By ANDREA POTEET Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK — The emergency financial manager’s preliminary financial plan for the city includes eliminating nine police and fire positions. In the plan, posted on the city’s website Friday, Emergency Financial Manager Joyce Parker suggests eliminating nine currently vacant police and fire positions included in the minimum staffing levels of each department. Parker said in the plan she intends to seek state Treasury approval to increase the current police and fire millage for an … [Read more...] about Fire, police cuts part of EFM plan
Allen Park
Camera catches snack bar theft at bowling alley
By ANDREA POTEET Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK – Officers are looking for a former employee of Thunderbowl Lanes, 4200 Allen, accused of stealing more than $500 from the alley Feb. 1. About $583 was found missing from the alley’s snack bar that day and reported to police two days later. Surveillance footage shows the suspect, a 19-year-old Melvindale man, enter the alley about 11 p.m. that day and pace the hallway. At the same time, a current employee, who police suspect may be involved, places a cash bag on the … [Read more...] about Camera catches snack bar theft at bowling alley
Fire Department to accept equipment grant
By ANDREA POTEET Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK – The Fire Department will soon receive new equipment after the city’s emergency financial manager approved receipt of a federal grant. EFM Joyce Parker announced her approval of the $200,000 Federal Emergency Management Agency grant to fund 23 air packs, sets of bunker gear and emergency medical services overcoats Jan. 22. Fire Chief Douglas LaFond said up to 75 percent of the department’s primary turnout gear is nearly 10 years old. The sets used as backup by … [Read more...] about Fire Department to accept equipment grant
Property values drop again in AP
By ANDREA POTEET Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK — It was a case of good news and bad news when City Assessor Paula Grivens-Jastifer presented her annual report on the city’s property values Jan. 22 Property values fell 3 percent from 2012 to 2013, she said, but when compared to drops of 11, 8, and 12 percent in the past three years respectively, the figure is a positive sign for the city, she said. “The decline in values is slowing and halting,” Grivens-Jastifer said. “In some residential neighborhoods we are even … [Read more...] about Property values drop again in AP
Police looking for armed robbers
By ANDREA POTEET Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK – A man said he was robbed by a man whom he met in the Starbucks parking lot, 23005 Outer Drive, to sell a phone he had posted on Craigslist. Police are looking for the man, described as black and about 19 years old, and three black women who were passengers in his 2002 Chevrolet Impala when he met with the alleged victim in the parking lot about 11 p.m. Jan. 26. The man bought two cell phones for $200 each at a store in Taylor and posted them on the website to sell them … [Read more...] about Police looking for armed robbers
AP again faces $4 million shortfall
By ANDREA POTEET Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK – Declining property values and debt service payments for the city’s failed movie studio continue to put strain on the cash strapped city that faces a budget shortfall of $4 million for Fiscal Year 2013. During the city’s annual audit from Detroit-based firm Alan C. Young and Associates Jan. 22, Principal Auditor Jay Wildes and Financial Advisor firm Plante & Moran’s Carl Johnson laid out the familiar story of decreasing general funds with one new item to announce during … [Read more...] about AP again faces $4 million shortfall
Allen Park EFM formulates plan, looks back on year
By ANDREA POTEET Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK – Few Downriver cities have undergone as much change in the past year as Allen Park. Despite first asking for and then contesting a state financial review, the most drastic change was the that review’s end result – the appointment of an emergency financial manager to the city by Gov. Rick Snyder in October. Since taking the helm of the city’s troubled finances, Emergency Financial Manager Joyce Parker has sought resident and council input on her plan to close the city’s … [Read more...] about Allen Park EFM formulates plan, looks back on year
EFM: Plan could come by end of month
By ANDREA POTEET Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK – A financial plan for the city may be only weeks away. Emergency Financial Manager Joyce Parker told City Council members at their regular meeting Tuesday that she hopes to have a first draft of her financial plan for the city completed by the end of the month. Once completed, Parker said the plan will be sent to the council, who will hold a special meeting to discuss it. She also hopes to hold a town hall meeting to present it to the community before sending it to the … [Read more...] about EFM: Plan could come by end of month
Body found in ditch
By ANDREA POTEET Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK – Police are investigating the death of a woman whose body was found in a ditch Wednesday outside of Hungarian Reform Church, 9901 Allen Road. Allen Park Police Detective John Mathis said they are not yet releasing the name of the 87-year-old woman who was found dead about 9:15 a.m. that day. “The cause of death is unknown,” Mathis said. “But we’re not looking at foul play.” Allen Park Police and Fire departments responded to the scene. Mathis said he does not know … [Read more...] about Body found in ditch
Hail to the ‘King’
Photo courtesy of Allen Park Public Schools For their “day on” on Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, students at all of Allen Park Public Schools participated in activities honoring the civil rights leader with the theme “We shall overcome” followed by a district-wide afternoon assembly featuring professional speakers and student performances. Above, elementary students Mia Nightingale (left), Ryan Bernardo, Ian Wagner, Aidan Truba,Mikey Chacon, Braden Pattenaude, Jonah Gaggin and Jordan Smith perform a sign language routine during … [Read more...] about Hail to the ‘King’