Local Democrats Gather For Gala in Northville

About 250 people were in attendance at the Saturday night event.

Each year since its inception three years ago, the local Democratic Spring Gala has grown. This year, the Northville, Plymouth, Livonia, Community and West Oakland Democratic Clubs met Saturday night at the Meadowbrook Country Club in Northville. "This event really brings together Democrats in an area that is usually not thought of as a Democratic area at all," said Scott Craig, president of the Northville Democratic Club. "It has really become a known event statewide." More than 30 local Democrats running for first-time office or re-election on the local, state and national levels were in attendance. Proceeds from the event, which cost attendees $50-$100, is split between the clubs. Craig said the groups use the money to support various …

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Commissioners Leave Ficano Vote Off Agenda

Kevin McNamara (D-Canton) among those who supported vote on resolution.

Plymouth Township Race Sees Crowded Field

21 Republicans, 3 Democrats meet filing deadline for Board of Trustees.

A crowded field is vying for seats on the Plymouth Township Board of Trustees, due in part to a tumultuous recent political battle over the township's fire budget. According to the Plymouth Observer, 21 Republicans and three Democrats have filed for this year's race by Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline, and all six of the incumbents looking to keep their seats face challengers in the Aug. 7 GOP primary. Trustee Steve Mann is not seeking re-election, the report said. Here's a look at the candidates: Supervisor: Clerk: Treasurer: Trustee: Jennifer Mann led the Citizens Action Group of Plymouth Township, a group that strongly opposed firefighter layoffs. Independents have until July 19 to file to be included on the November ballot. For more on this …

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Heise Calls for Support on Superintendent, Synthetic Drug Bills

Representative co-sponsors bills identifying synthetic drugs, easing requirements on superintendent hires.

Rep. Kurt Heise (R-Plymouth) called for support from school board members and administrators Tuesday on bills he is co-sponsoring that would ease requirements for superintendent candidates and tackle the availability of synthetic drugs such as Spice and K-2. Heise spoke Tuesday at a Plymouth-Canton Board of Education meeting at the E.J. McClendon Educational Center in Plymouth. House Bill 5238, Heise said, would open the field of possible candidates for school district superintendent jobs by eliminating requirements mandating administrator certification from the state. Districts still could choose to hire according to those standards, but would be free to explore candidates from, he said, "outside of the normal pool." Board member Mike …

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In Brief: City Commissioners Approve 3.02% Water and Sewer Hike

City passes second water and sewer rate increase in four years.

Plymouth residents will see a slight water and sewer increase effective July 1 after a Plymouth City Commission vote on Monday. Commissioners voted Monday to increase rates 3.02 percent. According to City Manager Paul Sincock, the average resident’s bill for three months of water will increase from $198.04 to $204.34 per quarter. This marks the city’s second water and sewer increase in four years. Under an ordinance passed in 1999, the city reviews water and sewer rates annually to ensure the rates cover expenses of operating the system. The commissioner vote was unanimous. In an attempt to save money, the Plymouth City Commission restructured pay and benefits for non-union employees to mirror that of union employees. The changes cut …

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Last Chance: Democratic Caucuses are Saturday

Events include activities for local Democrats.

Local Democratic groups are holding Democratic Caucus events Saturday in Plymouth and Canton. The Plymouth Democratic Club will organize and run the 2012 Democratic Presidential Caucus in Plymouth on Saturday at Station 885 in Plymouth's Old Village. Several activities are on the agenda ahead of the 11 a.m. vote. This Caucus site is for Plymouth city and township voters only. Breakfast will be provided free of charge. Attendees will need identification that shows that they are a Plymouth resident.  The registration form includes a declaration that of participation in the Caucus as a Democrat and that the attendee is or will be a registered voter by the November 2012 election. Participants do not have to be a member of the Michigan …

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Plymouth-Canton Community Weighs in on Education Issues

Center for Michigan facilitates community conversation on education at Pioneer Middle School.

Year-round schooling and state education funding were just a few of the topics members of the Plymouth-Canton community weighed in on Wednesday at Pioneer Middle School in Plymouth. The group of about 15, which included school board members, teachers, a former state representative and parents, were participants in a community conversation facilitated by the Center for Michigan, a think-tank based in Ann Arbor. The forum, co-sponsored by Patch and the Plymouth-Canton Legislative Action Network, was one of 250 that will be held this year throughout the state. Patch has partnered with the Center and plans on hosting a conversation in all 29 Patch towns in Michigan. Ideas and comments from the forum will be shared by the group with state …

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At a Glance: The I-275 Bridge Project

Here are some facts and figures about the massive I-275 bridge project in Wayne County, which kicked off this month.

Local motorists are drawing up alternate routes for their commutes this month after a massive bridge and overpass project along Interstate 275 got under way. Here is a look at the scope of the project, as provided by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT): The bridges and overpasses include: Hannan Road over I-275; Tyler Road over I-275; I-275 over McClaughrey Drain (2); Ecorse Road over I-275; I-275 over Van Born (2); I-275 over Michigan Avenue (2); I-275 over Lower Rouge River (3); Palmer Road over I-275; I-275 over Fellows Creek (2); Cherry Hill Road over I-275; I-275 over Ford Road (2); I-275 over Tonquish Creek (2); Warren Avenue over I-275; I-275 over Koppernick (2); I-275 over CSX Railroad (2); Joy Road over I-275; Ann …

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City to Enforce Downtown Parking Limits Through 8 p.m. Beginning April 23

Plymouth to enforce new times, identifies long-term parking alternatives.

Beginning April 23, parking enforcement hours in downtown Plymouth will be extended to 8 p.m., according to a bulletin from City Hall. Among the changes Monday:

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