Officials pinch pennies, welcome federal funds, square off against recall efforts and wily coyotes

By K. Michelle Moran
C & G Staff Writer

GROSSE POINTES — Last year will likely be remembered among Pointers as the year the coyotes got bad and voters got mad.

From more brazen coyotes approaching residents and their pets, and even killing one dog, to voters so angered over millage increases in the Woods and Shores that they launched recall efforts, 2009 was a tough year for many officials and residents. The slumping state and national economy also meant all of the cities were faced with decreased revenues and difficult choices as they worked to keep their municipalities solvent.

January
• An alleged armed robber got away with almost $10,000 from the Hill branch of Bank of America when he demanded cash and threatened to shoot a teller during a robbery around 1 p.m. Jan. 12. The suspect, described as a raspy-voiced black male in his 50s, around 6 feet 2 inches or 6 feet 3 inches tall and carrying a silver cane, was wearing a long black coat with a scarf covering his face and a hat pulled down low. He reportedly fled the scene in light-colored, four-door Dodge Intrepid driven by an accomplice. At press time, he remained at large. Anyone with more information about this incident is asked to call Farms Public Safety at (313) 885-2100.

• The Grosse Pointe Art Center opened its doors at a new home in the Village, at 16900 Kercheval, on Jan. 23.

• Former Wayne County Circuit Court Judge William Giovan of Grosse Pointe Farms was named to serve the final year of Woods and Shores Municipal Judge Lynne Pierce’s term. Pierce was elected to the circuit court in November 2008.

• Shores Village Manager Michael Kenyon and his wife, Executive Assistant Angela Kenyon, were honored for their years of service to the Shores during a Jan. 17 retirement party at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. Michael Kenyon started working for the Shores as a public safety officer in 1971, becoming manager in 1983, while Angela Kenyon started her career in the village in 1980. Michael Kenyon was succeeded by Brian Vick, a former assistant city manager in Grosse Pointe City.

February
• An armed robber reportedly stabbed a gas station manager in the hand and thigh around 12:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Mobil station on the corner of Mack and Vernier, making off with the station’s bank deposit. Described as a black male in his 30s of medium build, around 6 feet tall, with a scruffy beard and sores around his mouth, he remained at large as of press time. Anyone with more information about this incident is asked to call Woods Public Safety at (313) 343-2400.

• The Grosse Pointe City Council unanimously approved a plan for a new two-story Village Kroger store at 16919 Kercheval on Feb. 9. The plan, which was to include an attached parking garage, was scaled back by Kroger officials to a single-story store with no parking garage in December.

• City officers led a multiple agency raid Feb. 23 on the eastside Detroit party store Pony Keg after an investigation revealed the owners were allegedly selling stolen liquor and cigarettes at the business. Husband and wife storeowners Woody and Khiloud Garmo of Sterling Heights were arrested and charged with state, local and federal offenses.

• The Shores went from a village to a city after voters approved a new charter during a special election Feb. 24. Voters also elected a new city council, naming former Council President James Cooper as the Shores’ first mayor, and Vicki Boyce, Robert Graziani, Brian Hunt, Ted Kedzierski, Fred Minturn and Daniel Schulte as the new council members.

• Grosse Pointe North teacher Ardis Herrold’s dedication to the students earned her the 2009 High School Teacher of the Year award from the Michigan Science Teachers Association.

• The Grosse Pointe Board of Education voted 5-2 against allowing non-resident teachers an opportunity to enroll their children in the district. The vote came after residents spoke out against the possibility. 

March
• St. Louis, Mo.-based Environmental Liability Transfer expressed interest in the Grosse Pointes-Clinton Refuse Disposal Authority’s 64-acre former incinerator site, located near 14 Mile and Quinn roads in Clinton Township. At press time, the property remained vacant and unsold.

• After months of deliberation, the Woods City Council voted unanimously March 16 in favor of a new, 30-year contract with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. To lower rates further, the Woods plans to build a water storage tank on its Public Works Department grounds.

• Late in the month, Albion-based nonprofit children and family services organization Starr Commonwealth announced possible plans for the Children’s Home of Detroit, including operation of residential or community-based services for children, specialized therapeutic education or sale of the property. At press time, no definitive plans for 13-acre Woods site had been announced.

April
• The Shores officially became a city at midnight April 1. At the first Shores City Council meeting later that morning, tensions flared as some residents called for change in the way the Shores does business.

• Farms and Grosse Pointe Public School System officials clashed over a proposed addition at Brownell Middle School for plays, rehearsals, presentations and other school programs.

• The City Council approved another six-month extension for The Village Inn partners on April 20. The partners hoped to build 50-60 room boutique hotel in the Village.

• The third annual Earth Day Fair took place April 25 at the Grosse Pointe Woods Community Center. The event was sponsored by Grosse Pointe-based nonprofit LocalMotion, now called LocalMotion Green.

• Times were tough for many school districts, including Grosse Pointe, which was scrambling for ways to cut costs due to projected funding shortages, declining enrollment and other issues. Some of the ideas to raise additional funds or cut costs were not popular. The district was looking at layoffs to make ends meet.

May
• Detroit Police Department Dive Team members recovered “The Nude,” a sculpture by Harriet Whitney Frishmuth, from the Detroit River May 6. The divers discovered the submerged statue during a routine training mission off Alter Road and returned to bring the sculpture out of the water. The bronze piece was stolen from the grounds of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial eight years ago by what was believed to have been a professional art theft ring.

• The Park’s West Park Farmers Market opened its sixth season May 16 with new offerings and programs, including a monthly costumed dog parade and contest.

• Dozens of local cancer survivors took part in the fifth annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Grosse Pointe May 16-17 at Lake Front Park in the Woods.

• An estimated 60-70 residents packed Woods City Council chambers May 18 after many received an anonymous, hand-distributed flier that charged Woods city officials with financial mismanagement — charges officials disputed. The council approved a new budget and a 1.75 mills tax increase at the meeting, with Council member Lisa Pinkos Howle casting the sole vote against it. Residents later led an unsuccessful effort to recall council members Arthur Bryant and Joseph Sucher, the only two council members not up for election on the November ballot.

June
• The Neighborhood Club and Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe announced a planned partnership during the June 15 City Council meeting. Both organizations expect to collaborate on recreation and wellness programming, which will culminate in a new recreation, wellness and health center on Neighborhood Club property in the next couple of years.

• A split Shores City Council voted in favor of a 1 mill tax increase during a public hearing on the 2009-10 budget June 16, with council members Ted Kedzierski and Daniel Schulte casting the sole opposing votes. Shortly thereafter, former council candidate Dr. Robert E. Lee announced plans to lead a recall effort against Mayor James Cooper and council members Vicki Boyce, Robert Graziani, Brian Hunt and Fred Minturn, who voted in favor of the budget and the tax increase. At press time, recall efforts were still under way.

• In late June, Park City Manager Dale Krajniak said the city learned it would receive $1.2 million in federal funds to acquire and rehabilitate foreclosed, bank-owned homes. The city planned to focus its efforts on homes located on Lakepointe, Maryland and Wayburn.

July
• Pointe Area Assisted Transportation Service and the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation welcomed two new buses to the PAATS fleet during a July 15 ceremony at PAATS headquarters in Harper Woods.

• The Farms City Council unanimously approved construction of a second-story addition at 88/90 Kercheval on the Hill, former home of the Pointe Pedlar and Tappan & Associates, on July 13.

• The Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods began approving a new 10-year agreement with Comcast that would continue funding local programs on WMTV.

• The Grosse Pointe Public School System dealt with Board Trustee Ahmed Ismail’s resignation due to medical problems.

August
• Farms Mayor James Farquhar cast the deciding vote Aug. 3 enabling the city to pursue funding opportunities through the Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office, which was formed by the Michigan Suburbs Alliance.

• The City learned it qualified for a 40 percent federal stimulus grant for work on the Neff Road Pump Station, a project expected to cost about $651,000.

• Vernier Road in the Shores was slated to receive $314,900 in federal stimulus funds for repaving. The project is likely to take place in spring or summer of 2010.

• The district was looking to replace Grosse Pointe South varsity hockey coach Robert Bopp after he was arrested on charges of sex crimes involving a teenage boy, who was not from the district.

• Grosse Pointe schools chose Karl Kratz to fill the vacancy at the board table left by Ismail’s resignation.

• Grosse Pointe School Board President Alice Kosinski chose not to file to run for re-election.

September
• Woods resident Frederick Anthony Petz, 59, was arraigned Sept. 2 in municipal court on felony embezzlement charges after the former church volunteer allegedly stole more than $90,000 from Our Lady Star of the Sea Church and Renaissance Vicariate.

• About 75 residents gathered for a peaceful demonstration the evening of Sept. 2 in the Village to show their support for universal health care.

• Henry Ford Cottage Hospital in the Farms celebrated its 90th anniversary with a fundraiser Sept. 12 on hospital grounds.

• A divided Shores City Council approved the city’s first new master plan since 1991 Sept. 15. Opponents objected to the plan’s inclusion of a possible water storage tower and community building, although supporters said neither of those projects were mandated by the plan.

• The Shores Improvement Foundation marked its 25th anniversary with a celebration and silent auction Sept. 19 at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House.

• Privatization rumors drew strong public outcry at the Sept. 21 Woods City Council meeting, as residents and emergency workers voiced support for the city’s in-house paramedics. Officials denied the rumors.

• Farms officials approved a new baseball diamond at Kerby Field Sept. 21. The project is being paid for by Grosse Pointe Farms/City Little League.

• Unsatisfied with the response they received from Shores officials, in late September, former City Council candidate Janice Pemberton and current City Council member Daniel Schulte filed a complaint with Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land against City Attorney Mark McInerney, City Manager Brian Vick and Mayor James Cooper alleging campaign law violations. Shores officials disputed the charges. At press time, the state hadn’t yet reached a decision in this matter.

October
• The Farms City Council unanimously approved plans Oct. 5 for a Junior League of Detroit Designer Show House at 78 Lake Shore. The show house will be open to the public May 1-16, 2010, with parking at the City’s Neff Park on Lake Shore and shuttles transporting patrons to the house. Call (313) 881-0040 or visit www.jldetroit.org for more details.

• The Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce hosted the first A Fair in Fall throughout the Pointes Oct. 16-18.

• A coyote reportedly bit a 13-year-old beagle as its owner was in the yard putting a collar on the dog around 9:47 p.m. Oct. 18 in the first block of Shoreham in the Shores.

• The City Council unanimously approved new Village zoning Oct. 19 that would allow additional uses in the commercial district, while protecting its retail character.

• At the Oct. 26 Park City Council meeting, a number of residents came forward to protest the city’s rat control program, which they say sickened and killed local dogs after squirrels relocated loose poison bait pellets. City leaders vowed to investigate the matter.

• Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe paid tribute to what would have been the 100th anniversary of the Sisters of Bon Secours in metro Detroit with an Oct. 26 reception at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial.

November
• Newcomer Laurie Arora unseated longtime incumbent Shirley Kennedy in a bid for Park City Council Nov. 3. Council and mayoral elections in the City, Woods and Farms were uncontested.

• The Farms City Council voted unanimously Nov. 9 in favor of retaining its 2000 master plan as-is, following the recommendation of Planning Consultant Brandon Rogers.

• Acknowledging the need to request concessions from other city employees, City Manager Peter Dame announced plans Nov. 16 to voluntarily reduce his own salary by 5 percent.

• A 25-pound spaniel died from neck wounds sustained during an apparent coyote attack outside its home in the first block of Dodge Place in the City around 5:45 a.m. Nov. 27.

• The 34th annual Grosse Pointe Santa Claus Parade made its way along Kercheval in the Farms and City Nov. 27.

• The Shores began broadcasting its regular City Council meetings on cable Channel 12. Meetings are aired at noon on Tuesdays, and 6:30 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays.

• Grosse Pointe schools voters passed both the 18 mill renewal to bring in more than $22 million annually and the sinking fund renewal of 1 mill for more than $2.9 million. They also ousted one board member, Karl Kratz, who was appointed to the board in August, and chose Cynthia Pangborn, a past board member, incumbent Joan Dindoffer and newcomer Tom Jakubiec as members on the board.

December
• Farms resident Mary Treder Lang became the first female commodore of the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club during the Commodore’s Ball Dec. 5 at the GPYC.

• The statewide Michigan Women’s Foundation announced plans to move to a new home at 1690 Faircourt in the Woods, following approval from the Woods City Council Dec. 7. The office is part of the Faircourt Dental practice at 20040 Mack that’s operated by Dr. Mary Sue Stonish.

• Alerted by smoke alarms, three residents safely escaped a three-alarm fire at a home in the 500 block of Lincoln around 5:30 a.m. Dec. 13.

Staff Writer April Lehmbeck contributed to this report.
You can reach Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at kmoran@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1047.

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