By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK — The Allen Park Board of Ethics unanimously decided Wednesday that Councilman Angelo DeGuilio violated the city’s code of ethics and said his punishment should be decided by his peers. They found DeGuilio guilty of violating two ethical principles held for government officials — the principle of respectability and fitness for public office and the principle of congeniality and productivity — with his actions and words toward Police Officer Wayne Albright and retired Police … [Read more...] about Ethics board finds councilman unethical
Allen Park
Parents arraigned in infant son’s death
By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK — A Dearborn Heights couple awaits a preliminary examination of the evidence against them for charges stemming from the suffocation death of their infant son Jan. 15 in a hotel here. Sahib Al-Asadi, 31, and Outhwaite Julite, 32, were arraigned Friday in 24th District Court before Judge Richard Page on involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse charges. Julite also was charged with second-degree murder. The preliminary exam is scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 12 … [Read more...] about Parents arraigned in infant son’s death
A firefighters on track for busy year
By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK — The Allen Park Fire Department is on pace to see an increase in fire and rescue calls of about 12.5 percent in just two years. Fire Chief Douglas LaFond said the department could see about 3,200 fire and rescue runs this year, which is about 100 more runs than 2012 and about 400 more than 2011. “Last year, we saw the more runs than ever before,” he said. “But if the calls continue to come in the way they do, we’re definitely on track to see our busiest year yet … [Read more...] about A firefighters on track for busy year
Millage proposal only item on Allen Park ballot
Photo by Gabriel Goodwin Emergency Manager Joyce Parker addresses residents’ concerns about the police and fire millage proposal at her Coffee with the EM meeting Thursday at Maple Heights Retirement Community, 4600 Allen Road. By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK — Voters on Aug. 6 will decide the fate of the city’s 3.5-mill request to support the operations of the Police and Fire departments. “To balance the budget, I have to come up with $2 million,” Emergency Manager Joyce Parker said. “I have to close … [Read more...] about Millage proposal only item on Allen Park ballot
City finances push board to consider changes to pension plan
By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK — The city did not pay part of its contribution to the pension fund at the end of its fiscal year and repayment discussions between the pension board and emergency manager continue. In its report to the board, Gabriel Roeder Smith and Co., which handles the city’s pension fund, estimated the city owed $2.5 million to the fund and calculated higher future pension contributions. The estimates did not include changes to fire and police wage changes or changes in their … [Read more...] about City finances push board to consider changes to pension plan
Hanging with Hipp
Photo by Sue Suchyta Picture book author and illustrator Ryan Hipp (third from left) of Grand Rapids reads a student-captioned cartoon aloud to summer reading program participants at Allen Park Public Library. Kids caption comics with children’s book author, illustrator By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK – When picture book author and illustrator Ryan Hipp draws a crowd, he uses both words and artistry to capture and keep their attention. Hipp, an award-winning Grand Rapids writer and artist, visits … [Read more...] about Hanging with Hipp
Approved fire contract cuts salaries 10-18%
By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK — The city’s fire department union ratified a contract that calls for across-the-board pay cuts of between 10 and 18 percent while maintaining staffing levels. The agreement, that went into effect July 1, also reduces pension contributions and holiday pay. “We have negotiated, not imposed, an agreement which provides real structural change that saves the city money and still helps us maintain a certain level of fire service delivery,” Emergency Manager Joyce Parker said. … [Read more...] about Approved fire contract cuts salaries 10-18%
Classics at a car show
Photo by Gabriel Goodwin Dan Sinclair (right) shows off his father’s 1921 Ford Model T at the Allen Park Classic Car Show July 10. Sinclair said the Model T is original and all of the wood accents, the wood wheels, and the wood floorboards in the vehicle have not been replaced. He said the wheels were originally painted black, but the previous owner stripped the paint off during restoration and liked the natural look of the wheels. The event, hosted by the Allen Park Downtown Development Authority, was rescheduled from June 26 … [Read more...] about Classics at a car show
Allen Park EM talks budget
By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK — The 2013-14 city budget went into effect Monday and includes approximately $2.5 million in the general fund. Emergency Manager Joyce Parker presented the budget during a public hearing June 29 and it took effect July 1. She said the purpose of the new budget is to provide for fiscal stability to enhance service delivery in public works and public safety and keep in line with the city’s deficit elimination plan. The budget doesn’t include the Staffing for Adequate Fire … [Read more...] about Allen Park EM talks budget
Unity walk presented to frustrated council
By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK — City councilors agree: The city has its problems, but the city needs to come together to address and solve the problems rather complain and assign blame elsewhere. Councilman Henry Sisko said the city has the same problems it had when he ran for office in 2011. A lot of the issues addressed when he ran for office, Sisko said, are still the same issues the city is facing now. “It hasn’t changed for a lot of reasons. There’s a culture problem within this city of not … [Read more...] about Unity walk presented to frustrated council