friends, meet business leaders, managers, political leaders and professionals. More information at trentonrotary.net.

GI lacrosse growing as a team

According to Grosse Ile lacrosse coach Greg Meyring, lacrosse is “the fastest sport on two feet.” And the Red Devils are certainly keeping up the pace. Grosse Ile’s varsity lacrosse team is currently above .500 and playing with energy and determination.

On April 24th, they earned a strong 11-4 win over Woodhaven. The day before, they fell to a talented Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett team, 13-5. On April 21st, the Red Devils topped rival Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 17-10. Earlier in the season, they also picked up wins over Detroit Cass Tech, 15-4, and Allen Park, 14-9. On April 11th, they dropped a high-scoring game to the Belleville Tigers, 19-9.

SEE PAGE 19

Celebrating 13 sweet years

A Serendipity Cakery and Ice Cream Shoppe proudly celebrated 13 years in business this May. The family-owned dessert shop, known for its creative custom treats and community involvement, officially began as a home business on May 1st, 2012. What started with simple cake drops at street

fairs, festivals, and farmer’s markets has since grown into a thriving full-scale cakery offering custom cakes, cookies, chocolate-dipped treats, hot cocoa balls, and more.

After outgrowing its original home-based operation, A Serendipity Cakery moved into its first brick-and-mortar location in Wyandotte in 2015. Within just six months, the business had outgrown that space, prompting a move to its current location in Riverview in 2018, where it continues to flourish. Run by founder Tammie Bachran and supported by her family, including her son Ben, stepsons Daryl and Johnathan, and her husband of 19 years, Alan, the shop operates with an average of 10 employees. The family’s dedication and hands-on approach are a key part of the business’s charm and success.

SEE COVER

Titans track team making some noise

Southgate Anderson High School’s Track and Field team has established itself as a strong contender in some of the most competitive meets in the region this season, turning in impressive performances and earning top finishes in a wide range of events.

At the Marauder Invitational on April 26, the girls team earned a third-place finish overall, while the boys placed fourth. Leading the way for Anderson

was Seth Bodary, who took first place in the 400-meter dash, and Jackson Sage, who claimed first in the 300-meter hurdles. The 400-meter relay team of Hunter Druchniak, TJ Pokorny, Jackson Sage, and Seth Bodary also brought home a first-place finish.

SEE PAGE 12

WFD launches new secure lock box program

The Wyandotte Fire Department is proud to announce the launch of a new program designed to provide seniors and disabled residents with faster access to emergency care when they need it

most. This initiative will provide secure lock boxes for qualifying residents, allowing firefighters and paramedics to enter homes quickly and safely during emergencies—without the need to force entry and cause property damage.

SEE PAGE 3

Joy Schuck captured first in the 3200-meter run, and Victoria Czyzewski earned top honors in the high jump.

motorcoach. Restroom equipped and reclining seats for your comfort and convenience.

The Voyageur (included lunch) - Flanking the St. Clair River, The Voyageur grants an elegant view of the waterway, with fine cuisine that compliment the fresh landscape. You have a choice of meals, which are both served with red skin potatoes, mixed garden vegetables, non-alcoholic drink and dessert.

Huron Lady II * - You will cruise from beautiful downtown Port Huron on an informative narrated tour of the Blue Water Area. View Great Lake freighters, the two Blue Water Bridges, and more.

Sweet Tooth of Marine City - Featuring nostalgic candy from the early 1900’s to the 1970’s, with a wall of assorted bulk candies from the past to the present that will delight all ages from young to old. They also feature a variety of handmade chocolates and Hudsonville hand dipped ice cream in an assortment of flavors. Everyone will receive a $2.50 gift card!