By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Councilman Carl Louvet told the City Council Dec. 7 that Nabil Omer, owner of the former E F Auto Supply, is violating city ordinance by holding meetings in the store without a certificate of occupancy. He said the vacant former E F Auto Supply building was denied a zoning changed due to inadequate parking spaces. “The building inspector said there is no C of O for the commercial end of that building,” Louvet said, “but there is a C of O on the one bedroom apartment … [Read more...] about Louvet: Owner using store for meetings despite zoning denial
Melvindale
Parking, precedence result in Melvindale ZBA denial
By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Insufficient parking and concern over precedence led the Zoning Board of Appeals to deny a rezoning request and parking variance for a proposed private social club on Allen Road at the Nov. 21 ZBA meeting. Melvindale resident Nabil Omer bought the former E & F Auto Supply building, 18608 Allen Road, hoping to turn it into a private billiard and arcade game hall for children, but needed a zoning change from C-1 General Shopping district to C-2 General Commercial district, … [Read more...] about Parking, precedence result in Melvindale ZBA denial
Ortiz says health care cost reduction, centralized dispatch key to deficit elimination
By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – City Manager Richard Ortiz said the city's deficit elimination plan will depend heavily on health care savings and police department cost efficiencies realized by merging with Dearborn's centralized police dispatch. Ortiz said at the Nov. 14 City Council study session that the state has requested the city to submit another deficit elimination plan for the next two years, since the city’s $1 million budget deficit will not be eliminated this year. “There is no guarantee that … [Read more...] about Ortiz says health care cost reduction, centralized dispatch key to deficit elimination
Melvindale PD gets body camera software, in-car video system
By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Police will receive body camera software updates and new in-car video recording systems that automatically download from police vehicles parked near the station to a server, using wireless Internet technology. At the Nov. 1 Public Safety Commission meeting Police Lt. Dan Jones said the supplier is addressing body camera software concerns, and police body cameras should be operation in about two weeks, as soon as downloading issues are addressed. Jones said a new antenna … [Read more...] about Melvindale PD gets body camera software, in-car video system
Melvindale, Ecorse police arrest break-in suspects, recover property
By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Melvindale and Ecorse police officers worked quickly the morning of Oct. 12 to capture armed home invasion and robbery suspects who impersonated police and assaulted their victims. Because of an ongoing investigation, police have withheld some details, but said quick cooperation with Ecorse allowed the suspects to be apprehended while still in possession of the stolen property. Three Melvindale men entered the police department at 4:20 a.m. Oct. 12 bleeding from head wounds … [Read more...] about Melvindale, Ecorse police arrest break-in suspects, recover property
Economic Development Corporation eyes boarding house repurposing
By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – The Economic Development Corporation is pursuing several options for a closed boarding house near a former trailer park at 17742 Dix. Among the options are training facilities for University of Michigan – Dearborn and office space for defense contractors seeking a local presence. “I'd love to do a redevelop project on that building and maybe put in some sort of an incubator,” EDC Chairman Marvin Yates said at the Oct. 24 meeting. “Some sort of job training, or high-tech, … [Read more...] about Economic Development Corporation eyes boarding house repurposing
Primmsylvania: A traditional Halloween haunt
By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Creating a Halloween spectacular is a tradition for Kurtis Primm and his sons, who annually turn his mother's front yard in the 18600 block of Reed into a spooky showcase. Primm said he has loved Halloween since he was a child, and has a special affinity for the visual style of the holiday. “Halloween's magical to me,” he said. “I can just feel when it's October, when it's Halloween coming. I've just always been into it.” As a child, he started out with pumpkin carving … [Read more...] about Primmsylvania: A traditional Halloween haunt
Trunk or Treat kicks off Halloween fun
By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Warm weather and eager trick or treaters encouraged families to participate in the city's annual Trunk or Treat event Oct. 16 at the Civic Arena, 4300 S. Dearborn St. Civic volunteer Sue Herman said the Kiwanis Club had already handed out peanuts to more than 400 children less than halfway through the event, and noted that families were lined up along the front of the arena for a turn to trick-or-treat around the parking lot filled with decorated vehicles. Herman said since … [Read more...] about Trunk or Treat kicks off Halloween fun
DDA proposes electricity, clock tower for Cardinal Park
By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Electricity and a clock tower were proposed for Cardinal Park, the Farmers Market site at Oakwood and Prospect, at the Oct. 19 Downtown Development Authority meeting by Director Susan Louvet. Mayor Stacy Striz said when the site plan for Cardinal Park was first developed, a wall, electrical connections and lighting were desired but not financially feasible, but improvements to the park might be possible if done in phases. “I think that maybe we should start looking at Phase … [Read more...] about DDA proposes electricity, clock tower for Cardinal Park
New protective vests keep fire marshals safer
By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Fire marshals will be safer on the job with the issuance in early September of four protective vests they can wear when sent on evening inspections into potentially unsafe areas. Fire marshals, who enforce fire codes and flammable material ordinances, also investigate fires for origin and cause. The national media has reported recent attacks on firefighters and medics, for whom body armor can provide protection in hazardous situations. Developments in protective clothing … [Read more...] about New protective vests keep fire marshals safer